Chapter 53.
Floria went to the Library the next day, walking through the stacks and took several books as she left. Hidden among them was a Medical Text, and she walked back toward her Chambers to see what it said. Her heart was filled with hope, and she prayed that her suspicions were correct as she walked. The halls however were bustling with activity, and despite her desire to hurry and read the book she was stopped by several persons who sought her attention. Two of which were less than agreeable that day, and made her feel nervous about being alone. She handled them well enough however, polite and sweet as her reputation made her to be. The two women chattering away about them hoping she would be better suited in her station if she gave her husband a child. She agreed, replying in every way to satisfy them and left them both with a polite curtsy.
"Princess." Fandral called after her, running up and laughing. "Can you settle a wager between myself and Thor?"
"It depends upon the wager. I am in a bit of a rush, may we talk as we walk?" She said and he nodded.
"You see, the wager is over which one of us kisses better. Would you be so kind to help us?" Fandral asked and Floria stopped, nearly dropping her load and staring at him. She collected herself, walking on and pressing her lips together.
"My Lord, I would be a terrible judge of that contest as I am biased toward one set of lips alone." She said and saw Thor join them. "And seeing as how neither of you are in possession of them, I would not be able to pronounce a fair verdict. I also dislike men who have beards of moustaches, they make me itch terribly."
"You wound us Lady." Thor said and placed a hand over his heart in mock pain.
"Perhaps you should not ask me to be so cavalier. And if you must know, Loki is the better kisser. Please now, if you will excuse me, I have much to do today and you have a fugitive to look for. Good day." She said and walked on, grinning to herself in pride at how she handled her still amorous Brother In Law. She opened her chamber doors as they watched, vanishing through them and Sari met her.
"Did you find a book?" The girl asked and Floria nodded. They opened it together, reading the pages and found what they were looking for. Their heads were close together, and Floria shook her head in disbelief at what she was reading.
"Oh Lady, it says that a cessation of the monthly bleeding, a desire for certain foods, vomiting in the mornings or at the scent if certain things, and a rounding of the belly." Sari said and Floria shook her head. She read the rest of the symptoms, sitting in the chair and looking at the fire.
"I have most of these, but we have to remember how unwell I was under that curse. I need to be sure, and cannot assume that I am with child without some sort of test. I cannot order more dresses made to hide a condition if it does not exist to begin with. What if I am still unable to carry a child? What if I am far too damaged for that Apple to cure me?" Floria fretted and Sari turned the page. She looked at Floria, turning the book toward her and she smiled as her Mistress sat in the chair by the table.
"It says here, that if you put four seeds of the Hurin flower in the urine of the Mother, that they will turn blue if she truly is with child." Sari said, walking through the Bathing Chamber to the cabinet where Loki kept his ingredients for making potions. She took down a jar, reurning and showing it to Floria and she smiled.
"Should we try? I should also scold you for going through my Husband's things." Floria said and Sari giggled. The Maid pulled her into the Bathing Chamber and handed her a basin, Floria readying herself to test and see if her hopes were true.
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"Those are very blue." Floria said, both women looking down at the basin and glancing at eachother. She covered her mouth, tears in her eyes and she walked into her chambers. She paced, her soft amber gown flowing about her and she wiped at her face. Her dreams had come true, she was to be a mother soon and to make Loki a father. Her heart filled with joy, and she covered her face and let her tears fall.
"Don't weep Lady, it is a happy occasion." Sari said and Floria shook her head and sat on a chair. Her hands over her chest and she trembled with shock, she wanted to feel if the baby was moving but knew it was too small yet. Her hands smoothed her gown, and she collected herself from her shock.
"You don't understand, I am so very happy." Floria said, holding Sari's hand. "This is my greatest joy now, and these tears are in happiness. I... I am to be a Mother."
Sari crouched next to her feet, a knock coming from the door and they both looked at it in worry. Floria calmed herself, running to hide the borrowed medical book and put it under the mattress of her bed.
"A secret?" Sari asked and Floria smoothed her skirts. She nodded, holding Sari's arms and blushed.
"Yes. Dispose of the test, don't let anyone know until I tell Loki." She said and Sari left to dump the basin into the privy. Floria opened the door and saw Frigga standing outside with a smile on her face, she curtsied and let the Queen enter and smiled to welcome her guest.
"I had heard rumor that you locked yourself in here in sadness, but I find you smiling. Perhaps it would be of comfort to you to sleep in his chambers instead of here, these are more drafty than his." Frigga said and handed her a letter. Floria recognized the seal on it and smiled, her fingers brushing over the wax.
"To the contrary My Queen, I have such a wonderful reason to be overjoyed." She said and Frigga turned to face her. "I hold it in my hands, a letter so soon from Loki. Only one day gone, and already writing me."
"I thought that letter would bring you joy. Is there anything more I can do to make sure you remain happy?" Frigga asked her and Floria nodded with a smile. She sat with the older woman, smiling and she blushed. She thought how to word her request and giggled to herself.
"I am in need of new dresses, and I imagine that Loki will indulge me if I wrote and asked him for the money to have them made." She said and Frigga nodded. "I need them warm, and sewn quickly. Can you recommend a seamstress?"
"I can, and don't worry about the money. I will pay for them and bring you fabrics to choose from myself, may I ask why you need dresses?" Frigga asked and put a finger to her lips. A knowing smile crossed her lips, and she then patted her own belly. Floria bursting into laughter and nodding, unable to contain her joy at her discovery. Frigga embraced her, her eyes shining in joy and she kissed both the girl's cheeks.
"Yes... I am, with child. But please keep it secret, I truly want Loki to feel as if he is the first to discover my condition." She said and Frigga hugged her daughter, her smile bright and her laughter clear.
"I am so very happy for you, he will be so happy to hear this as well. When will you tell him?" Frigga exclaimed, looking at Floria. "I promise to keep it secret, until he knows. But for now, you must rest and let no stress bother you. This child will become your only priority, and I will loan you a Maid to assist with anything you need. Do now worry at all, I will see personally that you are the most protected woman in all of Asgard. I was raised by Witches, and I taught Loki everything he knows."
"I do believe in you My Queen, you are so very kind to me. When he returns, do you truly think he will be pleased?" She asked and Sari laughed, clapping her hands. The three women stood together, all of them filled with happiness and Frigga looked Floria in the eyes.
"I know him, and he will be the proudest man in all of the Nine Realms. And spoil you so wonderfully the entire time you carry his child."
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By the end of the week, Floria had a new wardrobe of rich velvet gowns and dresses. All of them with high collars and long, flowing sleeves. She walked around the Castle in them, the robe like garments creating a stir and some women adopted the style as well, thinking them the new fashion. Her long hair was always pinned up, and everyone commented on how happy she always appeared.
Not a single person suspected the growing belly she kept hidden from view, and she liked it that way. It was as if she was hiding her own special secret, and it was something she was proud to keep to herself. Her own Mother and Father were fooled as well, their visits to keep her company finding her embroidering a new tunic for her husband. She recieved and wrote letters to Loki, sealing them and hinting that there were a few changes being made to her old chambers and never saying more. She still asked in them when he would be returning, and his reply was always a very hopeful "Soon" but never announcing a set date.
One cold day, Floria lay on his bed and she let her hand drift over her belly. She found his bed more comfortable than her own, and it was made no secret that she had taken to sleeping in his chambers and was shunning hers. Many thought it was because she missed her hisband so, and it was partially true. The court finding the healthy Princess endearing again, and whispering about how she lamented her husband's leaving. She had missed four bleeds, and she felt a soft stirring in her. She smoothed her hand over the small but hard bump, smiling as she watched the snow fall outside and a knock came from the door. Her maids did not allow her relaxiation to be disturbed, the one Frigga sent being descreet about the Princess's condition as well. Sari opened it, taking the letter from the Paige and she brought it to Floria.
"A letter for you Lady." Sari said and Floria accepted it. She sat up, reading it and smiling in joy. Her rested a hand on the swell of her stomach and held the letter to her heart with the other.
"He is coming back tomorrow, the day before Yule. We must make sure that everything is clean and ready for his arrival, and that I have the perfect gown to welcome him in." She said and both women squealed in happiness. Floria smiled to herself them, her rosy cheeks aglow with her excitement if telling the entire Court her secret finally. Inside herself, she felt the stirring again and lay back against the pillows, humming a soft song to sooth her growing baby.
