Ripple Water

19

We had reached Prince Riana's palace when it was late. I took off all my jewels, looked tired.

"How long have you known that you're pregnant ?" Ask the Prince near me.

I'm silent.

The prince blocked my hand and pulled it to face him. "Why do you shut up, why don't you tell me your pregnancy"

"I have to how ?" I said finally annoyed. I shook Prince Riana's hand until she slipped

"How to ??...You're...I have the right to know Yuki. Or maybe you don't want this pregnancy"

"This is my son" I said firmly. I let out a breath. Being aware of this debate that we are doing is useless. Prince Riana already knows about my pregnancy. What else am I hiding. "I don't know how to tell you. This pregnancy is too soon for me. I'm only eighteen, I'm not married either. But....But this kid..." I stroked my flat stomach. "This is my son, after all..."

The prince pulled me, hugged me in his chest. "I'm glad to hear this news, thanks Yuki. You gave me the best present"

"Princess Yuki can we talk for a minute ?" Princess Marsha appeared behind me, When I was just walking in the middle garden. Ever since the Prince found out I was pregnant, he no longer locked me in my room. I was allowed to walk as I pleased in the palace. Rajapun often send me food that he thinks contains high nutrition for me and my baby.

The servants looked tense when Princess Marsha appeared. They don't seem to like Princess Marsha. I've heard now that Princess Marsha has the courage to arrange a servant in the Prince's palace as they prepare all the Prince's needs.

Princess Marsha is slim. Her movements were seen once that She was a highly educated Princess.

"You go" I said to the servant who accompanied me. The servants walked away from us. We are now only two.

"We can talk there" Fresh Princess Marsha pointed to the gazebo where She and Prince Riana had kissed. I followed him from behind. We sat a little far apart until the Gazebo.

"What does the Princess want to talk about ?" Ask directly.

"Daughter must be Tau who am I ?" Princess Marsha asked confidently. I'm silent.

"Me and the Prince were lovers when they were young. Our relationship ended because I was very angry, when I learned that it was not Me, the future Queen appointed by the gods. I can't share my love with another woman. Hence I left Prince Riana to marry someone else"

Princess Marsha looked at me inside. Assessing my reaction. I'm just silent sculpting. Not giving any response.

"But I can't forget it. Even after marriage. When my husband died, I felt like this was my karma. I'm trying to fix it. I came back here in hopes of improving our relationship" Princess Marsha explained when I said nothing. "I used to be unprepared when the Prince had to marry someone else, But now, I'm ready. I'd like Him to marry you as his Queen and accept myself as his second wife"

"The second wife ?" I said surprised.

"Yes, the Princess does not expect the Prince will only marry one woman. He is the crown prince of a great kingdom. The regent of the kingdom. He deserves to marry as many women as he pleases"

"I've talked about this with Prince Riana. I hope the Princess understands"

"Are we done talking" I asked quickly to try to end the conversation.

"Yes, Sure. The princess is pregnant. I congratulate you. Later on we will walk together as the wife of Prince Riana"

"Thank you for saying. Excuse me Princess" I'm standing.

Walk out of the gazebo. Feelings shattered. Prince and Princess Marsha have spoken about the future and marriage. What else I was expecting. I'm just the candidate for the Queen. If it wasn't that, the Prince wouldn't have looked at me either. We're too far away. Can't get close.

The sound of a twig being stepped on behind me. When I turned around the Noble Voldermon was already beside me. "You're being relaxed ?" Lightly asked. "I brought you a cake. Come on, let's go and have some tea"

Without waiting for the approval of Nobles Voldermon held onto my shoulder and encouraged me to follow him.

We sat in the park. The snow has completely melted even though the cold is still felt. I sat on a swing made under a tree. The nobleman Voldermon is sitting under me. He brought a baked cake with various toppings. Nice and warm. I managed to eat some without coming out again.

"Thank you, the cake is so good" I said as I finished the fourth Cake.

"Have you done well ?" Ask the nobleman Voldermon lightly. " I just accidentally heard your conversation with Marsha You don't listen to what He says."

"No, I don't think about it too much" I said lying.

"Marsha was Riana's fault in the past. Trust me on Riana. Marsha's appearance will not change anything. He never loved Marsha at all"

"When I first got back here. I saw them both kissing"

"So that's your reason why you ran away from the palace and headed for Argueda ?. Now I understand" The nobleman Voldermon finished a cup of tea. "Did you trust me if I told you Riana loved you instead of Marsha ?. It's just that he won't admit it"

"What I saw wasn't like that"

"Come on Yuki, the incident in the gazebo is not what you think. It was Marsha who kissed Riana when Riana rejected Marsha. Right now He let Marsha be here just because Riana looked at Xasfir pleading with Riana"

I'm silent.

"And so Xasfir begged Riana to accept Marsha by his side. But Riana had absolutely no more feelings for Marsha"