Chapter 10: Questions
Irma shifted uncomfortably, sighed, and then wrapped her arms around the pillow. Inside her belly, the growing baby proved to be restless too. Finally she half sat up, found the bell, and rang it for a person to come in.
Cedric staggered in, his hair wild and loose, face pale and drawn. "Yes, my lady?" He asked in exhaustion.
Irma propped herself up on a pillow and frowned. "I can't sleep." She whimpered. "I thought Phobos would be home by now!"
Cedric flopped into an easy chair beside the bed and tried to look alert. "My lady, Lord Phobos hasn't been gone but for a day! Please, he sent word and said that he might be gone for a longer time. I told you over dinner, remember?" He soothed.
Irma's eyes welled up. "No..." She sobbed. She buried her face in her hands. "Does he hate me now?"
Cedric sat upright. "No! No, my lady! Lord Phobos is delighted that you and the baby are here. He's...just a very busy man. He can't simply let the kingdom run its self while he waits for the baby!" He soothed her gently.
Irma looked up at him and swallowed. "So he is truly happy for the baby and me?" She said hopefully.
"Truly." Cedric smiled at Irma. "Now, I believe it's high time for you to get some sleep." He watched Irma pull the sheet over her rapidly expanding belly and then slipped out the door.
Phobos glanced up at Cedric as he slipped in the room. "What are you doing away from Irma?" He snapped.
Cedric bowed low and looked up at Phobos. "Lady Irma is upset. Lord Phobos, are you certain that now is the best time to bring Elyon here? If she recognizes Irma, she'll realize that few things are actually true and not...shall we say, fabricated." He said softly.
Phobos took a long, thoughtful sip from a goblet, then smiled. "Ah. I see. Well, I'll simply, eh, stretch the truth to a more desireable amount. And then when Irma is closer to term, we can simply use her as bait to keep the Guardians away from Elyon."
Cedric's eyes went wide. "Sir! Surely you don't mean that you would sacrifice Lady Irma to keep Elyon!" He objected sharply.
"I won't. I simply mean that Irma will begin to give birth, the Guardians will stop to help her, and I shall be able to enjoy the Conorination without worry. And after my child is born, Cedric, you will kill the Guardians." Phobos said in a decided tone of voice.
Cedric blink a few times. "Sir?" He asked weakly. "Won't Lady Irma object to that?"
"Cedric, I care not. Simply tell her...they meant to steal the baby." Phobos said. He smiled around the room. "I think this plan shall work."
Okay, Everyone! This is an awful chapter too, I know. But I wanted to update before I took a break! So, for probably a week, you won't be able to read any new chapters. Maybe. Unless my computer actually works. :)
