It was almost noon when I woke.
I almost remembered waking up at dawn with Hector, but could not even remember what we spoke about or if we even spoke.
Only when I spotted the towel from the bath upon the floor did I remember, a smile came across my face. Not far from the towel in the bedroom was Padme, my hand servant, seated out on the balcony that overlooked the sea.
Dressed in robes that bore a strong resemblance to her home, a glass of wine in her elegant hand. To this day I believed her royalty, but she would never tell me. She never spoke of her old life.
I sat up, pushed my hair from my face and began to call out for her, when a wave a sickness came upon me. Again.
As quickly as I could I slid from bed and ran from my bed, from the bedroom Hector and I shared, and into my fiber room. Where I kept baskets and buckets, full and empty. I found an empty bucket at the last moment before I was sick.
Every morning for some time I had been sick.
I thanked the Gods Hector was always gone when I was sick and home when I felt fine.
When my stomach was empty Padme came to my side. She helped me to my feet, she helped me clean up and wash out the bucket. With no shame she scolded me, "You haven't told him have you?"
I shook my head.
"You can be the largest pain sometimes Andromache," she continued.
In no mood for her games I spat back, "Then leave. I have given you your freedom, your servitude has been over for some time now, Padme."
She merely shrugged, following me back into my bedroom, "True. But where could I find pay like this? Live in the palace? Have my own wardrobe? Torment the crown Prince's brother on end?"
How I wished I could smile, but my mouth felt horrid. My throat burned and my eyes watered. I did tell her, "Hector never finds out your servitude is over or that you are paid."
At that I went to my bed stand and found the juice from last night, I greedily drank the who glass in hopes to rid my mouth of the fowl taste.
"It's not as if he would care," Padme muttered.
Her words were true.
Hector never questioned me on what I spent nor about Padme. But the palace had ears and things made their way to places they shouldn't.
I set the glass down and looked at Padme, "Don't complicate my life anymore then it already is."
She arched a dark eyebrow, "So you haven't told dear Hector you've made him a father?"
"Not yet," I softly told her.
Then made my way to my closet, Padme remained where she was, arms crossed, "Have you at least visited Cassandra with the news? If your not going to tell the father of your child, at least tell his sister."
I didn't turn, nor even look her way, instead I walked in my closet and looked for something to wear, "For what purpose," I called out to Padme.
"Perhaps she could tell you if the child will be healthy? Or tell you if you're going to turn into a whale when you have it. Or even brew you some special tea for the morning sickness?"
That drew my interest, I peeked from the doorway of my closet, "Tea that would stop my sickness?"
Padme nodded, "You'll see her today at court? Will you not?"
Indeed I would, "Dress for court today Padme, but behave yourself. I cannot deal with Iris should you offend her again."
Padme rolled her eyes and walked from the room, muttering under her breath in her own tongue.
