Pregnant For The Barren King

Synopsis

The night I was summoned to his bed, the King confessed he was born sterile. So, I never drank the potion to prevent conception. I thought becoming the King's woman would at least spare me a life of hardship. Yet, he ordered me to take my sister's place in a political marriage. "You resemble her most in figure," he said. "I cannot bear to see her sent so far away. You will go for her." But who would do anything for me? Born into lowly stock, I had no right to refuse. A month later, hiding my growing belly, I set out on the bridal journey. Midway, my pregnancy was discovered. Cornered, I leapt into the river. To the royal court, it was merely a matter of replacing one bride with another. But the King was driven nearly mad with frantic regret. He regretted not keeping me by his side. He rode south himself to search Silkvale, swearing to find me—alive or dead. I knew my chance had finally come. Later, I returned to the capital with him, my belly rounded, and was crowned his Royal Consort. My sister finally panicked. "You vile creature," she hissed. "The King could never love you. He only needs you to bear his child." She thought this would wound me, but she was wrong. I never needed the King's love. What I needed was a mother's rise through her son, the title of Queen, even Queen Mother. I needed power, so no one could ever decide my fate again.