Her heart is racing. Her hands are sweating. A million different outcomes are racing through her mind.
What if he doesn't want it? What if leaves me? What if he wants a boy and they're a girl? What if he wants to divorce me? What if he exiles me? I can't swordfight pregnant! I can't run and I can't farm pregnant, either. I'm doomed!
As the years went on and pressure mounted as Geordo ascended to the throne, he naturally asked his long-time fiancée into a marriage of convenience. Catarina accepted, on the conditions that ample ground for annulment were granted, if he so found a woman that caught his fancy.
The king had no intention of ever using those rights, of course, but he had learnt that, with that woman, it is best not to force understanding. Just give what she wants and let her come to her own conclusions. So, they were wed.
Now, as marriages are wont to do, the queen is with child, and the noose perpetually on her neck grows tighter. She could hide consummation easily, but not a pregnancy, so annulment is not a possibility anymore. Now, only a divorce could separate them, and those are hard to come by, as only the clergy could do such a thing and they are stringent with their requirements. If her husband ever falls in love, the only way to officialise the new union is if he becomes a widower.
Catarina had taken to pacing back and forth in the drawing room to exert some energy, she is going to explode otherwise. She had lost track of time, too busy freaking out over the child that was growing inside of her.
She had no idea how she is going to tell him. Could one even imagine it? King Geordo of Sorcier as a father…
The lady smiled at the thought. If it were of any other mother, she is sure she would be overjoyed with a little Stuart baby running around, especially a cute princeling. She knew that the king would be a good parent, as the royal family has always been so warm and kind. After knowing him for so many years, there is no doubt in her mind that he had that same compassion and love inside of him, despite his constant efforts to hide it.
Oh, Catarina can almost see it! He would teach his son how to treat women well, how to be courtly, how to read and how to rule. His daughter would learn how she was to be treated and learn to not expect anything less, how to manoeuvre herself in every situation, and she would also get an extremely protective father. That is a certainty that the years have taught her.
"Dearest wife, is there a reason you are burning holes in the carpet? Or are you just so excited to see me that you could not sit still?" Geordo asked whilst leaning on the door frame, a smug smirk etched onto his face.
Her heart hammered in her chest, her words getting caught in her throat. Tears made their way to her sky-blue eyes and the king took notice of this immediately and made his way over to her.
As he steps next to her, his hands wrapped around her own. His thumb gently strokes the backs of her fingers, hoping to be of some comfort to his wife. It is a rare occurrence, which makes all the more hateful when she happens to cry, and all he wants is for her to stop.
"Catarina, what is the matter? Has something happened? Are you hurt? Shall I call for the doctor?" He sputtered out.
"He's already been called…" She admits shyly.
This is it. Catarina knows that there is no escape and it was going to happen now, the confused look etched on his face only urged her on to explain.
The brunette sighed, steeling herself for the news. "I woke up feeling very sick, as I have been for the past few weeks..."
"You have been feeling sick?!" The king asks, incredulous and a little hurt. "Why did you not tell me, Catarina?"
"Eek!" She let out an exclamation of surprise over his aggressive response, before calming herself down to be cognizant again. "I'm alright, I swear. I just… Well… Let me explain, and you'll understand. Please don't interrupt me anymore."
"Very well, please do." He countered.
She breathed out. "I was feeling sick, as I said, so I called for the doctor this morning, just after you left breakfast. I explained to him how I have been feeling very unwell and what were my symptoms. My stomach has been very uncomfortable, my breasts hurt, I throw up a lot and my eating habits have been all over the place. Did I tell you I ate three apricots yesterday? Because I did."
"You hate apricots." Geordo notes.
"I know! Apparently, I don't hate them anymore, because they're the only thing I can stomach these days." The queen shrugged it off. "Anyways, that isn't important. I told the doctor all of this and how I haven't bled this month."
At this point Catarina is certain that he can connect the dots. His azure eyes meet hers as shock fills his features. His grasp on her hands loosens, and she looks down at them falling to his lap in dread. He must be finding the words to tell her that they will be separated, perhaps he knows a magic that will terminate this pregnancy and finish their marriage once and for all.
Soon, though, Geordo raises his hands again. He brings them to her cheeks, delicately wiping a stray tear that had fallen during her story-telling.
"Catarina, my love? Are you, are we…? Are we with child?" He asked, his voice coming out soft as though she may break if he speaks normally.
The queen allows the tears in her eyes to fall freely as she nods at him. He looks down at her, his own tears visible. A large smile adorns his face. He lets out a joyous laugh and pulls her into a comforting embrace.
"I am going to be a father!" He shouts at full capacity of his lungs. "Oh, you have given me the best gift of all, my lady! I love you. I love you. I love you."
A kiss was placed on each of her cheeks as he spoke out.
"So… You're not mad?" The woman tentatively asks.
"Mad? Don't be foolish, Catarina! Why would I be mad?" He asks, but does not care to hear the moon logic she is to give him. "It's my heir! The whole kingdom shall rejoice the news!"
As Catarina considered it, she could see how this is good news for Geordo, and she allows herself to be happy, too. She knows that her child would grow up to be the strongest, most beautiful baby and an even better person, because they had the king for a parent.
That man is going to be the best father he could be. He would make his wife proud and his eldest brother look cold, he will make sure of it.