Chapter 169 Uh-Oh

Chapter 169 Uh-Oh


Elara’s POV

For the first time in what felt like forever, the palace was quiet.
Brianna sat comfortably on the sofa with one hand resting beneath the gentle curve of her stomach.
She had changed over the last few months. Not just physically. There was a softness about her now that hadn’t been there before. She still carried the same determination that had always made her who she was, but now every decision she made seemed to include someone else before herself.
I found myself wondering what she was thinking as she absently traced little circles across her stomach. There was excitement in her eyes every time the baby moved, but there was also wonder. No amount of royal training could prepare someone for becoming a parent. That was something every mother and father discovered one day at a time.
Trixie reached for the teapot before carefully pouring another cup. “I’ve been thinking.”
I narrowed my eyes almost immediately. Whenever Trixie started a sentence like that, trouble usually followed. Brianna apparently reached the same conclusion because she accepted the cup with a cautious smile. “I don’t think I like that look.”
Trixie only smiled wider. “You said you still haven’t decided on a name.”
Brianna nodded as she settled farther back against the cushions. “We’ve narrowed it down.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “So naturally you’re about to make that decision much harder.”
A mischievous sparkle danced in Trixie’s eyes. “I think I’ve found the perfect one.”Brianna slowly raised one eyebrow. “I’m already concerned.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Trixie proudly announced her suggestion. “Eggberta.”
Silence settled over the room. Brianna stared at her. I stared at her as well. For several long seconds neither of us spoke. Then I completely lost the battle. A laugh escaped before I could stop it. “Really?”
Trixie placed a hand dramatically against her chest. “What? I think it’s beautiful.”
I shook my head, still trying not to laugh. “No, you don’t.”
She lifted her chin proudly. “I absolutely do.”
There wasn’t a single ounce of sincerity in her face. “If we’re suggesting names like that,” I said, struggling to compose myself, “I can do better.” Both pairs of eyes immediately turned toward me. I pretended to think very carefully. “Frederica.”
Trixie blinked her eyes a few times. Then she burst into laughter so hard she nearly spilled tea into her lap. Brianna covered her mouth, desperately trying to stay composed, but the effort lasted only a heartbeat before she dissolved into laughter beside us.
I shrugged innocently. “It sounds distinguished.”
Trixie wiped tears from the corners of her eyes. “It sounds like someone who complains if dinner is five minutes late.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. “It has character.”She pointed toward me with a grin that only encouraged my own laughter. “It has retirement plans.”
That finished Brianna completely. She doubled over laughing until tears filled her eyes. Then, just as suddenly, the laughter stopped. One hand slid protectively over her stomach. Every trace of amusement disappeared from my face. “You alright?”
She nodded her head while drawing a slow, careful breath. “The baby didn’t appreciate that one.”
Trixie immediately leaned forward, concern replacing every ounce of mischief she’d been enjoying only moments before. “Everything okay?”
Brianna smiled reassuringly before leaning back again. “I’m fine. I think somebody is reminding me they’re running out of room.”I studied her for another moment before finally relaxing. She looked comfortable again. The tension slowly disappeared from the room. Trixie released an exaggerated sigh. “Well, if Eggberta is out…”
“It was never in,” Brianna replied, shaking her head with a smile.
Trixie ignored the interruption entirely. “What about Mildred?”
I laughed under my breath. “You’ve completely abandoned helping, haven’t you?”
She didn’t even pretend to deny it. “I crossed that bridge several names ago.”Brianna laughed again, although noticeably more carefully this time. “You two are impossible.”
Trixie grinned. “We’re trying to help.”
I looked toward Brianna. “I think she’s trying to make sure Ryder refuses to let her name any future children.”
A fresh burst of laughter escaped Brianna. “That part is definitely working.”
The conversation wandered naturally from baby names to nursery decorations before somehow circling right back to names again. Every suggestion became more ridiculous than the last. At one point Trixie suggested naming the baby after a flower. Five minutes later she was recommending names that sounded as though they belonged in history books.
I honestly couldn’t tell whether she was trying to be helpful anymore or simply entertaining herself. Either way… It was working.
The room echoed with laughter that hadn’t existed inside these walls for far too long. For several peaceful minutes, none of us rushed the conversation. We picked at the fruit tray, sipped our tea, and enjoyed the rare luxury of having nowhere we needed to be. Outside, palace life continued as always, but inside the room it felt as though time had slowed down just for us.
I realized then how long it had been since we’d simply sat together without discussing strategy, security, or the next problem waiting to be solved. Moments like these were precious because they reminded us exactly what we had been fighting to protect all along.
For a little while, the rest of the world disappeared. There were no enemies waiting beyond the palace gates. No responsibilities demanding our attention. No battles to prepare for. There were only three women waiting to welcome another child into an already overflowing family.
I found myself smiling as I watched Brianna absentmindedly rub slow circles across her stomach. Every now and then her expression softened, almost as though she could already feel the bond growing stronger between her and the little life she carried.
“You know,” she said quietly, “I’ve actually been thinking about one name.”
Trixie immediately straightened. “So you do have a favorite.”
A shy smile crossed Brianna’s face. “Maybe.”
As she shifted on the sofa, I noticed the movement immediately. It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t painful. It was simply… Different. She adjusted her position again before drawing a slower breath than before. “You sure you’re alright?” I asked carefully.
She met my eyes and smiled. “I’m fine.”She sounded convincing enough. Still…Something told me to keep watching. The room grew quiet again.
Outside, birds continued singing beyond the open balcony doors while a gentle breeze stirred the curtains. Inside, Brianna rested both hands beneath her stomach. “I think…”
The words faded away. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the sofa. Neither Trixie nor I interrupted. We simply waited. After another careful breath, Brianna gave us a nervous little laugh. “I guess our baby has excellent timing.”
She looked between us before smiling again. “I’ve got a name.”
Trixie’s entire face lit up. “Finally.”
Brianna opened her mouth to speak. Instead… A warm trickle spread across the polished floor. Her smile disappeared. Mine did too.
Trixie’s eyes slowly dropped toward the floor before lifting back to Brianna. No one spoke. No one had to.
Brianna looked down. Then slowly raised her eyes to meet ours.For one perfectly still heartbeat… The room fell completely silent.