"I have the most excellent news," Mikhail gushed. Janessa perked up. "She is also with child! She carries Prince Jasper's son!" Janessa's jaw dropped in shock. As Prince Jasper, he had known the concubines were to provide additional heirs, but none of his had become pregnant. Or at least, that was what he thought.
"That- that is excellent!" Janessa managed.
"Because she carries the presumptive heir - with the King dead and Prince Jasper missing - Anya must be extraordinarily careful on her way here. She is attempting to move as quickly as possible, but given the extra precautions she must take to remain safe and healthy, her arrival will be later than we initially expected."
"When?" Janessa asked.
"She is determined to give birth here, in a safe place surrounded by family. But beyond that, I do not know." Mikhail smiled. "Rest assured, you shall see her soon enough." Janessa nodded. "Now, we must accommodate for your own condition. I will fetch the witch midwife and we can discuss what you will need in my office."
The witch midwife confirmed Janessa's pregnancy, discovering two infants, each with a different father, in Janessa's womb. She informed Mikhail and Janessa that a twin pregnancy needed to be treated with careful hands, and even then, the babes would likely arrive early. She offered to tell Janessa the sex of the babes, but Janessa declined. Upon the suggestion of the witch midwife, Janessa was moved to light duty. Janessa also had regular checkups with the witch midwife, to ensure she and the babies were healthy.
More months went by. Janessa needed new uniform after new uniform to account for her rapidly swelling belly. Her back hurt, her breasts grew even larger and tender, her feet swelled. And yet, she was still the picture of beauty, with men in town openly desiring after her as she waddled around doing errands.
Janessa had hoped desperately that Anya would arrive before she gave birth. But as the days ticked by and her babies grew more active in the womb, that window was closing.