Chapter 17

Max sat back against the soft pillows on their bed, cradling a steaming mug of coffee in his hands. His eyes were half-closed, enjoying the quiet peace that came with the early hours. The world outside felt distant, as if nothing existed beyond the soft clink of Vireli and the rich aroma of the coffee. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a moment like this—just him and Alex, without the weight of the world or the obligations that came with their roles.

Alex, on the other hand, had already risen and was sitting by the window, his own cup of coffee resting on the windowsill. The pale light of dawn played off his features as he gazed out at the view, lost in thought. Max often wondered what Alex was thinking in moments like these. The king had a lot on his shoulders—decisions to make, a kingdom to rule—but in these quiet moments, Max could see glimpses of the man behind the crown. The one who was just as human as anyone else.

Neither of them spoke much, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. It was a shared understanding, the kind that came with  being together. Both were content in their own space, enjoying the rare luxury of time before the demands of the day began.

But then, the calm was broken.

Max’s stomach churned, a sudden wave of nausea hitting him without warning. His grip on the coffee mug tightened as he tried to steady himself, but it was too much. The warmth in his belly turned cold and heavy. Without saying a word, he set the mug down quickly and bolted off the bed, his feet scrambling across the floor as he rushed to the bathroom.

Alex’s head snapped up immediately, concern flashing across his face. He set his own cup aside and stood, moving toward the bathroom with a speed that belied his usual calm demeanor. “Max?” His voice was low, full of worry. “Max, what’s wrong?”

Max didn’t answer. He was already in the bathroom, bent over the sink as his body shook. His stomach emptied painfully, leaving him gasping for breath as he struggled to steady himself. The whole world felt off-kilter. He felt dizzy, lightheaded, as if the room was spinning around him.

Alex reached the bathroom door and froze, his heart racing. “Max?” His voice was strained now, panic creeping into his tone. He stepped forward, but then he stopped, uncertain what to do. Max wasn’t responding, and Alex felt a cold sweat break out on the back of his neck.

“Max! Are you alright?” His voice was louder now, trying to break through the fog of concern clouding his mind. The bathroom was big, the sound of his voice echoing off the marble walls, but Max’s retching made it harder to focus.

In the frantic silence, Alex’s mind raced, trying to piece together what was happening. The last few days had been busy, filled with meetings, royal duties, and the usual hustle. But this—this wasn’t something he’d expected. Max had been fine when they woke up, content and calm. Now, Alex was suddenly faced with this, and all he could do was stand at the door, helpless.

He raised his voice in desperation. “Someone! Get in here, quickly!” The sound of his voice echoed through the room, but the distance between him and the help he needed felt miles long.

Seconds felt like hours. Then, from down the hall, footsteps approached, fast and urgent. A servant arrived at the door, looking between Alex and the bathroom, eyes wide with concern. “What’s happened to His Majesty?” the servant asked, her voice tight with worry.

“Max... he’s—” Alex’s words faltered as he glanced at the bathroom, where Max was still doubled over. The helplessness in Alex’s chest swelled, his hands clenched at his sides. “He’s sick... vomiting. Get help.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, the servant nodded and rushed off. Alex turned back to the bathroom, eyes never leaving Max. He moved toward the doorway, peeking inside to check on him. His heart ached as he saw Max pale and trembling, sweat beading on his forehead. The sight made Alex’s stomach twist with fear.

Max barely registered Alex’s presence, too lost in the wave of nausea that had taken over his body. His breath came in shallow gasps, his hands gripping the sink as if it could anchor him to reality. His mind was foggy, his thoughts a jumbled mess. He didn’t know what was wrong—just that everything felt wrong.

Alex knelt beside him without thinking, one hand gently pressing against Max’s back, the other brushing through his hair. “Max, talk to me,” Alex said, his voice strained. “What’s happening? How do I help?”

Max’s lips parted, but no words came. He couldn’t explain what was happening—he didn’t know. All he could do was lean into the comfort of Alex’s touch, his mind too clouded to find any clarity.

The servant returned, followed by a physician. The royal doctor rushed into the bathroom, immediately taking charge. Alex stepped back to allow him space, but his eyes never left Max, watching every movement with a fierce protectiveness.

“His Majesty is very pale,” the physician noted, examining Max. “His pulse is weak. We need to get him hydrated and check for any other symptoms. I’ll need to run a full set of tests, but it could be something as simple as a stomach bug.”

Alex’s chest tightened, his heart in his throat. He wanted to snap, to demand answers, but he forced himself to breathe, focusing on Max instead. He placed a hand on Max’s shoulder, his voice soft. “Max, please... talk to me. Are you feeling better?”

Max’s eyes flickered toward him, barely meeting his gaze. “I... I don’t know, Alex. I... just don’t feel right.”

Alex nodded, fighting back the panic threatening to choke him. “I’m here, Max. I’m not going anywhere.” He didn’t know what else to say. His mind was consumed with worry, but he knew that staying calm, staying by Max’s side, was all he could do right now.

The physician worked quickly, administering fluids and checking vitals, but Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. He reached for Max’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “You’re going to be alright. Just hang on.”

Max squeezed back weakly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll be fine. Just need a bit of rest.”

But Alex wasn’t convinced. He couldn’t be until he knew for sure. As the physician continued his work, Alex stayed close, watching over Max like a hawk, his thoughts whirling with the fear of something deeper. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on yet.

For now, though, all he could do was wait. Watch. And pray.

Max sat quietly as the very old physician arrived. Her age was evident by the creases in her skin and her slow, deliberate movements, but there was wisdom in her eyes. She approached him with a kind but professional demeanor.

"Your Majesty," she said, referring to Max, "I will check your condition."

Max nodded, feeling uneasy. The physician began by taking his pulse, her hands gentle yet firm. Then, she placed a hand on his neck and pressed lightly, her fingers moving down his body. She then touched his foot, asking questions along the way. Max felt a little uncomfortable but remained still.

The physician looked at him, still assessing. "Tell me, what happened this morning? What did you feel?"

Max hesitated before responding. "I don’t know... I was drinking coffee, and suddenly, I felt like throwing up . It came out of nowhere."

She nodded, her expression serious. "Hmm… and has this happened before? Is it something rare for you?"

Max glanced nervously at Alex, who stood nearby, waiting for an answer. There was a moment of silence before Max spoke again, his voice soft. "It’s been going on for the last two to three weeks… I’ve been vomiting occasionally, but I didn’t want to worry Alex so I never inform anyone."

Alex’s gaze softened as he looked at Max, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "You should have at least told me," he said gently.

The physician continued her examination, unfazed. "Are you feeling anything else different? Any cravings, irritability, or something unusual?"

Max paused, thinking for a moment. "Yeah… I do feel irritated sometimes, for no reason… I don’t know why."

The physician smiled kindly and reassured him, "There’s nothing to worry about, Your Majesty. Everything seems fine." She turned to Alex and said, "His Majesty is completely fine."

Max breathed a little easier, but then the physician added, "However, there is news… you are going to be a father."

Both Max and Alex froze. The words hung in the air for a long moment before Max found his voice. "How is that possible? You mean I am pregnant?

The old physician gave him a knowing look. "Yes, you are one of the rarest men. Men can get pregnant, though it is incredibly rare."

Alex’s shock mirrored Max’s. "So… you’re saying Max is pregnant?"

Max looked at her, still trying to process the information. "Is it possible for me?"

The physician’s tone was calm, almost comforting. "It is possible. Why do you doubt it?"

Max glanced at Alex, unsure of what to make of the situation. "Someone in my kingdom told me it’s not possible for men like me to be pregnant. I’m masculine, bulky, tall... everything about me doesn’t seem right for it."

The physician smiled softly, almost as if she knew exactly what Max was thinking. "That doesn’t mean anything. You could be one of the rare men capable of bearing a child. In fact, childbearers are among the strongest people in the world."

Max was still processing, his heart racing. Alex, who had been silent up until now, stepped closer to Max and pulled him into a comforting embrace. "We’re going to be okay," he whispered.

The physician nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. Take some time to rest. I will return soon and explain everything you need to know."

Max sat still, his mind racing with the overwhelming news. He didn’t fully understand what was happening, but he knew one thing for sure: his life was about to change in ways he never imagined.