Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1496 - 95 : A True Gift

*Saoirse*

I stood before the grand mirror, my hands gently resting on the curve of my belly where our twins nestled. Six months in, and I was starting to show, which meant my clothes were starting to squeeze. The array of gowns and finery that Rhys had gifted me no longer welcomed me as they once did.

The fabrics strained against my form, seams whispering their discontent as if mourning the shapes they could no longer contain. I felt my lower lip wobble, an over-the-top reaction that seemed commonplace for me now thanks to hormones.

"Nothing fits," I whined, a frown creasing my brow. "These gowns were not made for a mother-to-be."

"Let me help you with that, my love," Rhys’ voice called from the room, his presence an immediate comfort. He rolled his wheelchair across the chamber with a purpose, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and resolve. A little smirk on his face gave away how amusing he thought my reaction was. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Rhys," I began, but he silenced my worries with a tender kiss on my hand. I squatted down until we were level. He ran his fingers across my cheek with reverence. I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch.

I didn’t care that he couldn’t walk. Having him back, mentally whole, was more than enough. There was a stretch where I was certain he would simply give up and fade away. And then I would have been left alone to raise our children without him. It had nearly broken me.

"Your comfort is paramount, Saoirse," he said, the corners of his lips upturned in a soft smile. "I suppose it’s good timing that I invited some guests who I believe can aid us."

"Guests?" I echoed, puzzled.

At his beckoning, the doors opened to reveal a vibrant troupe of artisans, their arms laden with bolts of fabric more splendid than I could ever have imagined. They bowed respectfully and began spreading out throughout the chamber, taking over.

"Designers," Rhys announced. "Maternity designers. The finest in the realm. They will craft garments to adorn you with the elegance you deserve. And don’t worry. They know how to craft designs that will grow with you. We’ll be commissioning more dresses for when you’re further along, and these no longer fit quite so comfortably. With twins, I can’t imagine the growing will slow down anytime soon."

I swatted at him with a smile and watched, awestruck, as they unfurled fabrics that danced with colors and patterns, each whispering promises of comfort and grace.

The silken fabric cascaded through my fingers like a gentle stream, its hues of twilight blue reflecting in Rhys’ eyes as he watched me. I couldn’t help the smile that touched my lips picturing how these beautiful fabrics would drape over my growing form. "It’s beautiful," I murmured, already picturing how the gown would accentuate the life blossoming within me.

"More than beautiful," Rhys countered from where he sat by the window, his tone laced with a soft warmth. "You will be resplendent. Pregnancy suits you, my love, almost as much as marriage. I can only imagine how motherhood will look on you. I truly can’t wait, Saoirse."

“Me either.”

I turned toward the mirror as the designers worked around me, measuring the way my body had grown and marking down the numbers as they went. Rhys smiled as he watched the designers meticulously take my measurements. His eyes filled with a mix of adoration and anticipation.

"Rhys," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, "this means the world to me."

"Seeing you happy is my world, Saoirse." His words were a simple truth, spoken with a depth I could not imagine. “You are glowing, Saoirse. Radiant with life and love. This attire will only enhance your natural beauty and grace."

I couldn’t help the blush that crept up my cheeks at his words. I returned my attention to the designers who had moved on from taking measurements and were pinning and tucking the fabrics into place, creating the figure-flattering silhouettes that seemed to cast a spell over my pregnant frame. Each dress, each tea garment, and every piece of delicate nightwear was transformed from mere cloth into a dream woven from threads and talented fingers.

We spent hours with the designers as they planned and crafted countless new garments for me and my ever-growing form. It had done exactly as Rhys had hoped. I was no longer worried about my size. Instead, I was excited about the months to come as our children continued to grow within me.

The evening crept up on us quickly. As the last designer finally took their leave, Rhys extended his hand to me, an impish spark lighting his eyes. "There’s one more surprise for tonight," he revealed, guiding me out of the chamber.

We made our way up to the rooftop, taking a different route than normal to accommodate Rhys’ wheelchair. I gasped as we stepped out into the night air. Under the vast expanse of the star-studded sky was a table set for two, adorned with flickering candles and overflowing vases of the most beautiful flowers. My heart raced at the sight, the romance of it all seeping into my bones.

"Rhys, you did this for me?" I asked, stepping closer to him, the rooftop garden blooming around us in silent applause.

"I would do anything for you, Saoirse. This? This is nothing. But every star up there has witnessed our journey," he said, pulling out a chair for me with a flourish. "Tonight, they bear witness to our bond, stronger than ever, thanks to you."

Rhys moved his chair to the side of the table so that we were not across from each other but side by side. As we settled in, he poured wine, his movements deliberate. The care he had taken in planning this moment was clear. I was more than appreciative as I watched him—watched my husband.

"Here’s to us," he toasted, raising his glass. "To our family, our love, and the future we will build together."

"To us," I echoed, the crystal chiming softly in the stillness.

Servers brought out our meals and placed them in front of us with a flourish. The silverware clinked softly against the fine porcelain as I savored each bite of the culinary masterpiece. The flavors were delicate, each mouthful an ode to the chef’s skill and Rhys’ thoughtful planning. As we ate, our conversation meandered through topics both light and profound.

"Remember when we first met?" Rhys asked with a chuckle, his eyes alight with memory. "You were so fierce, challenging me without a second thought."

I laughed, the sound mingling with the gentle night breeze. "And you were so sure of yourself, the heir to the Egoren throne, unaccustomed to being questioned."

"Indeed," he agreed, a warm smile gracing his lips. "But it was that fire in you that drew me in, Saoirse. It still does. You burn so bright, my love."

“As do you, husband.”

We shared stories of our past, the joys and sorrows, the trials and triumphs. Each word wove a stronger bond between us, healing old wounds and paving the way for new triumphs. The world beyond us seemed to fade away, leaving only the truth of us, raw and beautiful.

"Those times apart were hard," I admitted, tracing the rim of my glass. "But I think they’ve made us stronger, Rhys. We’ve faced so much—so much—yet here we are, together."

"Stronger and wiser," he added, reaching across the table to take my hand. "You’re incredible, Saoirse. You’ve carried us through the darkness with your resilience. Our twins will have the fiercest mother in all the realms."

I squeezed his hand, emotions swelling within me like the tide. "And the most courageous father. They’ll learn from the best."

As the dessert arrived, a decadent confection that melted on contact, I indulged in the sweet symphony of taste, savoring the final note of our meal. With the last morsel still lingering on my tongue, I watched Rhys as he set down his fork, his expression one of quiet determination.

Slowly, with a steadiness that seemed to defy gravity itself, Rhys pushed himself up from his wheelchair. His legs, though trembling, bore his weight as he stood tall before me. I could see the effort etched in the lines of his face, but there was also a fierce pride shining in his eyes.

"Rhys," I breathed, awe mixing with concern. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Tonight," he said, his voice soft but unwavering, "I stand for us, for our family and everything we will be."

My heart swelled to see him standing there, defying the odds, his love for our unborn children and for me giving him strength. This man, who had faced his battles, now stood on shaky legs, showing me, showing the world, the depths of his courage.

I watched with my heart in my throat and tears streaming down my face as Rhys took a hesitant step toward me. His hand outstretched, a determined glint in his eyes, Rhys moved closer until he was standing right in front of me.

With a shaky but resolute voice, he spoke. "May I have this dance, my love?" His voice was barely louder than the rustling leaves around us.

Tears continued to flow freely down my cheeks as I nodded, unable to form words. I felt a surge of overwhelming gratitude and love for this man who defied all odds for us. I dug deep and found my voice. "Yes," I managed to say, the word trembling as my lower lip wobbled.

He reached out, and our fingers entwined. Rhys led me to a clear space under the moonlit sky. As the soft strains of music drifted through the clearing, Rhys held me close, our bodies swaying in perfect harmony. He drew me in closer, his free hand finding its way to the curve of my belly, where our future danced in waiting.

"Careful," I whispered, a smile breaking through the tears.

"Always," he promised, his breath a gentle gust against my forehead.

We began to sway, a slow, wobbly rhythm that matched the thumping of my heart. Rhys’ touch was a feather-light presence, but it held worlds of strength, anchoring me, anchoring us, to this moment beneath the sky.

"Can you feel them?" I murmured, tilting my head to meet his gaze. His eyes sparkled with the reflection of the stars above, twin mirrors to the souls growing inside me.

"Every movement," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "They’ll know the sound of our hearts and the cadence of our love."

And there, under the watchful eye of the moon, we danced. We danced not as prince and princess or the future rulers of Egoren, but as Rhys and Saoirse—two souls intertwined, stepping into life’s great unknown together.