Rock Valley

Amelia Tudor, now Pecuniaris, princes of Lothian an duchess in waiting, stood on the rooftop of her husband’s home, looking out over the grounds and the fields, across the lake, towards where she knew her parental home was, even though she couldn’t see it from up here.

She had just turned seventeen and the festivities to celebrate her birthday where still going on in the great hall of the castle, but she had sought out the loneliness of the rooftop.

“It looks like rain” she thought to herself, and it seemed fitting that her first birthday as a woman would be soaked in rain. Fall was steadily entering Lothian, the trees were turning yellow and dropping their leaves. The only thing that seemed to blossom was Amelia herself.

The princess had only just that morning realized that she hadn’t bled since the new moon after her wedding night, now three months ago. She knew it had been expected of her to birth her husbands children, but she had hoped to have at least a year to get used to the idea of even being married to the man.

Philippe was always gentle with her and she knew he truly cared for her. But somehow she could not bring herself to loving him back. Yes, she cared for him as well, she made sure he always had clothes to spare, that their chambers were in order, that she looked good when he returned home. She never complained or nagged and she always obliged his whishes. She was a good wife and she would certainly produce an heir.

But there was something missing, something she had seen around her her entire girlhood. Her parents were, even after all these years, still madly in love with one and other. She knew it had not always been so, but they seemed to have made up for those first three weeks of not liking each other with approximately nineteen years of passion. And counting. Her brother was smitten with her best friend, who in return had talked over and over again about her love for the crown prince. The last news she had received was that they were too expecting their first child, but that Aedelheath had been having difficulties with her pregnancy. Of course, her brother had written, he would stand by her no matter what. Why couldn’t she feel such a mad love for the man that she had vowed to honor and obey for the rest of her life?

“There you are my lady” a deep voice spoke right behind her while two strong arms turned her around. “Off course, where else would one find ones wife on the evening of her birthday but on ones rooftop.” He laughed at his own joke as he gently caressed her cheek before softly kissing her forehead.

“Are you tired, Amelia? You look a bit pale.” He spoke, still holding her hands and looking into her eyes with so much love she felt guilty for not returning it.
“I’m fine my lord. Though I must admit the festivities you have organized for me have been rather fatiguing.” She spoke, trying to sound as if she had not just been thinking about how she wished she was not in his house. “Did I miss much?”

“The guest have left darling, it’s getting late. Perhaps we should retreat to our chamber as well? It might do you good to get some rest.” He said, and tugged her hand to make her follow him down the stairs and into their personal quarters.

Amelia followed like any obedient wife would. Her ladies maid undid her hair and unhooked her dress. She was glad to have the heavy tight fabric of her body. Every touch made her already tender breasts feel as if they were on fire and the pressure on her abdomen, though still as flat as a maiden’s, had been getting unbearable. As she was brushing her hair in the mirror, Philippe turned her around and took her into his arms, kissing her ever so gently. She knew he felt a deep passion for her, but he never let it out, as if he was waiting for her consent to do so.

Soon, even her nightgown was lying carelessly on the floor and the strong arms of her husband had carried her to her wedding bed, gently placing her on the covers. His eyes nearly devoured her, as they did almost every night.

“When would he ever get enough of her?” she thought, as he bend over her and caressed her side, following her curves downwards. Nothing could take his mind, his hands or his mouth of her right now.

Nothing, besides this.
“I’m pregnant.” She bluntly said, forgetting how she didn’t want him to know as that would only make him more concerned and protective. “You’ll be a father by late winter.”
He gazed at her as if he only now just saw her, his mouth had fallen open with amazement and a smile crept upon his face.

“You make me happy Amelia.” He spoke, and the rest of the night he simply watched her, his big hand lying on her flat belly.