Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 466: Is There A Problem?

Chapter 466: Is There A Problem?

The staff working for Talia were all under a strict gag order not to talk about her pregnancy until the official announcement is made in the second trimester.

Arthur, from the moment her pregnancy was confirmed, treated her like some delicate glassware. He even kissed her with care as if holding her tight will break her.

Talia although was annoyed, felt that this is better since she wanted to be careful with her pregnancy. She did have a fear deeply rooted in her heart that she might lose the baby.

She didn’t have any morning sickness and she was glad about it. She did get hungry a lot and her grandpa hired a nutritionist for her to have proper nutrients.

She was fine with it all, but when Arthur said they must hold back from getting intimate until the second trimester, she felt that was excessive. She felt fine and she didn’t think they should be staying apart for no reason.

She tried to talk to him about it, but Arthur was adamant after reading "medical journals" on the internet. She could feel him pulling back from her. He took great care of her – she couldn’t refuse that. Rather than being her husband, he became her servant. That’s what she felt. She never liked to be served, certainly not by her husband.

"Don’t make me beg for it, Fred..."

She didn’t know if it was the pregnancy hormones or she felt ignored after Arthur became too careful around her, but she cried that night as she gripped his shirt. He even stopped kissing on her lips and only kissed on her forehead.

"Iris..." he pulled her closer. "Do you think I want to stay apart from you?"

"It seems that way," she placed a little kiss on his neck and she could feel him stiffening up. "You know...I’m not fragile. Don’t treat me like I’d break if you hold me...I feel ignored," she rested on his chest and he rubbed her back.

It’s not like he wanted to stay away from her for his sake. He feared he might accidentally cause something bad to happen to the baby and if that happens, he knew it will break her.

"I have heard of some good men who started cheating on their wives when they are pregnant and you staying away from me causes me anxiety," she whispered.

"Do you think I am cheating on you?" he looked at her eyes. His lips were pressed and he was angry. She knew he’d get angry. She wished he’d get angry. Because that would prove that he is offended and that her fears are unjustified.

"I know you aren’t. But... I am sorry, I cannot help but worry. You are a very attractive man and I see how women look at you and ..." he tried to push her away but she got closer to him.

"Yes, I am stupid and get jealous. And... I married a King, not a servant... I learnt that I don’t like it when you serve me too much. I am not sick, just pregnant. I have legs. Although it hurts at times, I can walk. And when you follow me around everywhere fearing I’d slip, stopping me from bending down even to strap my shoes, forcing me to eat when I am not hungry... Yesterday you didn’t go to work because I felt a little dizzy. It’s suffocating."

"Any more complaints, Your Royal Highness?" Arthur stopped pushing her away. A smile bloomed on his face. He did marry a weird one.

"It doesn’t mean you cannot do anything for me... Just...moderation is the key, you know..." Talia added knowing she would need his help at times too. She cannot survive alone.

"That’s not confusing at all!" he sighed. "I don’t understand a thing you say. Am I ignoring you or suffocating you?"

He really didn’t. Moderation? How will he know which is excessive and which is moderate anyway? He cannot read minds! Once again, being a man is tough! You’ll be d*mned if you did, you’ll be d*mned if you don’t.

Talia could see her words can be confusing. But that’s how she felt. She thought she explained it to him. But if he didn’t understand, how can she make him? He gets stupid at times.

"How about you just...listen to me?"

"Just listen to you..? Do you even..." Arthur chuckled. He climbed on top of her without resting his weight on her and looked at her in the eyes.

"Me doing what I want is serving you, but when I just listen to you, it isn’t?"

"You...you’re stupid, Fred!" she tried to push him away, to cover her face. She basically told him not to do what he wants, but to do what she tells him to do. But that is not what she meant.

"I love you so much, Iris," he kissed her face that was blushed red out of embarrassment.

He married a weird one. He’ll leave it at that.

"Just tell me what you want and I will do it. I am your King, after all," he chuckled and kissed her earlobe.

"Let go, you dummy...you have no comprehension skills..." Talia tried to turn and bury her face in the pillow, but he pinned her down.

"I have no comprehension skills?" he said sarcastically. "But I did understand you."

"Oh, really?" she puffed her cheeks. "What did you understand?"

"That you want to be f*cked!"

He kissed her lips as his hand slipped inside her slips. He tried to be gentle and she wasn’t of much help.

After the proverbial rolling on the hay, Talia had a very bright smile as she snuggled in his chest. She was playing with his chest hair and looked very pleased.

"I wonder when I will start to show," she said rubbing her belly that was still flat. "I can’t wait."

"Hmm, really?" Arthur smiled. He wondered if his wife could handle getting fat. He could only imagine how she will be after the child is born.

While he was joined to her, he understood what she meant. Maybe her feelings passed on to him as she kissed.

But he realised the contradictory statements made sense. She was scared he might cheat, which is absolutely unnecessary, but he knew he has to make her feel secure about that issue. He knew there are some scum men out there who hurt their pregnant wives. He is not one though.

But regarding her issue about "serving" her, she was fine with him doing some things before. But now, he did do certain extra things because he was being careful. And she knew he was doing it because she was pregnant.

But he wanted to take care of her! She is carrying his child and how can he not?

He decided to tone it down nonetheless. He thought she is fragile and needs to be looked after constantly. But she is careful and she can take good care of herself and their baby. If he sticks to her like glue, she might think he is not trusting her, which is not the case.

From then on, he started to see if she is comfortable with his help and then it became easy for him. She is not an unreasonable woman and it was not hard to come to terms with each other.

Finally, he got an idea of what ’moderate’ means.

Since her calendar was freed for six months after her wedding, Talia didn’t have much work to do, except for attending some Royal Engagements. She returned to Rosandale and decided to stay there until the end of her first trimester.

She is well-protected there and they had the best doctors on hold for her in Rosandale and so, Arthur had no issues with that either.

On their first pre-natal scan, Arthur was more stressed than Talia. The whole family was waiting in the waiting area.

Talia lied on the bed and she could feel Arthur’s grip tightening as the doctor rolled that little probe on her belly that felt cold because of the gel they applied lavishly on her belly.

"Is there a problem, doctor?" Talia’s heart skipped a beat as the doctor seemed to be double-checking with her eyes fixed on the screen.

Is there a problem with my baby?