Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 215

**His Mercy Tastes Like Hunger**
**Chapter 215: Breaking Royal Protocol**

**Phoebe’s POV**

I couldn’t say I was particularly fond of this rule. The truth was, my pregnancy was still in its very early days, a secret so well-kept that no one could possibly guess. My scent hadn’t changed yet, which would have been an unmistakable sign for anyone with a keen sense of smell.

It wasn’t that I wanted to hide this precious news; it was just that everything felt so chaotic at the moment. I needed to share it with Perry before the whispers began. Well, Marcela already knew, but she didn’t count—after all, she was a healer, and secrets often slipped through her fingers like grains of sand.

As the aroma of my lunch wafted through the air, I decided to make my way up to the master bedroom on the second floor. The soft, plush bed welcomed me as I collapsed onto it, staring blankly at the ceiling above. My fingers instinctively found their way to my still-flat belly, and I let my mind wander, trying to conjure an image of what my baby might look like. I hoped they would inherit Perry’s striking features; having a beautiful baby like him would be nothing short of a miracle. Honestly, I had never been particularly impressed with my own looks. Mirrors were more like enemies to me, reflecting a version of myself I preferred to avoid.

In my mind’s eye, I envisioned a tiny version of Perry, their little fingers curling around my shirt, their face scrunching up in a yawn or bursting into a fit of giggles. The thought warmed my heart and filled me with a sense of hope. I could hardly wait for the moment I would hold my baby in my arms, feeling the soft weight of them against my chest.

Just then, a polite knock interrupted my daydream, signaling that lunch was ready. “Would you like me to bring your meal up here, my queen?” Wade’s voice rang out, respectful as ever.

I opened the door to find him bowing deeply, his youthful face full of earnestness. He couldn’t have been more than a year or two younger than me, yet as a newly appointed warrior assigned to protect the queen, he was clearly striving to make a lasting impression.

I scribbled a quick note in my notebook: *I’ll come down.* Since his head was still bowed, he completely missed it, so I gently tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

“Oh, forgive me, my queen. I didn’t catch that,” he stammered, his cheeks flushing a bright shade of crimson.

A soft laugh escaped my lips; this young warrior was quite endearing. His embarrassment was palpable, and it made me smile.

“Right this way, my queen.” He gestured awkwardly for me to lead the way. “Warrior Orion grilled some chicken, and I prepared a few sides. It might not be as grand as the palace kitchen, but if you need anything—anything at all—just let us know, and we’ll take care of it.”

Only Perry, Marcela, and Timothy were aware of my peculiar predicament: I had lost my ability to taste food. Every bite was flavorless to me, but I didn’t want to dampen their enthusiasm with that grim reality.

Wade was practically bouncing on his feet with excitement as he rattled off the details, but then he caught himself, looking sheepish. “Sorry, my queen, I’m talking your ear off.” He rubbed the back of his neck, the blush creeping back to his cheeks.

*It’s fine—I enjoy having someone to chat with,* I wrote, showing him my note. His face brightened with a wide grin.

“I tend to get a bit chatty when I’m nervous. My apologies for that,” he admitted, his voice tinged with sincerity.

I shook my head, still smiling, and together we made our way to the dining room. As I entered, my eyes widened at the sight before me—the table was laden with an array of dishes that looked utterly delectable.

There were moments when I wished my sense of taste would miraculously return. It had been ages since I had savored a meal, but I wouldn’t dare complain. My life was filled with blessings now; I didn’t want to come off as ungrateful.

The only things I truly yearned for were Perry’s safe return and a smooth delivery. Everything else seemed trivial in comparison.

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