Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I'm just having fun.
A/N: Written for the 2010 Goldenlake Drabble Tournament. Category: up to 250 words Word count: 217 Prompt: feelings and emotions
Ties in to "A Princess's Duty", but it's not necessary to read that one first.
Lianne wore her hair down to tell them, and a loose dress. The whole outfit was purposely designed to make the monarchs think of the child she had once been.
"I can't go to Galla."
"Now, Lianne, I know you may be frightened, but you have a duty, and I can assure you–"
Few would dare to interrupt the king. "No – I mean, I can't go to Galla." Her hands moved to her belly, caressing the small bump there. "I'm pregnant."
Thayet had suspected, but Jon was completely taken aback. "What?" he began to shout, and Lianne moved her hands over her belly, protectively, perfectly timed.
Jon calmed, obviously shocked that Lianne was frightened of him. Thayet noted Lianne's performance, so well thought out. Jon would never hurt her or the child, but Lianne's faux fear had stopped him.
"Who is the father?" Jon asked gravely.
Lianne opened her mouth but her mother didn't want to hear whatever dilly dallying she had come up with to answer this question.
"It's Alan, isn't it? Of course it is."
Her daughter nodded.
Jon reprimanded her, as expected. Thayet watched the Lianne's eyes glittering behind faked attention.
She did not know how it happened, but somewhere Lianne had learned to play her father's emotions like a finely tuned instrument.