AN: Ok, I promised to start writing asap, and this is me keeping my promise. I got two reviews on the post-Shadow Heir opinion, but also some wanting me to continue the other story from where I left off! I can't really please everyone with this, I guess, but I'll definitely try. Writing book 4 anew wiould most likely end up being slightly more AU than I'd planned, otherwise it'd run the risk of being too similar to Shadow Heir, so I'm going to have to stop this story right here, with this ridiculously short chapter which was already half-written, otherwise I'd have to use my idea for the other fic here, and that'd just make a huge mess. So, for those

of you who asked for a post-Shadow Heir story, please look for the story called Prophesized, and I hope you enjoy it!

There were a few moments of silence after I spoke, and though I didn't look up, I could imagine the shock on Dorian's face. He sighed.

"Eugenie, I don't know if…"

"I know it might not be very practical, but I'd like to have them here for the pregnancy, anyway."

I felt him shake his head. "I just meant that they might not feel entirely comfortable here, all things considered."

I paused, thinking over his words, which were, after all, only voicing doubts that I'd already had myself, but I was saved from having to answer right away when Nia entered the room again, followed by three servants who quickly got a table ready, and piled it high with food. They were just at door when I spoke again.

"Nia?"

She turned, and smiled at me. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

I sighed, not wanting to get up from my perch on Dorian's lap. "Could you get some Milky Way bars from my room and bring them here, please?"

Nia smiled at me again, and Dorian chuckled, the movement of his chest beneath me making my head bob up and down, but I ignored their amusement.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

I sighed happily. "Thank you," I said, and she left quietly.

After some minutes of me not moving, Dorian shifted under me. "Are you getting up? I believe my stomach will start getting noisy soon if I don't get some food into it."

I giggled, but reluctantly climbed off his lap and made my way over to the table with food, and started piling a plate high with a little bit of everything. Being pregnant really did make a girl hungry, and I wasn't 'eating for two' like most women, but for three. I might have been self-conscious about how much I was eating these days, if Dorian didn't always smile like a kid who'd had Christmas come early when he saw the pile of food I always had on my plate. I guessed it served as a visual reminder, since my stomach was only just starting to show a slight bump, and it wasn't yet big enough to be obvious, hidden under these ridiculous gentry clothes of never-ending fabric.

"What did Maiwenn say to you that upset you so much, my dear?" he asked as he came to sit beside me at the table, piling a much smaller amount of food on to his own plate.

I shrugged, already stuffing food into my mouth. "Same as usual. Allegedly she came to congratulate me, but of course what she wanted was to convince me to abort."

"Abort?"

"Stop the pregnancy," I said flatly. "Kill the twins."

Dorian flinched.

"I told her she could go take a hike, and when she started getting mad, and threw a jug of water at me, I pinned her down and told her exactly where she could shove her ideas for my kids' future."

Dorian looked at me, thoughtful. "She never would have suggested that you… abort them if I'd been here."

I shrugged. "It doesn't matter. It's not like I didn't know what she wanted me to do, after how Kiyo chased me down."

"For someone so averse to the prophecy, you certainly seem determined to…"

I growled at him in warning. "I wish everyone would shut up about this damn prophecy!" I yelled. "Why don't you all wait until the babies are born to decide whether or not my son has the makings of some whacko dominator? He hasn't even been born yet, give the damn boy a fucking break already!"

Dorian blinked at me, shocked. "I didn't mean to…"

I waved him off with a hand. "I know your wishes, Dorian, and I'm not naïve to the point of believing the thought hasn't occurred to you, but I just wish everyone would stop assuming things when so much could happen between now and a few years. I will not let anyone tell me what to do about my pregnancy, but I also will not let anyone so much as hint a thing about this damn prophecy to my son while he's growing up. Which is why," I continued, picking up my fork again. "I want my parents here. They'll help me make sure everything is as it should be."

Dorian sighed. "I can arrange for a soldier to go talk to your stepfather tomorrow."

I nodded my thanks and turned back to my food in silence.

AN: Well, I hate to leave this unfinished, but just fill it in with Shadow Heir, I guess... and I'm just finishing the first chapter of Prophesized, so I'll see you all there, I hope!