Chapter 35

I'd manage to control my morning sickness throughout the week living off ginger tea and crackers every morning. I'd force myself to eat or else the nausea would take over. Whenever dinner rolled around, I'd have my share of two helpings of everything. Thankfully, no one had said a word about it.

Every time Alyn was present, the urge to tell him grew stronger but I'd always chicken out at the last minute. The head maid would give me looks whenever I'd tell her I hadn't managed to tell him about the baby.

Giles had asked that I meet him in the library today. I entered the room and took a seat beside the desk as always. "We'll begin once Alyn gets here."

Minutes later the door opens and Alyn steps inside. Our eyes lock and I quickly avert my eyes to my hands. It was so difficult to look at him knowing I kept an important secret. "Glad you could make it, Alyn," Giles says as Alyn shuts the door behind him. He stands beside me and crosses his arms. "What did you want to tell me?"

"I figured it was time the town knew about your engagement. I want to host a ceremony for the both of you tomorrow to announce your plans to marry. I want everyone to feel at peace knowing Wysteria is in good hands."

I feel my cheeks burning and I smile silently. It was hard to believe I was going to marry Alyn and the whole country would know about it. That is, if he still wanted me after I told him I'm pregnant.

"That's all," Giles says. "I've already begun the preparations so I'll leave the rest to you regarding what you'll say." Giles removes himself from his chair and leaves the library.

I start heading for the door. "Aria," Alyn says. I take in a deep breath and face him. I see pain flash in his eyes but it quickly fades. "Can I talk to you?"

Guilt fills my heart and I know he's noticing that I've been avoiding him. I still couldn't find the right words to say. "I-I need to go do something. I'll see you later," I say in a rush and leave the room quickly. I hate myself for lying to him so much. I feel his eyes watching me as I walk down the hallway. He sadly doesn't come after me.

Later that evening I decided to take a walk for some fresh air through the gardens. Snow follows behind me occasionally rubbing against my ankles. The flowers were starting to wilt with the cold that was coming. Their aromas were fading with each breeze that rushed by. I walk until I find a stone bench in the middle of a circle of rose covered arches. The area was pleasant and I'd love to have this be the place I'd marry Alyn.

Butterflies fill my middle and I smile quietly to myself. Strands of hair blow into my face and I quickly brush them behind my ear. Snow wanders farther into the garden up to no good. I stare out at the sun setting behind the mountains surrounding our small valley.

My thoughts scramble for ways to tell Alyn about our baby. "I can't think of anything," I grumble and scratch at my head. I sigh and hang my head low.

"Bark bark!" A sudden barking comes from a short distance away and I hear Snow hissing and growling nearby. I rise from my seat and call out to her. I hear the barking grow closer and I run over to see a small, scrappy dog barking at the bushes Snow hides in.

"Where did a dog come from?"

"Ah, there you are", a voice says and I turn around to see Alyn catching his breath. "Aria," he says with a surprised tone.

"I needed some fresh air", I say unable to look at him. I hear him walk closer and I hold my breath afraid he'll know every secret I hold just by touching me. He moves past and leans over to scruff the puppy. "I told you to 'stay'." He frowns at the puppy who responds with a whine. Alyn holds the puppy in his arms and brings him over. "I found this guy searching through the crates of food outside the kitchen. I gave him a piece of bread and now he won't leave me alone."

A smile spreads over my face and I reach out to touch the soft fur. "I thought you weren't one for animals, Alyn."

He looks away blushing. "It's not my fault he likes me."

The puppy starts barking again as Snow runs out of the bushes. Alyn loses his grip and the puppy darts off towards the castle. "Dumb dog", he groans. He begins taking a step toward the castle when I grab his hand and wrap both of mine around it. "Wait," I mutter.

"Hm?" He tilts his face at an angle and I feel those same butterflies go crazy in my stomach. His brow rises as he waits and I lose every ounce of courage as always. "Have a good night," I say pathetically. He eyes me, his brow still cocked. "It's still early," he says confused.

I gape at him trying to come up with something else to say. "I-" I start to say and just figured it's best to stop talking. "Come by my room tonight," he says taking off without waiting for an answer.