As Altezza's progress went from weeks to months, the realities of being pregnant began to set in. She was hit with the strange urges and the occasional case of sickness. Fortunately, she seemed to avoid the more problematic complications. The doctor's only concern was such a petite woman giving birth to twins.

Yes, as she showed in the ultrasound, there were two fetuses in there. Figures I would have twins, Altezza thought as she saw the two masses.

As for her ears, Altezza had switched to a half-meter stick to measure their length. However, it would soon be obsolete as they were almost to its end at only the halfway point.

As her ears lengthened, she learned of their properties and capabilities. The cartilage of the ears was at least as soft as that of a human's ears but with much more muscle. They were able to bend on their own and even wrap themselves around objects to grip like the arm of an octopus. By gripping the object against how her fur laid and pulling back, the fur held objects well and she could lift and hold things as heavy as a few kilograms. However, their best position for supporting weight was wrapped in on themselves from below. Once the children were born and her ears were their maximum length, they could hold them at the height of her chest. They could nurse while her arms were still free or just kept close to her.

She learned of other uses for her ears. By holding it and letting it hang loose, she could sense the direction of the wind. She would not be able to fly, even the clumsy glide or flutter greater Doggles and half-Doggles called it. That was no big loss as far as she was concerned.

The time came to learn the biological sex of the children. Sophie was put in charge of the reveal party. She had the results and would reveal it with a two-layer cake.

While almost everyone in the castle was excited for the party, there was one royal sibling who was decidedly not enthused. Shary was a transgender girl, named Sean at birth as the fourth of the sextuplets. Camellia initially objected to her being a flower girl at Altezza's wedding, but she got her to shut up about it.

Altezza liked Shary. She reminded her of herself once she came out. As a boy, she had been the shiest and quietest of the six, but living as a girl had made her outgoing and proud of herself. The girl knew who she was and owned it. Therefore, Shary being upset needed Altezza's personal attention.

The Sextuplets were greater Doggles with brown fur like their father rather than half-Doggles like their mother like Auler and Sophie were. Shary had been on puberty blockers until she could begin hormone therapy in a few years, so she was small for her age as the growth spurts of puberty were mooted. Tomas had recently surpassed her in height and he was considered the runt of the litter.

Altezza chose helping her with her hair to discuss things. She wore her hair long, even longer than Paula, and styled it into big curls at the end. Altezza was jealous as her hair had always been a mass of tiny curls she either wore in one giant ball behind her hair or two smaller balls on the side of her head.

Altezza ran the brush through Shary's hair. "Everyone is looking forward to the party."

"I know," Shary commented, her tone suggesting she was not interested in talking.

Altezza was going to talk away. "Gender is a touchy subject for you."

"Why celebrate the biological sex?" Shary asked. "I was called a boy when I was born, but I'm really a girl. I spent all those years being miserable because I'm built wrong."

"You're not built wrong," Altezza said. She tried to think. "You're like a geode."

"A geode?" Shary asked.

"If you look at a raw geode, it looks like a rather plain rock," Altezza explained. "Yet, break it open and there's a beautiful jewel on the inside.

"You're saying boys are plain rocks?" Shary asked.

Altezza rolled her eyes. "What I mean is you're not defined by what body parts you're born with."

"Then why do a sex reveal?" Shary asked.

"Most people's bodies and souls agree with who they are," Altezza said. "Also, until we know otherwise, it's something to start with."

She continued to brush Shary's thick and fine hair. It was hard to believe she was a biological male. "Still want to begin hormones when you're sixteen?"

"Absolutely," Shary answered. "I can't wait to go through my puberty. Also, delaying things makes me feel like I'm shrinking with the others going through growth spurts."

"I know you don't agree with the idea, but can you at least be happy for whoever is developing in me?" Altezza asked.

Shary heaved a sigh. "I guess."

The day of the party came and all the royals were there. Altezza's children would be the first royals of the next generation. The cake was the centerpiece with a picture of a stork carrying two bundles in the frosting.

Auler and Altezza watched as the other royals mingled. "What do you want?"

"I don't think we have much say in the matter," Auler said.

"Just, if you did, what would you want?" Altezza asked. She was curious. "Do you want an heir and a spare?"

"They would be regardless," Auler replied, the rules of ascension now having no restrictions on gender or sex. "Really, whatever colors the cake layers are, I'll be happy. What about you?"

Altezza thought. "I want at least one girl." She thought back to sitting with her mother on the bench. She would like to have three generations there. "But, I'll be happy no matter what too."

"Then we should go out and do this." Auler stepped out into the party hall. Altezza followed him.

The waved as the attendees applauded. Sophie stood next to the cake with a large knife. "I'm ready when you are."

Altezza turned to the crowd. "I want to thank you all for coming. I was admittedly a little scared when I first learned I was pregnant." She held up one of her ears. "These were an unwelcome surprise."

Some muted chuckles came from the crowd.

"However, I couldn't be happier now," Altezza said. She turned back to the cake. "I've always hated leaving the main event for the end of things, so let's do the reveal and then enjoy ourselves."

Altezza gave Sophie a nod. "Everyone close your eyes and keep them closed until I say you can open them."

Altezza closed her eyes. Several seconds passed before Sophie said, "You can open them now!"

Altezza opened her eyes to see Sophie holding a piece of cake with a blue layer and a pink layer. "Congratulations!" Sophie cheered. "You're having one of each!"

Applause and cheers came from the crowd. Altezza hugged Auler. "I'd say that's the perfect outcome."

Altezza nodded.