[b]Kingdom of Beredia. Lazamenia.[/b] [img]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1e-ysGBGLbFUSUCozZHvSyx1quBjJ7EGhfoEzNP5tGiRDBU-IwQ [/img] Queen Joaquina hated being pregnant. Everything hurt and swelled, she got fat and moody. And every pregnancy carried a chance of killing her in the birthing bed. And yet as Queen, it was one of her duties to secure the succession line. And no matter how much she argued, apparently one daughter wasn't enough to secure the future of the Royal Line in the eyes of her husband. Or rather, in the eyes of that thrice-cursed Prelate, who held an unacceptable amount of influence with Andre-Maria. Sometimes she even wondered if all the pain and anguish was really worth it. But then she remembered all the power and influence she held as Queen, usually that was enough to calm her doubts. Though at the moment said power and influence were beyond her reach. “You need your rest, wife. Don't worry yourself.” Her husband had said before locking her up in this bedroom weeks ago. And as much as it irked her, the Queen had to admit that she wasn't in conditions to do anything besides groan and puke, not with a belly this big. Joaquina had no wish to try her luck this time. A fifth failed pregnancy would just be too much for both her body and mind. Though the realization did little to counter he growing restlessness. The Queen had to distract herself, but she doubted she would even be able to focus on a book even if she tried. So she settled on watching view out of her window. It was one of the many courtyards of the Alhena, sporting a large rectangular fountain surrounded by garden beds. From her vantage point Joaquina could see attendants and servants scurrying to and fro. Last she had heard, the High Pontiff was dead, but she was sure she had seen Duke Lavanca a lot in the Palace grounds alongside with a host of other commanders. This concentration could only mean that the army was mobilizing. Joaquina struggled to not fill the blanks with the worst case scenario. Her thoughts were interrupted when her personal crier, one of the few luxuries she was adamant about maintaining all times, brusquely opened the door and stepped into the room: “Announcing His Royal Majesty Adre-Maria of the House of Abravantes and the Infanta Real Marina-Josefa!” And just as fast as he had entered the crier returned to his position outside the room. Replaced by her daughter and husband, in tow. “How are you feeling, mother?” Her daughter asked, curtsying perfectly, or as perfect as an 11 year old could manage. Joaquina gave her daughter a strained smile. In better days she would complain about her daughter's hair-it wasn't terrible, but still fell short to the standards of a girl of her standing-. The King didn't looked his best either, Joaquina knew her husband enough see the weariness in his posture and tiredness in his eyes. “I'm feeling fine, dear. Don't worry.” The Queen replied, forcing herself to look cheerful. One had to keep up the appearances after all, despite her sorry state. “But what about you? It has been days since you last showed up to see your mother. Don't you want to get to know your little siblings?” “I've been attending my duties as Infanta, mother.” Marina intoned solemnly and Joaquina noticed Andre's hand squeezing her shoulder. “Father is taking me along as he mobilizes the Exército!” So there was actually a mobilization going on. And if Andre-Maria was taking their daughter along then it meant the situation wasn't as bad as she thought. For all his faults, Joaquina's husband wouldn't allow himself to be distracted by the girl if the Timlukids were at the gates. “I thought I was supposed to give her the news, Jo.” The King chuckled before his expression hardened. “But yes, we are mobilizing. Though I figured that much you knew.” He added, moving towards the window. “The Timlukids are moving against us and I intend to ride out and meet them before they have the chance to cause too much damage. I shall depart by the weekend, Prelate Hermogenes will stay behind to rule in my absence.” He looked straight at her, pointing to her swollen belly. “I presume that you shall accept the arrangement, considering your current condition.” Joaquina nodded, doing her best to control her temper. It would no good for her to blow up at her husband, specially in front of her daughter. She hated it of course. Being left powerless while the Prelates. Saints, how she despised the man, ruled the nation like he had any rights. But she also realized that she wasn't in any conditions to handle the stress of acting as regent. Too bad it took a lost baby to learn that particular lesson. Andre-Maria must have noticed her sudden mood change because he was soon kneeling by the bedside. Holding her left hand in his and looking at her as if she would break at any moment: “You shouldn't worry. Hermogenes will take care of everything. Nothing will bother you.” He turned his head towards the Infanta: “And I'm sure Jo will love to keep your company here. It must be dreadful to spend so much time with only your thoughts.” “I promise you won't have a single moment alone, mother!” The Infanta smiled as she approached the bed. Another knock rocked the door before the guard entered the room: “Duke Pedro-Matias de Lavanca requests your immediate presence, Your Majesty!” The guard shouted. “Something must've come up...” The King muttered. “I have to take care of this, dear.” Andre-Maria turned to their daughter. “Keep your mother's company. I will send someone to fetch you for dinner.” The Infanta curtsied and the King left. Leaving his daughter to drone on about what she had learned on what she had learned watching her father organize the mobilization and the Queen pretending to care about it. [hider=Summary] -The Queen is pregnant. -The Kingdom is going to war -The heir is kinda annoying [/hider]