Elise's expression lit up in joy as she held on her stomach. "Really?"

"My brother wouldn't lie," Dimitri chuckled. "Congratulations, Elise! I bet that your child will be a handsome boy or a beautiful daughter."

"I can't wait to figure out whether the baby will take after me or him. My husband will be incredibly happy," Elise's eyes pricked with tears. With a child, Loriel will finally be able to accept her as his true wife, won't he?

"Oh my, being emotional and quite moved at once is another symptom," Dimitri chuckled and then offered her a handkerchief. "Dry your tears, Elise."

"Thank you, it's just.." Elise wiped her tears and couldn't help but laugh a little. "This is everything I could ever wish for. To have a happy and complete family, something that would make the sacrifices of my parents worth it."

Even though Catalina Leoralei would never actually see them, Elise knew that her mother would be proud.

Only Elise and Dimitri were able to find this moment as happy. Dante tried to keep his cool and convince himself that it wasn't that terrible for the woman he adored to be pregnant.

He wasn't selfish enough to want everything at once. The man could wait, but what Dante didn't really like was the fact that Dimitri knew he liked Elise.

Dimitri was even the one who said that his usually recluse brother fell in love for the first time.. so why was Dimitri acting like it was a joyous occasion?

"I need to leave at once," Elise pulled up to her feet and then smiled at the two men. "I have to apologize for excusing myself right now, but thank you so much for letting me know about my pregnancy. I can't wait to tell the good news to my husband!"

"Take it a bit easy, Elise," Dimitri chuckled but nodded genially. "You have to be careful and take care of yourself better now. One's pregnancy is quite a fragile state for most humans."

Elise slowed down a little, but nodded brightly. "I will do my best, thank you so much to the two of you again!"

Then she was gone.

***

When Elise returned to Castilse and the palace, she didn't tell everyone about the news because she wanted to surprise Loriel. The man was not yet finished with dealing with the rebellion of his brother-in-law, so she had time.

"I wonder what's the best way to break the news to him?" Elise asked herself.

There was a great mixture in Elise's chest. She wanted her husband to know about the term of her pregnancy while also doing something in celebration for the gift of such life. When Elise finally made a decision, she asked for Alina.

"Please bring me the best and softest silks, cottons, and other fabrics. I want to start sewing a couple of items."

Alina did what she was asked and yet did not have a single clue as to what the queen wanted until the sewings were done. The maid servant's eyes sparkled with delight, but Elise told her to keep it a secret.

"There's also one last thing that I want you to do for me," Elise smiled at her servant. "I need to go to His Majesty's chambers to get a couple of things. I will entrust you with the task of helping me out."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

***

It was about a couple more days after Elise's preparations, but Loriel soon returned tired and longing for his wife when he came back to Castilse.

"Hah.. I should clean myself up first before I visit her," Loriel mumbled to himself and entered his own chambers. After taking a bath, Loriel tried to find his favorite shirt in his drawers but could not find it.

There were several other articles of clothing that were missing as well.

"I doubt that this is the work of a thief or else he would have stolen the entire wardrobe," Loriel muttered to himself. "Of course, my royal soldiers and servants are not incompetent either."

Loriel could ask a servant, but he had a feeling that he already knew who was the culprit for this kind of thievery. Only one person was allowed in his wardrobes without any problems with authority.

Only the queen herself could do it. Ha.

"Is it because I always stay there at her chambers?" Loriel asked himself. He didn't want his clothes there in the first place because he did not want to give the woman any kind of false hope or whatsoever.

However, right now, Loriel was actually just amused.

He rubbed his forehead and shook his head. "Well, if she did it herself then there's no stopping it. But I would have liked it if she at least said something before taking action.. I guess I can have a short word with her."

Loriel chuckled and already imagined the cute excuses that his wife would say.

Similar to how Elise managed to navigate through making up pet names for Brick, Loriel was curious on what she would say to him if she noticed that he was 'upset' about what she'd done.

He had never tried pulling up any jokes with Elise before because he kept his distance and remained respectful but detached.

Now things were a little different between them.

Even though Loriel was far from ever thinking of loving Elise just yet, it was also great to have a good relationship with one's spouse, right?

Once Loriel arrived at the queen's residence, the man quickly opened the door and stepped inside. He scanned the entire room and there was not even one piece of clothing lying around.

"Where are my clothes?" he deepened his voice.

Elise sat up from her chair and looked up to him. "Your Majesty, I think that if you check.."

"I went into my room to look for my favorite shirt but it was nowhere to be found," Loriel said bluntly.

.

.

************historical

From Missrealitybites:

I'm enjoying this story so much, I can write more for this. I hope you like this bonus chapter. ^^

Also... get ready to bite your nail and curse Loriel again because after this he will make Elise cry.... if you still remember the early chapters . XD