Her.

Madden

As Mallard and I stand, peering over Miss Mason, I am not sure if I should cradle her in my arms or splash water on her face; how did she pass out like that?

“What the hell?” Mallard gasps beside me. I nod slowly in shock but finally come to my senses, allowing my feet to move. I quickly bend down and gently pick up the woman with the golden-brown locks in my arms. I look around the room, deciding to place her on a sofa lounge chair in the corner as Mallard panics beside me, “Do we call the doctor Madden? Do you think she’s ill?” he asks, his eyes wide.

“Yes, call the doctor,” I say as I gently move a piece of hair from her cheek. Mallard nods in a panic and quickly disappears into the hallway, but I hear him shouting to the guards about how Ms. Mason has fainted, and the doctor must come right away.

I bet he’ll never ask me about taking on more responsibility again.

“K-k-k-ing Madden,” Ms. Mason stutters beside me, and my eyes dart back to her. “I’m so sorry,” she stammers, quickly sitting up. “I don’t know what happened.” She says, nervously fixing her gown.

For a moment, my heart skips a beat and leaves me completely wordless- what is happening?

“Here is Dr. Bally,” Mallard yells as he rushes back inside the room, and I quickly regain my lost speech.

“Over here, Dr. Bally,” I say, motioning towards Ms. Mason. “She fainted and we aren’t sure why,” I begin but Ms. Mason cuts me off.

“No, No No, your majesty. I can assure you I am quite fine. I think I,” she begins, but I quickly cut her off.

“No, Ms. Mason,” I say firmly, “Let Dr. Bally check you out. She is the best doctor from any kingdom and if you are to be my surrogate, you will need a clean bill of health.”

Ms. Mason’s eyes widen, and I watch as she bites her lip nervously, “Yes, King Madden,” she says softly and I smile faintly as Dr. Bally opens her bag, pulling out a blood pressure cuff, a pulse ox monitor, and begins checking Ms. Mason’s vitals along with all the other medical checks she deems necessary.

“Is she okay?” Mallard asks but Dr. Bally shushes him, making me very worried.

What if something is wrong with her?

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, Dr. Bally turns to me, “Your majesty, I would like to talk to,” she pauses as she looks at Ms. Mason.

“Annabelle,” Ms. Mason says in a whisper.

“I would like to talk to Annabelle alone, please.” Dr. Bally says calmly.

Mallard looks at me in a panic and my mind ponders for a moment- why alone? Does she feel like Annabelle may be hiding something?

“I assure you, King Madden, it’s only for medical purposes…I feel as if Annabelle may be a little overwhelmed with you watching her.”

Mallard looks at me with suspicion, but I nod, “Come on, Mallard. We will wait outside for now.” I say as I walk toward the door and he follows. The guards close the doors behind us and Mallard resumes his panic state.

“Well, she is definitely out of the running,” he gasps. “Like, what the hell was that?” He continues, but I am no longer listening.

Annabelle.

It is such a beautiful name. She has amazing curves in all the right places and the face of an angel. I can tell she is a virgin just by the way she behaved in front of us just now. She is innocent, sweet, and sexy without even knowing it…. She is the one I want to carry my heir.

“It’s her,” I blurt out and Mallard’s head snaps towards mine. “She will carry my heir.”

“Her?! Did you just not see what happened, Madden? She fainted when she saw you! Do you think that she’ll even be able to fuck you?!” He whisper yells and  I can’t help but laugh as he glares at me, “THIS ISN'T FUNNY!”

“I thought the whole point was to mold and her not just be some whore that fucks.” I state and Mallard stares at me blankly as he thinks over my words.

“I did say something like that,” he says, his fingers to his chin in thought, “But this girl may be TOO innocent.”

“Is there such a thing?” I question with a dopey grin.

“There might be, Madden,” he smirks, shaking his head. “But not let's get ahead of ourselves either,” he sighs as his eyes meet mine, “Dr. Bally could rule her out right now as we speak.”

I sigh, the thought hurting way more than it should since Annabelle will just be a vessel, “I know,” I begin, but the study door opens and Dr. Bally’s voice calls.

“Come back please, King Madden.”

I nod, gulping before I walk inside the room, my eyes searching for Annabelle. I spot her in the same place I left her, but her body is much more relaxed, and her aura is calm, “Well? Is she okay?” I ask nervously.

Dr. Bally smiles as she stands, “Yes,” she chuckles. “I think she just got overwhelmed meeting you. All her medical tests that I can do at this moment, check out,” she says, placing her hand on Annabelle’s shoulder. “But if you do choose her, we will do the other tests as planned to make sure she is healthy enough to carry your heir.”

I watch as Annabelle’s chest heaves, “Run them, “I state without hesitation.

“Madden, are you sure?” Mallard asks behind me and I nod, my eyes meeting hers.

“Unless you have decided you no longer want to?”

Annabelle stands quickly, “No, Your Majesty, it would be a great honor to be your surrogate. I accept,” she says proudly.

I nod and Mallard sighs behind me, his fingers gripping the green folder, “Did you bring the copies of the documents?” he asks and Annabelle nods, grabbing some papers from her gown pocket. Mallard nods as he takes them. “Thank you.”

Annabelle smiles, but I can still she is nervous, “Good, run them now.”  I say, looking at Dr. Bally, and Annabelle shifts on her feet.

“Now?” she asks, looking at the clock and I nod.

“Yes, unless you need to be somewhere,” I begin but she shakes her head quickly.

“No, your majesty, now is fine.”

Dr. Bally smiles as she takes Annabelle's hand, “Come on my dear,” she says smiling. “Let’s see if King Madden can get you pregnant.” Annabelle laughs nervously and I watch as they leave the room together, the door closing behind them as my mind goes wild until Mallard’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

“I never want to be put in charge of anything again,” Mallard laughs, as he plops down on the chaise, but I grin.

“Why not…. You were right.” I smirk.