Rhovian's POV
Though he wanted to chase after her, Rhovian held back. He knew that doing so would open a door to a kind of melodrama he was not willing to maintain and also, if she was not willing to talk now, he had better wait for a more appropriate moment.
One way or another, he thought it better to sleep in the office for now, so she would not have to keep facing the trouble of sleeping in a different room. Having found Zena, he asked her:
— Tell Princess Ylenna that I will be in the office. And… — He hesitated. — That we shall talk tomorrow.
On the next morning, Rhovian went to the dining hall, hoping he'd find her there. As she was not anywhere to find, he asked Karl about her whereabouts.
— Her highness has asked for her breakfast to be taken to her chambers, my Prince.
— I see…
— Rhovian. — His father called from the table, motioning him to the empty chair by his side. — Come. Sit here.
— Good morning, father. Brother. — He greeted Rhemo, sitting at the other side of their father's chair. — Where are Rhavi and Queen Tinae?
— The queen woke up earlier and has already left for her chores. And your brother… is likely enjoying a lovely morning with his wife, I do not know.
— I see…
— You, on the other side… — The King arched an eyebrow at him. — seem to be having quite the struggle in your marriage, right? It is the talk in the palace.
— It… is just an altercation. I will have it solved soon.
— I hope so… Listen, son… I know things have not been as you wished them to, but… try and be a gentle husband to the princess, okay? She is a kind lady.
'Why does everyone act as if I am being a troglodyte?'
— I have been… gentle, father. Actually… — He lowered his voice. — I have tried my best to balance being gentle and keeping that matter under control. You know, the one that made me not want this wedding in the first place.
— Well… — His father sighed. — It is never an easy task, son… finding balance.
— Brother. Father is right. — Rhemo started, unaware of whatever Rhovian confided to their father. — Even I have felt bad for Princess Ylenna. You two have not come to eat together since you arrived from the Yornin and Turga's mediation..
— It has only been four days…
— Also… — Rhemo added in a lower voice. — She has been spending a long time with Princess Arletta. You should be careful.
Rhovian arched an eyebrow, questioning the meaning of his words.
— You know, our sister in law has our brother wrapped around her finger… You had better winning Princess Ylenna's favor, or she will learn a thing or two with Rhavi's wi-
— Now, now. Enough, Rhemo. It is not appropriate for you to be saying those things about your brother, nor his wife. Now, finish your meal. I have some tasks for you.
Rhemo sighed heavily, closing his eyes.
— Of course, your majesty.
So, while everyone was acting as if Rhovian was treating the princess in a rude manner — which he could not entirely deny, but was also not the whole truth —, he was trying his best not to shower her with all his passion.
Should he let himself behave freely, Rhovian would spend all his dawns contemplating Ylenna's sleeping complexion, his mornings kissing her hands and pretty face and covering her with gifts, his afternoons taking her horse riding and strolling by the palace grounds, and his nights in passionate carnal activities, not giving her any rest.
Had he not been born with that cursed blue blood, Rhovian would proudly fill her with his child, worship the very shape of her growing belly and shout to the whole world that his wonderful wife had gifted him with a beautiful baby.
But those were dreams that he could not afford to hold onto.
Rhovian stopped on his tracks, on his way to the training grounds, having spotted Ylenna staring at the garden from their bed chambers' window. He watched her for a minute, before she noticed him, jolted up and tucked herself in.
— Someday… — He muttered, resuming his strides. — Maybe someday I can finally give you all the love you deserve.
Thump.
He stopped once again.
Love… Was that the feeling Rhovian nurtured for Ylenna?
His hand went to his chest, automatically grabbing the flesh underneath the fabric.
— Why does it have to hurt like this?
Rhovian did not know much about feelings, but he knew how Ylenna made him feel.
He wanted to be with her, hug her, see her smile and protect her from anything bad. He had always felt a kind of longing for the princess, but since she became his wife, that feeling had changed. He wished for all in this world to be able to make her happy. And since their first night together, the pure need of caring and the lustful desire had merged into an overwhelming feeling that threatened to smash him to the ground if he could not offer it to her.
— I literally feel like I will stop breathing if I cannot give myself to her… — Rhovian muttered to himself, then scoffed in self mockery. — I am so… so screwed.
In the training grounds, Rhovian's determination in finding balance was the fuel that kept him going through the whole morning.
'I will find a way…' He thought to himself while sparring against two of his apprentices with one sword. 'A way to show that I care for her… while keeping a safe distance.' He disarmed the first apprentice. 'That, if she is not already carrying a child.' The second one was disarmed, as well.
'A child…'
Rhovian's hands went to his knees. He was panting a bit, not from the struggle of the sparring, but the anxiety creeping in his chest.
'If she is with child… Heavens… What will I do then?'
— Your highness. Are you unwell?
— Nivan. — Rhovian looked up, straightening up his body and grabbing his friend's both shoulders with urgency in his eyes and voice. — How long, after a couple does the deed, should it take to find out about the woman being pregnant?
Nivan blinked, his lips open in a small circle, and the whole place, normally filled with the clanks and thuds of swords and bodies, fell to a mausoleum-like silence.
The sudden change in the atmosphere brought Rhovian back to the reality of him being surrounded by dozens of good-hearing subordinates.
— I believe his highness is being… really determined in his noble endeavor of getting himself a royal heir. — Nivan tried to make the situation less awkward, patting Rhovian's shoulder while smiling at the knights. — Therefore, maybe he should go check on his wife, right? Vice commander, please. Can you continue overseeing the training? Thank you so much. Let's go, your highness, I shall give you my utmost support as your right hand man.
— Please, tell me. — Nivan rubbed his hand against his face in a troubled gesture, then turned to face Rhovian. — Do you need help? What is going on with you?
— I… I don't know.
— It is the second time in a few weeks that you behave weirdly in the training grounds and I need to take you out of there. What is it, now? Are you already having nightmares about Princess Ylenna being pregnant?
— No… not exactly like that…
— How long has it been? Three days?
— Well… tonight it will be four.
— Anyway, there is no way we'll be able to know for now. It will take at least a few weeks until she can have any symptoms. So try to calm yourself, alright?
— I… I am screwed.
— Don't go crazy right now. — Nivan seemed to be talking to himself more than to the prince. — Even if she's pregnant, there's still time until the baby is born, an-
— No, Nivan. — Rhovian looked up at him. — Not because of this.
— What's it now?
— I cannot hold myself back anymore.
— What are you talking ab-
— I love her. I have dug my own grave. I am entirely surrendered. I can no longer disguise my feelings.
Nivan took a deep breath.
— Well… Now that, right there, is a problem.