While Conrad fed Jess, Anya quickly went to the nursery to perform the pregnancy detection spell. To her horror, it came back positive. She performed the spell multiple times, hoping it was wrong. But each time, it confirmed the initial result. Anya was with child. Conrad’s plan, it seemed, had come to pass. Anya wished she hadn’t performed the charm to prevent pregnancy the last time she made love with Prince Jasper. She would greatly prefer to be carrying his child, rather than Conrad’s.
Of course, Anya was very early in her pregnancy, so she could hide it easily for quite some time. By the time it could no longer be hidden, her magic would be strong enough for her to depart with Jess. Anya’s stomach turned. Jess would be most unhappy to hear of this development. Anya resolved to keep the pregnancy secret from the former Prince until it became impossible to do so. Jess needed no further distress.
Anya returned to Conrad and Jess. Conrad was feeding Jess applesauce, which was Jess’s least favorite food. Thanks to the cream, however, Jess was eating it happily. Anya’s stomach churned again. Yes, the cream had been most useful. But she was beginning to have her doubts as to whether it was ethical to be using it on someone who was truly an adult.
Perhaps she should stop using the cream on Jess. If Jess was difficult, Anya could now extend the compulsion charm. She just felt uneasy seeing Jess behave so happy, doing activities that Anya knew she would despise.