A Royal Obligation
Chapter 152: How Did It Happen

Chapter 152: How Did It Happen

The healers congratulated Prince Kaelix and King Reagan, they offered a reassuring smile before quietly exiting the chambers, leaving the royal family to absorb the good news in peace.

Drystan and Sadiki, the ever-vigilant personal guards, stepped forward, both bowing respectfully before offering their own congratulations.

"Congratulations, Your Highness," Drystan said with a rare smile, his usually stoic expression softening for a moment. Sadiki nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with pride for the royal couple.

"Thank you," Kaelix murmured, his voice thick with emotion, though his attention remained fixed on Eirik, lying still on the bed. With a final bow, the guards stepped out of the room, taking their posts outside the doors.

The room fell into a calm silence. Kaelix sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze unwavering as he watched over his husband, his heart full of both joy and worry.

It wasn’t just the pregnancy that overwhelmed him, it was the exhaustion that had overtaken Eirik, a result of his constant care for the queen.

The healers had assured him that Eirik would be fine by morning, but Kaelix couldn’t shake the protectiveness that surged within him. His fingers brushed lightly over Eirik’s hand, a silent promise to never leave his side.

King Reagan, standing nearby, broke the silence.

"Your mother... she would have been the happiest to hear this news," he said softly, a bittersweet smile forming on his face.

"She always hoped for grandchildren. She was obsessed with the idea of Eirik getting pregnant." He chuckled quietly, lost in the memory.

Kaelix momentarily tore his gaze from Eirik, looking up at his father. "Mother will be alright," he said with quiet certainty.

"Once she’s had her treatment in Valeidio, she’ll be able to hold her grandchild in her arms when she returns." There was a steel determination in his voice, as though speaking it aloud would make it true.

King Reagan nodded, his eyes filled with both hope and weariness. "Yes... she will." He paused for a moment, the weight of everything settling over him, the hope for his wife’s recovery, the joy of becoming a grandfather, and the exhaustion that had followed him since his wife fell iill

"I think I need to rest," he admitted quietly, his voice faltering. "It’s been a long time since I’ve slept properly."

Kaelix stood, moving to his father’s side and placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You should rest, Father. With the queen on her way to treatment and Eirik safe, it’s time you took care of yourself."

The king gave his son a grateful smile. "Yes, I suppose you’re right. But, Kaelix... thank you. For all of this."

With that, King Reagan turned and left the room, the weight of his fatigue evident in his steps.

As he stepped out, Drystan and Sadiki bowed in unison, showing their respect as the king passed. Inside the chambers, the door closed softly behind him, leaving Kaelix and Eirik alone.

Kaelix exhaled deeply, his emotions swirling, relief, joy, and a deep protectiveness that felt almost primal. He moved back to the bed, watching Eirik sleep.

The healer’s words echoed in his mind: Eirik’s body had collapsed from exhaustion, his relentless care for the queen finally taking a toll. His body had forced him to rest, not only for himself but for the baby growing within him.

Kaelix’s gaze softened.

He gently rearranged the blankets around Eirik, making sure he was comfortable before slipping into bed beside him. He wrapped his arms protectively around Eirik, pulling him close. A fierce determination settled within him.

---

The next morning, sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room.

Eirik stirred in Kaelix’s arms, his body still feeling heavy with exhaustion. His eyes fluttered open, disoriented and groggy. He blinked a few times, trying to shake the haze from his mind. The last thing he remembered was standing in the courtyard, watching the queen’s carriage depart, and then... darkness.

He shifted slightly in Kaelix’s embrace, feeling the warmth of his husband’s body against his back. "Kaelix?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "What... what happened? Did I fall ill?"

Kaelix, who had been half-asleep, instantly woke up, his eyes snapping open. He gently turned Eirik to face him, his hands cupping Eirik’s face with tenderness and care.

"Are you alright?" Kaelix asked, his voice filled with concern. He scanned Eirik’s face, his eyes searching for any signs of discomfort. "How are you feeling?"

"I... I don’t know," Eirik replied, still confused. His brow furrowed as he tried to piece together what had happened. "I feel tired... exhausted, actually. What happened to me? Did I collapse? Am I sick?"

Kaelix’s expression softened, and he smiled gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from Eirik’s forehead. "No, love, you’re not sick. You fainted yesterday... but it wasn’t because of any illness."

Eirik’s confusion deepened. "Then... why?" he asked, his eyes wide as he searched Kaelix’s face for answers.

Kaelix took a deep breath, his heart pounding as he prepared to tell Eirik the news. "Eirik, you’re... pregnant," he said, his voice filled with awe and joy.

"That’s why you collapsed. The healers said your body was exhausted from taking care of the queen, but it’s also because you’re carrying our child."

Eirik stared at him, his eyes wide with shock. "I’m... pregnant?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Kaelix nodded, his smile growing wider. "Yes, love. We’re going to have a baby."

Eirik’s hand instinctively moved to his stomach, his fingers trembling slightly as he processed the news. "I... I don’t understand," he whispered, his voice shaky with disbelief. "How... how did this happen?"

Kaelix chuckled softly, leaning forward to press a kiss to Eirik’s forehead. "Well, I think we both know how it happened," he teased lightly, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Eirik’s lips twitched into a small, bewildered smile, though he was still clearly processing the news. "A baby," he whispered, almost as if saying it aloud would make it more real. "I’m going to be a parent?"

Kaelix’s heart swelled with love as he watched Eirik’s emotions flicker across his face, shock, disbelief, and finally, a soft, tentative joy. He pulled Eirik closer, wrapping him in a protective embrace.

"Yes, Eirik. We’re going to be parents. Thank you... thank you for making me a father."

Tears welled up in Eirik’s eyes, his heart overflowing with emotion. He leaned into Kaelix’s embrace, resting his head against his husband’s chest. "I can’t believe it," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I... I didn’t expect this."

Kaelix held him tighter, his own eyes damp with unshed tears. "I love you, Eirik," he whispered into Eirik’s hair. "And I love our child already."

Eirik smiled softly, a tear slipping down his cheek as he wrapped his arms around Kaelix, holding him close. "I love you too," he whispered, his voice full of tenderness. "Both of you."

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