Chapter Three-Hundred-and-Forty-Four
3rd Person POV
“And we will do even better next month,” added Regina.
“Next month? Has Harlin set a date for his wedding already?” asked Harriet with excitement and to the confusion of Alison and Irvette who stood in proximity.
“A date for his wedding? I think I would be the first to know if he did,” Irvette said.
“I am not speaking of Harlin,” said Regina and they all turned to her expectant of whatever she was about to say.
“Do you really have to make us ask?” asked Alison, who could not bear the suspense anymore.
“I’m getting married,” Regina spilled.
The women all froze for a second unsure if they had heard her right. Then collectively they screamed in excitement.
“You took my advice, huh? I’m so happy for you,” said Emily, hugging her cousin.
“Thank you.”
They all took turns in hugging and congratulating her.
****
Regina was high on happiness. She was positive that nothing could taint or sour her joy until Reginald announced that he had something important to share. The expression on her son’s face filled her with anxiety. It was two days after Charlotte’s first wedding so his twin was not present to give him any emotional support. Besides, this was something he had to do on his own.
“You can tell us, son, it’s okay,” Dagen wanted his son to feel comfortable enough to bear his mind to them. He was worried too but he tried not to show it on his face.
“I got a girl pregnant,” he finally said in a small voice.
Dagen burst out laughing. He was aware of his son’s shenanigans. He had thought that he would stop for a while after Xanthippe’s death but this news showed that he had not.
“You had me really worried for a second there, Regi,” said Regina as she breathed a sigh of relief.
“That is not all,” continued Reginald. It was not getting a girl pregnant that was the problem. It was who he had gotten pregnant.
“There’s more?” Regina’s voice took on a tone of worry.
“It’s Arabella, Beta of the Blood Moon pack,” said Reginald. No one said anything afterwards for like several minutes. The silence was making Reginald increasingly nervous but he said nothing. He hoped his parents would say something soon.
“This is not good,” was all Regina could say.
“She’s a high-ranking noblewoman,” added Dagen.
“She already has those who do not want her to be Beta and now a child out of wedlock?”
“What have you done, son? Of all women!”
“It was…” but Reginald could not complete his sentence by admitting that it was a mistake.
“What’s done is done, we have to look for a way forward.”
The only way forward for Reginald was marriage. The two families had come together to discuss the issue. It was a week after Charlotte’s second wedding ceremony and although she was meant to be on her honeymoon she had come to give her twin her support.
“I do not want to get married because a child has come between us, that is no reason to marry,” said Arabella. She wanted to be loved in her marriage and she knew more than anyone else that Reginald’s mind was still occupied by Xanthippe.
“Your options are very limited dear. If you do not want to get married, then you may lose your position as Beta within the pack. We did so much work to get the ministers to approve the relationship, do you really want to throw it all away?” asked Irvette.
“She doesn’t have to do that. She can take a leave from the office when her baby starts to show and resume her duties after delivery,” suggested Reginald.
“She should not have to hide her pregnancy. She has done nothing shameful, if the ministers are not comfortable with a pregnant Beta they can resign from office,” said Charlotte who found the conversation disheartening.
“It is not as easy as you think, Charlie,” said Irvette.
“It really is, they are the ones with the problem, not Arabella,” replied Charlotte.
“Charlotte is right, her pregnancy should not be treated as something shameful,” added Regina.
“Fine. I will announce the news when the court meets again and I will do my best to protect your office but you must understand that nothing is assured.”
When Arabella’s pregnancy was announced in court, it was received with mixed feelings.
“So the child has no father?” asked one of the noblemen with apparent disdain.
“I am the child’s father,” Reginald’s tone was firm and proud. Without saying it exactly he was telling them that if they had a problem with the child or its mother, they had a problem with him.
The ministers shuffled their feet. Not many of them were brave enough to stand up to the heir of the Shadowclaw pack.
One of the ministers said, “Prince Reginald, you must understand our concern. Whose heir shall Lady Arabella’s child be? Yours or hers?”
“I do not remember that being a problem when I married Harlin’s father,” interjected Queen Irvette. She knew that that was not their problem. They were only looking for an excuse to take away the title of Beta from Arabella.
“I doubt that is something we need to worry about,” added Arabella.
“Are there any other reservations?” inquired Queen Irvette.
No one said anything but there was a low murmur among the ministers.
“In the absence of any questions or comments, I want to say this. If at any point a motion of dismissal for the position of Arabella’s position as Beta is filed. I will count it as an offence to the crown and I will hold such a person in contempt. The consequences will be dire,” said Irvette, her eyes roaming the pool of ministers to be certain they understood her message.
“The next thing on today’s agenda is Prince Harlin’s marriage to Princess Gabriella.”
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