437 Harvest Festival (16)

The Queen and the Goddess walked past us and gave us a nod, before making their way to the podium and waving out towards the crowd, all of whom cheered and shouted out their praises as they got to see the two most important people inside the Queendom in the flesh.

Taking my hand again, the Duchess gave me a small smile before walking me over to stand behind them, where she released me again and stood in a line with the Magistrates and the other Duchess, who all waved as well whilst the rest of us - Bulak, Shelur and I - stood behind them and remained still, not drawing any attention to us as the Queen raised her hands again, quieting her people.

"Another year has passed, and as such the 19th Spring Harvest Festival has begun; another year of peace, of prosperity, and joy has started its course, and we are on pace for many more to come. It's all thanks to you, my people, for giving me the strength, the hope, and the love to keep pushing forwards to keep our Queendom safe!"

The cheers returned as the Queen looked around at the crowd, nodding her head before stepping aside as her wife took her place, causing that cheer to quiet down just as quickly as it arrived.

"We truly mean it... All of you, from the oldest ones here who have seen the changing of the government, the changing of the Queens, down to the youngest child who is still crying out for their Mother's milk~! You give us the desire to continue on fighting whatever dares to bring harm to our Queendom, be they outside our borders or within. On a happier note, I am more than pleased to inform you all that this is yet another Festival that I am more than gleeful to be participating in, for it is the Festival in which I get to announce that I am pregnant once more~!"

For a brief moment the people below were quiet, as was the Queen, who stood there ramrod straight and staring at the Goddess beside her blankly, before her regal expression cracked somewhat as she reached down and pulled her into a kiss, making everyone cheer yet again.

The air vibrated as everyone rained their praises onto the royal couple, and I flinched as I was assaulted by the sheer volume slamming against me, unaccustomed to anything noisier than a babies cry; even then, all of my children were rather quiet and tame, so...

Magistrates Fenkar and Viridian stepped forwards and gave the Queen and Goddess a deep bow, while Magistrate Augustia smiled warmly as she glanced back at Bulkar, who was scratching her cheek with a wry smile.

"Ahem... your Majesty, I was going to wait, but I do believe now would be the best time to inform you all that I too am pregnant again? That potion you concocted for me was wonderful, and I do believe we'll be alright despite my age..."

The Goddess gently pushed the happy Deerkin away as she smiled back at the Magistrate, who was now being embraced from behind by her wife, her large green hand rubbing her stomach.

"That is excellent news, isn't it~? Perhaps it is time for us to consider that prior conversation, Gia..."

Chuckling, the Goddess looked back towards the crowd and shouted "It would seem it's another year of fertility~? Perhaps this might just be the year that my dearest friend might give us a sign~? Come, shall we skip all those stuffy formalities and begin the dances~?"

The cheer got even louder as everyone nodded, the feeling of the overhead sun making itself even more known as it peeked out from over a cloud, beating down on us and amplifying the heat that was already permeating the air thanks to the sheer amount of people inside this square.

Taking the Goddess' hand, the Queen led her back a few steps - away from the edge of the stage - and began to slowly and elegantly dance with her, going for a formal waltz that gave the two the ability to chat quietly with one another as the Queen leaned down and smiled softly at the Goddess.

Music began to play out over the crowd, musicians standing on platforms that had been brought in from the sides, giving the square something to listen to rather than one another.

Everyone began to break off into pairs, and without hesitating the Duchess grabbed my hand and smiled at me as she asked "Might I have the first dance, Astra~?"

Giving her a nod, I walked out with her and gave her hand a squeeze before placing my other hand on her shoulder, mimicking the Goddess as I took the primarily 'female' role in the dance, something that gave the Duchess no issue as she grabbed my waist and began to dance with me, our feet moving together perfectly.

Shelur found herself with Magistrate Viridian, while Magistrate Fenkar danced with Duchess Leonisa, something that proved to be interesting since Magistrate Fenkar walked near us and said "I call dibs on next dance with Astra~!" before waltzing away, with Duchess Leonisa smirking at the Duchess as she said "And I would like a word with you, Renna, if you don't mind?"

The two fluffy haired women left us swiftly, making the Duchess roll her eyes as she muttered "They can be rather annoying sometimes, but usually they're rather good."

"Oh, I don't see anything too irritating about them~?"

Smiling, she replied "Ah, it's nothing, just jest is all. Though what isn't jest is our plans for tonight..?"

Beneath my veil, I felt my cheeks grow hotter, and it wasn't from the sun as I stumbled slightly, causing the Duchess to squeeze my waist and alter the dance slightly to accommodate my misstep, something that only made my cheeks redder as she kept smiling at me, those sky blue eyes locked to my veil and filled with an emotion I wasn't truly expecting to see from her...

Love.