Unicorns: Thanks for the information :)

Chapter 2: Anxiety

The Queen of Avalanche paced back and forth in her bedchamber, her peach colored silk dress dragging behind her. Her husband was out in yet another three days hunting trip, something he enjoyed very much and one of a few reasons so he could get away from her complains during her pregnancy.

Yes, they have succeeded into having a child since their visit to the Witch's Cave. The kingdom overjoyed, of course, for there would be an heir to the throne soon.

But something had been nagging her mind these past months; the fact that they should sacrifice their youngest to the Witch. A life for a life…

And there was one more thing that had been troubling her day and night; the Father of her first born.

That night, that one faithful night at their trip back home, Edvard has gone to hunt some deers with his men while she rest in their tent. She was sleeping while waiting for her husband when someone stepped into the tent.

She woke up but kept her eyes shut, her back facing the entrance. And then suddenly she was flipped around until she was lying on her back before she felt someone's weight on her, this mysterious man was not her husband, she knew that.

She opened her mouth to scream, but he clasped his hand with her mouth, silencing her. And then it all happened; he has raped her, ripping away her pride as a royalty. She didn't want to lose her husband's faith on her and get kicked out from the castle, so she kept her mouth shut about it.

A knock on the door pulled her out from her thoughts. Turning to the door, she wrapped her arms around her round belly. "Come in."

The door creaked open and one of her handmaidens, Iris, poked her head in. "Your tea, Your Majesty?" The Queen nodded; letting the barely twenty years old young girl in. She was holding a silver tray with a porcelain teapot and a teacup, putting it on a nearby table, bowing her head.

Freyja walked toward her, taking the teacup filled with steaming chamomile tea and sipped it gently, letting the warm liquid ran down her throat and warming her insides.

"Milady," Iris started, "The servants has been wondering."

The golden haired Queen lifted her gaze up in wonder, keeping her lips close to the teacup. "About?"

"The child you're carrying." The young girl admitted, "They wanted to know when it is born."

Freyja almost letting a sigh of relief escaped her lips. She was worried that they might be wondering about the Father of her child. No, she didn't tell anyone of course, but conspicuousness could slip through once in a while. "I do not know yet, Iris." She told the young handmaiden softly. "I do have something I only wanted you to know. You should not spoke this to anyone else."

"What is it, Milady?"

"The child would be a boy." Freyja said, smiling as she caressed her round belly with one hand.

"It is?" Iris asked; her eyes lit up in interest as she felt the proud feeling of being trusted by such news by the Queen. Earning a nod from the Queen, she smiled. "Oh Your Majesty, it is great news! I believe you have told the King?"

Freyja once again nodded, easing herself onto a comfortable armchair. "Of course."

"How did he react to it?"

"He was delightful."

"Can I get you anything else, My Queen?"

Freyja shook her head and smiled kindly. "No, that would be all, thank you."

Iris nodded and bowed politely. "Just tell me if you need anything, Milady. Oh and congratulations." And with that she turned and exited the bedchamber.

Freyja looked out through the tall window; the sun was almost setting down the horizon. She looked down at her cup of tea and smiled at her reflection. Yes, this child of hers, the one she was carrying in her womb, might be not Edvard's child, but she would love him anyway no matter what. And for her future youngest child, she would find a way so she didn't need to sacrifice it to the Witch, she must…