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"Yes, we have," he replied, his voice strong yet laden with emotion. Their fingers entwined, a private symbol of their shared victory.
"Your eloquence moved mountains today," Eloise said.
"Only because I climbed them with you," Bernard quipped.
They stood there, lawyers and servants of peace, basking in the glow of a thousand hopes.
As the celebration continued, the grand hall began to empty, leaving behind the whispers of a historic accord.
Chapter Seventeen
The royal balcony offered a beautiful view of Allenia. Bernard stood there, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze lost in the serenity of his kingdom. The weight of the crown often pressed heavily upon his shoulders, but at this moment, the burdens seemed to lift.
Eloise stepped softly to his side. She nestled herself under his arm, her head finding its familiar nook against his shoulder.
"Bernard," she began. "Now that the peace talks have concluded with such success, do you find yourself breathing easier?" Her eyes sought his, asking the question that her heart already knew the answer to.
Bernard's posture eased as he turned to regard her, the corners of his mouth tilting upward in a smile. "Yes," he admitted. "It appears that diplomacy has triumphed. It's a fine night for our people, don't you think?"
"Absolutely," Eloise chimed in, her laughter like music to his ears. "And a fine night for us as well, I'd say." Her fingers traced an idle pattern on the rich fabric of his jacket.
"Peace, prosperity, and—most importantly—a quiet evening just for the two of us," she continued, her teasing glance implying that the latter was a rare treasure indeed.
"Quiet, but not entirely devoid of surprises, I hope?" Bernard quipped back.
"Surprises?" Eloise echoed, feigning innocence. "Whatever do you mean? I'm simply enjoying the stillness with you, my king." But the twinkle in her eye betrayed her.
Bernard reached for Eloise's hand, drawing her closer to his side. He gazed out across the twinkling lights of their kingdom, each one a silent testament to the peace they had achieved together.
"Stress is a peculiar beast," he mused, his voice a soft rumble against the quiet of the evening. "It tends to loom large and foreboding, yet in your presence, my dearest, it shrinks away to nothing." He smiled down at her. "With you by my side, I fear no challenge or burden."
Eloise met his warm gaze. "Oh, Bernard, there is such comfort in your words," she said, her voice carrying a tremor. "And yet, I find myself having kept a secret, one that I’m afraid will change our lives forever."
A question sparked in Bernard's eyes. Eloise took a deep breath. "I have known for over six weeks now," she began, "that I’m expecting the future king or queen of Allenia."
She paused, There was no pulling back now. She said a silent prayer that he would be as happy as she was about the impending birth of their child.
"I feared," she continued, "to add to the weight of your crown during the peace talks. Please forgive me for not saying something sooner."
The stillness that followed was filled with the gravity of her revelation. Bernard stood motionless.
"Six weeks," he echoed. His hand, ever so tenderly, came to rest upon her belly, as if to greet the child within. "Oh, Eloise," he whispered, "how could I be anything but ecstatic? I hope she has your eyes."
“I hope he has your penchant for pacing.”
He leaned down and kissed her softly. “We’re really having a baby.”
Bernard led Eloise back into the warmth of the palace. As they moved through the grand hallway, his stride faltered just for a moment—a silent testament to the emotions he was feeling.
"Betrayal is a heavy word," he said at last. "Yet, I cannot deny the flicker of it in my heart, Eloise."
She looked up at him, her eyes pools of moonlit sincerity. "I never meant—"
"I know," Bernard interrupted. “You are the compass by which I navigate this life. It was your love that whispered caution, not deceit.” He shook his head. “And I cannot deny that I love you with all my heart. That’s why I asked for your hand. Not because I wanted to bring our countries together.” His fingers brushed against hers. "And you have given me more happiness than any peace treaty ever could."
“And I love you, my king,” she said with a sweet smile. “I don’t know why I didn’t see it at first, but there’s no doubt in my mind now. We’re partners in every part of our lives.
A WEEK LATER, THE KINGDOM buzzed with whispers of the news that had yet to be officially announced, and soon Bernard and Eloise found themselves in the cool, sterile room of the royal physician. The hum of modern machinery seemed out of place against the backdrop of ancient tapestries, but there they were, side by side, awaiting the first glimpse of their future.
