Months passed, and Althea kept herself busy with her duties in the inner court throughout her pregnancy. Despite that, Gavriel remained extremely strict about her safety and refused to allow her to leave the palace grounds without him accompanying her.

By the time she reached her ninth month, he had become even more protective.

Althea was practically forbidden from leaving the palace altogether.

Still, she didn't mind too much. With how large her belly had become, she had no desire to wander ...