Tildy's Wild and Crazy Khasmsim

Disclaimer: I don't own The Winter King

For those of you who may be familiar with my Tairen Soul fanfictions, this book is written by the same author but does not take place in the TS world.

Khasmsim Coruscate wiggled in Queen Rosalind and King Verdan's arms's while the baby's older siblings chatted nearby excitedly. And Tildavera Greenleaf, the faithful nursemaid, smiled brightly in the background. She'd been concerned about Queen Rosalind, the woman Tildy had nursed since she was a mere princess of Seahaven, when she'd become pregnant again. Her doctor had warned her body was too weak to sustain another pregnancy.

But clearly, the doctor had been wrong, as Queen Rosalind had recovered from the birth enough to hold her adorable baby girl, with the tanned skin of her father and the wisps of dark hair from her mother, peaking from the blanket.

Perhaps love conquered everything, even almost death. After all, Tildy knew no couple who loved each other more than the king and queen. And they loved their children just as much. As did the whole family.

"She's so adorable," one of the baby's older sisters, Princess Summer said with a sigh.

"Yes, she is," King Verdan said, stroking the baby's cheek, as she wiggled again, almost as if the baby needed more excitement. "But do be careful with her," he said to both Summer and the other children. They all nodded, understanding. All of the Coruscate were heirs of Summerlea and hence possessed magic.

Neither the king, the queen, nor Tildy wished anything to happen to baby Khasmsim.

OOOOOOOOOO

And three years later, the unthinkable happened. Queen Rosalind died, and Tildy desperately tried to survive when the woman she'd raised from a little princess was gone. What was the point of life when a tree, caught in a terrible storm, hit Queen Rosalind and killed her?

The rest of the palace was a chaos of grief as the king raged about the loss of his wife and prepared for the queen's funeral while the other children cried for their mama. Tildy couldn't find it in her to care.

Tildy's little princess, born from the lands of water and hurricanes of Seahaven, should have been able to survive that storm. The fact that she did not proved what the doctor had suggested three years earlier. Carrying and birthing Khasmsim had made Queen Rosalind too physically weak.

And now Tildy was too emotionally weak.

As Tildy wandered through the palace of Summerlea in a fog, three-year-old Khasmsim came running toward her, crying. Tildy wished she could be concerned. She reminded herself that this was still one of Rosalind's girls, but it was difficult. Extremely difficult.

"Papa said," the little girl said, between sobs, her dark hair hanging wild at her shoulders. "He said." Another sob. "He said I killed Mama!" She buried her head in her hands as another clap of thunder roared and lightening flashed outside the palace.

Tildy's heart peaked out of the fog at that, and she wrapped her arms around the child.

It was objectively true that Khasmsim's magic had caused her mother's death. The youngest's daughter of Summerlea appeared to have much more wild and dangerous magic than her siblings, with the power to cause thunderstorms and even lightening that she was too young to control.

But she'd meant no harm. "There, there," Tildy said softly, forcing herself to stroke the child's back. "I know you loved your mother. Everyone did."

"But Papa said, - " Khasmsim sobbed again, this time into Tildy's chest. Thunder rolled again, but the lightening was absent this time.

"Your father shouldn't have said that" Tildy said, firmly, suddenly angry despite the lingering fog around her heart. Certainly, the king was grief stricken, as they all were, but Rosalind would never tolerate her baby treated like that.

OOOOOOOOO

Ten years later, Tildy had to smile, her heart full of love as Khasmsim's laughter could be heard from the North tower. The royal palace of Summerlea was no longer full of grief, and Tildy had found her reason to live. Nevertheless, Tildy kept her eye and ear in that direction, wondering what trouble the stubborn young princess might be involved in today.

She cared and educated for all of Queen Rosalind's children, but loving Khasmsim was her purpose. Much to Tildy's disappointment and anger, the king still blamed his youngest daughter for his wife's death. He showered love on his heir, Prince Falcon, and his other three daughters but wished nothing to do with his youngest. In response, Tildy showered even more love on Khasmsim.

The adoration in Tildy's heart for the young girl was far more than she'd even felt for Rosalind, the little princess she'd cared for from birth to death.

Every hug from Khasmsim meant the world. Every lesson Khasmsim learned caused Tildy to beam with pride. And learn the young woman did. The old – cast off dresses and gowns the king forced Khasmsim to wear didn't cause her to become bitter or vengeful. Nor did her quarters in the North tower, away from the rest of the palace. Instead, the princess willed herself to live as much as possible.

Tildy even tried to teach Khasmsim to control her magic, and it worked sometimes. Although Khasmsim was a bit too wild to control it completely. Glancing at the sky, Tildy sighed with relief that her Khasmsim had not brewed another storm today.

By the sound of her laughter, Tildy suspected the girl was practicing sword fighting with her brother, Prince Falcon. Officially, girls were not supposed to train with weapons, but Tildy had never been able to resist Khasmsim's laughter when she engaged in swordplay.

Nor could her brother, especially as she wasn't allowed to engage in horseback riding, dancing, or other such ladylike court activity.

OOOOOOOOOO

Tildy shook with cold fear, far away from the Summerlea Court ten years later.

But despite her rapid beating heart and creaking bones, Tildy moved into the enemy camp, as the weather grew colder, and the snow mounted. This was for Khasmsim.

But what would the winterfolk do when they found a woman of Summerlea in their camp? Escort her out without allowing her to speak? Draw their swords? Or would the winter king freeze Tildy with his ice magic without listening to her?

Tildy pulled the hood tighter over her face, although her clothing was too thin for the freezing winter camp. Khasmsim's face, strong, wild, and loving, flashed in Tildy's mind, and she continued.

Chatter rumbled among the men, much more muscular than those from Summerlea and Tildy tried not to stare as she grew closer to them. Perhaps they wouldn't even need swords, especially against a woman her age.

But Khasmsim couldn't live in Summerlea much longer, with her father's increasingly unstable behavior. Not without Prince Falcon's protection, and her brother had disappeared three years ago. With the winter king so close to winning, it was clear Falcon would not be back. Tildy had to do this. For Khasmsim.

"Summerlander!" One of the winter men ultimately grabbed Tildy in a tight arm lock, almost choking her. Another drew his sword and pressed it against her head. Tildy shook again and her heartbeat even faster.

"Why are you here?" said the man holding the sword, barking the words like a wolf.

"Whatever underhandedness you were planning, you can forget it," the man holding her in an armlock said," his deep voice rumbling in his chest, causing him to sound even more dangerous.

"I need," Tildy said, swallowing her fear although her heart continued to beat far too fast. "To speak to the king."

The Wintermen laughed. "You can try," they said at almost the same time. The first man kept her in an armlock as he marched her forward through the cold snow, while the other man removed his sword.

"Wyn!" they both yelled when they reached a tent in the center of the camp. It was made of thicker material, but far plainer than anything King Verdan or Prince Falcon of Summerlea would use, even as a temporary residence.

Despite her still rapidly beating heart, Tildy allowed herself to smile. This might work.

"There is a Summerlander who thinks she wants to speak to you," the man holding onto Tildy shouted, still waiting for the king to emerge. "I told her she could try." He laughed again.

No doubt the winterman implied that the king could freeze Tildy where she stood before she even began speaking. But certainly, he wouldn't do that when he was not in battle? Tildy's heart zoomed.

The winter king emerged, looking just as large and muscular as the other men, with blond hair and silver armor. His eyes bore a dangerous silvery glint, but it disappeared once they fell on the man holding Tildy. "Thank you, Valik. I'll take it from here." The king even slapped the other man on the arm.

Just as she'd thought, he appeared loyal to those he trusted. Certainly, the king would trust the woman who bore him an heir. And Khasmsim could do that easily. All heirs of Summerlea were extremely fertile.

"What is it, Summerlander?" the king said, barking like a wolf as they stood in his tent. His eyes appeared to turn dangerously silver again.

"I've heard you plan to freeze every man, woman, and child in Summerlea," Tildy said, forcing her voice not to shake as she spoke to the king.

The winter king nodded smugly. "Yes. As you have taken everything important to me, why should I not take everything from you?" Tildy's heart zoomed again.

His anger was understandable, Tildy told herself, considering his brother's death and the winter king's fiancée preferring Prince Falcon's company, but certainly he was better than King Verdan. Khasmsim's face flashed through her mind, hidden in the palace on the best days. She had to make this deal.

"But would it not be better to do something even more painful to King Verdan?" Despite her constant fear since she'd entered this camp, Tildy smile turned a bit smug at the thought of causing the man who had mistreated her Khasmsim, pain.

The winter king's eyes turned back to blue, and he leaned closer to Tildy. "Tell me more."

"Since the Crown of Summerlea has killed your heir, I suggest the crown should provide you with a new heir. King Verdan should give you one of his daughters as a wife with whom you can conceive another heir."

The winter king said nothing. Tildy hoped he was considering her plan, rather than preparing to freeze her. "The king loves his daughters fiercely. To lose one of them to you would be incredibly painful for him." Or rather, King Verdan loved his oldest three daughters, but the winter king need not know that.

Nodding, the winter king said, "Yes. Perhaps that would be a better punishment."

Tildy beamed, not caring what might happen to her now that Khasmsim would soon live far from King Verdan. "It is. Believe me it is."

OOOOOOOOOO

Just as Tildy had suspected, when the winter king arrived in Summerlea to explain his terms for surrender, King Verdan immediately chose Khasmsim to wed his enemy. After all, King Verdan had looked for a way to rid Summerlea from his youngest daughter for years.

Unfortunately, Khasmsim was too wild and stubborn to agree. Instead, she raved against marrying Summerlea's enemy and agreeing to do anything her father suggested. Much as she loved the girl, Khasmsim was going to be the death of Tildy. She even had to force Khasmsim not to send a cyclone to the winter king's head.

Why couldn't the princess ever be reasonable?

But when King Verdan nearly killed Khasmsim, she finally understood the value in leaving Summerlea. As her brother was still missing, wedding the winter king was her only hope for survival. Heirs would come soon enough and secure her position as the winter queen.

OOOOOOOOO

The day after the wedding, Khasmsim and her new husband left the palace and Summerlea. Tildy missed her desperately, as did her older sisters, but they all believed Khasmsim would be safer. As an added benefit, she and the winter king clearly possessed a great deal of chemistry, obvious to everyone who attended their wedding.

Therefore, her Khasmsim would enjoy her physical relationship and heirs would come extremely quickly. Possibly even quicker than Tildy had suspected.

And then Tildy heard the gossip that changed everything. The winter king had told King Verdan that he would leave Khasmsim on a mountain alone to freeze to death if she didn't give him an heir within a year.

Tildy almost vomited when she'd heard that.

Certainly, it was just a rumor. She'd watched the way the winter king had interacted with his men and honestly believed him to be a good man, and a much safer option for Khasmsim than King Verdan. How could she have misjudged him so much?

Tildy wished she possessed her own magic that could pull Khasmsim back into the safety of Tildy's arms.

Khasmsim would likely conceive easily, Tildy reminded herself of her earlier conviction, but all Tildy could see when she closed her eyes was her Khasmsim stuck on a mountain to die, no doubt feeling the same loneliness she'd suffered her entire life.

Why hadn't she listened when Khasmsim protested wedding that man?

Frantic for help, Tildy forced herself out of the palace to search for a bird. The lingering chill from the war with Wintercraig brushed against her old bones, but she pressed forward until she'd found a snow dove. Tildy approached the creature carefully. As a human healer and nursemaid, she was uneasy with animals. But Tildy would do anything to correct her huge mistake in allowing the winter king to wed Khasmsim.

And it was well known that Falcon Coruscate had a gift with birds. If there was anyone who could save Khasmsim now, it was her older brother, talented with both sword and magic.

The white dove fluffed its wings, and Tildy jumped. I'm used to wild natures, she thought, thinking of how crazy her Khasmsim could be, as she inched towards the bird.

Quickly, she tied a message to the dove's leg, telling Prince Falcon of what had happened to Khasmsim.

The dove flew away.

Tildy hoped everything would improve with Falcon's help, but nothing would ever erase her regret in encouraging the wedding.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Eventually, a dove returned with a message from Prince Falcon. Things appeared even better than Tildy had thought. Not only was the prince well, but he was raising an army of mercenaries to attack the winter king again. And he would happily save Khasmsim as well.

Tildy held onto that hope after that.

OOOOOOOOOO

A couple of months later, Tildy received a message from another servant to travel to the palace of Wintercraig. Hope filling her entire being, she sent another message through birds to Prince Falcon. Tildy would travel to Wintercraig herself and rescue Khasmsim. Then both women would meet Prince Falcon outside the palace, and Khasmsim would be finally safe from the winter king.

After sending the message, Tildy immediately set out for Wintercraig, with a group of riders, desperate to see Khasmsim again. Hopefully this nightmare would soon be done.

OOOOOOOOOOO

The weather in the craig was colder than anything Tildy had ever experienced. The wind whipped around, smacking her in the face and her old bones cracked constantly. Clinging to hope that she could save Khasmsim, she urged her horse and the other riders to move faster. Her princess would not be stuck on the mountain in this terrible weather.

There was another message as she approached the palace, from the queen of Wintercraig. That meant it was from Khsamsim, Tildy realized, her heart warming despite the frigid weather of this country. Her princess was still unharmed yet! Tildy was to come to the winter king's hunting lodge instead of the palace.

She immediately followed the instructions, hoping to see Khasmsim very soon.

Finally, she reached the lodge, and Tildy's eyes immediately fell on her princess. Her hair appeared even more wild than normal, and her eyes were unsteady, but it was still Khasmsim.

"Tildy!" Khasmsim said with relief as some of the men helped her off the saddle.

"Dearly!" Tildy said in response, slipping into the endearment Khasmsim had long since outgrown. They hugged, overjoyed to see each other again and Tildy knew she'd been right to hope.

"I'm so glad you're here," Khasmsim said still clutching to her Tildy. "Winter is very ill. Nothing we've tried has worked. The infection grows stronger by the day." She looked over her shoulder at a man laying on a table.

It took Tildy a moment to realize that was Khasmsim's husband. As much as she distrusted the man, Tildy was still a nurse by nature, and healing was her forte. "Of course. Just let me get my things."

She tried everything she could to at least stabilize the winter king, but Tildy was unfamiliar with the type of wounds he had. A creature with deadly, poisonous claws? What was even worse was no one, not even Khasmsim would explain why the king's blood was purplish?

Tildy hoped for the best. The nurse in her would accept nothing else. But she didn't expect much.

OOOOOOOOOO

"I hoped to find you with child," Tildy said at one point, now remembering the last hope to save Khasmsim's life. "As a daughter of the Rose, your fertility is guaranteed. Has your husband failed to attend to you?" She pressed her lips, struggling to control her anger at this king well enough to nurse him.

Khasmsim's jaw dropped. "No, of course not! He has 'attended' me very well." She blushed. "If you're looking to cast blame, look no further than Verdan Coruscate. On his command, the Summerlea maid who accompanied me to Wintercraig secretly dosing me with tansy. We've only recently discovered the truth."

Tildy shook her head, unable to understand what she was hearing.

"There was a child, Tildy. She killed it."

The words hit Tildy like a knife in her heart and her anger became even more difficult to control. Her Khasmsim lost a child before she even knew him or her, all because of her father's hatred. "Oh, dearly, no. I don't know what to say."

Of course, King Verdan wouldn't allow Khasmsim to simply leave Summerlea. He'd much rather someone else kill his daughter than deal with the shame himself. So, he'd arranged things so Khasmsim would undoubtedly be stuck on that mountain alone to die.

Once again, regret filled Tildy, but also resolve. She would not allow anything to happen to Khasmsim. At the next opportunity, she would drug everyone here with sleeping potion save Khasmsim, and the two of them would meet Prince Falcon.

OOOOOOOOOO

Tildy insisted Khasmsim rest; she was clearly pushing herself too hard on that unworthy king. Eventually, Tildy was able to dose the rest the king's people with sleeping potion, and she immediately began preparing to leave.

She gathered all of her things and retrieved a woolen gown and fur coat for Khasmsim. With her heart pounding, she made a quick cup of tea to energize the princess for the journey. Then she shook the girl awake.

"Here drink this," Tildy said firmly, as she forced the liquid into Khasmsim's mouth. She didn't have time for her princess's wild stubbornness now. "Quickly. We don't have much time. I dosed everyone with valerian, but I didn't dare use enough to keep them sleeping for long."

"Tildy?" Khasmsim's eyes blinked. "Is it Winter?" Faster than she'd ever thought possible when dealing with the girl, she leaped out of bed.

"The winter king is fine, but it's time for us to make our escape." Tildy grabbed the dress and fur coat she'd retrieved for Khasmsim. "Here, you'll need to dress warmly."

As Tildy had feared, Khasmsim wouldn't put the clothing on; she was far too stubborn for that. Instead, she said, "I don't understand. Why are we escaping?"

"I'm sorry dearly," Tildy said, then explained the winter king's plan to murder Khasmsim since she haven't given him an heir.

"Tildy, I'm not going anywhere," Khasmsim said far too stubbornly. "I know what Winter told my father, but the 'mercy of the mountains' isn't the certain death it sounds like." Much to Tildy's frustration, the princess placed the woolen dress down on the table. "I'm in no danger here."

Tildy shook her head, picking up the dress and preparing it for Khasmsim to wear. They needed to move. Soon. "You may be willing to risk your life on that, but I am not. And neither is your brother. We've been in contact since shortly after your wedding, when I found out the winter king intended to kill you if you didn't bear his child in a year. I sent word I was coming here. As soon as we get away from here, I'll send a signal, and he'll let us know where to meet him."

The dress finally prepared, Tildy held it over Khasmsim's head. "Raise your arms."

But once again, Khasmsim showed her wild stubbornness, throwing the dress across the room.

Tildy bristled. Didn't the girl know Tildy could be just as determined, especially when it came to saving her Khasmsim?

Before she could move again, Khasmsim caught Tildy's hands. "Stop. If you've sent Falcon a signal telling him we're coming, you'd best send him another one telling him there's been a change of plans. I'm not going anywhere."

"You can't mean that," Tildy said. She'd always known her Khasmsim was stubborn, but this was too much. They needed to leave.

"I do," Khasmsim said. "I am winter's wife, his queen – "

"Whom he intends to stake out some mountain glacier and leave to die!" Tildy said, reminding Khasmsim of the sickening plans the princess seemed to have forgotten for some reason.

It was past time they dressed for the journey. Tildy tried to walk away to prepare the clothing again, but Khasmsim could be surprisingly strong.

Her hands held firm onto Tildy's and Khasmsim shook her head. "He isn't going to kill me. If that's what he wanted, I'd already be dead. The only reason he's out there on that table, fighting for his life, is because of me. I was attacked by garm. Just one of them could wipe out the entire village, and Winter fought off four of them to save me. Does that sound like the actions of a man who wants me dead?"

Well, perhaps the winter king was no longer a danger, but that didn't mean Khasmsim was safe here. "And if he doesn't survive? Clearly the other guards don't trust you. If the winter king dies, they'll kill you without a second thought." They still had to leave. Soon.

"I won't leave him, Tildy," Khasmsim said, her face more stubborn than Tildy had ever seen. "And I'm very story to have to do this, but you're not leaving either. At least not until I'm certain he's out of danger."

The shock of that statement almost knocked Tildy backwards. "You would hold me against my will?"

"To ensure my husband's survival? In a heartbeat," Khasmsim said, not even blinking. "I ordered you to come here because you were the only person in the world who could save Winter and that's what I need you to do."

There was clearly more at work than Khasmsim's stubbornness. Tildy was beginning to think she understood, but she had to be certain. "And if I nurse him back to fitness, will you come with me then?"

"No, Tildy," said Khasmsim. "My place is here, with my husband and the people of Wintercraig. This is my home now. This is where I belong."

Just as Tildy had suspected, Khasmsim had fallen in love with her husband. "But what about your brother?" Tildy said, still not quite convinced staying was the best plan. "If he doesn't hear from me, he'll assume the worst." Prince Falcon wished his sister to be safe and away from the winter king just as much as Tildy.

"I'll send him a message," Khasmsim said firmly.

OOOOOOOO

After Tildy understood that Khasmsim had fallen in love with her husband, and it appeared he did her as well, she was much calmer. Even when Khasmsim had to leave the lodge for some reason, and the rest of the gauds scrutinized Tildy's every move.

Tildy still mixed her potions and herbs and poured them on the king's wounds.

She was even able to stay somewhat calm when the king awoke and insisted on leaving. Something about an ice king's army.

"I've slept long enough. Khasmsim told me you were the best healer in all of Mystral, and it's clear she wasn't exaggerating," he said with a grin. Whether that was because the man enjoyed speaking of his wife or because he thought flattering would change her mind, Tildy wasn't certain. "You did a fine job bringing me back from the brink of death. I'm sure you can keep me clinging to life awhile longer."

Tildy pressed her lips determined to stay calm. His flattery had no effect on her. "My patients do not cling to life. I pride myself on their making a full and miraculous recovery. But carting them across the countryside with their insides hanging out is not conductive to that outcome."

"Did Khasmsim always do what you told her?" The king was clearly as just as stubborn as Tildy's princess and thought he could use that to his advantage.

But Tildy, with a clearer head, knew better. She could use his apparent love for Khasmsim to her advantage. She reminded the winter king that Khasmsim would have no one to defend her against both this ice king or anyone else. She eyed the winter king's guards, who obviously did not trust Tildy or Khasmsim.

The winter king agreed to wait one more day.

OOOOOOOOOO

Tildy couldn't be more confused the next day.

The guards and the high priestess attempted to explain Khasmsim's "errand" to the king. The high priestess possessed a powerful, magical sword deep inside her temple. A sword Prince Falcon had searched for years. Khasmsim had been asked to obtain it in order to fight the coming army.

Why would these guards do that? What trick was this? Tildy pushed her ear to the door. No matter what the winter people thought, she had to try to understand.

"… And now my wife is gone, Unger and his men are dead, the Sword of Roland is gone, the second of Thoryll's spears is missing, and the Summerlanders and the Calbernans are still invading. Oh, and the ice king's army is on the march, too. What were you thinking?" The winter king said, shouting in a voice so loud Tildy's ear shook.

What were they thinking indeed? And why would the Summerlanders and Falcon's mercenaries still invading? Certainly, he'd received Khasmsim's message by now. Tildy's head swam.

"We were thinking we could save Wintercraig without losing you!" said the high priestess's voice.

"By sending my wife to retrieve Roland Sword from the bottom of the Ice Heart? And what happened to your suspicious nature? Weren't you the one telling me all along that Khasmsim was in her brother's service – that she'd betray me the first chance she got?"

Tildy removed her ear from the door, automatically shaking her head. "No!" she shouted, running into the room without thinking. She didn't understand anything that was happening here, but that was too much.

"Whatever you believe, you cannot think that Khasmsim would betray you. Not to her brother, not to anyone else," Tildy told the king, ignoring the rest of the group's dirty looks and the pounding of her own head. "I know, because I gave her to do exactly that, and she refused."

The king scowled. "Explain yourself, Nurse Greenleaf."

Tildy explained her communications with Prince Falcon and her plans to rescue Khasmsim, believing her husband was planning on killing her at the end of the year. "But she wouldn't leave you. And she wouldn't let me leave without doing everything in my power to save you, either. If she found the sword, the only place she would have brought it is back to you – to defend you. She loves you!"

With that, Tildy marched out of the room, her head still swimming at what was truly happening outside the lodge.

OOOOOOOOO

Tildy couldn't stop grinning several weeks later as she examined Khasmsim. Her princess had survived the battle that had raged outside the lodge. Nothing gave Tildy more joy than that. "Your heart is beating appropriately," she said as she delighted in the sound.

"Oh, Tildy," Khasmsim sighed, as if struggling with her nurse's exam, still too wild to sit still. But even that didn't lessen the older woman's joy.

It was also nice that the winter king, Winter, Khasmsim called him, had survived too. Tildy didn't understand the details, but somehow the king had joined the battle despite his injuries with some strange ice magic. Then he and Khasmsim were able to prevent each other from turning into blocks of ice.

Unfortunately, Prince Falcon had been exiled when had been revealed that his plans were far from innocent. King Verdan had corrupted his son, so his heart had become as dark as his father's, but Tildy tried not to dwell on that.

Nothing could diminish Tildy's joy now. In fact, her joy had only increased when she'd discovered her Khasmsim was expecting twins! "I think they are growing well," Tildy said, as she measured the princess's stomach. "But Winter said you've been struggling with the sickness."

"It's not that bad," Khasmsim said with a groan, showing her stubbornness again rather than admitting any weakness.

Tildy nodded indulgently, still too ecstatic to mind Khasmsim's additude. "Of course, but I'd like you to take these herbs with you anyway." She handed Khasmsim a pouch of powders that could be mixed into a drink to decrease her sickness.

"Now can I leave now?" But the smile she flashed and the way her eyes sparkled showed she was just as happy as Tildy. She and her husband were in love and expecting twins.

Tildy smiled and nodded. The princesses joy would only grow when she discovered her sisters were planning a surprise visit soon and had even arranged to stay until the birth of the twins.

And made Tildy's heart explode with joy all the more.