Cyrus paced back and forth in front of the bedroom door. He raked his hand through his hair and sighed nervously.

The moment his grandmother had arrived, she had ushered both him and Iolaus out and had told, no ordered, him to call a physician and a midwife. And to send in Chloe.

People had been rushing in and out of the room, but he was not allowed to set foot inside.

Ariane was in labor. He was going to be a father. He wasn't ready to be a father. He hadn't even been ready for marriage and look how that had turned out. He didn't even love his wife. His wife was uncomfortable around him. And now they had to take care of a child, a prince of Zeir. This could only end in disaster.

"Will you just sit down?" Iolaus asked tiredly. He had been up all night with his friend. He was exhausted.

Cyrus growled and sat down on the bench across the room, only to get up again and continue pacing. "Why is it taking so long?"

"How should I know?" Iolaus answered, "I'm not a woman." All he wanted was to go to his bed. Yesterday he'd had to leave Vara's wedding early because of this and he hadn't seen Ophelia since. He didn't get to spend much time with her. Santos was a two day's ride away, so every moment together was precious to him. He rubbed his face. The sounds coming from the room were anything but pleasant. He shivered. "Ophi is never going to have children. I don't want her to go through that."

There was a loud scream followed by wailing and both men perked up. Cyrus had paused his pacing and looked almost frightened now. He stared at the door wide-eyed and with trembling hands.

Not long after, Chloe came out of the room with a bowl of dirty water and a bloodied cloth. She had her eyes cast down and made a quick and clumsy curtsy before hurrying down the hall. The door fell closed behind her.

Cyrus eyed the thick wood nervously. What was he supposed to do? There had been so much blood. Was that normal? What if she had died? His mother had died in labor. Was his wife dead too? The child lived. The continuous crying was proof of that.

What was he supposed to do?

He jumped when the door opened again. The physician stood in the doorway, wiping his hand on a towel. He bowed at the prince. "Your Highness, come meet your son."

Son?

Cyrus looked at him uncomprehending and the physician smiled kindly. "A healthy pair of lungs. Everything else is accounted for as well. Your wife did great, but she must rest for the next few days. I'll write a prescription. She'll have to take it twice a day."

Cyrus barely heard a word the man was saying. His eyes moved to the bed. Ariane was covered in sweat and looked exhausted. Next to the bed was the midwife, rearranging the covers around Ariane. And next to that...

His grandmother turned to face the door, a small bundle in her arms that produced a lot of noise. She softly cooed at it and slowly the sounds died down. She looked up with tears in her eyes and smiled at Cyrus. "He has Aelia's eyes."

Cyrus stepped closer and looked down at the newborn. Before he knew it, his grandmother had placed the infant in his arms and instructed him how to hold it. Cyrus stood there helplessly. What was he supposed to do with this small creature?

"Talk to your son," Eurydice said kindly, "he needs to know your voice. She directed him towards the chair next to the bed. She patted his shoulder. "I'll inform your father. He will make the announcement once you have named your son."

Cyrus looked at the child in wonder. So small. So innocent. Yes, he had the same eyes as Cyrus' mother, but the blonde of the child's small hairs was definitely Ariane.

"So light," Ariane mumbled as in answer to his own thoughts. Her fingers gently stroke the baby's head.

Cyrus nodded. "Then that will be his name. Lucius."

"Loukios?" Ariane asked sleepily.

Cyrus smiled at her pronunciation. "Loukios," he agreed. "Loukios Verus Aurelios."

***

Iason woke up that morning with a smile on his face. His eyes landed on the girl beside him in the bed, still asleep. She looked so innocent, so beautiful. And she was all his.

He still couldn't believe it.

His fingers gently traced her arm and he smiled when she sighed. Slowly her eyes fluttered open. "Morning," he said softly.

She smiled at him sleepily. "Morning." She crawled closer to him and he carefully wrapped an arm around her.

"How are you feeling?" He had been as gentle as possible.

"Comfortable," Vara muttered while her eyes closed again, "can we stay like this all day?"

He laughed softly. "I don't know. Can we? Or are there more ceremonies involved?"

Vara yawned and shifted so she could look at him. "No. This is it." A light blush spread across her cheeks. "How... how are you?"

He cupped her cheek. "I'm happy," he said. He studied her face carefully. "Are you?"

She took his hand and kissed it. "I'm happy. Stop worrying." She blushed again when her stomach let out a loud growl.

Iason laughed. "How unladylike."

Vara slapped his chest playfully. "Don't make fun of me."

"I wouldn't dare," he promised, "should I call for breakfast then?"

Vara sighed. "Yes. I suppose we should." When he didn't move but kept looking at her uncertain, she smiled. "Go on. You're a lord now. You get to tell people what to do now."

Iason pulled a face. "I don't think I will ever get used to that."

Vara smiled. "Well, you can practice at our new home."

"New home?" Iason blinked confused.

Vara nodded and looked at him. "The king is giving me Boncini. It's a small estate in the hills about a day's travel from here. It belonged to Cyrus' mother. It has some land and animals and such. A steward is managing it now."

Iason was still staring at her.

"Say something," Vara said.

He shook off his confusion. "We are landowners now? With an estate?"

"Yeah," Vara said, "I'm trying to grasp the idea too. I've never seen it, but Cyrus loved it there. It will be nice to have a place of our own."

"I don't know how to rule an estate," Iason said.

Vara laughed. "Neither do I, but there is a steward in place. And the king has decreed we can hire whomever we want. It shouldn't be a problem." She sighed. "We'll have to make arrangements though. You know, send our belongings there, say our goodbyes. It will probably be a few days before we can depart."

"That's alright," Iason said, "there is no hurry." He smiled at her. "Before we arrange anything, how about that breakfast?"

...

"A son." Caius Antonios Aurelios leaned back against the pillows and sighed content. The kingdom had another heir. It felt like a great burden had fallen off his shoulders. The royal lineage was secured. And Vara was now wed as well. Hopefully a child would follow soon.

Eurydice smiled and nodded at her husband. "Lucius Verus."

Caius closed his eyes and smiled. "A good name," he nodded, "it speaks of hope." He sighed again. He was feeling so old lately.

"You should rest," Eurydice said softly. It was hard for her to see him like this. She remembered the time when they were still young, when he was courting her. A young and dashing prince, strong and full of ideas on how he would one day rule the kingdom. She couldn't believe her luck when he had chosen her to marry.

Time had gone by so quickly. Lines creased his face now, but when he smiled, she could still see that sparkle in his eyes.

"I tire so easily these days," Caius complained.

Eurydice laughed softly. "You are old, my love."

"Hmm, but not you," he said, "you're still as pretty as when I first laid eyes on you."

"And you're still the charmer you were back then," Eurydice scolded playfully. She placed a kiss on his brow. "Rest, my love. And once you are rested I will introduce your great grandson to you."

"That would be nice," Caius agreed.

...

Eudemas entered the room with a tray balancing on one hand and the other covering her eyes. "Breakfast is served," she announced.

Vara laughed. "You can look. We are decent."

The servant girl dropped her hand and placed the tray on the table. She smiled at Vara and hugged her tightly. "I haven't had the chance yet to congratulate you."

Vara answered her embrace and smiled back. Thank you, Eudemas."

Eudemas turned to Iason shyly and curtsied. "My lord."

Iason watched it awkwardly. "You don't have to do that." He understood now why Vara told people to treat her like a regular person. It was uncomfortable to have people act like you were more important than them. "You called me Iason before. Just because I married lady Vara, does not mean you have to treat me like a lord."

"Look who's talking," Vara commented dryly, making Eudemas laugh.

She looked at Iason and nodded. "Alright, Iason. I won't treat you differently."

He smiled at her. "Good."

"I suppose we should begin arranging things," Vara sighed, "for when we leave. I'll ask the king for the documents, so we can make a list of what we need."

Eudemas turned to her. "You're leaving?"

"The king gave us Boncini," Vara told her, "we will be moving there soon."

"Oh," Eudemas said and she became awfully quiet, "I see. Yes, I suppose that was to be expected." She bit her lip. "I will miss you. Will I be taking care of the lady Ariane from now on?"

Vara blinked confused. "You will be going with us of course." She paused. "Unless you don't want to?"

Eudemas' face lit up. "Of course I want that!" She threw her arms around Vara.

Vara laughed. "Well, that's settled then." She pulled back from her friend and bit her lip. A thoughtful frown had appeared on her face. "I... I think it would be a good thing if I bring Chloe with us too." She didn't like leaving the girl here with Cyrus.

Vara looked at Iason. "What do you think?"

Iason smiled at her kindly. "Whatever you think is best. I trust your judgement."

"I'll have to discuss it with the king," Vara mused, "Chloe was appointed as Ariane's personal maid. I just don't feel comfortable leaving her here." She knew Cyrus still called the girl to his bed, especially during these last months of Ariane's pregnancy.

"She'll need someone now, with the baby," Eudemas said. She tilted her head. "Of course, you would not have heard yet," she realized.

"Heard what?" Vara asked.

"Lady Ariane gave birth early this morning to a son. The king will announce it soon. The prince already named him. He is to be called Lucius Verus."

"A noble name," Iason noted.

"Indeed," Vara said quietly. A child. Cyrus' child. The heir of the kingdom had been born. A strange feeling of jealousy came over her and she tried to shake it off. It would take time to move on. Moving to Boncini would be good. She wouldn't be confronted with her feelings every day. She could start again.

An arm fell around her shoulder and she looked up into Iason's comforting eyes.

She smiled at him sadly. "We will congratulate them later."

Iason nodded. "Yes," he agreed, "we will. After breakfast. And after speaking with the king." He planted a kiss in her hair.

Eudemas smiled at her. "I will leave you to it." Quietly she left the room.

...

Darius narrowed his eyes at the servant before him. "What do you mean 'she sends her apologies'?! I asked her to join me. We are expecting important guests." Elora had ever refused him before. Or perhaps only now she was showing her true nature. Women! They were all the same.

The servant flinched and bowed even lower. "She... she says she is not feeling well, Your Majesty. She has called for a physician."

Darius' eyes widened a moment. "Where is she?"

"The women's wing, Your Majesty."

Darius rose from his seat and rushed out of the room. Elora was never sick. To call for a physician meant something was wrong. Had he grown careless? Despite of what people might think, he wasn't blind to the machinations in the harem. He wasn't blind to his ex-wife's vengeful nature. He had eyes and ears in the harem. He made sure to keep a close watch on Zara. Had she found out? Had she found a way around it? He knew how manipulative she could be. Darius narrowed his eyes. If Zara had harmed Elora he would make her regret it.

Servants hurried to kneel as he passed, but he paid it no attention. Within minutes he had reached his wife's chambers and without announcing himself he entered the room.

The people in the room startled and looked at him. The servants and the physician bowed to him, but he ignored them. Elora was sitting on her bed and stared at her husband. "Is something the matter?" she asked.

"You called for a physician," Darius said.

"I haven't been feeling well," Elora explained, "I sent a message. Did you not receive it?"

Darius ignored her. He walked over to the bed. "Did you fall? Were you poisoned?"

"Poisoned?" Elora let out a laugh. "I'm quite alright. There is no need for you to worry."

Darius narrowed his eyes. "I find it no laughing matter."

Elora sighed. "I'm, sorry for worrying you. That was not my intention, but I assure you, I am quite well."

Darius turned to the physician now who still sat in a kneeled position. "You, have you examined her? What is wrong?"

The physician cleared his throat. "As the lady says, my king, nothing is wrong. It's quite natural in this stage to feel nauseous."

"Speak clear man!" Darius demanded.

"Your lady wife is with child, Your Majesty."

Darius stared. And stared some more. He looked at Elora and stared.

Elora smiled at him warmly. "Congratulations," she said shyly, "you're going to be a father."

...

"Congratulations."

Cyrus looked up at the sound of Vara's voice. He nodded at her. "You too." He looked around her. "Where is your husband? Don't tell me you've grown tired of him already."

"He is making a few arrangements," Vara answered while entering the private courtyard to join Cyrus at the fountain. "We will leave for Boncini in a few days to meet with the steward. There is a lot to be done before we can move there permanently."

"You're really moving there," Cyrus mused.

"Yes," Vara answered quietly, "it's for the best."

"Best for whom?" Cyrus retorted.

"For everyone," Vara said pointedly, "look at the mess we have created already." She took a deep breath. "I'm taking Chloe with me."

Cyrus snapped his head towards her. "Why?" he demanded, "you already have a maid."

"You know why," Vara said stiffly.

Cyrus snorted. "Are you doing this out of spite? You've never liked Chloe. Or are you jealous?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Vara hissed, "and I have no problem with Chloe. I have a problem with you bedding her."

"So you are jealous." A smug smile appeared on Cyrus' face.

Vara narrowed her eyes. "It's not fair towards Chloe. You are married, Cyrus, and the crown prince at that. What happens to her once you've done with her? Focus on Ariane. You're a father now. You'll be king someday. Think about someone other than yourself for once!"

Cyrus gritted his teeth. He didn't want to argue with her, especially now that she was moving so far away. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a heavy sigh. "Do you wish sometimes that we were children again? When life was not so complicated?"

"Yes," Vara nodded, "I do." She sighed. "But we can't go back to that."

Cyrus smiled at her sadly and locked his arms around her. "I want you to be happy, Vee." He sighed. "Take Chloe then. I'm sure you'll find something to do for her."

Vara looked up at him in his embrace. "You're a father," she said in wonder.

"Yeah," Cyrus sighed, "imagine that." He releaser her. "You're going to have to visit a lot. I still want you in my life."

"We'll see," Vara answered.

"If you don't, I'll come to Boncini," Cyrus threatened.

Vara laughed. "You'll always be welcome there. It was your mother's home after all. Be sure to bring Euniece and Ethan sometimes, yes?"

"Of course," Cyrus promised. He tugged on a strand of her hair. "I miss you already."

The smile she cast back at him was filled with sadness. "I will miss you too."