31 - Gavin meets the Queen

                                        

                                              
Knew that the secret of Eniola's pregnancy had gotten to the Queen's ear when he and Eniola were both summoned to her Castle, without guardian or chaperone. The Royal Invitation listed quite specifically that it was a private discussion between the Queen and the expectant parents, and the time he and Eniola were expected to present themselves to the Queen. As it was a Royal Invitation, they couldn't reject or ignore it, and Gavin knew that it wasn't a secret they should try to keep from the Queen, but still he rather wished this wasn't something he had to do. 
The absence of his parents, and Eniola's father, on the Queen's Expeditions meant little with the Queen being the ultimate chaperone; everyone was under her authority and her word was law. Technically, Gavin and Eniola could be punished under her authority as they had engaged in married intimacies while unwed and underaged. Though even Gavin knew it was unlikely that she'd chose to exile them, it was possible for both their families to pay the price for their actions instead. His own family would probably be tasks with completing a public works project, as they had the funds to do so, and the Sikali Dukedom would have its own, reasonable, punishment as well. 
It was just unexpected to be called before the Queen himself, Gavin had though it'd be decreed to Alaric through a Letter, and then expressed to him via his family. That's be easier to bear somehow; now Gavin had to calm his nerves, help soothe Eniola's, and face the Queen himself.
Eniola was about three months with child, and although her belly wasn't starting to show her bodily changes yet, Gavin couldn't help but notice how her bosom were. And she was quick to share with him the details of other aspects that had changed. Her nausea was starting to ease, though now she was finding herself falling asleep anytime she sat down for too long, and despite their serious destination, she'd been sweetly affectionate the entire carriage ride to the Castle. 
As they were still unwed, Gavin wore his Briggs scarlet while Eniola donned her Sikali orange, the richly saturated colours striking together as he escorted Eniola into their meeting with Queen Akiyama. The page that led them along ignored the Royal Guard that followed them, and Gavin tried to emulate the same level of ease. And although he'd had to come without an adult, Alaric had done his best to help prepare Gavin for it. 
Gavin took controlled, steady breaths, focused on keeping his hands relaxed and open, and tried to hold a charming smile on his face as he'd seen Alaric and Edwina do. It didn't banish his nerves, but Gavin did feel more confident as they were led to an unexpected destination; the Queen's tea table.
And she wasn't alone.
Queen Akiyama sat in a silk gown, the purple hue unique to the Taro Royal Family suiting her delicately beautiful features, while the foreigner at her table wore a strange, dark green attire that left some of his chest exposed. On the table before them lay the expected tea cups and pot, but also an almost amusing amount of sweets. It was incongruent with the serious, notoriously efficient Queen Gavin had heard the adults all discuss amongst themselves. But there were little cakes, and cookies clearly nibbled on still sitting on her plate, and the man across from her had the fork to his mouth as they arrived. 
"Your Majesty," Gavin bowed deeply to his Queen, seeing Eniola gracefully curtsey in his peripheral vision. Since they didn't know who the man was, they couldn't properly address him yet, and Gavin had to hold his bow until the Queen acknowledged his greeting. 
"Lady Eniola, please sit; in your condition you should avoid undue exertion," Queen Akiyama called for her ease but Gavin had to hold his bow still. "You, Lord Gavin, can endure a little discomfort now so you can keep in mind all the discomfort your young wife is going through growing your first child."
He nearly stood upright in surprised at her words, but managed to maintain discipline by the snap of his teeth. The Queen deliberately calling Eniola his wife had to mean something, he was certain of it. Gavin wanted desperately for it to mean exactly as it implied, that the Queen was acknowledging them as a married couple despite being underaged, and he knew intellectually that his marriage to Eniola would eventually happen, but he also knew there were still traditions to follow. Although he loved Eniola completely, and they were expecting a baby together, Gavin also knew Eniola deserved all the proper Courting he could provide anyways.