CHAPTER 491: SHE THOUGHT SHE WON

The loud baby’s cry could be heard from outside. Ariel felt Kaiden’s grip tighten subtly across her hand. The servants bowed once they saw the king and Ariel then made way for them.

The door was pushed open, and the baby’s cries got louder. Eleanor’s eyes sparkled once she saw Kaiden step into the room. "Your majesty," she chimed despite how exhausted she was.

Her smile quickly faded once she saw Ariel tag along from behind. Kaiden noticed these subtle changes but chose to ignore them.

Ariel and Eleanor’s gaze meets. She has just given birth, and she looks very exhausted. Her hair was drenched with sweat. Her entire body looked frail even her once glowing hair lost its shimmer

The pregnancy had been taxing on her. "How is he?" Kaiden asked out of reflex, he thought the baby was a boy. The glow in Eleanor’s eyes diminished.

"Your majesty, she is perfectly healthy." The midwife approached the king with the newborn cleaned and wrapped in soft clothes.

"Her?.". Ariel blurted. She didn’t mean any harm but Eleanor picked it out. A male heir was preferred to inherit the throne.

"It is a girl, please can you name her?" Eleanor said with a stiff smile. Her tone was hostile to Ariel who swallowed back her complaints. It was an honest mistake on Ariel’s part.

It was an honest mistake pointing out it was a girl.

Kaiden was oblivious to the little banter between his wives all his attention was on his baby girl. Girl or Boy it didn’t matter to him. All that mattered was that it was his child.

The moment she got into her father’s arms. She parted her lips slightly. "Be careful, she is very fragile." The midwife assisted Kaiden in carrying the newborn.

She was very fragile; her hands were clamped together, and her entire body was wrinkled. "She is beautiful, I am sure she will grow into a lovely princess." Kaiden chimed.

Ariel glanced over to the little ball in Kaiden’s arm. Her brows furrowed; it was the first time she was technically seeing a newborn on the first day of her birth, so she didn’t understand why Kaiden called this ugly baby beautiful.

She shut her mouth before Eleanor cut off her head for making any bad comments. The baby was very young with undeveloped features making it hard to know who she took after.

Ariel curiously stepped forward to take a good look. Kaiden was willing to hand over the baby to her, but she refused immediately. Eleanor’s gaze was enough to make her skin crawl.

The baby started to cry again, putting Kaiden in a dilemma. He was completely clueless about what to do, and Ariel and Eleanor could not help but laugh.

He was as silly as ever. The midwife quickly came to his aid and took the baby out of his arms. "Sorry, Your Majesty. She must be hungry." The midwife said, then carried the baby to Eleanor’s arms.

Eleanor had a proud smile on her face. She won in their silent competition.

"Grant her a name, Your Majesty." She requested while breastfeeding the newborn. Kaiden was in a bit of a dilemma. He hasn’t thought of any names yet.

He cleared his throat awkwardly, "Asher," he blurted leaving Eleanor dumbfounded. Ariel could not help but laugh.

"It is a girl, Kaiden." She chimed, holding his arm out in habit. This scene left a bitter taste in Eleanor’s mouth..

The way Ariel called Kaiden by his first name and how close they were. Those were privileges she didn’t have.

Well...she was optimistic. She had a child now. "Don’t you know any baby girl’s name?" Eleanor chimed.

Kaiden didn’t have an idea, he thought it was going to be a boy and didn’t think of any female name. "Name her Astrid," Ariel whispered in his ear to rescue him from the awkward situation.

"Thank you," he whispered, then placed a soft peck on her hair. Another display of affection went straight to Eleanor’s heart like a cold dagger.

"Her name will be Astrid Von Drakkar. The first princess of Draconia." He declared.

"That’s a lovely name. Little Astrid." Eleanor chimed. She glanced at little Astrid, her firstborn and favourite child. Disregarding her relationship with Kaiden Eleanor loved her daughter with all her heart.

*****

Months later.

Kaiden left the capital with Ariel as planned to give Ariel a break from the walls of the palace. The trip was the best thing ever; it helped Ariel a lot, and soon her face was all smiles. It fixed their relationship.

Kaiden ended up staying longer than planned and finally decided to return for the winter prayers.

Eleanor wasn’t brought along on the excuse that her condition was too weak to travel. She knew it was an excuse, Kaiden just wanted to spend time alone with Ariel.

She tried to overlook it and try to focus on Astrid who was growing fast. In a blink of an eye. It was already winter and Astrid was turning one in a few months.

She could already walk at 9 months and babbled a few words that got stuck on her tongue like cakie (cake). Astrid had a sweet tooth at such a young age thanks to the maids who gave her sweets a bit too early.

The palace was bustling, the king was returning today, and news had already gotten to them that he had crossed the bridge and would be in the palace any minute from now.

Eleanor was excited to show Kaiden how much Astrid had grown. From the doors of the nursery, she could already hear Astrid babbling.

Once she stepped in, Astrid, who was in a maid’s arms, excitedly giggled on seeing her mother. "Mama!" She squealed, waving her little hands at Eleanor.

She wanted to walk to Eleanor. Under Eleanor’s approving nod, Astrid was placed on the floor. The baby girl managed to get on her feet without assistance and straddled Eleanor who patiently waited for her

Once she was within the queen’s reach Eleanor swept her off the ground. They were both excitedly laughing. "It’s time to meet your Papa, he will be excited to see you." Eleanor chimed, pulling Astrid’s chubby cheeks.

"Papa.." Astrid blinked, her mouth was parted, showing her little baby teeth." Yes, Papa."

Eleanor giggled. She carried Astrid to the courtyard. She wanted Astrid to be the first person Kaiden sees once he steps out of the carriage

Outside was covered in white snow, and Astrid was in thick coats to prevent her from catching a cold. Rows of carriages rolled into the palace courtyard.

The one carrying the king finally stopped in front of the main entrance and the door was pulled open. Kaiden stepped out first, with a soft smile on his face. He didn’t notice Eleanor at first who was beaming at him

His attention was on someone else. Kaiden turned, a fair hand accepted his hand and Ariel stepped out. She was dressed in heavy coats, but it wasn’t enough to hide it.

Eleanor still noticed it.

Her smile fell, and her face went pale. She pulled little Astrid closer.

There was a little bump on Ariel’s stomach, and Kaiden’s arm was wrapped around her waist like she was a fragile doll. Her mannerisms and gentle actions said it all.

Ariel was finally pregnant