Claimed By The Tyrant King

Verity’s carriage rolled to a smooth stop before the royal palace. Just like everyone else, she had been advised not to travel while the rebellion was raging across Eryndor, but now that peace had finally returned, she had not wasted a single opportunity to make the journey.

There was someone she had missed far too much, and after everything that had happened, she wanted nothing more than to see Rosalind again. The bond between the two women had only grown stronger, and they had become more than close friends, as they had become sisters by choice.

Verity had written ahead to say that she would come, but she had deliberately left out the exact day as she had wanted the visit to be a surprise.

"I wonder what Rosalind’s face will look like when she sees me," she murmured to herself with an amused smile as the carriage door opened.

She stepped down gracefully before glancing back at the servants who had travelled with her. Behind them were neatly packed chests and carefully wrapped bundles filled with gifts she had personally chosen for both Rosalind and the baby.

"Bring everything inside, and be careful with them," she instructed. "Some of those items are quite delicate."

"Yes, Your Highness," the servants answered at once, bowing before they carefully unloaded the gifts from the carriage.

The moment Verity stepped into the palace, one of the attendants hurried forward to welcome her. "Lady Verity," the attendant greeted respectfully with a bow.

"Where is Her Majesty?" Verity asked without wasting any time.

Recognising her immediately, the attendant smiled politely before answering, "Her Majesty is in the garden at the moment. Would you like me to inform her that you’ve arrived?"

Verity shook her head. "No, I’d rather surprise her."

The attendant nodded in understanding.

Verity then turned toward the servants carrying the gifts. "These are all for Her Majesty and the baby. Please make sure they’re taken safely to her chambers."

"Right away, Lady Verity," the attendant replied before directing the servants toward the appropriate chambers where the gifts would be kept.

With that settled, Verity made her way toward the royal garden alone. She remembered the route well enough that she needed no guide, and as she walked through the corridors, it felt as though it had been much longer than it truly had.

Before long, she reached the entrance to the garden.

The warm afternoon breeze stirred the flowers gently, carrying their fragrance through the air as birds chirped from the nearby trees. Sitting beneath the shade was Rosalind, surrounded by Catarina and Hannah. The three women were engaged in light conversation, and Rosalind’s laughter drifted softly through the garden.

The sight alone made Verity smile and for a brief moment, Verity watched her friend. Rosalind’s stomach had grown considerably, and seeing her so close to becoming a mother filled Verity’s heart with happiness.

Quietly, she slipped closer, taking careful steps across the stone path.

Catarina noticed her first.

Their eyes met, and Verity immediately lifted a finger to her lips before gently shaking her head.

Understanding the silent request, Catarina smiled but said nothing.

Verity continued forward until she stood directly behind Rosalind. Then she reached out and gently covered Rosalind’s eyes with both hands.

Rosalind paused in surprise. "Who’s that?"

Instead of answering herself, Verity heard Catarina suppress a laugh before saying, "Take a guess."

Rosalind thought. "Rebecca?"

"No?"

Rosalind sighed dramatically before shaking her head. "Oh, just tell me who it is, Mother."

Unable to hold back laughter any longer, Verity removed her hands and leaned slightly to one side so her face came into view.

"Your Grace?" she teased.

For a heartbeat, Rosalind simply stared at her... Then recognition flooded her expression. "Verity!"

She rose from her seat so quickly that Catarina instinctively reached out as though to remind her not to move too fast, but Rosalind had already stepped forward.

The two women embraced gently, both mindful of the pregnancy, yet neither willing to hide how much they had missed each other.

"Verity..." Rosalind breathed, her face lighting up with genuine joy. "You didn’t tell me you were coming today."

Verity pulled back just enough to admire Rosalind’s stunned expression before laughing softly. "I wanted to surprise you, and I’d say it was worth it. The look on your face was absolutely priceless."

Rosalind laughed, unable to deny it. "It really was a surprise."

After exchanging proper greetings with Catarina and Hannah, Verity settled into the empty seat beside them.

However, she folded her arms with exaggerated seriousness and narrowed her eyes at Rosalind. "I must admit," she said, "I’m a little offended."

Rosalind blinked. "Offended?"

"How could you not guess it was me?" Verity asked, pretending to be hurt. "We’ve known each other for this long, and I wasn’t even your first guesses."

Rosalind let out an embarrassed laugh before rubbing the side of her head. "I... my mind simply wasn’t thinking that way."

Verity continued staring at her, waiting.

Rosalind then sighed dramatically before raising both hands in surrender, "Alright, I’m sorry," she admitted with a sheepish smile. "I truly wasn’t expecting you today."

Then her smile softened into something far more heartfelt. "But I’m really, really happy you’re here."

The sincerity in her voice made Verity’s playful expression melt away, and she reached over to gently squeeze Rosalind’s hand. "I know," she said warmly. "I’ve missed you too."

****

Verity took a gentle sip of the tea that had just been served to her before setting the cup back on the saucer. Rosalind watched her for a moment before looking around instinctively, as though expecting someone else to appear.

"Thalia?" she asked. "I thought she said she would come with you."

Verity shook her head, "She wanted to, but she’s busy with her wedding preparations. She told you she’s getting married, didn’t she?"

Rosalind nodded as she reached for one of the cookies on the table and took a small bite. "She did," she replied.

"I should send her a letter... and perhaps some gifts as well. I wish I could attend, but..." Her hand instinctively rested against her stomach before she laughed quietly. "I don’t think travelling would be a very wise idea right now."

"No, it wouldn’t," Catarina agreed gently.

Verity nodded in understanding. "She’ll understand that as well. Besides, she sent something for you."

Rosalind’s eyes brightened immediately. "She did?"

Verity nodded and said, "She asked me to bring it personally. It’s among the gifts my servants carried inside."

Rosalind couldn’t help but smile warmly at the thought. Even though Thalia couldn’t come herself, she had still remembered her and taken the time to prepare something. It made her heart feel lighter.

Had she not been so heavily pregnant, she would have loved nothing more than to travel and witness her friend’s wedding herself, but with only a short while left before the baby arrived, she knew she had to be careful.

At this stage, her water could break at any moment, and she wasn’t willing to take even the smallest risk with the little life growing inside her.

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