* * *
As winter deepened, her belly grew visibly larger.
What had once been a source of endless wonder and quiet pride soon turned into a disaster.
As the baby grew, so did the strain on her body.
Groaning as pain threatened to tear her waist apart, Talia carefully shifted her position.
No matter how she lay down, there was no escaping the pain.
"Would you like to turn onto your side? I'll massage your back."
Watching her struggle with sympathy, Marisen made the suggestion gently.
Talia nodded immediately.
She hated being touched by other people, but this was hardly the time to be picky.
"Could you lift your leg just a little? If I place a cushion between them, it should make you more comfortable."
"Like... this?"
As she raised one knee slightly, the woman slid a pillow into place.
Talia let out a long breath.
It did little for the pain in her lower back, but at least the numb tingling running down her leg seemed to ease somewhat.
"If anything hurts, please tell me."
Leaning over the bed, Marisen began pressing firmly along her waist with practiced precision.
Talia groaned softly and stretched out her aching leg.
Running her hands down it, Marisen carefully examined the tightened muscles before asking,
"How is the pain in your leg?"
"What kind of question is that? Of course it hurts horribly."
"If it's truly unbearable, shall I burn a little sleeping herb for you?"
Talia studied the woman's face in silence, faint lines appearing around her eyes.
Marisen's calm expression was filled with nothing but concern for her.
"...Would that hurt the baby?"
"The pregnancy has already reached a stable stage. It shouldn't cause any serious problems."
Talia lowered her gaze to her stomach, torn.
More than anything, she wanted even a brief escape from the pain.
But she was terrified that it might somehow harm the child.
While she was still hesitating, Tiuran, who had been tending the firewood before the fireplace, suddenly joined the conversation.
"It's best not to use medicine unless absolutely necessary. We still don't know exactly what effects sleeping herb may have on the fetus."
Marisen shot her an irritated look.
"Do you take me for someone who would prescribe something harmful to Her Highness? I've given pain medicine to pregnant women before, and never once has there been a problem."
"But there are always exceptional cases..."
"Enough."
Talia cut off their argument in a single word.
She had no patience for the subtle rivalry between the two women.
"Even if I use it, I'll just wake up hurting again. I'd rather endure it."
"But Your Highness can't even sleep because of the pain. If you collapse from exhaustion..."
"I said enough! If you're just going to nag me, then leave."
Rather roughly, Talia pushed Marisen's hands away before pulling the blanket over her head.
She didn't even have the energy to argue anymore.
Her swollen uterus pressed against the nerves in her already twisted pelvis, making the pain shooting through her legs almost unbearable.
Her calves cramped more frequently than ever.
The stabbing ache in her lower back only worsened with each passing day.
The thought that she still had to endure this until summer filled her with despair.
Talia gently pressed both hands against her rounded stomach.
The moment she felt the faint movement beneath her taut skin, all the resentment she had begun to feel toward the baby instantly melted away.
Still...
Once this child was born, she fully intended to complain.