Chapter 33: The Unexpected Blessing

The room was still, the only sounds being the soft rustle of the sheets and the steady ticking of the clock on the wall. King Knox had remained by Amaria's side for hours, his concern growing with every passing minute. The quiet had settled into an uneasy atmosphere, and he found it increasingly difficult to remain still.

Amaria had insisted that it was just a passing sickness, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. As much as she had tried to downplay her condition, he had seen the faint pallor in her complexion, the way her hands trembled when she reached for a drink, and the weariness that seemed to cling to her like a shadow. He could no longer ignore the sense of dread that had taken root in his chest.

Finally, after much insistence from him, Amaria had reluctantly agreed to allow the royal physicians to examine her. Though she was stubborn and wished to handle things on her own, even she could see the concern in his eyes—and the last thing she wanted was to cause him further distress.

The physician had arrived shortly thereafter, his aged hands steady as he conducted his examination. King Knox stood by the window, his back to them, his arms crossed tightly as he waited for the verdict. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the quiet murmur of the physician's voice as he asked Amaria to lie back.

Minutes seemed to stretch endlessly as the physician worked, his brow furrowing in concentration. The King shifted uneasily, his impatience growing. He was used to dealing with crises, with matters of the state, but this was something entirely different—something personal, something he wasn't sure how to handle.

When the physician finally finished, he turned to King Knox, his face unreadable. The King met his gaze, eyes narrowing as he awaited the news.

"Your Majesty," the physician began, his voice steady but with a hint of caution. "I believe the Queen is... with child."

King Knox froze, his heart stopping for a moment. "Pregnant?" he asked, the word foreign on his tongue.

The physician nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. It is in the early stages, but all signs indicate that she is indeed carrying a child."

Amaria, who had been quietly listening, felt her breath catch in her throat. She had suspected something, of course, but hearing the physician's confirmation felt like a weight settling on her chest. She glanced at the King, whose expression had shifted from one of concern to something unreadable.

King Knox stood silently for a moment, processing the information. His thoughts were a whirlwind. A child? His child?

The last few months had been filled with unexpected emotions—ones he had never allowed himself to feel, especially not for her. But now, with this new revelation, he was struck by a mixture of emotions: surprise, joy, fear, and a profound sense of responsibility.

Finally, he turned to the physician. "How long has she been pregnant?" he asked, his voice still steady but with an edge of uncertainty.

The physician paused, taking a careful look at his notes. "It is hard to say for certain, but I would estimate that she is in the early stages—about six weeks, give or take."

The King nodded slowly, absorbing the information. His eyes flicked to Amaria, who was sitting quietly in bed, her hands resting lightly on her stomach, her gaze distant.

King Knox's heart softened as he looked at her. His first instinct was to go to her, to comfort her, but something in him hesitated. He was still trying to process everything. This was a big step, one that would change everything.

The physician, sensing the moment's tension, gave a slight bow and excused himself, leaving the King and Queen alone.

The silence that followed was thick, the weight of the revelation hanging heavily in the air.

Finally, Amaria broke the silence, her voice soft but filled with a mix of vulnerability and apprehension. "Knox... I didn't plan for this," she said, her eyes meeting his. "I didn't expect this to happen."

King Knox's heart swelled at her words. He had been afraid that she might not want this, that the idea of bearing his child would be too much for her. But as he looked at her, his gaze softening, he realized that he was far more willing to embrace this new chapter in their lives than he had thought possible.

"I didn't expect it either," he replied quietly, stepping closer to the bed. "But now that I know... I want to be there for you. For both of you."

Amaria smiled faintly, relief and gratitude filling her eyes. "You don't know how much that means to me."

King Knox reached out, taking her hand gently in his. "You're not alone in this, Amaria. We'll face this together."

Amaria's smile widened, and for the first time in weeks, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. The uncertainty, the fear that had clung to her since she first suspected, was finally starting to dissipate. She had the King's support, and she knew that together they could handle whatever came their way.

As they sat in the quiet room, the weight of their conversation still lingering between them, they both understood that this pregnancy would change everything. But it would also bring them closer together—strengthening their bond, their family, and their future.

And for the first time, Amaria felt the weight of motherhood settle within her, not as a burden, but as a beautiful blessing.

The King's heart, still guarded and wary, began to thaw as well. This was a moment he hadn't expected, but as he looked down at Amaria, he knew that this child—this new life—was something he was ready to embrace with open arms.

Together, they would face the future. Together, they would build something stronger than either of them had ever imagined.

******************************************

The days following the physician's confirmation of Amaria's pregnancy had been filled with a flurry of emotions, but the most pressing matter was how to tell Prince Alexander. The young boy, who had become so attached to Amaria in the months since their marriage, had always been protective of her—more so since she'd arrived in the palace. His bond with her was undeniable, and he adored her as if she were the mother he never had.

King Knox knew that breaking the news to Alexander wouldn't be easy. The boy had grown up without a maternal figure, and the thought of sharing Amaria with a new sibling might be something he wasn't ready for. But it was time, and they couldn't keep it a secret forever.

One afternoon, as the warm light of the sun filtered through the grand windows of the palace, King Knox and Amaria sat down with Prince Alexander in the royal garden. The boy had been playing with his toys, but as they called him over, he immediately noticed something was different. He felt the tension in the air, even though no words had yet been spoken.

King Knox cleared his throat and leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but filled with authority. "Alexander, there's something important we need to tell you," he began, his eyes softening as he looked at his son.

The boy looked up at them, his eyes full of curiosity, though a shadow of unease crossed his face. "What is it, Father?"

Amaria smiled gently, her heart aching as she prepared to share the news. She had always known that Alexander's love for her was deep, but she had no idea how he would take the idea of a new sibling. She had never imagined her life would be so intertwined with the King and his son, but here she was—ready to embrace the role of both wife and mother.

"Well, Alexander," Amaria began softly, her tone warm, "there's something very special happening." She placed a hand over her stomach, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "I'm going to have a baby."

Prince Alexander's eyes widened, his expression faltering as the words settled in. For a moment, he seemed frozen, unable to process what he had just heard. His small hands clenched tightly around the toy he had been holding, his lips trembling slightly.

"I'm going to have a baby?" he repeated quietly, as if trying to confirm that he had understood correctly.

King Knox nodded, his eyes soft with understanding, but also filled with concern. He knew his son's attachment to Amaria, and he could sense the hurt in Alexander's gaze.

"Yes," the King said gently. "You're going to be a big brother."

There was a long pause before Alexander spoke again. His voice was small, almost fragile. "But I don't want to share Amaria," he admitted, his eyes brimming with emotion. "She's my mama. I don't want anyone else to take her away from me."

Amaria's heart broke at the words. She could see the pain and confusion in the young boy's eyes, and it pained her to think that he might feel like she was taking something from him. She knew how much he had longed for the love and care of a mother, and the thought of him feeling replaced or forgotten was something she couldn't bear.

Kneeling down to his level, Amaria reached out and gently cupped his face in her hands, her voice tender and soothing. "Oh, my sweet Alexander," she whispered softly. "You are never going to lose me. I will always be here for you, no matter what. A baby doesn't change the love I have for you. You are just as important to me as this little one will be. You will always be my special boy."

She could feel his little body tremble, and she pulled him into a warm embrace, holding him close as if to reassure him that everything would be okay. She could feel his tears against her shoulder, and her heart swelled with the love she had for him. She had promised herself that she would be the mother he deserved, and no child—no matter how small—would change that.

"I know it's a big change," Amaria continued, her voice soft and calming. "But we will all be a family. You, me, your father, and your new brother or sister. We'll be a team, and nothing will ever come between us."

Prince Alexander sniffled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand as he pulled away slightly to look up at her. "You promise?" he asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

"I promise," Amaria said with a warm smile, her heart full. She kissed his forehead gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. "You are my family, and that will never change."

The words seemed to soothe him, and after a few moments, he nodded slowly, though his brow still furrowed in thought. He looked at his father, then back to Amaria, his small hands reaching out to hold hers.

"I guess... I guess I can be a big brother," he said quietly, though the uncertainty still lingered in his voice.

King Knox, who had been standing quietly to the side, watching the exchange, couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pride. His son, though still struggling with the idea, was willing to accept the changes that lay ahead. He had seen the same hesitance in himself not long ago, but in this moment, with Amaria's love for the boy so evident, he realized just how deeply his wife had embraced her new role as a mother.

Knox stepped forward, placing a hand on Alexander's shoulder, his voice warm. "We'll all be in this together, Alexander. And you'll see—it's going to be wonderful."

Alexander looked up at his father, and though a flicker of doubt still lingered, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Okay, Father. I'll try."

Amaria smiled softly, her heart swelling with love for both of them. This was the beginning of a new chapter, not just for her and the King, but for their little family. The journey ahead would undoubtedly come with challenges, but with the love they shared, she was confident they could face anything together.

As they stood together, wrapped in the warmth of each other's presence, Amaria knew that the road ahead wouldn't always be easy. But it would be worth it, every step of the way.