The Heir Read Online Free PDF Page A

Luana
replied with a smile. She thought of the girl as a true friend. No
one in the castle knew the lengths that Meg had gone for her, and
she didn’t plan on letting them know. Meg had risked her life to
help Luana. Hopefully I will be able to repay her kindness and
loyalty.
    The handmaid began to dress Luana in a
beautiful light blue gown with delicate white embroidery along the
bodice.
    “Oh, and did I hear right?” Luana asked
Baylin as the handmaid began brushing her hair. “Are we to break
our fast with the King and Queen?”
    “It would appear so,” Baylin replied. “I’m
certain it is merely to congratulate us on our child.”
    “But why?” Luana was not convinced.
    “Why ever not?” Baylin questioned. “You are
the mother of their grandchild, an heir to the throne.”
    “I suppose.” Luana wrapped her arms tighter
around herself to fight off both the fear and the cold.
    Meg finished pulling Luana’s hair up into
the traditional braids of the bed wife, something that was required
when she was out of the bedchamber. “Will that be all, milady?”
    Luana gave a weak smile. “Yes, Meg, thank
you. That will be all.”
    She watched the handmaid leave the room,
Luana sighed at the worry that was beginning to build inside
her.
    “What is it?” Baylin walked up to her and
wrapped a fur around her.
    “It’s only that… Well… You said I am not to
leave the chamber under any circumstance,” she said in a soft tone,
making a great effort to examine the fabric on her dress rather
than look him in the eye.
    “Of course, and we know you’re one to always
obey the rules,” he said with a laugh. She could not help but look
up and smile at him.
    The Prince sat down beside Luana, bringing
her into his arms. “There is nothing to worry about. This is my
father and mother, a private meal, not a council meeting. I wish
you could have been there when I told Father you were with child.
He looked so proud. I am certain our child will change
everything.”
    Luana pulled back, looking up into his eyes.
“How so?”
    Baylin smiled at her lovingly. “I have made
it known that I love you. Father has seen that. He may be King, but
I believe in his heart he is my father first. I am certain, with
time, he will give us his blessing.”
    Luana was scared to hope, but could not help
but cling to the thought. Blessing? I could be Baylin’s
Queen. The idea made Luana feel warm all over.
    “I suppose you’re right,” she said, looking
up at him. “I’m sorry that I worry.”
    Baylin lifted her hand to his mouth and
kissed it. “I’d have you no other way than exactly as you are—worry
or not.”
     
    *****
     
    After Baylin and Luana finished making
themselves presentable, they made their way up the stairs to the
King and Queen’s private chambers. Luana could not help but feel
queasy. Yes, it could have been the sickness that came with being
with child, but she knew better than to think it was merely that.
Something wasn’t right. It did not seem customary for the King to
summon her with Baylin to celebrate. She wanted to believe what
Baylin hoped to be true, but she was certain something was off.
    When they arrived, the room was filled with
the yellow and orange tinges of the morning’s rising sun. The King
and Queen were already seated at the table that was covered in a
great bounty of bread, cheese, fruit, eggs, fish and even sausage.
The smell of the food nauseated Luana further, and she couldn’t
help but wonder how the people in the villages could be starving
when that table was overflowing.
    “Lord Father.” Baylin bowed. “Mother.”
    Luana followed suit and bowed also. She did
not speak unless spoken to. Everyone knew she liked to try and bend
the rules on occasion, but she respected the King and Queen. Her
admiration for them ensured that she observed the proper courtesies
when in their presence.
    Baylin pulled a seat out for Luana. She sat
looking at all the savory food and wished she had not