if the rumours were true, the pharaoh and the shabti would welcome a brood soon.
tavina moved down the stoneways toward the queen's apartments. in her mouth she carried three kinds of herbs, wrapped in a silken mink's-fur.
"your majesty," she murmured when she had gained entry through the guard and set down her burden. "may i examine you?"
satsu heard steps. she thought it might be her husband and looked alert to the door.
the woman came, carrying herbs. the queen visibly deflated and turned away, but heard the request all the same.
tavina,
a tense greeting.
satsu's spine straightened as she realized what was being asked.
i... suppose.
she stepped towards the woman, leaving behind the warm furs upon the bed.
tavina shook her head. "no, highness. lie back on the bed."
when the queen had presumably done so, the healer stepped forward. she took the scent of the royal person, a deep inhale that tested for any changes.
with a quick look to satsu's face, she reached to touch the tucked waist, hmming to herself. "has your appetite changed? do you find yourself more quick to relieve?" the sesh asked, direct and unashamed.
oh,
blushing furiously, satsu moved to the bed.
being looked at in this was was.. jarring.
hearing the questions did not alleviate satsu's strong emotion. she swallowed a lump in her throat.
i.. am not hungry so often,
she admitted.
she was not comfortable with the other question and this was evidenced by her brief frown, the inability to look at the woman straight.
um, yes, although i haven't... i don't think about it. maybe?
did it mean something?
tavina smiled. "i am a physician, highness. nothing disgusts me."
to the outward eye, there was no change. the queen's scent remained unaltered as well for now. but the sesh was knowing.
"it is quite early to know, but i think you may be with child, your majesty."
she did not know what to think of the woman's pronouncement. glad, as it was not bad news. surprised also, as it could not be true - excited.
breathless.
so... so soon? you really believe it?
the way the pair carried on,
it would be a miracle if the physician was wrong.
satsu felt so much she was numb.
shock, that's all.
it would pass.
"i do. congratulations, queen of akashingo. i suggest you keep this to yourself for another fortnight."
loss so early was very common. she studied the royal face curiously and then politely averted her eyes. "you may find that your cravings change. i will ask the fellahin to set aside choicer parts of our kills."
"keep your activities light. stay in bed. you may feel more sick as the days go on. this is normal and will pass."
the rest that was shared with her, to be careful, to eat more, to rest, a timeline; satsu heard but also did not hear. she was still reeling from the news, and did not know what to make of it for herself.
this was what she'd wanted. this was what pharaoh desired. all of her back-and-forth about her own desires and now, yes, this was everything.
do not tell anyone,
the queen ordered of tavina, her voice sharp, a touch panicked at first. it smoothed and became like still water after. not yet. i do not want everyone worrying over me more than they already do.
and ramesses; he might be enthralled by the idea, but to have finally gained what he'd desired of satsu (her openness with him, her body, her everything) only to be denied it again as swiftly, would certainly change his mood for the worse.
satsu did not yet want to give him up to the fellahin.
"i would not dream of it, majesty. this is your news to share." tavina was a physician, not a nursemaid. she expected to be summoned for the birth, not a part of its discourse. the queen seemed to be experiencing many things at once. this too was normal.
but it did not seem as if satsu wished to be lectured more. the dark woman bowed her head and waited to be dismissed.
her mind was elsewhere.
at least this time satsu was kinder to tavina, who until now had not been worth her time; but in keeping this a secret, satsu felt she deserved a bit more respect.
her voice was soft as she said, thank you,
and then gave a little nod to dismiss the woman, eyes flashing to the door.
once the sesh was gone, the queen settled upon her bed. she would spend some time to herself, ruminating over the potential contained within herself.
tavina smiled and turned away.
perhaps the pregnancy would mellow the pretty young queen. after all, she was now assured to be the favourite of pharaoh, no matter who he spent his time with when she was away.