KATHRYN'S POV
It's been a week since our wedding and Alvia is still talking about her experience meeting her idols in person. Even there was a language barrier between them; I say it's fun being her translator.
"I'm glad that you like my surprise. Anyway, the real question now is what I am supposed to do at the succession? What should I say? Please talk through to me about it." Alvia gave me a look.
"I thought Genevieve already explained to you what should you do and how to act. What were you doing when she was explaining the details to you?" What was I doing?
"She was explaining stuff, and you know how I am when she started to explain all the formal thing. I doze off." Alvia sighs while shaking her head.
I know she's been telling me to stop doing that, but I can't merely get rid of my habit. That's just who I am.
"I'm going to explain to you as simple as I can so that you won't feel bored. All you have to do is walk down the red carpet, and I'll be waiting for you. Once you arrived, kneel, and I will place the crown on your head. Once I did that, stand up, and I will lead you to your throne next to mine. Face the people of Gralia, smile, and the herald will then announce you like the new empress of Gralia." Now, why can't Genevieve explain to me as Alvia did?
"Did you get it?" I nod.
"Somehow, you manage to get my attention." She smiled before looking at her reflection on the mirror.
"This is the first time wearing I'm wearing my new official attire in a formal event. It matches yours." I look down on my attire before looking at what Alvia's is wearing. It does match us perfectly.
" The seamstress outdid herself yet again. She is one talented dressmaker." I decided to twirl around a little, but I immediately regretted it because it just made my headache worse.
"What's wrong? You look pale." I was trying to make the uneasy feeling go away, but I accidentally let out a gagging noise instead. Alvia went to my side when she heard me.
" We can skip today's event if you don't feel okay. I'm sure everyone will understand. I don't want you to force yourself." But if we decided to skip today, it doesn't change the fact that I have to be crown in national television.
Whether I like it or not, we have to go through this crowing today.
"Are you sure?" I nod.
"I just want to get this over with. Besides, after the crowning, I will find some time alone and rest. After that, I should be fine." I convinced myself, but I have been feeling this nausea for a few days now.
I blamed that forsaken caviar for making me gag out of the blue.
"Alright, I'll make some arrangement so that you won't be busy for the rest of the day. Please get better. I hate to see you not feeling well." I am so lucky to have such an overly protective and caring partner.
But sometimes I do feel like she's too concern about others than herself. I'm not the one who keeps skipping meals and her sleeping schedule. She needs to take care of herself more.
"I really appreciate it that you care, but you need to advise yourself when it comes to forcing yourself. You've been working hard, and I hardly see you nowadays. Please tell me that you're okay." Alvia smiled.
"Of course, I am. I just want to make sure that my loved one lives in a safe environment and worry-free. And I-" I literally gag yet again. What is happening to me?
"For Heaven sake, are you okay?" She leads me towards the chair and kneels on the floor.
"I don't think you will be able to go through with the succession. We can reschedule. I-" I shake my head no and smiled at her.
"I'm fine. I don't want to go through this again. Let's get this over with," I said that but my head is pounding. Alvia is genuinely worried, but I assured her that I am fine. I don't feel like I am, but rather than wasting everyone hard work for the past week, I instead go through with it. Alvia was about to say something, but a knock from the door gained our attention.
"I'm sorry, your highnesses but it's almost time. Now, if you would please follow me towards the throne room." Freida put on the biggest smile I've ever seen. Alvia was as surprised as I am when Freida literally greets us without any curse words as always.
"What is it?" Freida asked when we seem out of place.
"It was nothing. We just appalled by your sudden mood changes. Usually, by now, you would've forced us out of the door already." Alvia pointed out. Freida smiled from ear to ear.
"I'm just happy that it's finally time for the succession. This empire needs its empress, and I'm happy like the rest of the people of Gralia. This shall be the biggest and most view succession the empire has ever seen and host. And not only that, the council made a few special arrangements so that our empire shall receive the attention it deserves. Today is truly the day for Gralia to be exposed worldwide. And it all thanks to you both."
Alvia and I look at each other before facing Freida who's having the time of her life. What did we do? I don't recall doing anything that might spark everyone's interest in us. Alvia gave me a shrug.
"From the looks of your expression, you guys have no idea what is happening?" We both shake our head. What exactly happened?
"For some unknown reason, your love story received a lot of attention once your wedding was air for everyone to see. From the help of the people of Gralia, foreigners were intrigued to know more about your journey towards never-ending happiness. I was quite shocked when there were a few famous producers wish to make your love story as films." Huh? What kind of journey?
If the public knew that our first meeting was at a night club and I was drunk to the point I don't even remember our brief interaction with each other; there is going to be a lot of scandalous rumours from that alone. I can't help but laugh at that fact. It seems like Alvia is thinking the same thing as I am.
"Well, we don't have much time now. Let's wrap this up so Kathryn will have her rest." Alvia offers her hand for me to take. I smiled and took her hand in mine before she leads me out
***
"I present to you, Kathryn Bouvier, empress of Gralia." After the herald announces my name, I face my people while holding the Gralia royal sword of justice with a smile. The sound of celebration echoes inside the throne room and even from the outside. I was surprised when I was told that the council decided to place a massive screen outside the palace and several others across the city so that the people of Gralia can enjoy this day together.
It never crossed my mind that the crown that was placed on top of my head earlier was this heavy. This crown doesn't help my headache at all. I know that Alvia can sense how uncomfortable I am. And because of that, right after the national anthem was sung, she immediately took the sword from me but keep the crown still because the media are taking our pictures.
"Genevieve will be here soon to lead you out from this room. I have called for a medical specialist to take a look at you. And no, I won't take no for an answer. Until I see a legit medical report about you, I won't stop forcing you to see the doctors." I just can't win against her. How many times do I have to tell her that I hate seeing doctors?! They will always find a reason to poke you with their needles!
"I know that look. Don't give me that look just because you're the empress now. I'm not scared of you-" she was taken aback when I raised an eyebrow at her. Alvia tried to avoid eye contact, but I just know which button to press at the right time. It was a good thing that my mother in law is the type of person who blurts everything.
"I think I don't. Please stop giving me that look." I chuckled. Alvia hates it when I stare at her for no reason.
"Genevieve's here. Please do the check-up." I guess I have no choice. The emperor has spoken, and I just have to make sure that I will not chicken out from this. Genevieve bows with a smile before grabbing me by the arm as she leads me out from the room.
"You don't have to hold me down, Genevieve. I'm not a small child anymore." Genevieve didn't let go.
"This came from the person who runs away from seeing a doctor just a few days ago. I was given an order to make sure that you have a proper medical check-up. And I'm not planning on disobeying my superior. Although it makes you my superior as well, the emperor has more power, and I shall not disappoint him." I can't escape this anymore.
Where is she taking me? What is this place? I never knew that this kind of place even existed! It seems like they have a functioning hospital inside the palace!
"Ahh, we finally meet in person. Hello there. My name is Christina Larove. You can call me Doctor Larove or just Christina." This woman has the same smile as Croix Larove does. Wait, does that mean that she's the sister that was never appeared on the day of our wedding? Well, they do have the same last name. Even a child knows how to pinpoint that, Kathryn!
Oh God, I'm so nervous that I can't even think straight.
"Would you like to tell me what is happening lately? I heard that you've been dealing with constant headache and nausea? Is that right?" I was too nervous that I can't even nod my head myself. Genevieve has to move my head with her hands. Christina thinks it's funny, but I can't handle this pressure.
God, I feel sick. It wasn't my intention to gag, but I did.
"Does that happen often?" Christina asked.
"Yes. But it goes away once I have a nap." That perks her interest. She reached for a clipboard and started to write something.
"Oh. When did it start? Is it recently?" I nod. I think it was a few days after the wedding.
"When I woke up one morning, I just have this urge to vomit, but I didn't. It usually happens when I'm tired. It happens before. So it's not something serious at all. And if you excuse me, I-" Christina suddenly grabbed my shoulder when I try to stand up from the chair.
"I'm not done yet. Please have a seat, and I will make this quick, my empress." Somehow, her tone of voice seems different. It looks so authoritative.
"Does it feel like your breasts are slightly swollen and tender to touch? Do you feel bloated for no reason, and you have the urge to pee every single time? Do you have certain food craving? Does it feel like your mood swings are getting worse? And most importantly, did you missed your period?" she was giving me the daggers as she stares straight into my soul.
"Empress Kathryn! I need the answers now!" she slammed her hands on her table.
"Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!" I blurted it out of the blue. Wait, what just happened?
"Hmm. I usually will ask my patient to pee on a stick. But, in this case, we have to make sure. Please allow me to take a little blood sample so that we can make sure of what is currently happening with your body." Blood sample?! For what?! I shake my head no, but she asked her nurses to hold me from moving around too much.
When I turn to Genevieve for help, she was taking pictures with a smile on her face. And she called herself my advisor?! I felt a prick on my arm, but that was it. Wait, what?
"There. It's all done. It will take a moment for it to be analysis, so I advise you to rest on that bed and have some milk and cookies before leaving my office. Because it looks like you're a little pale just from this visit. Please come back here tomorrow for your result." Her nurse just handed me a glass of milk and a plate of fresh-baked cookies. Is she serious?
She smiled before taking my blood sample away and leaves us both in her office.
***
I can't sleep thinking about my result. I'm nervous but not as much since Alvia decided to be here with me today. I have a few ideas about what might the doctor said, but it's impossible because Alvia had told me and even showed me the result of tests she took to determine her situation.
We can't have a child together, but I just have a little faith in miracles. Who knows, right? When Christina finally arrived, she had a big smile on her face when she met Alvia.
"I was hoping you might be here. How are you, Alvia?" They spent a few minutes greeting each other, and when it finally the time to reveal the result, I can't help, but I grabbed Alvia hand in mine.
"Well, I have the result here in my hands, and I hope that both of you can accept this faith. I'm sure that both of you will go through this together." What? No, am I going to die?
"Congratulation, you two will be parents." And I oop!
To be continued.
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