Pherenike - Chapter 55

“In secret, without anyone in the court knowing, I could discreetly bring a slave from outside. Even if she’s not as beautiful as Kybellaune, I can find someone who resembles you to the greatest extent. While Kybellaune is unable to serve His Majesty, this substitute can ensure that His Majesty doesn’t forget the real one.”

“…”

“A bed slave can easily be disposed of once the prince is born. It’s a simple matter.”

“Then, I have been doing the work of a slave.”

“Your Majesty!”

Startled, Ino hastily knelt down by the bed. Pherenike lightly smiled and shook her head.

“So?”

“…If you don’t like your husband mingling with the lowly, you may choose from your own handmaids. I have personally verified all their origins. They are clean-born freewomen, untouched by any man…”

“No further trouble, then.”

“If an unfortunate event occurs and one of them bears His Majesty’s child, it will be entirely under Kybellaune’s jurisdiction. Whether to nurture or eliminate it, the decision will be solely yours.”

Despite her own child being a burden, the idea of taking care or disposing of someone else’s child seemed even more abhorrent. Especially considering that Pherenike felt a child from another woman might seem like better to Actor.

“I don’t wish to kill.”

“Then since they could be the mother of a royal offspring, their origin becomes even more crucial. However, noblewomen would require a certain decorum and, undoubtedly, they would trouble Your Majesty with their families and the public…”

Pherenike blankly stared at the closed window. Ino asked worriedly,

“Are you deeply hurt?”

“No.”

“This wasn’t meant to upset Your Majesty.”

“I know.”

“Indeed. His Majesty still visits this chamber every night. As someone who has raised and cared for him since the blankets, it’s embarrassing and shameful to mention, but to press upon a woman bearing a child every night…”

That’s when Pherenike realized Ino harbored some misconceptions about Actor.

“Pregnant women can suffer greatly from even minor harm. Of course, you are Kybellaune, and the child you carry is more special than any. Yet, if there’s an alternative to safeguard you…”

Recently, Pherenike’s bed had shown evidence that could lead to misunderstanding, every few days. Naturally, it looked like the king had been there, pressing upon the queen and leaving behind evidence of their union.

“His Majesty has never been such a man. Since his youth, he practiced self-restraint and discipline in everything. Kybellaune, I swear he never indulged in women before you. Not even a touch.”

“…”

“He was as chaste as a priest. But now, to behave this way with his wife, who is carrying a child…”

Those traces were mostly from nights when Pherenike was asleep.

The king was in heat with his sleeping wife.

Since a certain time, whenever Pherenike opened her eyes, Actor Nikandros was there in the darkness. This was true during their journeys to and from Geotil, through many forests, nights, and days.

Whenever she woke up, he was always there, returned to her side.

Actor in the darkness had ceased to surprise her. From the forest onwards, Pherenike learned to coexist with him in the shadows. It no longer startled her to find him lying next to her when she wasn’t expecting it, or to see him sitting in the dark, engaged in some minor task.

He had been constantly vigilant since she became pregnant, acting like a guard protecting his pregnant wife. Sometimes, he even tried to attend to her like a servant at dawn, though Pherenike detested such care and didn’t let it happen.

However, when she first heard his low, metallic breath scratching her ear, Pherenike couldn’t not open her eyes.

“…Did I wake you?”

It was one of those days. Pherenike slowly opened her eyes and met his, as he softly asked between low groans.

She hadn’t intended to meet his gaze directly, but once she did, it was like a trigger. His large hand, which had been leisurely stroking his length, suddenly quickened its pace.

The dim light from the bedside cast diagonal shadows across him, accentuating the muscles and tendons on his thick arm.

Actor’s eyes narrowed. Pherenike hastily averted her gaze from his center. He let out a half-snicker.

“Are you ashamed of merely this?”

“…Shame should be your concern, not mine.”

“But you’ve already caught me.”

“Not like you tried to hide it.”

Pherenike didn’t bother to hide her disdain as she sighed. In response, his throat resonated with a deep, unabashed laugh.

“I like the sound of your sigh.”

He leaned towards her from where he sat on the bed. Her eyes caught the curve of his back, resembling a small hill.

The hand that brushed against the hem of Pherenike’s chiton were rough.

Soon, Actor pressed his lips to her clear thigh.