The Fallen Princess

Thirty Six

“Maybe I should have married him,” Zakai said casually as they stepped out of the library, though his tone carried just enough sarcasm to make Zaria scoff.

“He continuously gives you gifts, pays for the best private tutors…” He swept his hand back toward the library she’d just left. “And he commissions a whole new wardrobe every time your waist grows an inch.”

His eyes dropped pointedly to her growing bump. Zaria shot him a smug smile. “Please do marry him. I’m more than willing to share.” Zakai huffed, fighting a smile as they walked. “Your horse alone is probably worth more than this entire estate,” he tried again.

“You have an equally beautiful horse,” she countered. “And Callen gifted me a dragon.” She whispered the last part and immediately started walking faster, clearly done with the conversation.

“Callen is the dragon,” Zakai muttered, glaring at the floor. Zaria spun on him, irritated. “Are you trying to convince me to change my mind?”

“Of course not,” he replied, voice softening in that rare big-brother way. “I’m not stupid enough to think you’d let anyone change your mind about anything.” He exhaled hard. “I’m just saying… it’s alright if you like Lord River a little too. I see you struggling, Zaria. And nothing about this is your fault.”

Her eyes tightened. Her hands pulled protectively over her belly. “You can have feelings for him and love Callen at the same time,” Zakai said gently. “No one would blame you.”

She shook her head immediately, shutting that thought away before it could even breathe. Zakai let it go. He always did when she wasn’t ready. “So?” he said, clearing his throat. “Where are we going next?”

“I need to speak with River.” They stopped outside his office. Zakai leaned back against the wall. “I’ll wait here.” “There’s no need,” she said. “It’s hardly a private conversation.” He didn’t budge. Zaria sighed loudly and knocked.

“Come in,” River called from inside. She stepped in, closing the door behind her out of habit. “I’ve told you,” River said, removing his reading glasses, “you never need to knock, my love.” “It’s fine,” she said, brushing it aside. “I wanted to talk about Mercy’s birthday.”

Before she could continue, River’s hand lifted instinctively to her stomach, something he did without thought now. His palm was warm and gentle. “And how is our baby today?” he asked with a softness that always startled her. The word our pricked at her heart. Still, she smiled faintly.

“The baby is moving almost every day now.” “Good. Sophie and Ava were the same way.” His expression warmed. He really was a good father. Patient, steady, endlessly involved. “You’re a good father,” she said before she could stop herself.

River looked genuinely touched. He stood and guided her into his chair with that careful tenderness he used around her now. “Now,” he said, folding his hands together. “Mercy’s birthday?”

“I thought… since she loves shopping, maybe I could plan an overnight outing for her and her sister on the main island. I’ll help the nanny with the girls until she returns.” “That’s very thoughtful,” River said, “but her sister is still upset that I dismissed her as our family physician. Perhaps you should take Mercy yourself?”

Zaria recoiled as if he’d suggested she eat raw squid. “I love Mercy, she’s very good to me… but I hate shopping with her.” River chuckled. “Oh! You should go with her,” Zaria said suddenly. “She would love time alone with you.”

River stroked her hair, thumb brushing her temple. “If that’s what you want to give her, I’ll gladly go.” “I’ll arrange a room for you at the Regal Hotel downtown,” she said proudly. “We can tell her at dinner.”

She pushed herself up slowly, River’s hands twitched as if to steady her, but she glared just enough to stop him. “Where are you off to now?” he asked, amused. “Fishing with Zakai at the beach.” “Take the carriage.” “I’ll go slowly. Apollo is well-trained.”

River stood so abruptly his chair scraped across the floor. “No, Zaria. You could hurt the baby. Please take the carriage. Or the servants’ cart. Just... not a horse. Where is your brother?” Right on cue, the office door opened. Zakai entered and grabbed her shoulders, gently turning her around like she weighed nothing.

“Lord River?” Zakai asked. “Please ensure she takes the carriage,” River said firmly. “You said we could take the servants' cart,” Zaria snapped. “Either is fine,” River corrected. “Just don’t let her climb onto a horse.”

“Understood,” Zakai said, nudging her into the hallway like she was five years old. A tiny body collided with Zaria’s leg. “Ava!” Zaria squeaked as the toddler wrapped around her thigh. “Ava!” Mercy’s nanny, Fay, called breathlessly, sprinting after the girl with Sophie crying in her arms.

Zaria instinctively crouched to help, but Zakai grabbed her under the arms and hauled her upright before she could bend halfway. He lifted Ava easily and heaved her over his shoulder like a sack of flour.

“Daddy!” Ava squealed, reaching for River behind them. Zakai passed her over, relieved. “Be careful, little one. Zaria is carrying a baby,” River said gently, kissing Ava’s forehead. “I’m sorry, my lady,” the nanny panted, cheeks flushed.

“Don’t apologize Fay. And stop calling me my lady,” Zaria said. “Just Zaria please.” “Give her here,” Zakai said, reaching for Sophie. The little girl immediately relaxed in his arms, still sniffling.

“Well, this is complete chaos,” River laughed. “I like a little chaos,” Zaria said proudly. “We know,” Zakai muttered.

“What happened?” River asked Fay. “She skinned her knee on the garden brick,” Fay said. “I told her a hundred times to stop running.” “Children will be children,” River said. “Take her to the nurse. She’ll be fine.” “We were going there now,” Fay said shyly.

“We’ll escort you,” Zakai said smoothly. The nanny blushed scarlet. Zaria smirked. She had known for months the two had been seeing one another. It was an open secret.

“I’ll see you at dinner,” River told Zaria, leaning in to kiss her hair. “And please... stop bringing baskets of dead fish to dinner. Just give your catch to the servants.” “I wanted to show you what I caught,” she said defensively. “Oh, the children and I were very impressed. Mercy, however, was not.” He started walking away.

“Oh, one more thing!” Zaria tugged on his sleeve. River turned. “Yes?” “Could you have a basket made? Like the fishermen use. But… for a baby.” He blinked. “Where did you even get that idea?”

“Well… I saw someone carrying their child in a fish basket. It looked… convenient.” River stared at her, long and hard, before letting out a helpless, affectionate laugh. “I’ll see what I can do,” he said. And Zaria beamed like she’d just invented parenthood.