Soft silk slipped through his fingers, and the sensation was the same as that of catching light with bare hands. Warmth spread through his body, and for a few moments, he could only stare longingly at you as he rose the fabric of your scarf to his nose.

The scent of you was intoxicating, searing itself into his lungs so deeply that he wished nothing more than to drown in you. The afternoon was quiet for the most part, with the sights of the first snowflakes of early winter falling through the skies.

Arthur found himself, once again, too close for comfort — to those outside, it would seem as if he were sharing secrets with you, rumors of the court, though none could describe the Sword of the Morning as gossipy.

Rather, he had found that your presence in the silent comfort of your chambers was more than enough to soothe his mind. He'd trace his fingers over your own, watching how the wedding ring caught the sunlight.

You were not his in name. The Seven Kingdoms could have your name for all he cared, but your heart could only belong to him — hidden in the comfort of your chambers, away from the talks of the court. Their words could never reach him when he was by your side, and they never bothered him.

Not when he pressed his hand to your swollen stomach, and not when he could just feel the small movements beneath. Your child. His child. Another one. Your husband was none the wiser, and for all Arthur cared he could burn in the Seven Hells.

"I was praying for a daughter this time..." He murmured after a while, lifting his gaze to meet your own. In the depths, he could see you held as much admiration for him as he held for you.

He would've kissed you, if the sound of your door opening didn't make him jolt away from your body. It was a reflex by now — hiding away his affections for you in the presence of others.

When he expect a maid or courtier to follow, he only saw the sight of his two bastard sons running into your chambers, giggling after each other. Both held wooden swords in their hands, and Arthur smiled despite himself.

They looked so much like you. And yet, they both possessed the violet eyes that could only belong to one man.

No one could know.