Claimed By The Tyrant King

When the physician returned with the herbal medicine that had been prepared for Rosalind, she had already drifted into a quiet sleep in Rowan’s arms. The woman stepped inside without making a sound and gently placed the warm bowl on the table before lifting her gaze from the Queen to the king.

Seeing the way Rowan held his wife so carefully, as though even the slightest movement might disturb her rest, she hesitated before speaking.

"Your Majesty, she will have to take the medicine while it is still warm," she informed him softly.

Rowan let out a quiet sigh before giving a small nod. "I’ll make sure she drinks it."

The physician lingered for a brief moment as though she wanted to say something else, but in the end she merely inclined her head and quietly took her leave, closing the door behind her.

Silence settled over the room once more, leaving only the gentle crackle from the fireplace and Rosalind’s soft, even breaths.

Rowan remained still for another moment, allowing her to rest just a little longer before his hand slowly moved through her hair and then gently down her back. "Rosalind?" he called softly.

She didn’t respond.

A faint smile touched his lips as he patiently called her name again, his voice no louder than before. This time, her eyelashes fluttered and slowly lifted. She had never been in a deep sleep to begin with, and it took only a moment for her drowsy eyes to find his face.

"Your medicine is here," he murmured, his voice a low rumble against her ear.

"Hmm..." Rosalind hummed quietly, still sounding half asleep.

"You need to sit up."

She answered with another reluctant hum, making no effort to move. She looked far too comfortable where she was, curled against him as though she had no intention of leaving his embrace.

Eventually, she forced herself upright and leaned back just enough to look at him with sleepy, tired eyes.

"You can go back to sleep after this" he assured her gently before reaching for the bowl. It was still pleasantly warm beneath his fingers, and as soon as he lifted the lid, the strong herbal fragrance escaped into the room.

Rosalind’s nose immediately scrunched.

Rowan paused before handing it to her. "Wait... have you eaten?"

She gave a small nod.

Ever since her pregnancy began, her appetite had changed completely. She found herself eating far more than she ever had before, and at the oddest hours too. Sometimes she would suddenly crave combinations that made no sense at all, yet the moment she mentioned them, her maids hurried to the kitchens to make sure every request was prepared exactly as she wanted. There were even days when she would eat only half of one meal before insisting she wanted something entirely different, only to ask for the first dish again a short while later. Her cravings changed almost by the hour, and although she occasionally found them strange herself, everyone knew the reason. She was no longer eating for herself alone because there was now a tiny life growing safely within her.

The strong herbal aroma continued to fill the room. The scent reached Rosalind almost immediately, and she instinctively held her breath, afraid that if she inhaled too deeply, she would end up vomiting all over the place.

"I don’t think I want to drink that," she murmured, her nose wrinkling in protest.

Rowan glanced at her, a faint hint of amusement settling in his eyes. "Unfortunately..." he drawled, "...there’s no other choice."

His voice remained calm as he scooped a spoonful of the medicine, blew across it to cool it down, and slowly held it out to her.

Rosalind frowned at him, her lips jutting into a pout. "You’re supposed to be on my side."

The way she looked at him in that moment almost made him laugh. With her cheeks puffed ever so slightly and her lips pushed forward, she looked no more threatening than a fluffy little bun trying to look fierce.

"I am on your side," Rowan replied patiently. "That’s exactly why I’m making sure you drink it."

Rosalind released a long, defeated sigh, her face grim as she stared at the spoon with open reluctance. She knew she couldn’t avoid it forever, yet she still wished there was another way. Every medicine she had ever taken seemed determined to be as bitter as possible, and she genuinely couldn’t understand why.

Why couldn’t medicine be sweet for once? If it tasted like honey or candy, she would happily finish every last drop without anyone having to persuade her.

Seeing no escape, she leaned forward and took the smallest sip she could manage.

The moment it touched her tongue, her entire face twisted together.

She immediately shook her head. "I can’t..." she groaned, squeezing her eyes shut. "I really can’t."

"It’s horrible."

Somehow, this one tasted worse than the ones she usually had.

Rowan’s lips slowly curved upward.

Although he had never been the one responsible for feeding her medicine before, he could already imagine how much trouble she must have given everyone else. Judging by her reaction alone, anyone would think she had been handed poison instead of a simple herbal remedy. Looking down at the bowl, he couldn’t help wondering if she was exaggerating just a little. Surely it couldn’t be that dreadful.

"That means it’s working," he muttered under his breath.

Rosalind’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Who said that?"

He almost chuckled. "It’s something people always say," he answered quietly. "Good medicine always tastes bitter."

Rosalind looked from him to the bowl before slowly pushing it back into his hands. "You drink it then."

Rowan blinked.

He wasn’t the one who needed the medicine.

Still, when he noticed that she continued staring at him with complete seriousness, he raised a brow. "Are you certain this won’t have any side effects on me, wife?"

She didn’t answer.

In truth, she had only meant it sarcastically. There was no way he was actually going to...

Before she could finish the thought, Rowan calmly lifted the bowl and took a sip.

Her eyes widened.

He actually drank it.

Not a single muscle in his face moved as he swallowed, and his expression remained as composed as ever. It truly was an impressive skill to keep one’s thoughts hidden so completely. "It isn’t that bad," Rowan said simply.

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