Chapter 82 Nora
Nora
Two months later
Nicholas strolled into the throne room, hopping upon the dais to take a seat beside mine as if he wasn’t late. He wore a particularly entertained look on his face that had me cheekily asking, “And where have you been?”
“You’ll see soon, my lady.”
I stared, not just because his amused smile was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen, with his hair practically sparkling beneath the sunlight streaming through the cathedral style windows, but because we didn’t keep secrets from each other.
I gave a contemplative hum. “I better.”
“Seen any hopeful candidates yet?” He leaned over to ask in a whisper, his crown shined to silver perfection, the sapphire jewels so polished they could blind.
“Mm, I’ve seen a couple who I like. Unsure where I’d want to put them, but still plenty of roles to fill.”
Once we’d announced to the kingdom that the curse had been defeated, and that Nicholas possessed magic, we had nothing holding us back from implementing the changes we’d thought might take years to usher in.
We created positions in the castle for specific magical talents, but anyone with magic that wished to contribute to building our kingdom anew was welcome to audition.
One girl had come in with a withered house plant she said her grandmother had killed.
She waggled her fingers, and green light flowed around the stem until it was rejuvenated.
She’d seemed sweet, and I wanted to find something for her.
Potentially helping select floral arrangements for big events.
Ricks would love someone who cared to fill that role, since it certainly wasn’t me.
“Ah,” I winced, a sharp pain shooting through my abdomen.
Nick rose from his chair, moving to crouch beside me. “What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
I nodded, though a grimace was still set on my face.
“Cramps are just a lot worse now.” I’d started menstruating four days ago, and while my cramps had been debilitating before, the pains had grown sharper.
That dagger had sliced my womb, and as I healed naturally in between sessions with Marco and Nick, scar tissue had formed.
When Marco had confessed that chances of me carrying a child to term were next to nothing, I hadn’t known how I felt about it. A baby was never something I’d necessarily planned on, most likely because I could barely take care of myself in poverty, let alone the responsibility of a child.
Nicholas had never pressured me on the issue, and we were still so new into our marriage that the conversation just became tabled for another time. But upon hearing it wouldn’t happen, and not because of my own choice, I felt…mournful.
Nick waved over a staffer, instructing him to prepare a batch of pain relieving tea.
“Thanks,” I said, readjusting myself in my chair to a proper queenly pose.
“If this gets too much, we’ll stop. Just say the word.” He lifted my hand and placed a kiss on the back of my dark blue glove before returning to his seat.
I signaled the announcer at the door, who then introduced a boy by the name of Oliver.
A young man approached, slipping off his cap into his hands before him. “Your Majesties.” He bowed.
“Oliver, thank you for coming here today. We know things are quite different around Highcrest these days, and appreciate your courage for coming here today to present yourself. Tell us about your magic,” Nicholas said.
The boy crumpled his hat in his hands, clearly nervous. “I-I’m a seer, sir.”
My eyebrows lifted. “A seer? That is rare, indeed. Tell me Oliver, what do you see when you look at me?” I smiled, encouraging him.
The boy closed his eyes, lids fluttering. “I see…an heir. A young prince for Highcrest. Two princes, actually. Twins.”
Nick and I exchanged a panicked glance. Hearing that children were suddenly in my future caused a rattle of panic through my chest. Babies? Why would I want that? Cramps were painful enough, let alone pushing out a human from my v—
The boy wrinkled his brow, eyes still closed in contemplation. “Or no heir. I don’t see that anymore.” Oliver opened his eyes, bowing at the waist. “My apologies, Your Majesties. Sometimes the visions change, and I don’t—”
“You’re hired,” I said. “See that bushy eyebrow’d man there with the spectacles? His name is Ricks. He’ll put you on the roll.”
Oliver bounced on his heels, tugging at the lapels of his oversized, clearly hand-me-down dress coat. “Thank you, Your Graces!”
After he departed, Nicholas leaned over. “What was that about? The boy couldn’t make up his mind, yet you hired him?” His forehead creased as he held a questioning smile.
“He changed his mind because I changed my mind. He saw it in real time. That’s quite impressive.”
My husband reached over and squeezed my hand. “What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?”
I leaned back in my chair, acting acutely casual. “I guess you’re not the only one to keep secrets now.” I settled, looking aloof.
Nick laughed and shook his head. “I don’t think you’ll have to wait long bef—”
“WE’RE ENGAGED!” Melody ran through the open doors, holding up her hand to flaunt the sparkly ring on her finger.
“Well, that was faster than I expected,” Nick said, rising to his feet.
Tio jogged in behind her, his new glazed walnut wood prosthetic completely exposed.
“You waited all of five minutes?” Nicholas asked Tio.
He shrugged, catching up with his fiancée. “What can I say?”
I ran down the dais, embracing my sister while showering her with congratulations. “To both of you!” I hugged Tio as well.
“Congratulations, Melody,” Nick said, embracing my sister.
“I’m assuming I should thank you as well, Nicholas. This ring is…very fine indeed.”
“Ouch, sunshine. You wound me.” Tio faked an injury to his chest.
“Surely you wouldn’t have stolen my engagement ring?” She rose a brow pointedly at her mischievous fiancé.
He wrapped his hands greedily around her waist, pulling her close. “Sunshine, I would steal the moon if it’d make you smile.” He kissed her through his roguish grin.
Her smile beamed brighter than all the jewels in the castle.
My husband ignored the question, refusing to take any of the spotlight. “So it fits well, this one?” he asked Tio, gesturing to the new prosthetic. My new brother-in-law had rolled his pant leg, revealing the shiny walnut wood, and pinned the cuffs.
“It’s the nicest one yet. Too nice to cover up with pants.
And now, it’s the leg I proposed in, and I will wear it loud and proud.
” Tio pulled Melody in for another celebratory kiss, dipping her low.
Her smile didn’t falter as they kissed unabashedly in front of respectable company. I’d never seen her so happy.
A messenger had snuck in during our chat, whispering to Ricks, who promptly got up with a squeal and shuffled over to us. “Excuse me, Lady Nora, but I have some exciting news. The Shen Home for Families is officially complete.”
Was it possible for a heart to explode from happiness?
Because if so, I was bordering the line.
As part of my project to eliminate homelessness in South Harbor, we’d stocked the soup kitchen and begun building a shelter.
I’d named it after my mother and father, a memorial to the loving home they’d provided me growing up.
“Congratulations, my lady.” Nicholas pulled me close to his side and placed a kiss on my cheek. “Shall we go see it after we finish here?”
“Oh, I’d love to see it, Nora,” Melody said, arms wrapped around Tio’s waist.
I peered up at my husband. “I’ve built something,” I whispered, proud of the accomplishment that a mere year ago would have been my wildest dream.
“You’ve done amazing,” Nick said, taking hold of my hand and gently rubbing his thumb along it. “And that’s just the start.”