SCULPTURED DESIRE

Amira gazed across the field as Marion cared for the horses, with Nora by her side.

"Your Highness, have you thought of a name for the baby?" Nora inquired.

"I'm not sure. Maybe Zyran will have a name in mind," Amira responded.

"That's very considerate of you," Nora remarked.

Marion hurried over to her, wiping his hands on a cloth as he approached.

"I apologize, Princess Amira. Have I kept you waiting long?" he asked.

Amira shook her head.

"Could you bring Anchor here?" Amira requested.

"Sure," Marion responded, heading off to release the anchor.

As soon as Anchor was set free, Anchor wagged his tail joyfully and dashed over to Amira. She suddenly crouched down to attend to him.

"Your Highness!" Nora exclaimed in alarm at Amira's abrupt movement.

Amira didn't respond, her focus entirely on the dog. Marion put a finger to his lips, silently assuring Nora that everything was fine.

"Hello, sweetie," Amira greeted, gently stroking Anchor's ear.

Anchor sniffed at Amira's stomach, gazing up at her with a curious tilt of his head as if posing a question.

Amira exclaimed, "Yes, a baby!" as Anchor wagged his tail and circled her, prompting her to burst into laughter. Marion watched the heartwarming scene with a smile on his face.

On a balcony of the grand building, Royal Consort Leyla and Danielle observed Amira's joy with amusement. Leyla remarked.

"So this is what our little princess has been up to."

Danielle pondered, "Are we certain that she is who she appears to be?"

Leyla, with a sly grin, suggested, "Shouldn't His Majesty be informed about his precious daughter-in-law?"

The days that followed were peaceful as the palace prepared to celebrate their victory on the battlefield. The return of their soldiers from war was imminent.

Amira's growing stomach was now noticeable as she donned a flowing gown for the festivities. Novalie stood by her side, providing companionship in the grand hall, while Freya was unable to attend due to pressing matters.

Guests streamed in, offering Amira their congratulations as word of the victory spread through the gathering.

No one dared to approach her, fearing the wrath of the king if anything were to go amiss.

Katia and Danielle were seated at a separate table, engaging in lively conversation with the other guests.

Nora approached Amira and whispered something, causing Amira to furrow her brow in response.

"What's the matter?" Novalie inquired the moment Nora stepped back.

"Nothing," Amira responded.

Novalie halted a passing servant and took the drink from his tray, then handed it to Amira.

"Here," Novalie offered, passing her the drink, which Amira promptly finished.

"Thanks," Amira acknowledged after draining the glass.

"I might excuse myself," Amira informed Novalie.

"Do you want me to accompany you?" Novalie offered.

"No, it's fine."

Amira left the hall and strolled through the corridors with Nora. Along the way, they encountered a tipsy woman huddled on the chilly floor.

Amira paused and cast a careful gaze around the dimly lit corridor before turning to Nora.

"Nora, please escort her to the guest room. It's not suitable for her to stay here," Amira said, causing Nora to scowl.

"Who will accompany you?" Nora inquired.

"I'll be fine. I can take care of myself," she replied.

"But Your Highness_"

"Go ahead," Amira insisted, striding away from Nora, who was uneasy about leaving Amira by herself.

Amira halted in front of the grand mansion, anticipating the sight of a waiting carriage with Freya inside. Instead, she was surprised to find Marion, who appeared just as bewildered as she was.

He was in the process of preparing a carriage to bring out.

"Marion?" Amira called as she walked towards him, looking confused.

"Yes, princess, where to?" he asked, opening the carriage door for her to enter.

"What?" Amira asked, puzzled.

"I was told you asked me to bring over a carriage. I thought you were going to town."

"What! No, I didn't give such orders. I came out here to meet Freya. Have you seen her?"

"No one has been outside except for you and me," Marion assured the Highness.

"Who's spreading this misinformation?" Amira's frown deepened as she prepared to leave, but suddenly, dizziness overcame her.

Her vision blurred, her leg went numb, and she nearly collapsed, but Marion was there to support her.

"Your Highness," Marion called out, wrapping his arm around her.

The castle door burst open, and guards streamed out, followed by the king, his eyes etched with deep lines of anger.

Amira and Marion found themselves surrounded, their confusion evident in their expressions.

Amira struggled to compose herself, her mind clouded by a numbing sensation.

"How dare you both!!" Danielle exclaimed, stepping forward and pointing an accusing finger at the pair.

"What?!" Marion asked, clearly bewildered.

"You two decided to have your party while everyone else was celebrating inside, thinking you wouldn't get caught," Leyla accused.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Amira croaked, still leaning on Marion for support, unable to stand on her own.

"You are drunk!! I didn't expect this from you, Amira. You are pregnant," Queen Miranda said.

"Are we completely certain that she isn't pregnant with another man's child? Zyran has been away at war for weeks, and now she's claiming to be pregnant without him around. How can that be? It seems like she's been having an affair," Katia said sharply, her gaze fixed on Amira as if she was ready to exploit the situation.

"Katia, please stop. You're not making this any easier," Novalie interjected.

"Why am I wrong? We both know I am making sense here; she's a slut. That's what she is," Katia said.

"Katia!!" Novalie screamed, prepared to deliver a slap on Katia's face.

"Enough!!" the king snapped.

"But father I_" Novalie was saying when the king cut her off.

"I have had enough; I don't want to hear anything else," He said.

"Affair? Wait_" Amira struggled to stand on her feet, but she slumped back down, breathless. The King's voice boomed calling for the guards who rushed into action.

"Throw them in the dungeon," he ordered, his eyes blazing with fury.

Amira and Marion were forcefully pulled away, their fate sealed.

"Father, please wait! We might have misunderstood. Amira would never engage in such behavior," Novalie pleaded desperately.

"We caught them in the act, Novalie. What other explanation could there be? Despite my reluctance to believe the rumors from the servants, the evidence is undeniable," Danielle declared, stepping forward with a solemn expression.

Leyla remarked, "Since she isn't from Oaken Vale, we didn't expect her actions to be this indecent."

Katia expressed her disbelief, saying, "I can't believe she lied to us and planned to deceive us into nurturing a child born out of wedlock."

This infuriated the king even more, prompting him to turn away and leave. Novalie followed the king, and the queen followed suit.

Meanwhile, Leyla stayed behind with Danielle and Katia, both of whom wore smirks on their faces.

Katia then turned to her mother and noticed the sly smirk on her face.

"Did you know about this mother?" Katia asked.

"What do you think?" Her mother replied rhetorically.

"Wow Danielle I didn't know you were this talented" Leyla commented.

"I guess your guidance played an efficient role" Danielle replied.