Chapter 44 - 044: Pregnancy privilege...

The meal had barely begun when someone stopped at the entrance. Anaria looked up. The woman from earlier stood there with her son beside her. This time, she carried a basket in both hands.

She approached slowly and lowered her head. "My lady, I came to apologize properly."

Anaria glanced at the basket. "You didn’t have to bring anything."

"I wanted to."

The woman placed the basket on the table and opened it. Fresh meat, dried fruits, herbs, and a few other foods were packed inside. "I heard you were carrying a child," she explained. "I thought these might be useful."

Anaria looked through the basket, pleasantly surprised. "This is quite a lot."

The woman smiled nervously. "Please accept it."

Kenai, who had been quiet until then, looked at her. "You should have asked before accusing her."

The woman’s face immediately fell. "Yes, Leader. I’m sorry."

Anaria glanced at Kenai. "She was worried about her child."

Kenai looked at her but said nothing.

Anaria turned back to the woman. "It’s fine. I understand."

The woman’s shoulders relaxed. "Thank you, my lady."

The little boy suddenly peeked around her. Anaria caught his eye. He smiled and waved. She waved back. "Take care of your mother."

The boy nodded seriously. His mother laughed softly before bowing again and leading him away.

Anaria watched them disappear before returning her attention to the basket. She picked up a piece of dried fruit. "Not bad."

Rylan smiled. "You accepted the apology very quickly."

"She brought food."

Kai laughed. "Of course."

Anaria popped the fruit into her mouth.

Kenai watched her for a moment. "Since your pregnancy is now known, things are going to change."

Anaria paused. "What do you mean?"

"You’ll need better food, more rest, and less work."

Anaria slowly lowered the fruit. "That’s all?"

Kenai nodded. "You shouldn’t be carrying heavy things or spending too much time on your feet. If you need anything, ask one of the servants."

Anaria stared at him.

Rylan added, "And don’t skip meals."

Kai nodded. "Or stay awake too late."

Anaria looked between the three of them. For once, she wasn’t annoyed. In fact, this sounded wonderful. No carrying things. People bringing her food. Being told to rest. Having servants do things for her.

She picked up another piece of fruit. "Alright."

Kenai raised an eyebrow. "Alright?"

"Yes."

He had clearly expected an argument. Anaria took another bite. "What’s wrong with that?"

"Nothing."

She smiled to herself. Finally. Pregnancy privileges. She had been waiting for this.

A servant approached and placed another dish in front of her. Anaria’s eyes lit up.

Kenai noticed. "You’re enjoying this."

Anaria looked at him innocently. "Enjoying what?"

"The attention."

She glanced at the food. Then at the cushion behind her back. Then at the servant who had just refilled her cup. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Rylan laughed. Kai shook his head.

Anaria continued eating without shame. If everyone wanted to pamper her, she certainly wasn’t going to stop them.

Then Kenai spoke again. "There’s one more thing."

Anaria stopped chewing. "What?"

"You won’t be leaving the residence alone anymore."

Anaria stopped chewing. "What?"

Kenai remained calm. "You won’t be leaving the residence alone anymore."

She slowly put down the fruit. "Why?"

"The village still doesn’t know you well. There are people who don’t trust you, and I don’t want you wandering around by yourself."

Anaria frowned. "But I just went to the marketplace."

"And you won’t be doing that alone again."

She stared at him. A moment ago, she had been enjoying every bit of the attention. Now she suddenly felt like she had traded one prison for another. "I’m pregnant, Kenai. I’m not sick."

"I know."

"Then why can’t I go outside?"

"Because I said so."

Anaria’s eyes narrowed.

Rylan quietly looked down at his food. Kai suddenly seemed very interested in his cup.

Anaria noticed both of them. "Don’t look away. You agree with him?"

Rylan cleared his throat. "He’s worried about you."

"So are you?"

"Yes."

Kai finally spoke. "We just don’t want you getting into trouble."

"I’m not looking for trouble." Anaria folded her arms. "I want to walk around. My body already feels uncomfortable, and you’re telling me I should stay inside all day?"

Kenai’s expression softened. "You can walk around the residence."

"That’s not the same thing."

"You can use the garden and the courtyard."

Anaria sighed. She knew he wasn’t going to change his mind completely.

Kenai continued, "If you need to go somewhere outside the residence, tell me first."

"And what?"

"I’ll arrange for someone to accompany you."

Anaria immediately shook her head. "No."

Kenai frowned. "Why?"

"Because I don’t need someone following me everywhere."

"You don’t have to like it."

"I don’t."

Rylan finally laughed under his breath. Anaria turned toward him. "You find this funny?"

"No."

"Then stop laughing."

"I wasn’t."

Kai covered his mouth. Anaria narrowed her eyes at both of them. "Traitors."

Kenai shook his head. "You’re making this harder than it needs to be."

"Because you’re making rules like I’m incapable of taking care of myself."

His gaze settled on her stomach. "You’re carrying my child."

Anaria looked down at her own stomach, then back at him. "And your child is perfectly safe with me."

Kenai was quiet. She softened slightly. "I understand that you’re worried." She reached for another piece of fruit. "But I’m not going to spend my pregnancy lying in bed."

Kenai considered her words before finally nodding. "Fine. Walk around the safe parts of the residence whenever you want."

Anaria smiled. "And outside?"

"Tell me first."

She sighed. "Fine."

Kenai relaxed. Anaria picked up another piece of meat. "But nobody touches my food."

Rylan laughed. Kai shook his head. Kenai simply looked at her, amused. "You really are enjoying this."

Anaria took another bite. "Of course I am." She leaned back against the cushion and looked around the table. For once, she had no complaints about being pregnant. The extra food was nice. The attention was nice. And being cared for wasn’t so bad either.

As long as they remembered she could still walk on her own.