NOVPUBThe scent of lavender and jasmine mixed with the steam rising from the large circular bath, filling the air with a calming fragrance.
The water shimmered, warmed by enchanted stones beneath the marble floor, and petals of rare elven blossoms floated lazily on the surface. The soft glow of enchanted crystals cast a gentle light, making the water gleam like liquid starlight.
Empress Illena reclined in the bath, her silver and green hair cascading down her bare shoulders, damp strands clinging to her fair skin. Her golden-yellow eyes, bright and filled with mischief, flickered toward her head maid, Selvia, who stood behind her, hands expertly kneading the tension from her shoulders.
Selvia, composed, had her golden-brown hair tied into a neat bun and deep green eyes fixed on her Empress.
Though she was technically a servant, she had known Illena for years, treating her more like a younger sister than an Empress.
Selvia hummed softly as she worked, her fingers pressing into Illena's delicate muscles.
"You've been tense lately, my Lady. Is something troubling you?"
Illena pouted, sinking further into the warm water. "Mmm… not really. Just tired. My darling husband has been gone from the castle for quite some time now… I can't help but worry about when he'll return from his little… rescue mission. Not that I doubt his abilities, but I feel that something… else is taking all his time."
Selvia chuckled. "I can imagine. He's always been… intense." She paused, then added with casual curiosity, "Speaking of the Emperor… You remember the time one of the maids came to inform you how he stormed out of the palace when he heard Lady Kaela was kidnapped? You looked more shocked than worried. Like you'd rather you'd been the one who'd been kidnapped."
Illena blinked, her pointed ears twitching slightly at the mention of Kaela. She tilted her head, feigning nonchalance. "Oh? I suppose that did happen."
Selvia's hands moved down to massage her arms. "He didn't hesitate for a second, charging straight towards the Ashen Peaks. People say his rage could be felt throughout the entire courtyard when his holy aura reduced the parchment to dust. Imagine the sight—armor barely fastened, sword drawn, fury in his eyes."
Illena swirled the water around her fingers, her lips pursed. "That does sound like him."
Selvia pressed further, a teasing tone in her voice. "You're jealous, aren't you?" 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝖔𝔪
Illena gasped dramatically, sitting up in the bath and turning to face Selvia. "Me? Jealous? Ha! Don't be ridiculous!"
Selvia raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Illena huffed, puffing her cheeks slightly before mumbling, "Well… maybe just a little bit."
Selvia laughed, her voice warm. "I thought as much." She leaned down slightly, whispering, "Rumors say Kaela was his first love."
Illena smirked, flipping her damp hair over her shoulder. "And I was his first choice."
Selvia shook her head fondly. "Such confidence, my Lady."
Illena grinned. "Of course! I am the Empress, after all."
For a moment, the two shared a lighthearted giggle, the sound bouncing off the marble walls. The warmth of the bath, the scent of flowers, the ease of familiarity—it all made the world outside feel so far away.
Then Selvia, still kneading gentle circles into Illena's back, suddenly changed the subject.
"When was the last time you bled, my Lady?"
Illena blinked. "My what?"
"Your moon cycle, my Lady. When was the last time?"
Illena frowned, tilting her head as she thought. "Hmm… it should have been—" She trailed off, her golden eyes widening slightly. She counted the days again. And again.
Selvia's hands froze.
"…That means—"
Slowly, her gaze drifted down to Illena's belly.
A long pause.
Then, in a hushed whisper, Selvia asked, "You are with child?"
Illena's lips parted, but no words came. She simply stared at her own stomach, her hands subconsciously moving to rest over it.
For once, she had no clever retort.
Illena's fingers trembled slightly as they pressed against her stomach, the weight of Selvia's words sinking in. The warmth of the water suddenly felt different—no longer just a soothing embrace but something almost sacred, as if it were cradling a secret that had been growing within her.
Her golden eyes flickered up to Selvia, uncertainty flashing through them. "I…" She swallowed, her voice uncharacteristically small. "I am?"
Selvia, still frozen in place, quickly shook herself from the initial shock. She lowered herself beside Illena, taking the Empress's hands gently in her own. "My Lady… you haven't bled since last month. That means it's very likely."
Illena blinked rapidly, her thoughts a whirlwind. She had always imagined having a child with Arkanos—always envisioned how their future heir would look, what kind of ruler they would be, whether they'd inherit his piercing gaze or her elven grace.
But now, faced with the possibility that it was already happening, she found herself… overwhelmed.
"I…" she breathed, glancing down again, pressing a palm flat against her belly. It was still flat, unchanged. And yet… something about it felt different now.
Selvia squeezed her hands reassuringly, her motherly nature taking over. "This is wonderful news, my Lady." Her voice was filled with warmth, but she still studied Illena's expression carefully. "Do you… feel happy?"
"Happy?" Illena asked as she grinned slowly.
Selvia barely had time to react before Illena suddenly splashed water everywhere, kicking her legs in a fit of excitement.
The elf yelped, raising her hands to block the sudden wave, but the Empress was already laughing joyfully, completely unbothered by the mess she'd made.
"I'm not just happy, Selvia, I'm ecstatic!" Illena said. "When he comes back—Oh, Selvia, when he comes back, I'm going to tell him immediately!" she giggled, practically bouncing in the bath.
"Do you think he'll drop his sword in shock? No—wait, maybe he'll just stand there speechless! Oh! What if he actually cries? I've never seen him cry before!"
Selvia, still drenched, wiped her face with a sigh but couldn't hide her fond smile. "My Lady, you could have told me before you decided to drench me."
