Luna's POV
***
The carriage rocked gently as it moved through the dense forest, the rhythmic sound of hooves against the damp earth lulling me into a rare sense of calm. Outside, mist clung to the towering trees like a ghostly veil, their emerald leaves glistening from the recent rain. This road was unfamiliar—far from the bustling streets of the capital, far from the responsibilities that seemed to weigh heavier with each passing day.
Beside me, Rhydian sat with his arm draped casually over the back of the seat, his gaze trained on the scenery beyond the window. He had been quiet for most of the journey, a thoughtful silence rather than a distant one. His fingers occasionally flexed against my shoulder as if reassuring himself that I was still there.
"Are we almost there?" I asked, shifting slightly. My body ached in ways it never had before—my lower back, my ribs, my legs. Everything felt… heavier.
Rhydian turned toward me, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. "Impatient?"
"Uncomfortable," I admitted. "And curious."
He smirked, reaching for my hand. "Just a little longer. I promise it will be worth it."
I sighed but didn't press further. Rhydian had been uncharacteristically secretive about this trip, which was a feat considering how stubborn I could be when I wanted answers. He had simply told me that I needed rest, that the kingdom would survive a few days without us, and that I deserved something more than endless meetings and sleepless nights.
I hadn't argued. The truth was, I needed this.
The journey continued for another half-hour before the carriage finally slowed. The sound of rushing water reached my ears first, followed by the crisp scent of pine and damp earth. As the door swung open, Rhydian stepped out first, offering me his hand.
The moment my feet touched the ground, I inhaled deeply. The air here was different—purer, untouched by the smoke and stone of the capital.
And then I saw it.
Nestled between the towering trees was a secluded wooden cabin, its stone chimney releasing a thin wisp of smoke into the cool evening air. The building was modest compared to the grandeur of the palace, but it was breathtaking in its simplicity. Beyond it, a crystal-clear lake stretched toward the horizon, its surface reflecting the sky like a mirror. Mountains framed the distance, their peaks dusted with the remnants of winter.
"It's beautiful," I whispered.
Rhydian squeezed my fingers. "I thought you'd like it."
I turned to him, arching a brow. "Did you build this?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Not quite. But it belonged to my father once. He used to bring my mother here when they needed to escape the burdens of the court."
Something flickered in his expression—something softer, tinged with nostalgia. I rarely heard him speak of his parents. I knew the pain of their loss still lingered beneath his carefully composed exterior, a wound that had never fully healed.
"You never told me that," I murmured.
His thumb traced slow circles against the back of my hand. "Some memories are easier to keep locked away."
I didn't press further. Instead, I let him lead me toward the cabin, where a fire crackled warmly in the hearth, filling the space with a golden glow. The interior was cozy—stone walls lined with bookshelves, thick rugs covering the wooden floor, a small table set near the window with a view of the lake. It felt untouched by time, preserved in quiet solitude.
Rhydian helped me settle onto the plush couch before kneeling in front of me, his hands resting on my knees.
"How do you feel?" he asked softly.
I exhaled, letting my fingers drift over my growing stomach. "Tired. But… peaceful."
His lips quirked into a smile. "Good."
For a while, we simply sat in the warmth of the fire, the outside world fading into the background. The only sound was the occasional crackle of burning wood and the rhythmic ticking of an old clock mounted on the far wall.
But as the silence stretched, a familiar weight crept into my chest.
"Rhydian?" My voice was quieter now, more hesitant.
He glanced up, immediately alert. "Yes?"
I swallowed, shifting uncomfortably. "Do you think I'll be a good mother?"
The question had haunted me for weeks, lurking in the quiet moments when I was left alone with my thoughts. It wasn't just the fear of childbirth, though that was terrifying enough—it was everything that came after. Would I be enough? Would I know how to love them the way they deserved?
Rhydian studied me for a long moment before reaching up to cup my cheek. "Why would you even question that?"
I bit my lip, my gaze dropping to my hands. "Because I don't know how to be a mother. Because I never had one to show me how."
A shadow passed over his features. He knew my past, knew the emptiness my childhood had left behind.
"Luna," he murmured, his voice impossibly gentle. "You are already everything our child could ever need."
I shook my head, emotion thick in my throat. "But what if—what if I fail them? What if I don't know what to do?"
His grip tightened, firm yet comforting. "Then we'll learn together."
I looked at him then, truly looked at him. There was no doubt in his expression, no hesitation. Only unwavering certainty.
"You will be extraordinary," he continued. "Not because you know all the answers, but because you love them already. Because you will fight for them, protect them, teach them to be strong. That is what makes a mother."
I let out a shaky breath, pressing my forehead against his. "I'm scared."
"So am I," he admitted. "But that doesn't mean we won't be good at this."
For a long moment, we remained like that, wrapped in the quiet comfort of each other's presence. And for the first time in weeks, the fear loosened its grip, just a little.
That night, as I lay curled against Rhydian beneath the thick blankets, his hand resting protectively over my stomach, I found myself whispering to the life growing inside me.
"I will do my best for you," I promised softly. "I may not know everything, but I will love you with everything I have."
Rhydian shifted beside me, pressing a kiss against my hair.
And as sleep claimed me, I believed him.
We would figure this out.
Together.