Conrad saw the expression on Anya’s face at his words. He leaned in closer.
“I suspect you will not turn me in for being a Royalist. I am sure you are one as well, given that your husband, may he rest in peace, was with the Prince’s Guard and you yourself was set to work as a Royal Wet Nurse.”
“Yes, you are correct, I am a Royalist,” Anya whispered back.
“You may trust me, Anya. I hate what the rebels have done to our glorious kingdom and do not recognize the imposter that now sits upon the throne,” Conrad said softly. Anya managed a small smile. Conrad opened his mouth to say more, but before he could speak, crying sounded from the nursery. “Ah, your charges demand your attention.”
“They do,” Anya said. She got up. “Thank you, Conrad.” She curtsied. Conrad smiled.
“No need for such formalities with me.”
“I was raised to be a proper woman, so I shall be,” Anya replied. She turned away to head to the nursery. On her way, she glanced back over her shoulder. Conrad was watching her with an expression she recognized. It was one that, as the most beautiful of the Prince’s harem, she was used to receiving. Lust. Perhaps she could use her feminine wiles and skills in bed to benefit herself and Jess?
Anya tucked that thought away for later. She had to tend to the children. When she got to the nursery, she saw that Jasper was the one who was crying, though his crying had awoken the other children. Anya changed his diaper, fed him, and placed him back in his crib. She then brought Sabrina and Katelyn to their mother, as Mary preferred to feed them herself. The others taken care of, Anya turned her attention to Jess.
Jess had a soiled diaper; Anya had noticed that while Jess’s goal of walking had come to pass, her goal of no longer soiling herself had not. In fact, Jess had given up altogether when she learned that the four-year-old Katelyn still occasionally soiled herself in her sleep. Anya did not mind this. In fact, she was relieved, as it meant Jess was becoming more comfortable with her current limitations. She did not intend for the former Prince to be in diapers this long, but it was good that Jess no longer seemed to care about it.
Anya changed Jess’s diaper then, still holding the former Prince in her arms, sat in the rocking chair she used while she nursed. She took a deep breath and informed Jess of what she had learned at dinner. Like she expected, Jess did not take it well. The former Prince was distraught. That distress was transformed by the magical compulsion into a full-blown meltdown. Jess’s cries were piercing. Anya knew those downstairs would be able to hear. Nothing she did soothed the girl child. Even when Anya bared her breast, Jess turned away, still crying. Anya had to guide Jess to her nipple for the girl to latch on. Once she started suckling, Jess began to calm down.
So worn out by her upset, Jess fell asleep while nursing. Just as Anya had covered herself, the door to the nursery opened. It was Conrad.
“I heard the crying. Was it Jasper?” he asked.
“No, it was Jess,” Anya said. Conrad’s eyes widened.
“But Jess is the sweetest, quietest child I have ever seen!”
“Yes, it is concerning. She has been rather difficult lately,” Anya lied. She got up from the rocking chair and placed Jess in her crib. “In fact, I plan on seeking help from the local witch. A small charm may soothe whatever is distressing my poor daughter.”
“That is wise,” Conrad agreed. “Tomorrow, I will instruct Mary to tend to the children. You may take Jess to the witch for help.”
“Thank you,” Anya said with a curtsey.
“It is no problem. I care for Jess. She is such a charming girl.” Conrad met Anya’s eyes. “And I care for you as well.” After a moment passed, he cleared his throat. “Sleep well, Anya.”
“If the children allow me,” Anya said. Conrad chuckled. He left the nursery. Anya watched Jess sleeping. Jess would be most unhappy if Anya made romantic or sexual advances upon Conrad. But given his attraction to her, it might be the best option.
Of course, that was a concern for later. The next morning, Anya would go to the witch for help with her magic.