"Hey, why is everyone acting like that?" Rugged Woman crossed her arms, looking around at the lingering panic still written on everyone's faces in clear letters. "Boss was so kind to you all, and you lot basically chased him away. He's not some Crown tyrant you know. He's a normal person from the 2nd rock."
"And that..." the pregnant wife's husband said from his seat, speaking with the measured calm of a man who had thought about this carefully for quite some time, "is exactly what makes him higher level than any normal Crown."
"True!!!" Big Brother nodded from his wheelchair, his eyes telling others that he know about them, that he has been navigating hierarchies from the bottom of the ladder, watching from below. "Some of you might not feel it, but the ranks in this city are brutally strict. In my whole working life, I never once got to speak directly with my supervisor. Just seeing Master Zack in person.... that alone would be enough for me to get a better position at my job." He paused while scratching his chin while laughing a little, the sound hollow. "Not that I can get any promotion right now. But you get the point."
The office woman beside him nodded in slow, sincere acknowledgment that needed no words.
"I'm genuinely dead." One of the maids pressed both hands to her cheeks, her voice climbing with fresh panic that made her words rush together. "Master Zack left to go get his sword, didn't he!!!! He went to get his sword to stab me to death!!!!! I'm still single and I have not lived enough!!!! I can't die right now!!!!!!"
"Nobody is getting stabbed by a sword." Rugged Woman pinched the bridge of her nose, her patience wearing thin. "Boss is a good person.... He is not going to hurt any of you. Everyone calm down and take a breath."
"I genuinely don't understand why you're all so scared." Subordinate Woman tilted her head, her voice soft and a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. "Boss is the gentlest soul."
The wife looked sideways at her new young friend with an expression that had shifted considerably since their bench conversation earlier.
"I think," she said carefully, "that you two may have completely lost your sense of scale." She looked at both of them not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "Do you understand what it means to be Queen's representative? With one word, he could reshape the lives of every person in this city. That's not a gentle soul… that's an extraordinarily powerful man who happens to be gentle. That's a very different thing....."
Subordinate Woman considered this statement seriously. Her smile widened slowly, the words had confirmed something she already knew deep in her heart but she was happy to hear said out loud by someone else. "Boss sure is AMAZING RIGHT?? RIGHT!!!!!!" she spoke happily as others couldn't help but just shake their heads at her enthusiasm or her ignorance.
"And yes….. he will reshape things in the city." She looked at the wife directly, her eyes bright with excitement. "Aren't you happy? You'll get to go to school. You'll get to learn everything you always wanted." She grabbed the wife's arm with both hands while practically bouncing in her seat. "I never went to school either, why don't we go together?"
The wife's expression suddenly brightened like the sun breaking through clouds but then immediately complicated itself with shadows.
"I..." She sank slightly in her seat, her shoulders curving inward. "I'd have to ask my husband."
The warmth in the gazebo shifted a little bit, cooling by several degrees.
Rugged Woman's jaw tightened visibly. She said nothing, but her expression said quite a lot.
"Miss." The pregnant wife leaned forward, her voice careful but direct not wanting to sugarcoat the words. "Asking your partner is reasonable, consent always matters between couple. But there's a difference between asking someone who respects you and asking someone who doesn't see you as a person."...... "From what you told us and the things which you are hiding are not exactly giving us a vibe that your husband belongs to the first category."
"I know, but..." The wife's fingers started moving, fidgeting in her lap without her conscious awareness. "I've lived this way for so long. My children… what will they think? Seeing their mother sitting in a classroom with younger people..I..don't.."
"Miss." Little Sister sat up straighter, her face open and earnest with youthful sincerity. "Your children are around my age, right? What if I go and actually talk to them? I am sure they can open to me better. Then I could ask them in roundabout way and try to get a better sense of how they really feel. It's better than anyone asking them directly."
The wife looked at her, surprised by the unexpected offer. "You'd do that?"
"Of course!" Little Sister smiled warmly, the expression lighting up her whole face. "I'd love to, actually."
"Ah... Thank you..Thank You!!! They don't talk to me much, and I never know quite why."
"Hmm." One of the maids leaned her chin on her hand thoughtfully. "I don't talk to my parents much either. Usually because our ways of thinking don't match, or they do something that makes no sense to me and I get so annoyed. Rather than shouting at them I just shut down." She shrugged with casual honesty. "I'm just saying… it's usually the parents who need to look at themselves first."
"Excuse me???" The pregnant wife turned toward the maid with a smile that had teeth in it, her eyes glinting. "Are you saying parents are usually at fault?"
"Well not always but yes most of them, they are at fault! They feel they are always right but …..Ahm let's take example of this city. The old people built this city and run them, but look at the state of it. Hungry, selfish adults biting at everything in reach. So yes… I do wonder what they taught their children."
"Are you calling me old?"
"I didn't say that." The maid's smirk was serene. "But if that's where your mind went then….."
"Oh HOHOHOHHO" Pregnant wife's laugh made the tired husband shiver from across the gazebo. "I should just go back to work."
.
"Big Brother." Little Sister looked at him with soft, hopeful eyes that sparkled with dreams. "If Master Zack's words come true, then you could go back to school too. We could go together."
Big Brother shook his head slowly, the movement gentle but final. "I can't. If he helps me find real work, I need to take it. Mother can't keep carrying everything alone."
"But Brother….."
"Let him be." The office woman's voice interrupted her pleading, cutting through with quiet authority. She looked at Little Sister with understanding born from experience. "He's happier working for his family than studying. That's who he is. The best thing you can do is follow your own heart, let your brother do whatever he wants and you do whatever you want! If you want to pay him back then make sure you live your life happily by following your dreams."
Little Sister looked at her brother's face for a long moment, searching for something. Seeing him nodding to her with encouragement, she sighed and didn't pressure him anymore. She smiled happily while telling what she plans to learn in future, her voice gaining energy with each word.
.
The food arrived, warm, well-made, carried in by palace staff with efficient care that spoke of years of practice. The gazebo filled with the soft sounds of plates being passed around and the smell of a proper afternoon meal that made everyone's stomach respond.
Subordinate Woman and Rugged Woman moved to help serve, making their way around the circle with easy attentiveness that came naturally to them…..at least for Subordinate woman.
The pregnant wife received her plate and immediately set to work loading her husband's with considerably more than he had asked for. She piled food on with focused determination. He looked at the growing pile on his plate, a small mountain forming, then he looked at her with silent questioning. She smiled at him with the serene certainty while her eyes roared at him "I WILL KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T FINISH THIS FOOD!!". The tired man feeling more tired accepted his fate without another word. He didn't dare to sit beside her anymore, he stood up carefully and quietly moved his plate to sit with Big Brother and the office woman, seeking refuge.
Rugged Woman watched him go with mild sympathy written on her face.
"Umm….." Subordinate Woman and Rugged Woman hovered near the remaining cluster of women with an air of shy hesitation that was notably different from their usual ease.
"Come, sit down." The pregnant wife gestured to the empty spaces beside her without ceremony or formality. "Technically we shouldn't be so casual with you, but Master Zack and you two are so easy to be around..... But he's something else entirely, that man." She studied them with warm, frank eyes that took in every detail. "You chose well for yourselves. Is he good to you?"
"Is he good to them?" The wife settled in beside her with a dry smile. "Do you think these two would look at him the way they do if he wasn't?"
"Tell us how you met!" one of the more enthusiastic maids scooted forward immediately, eyes bright with curiosity. "All of it!!! LOVE STORIES LOVE STORIES LOVE STORIES, GO GO GOOOO!!!!."
"Waaah …NO NO!!, I want to ask about the baby first!" Subordinate Woman turned to the pregnant wife, her eyes going wide with curiosity, all other topics instantly forgotten in favor of this new fascination.
"Oh my" The pregnant wife laughed, pressing a hand to her chest with delight. "Alright, alright, baby first."
Every woman giggled seeing how desperate these two ladies were, their enthusiasm was very infectious.
.
Before anyone could say anything Rugged Woman asked, in a clear, direct voice that cut through the laughter, "What are the chances of womb damage if someone has slept with a lot of men… but always used protection or some form of medicine ...and was very careful about it?"
The gazebo went briefly quiet, the atmosphere shifting.
A couple of people looked at her. The look wasn't cruel but it was the instinctive, unthinking kind. They couldn't help but stare at Rugged Woman with some judgmental eyes that they didn't fully control.
"You're that kind of woman?" one of the maids said. The words were out before she could stop them, before her brain could catch up to her mouth.
Rugged Woman didn't flinch outwardly. But her heart suddenly ached with a sharp pain and suddenly a thought came in her mind that made her shiver in panic, ice spreading through her chest.
Her fingers curled slowly in her lap, nails pressing into her palms.
"Ah" The maid's face changed immediately, color rising in her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to!! That came out completely wrong, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!!"
Subordinate Woman moved without hesitation, shifting closer to Rugged Woman and placing a steady hand on her back with gentle pressure.
"Please don't judge her." Her voice was quiet and completely certain, carrying conviction that left no room for argument. "And please don't judge our Boss for accepting her. She's a good person and I love her. Boss also knows about her past and he chose to accept all of it." She looked around the small circle calmly, meeting each pair of eyes. "That's all I have to say."
A beat of silence spread among the group, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"Honestly?" The pregnant wife's voice came and broke that silence. "I'm a little jealous..... I don't think my husband would have accepted something like that without making me feel it for the rest of my life." She looked at Rugged Woman steadily, her gaze holding respect. "Master Zack is a genuinely great man. I hope you don't disappoint him."
"I won't." Rugged Woman's voice came out low but with full conviction that resonated in her bones. "Boss made it clear to me, going back to that life would be a sin. And the last thing I ever want is for him to hate me."
Even as she said it, she couldn't help but feel a little weird in her heart, an uncomfortable tightness.
Subordinate Woman's hand stayed on her back.
Her own mind drifted briefly, pulled by old currents. To her stepmother, to her father, to her birth mother. To the complicated, layered things that made up a person's past and couldn't be erased. But at the end of the day, they are all together.
"What if you go back to that life? What will Master Zack do?" the wife asked suddenly. Her fingers had started moving again in her lap, twisting against each other. "What if they keep falling into old patterns even when they know better?"
This question sat differently than the previous question, weighted with personal stakes.
Rugged Woman looked at her with understanding. "Boss told me plainly, he'd hate me for it. And that's enough for me to never let it happen."
The wife went quiet, her expression turning inward.
"Miss." The pregnant wife reached over and stilled the wife's fidgeting fingers with her warm hand, grounding her. "I know I'm newer to marriage than you. I know I don't have the years of experience to speak from. But I think you should genuinely think.... you should consider leaving him."
The gazebo went still. The women looked at each other thinking if it is right or wrong, weighing the consequences.
"I can't." The wife's voice was reflexive, automatic from years of repetition. "Our families are tied together. My children's stability. I can't just break a family apart. Even though he hasn't been nice to me, he is still those kids father, …I …I …"
"If he's not genuinely good to you," the maid said quietly, her voice gentler now, "Then are you sure he is good to your children??"
Huh? What….What are you saying?? He would never harm them!!
The wife's breathing changed, becoming shallow. A flood of memories moved behind her eyes, too many, too fast, threatening to drown her. She pressed her fingers to her forehead, her body tightening against the weight of them. Will he? for sure not, right? They are his kids! He can't be that inhumane! I know he is only like that towards me; since I never saw any wounds on them!! No no but why the kids don't talk to me?? Why they kept running away? Now that I think about it they sure act weird? What if he..? no no no!! Calm down don't think weird things, I never heard their cries or anything, its okay its okay!
"Stop." Subordinate Woman's voice made her snap out of her hellhole, pulling her back to the present moment. She looked around the group and spoke while smiling sweetly with gentle firmness. "Let's not push her further right now. She'll find her way, we should just trust her." Her eyes moved to the wife's face with quiet certainty that offered no judgment. "After what Boss said at this meeting… I think she'll be able to see a path forward that she couldn't see before."
A few confused glances passed around the circle, but no one pressed further.
.
"Regarding your question, Miss Rugged..." The pregnant wife spoke after thinking for a bit, organizing her thoughts. "I'm not a doctor. But if you were careful and never had any major infection or lasting complications, you're likely fine." She held up a finger for emphasis. "However.... Stop digging around in that worry. The deeper you go, the more pain you'll create that isn't even there yet." Her eyes filled with understanding. "Master Zack is a good man… even in a difficult scenario, I think he'd stand by you. So stop inventing problems that don't exist." She leaned forward with a wink that sparkled with mischief. "Think about good things. Like having his baby someday."
The effect was immediate and catastrophic.
Rugged Woman's mind went completely blank, wiped clean.
Beside her, Subordinate Woman made a small sound and also disappeared behind her own eyes entirely, lost to the vision.
Both of them sat motionless, staring at nothing in particular, expressions hovering somewhere between anticipation and a warmth they absolutely could not process in this moment.
The rest of the group looked at them with curiosity. Then at each other with knowing smiles. Then they just shrugged their shoulders and quietly picked up their food and started eating around the two frozen women, leaving them to their daydreams.
.
After a considerable while, Subordinate Woman came back to herself with a small shake of her head, blinking rapidly to clear her vision. She turned to the pregnant wife with a notebook's worth of questions already forming in her mind.
"How does it feel, day to day? Is it painful at the beginning? What do you have to be careful about? How do you keep the baby healthy? Does your emotional state affect their development? What about mental health of mother….. does that transfer somehow?"
"Calm down lady, Breathe," the pregnant wife said warmly while laughing at the rapid-fire questions. She patted Subordinate Woman's head with affection usually reserved for younger sisters. "You're terrifying yourself before anything has even happened between you and Master Zack. Calm down young lady."
"She really is a mess," Rugged Woman smirked while observing, having returned from her own mental journey.
"You both are," the pregnant wife said fondly, her tone carrying no criticism.
"Master Zack is going to have quite a tough time dealing with you two." One of the maids laughed at them with genuine amusement.
"At least they have a man, what about you?" Her friend smirked while asking, poking at a sore spot.
GAAH!!! DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT THAT!!! I HAVE LOTS OF MAN FOR MYSELF!! The maid roared in frustration, her face turning red.
"Yeah, in your dreams, HAHAHA!" Rugged Woman laughed hard, the sound echoing through the gazebo.
MOOO don't divert from the main topic!! Subordinate Woman pouted cutely, trying to regain control.
"Master Zack sure is amazing" one of the maids nodded at herself while looking at the mess of emotions playing out.
"Yes, he seems like a very patient man. And clearly accustomed to managing a lot of energy at once." Pregnant wife also nodded with appreciation.
"I guess then it's good for you girls" one the maids winked at them suggestively.
"AHM..that….we….That's one way to put it," Subordinate Woman spoke shyly, getting back to her seat and sitting quietly. Rugged Woman followed, also nodding while her face turned red.
The wife, who had been quietly listening from the edges of the conversation, spoke softly with a voice that carried the weight of experience. "People think pregnancy is straightforward. It isn't.... So many things go right or wrong with no explanation or whatsoever, no matter how carefully you do everything..." She paused, as everyone listened to her attentively, giving her their full focus. "The best thing you can do is trust yourself. Trust your body. Trust your husband." She smiled sadly, remembering her own pregnancy time….sigghhhh…... she shook it off from her memories and said at last "Creating a new life is a God gift and the most beautiful thing in a world... and when you become a mother everything changes for the better, so no matter what happens Love yourself, Love your partner and Love your child then everything will be okay"
Subordinate Woman and Rugged Woman held each other's hand and looked at each other with emotion shining in their eyes.
They nodded slowly, taking in every word with careful attention, tucking it somewhere careful and private inside themselves for a future that hadn't arrived yet.
.
The afternoon stretched on warmly around the gazebo, the light growing softer as time passed. More food was eaten with satisfied sounds. More stories were swapped between everyone; they laughed talked and ate together, sharing pieces of themselves. Slowly as time passed by, the strange group of people who had arrived from completely different corners of the city with their messed-up life suddenly felt that as long as they are together everything is going to be okay.
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END OF CHAPTER
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Author blabbering
Dear readers, especially the men and soon-to-be fathers, or even who thinks of having a family in future.....
Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful and life-changing journeys — but it is also tough, especially for the woman carrying the baby. Many men do not fully understand what their partner goes through. They may think it is "just a few months of rest" or "normal woman things." In reality, pregnancy changes a woman's body, mind, and emotions in big ways. Here are some important things every man should know and take seriously.
Physical Changes Are Real and Exhausting
She is growing a full human being. Her body works extra hard every single day. This causes tiredness, especially in the first and third trimesters. Even simple tasks like standing or walking can feel difficult.
Morning sickness can happen any time of day and may last for weeks or months — not just one morning. Be patient when she feels sick.
She will need to urinate frequently because the baby presses on her bladder. Swollen feet, back pain, heartburn, and breast tenderness are also common.
She will gain weight (usually 25-35 pounds). This is normal and necessary. Support her — do not comment on her body in a negative way.
Emotions and Mood Swings
Hormones rise sharply, so she may cry one minute and feel angry the next. This is not "drama" — it is chemistry. Be her calm support. Listen without always trying to "fix" things. Ask her how she feels and what she needs.
Things She May Not Say Directly
She needs help with household work. Take over heavy lifting, cleaning, cooking, and shopping without being asked every time.
She may want intimacy, but her desire can go up and down. Be understanding, gentle, and talk openly. (Sex is usually safe, but always check with the doctor.)
She worries about the baby, delivery, and becoming a mother. Reassure her that you are in this together.
Your Role Matters a Lot
Go with her to doctor visits. Hear the baby's heartbeat. Ask questions. This helps you understand and bond.
Talk to the baby. Touch her belly gently. It helps both of you feel connected.
Learn about labor and childbirth. Attend classes together. Your support during delivery can make a big difference.
After birth, the first few months are very hard. Help with night duties, even if she is breastfeeding. Taking care of mom helps the whole family.
Small but Powerful Tips
Keep healthy snacks ready for cravings and hunger.
Give foot massages or back rubs.
Do not smoke or drink around her — it affects the baby.
Be patient with her nesting (cleaning and organizing) instincts.
Take care of yourself too. It is okay to feel worried or tired — talk to other dads or a friend.
Pregnancy is temporary, but your support creates lifelong memories and a stronger family. What she needs most is your love, respect, presence, and practical help.
To all the men reading this: Step up fully. You are not just "helping" — you are becoming a father. The small things you do every day will mean the world to her and your child.
Wishing every pregnancy journey filled with care, understanding, and joy.
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