"I take it back," Ann groaned as she slammed down what felt like the thousandth book that she'd leafed through so far, "I don't think I want to do this anymore."
Coral chuckled good naturedly as she set the book she had been flicking through on the table in front of her and a smile began to spread on her lips.
"It's certainly a lot more mentally intensive than I thought it was going to be and quite honestly, I'm surprised that there's so little information on the Lycan Kingdoms that's less than a century old."
"And everything is so dusty too," Maeve added as she wrinkled her nose, "Just think, all of those dead skin cells of people invading our airways…we could be inhaling Narcissa's crusty skin right now."
"For goodness sake…" Ann hissed as she gagged slightly at the thought, causing Coral to lean across the table as her brows descended in concern.
"Is everything okay? Can I get you a glass of water?"
"No, it's fine," Ann said as she waved her away gently, "It's just Maeve being a colossal dick. Apparently discussing the ins and outs of what dust is made up of is not something that I can tolerate the thought of."
"I can see why." Coral grimaced before forcing a smile onto her face, "Listen, how about I keep going in here and you can go take a rest?"
Ann stared at the book in front of her before a groan left her lips.
"Is this what my life is going to be now? Moaning and moping and napping and eating?" she said miserably, "Because quite honestly, I don't think I'm going to cope with that."
"This won't last forever." Coral smiled indulgently, "How about I have Eva pop over and she can distract you with your workload at the company?"
"That could work, you know." Ann pursed her lips thoughtfully, "I know I was supposed to be taking a break but I do wonder if the company ever had any contracts that far south. Even if it was before my birth, it might give a little insight into their layout or specific needs."
"Excellent, I'll get that set up then," Coral said happily as she reached for her electronic diary and began typing out a message.
"I do appreciate your help, Coral. Just so you know." Ann said softly as Coral's eyes flicked up to her in surprise.
"My Queen, I can promise you that it is my absolute pleasure to help you in whatever you need. You have no idea just how much you've impacted our lives already and I am so proud to be a part of your vision for the kingdom's development." She grinned happily as Ann shifted in her seat.
"Well, if my father was half the king that he should have been, none of you would have thought what I was trying to do was anything special." Ann sighed as she allowed her eyes to wander around the room, "All of this…the lack of upkeep and maintenance is astonishing really. There's so many books here and no one has any idea…"
"I've already sent a request to Bartholomew," Coral said gently, "He's bringing a few of his apprentices in order to log everything properly, seeing as how they are far more technologically minded than he is."
"Good old Barty boy," Ann chuckled sadly, "I do miss Lexi terribly already you know?"
"I think it's with you having so much free time now, your highness. Eva was telling me just how hard you worked in your branch of the company, and I suppose having such a lot of free time is terribly hard to get used to."
"I just have this constant feeling that I'm forgetting something," Ann sighed, and I know damn well that I'm not."
"I mean...you forgot to bring the portrait…" Maeve interjected sullenly.
"What portrait?" Ann frowned as she rubbed her hand absent-mindedly across her belly.
Maeve gasped in horror and narrowed her eyes accusingly at her.
"You forgot about it already?!" She whispered furiously, "The finest masterpiece that has graced the walls of the Enclave in decades…no! Millenia in fact!"
Ann pursed her lips as she feigned ignorance, enjoying the fact that for once, she was able to tease Maeve about something.
"It must be the hormones because I'm drawing a blank. You know what they say about pregnancy hormones." Ann shrugged as she pushed herself up and stretched the cramp from her legs.
"How could you forget my portrait?! The poise! The elegance!!" Maeve wailed in her head as Ann grimaced and stifled her laughter.
"I'm teasing Maeve, of course, I remember." She smiled as Maeve curled up sulkily in the corner, "Consider it payback for the constant demands for food."
"You're incredibly mean and if I didn't know better I would think that you don't love me anymore." Maeve pouted,
"Oh don't be so bloody dramatic." Ann sighed and rolled her eyes internally before turning to Coral, "Don't worry about getting in touch with Eva, I'll give her a call from my office and then I think I'll try and get hold of Lexi again."
"No problem." Coral smiled, "Do you want me to get you anything? A drink? More food?"
"Goodness me, do you want to be rolling me out of here after the babies are born?"
"Pups," Maeve hissed.
"Shut up," Ann shot back.
"We're just concerned for your welfare, my Queen, that's all." Coral said quickly, "I'll see you to your office and have the omega's prepare you a smoothie. Extra vitamins won't hurt."
"Extra steak wouldn't hurt either…" Maeve murmured as Ann sighed in defeat.
"Fine, just don't tell Adam. He'll just get his panties in a bunch about not being there to supervise it."
Coral laughed unexpectedly as Ann blinked at her in surprise.
"As much as I love and respect you my queen, I do not have a death wish. I'll be taking your request to Adam first and I'm sure that he'll join you in your office later."
"What…but I didn't request…"
"As much as I am your Personal assistant, my Queen, your husband has also tasked me with attempting to feed you at two hour intervals, so, for both of our sakes and in the interests of living a quiet life, I thought you would appreciate the little white lie."
Ann shook her head, not knowing whether or not to be impressed or offended at Coral's efficiency in micromanaging every aspect of her life without her or Adam's knowledge.
She smiled to herself as she followed her out of the library and down the corridors to her office. She knew she shouldn't be surprised really, she had learned from the best after all.