457 Heart-to-heart: Mother to mother (part 2)

"My dear, why are you so upset?" 

In a moment of vulnerability, Adela placed her hand on her womb.

The Queen's gaze shifted between Adela's puffed red eyes and where she placed her hand, Grace's eyes narrowing in on the gesture, and a sudden realization flashed across her features which morphed into an expression of horror.

"H-Have you had a miscarriage?"

Adela shook her head, her voice catching in her throat as she explained, "No, Mother, it's not that. It's... it's the exact opposite. I… I can't conceive." She sobbed, "I don't think I can bear a child anymore."

A mixture of sorrow and relief reflected in Grace's gaze. "…What has happened?" she implored, her maternal instincts surging forth. "I had no idea that you wanted another child; everything is still…" she swallowed back the word 'early.'