Chapter 35: Alexander's Curiosity and Knox's Absence

The sun was setting on Eldoria, casting a warm glow over the palace garden where Amaria sat on a bench, her hand resting gently on her growing belly. The days were getting busier with the pregnancy progressing, but Amaria had learned to embrace the changes, her love for her growing child and her bond with King Knox strengthening with each passing day.

Prince Alexander, his small hands pressed against the soft grass, crawled over to her with an excited gleam in his eyes. He had grown to be even more affectionate since the news of her pregnancy had been shared, and every day brought new questions about what was happening. Though only a young child, his curiosity about the baby growing inside her had reached new heights.

"Mama!" Alexander called out, his voice bright and filled with wonder as he hopped onto the bench beside her. "Is the baby going to be a prince or a princess?"

Amaria chuckled softly at his innocent excitement, her heart swelling with affection for the little boy who had come to think of her as his mother. She knew that Alexander had been waiting for a sibling for a long time, and his energy and enthusiasm made her smile even on the most tiring days.

"Well, we don't know yet if the baby is a prince or a princess," Amaria replied with a playful wink, placing a hand on Alexander's head. "But no matter what, they will be loved just as much as you are."

Alexander thought for a moment, his brows furrowing as he processed her words. "So the baby can be a prince and a princess at the same time?"

Amaria's laughter rang out, and she leaned down to kiss his forehead. "No, sweetie. A prince or a princess, but they can always be our little one."

Alexander nodded seriously, clearly satisfied with her answer, but his curiosity wasn't quite sated. His wide blue eyes were filled with more questions, and he shifted closer to her, as though he had a list of important inquiries to make.

"Will the baby like the same things I like?" he asked eagerly. "Like horses and playing outside? Can I teach them to ride horses?"

Amaria's heart warmed at the thought of Alexander sharing his world with his future sibling. She gently cupped his face with her hands. "I'm sure the baby will love horses, just like you do. But you'll be the best teacher, won't you?"

"Of course!" Alexander declared proudly, puffing out his chest like a little knight. "I'll be the best big brother, just wait!"

Amaria smiled, her fingers playing with a lock of his hair as she hugged him tightly. "I know you will be, Alexander. You're going to be an amazing big brother."

The warmth of their exchange filled her with a quiet joy, but it was tinged with a small trace of sadness. King Knox had left the kingdom earlier that morning for an important diplomatic meeting with a neighboring king. Though their relationship had deepened, Amaria still felt the absence of his steady presence. She missed his quiet strength, the way his hands would brush against hers when they were in a room together, and the way his gaze softened when he looked at her.

While Knox was away, it was clear that Alexander was becoming more attached to her, seeking her company even more than before. Amaria loved that she had become a comforting presence for him, but there was always that part of her that missed her husband during his absences.

"Mama" Alexander asked again, his voice cutting through her thoughts, "Do you think the baby will come soon?"

She glanced at him, her heart full of love as she gently placed a hand on her belly. "Not for a while, Alexander. The baby has to grow a little more before they come out and meet the world."

Alexander looked down at her belly with wide eyes, then back up at her with a thoughtful expression. "I want to be the first to see the baby. Can I?"

Amaria couldn't help but smile at his earnestness. "I'm sure you will be one of the first, sweetie. But you'll have to share the baby with everyone."

Alexander scrunched up his nose, clearly unsure about the idea of sharing this new little one with anyone else. "But I want to hold the baby all the time, mom."

Her heart melted at his possessiveness, knowing that it came from a place of love. "I think the baby will love having you around, baby. And I'm sure you'll spend lots of time together, just the two of you."

Alexander smiled brightly, his earlier concerns forgotten. "I'll be the best big brother ever, I promise!"

As the sun began to set, Amaria felt a mixture of contentment and longing. She knew that life in the palace would continue to change with the arrival of the baby, but the love and support from Alexander were constants she could rely on. And though King Knox was away at the moment, she knew his thoughts were with her, just as hers were with him.

In the stillness of the garden, as the evening approached and the light dimmed, Amaria couldn't help but think about how much her life had transformed over the past year. From a hesitant bride to the beloved queen, and soon, a mother again.

And though the journey ahead would have its challenges, she was ready. She was no longer alone in this royal life—she had a family, both by blood and by love. And together, they would face whatever came next.

As the twilight deepened and the garden became bathed in soft, dusky hues, Amaria leaned back against the stone bench, letting the calm of the evening soothe her thoughts. Prince Alexander, content with their earlier conversation, had wandered off a little, chasing after a butterfly. The peacefulness of the moment was a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions she had been feeling lately.

She missed King Knox terribly. Though he was just a few days away on important matters of state, his absence was felt profoundly. She thought back to their last conversation, the one where she had teased him about his quiet nature and how it had shifted over the months. He had become so much more open, more vulnerable in his affection, yet there were moments like this—his absence—that made her question how far his feelings had truly evolved.

The sound of rustling leaves broke through her contemplation, and her eyes flickered up to see Alexander returning to her side, his small hands clutching a wildflower he had plucked from the garden. His face was lit with the same innocent joy he always carried, but his gaze still held that serious air he often adopted when talking about the baby.

"I think this flower will help the baby grow," he said, offering it to Amaria with a solemn expression.

Amaria couldn't help but chuckle at the earnestness in his voice as she took the delicate bloom from him. "I'm sure it will," she said softly, admiring the flower's soft petals. "Thank you, Alexander. The baby will love it."

The prince smiled, his small face lighting up, but just as quickly, his brows furrowed in thought. "Mama... when do you think Papa will come home?"

She looked at him, seeing the quiet worry in his eyes. She knew how much Alexander had grown attached to King Knox in such a short amount of time, and she understood why he missed him. It was clear that their bond had been strengthening, and now, with her pregnancy, they had all been thrust into this new chapter of life.

"I don't know, sweetie," Amaria replied, her voice gentle but calm. "But he's thinking of us, I'm sure. He loves you so much. You're his whole world."

Alexander looked up at her with wide, trusting eyes. "I want to be with Papa when the baby comes," he declared. "Will he be there with us?"

"Of course," Amaria reassured him, her heart aching slightly at the thought. "Your Papa will be there for you, always."

Alexander nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer, but Amaria could tell he was still processing everything in his four-year-old mind. She brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead, giving him a soft smile.

"You know," she began, her voice warm, "I think your Papa would love to hear all about your questions. He always enjoys hearing your thoughts."

A small grin tugged at the corners of Alexander's lips. "I'll tell him everything when he comes back."

"Good," she said, her heart swelling with affection. "He'll be so proud of you, Alexander."

The moment felt suspended in time, both of them sitting quietly in the evening glow, sharing a bond that had been forged in the quiet moments like these. Even as the days passed and life in the palace returned to its usual rhythm, it was these quiet exchanges that reminded Amaria of the life they were building together.

Just then, a soft rustling sound from the direction of the palace gates caught her attention. A familiar figure emerged from the shadows—one of the palace guards, a messenger.

"Your Majesty," he said, bowing respectfully as he approached. "The King has returned."

Amaria's heart skipped a beat at the news. She had been so caught up in the moments with Alexander that she hadn't realized how much she had missed her husband's presence. She looked down at Alexander, who had perked up at the mention of his father's return.

"Papa's back?" he asked, his voice full of excitement and hope.

"Yes, my love," Amaria smiled softly, her hand resting gently on Alexander's back. "Your Papa is home."

Alexander jumped up from the bench, his small legs carrying him as quickly as they could toward the palace doors. "I want to see him now!"

Amaria chuckled softly, her heart full. "You'll see him, Alexander. Just wait for me, okay?"

The little prince nodded eagerly, waiting for Amaria to stand before rushing off toward the door. She followed closely behind, her steps slower, but her heart was light.

As she entered the palace's main hall, her eyes immediately found King Knox, who stood by the grand fireplace, his broad figure exuding his usual commanding presence. His dark eyes flickered toward her as she entered, and a quiet, warm smile tugged at his lips. For a moment, it felt like the world around them ceased to exist, and all that mattered was the way he looked at her.

"Amaria," Knox murmured, his voice low and steady. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too," she replied softly, walking toward him with her heart racing in her chest.

She could see the exhaustion in his features, the lines around his eyes deepening from the long journey, but there was something else there—something softer, more vulnerable. He was still the king, the ruler of Eldoria, but to her, he had become so much more.

As Alexander bounded into his father's arms, the king's stern façade seemed to melt away, and for the first time in a long while, Amaria saw the man she had fallen for—the man who had shared his heart with her, the man who loved her with a depth she could not quite understand.

"We have so much to talk about," Amaria whispered, her hand brushing against his as she stood beside him.

Knox nodded, his eyes softening as he gazed down at her. "We do, my love. But first, I need to hold you."

And in that moment, as their family came together once again, Amaria knew that no matter what lay ahead, they would face it together.