IGIWS FIRST DRAFT: Ch.386 The Queen Gets a Letter

It was a couple days after the Lydia's Coming of Age Party and the aftermath was setting in throughout the Kingdom and the King and Queen couldn't be happier. They were able to pry away their nieces from their parents, while Alaric's standing was at a all time low after the Ladies of the Court witnessed how terrible Jemma's husband was. Sera's and Eleanora's weren't that much better, but now that the Kingdom knows that they have Mage Veins, a formal declaration of divorce was sent to their husbands.

While the Duke's demise for all his dirty schemes and plots were finally coming to bite him in the ass. His wife was more of a surprise when word about her poisoning the Queen was found out during the party. No one knew how duplicitous Leandra was and now her reputation was ruined and she was the laughing stock of the entire court.

It was the perfect time to push their agenda, and make Rya the official wife to their son, Quinus. All their ducks were finally lining up and they can finally get rid of their rivals, and the Duke.

***

Cyndre and Rianna were lying on their bed covered in sweat. Normally, the King was the one to initiate his advances, but after how the last couple of days went Rianna was feeling extra feisty. And she was the one who was straddling her husband.

"Well, I wasn't expecting that," Cyndre commented as his wife climbed off of him and fell next to him on the bed.

"Well don't get used to this! I've been feeling really—"

"Naughty?" Cyndre interrupted, which earned him a slap on his arm.

"If anyone is naughty, it's you! You're the one who seduced me!" Rianna retorted.

Cyndre feigned offense. "I did no such thing. I'm the victim here. My wife took advantage of me and ravished me without any warning."

Rianna scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Act your age, not your shoe size, dear."

"Ouch, that stings."

"Yeah, well you deserve it, mister!" Rianna shot back.

The King laughed. "You're really feeling good today, huh? Not that I'm complaining."

"Of course, I'm happy! Things are going our way. Everything is falling into place and I feel like nothing can stop us—Why are you staring at me like that?"

Cyndre had a goofy grin on his face and was gazing at his wife with an adoring expression.

"Have I ever told you that I love you?"

"W-Well!? Yes! Stop messing with me and take this seriously!"

"Oh, I am being serious. I'm serious about how much I love you."

Rianna blushed and punched her husband lightly on the shoulder. "I-I love you too... Now can we get back to—mhmmm!?—Mmmm..."

The Queen was silenced by her husband's lips. Their tongues intertwined as they both melted into each other. Rianna tried to squirm away, but Cyndre held her close and didn't let her break their kiss.

Rianna was so lost in the moment that she didn't even notice her husband's hand sneaking down towards her butt. When she felt his hand on her ass, she tried to pull away, but he just held her tighter.

Finally, she was able to free herself and she glared at her husband. "What was that for?"

"I just wanted to hold my wife. Is that a crime?"

"No, but I would appreciate it if you didn't—ugh... R-Rub my stomach like that. A-And don't get any ideas, I'm not in the mood anymore," Rianna said.

Cyndre grinned and pressed his palm against his wife's belly. He was rewarded with a soft moan. Cyndre couldn't help but notice that Rianna's belly seemed a little bloated. She said that is was a sign of early menopause, but it seemed to be getting bigger. It didn't seem like his wife had gained weight. Her hips were the same, and her ass was still as perky and plump as always, and her breasts have regained there youthful bounce. But her stomach seemed to have expanded, and he couldn't but wonder if she was carrying. However, with as many miscarriages Rianna has had due to his Sister-In-Law poisoning his wife. She got PTSD whenever she gets pregnant, and her body seems to be rejecting her pregnancy. But her bloating seemed on par for when they started having sex again. And ever since Rya healed her she's been healthier than she's been in years.

"What are you doing?" Rianna asked.

"Nothing, just enjoying your body," Cyndre replied, with a smile.

Rianna blushed and pushed his hand away. "Well, stop. I'm not in the mood."

"Whatever you say, dear."

"You're insufferable," Rianna huffed as she rolled off the bed and put on her robe. She wrapped the sash tightly around her waist but she noticed that her stomach still bulged.

"Maybe I'm eating too much," Rianna said as she looked in the mirror.

Cyndre chuckled and walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug.

"Don't worry, you look beautiful."

"Ugh, shut up. I'm fat, and I need to lose weight," Rianna whined.

"Or?... Are you sure you're not pregnant?" Cyndre questioned.

Rianna blushed. "O-Of course, not. Y-You know how many times I've failed in the past. I-I think the Goddess doesn't want me to have any other children, besides Quinus."

"It was my brother's wife that was the reason for your failed pregnancies. I don't think the Goddess is punishing you. Maybe, this time, things will be different," Cyndre stated.

Rianna didn't say anything and her hands instinctively went to her stomach.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I'm in my forties and it's not unheard of for women my age to experience hot flashes, cramps, and bloating. We should wait a few more months before we start considering IF I am pregnant. Which I'm not," Rianna explained.

"Or you can pull out your mother's—"

"Lifebloom Relic? And for what? To watch the crystal flicker and barely light up, or not light up at all? No, I'm not wasting my mental and emotional energy on an idea that is only going to result in heartache. I will pull it out when I think Rya is pregnant. Then we will see."

Cyndre winced like he was in pain. He didn't mean to upset her and he regretted even bringing it up. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—"

"No, it's alright. I'm just... I want to focus on what we have. This bloating will pass. But it is being stubborn," Rianna admitted.

"I see," Cyndre sighed and hugged her tighter. "Well, no matter what happens, I'll be here for you. And we will deal with this together."

Rianna sighed like she wasn't enjoying her husband's attention, but she leaned her head back against his chest.

"You are a softie."

"Only for you."

Rianna rolled her eyes and smiled. "You're an idiot."

"But you love me," Cyndre replied.

"Unfortunately."

"Ouch, that stings."

"As it should."

Rianna quickly turned towards him and kissed him. It was a quick, gentle kiss that caught the King off guard. But it was enough to make his heart skip a beat.

"Now, stop distracting me. I have things I need to do. And you should do the same," Rianna said.

Cyndre sighed, and reluctantly let his wife go. He watched as she walked over to her wardrobe. He nodded and went to his wardrobe on the other side of the large chamber.

When Rianna heard Cyndre's footsteps going away from her, she couldn't help but smile as secretly glanced at him. 'He really is a sweet man. If only he would stop teasing me,' Rianna thought, as her smile faded. 'But if he thinks I look pregnant, than am I getting fat?'

Rianna quietly looked over at a full-length stand-up mirror. She slowly opened her robe and looked at her body. Her skin was smooth and clear, her breasts were still firm, her ass was still round, and her belly was definitely bloated.

'No, I can't be... right?'

The Queen frowned while gently rubbing her stomach. 'I mean... It definitely bloated. But I can't be pregnant... can I?'

The thought made her heart flutter. But it also brought back the memories of her past failures. 'Maybe I'll to the vault and get my artifact. Just to make—'

*Knock! Knock!*

Rianna nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the knock. She quickly closed her robe and hurried over to her vanity. Cyndre looked over to make sure his wife was decent.

"Enter!" He ordered.

The Lord Stewart, Liam, opened the door and bowed. "Your Majesty and ladyship. We've received a letter from House Revelia..."

Both the King's and Queen's heads snapped up, and their attention was now fully focused on Liam.

Cyndre's mood darkened as he wondered what tricks his older brother was up to. While Rianna's expression was unreadable, and she was curious to see what the Duke had to say.

"Have you opened it" The Queen asked.

"I haven't read it. The messenger has been waiting in the courtyard and requested an audience with you both. I told him off and took the message from him. It is still sealed with the Duchess's sigil. The messenger was instructed to wait until we read the message. I didn't want to open it without your permission."

Cyndre glanced over at Rianna to see what her reaction was. Rianna had a neutral expression, but Cyndre could tell she was annoyed by the interruption.

"You want me to open, Rianna?" Cyndre asked.

Rianna looked like she was gazing off in the distance as she was going through every scenario that she could possibly come up with. After a minute, she shook her head and looked over at her husband.

"Yes, please," Rianna replied.

Cyndre took the letter from Liam and carefully broke the seal. He unfolded the paper and read it. He nearly did a double-take as he re-read the letter.

"Well? What does it say?" Rianna asked.

"Leandra has requested that the Ladies of the Court come to a natural site so she can seek forgiveness by repentance... That doesn't seem like her at all," Cyndre explained.

"It could be a trap," Rianna suggested.

"Maybe," Cyndre replied, while rereading the letter. "But it would be good if the Ladies of the Court could see her begging for forgiveness. And it would make them look down on her."

"True, but what if she's luring us into a trap?"

"Then I guess your future daughter-in-law will have free reign to do as she pleases."

"Hmm, you do have a point. Is she requesting the whole Court?" Rianna asked.

Cyndre shook his head as he walked over to her and handed her the letter.

"Just the Major Ladies of Fiafyr and Rya. No one else can come," Cyndre explained.

Rianna skimmed the letter, 'Hmm? Has Leandra finally been humbled? I always wanted to punish her for everything she's done. Plus, I don't really need Rya there... However, she's a good backup plan, and this could be an opportunity for me to rid her once and for all.'

Rianna folded the letter neatly and handed it back to Liam. "Please inform the messenger that we will be having this ceremony at the Mage's Guild in two days. And if that isn't good enough for her then the dungeons will suffice."

Liam smirked, bowed, and left the room.

"I hope that's enough for you. But if not, then maybe it will be the final nail in her coffin," Rianna stated.

"This time, they won't get away with trying to ruin our lives," Cyndre declared.

"Oh, don't worry. If she doesn't do as I ask, I will make her pay. And this time, they won't get away with their sins."

"My the Goddesses have mercy on her and my brother's souls."

Rianna nodded in agreement, and she went over to a wall and pulled on two out of six ropes. Soon, her maid and Cyndre's valet. Once they arrived, the King and Queen quickly finished getting ready for the day. They both had a lot to do, and there was no time to waste.

"Good... I need to speak with the girls. So, we will take our breakfast in the gardens," Rianna said.

Cyndre smiled, and he leaned down and gave his wife a quick peck on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you too," Rianna replied as she began to walk through the door. After a few steps, she realized that she forgot something that she wanted to do. But for the life of her, she couldn't remember. 'Hold on? I wanted to grab something, right?... Ah, I'll figure it out later. Right now, I have other things that are more important.'

Rianna hurried out the door with Gretchen following close behind. While Cyndre's valet helped him finish getting ready.