Pherenike - Chapter 54

“It was Axiothea who received the stab, not His Highness.”

“…”

“When the wounded have finally silenced their pain, there’s no need for bystanders to feign injury. It’s unnecessary to act as if you are bleeding when the blood isn’t even yours.”

“…”

Viano looked at him intently and chose to remain silent.

“I didn’t disagree with your concern that your subordinate’s life was wasted. It was excessive.”

“Dexi. Are you suggesting I’m making a fuss over nothing?”

“You respected, cherished, and liked him. It’s understandable you’re upset.”

“…”

“I just don’t like the term ‘w***e.'”

“Are the two of you finally coming out?”

Hagnon, Viano’s henchmen, greeted them outside the city. Viano, who had been opening his mouth as if to speak, turned his head upon seeing his henchman.

The unborn child was having a tough time with the winter.

Pherenike sat blankly by the window all morning, staring outside. By afternoon, she’d collapse onto the bed, as if the child commanded it.

At times, it felt like her body was being consumed by something else. The child seemed worried about her, but she grew increasingly irritated by its overbearing presence. She had become utterly exhausted and barely able to lift her head to speak.

“The wind is chilly, Your Majesty.”

“Leave it be. It’s refreshing.”

Pherenike leaned her head against the cold stone wall and brooded.

This room showed movements all day. People leaving Lykke. People returning to Lykke. Merchants. Nobles in carriages. Errand-running children. Fishermen returning from the river with fishes.

All those small slices of life.

Actor recently moved her chambers to this higher location. The room before was spacious and pleasant, but not as good now.

It had become narrower compared to before. It was hastily furnished after being vacant for a long time, so it wasn’t beautiful. Some items were overly simple.

One young servant even trembled and asked the adults if ‘the king was finally confining the queen to the top of the tower.’

It wasn’t an unreasonable thought for the child. When a man places a woman’s chambers above his, it often signifies control.

But this room had windows facing the direction where the sun lingered longest. And from there, one could see the main road outside the citadel.

Not the refined scenery of her old chambers.

“Every morning, you sit by the window, staring out. Motionless. To alleviate your boredom, Ino brought musicians several times, but each time the queen refused, saying you didn’t want to listen.”

At that time, Actor stood for a while by the window of her old chambers, looking out at the garden. Then he turned to Pherenike on the bed and asked,

“Everything seems so still from this room. Haven’t you found it dull all this time?”

“The seasons still change, though.”

“Seasons move too slowly, Kybellaune.”

Pherenike didn’t really care. Fast or slow, it didn’t matter. She didn’t actually want to see the landscape outside, but rather what lay beyond the reality of the room.

However, Actor didn’t think she was alright with it. That aspect of him was always bothersome.

“But this cold harms the prince in your womb.”

“How do you know it’s a prince?”

Pherenike replied nonchalantly, prompting Ino, who was sewing, to look up abruptly.

It was as if she was accused of something. In her womb, as the oracle had foretold, lay the future king of Evdokia. There was no doubt about it.

Ino was Actor’s nanny, she had been treating him secretly as her own son. Just as she presumed the queen’s child as her grandchild.

“Close the window now. Take more care of the prince, Kybellaune.”

The window was wooden, and once closed, nothing outside could be seen for the rest of the day.

From this inadequate room that she was given to supposedly look outside.

Leaning against the wall, Pherenike twisted her lips slightly.

Anyway, she would fall asleep again like a snuffed-out flame by afternoon. Pherenike silently got up and moved to the bed. Then, like bestowing a favor, the elderly woman’s kindly voice followed.

“I’ll light the lamps brightly and open the small window at the top for you.”

“A compassionate jailer indeed.”

“Even jokes now, Your Majesty?”

“It’s true.”

Ino was sent to tend to, guard, and pamper the pregnant queen’s every move. At the same time, she was an excellent watchdog. Pherenike knew how much Actor trusted and relied on this woman.

Unlike usual, Ino moved around the room, lighting all the lamps with her aged body. The other maids had been dismissed with a mere gesture. She returned to the queen’s bed with a kind smile.

“Kybellaune, you know how much I care about you?”

“Yes.”

“The words I’m about to say come from that concern. Kybellaune, you should quickly choose a lady to serve His Majesty in your stead.”

Pherenike stared intently at Ino.