The Crown

Chapter Twenty Three

Blood.

Beatrice's eyes opened quickly as she sat straight up, looking around and trying to catch her breath. She wiped her eyes and glanced at a sleeping Tobias by her side. With her hand, she caressed his cheek, smiling at the feeling of the stubbly skin, and how his face twitched at each stroke.

The last thing she seemed to remember was being with Tobias in his room and falling asleep against him, growing much too tired from the impactful day. She sighed as she slowly stood from the bed, walking away from it. She hugged herself as the cold air from the balcony seeped through into the bedroom.

Taking a deep breath, Beatrice reached for the handle of the balcony doors. She slowly pushed them open, embracing the cold air of the night. Her breath hitched as she took in the moonlit view of the garden in front of her. A smile formed on her face as she reached out to touch the balcony rails. I've never been here at night, she realized.

When she had finally calmed down from her nightmare, Beatrice turned away and walked back inside the bedroom. She left the door slightly ajar, enjoying the breeze. As she made walked back toward the bed, she froze at the sight of Tobias' mirror. She stood in front of it, staring at her reflection.

The large mirror reflected her frame as she turned to the side. Her eyes were glued to her stomach, looking at it from each angle. She lifted her shirt and inspected it. 

With a shaking hand, she neared the side of her waist, slowly pressing her palm against her skin.

"Beatrice?" Tobias called out, causing her to jump in startlement. He rested against his elbow on the mattress, looking at her across the room. "Are you alright?"

She turned to him, still recovering from being surprised.

"Why are you awake?" Tobias' groggy and sleepy voice filled her ears. "Come back to bed."

"I will, one second," she finally mumbled.

He tilted his hand in confusion as he stared at her hand on her stomach. "Are you okay? Do you feel nauseous?" 

In all honesty, Beatrice had not heard him. She was not listening, so she gave a slow nod.

Not understanding the predicament, Tobias sobered up and walked toward her. He leaned against the wall beside the mirror, looking at Beatrice examine herself with such concentration.

"Are you looking for something?" he asked.

She glanced at him. "No, nothing like that," she sighed and shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I'll go back to bed."

She turned to return to bed, but Tobias reached for her hand instead. She looked back at him as he effectively held her hand, forcing her to stay at the mirror.

"Tell me what troubles you," he asked her gently, caressing her knuckles.

She sighed and forced a smile. "I was just passing by, Tobias. Nothing to worry about."

Tobias nodded, deciding not to push further. He kissed her knuckles before patting her hand and letting go. He retreated back under the covers, resting comfortably against the pillow once more. 

He could not help his smile as he felt the mattress shift when Beatrice laid back on it. 

Beatrice laid on her back, closing her eyes at the sound of Tobias' soft snoring. She dropped her hands to her stomach, taking a deep breath.

The memory of Evelyn running toward her with the knife came back to her mind, as it did in her nightmare. Only in her mind, Evelyn had effectively managed to plunge the knife into Beatrice's stomach. Although such an event had not occurred, Beatrice could feel the cold metal in her body, as well as the blood that would pour.