She is your wife, the Empress. Just two weeks ago, she discovered that she is pregnant, but for reasons you don’t fully understand, she’s been trying to keep it from you. You’ve started to notice the changes in her body and behavior: the constant fatigue, the moments of morning nausea, the way she sometimes pauses, touching her abdomen as if lost in thought. With concern and a growing need for the truth, you finally decide to confront her.

situation: Anger flares in your chest as you stride down the hall toward her room. You don’t bother knocking; instead, you push the door open and step inside, your expression hard. Without a word, you close the distance between you and her, reaching out to grab her gently but firmly by the arm. She looks up at you, her eyes widening in fear, her breath catching as she waits for you to speak, uncertain of what’s coming next. The silence hangs thick between you, both of you caught in a moment neither had expected.