"Good morning, Your Highness! I hope you’re feeling alright!"

Cindy’s bright, almost too-loud voice filled the room as Florian turned toward her.

Just like he expected, she wasn’t alone.

Standing beside her was another maid. She looked young, but still older than Cindy. Her hands rested protectively over her stomach, which was already quite large.

And they looked... similar.

Like sisters.

Cindy had reddish-black hair. The other woman’s was darker, with a faint violet tint under the light. Her face had a visible cleft lip.

Florian’s gaze lingered for a second.

"Who—"

"Oh!" Cindy cut in quickly, glancing at the woman before smiling at him again. "This is Garnet! She’s been assigned to help me with lighter tasks!"

She nudged Garnet gently.

Garnet stiffened a bit, then bowed.

"Hello, Your Highness," she said softly, one hand still on her stomach. "I’m Garnet. I hope you don’t mind me attending to you. I’ll do my best, even if... well..."

Her voice trailed off.

Florian pushed himself up from the bed, studying her more carefully.

"Is it really safe for you to be moving around?" he asked. "You look like you’re due soon."

Garnet gave a small, shy smile.

"I should be alright for another two months," she explained. "It just looks bigger because... they’re twins."

Florian blinked.

"Twins?" he repeated, eyes widening slightly. "That sounds... intense."

Garnet let out a quiet laugh.

"It is, Your Highness. Even early on, the nausea was already really bad. Worse than usual, from what I’ve heard."

Florian froze.

Just for a second.

His smile stayed in place, but his thoughts stalled.

’Don’t even think about it.’

"Ah... really?" he said.

Garnet nodded.

"Yes. They say twin pregnancies are harder since there are two babies, so the symptoms feel stronger."

"Haha... that’s good to know," Florian replied lightly.

’No, it’s not,’ he thought quickly. ’I don’t need that information right now.’

He shifted the conversation before it could go any further.

"Are you two sisters?" he asked, glancing between them. "You look quite alike."

Cindy and Garnet both tensed.

It was subtle, but he saw it.

They looked at each other for a split second before facing him again.

"N-No, Your Highness," Garnet said quickly. "We just... get that a lot. Even with... this."

She gestured awkwardly to her cleft lip.

"I see," Florian said with a polite smile.

Cindy laughed a little too fast.

"Right? Very interesting, Your Highness."

’So they’re hiding it,’ Florian thought. ’But why?’

He didn’t push.

Not yet.

"Anyway," Garnet said, clearing her throat, "we should help you get ready if you’re feeling better. His Grace prepared quite a large breakfast for everyone."

Cindy nodded eagerly.

"It’s buffet style! He said he saw it in another kingdom and wanted to try it here."

’Buffet?’ Florian thought. ’They have that here too?’

He almost got distracted.

Almost.

"That sounds nice," he said, standing fully now. "I’d love to attend then."

Then he looked at Garnet again.

"So... Garnet."

"Yes, Your Highness?"

Florian smiled gently.

"I’m sure you and the father are happy about the pregnancy."

Garnet froze.

Completely.

"O-Oh... um..."

She looked flustered, her hand tightening slightly over her stomach.

Before she could answer, Cindy stepped in with an awkward laugh.

"The father is... not in the picture," she said quickly.

Florian tilted his head slightly.

"Really?" he said, sounding thoughtful. "That’s strange. I’ve heard the same about some of the other pregnant women here, too."

Both of them tensed this time.

Not just Garnet.

Cindy too.

Florian kept his expression mild.

’Got you,’ he thought quietly. ’That was a complete guess.’

"Uh... His Grace is very kind," Garnet said, her voice quieter now. She looked off to the side, avoiding Florian’s gaze. "He takes in women like us. Pregnant women who... don’t have husbands to support them."

Florian watched her carefully.

"So all of you are new?" he asked. "Because from what I know, Lord Eldrick hasn’t hired any new maids in years."

He tilted his head slightly, as if just thinking out loud.

"And yet most of you are pregnant. Recently, too." He let out a small, self-aware laugh. "Well... I suppose that makes sense. Pregnancies don’t last very long."

Cindy stayed silent.

Garnet slowly looked at him.

"Your Highness, we—"

She hesitated.

Florian felt it.

That moment.

The slight shift.

’She wants to say something,’ he thought.

He remembered what he overheard last night. Garnet had sounded different from the others. Tired. Questioning.

More willing to crack.

’Come on,’ Florian urged silently. ’Just say it.’

Phase one was simple.

Get Garnet to talk.

Anything.

Even a hint.

And make her realize he wasn’t the enemy.

But he had to be careful.

If Cindy caught on, she might report it. If Juno found out, it would reach Eldrick.

And if Eldrick was hiding something serious...

Everything could collapse.

Cindy suddenly stepped forward, cutting Garnet off.

"Actually, Your Highness," Cindy said with a bright smile, "His Grace allows us to go out at least twice a week." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

She clasped her hands together, speaking a little too quickly.

"And women, you know... even if men don’t always take it seriously, we have something called ovulating and—"

"Wait. Stop," Florian said quickly, eyes widening. "I know what ovulation is."

His face warmed immediately.

’She’s doing this on purpose,’ he thought. ’Deflecting.’

Smart girl.

Cindy gave a satisfied little nod and glanced at Garnet, who had gone quiet again.

Florian let it go.

For now.

’They’re too obvious,’ he thought. ’They’re covering something, but they’re not doing a very good job at it.’

"I’ll get ready," he said, brushing it off. "Please prepare some clothes for me."

"Of course, Your Highness!" Cindy chirped.

Florian took a step forward, then paused.

"Garnet," he said, softer this time.

She looked up.

"I’m sorry to ask, but... could you help me?"

He placed a hand lightly on his stomach.

"Actually..."

He hesitated for just a second.

Then said it anyway.

"I’m pregnant too."

Silence.

Garnet’s eyes widened.

Cindy froze.

"Oh," Garnet breathed, clearly caught off guard.

Florian met her gaze.

"I need someone experienced," he added quietly. "Could you come with me? Just for a moment. I need advice."

He didn’t look at Cindy.

But he could feel her reaction.

’Let’s see what you do now,’ he thought.