Chapter 281: Chapter 281 Seeds of Hope
Phoebe’s POV
"Myrthella?" I glanced at Patricia as she brought up fertility for women. I’d chosen Patricia as my personal guide to explore both the pack house and the surrounding areas. She served as Rylie’s voice... we’d just met, which was exactly why I’d selected her as my personal maid during my stay here, considering I wasn’t particularly chatty myself.
Right now, we were strolling beyond the pack house toward the marketplace, where several vendors had begun reopening their shops following the war. The crowd remained sparse, and everyone still seemed intimidated when they spotted warriors from Mya, causing them to steer clear of me and my small group.
This morning, I’d been especially affectionate with Perry to convince him to let me venture outside the pack house.
Fortunately, after some kisses and passionate intimacy, he gave in, though he only consented if I brought Dominic and Wade along with ten warriors.
Initially, he’d proposed forty, but that terrified me. I refused to parade around with a massive group of intimidating warriors who would frighten everyone nearby.
Eventually, Perry compromised at ten. Ten warriors or I stayed inside. Ten it was...
"Yes, Myrthella." Patricia proceeded to share the legend of the Myrthella tree with me.
The Myrthella tree was known for enhancing female fertility, with most women in the pack house, particularly those of higher status, making pilgrimages to pray for male children.
"Since boys are preferred here, all the women visit the Myrthella tree to pray."
I wasn’t certain how we’d landed on this subject, but I found myself curious about this Myrthella tree.
"What... do they typically do?" I asked cautiously as we passed a clothing boutique selling infant garments. I didn’t need the baby to be male—a daughter would satisfy me perfectly. I simply longed for a child of my own.
At this point, Perry and I had silently agreed on adoption, an unspoken understanding between us, but it wouldn’t compare to a child born from my own body. The emotions would be entirely different.
Call me selfish, but I craved my own child. A baby who would mirror either my features or Perry’s.
"The process isn’t complicated, though there are certain offerings required..." Patricia spoke cautiously, understanding that I, their new queen, remained childless and recognizing why this might trouble me.
Living in the Valerium kingdom, where their customs and values seemed questionable to outsiders, childlessness was considered shameful for women, making their lives difficult.
"What kind... of offering?" I felt slightly anxious because if it involved sacrifice, I’d abandon the idea entirely.
"Don’t worry, my queen, the offering isn’t what you’re imagining," Patricia smiled, as though reading my thoughts. "You simply need to remain near the tree and meditate for approximately an hour, praying to the moon goddess for a healthy baby."
"Really? Just that? You mentioned an offering?"
"You offer yourself—your worries and all the burdens weighing on your heart. You must find peace." Patricia continued, "However, this is merely our tradition. I can’t promise anything, and I believe those women who eventually conceived did so because it was simply their time to experience motherhood."
"Yes, I understand..." I contemplated this and continued thinking about it even after returning to the pack house following our lengthy outing.
"What’s occupying your thoughts?" Perry approached me, pressing a kiss to my forehead to capture my attention, since I’d been staring into the dark sky.
Currently, I was in Perry’s study with Dominic and Timothy as they discussed our plans for this kingdom. Numerous matters demanded attention.
Yet Perry always made time for his mate. He’d noticed my deep contemplation, unable to access my thoughts through our mindlink since I’d blocked him.
All Perry could sense was my anxiety.
"What is it?" Perry settled beside me.
"Nothing." I shook my head, then became aware of my surroundings. "Have you finished the meeting?"
"Not yet." Perry remained unconvinced, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and kissing my cheek. "Something’s troubling you. Tell me what it is."
I drew a deep breath but still refused to elaborate. "Can we remain here another week?"
"Yes! See?! She agrees with me!" Timothy suddenly interrupted, rushing to my side. "Tell him we need to stay another week because there’s so much to handle here!"
Timothy was excited because his chances of extending our stay would improve with my support, knowing Perry would agree to whatever I wanted.
I frowned at Timothy while Perry glared at his royal gamma.
However, Timothy remained unfazed, focusing on me. "Phoebe, tell him to postpone our departure. One week would suffice."
I then looked at Perry. "Could you please do that? I’d like to stay here a bit longer."
"Don’t look at me like that," Perry growled at me, though he shot a deadly look at his royal gamma for instigating this.
"Please, Perry." I grasped Perry’s hands. "I want to remain here for a while."
Perry shook his head, stern in his rejection. "We’re going to lea—"
