Kapitel 200: Out of shape and out of sight

Rose stood in front of the long mirror in her chambers, staring at her reflection with a frown. She smoothed her hands over the soft fabric of the loose gown she was wearing, but it did little to hide the swell of her belly that seemed to grow more prominent by the day.

When she had first discovered her pregnancy, Rose had immediately acquired an entire wardrobe of flowing, oversized dresses and gowns. She wanted to conceal her condition for as long as possible from the judgmental eyes of the court. But now, even those tented garments were growing too snug, clinging in ways that made her bump unmistakably visible.

Rose sighed deeply and turned to the side, trying in vain to camouflage her protruding abdomen. But there was no denying it - she was going to need even larger clothes soon if she hoped to keep her pregnancy under wraps. The thought filled her with a mixture of sadness and trepidation.