The Adulteress Queen

Chapter 13

As I was finalizing my meeting with Lady Gine, I was somewhat relieved that Faustos had not come bounding down the stairs to greet us. I was still feeling unprepared to see him, to know what to say. Perhaps I was only imagining his image in the window. But if he was there, I needed to speak with him; I just did not know how I would begin. Lady Gine stood from her seat in our usual sitting room as she was preparing to say farewell, and I had to ask before I left.

"Lady Gine, have Lord Bardock and Lord Bane returned home?" I asked coolly as I stood from my seat and gently grasped her arm before she could walk away, hoping not to arouse any suspicion from her with my interest in him. Unfortunately, she reacted immediately; though it was apparent that she controlled her measured reaction well.

"Yes, your Grace." She said, turning to face me with a forced smile. "They only returned yesterday. How did you know?"

"I…I thought I saw Lord Bane when I exited my carriage earlier, my lady." I explained as I released my grip on her arm and gently clasped my hands together, hoping that was not something I was not supposed to see. She nodded slowly and studied me carefully.

"Well…now that you know he is here, it would be improper for him not to say hello to his queen." She said ruefully as she called over a household servant, sending the woman to fetch Faustos from upstairs. Lady Gine turned her eyes back to me with a strict and somewhat dangerous look. We heard the servant padding up the steps, and Lady Gine spoke quietly to me. "I will give you a few private minutes to talk, your Grace. That is all. My son needs to settle in after his long journey." She eyed me intensely, and I knew she was attempting to coerce me into agreeing. I found that rather humorous. She might have been his mother, but this was the queen she was speaking to. I would do as I liked.

"Wait here, Lady Gine. I will come down when I am ready." I instructed her, smiling at the offended expression on her face caused by my outright rebuff. I padded up the stairs to meet Faustos, rather than waiting for him to come down. I glanced over my shoulder at Lady Gine as I ascended the stairs, smiling pitilessly at her frustration. No one would tell me what to do. She had to be put in her place.

I passed the servant who had sought Faustos, and, at my request, she bowed her head and vaguely gestured to the door where I would find Faustos before turning and heading downstairs. I moved to approach the door as I paused at a surprising sound. Something like a loud moan radiated from the other end of the hall, and I withdrew my hand before it touched the door handle, glancing curiously in the direction of the noise.

I tiptoed in that direction, drawn by my curiosity to investigate, even with the pressing matter of seeing Faustos in my mind. The door to the chamber from whence the noise came appeared to have been closed, though the latch must not have caught. It was ajar by a miniscule amount, and I only needed to give it a small push for it to open widely. What I saw before me as that door opened, I never would have suspected. I could not say that I was disappointed by my discovery. Extremely surprised and a little embarrassed, though.

"Your Grace! What are you doing here?" Raditz cried out in alarm as he and his panting companion untangled their sweaty limbs and grabbed the sheets, covering themselves in a hurry with fearful expressions. I stepped into the room and pressed my lips tightly together, trying to contain my nervous laughter as my cheeks flushed with heat and I closed the door behind me before placing my hands on my hips and eyeing the two men.

"Lord Raditz and Lord Gero. I am surprised." I chuckled as the men frowned at one another. "Your mother sent me up here to find your brother, and I couldn't help noticing this door," I said with a pointed nod towards the door, "slightly ajar." I answered Raditz nonchalantly as the men began to dress and I casually approached the desk nearby, pouring myself a glass of water from the pitcher seated there. "It seems you meant to close that, my lords." I said with amusement before sipping my water.

"You don't understand, your Grace." Lord Gero began, to which I laughed uncomfortably, turning away to conceal my blush from the partially naked men, still hastily dressing before me. I certainly did understand.

"Don't bother, Lord Gero. I have no interest in who you bed. Even if it is another man." I turned my gaze on Raditz, his dewy chest still exposed and resembling Faustos's appearance. I attempted not to be distracted by the errant thought. I would get to Faustos soon enough. "But Lord Raditz, I am surprised. I have heard rumors about Lord Gero, but the whole kingdom takes you for a womanizer. Have you ever even bedded a woman?" I asked skeptically, to which Raditz scowled and Lord Gero frowned deeply at him, looking jealous at the suggestion. I smirked to myself before taking another sip of water. It was obvious by Raditz's expression that I discovered his secret. I placed my glass down, crossing my arms and looking at the two worried men before me with a penetrating and expectant gaze.

"I have business in the brothels, your Grace. I pay the whores to spend time with me and claim that we were fucking." Raditz responded resentfully while fastening the ties of his pants. "Being seen there is better for my reputation than being seen here." He added with a pointed gaze around the room, then at my prying eyes. I smirked at him.

"I have no interest in revealing your secret to your parents, or anyone else for that matter." Lord Gero slowly nodded at my words with a careful yet appreciative frowning visage, though Raditz knew me better than that. Given his relationship with Sebastian, he probably considered me more ruthless than I truly was.

"Your mother does seem to love secrets, though." I said to Raditz with a pointed gaze. "Perhaps if I keep yours from her, you can share hers with me." I suggested with a carelessly upturned palm and a hopeful smile. Raditz frowned as he processed my request. I gave him time. I would not want him making a hasty decision by denying me. That would end badly for him, and I did not dislike Raditz, despite his continual mockery of his brother. I also did so badly need an informant in the Son house. I felt Faustos's parents were more of a danger to him than his enemies at times with the way they dictated his life. It was obvious from my earlier encounter with Lady Gine that she was at the very least suspicious about my relationship with him. Raditz looked broodingly to Lapis, who shrugged and turned his expression to a cold mask before answering for his lover.

"Nothing wrong with another powerful ally, Raditz. And your mother would ruin us if she knew about this. You would be married immediately. She'd probably connive some way to have me sent away from the kingdom." Lapis mused with a deep frown as he turned his gaze out the window. Something Lord Lapis mentioned there caught my attention. The comment about being sent away seemed too close to my own situation with Faustos. I needed to speak with him right away.

"Fine." Raditz grunted in answer to me, to which I frowned reprovingly at him. "Yes, your Grace." He corrected himself as he pulled his loose tunic over his head, finally.

"Good. The next time you are at Harrenhal Castle, do come see me, Lord Raditz. I will let you two conclude your business here." I said with a smug smile and slight curtsy as I opened the door and turned to face them again with amusement. "And be more careful with this door next time, my lords." I added, leaving the door slightly ajar intentionally as I left the room and traveled to the other chamber door, where I would find Faustos. I took a deep breath, shaking off the earlier encounter as I prepared to face the man I had missed for so many months, the man I had to inform of something of vast importance.

As I opened the door, I gasped in realization. It suddenly occurred to me, why Lady Gine thought I would need to speak with Faustos alone, and why she was acting so protective. She had to know our secret. Faustos was standing there as the door opened, and he stepped in front of me, distracting me temporarily from my epiphany as his appearance dazzled me. He was as handsome as ever, with his perfect skin, that charming smile, dressed in a brown leather vest with gold detailing which fell to his hips, over long, quilted sleeves and perfectly fitted matching brown leather pants and boots. His eyes bulged as he looked upon me, though. Then I realized how I was showing with the pregnancy, and maybe he did not know.

"Faustos…" I began, trailing off as I stepped into the room, having so much to say and not knowing where to begin.

"Katarina, I had no idea…" he said, staring at my swelling stomach as the door closed loudly behind me. I crossed my arms self-consciously and flinched away from his stare. He seemed uncomfortable and nervous while he averted his gaze, his eyes darting around the room. How could he just stare at me like that? After being away all that time, that was not the reception I deserved from him.

"Of course you had no idea!" I snapped, my arms remaining crossed as I scowled at him. "You make a habit of disappearing for months at a time without warning! I remember you promising you would never do that to me again, Faustos!" I yelled angrily at him, struggling to control my volume as the emotions I had been containing all that time, emotions I had not even acknowledged to myself, surfaced full force.

"I'm sorry!" He said with desperation in his voice. "I had no choice this time, Katarina. I would have warned you if I had the chance." His tone was begging forgiveness. But what did he mean no choice?

"What are you saying?" I asked, my scowl immediately turning to an expression of bewilderment and suspicion. His eyes were downcast, he could not look at me, and he seemed sullen. "Were you sent away?" He nodded and sighed heavily.

"My father was determined to keep me away from the kingdom. I came back as soon as I was able to convince my father to return, Katarina. I missed you." He looked up and smiled, and I could see in his eyes that he meant it. But that was a problem. His being sent away only confirmed my notion about his mother's odd behavior. I frowned deeply with anger towards Lady Gine.

"Faustos, your mother know-" I began informing him before he hurriedly cut me off, placing his hand over my mouth and shushing me. I glared at him as I did not like that at all, and he immediately removed his hand from my face.

"I know she does!" He said in a harsh whisper, staring at the door as if he expected her to come barreling into the room at any moment. "She was furious. I don't know how she knows, but she and my father insisted we end it." Faustos looked frustrated as he sighed and rubbed the back of his head, looking away from me. "She does this because she worries for me." I could only imagine what Faustos was feeling. Perhaps my father would react similarly if he knew. It would mean Faustos's death if he were caught. In that regard, I could not blame Lady Gine for her actions. Yet, she and Lord Bardock had no right to try to tear us apart.

"So they decided to force us apart by sending you away for half a year? If your mother knew about us, why did she not tell you that I am expecting?" I asked peevishly. I understood protectiveness, but Faustos had the right to know if he was going to be a father.

"My father doesn't know about the baby, either." Faustos answered pensively. "He'd hand me over to Sebastian himself over this affair, if I weren't a Son. You think my mother is ruthless?" Faustos asked rhetorically, shaking his head with a deep frown to clearly indicate that his father was far worse. "I don't know why she didn't tell us about the baby when we returned, though." He finally answered with a shrug. "She must know I would find out eventually. The entire kingdom will be celebrating the birth of the king's first child." My eyes widened in alarm as Faustos implied that the baby was Sebastian's. I was worried he might have been hurt by the revelation, and he recognized my concern. "It is fine, Katarina. I did not expect you to wait for me. You are the queen." Faustos said reassuringly, reaching forward to run his fingers through my hanging locks of hair. As much as I appreciated the delicate gesture, I could not allow myself to feel soothed yet. He had it all wrong, and he had to know the truth.

"Maybe your mother wanted me to be able to tell you myself, before you heard from anyone else." I said carefully as I nervously twirled my fingers together and took a step away from Faustos. I took a deep breath, steadying myself to reveal the truth to Faustos. I hesitated, thinking maybe it would be best for him to continue thinking my child really was Sebastian's. I met Faustos's eyes, and he seemed so open, so understanding. I could not lie to him. I could lie to the entire kingdom without a problem, but not to him, not about that.

"Faustos, you are the father." I said wholeheartedly as I placed my hands on my stomach, caressing it as if I were holding the child already. Faustos remained silent and I gazed up from my belly to him. His mouth was gaping and he was absolutely stunned. How could he have not suspected?

"Katarina, are you sure?" He finally choked out. I growled at him, dropping my hands in fists by my sides.

"Yes! I know who the father of my own child is, Faustos!" I hissed loudly at him, Faustos cringing as he again stared fearfully towards the door. I hoped no one was passing through the halls at the moment of my outburst. Surely, they would have heard that through the walls.

"Okay, okay!" Faustos hastily said with a placating gesture, attempting to wane my anger. I sighed in frustration. The men in my life were so difficult. I could never have a conversation with a man without losing my temper. We were startled by a knock on the door, Faustos shuddering visibly in reaction to the disturbance.

"Is everything alright in there, m'lord?" I heard a woman's voice muffled through the door. "I thought I heard yelling." She said curiously. Faustos groaned and rubbed his head in frustration while I sniffed in annoyance at the disruption.

"Yes, Fasha. Tell my mother I will be down in a moment." Faustos answered forcefully to his household servant. I waited for a few moments to hear the retreat of footsteps before continuing to speak.

"Faustos, Sebastian believes this baby is his. I have a maester and midwife from my kingdom caring for me, and they know the truth. They have altered the records to prove this baby is Sebastian's. I am sorry, but if it gets out that this baby is not-" Faustos interrupted my hurried explanation with a raised palm and determined look.

"I know, Katarina. I will step down and let you handle this. Our child will be heir to the throne this way. If Sebastian ever knew the truth, it would be a death sentence for all three of us." Faustos stepped forward, placing a hand endearingly on my belly. I felt tears building in my eyes as he placed his forehead against mine, and I looked up at him through my lashes. I sniffled as I tried to contain my emotions again. I did not want to show Faustos my weakness.

He did not allow me to hide it, though. Faustos wrapped his arms tightly around me in an embrace I had been craving for so long. I could not hold back any longer, and the tears burst forth like a dam that had finally been released. I sobbed into his chest as he shushed me and rubbed a hand up and down my back. It was so comforting, standing there in his embrace.

I gathered myself, my sobs slowing to a few tears as I started to pull away from Faustos, when I felt the baby kick. It was an amazing sensation the first time I felt it, but it was even better at that moment. Faustos was pressed against my abdomen while embracing me, and he felt it, too. His eyes lit up and he looked at me with pure amazement. I smiled brightly at him and nodded, knowing he was wondering if that was really the baby. I took his hand and placed it directly where I felt the strongest kick, and we waited for another one. I felt a flutter of kicks suddenly, and Faustos and I laughed together.

"That's him. He is going to be my strong little prince." I told Faustos.

"Him?" Faustos asked, searching my eyes. I was convinced that the baby was a boy; I just felt it in my bones instinctively. I nodded with certainty.

"Yes, him." I reached a hand to my face to dry my tears, hoping to be presentable when we left the privacy of the chamber. Knowing that Lady Gine and Lord Bardock knew about us, I did not want his mother getting the wrong idea about us being in there for so long. "I have to be going now." I said sadly, placing my open palm on Faustos's cheek. It was so nice to feel his skin against mine again. He nodded understandingly, though I could see he was disappointed, too. He pulled me in for a kiss; a long, heartfelt, chaste kiss. We stepped apart and opened the door, Faustos allowing me through and following as we reconvened downstairs with Lady Gine, who was waiting with an impatient scowl.

"I take it you discussed everything that needed to be said?" Lady Gine asked pressingly, raising an eyebrow as her question suggested much. We both nodded, though I had trouble looking Lady Gine in the eyes after that, knowing what she knew. Tien approached me and I appreciatively accepted his arm as he led me to the door.

"Farewell, Lady Gine, Lord Bane." I said quietly as Tien reached for the door.

"Goodbye, your Grace. I wish you luck with the birth!" Lady Gine called as I departed with a silent nod. Faustos watched me leave, staring longingly even as the door closed him from my view.

Lady Gine's wish, unfortunately, did me no good. The time finally came a few months later, one night as painful contractions woke me from a pleasant sleep, a rare pleasure in my condition. I labored all through the night. Maester Roshi, Suno, and Launch were by my side through my labor and the birth. I had no expectations of Sebastian attending. I ordered the castle servants to allow the king to sleep while I labored. If Sebastian were there, he most likely would have angered me at some point, and I was sure he would not like the result of my temper, which was exponentially amplified by the most intense pain I had ever experienced in my life.

All things pass, as did that agonizing twenty hour experience, the memory of the pain being hastily wiped clear as soon as I saw the adorable wailing face of my son. He was pink and thrashing, balling his little hands into angry fists as he cried at the world for taking him from his warm and safe womb to which he had become so accustomed. I cried happily as Maester Roshi wiped him clean and set him on my chest while Suno attended to the afterbirth and cleaned up the birthing bed after the messy process. I stroked my baby's cheek with my finger, smiling at his adorable face. Launch happily ran out of the room to announce the baby's birth and the good health of us both, as well as to tell Sebastian that he had an heir. I put the child to my breast, infinitely proud of my greatest accomplishment as I pushed aside my own weariness to enjoy watching my son feed for the first time. He was beautiful, he was glorious, and he was all mine.