Chapter Text
Empress Aileen Ellmeyer lay sprawled across the bed she now shared with Emperor Claude Ellmeyer. It had been at Claude’s insistence, of course. The sun was already high in the sky, but she hadn’t mustered the strength to get up. If she did, her first stop would be the chamber pot, and not in the way she wanted.
She didn’t need to glance over to Claude’s side of the bed to know it was empty. He would have been up and dressed for hours, likely having slipped out quietly to avoid disturbing her. Morning sickness had become an unfortunate staple of her mornings.
Pregnant. Over a month now. Only Claude, the infirmary staff, and a few trusted individuals knew. That was how they wanted it, how they needed it.
She winced at another wave of nausea. Maybe the infirmary had something for it. That meant standing. And if she stood, well, then she’d need the chamber pot.
She sighed. "Come on, Aileen," she muttered to herself. "Time to face the consequences of pregnancy."
Gingerly, she sat up. Nausea struck instantly. She barely made it to the chamber pot before retching up what little was in her stomach.
A knock followed. "Your Majesty?" came Keith Eigrid's voice. "Are you at least decent?"
When silence met his ears, and with the emperor’s standing permission, Keith opened the door slightly and peeked in. Seeing the empress hunched over the chamber pot, he didn’t hesitate. He grabbed the robe off the bed he knew his emperor had put there and draped it over her shoulders. "It'll pass in a moment, Your Majesty," Keith said calmly.
Aileen slid her arms through the sleeves and tugged it tight around her. "Did Claude send you?" she asked him.
"Yes,” he said, waiting for her to remember. He knew she was aware of the emperor's schedule almost as well as hers. “You know he would’ve come himself, but he had a pressing matter."
"The neighboring kingdom is visiting soon," she recalled. “For the diplomatic meeting we’re hosting.”
He helped her to her feet with practiced ease. "He’s meeting with the palace guards about security. Since the pregnancy is only known to a select few, we’re tightening things in case word gets out."
She sighed. "I’m also a person, not just a vessel for the heir."
"You’re also my wife," came Claude’s voice from the door, "and Empress of the Ellmeyer Empire. You, Aileen, are someone I would protect above all else. I want no one but you."
"The meeting, Your Majesty?" Keith asked.
"Pushed back. I have twenty minutes." Claude stepped inside and walked directly to Aileen. He glanced toward the chamber pot, then focused on her pale face.
Keith bowed and exited silently, closing the door behind him giving them privacy.
"I’m feeling better," Aileen said as Claude embraced her. "It’s just first trimester misery."
Claude held her close. "My love," he murmured, voice low and private, "there’s a plot to kidnap you."
Aileen stiffened slightly and looked up at him. His expression was unguarded, his worry plain. It did her heart good that he dropped his masks for her. "Me? Why?"
"We don’t know. The head of security doesn’t think your pregnancy has leaked, but he can’t rule anything out. So, we’re taking precautions."
She stepped from his arms and walked toward the terrace, stopping short of the doors. "My guards are being doubled. Keith will be stuck to me like glue unless you’re present."
Claude watched her carefully. "You’re not going to argue?" he asked curiously.
Aileen turned to him, calm. "No. I’m thinking about the baby, not just of myself. I’ll take every reasonable precaution," she said as walked back toward him.
She rested a hand on her still-flat stomach. Claude smiled and kissed her, relieved he wasn’t going to have to argue with her.
Another knock. Keith peeked in. "Ten minutes, Your Majesty."
Claude groaned, stealing another kiss before parting, not wanting to leave her. "I love you, Aileen." He squeezed her hands for reassurance before letting her go.
"I love you, too," she replied, watching him go. She turned to Keith. "I hear you’re my new shadow."
"Yes, Your Majesty,” Keith confirmed. “I was meant to inform you, but it seems the emperor beat me to it."
"I’d have taken it better from him anyway," she said. "I need to visit the infirmary. See if they have something for the nausea. I’ll need to change first. Leave the door ajar so you can hear me."
"Of course, Your Majesty." Keith did as told. As he waited, one thought weighed on him: Who would want to kidnap the empress? And why?