The message came with the morning sun — the Sovereign wished to see Aiyah. Her hands trembled as she carefully folded the small parchment, tucking it into her sleeve with trembling fingers. The other girls watched her with barely concealed envy and curiosity as the attendants arrived to prepare her for the meeting.

"Today, the blue silk," instructed the head attendant, a woman who had served in the palace since before Aiyah was born. "It matches your eyes, the ones that caught our Sovereign's attention." Her tone was calm but commanding.

Aiyah nodded silently, running her fingers over the delicate, shimmering fabric. "Will... will the Sovereign wish to see how the child grows?" she whispered softly, her hand instinctively settling on the small swell of her belly, which seemed to pulse with nervous anticipation.

The attendant’s expression softened for a moment, as if sympathizing with her unease. "The Sovereign's interests are not for us to presume," she replied carefully, her eyes flickering toward Aiyah’s midsection. "But yes, I imagine your condition will be of great interest."

As they dressed her, Aiyah could hear the hushed whispers drifting from the corridor outside — the first potential heir. The mountain girl with the sight. The favorite — for now. She tried to block out the murmurs, focusing instead on the tiny silver bells being threaded through her hair, their gentle tinkling providing a faint sense of comfort amid her swirling thoughts.

"I am honored by the Sovereign's summons," she practiced softly, trying to keep the childlike wonder from her voice. The head attendant had warned her that while the Sovereign found her naivety charming, others at court might see it as a weakness. "I hope the Sovereign will be pleased."

"Less 'hoping' and more certainty," corrected the attendant with a faint smile. "You carry the future of the realm." Her tone was firm but encouraging.

The weight of those words settled heavily on Aiyah’s shoulders as they finished dressing her. A final touch — a dab of jasmine oil behind her ears, a polishing of the lapis lazuli pendant the Sovereign had gifted her upon learning of her pregnancy. Every detail seemed imbued with significance.

The walk through the palace stretched longer than usual. Aiyah felt the weight of countless eyes on her from every alcove and shadowed corner. Courtiers paused their conversations to watch her pass, some bowing respectfully, others barely disguising their calculating glances, as if weighing her worth in silent judgment.

"The Sovereign has been in meetings with the war council all morning," one attendant whispered to another, a little too loudly. "Perhaps seeking assurance that the bloodline will continue should campaigns be necessary." Her words carried a hint of speculation, but also underlying concern.

Aiyah’s heart fluttered at the mention. Was that why she had been summoned? Was the Sovereign planning to leave on a campaign or to seek other alliances? The thought made her steps falter slightly, and the tiny silver bells in her hair chimed softly with her hesitation.

They finally arrived at the Sovereign’s private chambers, guarded by two stone-faced soldiers standing at attention. One of them nodded almost imperceptibly — he had shown her kindness before, during her first weeks when she had gotten lost in the vast, labyrinthine palace.

"The Sovereign awaits," announced the chamberlain, his voice formal and distant, as if he were reciting a ritual.

The massive, intricately carved doors swung open silently, revealing the opulent interior. Rich tapestries draped the walls, and gleaming gold accents shimmered in the dim light. Aiyah took a deep breath, straightening her shoulders as best she could, summoning her courage. She stepped forward into the chamber, the heavy doors closing softly behind her, sealing her into the presence of the Sovereign.