Chapter 213 Chapter 212
Xenon’s concern worsened. "You should have told me; I would have gotten Ladrian."
"No need, I’m sure it will pass. Must be my nerves."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Rayena said, her voice firm. Xenon conceded, letting her be. Unfortunately, more days passed, and Rayena only grew worse. Not only that, her scent changed too. Though the new one wasn’t bad, it still had him concerned. Unable to take it any longer, he called on Ladrian.
Ladrian showed up quickly and instantly ran some tests on Rayena to ascertain what was wrong. The first one concluded, but he had a hard time believing the results. Doubtful, he ran it again. Same conclusion. His confusion worsened. The king had been with him the first two times, and now he needed time to think.
"Can I be alone with the lady this time, Your Majesty? I want to conduct a more thorough test," he said, gazing at the king with confusion.
"You want me out of the room. Why?"
"Just for privacy reasons. No big deal. I don’t understand the results I’m getting, so I want to conduct more thorough research on the lady to find out what’s wrong with her."
While Rayena grew pensive, Xenon glared distrustfully at the healer. Ladrian held his gaze, feeling beads of sweat under the tension that dominated the room at the king’s silent confrontation.
"Fine, I’ll give you the privacy you need," he said, rising to his feet. Ladrian gave a deep bow.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," he muttered sincerely.
"Take your time, Ladrian. I do not want to hear what I do not want to hear."
"I promise to be careful, Your Majesty," Ladrian muttered, beads of sweat gathering on his forehead. Xenon finally left the room, and Ladrian let out a breath of relief. Facing Rayena, his gaze narrowed.
"If you don’t mind, I’d like for you to undress," he announced. Rayena’s eyes widened in panic.
"Don’t panic. All I want to do is conduct some tests. The king will have my head if I do anything else." Ladrian quickly stated, waving his hands.
"O-okay," Rayena stammered, fidgeting as she undid the straps of her dress. Soon she was naked, and Ladrian performed a more thorough test on her. The results were the same as the first two.
"What’s wrong?" Rayena asked as she dressed, unable to take the silence anymore.
"This... This can’t be right," Ladrian muttered as he compared the results of his checkups. Rayena’s heart began to pound, cold sweat breaking out of her skin.
"What’s not right?" she pressed, eyes widened in fear, breath caught in her chest.
Ladrian swallowed the words he was about to say and called on the king. The king stormed into the room, patience worn thin. "What’s wrong? What did you find?" He growled, voice laced worry and frustration.
"You said her scent has changed recently, right?"
"Yes. What’s happening to her?"
"I’ve conducted several tests, and they’re all leading to the same conclusion. She’s pregnant," he announced.
"What?"
"The lady is pregnant."
Xenon froze.
The word hung in the air like smoke — pregnant.
His eyes couldn’t have grown any wider. He’d heard what Ladrian had said, but the words were having trouble sinking in. Rayena is pregnant? He opened and closed his mouth like a carp when the words he wanted to say eluded him.
What does he mean Rayena is pregnant?
He glanced at a more stunned Rayena, noting the disbelief etched on her features.
“Rayena is pregnant?!” he choked out, feeling cold sweat break out across his skin.
Ladrian nodded. “Every result from the tests I conducted said the same thing. This woman here is with child. Although it’s still in its early stages, the signs are already there — the new weariness, constant fevers, and the unmistakable change in scent. Rayena here is set to have your child.”
The room spun around Xenon, and he stumbled backward. “H-how’s that possible?” he stuttered. “We haven’t even properly mated yet. I’ve only just marked her!” Feeling himself spiral, he added, “Moreover, we’ve only been intimate once!”
“She is your destined mate, is she not?” Ladrian asked, and Xenon swallowed tightly, slowly nodding.
“Well, one time is enough time for you to do it for her to get pregnant,” he stated.
Rayena glanced at Xenon, whose face had gone pale with disbelief, and her heart twisted. She was surprised to find out he wasn’t as happy with the news. But then again, who would be? It wasn’t coming at the best of times.
Slowly, Xenon collected his features, letting out a deep, calming breath. His mask of indifference was fully on now. “It’s okay, I understand. I’ve heard all you have to say. You may leave,” he said in an equally neutral tone, dismissing Ladrian with a wave of his hand.
“That’s not all. I still have more things to tell you now, with the recent development,” Ladrian quickly cut in.
“Spill it out then!” Xenon growled through clenched teeth.
“This is a discussion I need to have with you alone,” Ladrian stressed.
A muscle ticked in Xenon’s jaw, his gaze darkening. But he sighed in surrender and strode out of the chambers, leaving Ladrian to follow. The door closed behind them, and Rayena was now alone.
The weight of what had just been revealed finally crashed over her, and she recoiled, feeling her heart race. She was pregnant —really pregnant. She stared down at her belly, her mind racing with a dozen different thoughts.
For a heartbeat, she forgot to breathe. Her fingers trembled against the fabric of her gown as if her body didn’t know whether to rejoice or shatter. Pregnant. With Xenon’s child. The thought should have filled her with warmth, yet all she felt was terror clawing its way up her throat.
She hadn’t expected this to happen so soon. Hades, she hadn’t expected it to happen at all. But wasn’t this what Xenon wanted —what the kingdom needed? Shouldn’t she be happy about it?