Rock Valley

As fall started to settle in, so did Heather get accustomed to being the crown princes of Lothian. She was a gracious and caring girl and the role did not weigh hard on her, as she had a loving husband to support her. There was one thing that did bother her. Every month she could hear the servants whisper as they saw the bloody rags she gave away for washing. Every month again she could hear them say that it wasn’t the prince’s fault, that he shared her bed every single night. Every month the whispering became more frequent and louder and she knew, as time would go by, that eventually they would start speaking instead of whispering.

She had spoken to the queen about it and her mother in law had reassured her. She had only been married for six months, how could she expect to already haven shown signs of pregnancy? She had to give it time and be grateful. Once the lord would see it fit to bless them with a child, she would certainly have her son and heir.

And so, like the queen before her had done in difficult times, Aedelheath retreated to the chapel every evening, praying for the lord to let her conceive that very night, for Marcus was certainly sharing her bed.
“Please lord, I know I’m asking for much, and I know I need to be patient, but the kingdom needs an heir. Please, help me give my husband a son, help me fulfil my duties. Please lord…”

“What are you praying for my darling?” Marcus’ voice sounded low and calm and came from right beside her.

Without her knowing he had entered the chapel and sat down beside her. Without opening her eyes, she turned towards her husband.

“I’m only praying so the lord knows I’m grateful for all the good he has bestowed upon me” she spoke softly “hoping he would know that I’ll be grateful for future good as well”.

“And what exactly are those good things you have been thanking our lord and saviour for?”

“You” she spoke softly, trying her hardest not to show that she had been begging, rather than thanking the lord.

“Ah” Marcus replied and a grin spread across his face “And what would my lady feel about getting some more of the good thing she has been thanking for?” The corners of his mouth almost reached to his ears and Heather could feel her cheeks turning all red. Marcus had a way of speaking of unspeakable things in even worse places and his bedroom references were showing up everywhere. But still, even though she enjoyed her time with her husband, and especially that time, all those months had not left her pregnant.

Aedelheath broke down in tears, leaving a devastated crown prince that did not know what he had said or done wrong.
“What is wrong, my darling?” he spoke softly while gently laying his warm, large hand upon her bare back. “Did I say something wrong? There is nobody here to hear it, you mustn’t be ashamed” he tried to reassure her while pulling her closer into a gentle embrace.

His physical presence calmed her. She always seemed to draw strength out of him being near and she slowly calmed down in his arms while he gently caressed her long auburn hair and kissed her cheek.

“I know what they are saying behind our backs my darling” he spoke in her ear “Don’t let them get to you.” His voice did not sound concerned or angry. He simply knew what had been bothering her all this time. He pulled her even closer and while he spoke he absentminded started caressing her neck and the naked skin leading towards her bosom.

“I know what they are saying. Don’t you mind them, my lady, who says there is even a problem. There has been so much going on lately and we have both been under a lot of stress. Heck, who even says the problem lies with me?”

“Marcus..” she tried to interrupt her, but he quickly pulled her onto his lap

“Don’t worry. We will have children someday.” He said. Suddenly, his smile turned into another grin as he continued his sentence
“Personally, I don’t mind not having any little ones running around for a while and having you all to myself.”

Aedelheath laughed. “You’re a fool, Marcus, you need an heir”
“Perhaps we just need to practice some more” he said before bending her down and kissing her passionately on the lips.

She tried to usher that they were in the chapel, that this was not the place, but as he continued to kiss her, she felt the passion rise in herself as well. Still, this was a church and not a place for a crown prince to be caught in the arms of a woman, even if she was his wife before god.

She wiggled until she was sitting on his lap again and she felt his breathing growing heavier by the second.

All of the sudden, she jumped off his lap and ran to the door, laughing out loud, for once not minding what other people might think of them.
“You can practice all you want, my love, but first you need to catch me!” she cried as she ran towards across the courtyard towards the entrance to the bedchambers.

“Don’t count me out just yet, my darling” he yelled, as he ran after her, only to catch her as she tried to open the heavy doors leading to their quarters.

Their laughter could be heard all throughout the castle well into the night.