g beside the chamber door, her fingers wrapped tightly around the small wooden box containing the pair of knitted baby booties. The warmth that had car

lara smiled as she imagined a little boy chasing wooden wolves across the polished floor. Or perhaps a little girl with Kaelen's silver eyes. She laughed quietly. Maybe both someday. Her hand drifted instinctively toward her stomach. "I'm going to tell your father tonight." She imagined his expression again. Shock. Joy. Disbelief. Then overwhelming happiness. Nothing could replace that moment. Nothing. Dinner finally began well after sunset. The long royal dining table, usually reserved for state banquets, had been prepared for only four people. Elara paused just inside the entrance. Four? She hadn't expected guests. Kaelen immediately rose from his chair. "There you are." His smile remained warm, though she noticed the faint exhaustion beneath his eyes. He crossed the room and gently kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting." "It's all right." He rested a reassuring hand against the small of her back. "I'd like you to meet someone properly." Her gaze shifted toward the elegant woman standing beside the table. Selene stepped forward gracefully. "It's an honor to finally meet the woman who captured Kaelen's heart." Her smile appeared sincere. Elara returned it politely. "The honor is mine." Kaelen looked between them with visible relief. "I was hoping the two of you would get along." Selene laughed softly. "I don't bite." "That's reassuring." The conversation remained pleasant throughout dinner. Selene spoke little about the years she had spent away from Mooncrest. Whenever Kaelen asked questions, she gently redirected the discussion toward safer topics. She praised the palace gardens. Complimented the royal kitchens. Admired the annual Harvest Moon Festival preparations. Everything felt... normal. Yet something invisible lingered beneath the surface. Kaelen listened carefully whenever Selene spoke. Not with affection. Not with longing. Rather with the attentiveness of someone trying to piece together a story that had been shattered years before. Elara reminded herself that compassion wasn't betrayal. Even so, she found herself speaking less than usual. Her appetite had vanished. She barely touched the beautifully prepared meal. Kaelen noticed. "You aren't eating again." "I'm simply not very hungry." "You've said that twice today." She forced a reassuring smile. "I'll make up for it tomorrow." He studied her face for a moment before nodding. "If you're feeling unwell, Doctor Aldren should examine you again." "He already has." "And?" Her heart skipped. Now. This was the perfect moment. She opened her mouth. "I..." Before another word escaped, the palace steward hurried into the dining hall. "My King." Kaelen frowned. "What happened?" "The Northern Council delegates have arrived unexpectedly." "So late?" "They insist the matter cannot wait until morning." Kaelen sighed quietly. "I'll meet them in the council chamber." He turned toward Elara with genuine regret. "I'm sorry." She smiled despite the disappointment settling inside her chest. "Duty comes first." "It shouldn't have to tonight." "It's all right." He squeezed her hand gently. "We'll talk afterward." "I'll wait." "I won't be