CHAPTER 29. NEW DAWN
5 Months After the Cosmic Eclipse
From the hill, there was a view of the sea. The scent of saltwater and the warmth of the late morning by the shore filled the air. Cedric stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing out at the smooth expanse of the ocean.
"Phew, I think I overestimated my strength. That climb wasn't easy," Seraphina said, her large belly leading her as she took the last few steps up. Cedric offered her his hand.
"I told you it would be better for you to stay at the city," Cedric said, gently stroking her huge belly.
"I've already annoyed everyone with my mood swings, and they're always frying fish. The smell makes me feel sick, ugh... Gods, I've gotten so big. When you were finishing inside me so much, I didn't think it would affect the size of our baby--or me."
"You're still beautiful." He kissed her soft, sweet lips, the lips of his mother.
"Mmm... Actually, you were supposed to say, 'No, Mama, you're exaggerating. You're not that big, and you definitely don't look like a sea whale.' Do I still have to teach you these things?"
"Sorry."
Hand in hand, they walked along the cliff, descending toward the forest. The air was filled with the scent of fresh fruits, grass, leaves, and life.
They made their way back down toward the forests and the city. Banners bearing lion emblems fluttered from the walls and towers as they passed unnoticed through the streets.
"Conrad was right. Down here in the warm south is a good place to give birth and welcome our first baby." Cedric noticed how the smile faded from his mother's face, as it had every time he mentioned the birth over the last few months. He stopped and wrapped his hands around her belly, feeling the baby's foot press against his palm.
Seraphina stifled a pained groan.
"Are you scared? Are you afraid there will be complications like with me?"
Seraphina slowly nodded.
"Everything will be fine. I won't let anything bad happen to you. Besides, you have perfect childbearing hips--you'll have our first child easily."
Seraphina sighed in annoyance. "Mention my 'perfect childbearing hips' one more time and see what happens."
"Sorry, but it's true, Mum--you really do have perfect hips," Cedric whispered mischievously, only to receive a light smack on the shoulder.
"Enough. I'm starving; I've got to eat for two now," she said, rubbing her belly. She tugged on his hand, pulling him closer until her lips were at his ear. Her breath was warm, teasing. "And after I'm finished... I want to feed
you
, my sweet little boy."
"Feed me?" Cedric paused, confused. "You... You mean?"
"Milk," Seraphina confirmed with a playful smile. Cedric licked his lips.
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Seraphina sat at the long oak table, eagerly devouring her meal, her appetite fueled by the demands of her pregnant belly. Each bite was savored. At the head of the table, Cedric watched her.
"Looks like Solarion has come to terms with Gargantua holding the throne in the Red Castle," Conrad said, seated near Cedric. "They're torn--unsure whether to celebrate the end of the war or to grieve."
"They'll understand eventually. And Gargantua deserved to be their new Red King. What of Altaeri? Have you found any sign of it?"
"None," Conrad replied, shaking his head as he folded a letter. "The creature vanished, possibly after the Eclipse."
Cedric glanced at Seraphina, who was slowly swirling her goblet of wine. When she caught his gaze, she gave him a playful smile before returning to her meal.
"You still don't want to announce that the queen is your wife?" Conrad whispered.
"The less the kingdom knows, the better."
"But what about your legacy? Your child is the 20
th
descendant-"
"There are no more Eclipsian descendants..." Cedric cut him off mid-sentence. "It's just me and my mother now."
"Even so, the throne should go to your son or daughter. How will your child ever become the ruler if you don't reveal the connection to your mother and the baby?"
Cedric slowly sipped his stew, staring at the candle flames. "Don't worry about that. I'll share the details later."
"As you say." Conrad bowed and left the table.
"What were you whispering about?" Seraphina leaned toward Cedric, her scent a blend of vegetables, wine, pepper, and roasted meat. She hiccupped, taking a sip of water.
"About you and the baby."
Seraphina rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushed from the wine. "Everyone keeps talking about me and baby. I've stopped worrying about it... ugh... It's kicking." She rubbed her belly painfully again. "You're 19 now, darling. It's time to act like a man and heed your mother's words. Ugh... I've eaten so much that my breasts ache." She touched her boob through the dress, and Cedric noticed a dark, damp spot forming around Seraphina's left nipple. "It's been so long since I was pregnant, that I almost forgot how... uncomfortable and awkward it is. I'm going to take a warm, hot bath, and then, darling..." She reached out and kissed him on the cheek. "I want you to help relieve the tension in my breasts and get rid of this milk for me."
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