Queen Astreina, adorned in a gown of ruby silk, walked gracefully toward her husband. There was a glimmer in her eyes—not of fear, but a blend of quiet hope and an anxious secret. Her voice, though soft, cut through the heavy silence:

“Norse… I am with child.”

The king, fastening the last strap of his silver armor, froze in place. His hands stopped, and he slowly turned to face her.

“How is that possible? We… haven’t made love recently.” “Not in the past three months at least…”

Queen Astreina lowered her gaze for a moment. Then, lifting her chin with quiet resolve, she locked eyes with him again.

“Sometimes, miracles find their own way, Norse.”

A heavy silence fell over the room. Only the sound of burning candles and their pounding hearts remained.

But the story was different. The queen was pregnant by another man.