Bertha Grahm's parents are distant relatives of the Lord of Kyre.

When the girl was little, they sent her to Stoneyard as a playmate for Alexander. I don't know if they had other purposes, but the two grew up close.

In the end, she profited from Alexander's name as much as to be engaged, and then married, to one of the most promising youth in the Empire.

Samuel Grahm is expected to become Count as soon as his father becomes Duke. Which is after the elder's death.

For now, the title of the Duke hasn't been promised to any of his sons.

Count Grahm's position was put into doubt after some great failure related to the wars. He worked on the front with Polis for a couple of years before he was sent somewhere else.

I don't know if that had some effect on him, as he doesn't look like a man that hates me. He's just concerned because I'm occupying the place he imagined for his daughter.

«Welcome to our humble place, my Lord,» Betha's father says. He's a Viscount, the surname is Barnet.

Ignoring that they didn't greet me, I nod as a response and hold Alexander's arm. His muscles are clenched, a sign that he noticed as well. At least, he's keeping silent about it.

They aren't as inclined towards me as hoped, but life is never easy.

And it's nothing new. Who has accepted me without some resistance, till now? Only Alexander's closest friends and family.

It's only natural that the Barnets, linked to the Grahms by marriage, don't like me.

«It's chilly out here,» I comment, just to make them notice that I'm not a weak maiden.

Oh, well, I am. But there's no need to let anyone know. One person understanding my true nature is enough.

«Shall we get in?» I add.

I lean on Alexander, making him feel my weight.

With this statement, I reminded them that I am Lady of Kyre. They can't treat me like a guest even in their house because this is still Kyre territory.

It's evident that this is all a farce, yet Alexander surrounds my shoulders with his arms and sustains me by the arm.

«Are you feeling unwell?» he inquires.

«Just tired from the journey.»

His concerned face makes the Viscount reconsider his first attempt at treating me like a decoration. He moves to the side, showing us the path with his arm.

«Please, this way,» he says. «We've prepared the best chambers for you, my Lord. Dinner is also ready. We can send it in the rooms after you freshen up or wait for you in the dining room...»

«We'll eat in the room tonight,» Alexander decides. «We can talk tomorrow at breakfast. My wife is tired, and I have to take care of her...»

As soon as he said his words, the Viscountess's eyes move on my belly. He observes the round shape for a moment before nodding.

I know, right? I'm just like a ball.

«Is my Lady with child, perhaps?» she asks. «We heard some great news, but we couldn't believe gossip just like that.»

Ah, if I wasn't pregnant, I would be so fat! Didn't you see immediately, for goodness?

«Your belly is still so small, my Lady. How long has it been?»

«Four.» Almost five. I'm not sure about the actual date, but it's been three months from when I found out about it.

«Oh, it's still early. The belly is still little to check if it will be a boy or a girl...»

Why is she talking about my pregnancy with such a relaxed tone? I don't even know her name!

And, is there a way to know if it will be a boy? I don't need it, I already know, but it seems interesting.

«How do I know if it's a boy?»

«You look the shape of your womb. If it's round, we'll have an heir to Kyre. If it's large and flat, it will be a girl.»

It looks more round than flat to me, but I guess it's early.

«It will be a boy, my Lord. Hopefully, we'll soon celebrate your first son's birthday,» the Viscount says, intruding into a woman's conversation.

Again with that. What if it's a girl? Do they loathe the thought so much? I'm lucky my little prince is a boy, by the way.

It will be easier for him.

«My first child will be a reason to celebrate regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl,» Alexander replies, fast and precise. I don't know if he prepared these words beforehand, but he seems convinced.

This lying moron. Of course, he'll love it. He already does!

And he's talking so sincerely because he met our son before... Oh, my! What a manipulator!

But at least, I'm not the one being fooled. Not this time.

«And it certainly won't stay alone in this world,» he adds, just to make everything more complicated. «We'll have other children.»

On this, we agree. We haven't talked about it openly, but we both seem to want more children.

Since my part of the work is greater, I should be the one making the decision, by the way. Alexander's effort finishes after we've shared the bed.

I have to check he doesn't want a dozen babies. I can't survive that: it's too much.

But if they're all as cute as the little prince...

What if I become ugly after, though?

It's so difficult! Family really is a lot of work and brain.

We turn our back to the landlords and reach one of the rooms they prepared for us. We won't sleep separate, not in a place that I feel foreign.

It will be the case in the Palace, we won't be able to share the room every night. But here, I don't want to stay away from my loyal protector. His sixth sense hasn't betrayed him till now, as he appeared every time I was in danger.

What reason could I have to send him far from me?

«Is it round, or is it flat?» I ask when the door is closed.

The words from the Viscountess are still troubling me. I really can't tell.

«It's too early, Thea. People won't even notice you are with child, let alone the shape of your belly.»

«But I'm so heavy and round!» I exclaim.

Alexander surrounds my waist with an arm, and he bows down to pass the other behind my knees. When he lifts me, I clench his shirt by instinct.

It's the first time he dares to carry me. He barely touched me recently, as if I became porcelain all of a sudden.

«You're not that heavy, Thea. I can't tell the difference.»

«It's because you're strong,» I point out.

«I'm very precise when it comes to my wife.»

True.

«Which means I would have noticed if you gained weight all of a sudden. This much is really little. It's as if the baby was big like an apple.»

«An apple?» I mumble. It's not an apple...

«Maybe, a grapefruit.»

«Oh, it might be,» I accept. A big grapefruit. It stands out.

«You'll become so round, Thea. This is just the beginning,» Alexander chuckles, deciphering my expression. «And you'll become even more beautiful!»

«I want my waistline back,» I pout.

«You'll have it after the delivery. You'll lose the extra weight in a few months. Well, not all the extra weight. But most of it!»

Not all?

«Will I stay fat?»

«Only if you eat a mountain of cookies daily.»

«Don't tease me like this! Oh, Alexander!» I scold him. «Now I want some cookies. Or a cake with a lot of butter... You heartless moron, you just had to mention the food...»

It almost looks like he wants me to be fat.