Chapter 7
Chara hosted the moon banquet on behalf of the Empress. She wore an elaborate gown and adored herself with Jewelry once gifted by the late Empress Seated at the secondary seat of honor, she chatted politely with the noble ladies
When she saw me arrive, she smiled and said:
“Anna, you’re late. Is Kael wearing you out already? You really should take better care of yourself and try to give him a few children soon
“After all, noble elven bloodlines are precious, continuing the line is most important.”
Her deliberately smug remark, made in front of the entire court, immediately stirred speculation among the noblewomen.
Some wondered whether she had already consummated the marriage with the Crown Prince after all.
I only smiled in silence. Others might not know, but as a daughter–in–law of the royal family, I knew exactly what had happened.
Kael’s spies in the Starlight Palace had reported everything. A month earlier, Chara had dressed up carefully and brought homemade pudding to the Crown Prince’s study to apologize. Though he didn’t seem moved, he still ate the pudding in front of her.
Soon after, he felt his body heat up–only then realizing Chara had dragged the soup. That night, he was forced to consummate the marriage.
The next morning, upon sobering up, the Crown Prince erupted in rage.
“You’re the Crown Princess, and you used such filthy tricks? You’re no better than a dirty whore!”
“You disgust me. From now on, I’ll never set foot in your chambers again.”
After that, he never visited her room again. Their relationship turned ice–cold.
Still, having slept with him once, Chara believed she had secured her position.
The banquet was in full swing when the mands brought out cucumber sandwiches. Chara devoured two in a row. One lady joked,
*Is the Crown Princess craving sour food? Could she be pregnant?”
As soon as the words were said, all eyes turned to Chara The Empress lit up with excitement.
*Really? Could it be?”
Chara rose with a shy smile.
“I’m not sure… I’ve been feeling nauseous lately and craving sour things. My moon cycle is a bit late too. Maybe…”
The Empress beamed.
“Quick, sumanon the elven physician!”
The physician arrived quickly and took Chara’s pulse. With a serious expression, be announced, “Your Majesty, the Crown Princess is not with child. Her discomfort stems from a disturbance from the imbalance of moonlight. A few doses of silverleaf water tonic will set it right.”
At that, Chara’s face turned pale
“Absurd! How dare a low–ranked physician spout such nonsense? I can feel the royal light flowing in me. How dare you call it a disturbance?”
The Empress’s expression turned frosty.
“Master Ethel, are you certain of your diagnosis?”
The physician knelt, head bowed.
“If Your Majesty doubts my judgment, you may summon other high–ranking healers to perform a resonance with the life stream.
Soon, two senior elven physicians arrived. They performed a joint Life–Resonance magic and confirmed unanimously–there was no sign of new life within the Crown Princess.
Chara stumbled back, collapsing into her seat. She murmured in disbelief,
“No. That can’t be I felt it. I knew I was carrying his child…”
The noblewomen beside her chuckled behind their sleeves.
*The Crown Princess was a bit too eager. This must be a “phantom pregnancy !! Chapter 7
“They say the Crown Prince only slept with her once. She really fooled herself into thinking it worked right away.
“He already regrets marrying her. If she doesn’t conceive soon, she may not hold onto her title for long.”
Chara sat there like a ghost, her face drained of color as the gossip swirled around her.
The Empress finally clapped her hands.
“That’s enough. Just a misunderstanding Let the banquet continue.”
Maids filed in again as the Empress smiled warmly
“This “Starlight Sturgeon Stow is made with fish caught by hunters from the Moonlight Lake at the border. It’s been p especially for today. Please, enjoy.”
As the silver lids were lifted, a rich oceanic scent filled the air, rising with the steam
Suddenly, I felt my chest tighten. My face turned pale, and I covered my mouth as I gagged.
Amaid rushed over in alarm.
“Your Highness! Are you alright? Your face is so pale!”
The Empress rood up immediately.
“Call the physician back–now!”
Pale and dizzy, I extended my wrist. The physician touched my pulse, and silver magle flowed into me like a stream.
A moment later, his eyes lit up with joy.
preserved with ice magic, reserved
*Congratulations, Your Majesty, Your Highness Princess Anna carries the rhythm of new life–she is with child. The royal bloodline shall continue!”
