-Karen-I grabbed a plate and stuffed a little bit of everything onto it with the exception of the steak. I grabbed a double serving of it. “Thank you! I’m so hungry too!” This baby wants meat! I have eaten so much steak in the last week… He’s gonna be a meat man like his Papa. He’s a little piggy!“Me too Kay! I don’t know why but I have been so famished lately.” Joanne said following right behind me. “I just want to eat and sleep sometimes…” Hmm. I wonder why?“I told you it’s ‘cause your stressed out over the extra work I’ve been having to do, baby.” Bart explained, sitting down next to Joanne. He rubbed her right hand and gave her a sympathetic smile. “I haven’t been able to spend as much time with you as we normally do… Those Mages have been really going to town on the soldiers…” I raised an eyebrow. “My workload has practically doubled and since she hasn’t been feeling well, I won't let her help… I will once she feels better.” Bart explained with a frown. Oh… Well, that would ex
The next day, we were sitting at the table playing the game called Onde. Conor had a small basket with snacks and cider brought in while we played. It had been quiet and peaceful all day. Conor was helping me play against Bart and Joanne since it was easier to learn when you played on a team. Sixth round and we have lost each one. I was not very good at this game, but I was told that this too would be something I would need to practice. “We should play Conquain again.” I said to Joanne with a smirk. I can at least win at that!“No way! You’ll wipe the floor with us! Like you do every time Kay.” She replied rolling her eyes. “You’re doing pretty good at Onde for a beginner- C’mon, it’s your turn to go.” As I picked up the next card, there was a single heavy knock at the door. Hmm? Before any of us could respond, the doors flew open and Zachary, the Generals, Michael, Monica and ten guards stormed in. This is it- Game over. I immediately felt my heart sink as the terrifying thoughts o
-Karen-I’ve had enough of this! I laughed coldly at Zachary and stood up. The other three watched me with apprehension while I said as hatefully as possible, “Alright, I’ll apologize!” He smirked and nodded at me to continue. I’m not even slightly sorry for what I’m going to say. “I apologize that you’re a cold-hearted and callous man who, like my dear mother, can't let anyone be happy. I apologize that someone like you created such a wonderful man who deserves a better role model than he was given. How dare you call yourself a father! You’re just an abomination! Constantly attacking people to make yourself feel important. My oh my, how tiny your dick and ego must be, that you feel you have to antagonize and torment the hell out of others just to get anything out of the deal. Shame on you! You’re a terrible person! You should be apologizing to us for being a tyrant!” I felt my anger well up at the thought of how he would blatantly attack all of them. Calm down Alex. I know this is st
-Karen-“It’s really too bad because Conor is very apt on the battlefield. But the Empire is not a battlefield and cannot be treated as such...” Zachary continued calmly as he twirled the dagger between his fingers. “I know his mother will be most unhappy to hear the news that one of those pesky Resistance Mages took him out with an extremely well-aimed attack.” Zachary stated with a cruel grin as he turned back to Bart and Joanne. “As for you two morons- I’ll let you two have one more chance since I feel like I can still use you… If either of you slip up again, I’ll have you executed with no more effort than it took to have Conor beaten nearly to death.” He pulled some folded papers out of his back pocket, opened them, and laid them on the table facing Bart and Joanne. Just to add to it, he angrily stabbed the dagger through the papers as they flinched.They both had grim expressions as they looked at the papers. “I just have to sign them. I’ve already signed Conor’s and that nasty l
-Karen-I decided to try to sleep off my hunger. When I woke again, the candle was only a half inch high. My back hurts terribly but I don’t think I can roll over and get up right now… I’m just too tired and sore. The waves of pain returned but they weren’t terrible like before. It felt like an hour or two passed as the pains started coming faster and sharper as my belly got hotter. I groaned loudly from the pain. I felt extremely exhausted, and I was starving. I just want a piece of bread or something… But this pain is making me feel sick to my stomach. I was all alone and afraid that I was going to lose Alexander just like I lost William. I wish Bart or Bertha were here to help me… I’m so scared right now… I need to remember to try and stay calm. More time passed by when I suddenly felt a gush of a liquid and I panicked thinking the worst. I’m going to lose him! Oh no! No! No! No! No! No! I grabbed the blanket to make sure it didn’t get wet. I felt the urge to push so I did. I yell
-Karen-I was in the drink cupboard and grabbed the largest basket I could find in the picnicking supplies. This will do nicely! I quietly slipped out of the cupboard and raced around the large room gathering two loaves of bread, a large brick of mixed cheese, and several types of fruits including strawberries and blackberries. I also grabbed a couple cucumbers, a small bag of turkey meat and smoked ham and a large handful of towels to be used as diapers for Alexander. I snacked on a roll while trying to gather my wits. I slipped back into the cupboard with the loaded basket and raced back to the picnic supplies looking for a folding knife. I found two knives and a small first aid kit which I hastily stuffed into the heavy basket. Opening another portal, I went back to the servant room and I closed that portal from the wine cupboard. I handed Bart the basket as Joanne was singing to Alexander. He had quieted down for the moment. I summoned another portal and watched the three of them
-Karen-“I’m glad to see you two alive and in one piece...” Bart commented, walking over to us. “Alexander is really fussy right now, Kay.” After a minute, my eyes adjusted to the slight light from Taurameras. I set the large comforter down quickly so I could nurse our poor little son. Ah… That sweet cry. I carefully walked over to Joanne’s outline and knelt down next to her. Geez… I’m so tired- I want to sleep for a week at the minimum.“Oh, my little pumpkin!” I softly murmured, taking him from Joanne. He stopped crying as soon as I picked him up. I lay down on my left side and started nursing him. I was feeling the fatigue and I just wanted to sleep for a while. Conor found a light switch and illuminated the inner room that we were in. I heard the door shut while I squinted from the sudden change. I anxiously looked down and saw that Alexander looked just like Conor which is what I had hoped for. Ah! He’s so precious… He peeked his tiny eyes up at me and I saw the same pretty viole
-Karen-“I will?” She seemed confused until he smiled sweetly at her again nodding. He’s looking at her like she’s the only thing in this room. A captivated and adoring look. “I am?” She asked almost breathless. Bart nodded seriously to her. “How far…?” Her hands immediately went to her belly. I’m so happy for you Joanne! You and Bart deserve to be happy together. “I thought I was gaining weight! I figured it was all the chocolate I was stress-eating… And long naps… And me just being lazy and lonely… And… And…” She looked like she was going to burst into tears.“You’re about three and a half Mazifikian months now…” Bart replied wrapping her into his embrace. “I’ve been so afraid to say anything because I didn’t want something to happen to you… I was afraid that Octavian would kill you.” He explained as she cried clinging to his chest. Conor and I exchanged sweet smiles as Joanne and Bart kissed repeatedly. “Now you don’t have to marry Justinian… You can marry me. We can have our famil