Chapter 15:
(Hugo POV)
I went to grab her cloak and when I came back she stood there waiting for me in the hallway. She was smiling to herself and I stood admiring her for a moment before I made my presence known. "Got your cloak," She turned over at me, "My hero." She said reaching out and grabbing her cloak. I decided to hold it just out of reach and began moving around as she jumped trying to get it, "Come on Hugo... Seriously... what are you 7..." I finally took pity on her and gave her, her cloak. She laughed as she fastened the clasp, "So are we going to the gazebo?" She asked looking at me. I shook my head, "But, I thought we agreed on staying home today?" she asked. "We are, but that doesn't mean I don't have some surprises." I said guiding her through the halls.
She curiously looked around for any indication of what we might be doing until I took her to a concealed staircase. We began to climb up the stairs and I looked back at her every now and then to see how she was doing. She kept smiling back at me and asked what we were doing. We finally reached the top of the staircase and I opened the door. We were at the top of one of the castle turrets. "What is this place?" She asked looking around confused why we came up here. I went behind her and covered her eyes, "Wait one second." I guided her towards the view. "Alright I want you to take it all in," I said removing my hands from her eyes and moving them down to wrap around her waist holding her while she saw the view. At this place in the palace you are able to see the entire kingdom. I saw awe come across her face as she tried to look at everything there. "This is our kingdom, everything that you can see is going to be ours to rule." "It's so beautiful," she whispered as she leaned back into my chest putting her hands on top of mine. We stood there looking at the kingdom.
I brought her over toward the center of the turret and we sat down. She was looking out toward the horizon while unconsciously wrapping her arms in the fabric of the cloak. I had to tell her now, what Dad told me this morning. I didn't want to ruin date night but, I also didn't want her to hear from someone else. She then turned toward me, "There is something I have to tell you." We both said.
(Sofia POV)
Hugo guided me through the hallways of the palace and led me up the stairs. When we reached the top of the turret he covered my eyes and guided me forward I kept asking what was going on but he wouldn't answer. "Alright I want you to take it all in," He said. The light blinded me for a moment but then I saw the view, all the towns and forests and lakes. "This is our kingdom, everything that you can see is going to be ours to rule," I noticed his hands around my waist. Even before he knew it he had connected our family and I began to imagine what our life would be like once baby Clara was born. I didn't tell Hugo that night but, I loved the name Clara and it stuck. I put my hands on top of his and leaned back into him content with my family being together in this moment.
I knew I had to tell Hugo that I was pregnant I just had to figure out how but, what better night than date night. He guided me to the center of the flat top of the turret and we sat down. I continued looking at the view trying to come up with the right words to say. I looked over at him, "There is something I have to tell you." We both said. I laughed it off, "You go first." I smiled. He looked at me and I could tell he was anxious about something. What was making him so nervous, "Hugo what do you have to tell me?" He sighed. "It is about Lady Eliza," my breath quickened. I turned to face him completely, "What about Lady Eliza Cunningham?" I gritted out emphasizing her last name. "We were having guards discreetly watch her like you asked and yesterday when the guards were switching, we don't know exactly what happened but she was gone and no one has seen her." All I could think about right now was about our baby. Our innocent unborn baby and the horrible things that would happen to her or me if the Cunningham Family made a move. I visually started to panic and Hugo grabbed both my arms, "Sofia I promise we are doing everything in our power to keep you safe. We are going to find her and find out what is going on." I had a hard time believing that was true but I nodded and he pulled me into a hug until I calmed down.
"What did you have to tell me?" He asked as we separated. I opened my mouth to tell him but, then immediately shut it. I had already had a target on my back for being a 'Commoner Queen', being pregnant might put an even bigger one not only me but our child. I couldn't tell anyone right now. I didn't know who on the advisory board is still loyal to the Beaumont/Cunningham Family and I didn't want to risk anyone about this. Not when things were still so dangerous. I looked over at Hugo and I wanted to tell him but, I was worried that this might be the point where he made a decision like King Garrick to send me away. "I forgot" was all I could say.
(Hugo POV)
A week had passed since that day on the roof and something was off with Sofia. She told me that everything was fine but, there were some visible changes in her. Ever since that night she had been more reserved not saying much in front of people other than our family. She would flinch when figures came around the hallway. Most of that she explained away as just nerves or nothing different than normal. What she couldn't hide away was the nightmares she was having. I would wake up seeing her thrash around mumble incoherent words under her breath. I would shake her awake and ask what she had been dreaming about but she would always say, "I can't remember."
On this day we were called in to meet the advisory board. We were sitting and eating breakfast when I saw that Sofia was looking green. She had barely touched her food, "Sofia are you alright?" Aunt Vi asked. She nodded her head, "Yeah I'm just feeling a touch under the weather this morning." Sofia then turned green and ran out of the room. I followed her to the bathroom and heard her beginning to throw up. I opened the door and held back her hair. I rubbed circles into her back, "Hey you're ok, you're going to be ok" I said soothingly. She eventually stopped and turned to look at me, "Sorry I don't think my eggs agreed with me." "Hey, it's not your fault." I said. I grabbed a wet cloth and began wiping off her face. "Should we reschedule the meeting with the advisors?" I asked her. She shook her head, "We can't reschedule, they will see it as us being immature. I don't want to give them a reason not to like me more than they had before." "Alright, but if it gets worse we are calling the doctor." She nodded. I wished I would have taken her to the doctor then but, I didn't know what would happen.
(Sofia POV)
Morning sickness chose a bad time to roll around. I had managed to keep it hidden up until then but, the smell of the eggs was too nauseating and I couldn't hold it back. As I sat on the bathroom floor and Hugo took care of me I wanted to tell him again, "Hugo I'm..." I started. He turned back to me, "You're what Sofia? What are you not telling me?" I needed to tell him but, I decided to wait until after the meeting. "I'm feeling better now, thank you for taking care of me." He sighed, he knew I wanted to tell him something else, "I'm always happy to help you."
We walked together and went into the meeting, we stood before the advisors and waited. "Duchess Violet Albridge how would you describe the training of Princess Sofia," an advisor asked. Violet stepped forward, "She has passed everything with flying colors, I truly believe she would make a great Queen." They nodded and Violet stepped back. "King Garrick how would you describe the training of Crown Prince Hugo?" Garrick stepped forward, "He has passed every test I and you have given him." He nodded and stepped back. "Prince Hugo, Princess Sofia we have watched you both these past few months and must say that you have created a great balance within your lives, you seem prepared and you have been through more than others." I nodded my head acknowledging what they were saying. "All that being said it is our great pleasure to approve of you both ascending to the throne in three weeks on Prince Hugo's 21st Birthday. Congratulations." I smiled and curtseyed while Hugo bowed, "Thank you." We left the room and a weight had been lifted off our shoulders.
Without the advisory board the number of people who would no about finding out about the baby decreased significantly. "Hugo," I turned to him, "I know it isn't 'date night' but there is some news that I want to tell you meet me at the gazebo in an hour?" He smiled at me, "Well we do have somethings to celebrate but what is your news?" I kissed his cheek, "Gazebo one hour." I ran off and I could feel his eyes roll. I got a picnic basket and filled it with pastries and goodies from the kitchen. I then wrote a note and put it in the basket. I went down to the gazebo and set everything up.
I heard footsteps approaching, "Hugo." I turned around smiling. I should remember footsteps doesn't mean Hugo. I turned and saw two men in guard uniforms, "Oh hello, sorry I thought it was my husband." The came closer not saying anything. "Is something wrong" I asked trying to get some indication of how bad the situation I was in. They still weren't speaking. But one came forward and tried to grab me. I dodged him and began running in the garden. I turned back to look to see how far behind me they were and I saw that they were right on my heals. I tripped on the fabric on my gown. As I fell to the ground I felt two sets of hands grab me. "You are coming with us Princess Sofia." I thought about fighting back but, it wasn't just my life in danger right now. As I was trying to figure out the next move to make, I felt fabric cover my nose and mouth and felt my body go limp. "You should have left after the first time we warned you. Long Live Queen Eliza" was all I heard before I was consumed in darkness.