Queen Carina always compared herself to a chess piece, not because she was a pawn or something for a being larger than herself to control her into doing its precise and often unknowable desires. No, she was the queen piece, the one all the others feared and were commanded by, but more importantly she protected her husband, the king, with an undying faith.

Carina had woken up in a stretch, rubbing at her eyes as she made a large and somewhat unladylike yawn (in which she didn’t care nor did her husband, in fact they often competed on who can make the most obnoxious yawn in the morning) she quickly left behind her long laid slumber and rose out of bed. Immediately she set into her routine, cleaning her skin with fervor, applying all her due care, making sure her hair and skin shone, dazzling herself with her starlike golden outfit, the silk and lace making her feel at home.

Speaking of home she knew her beloved husband had gotten up early to tend to the kingdoms matters. He was so adorably devoted she couldn’t help but feel her head spin, waiting to grumble her good morning and shower him with well needed kisses.

“Of course you had to get up early, thinking you can beat me in popularity points” She grouched sarcastically, a bright smile on her warm face as she searched for him, probably to tease him about working before breakfast.

Thats when she saw a door cracked open in one of the guest bedrooms and she could hear her husband groan softly and a slight worry pierced it’s thorny blade into her strong heart.

“Honey? .... Are you alright darling?” she called out as she opened the ornate door.

She found her strong imposing king bent over the bed and groaning to himself, his eyes assuring that he was fine but there was pain, he clutched at his lower belly and she immediately understood, her fear turning into understanding.

“Oh my love. You should have told me your cramps returned” She tutted softly as she made her way over, she crouched beside him and rubbed his back in soothing circles. “My dearest love, you shouldn’t be looking after the kingdom if you’re feeling so terribly...”

The queen kissed her king on his lovely cheek, a cheek, a face she desperately wished wasn’t scrunched up in pain. “You know what dear, I’ll take care of things today and have you rest... I’ll treat you with all the best gifts and food, heat on your belly” She nipped his ear with her teeth teasingly. “and maybe make you feel heat IN your belly... all the best care for my hardworking husband, I’ll take care of you. Now get up and get back to bed, take off your uncomfortable clothes, I’ll get the servants to bring you tea and breakfast”

She helped him up and brought him back to their shared chambers, she helped him take off his ceremonial wear until he was in his bedclothes and laid him gently down the large bed, wiping his brow with a delicate finger, looking down on him with devotion.

“I love you so much, tell me anything you need and I’ll bring it to you post haste.”