Chapter 45: I am pure.

Damien's POV

I found the party quite dull. My parents were there, yes, but somehow my wife had disappeared. My relatives were present also. Angelique and I agreed that we'd introduce Alicent the same day we introduce our children. I still find it hard to believe she disappeared.

"Your grace," a woman with brown hair and hazel eyes came to greet me.

"A pleasant evening, Miss?" I asked.

"Felicity," she said, "Cousin Felicity. I am your wife's cousin."

"Ah," I said, scanning her features. She is no doubt one of King Dorian's relatives. She had the same facial shape although she was thicker than most of them.

She curtsied low to me, allowing me to get a glimpse of her perfectly plump breasts. "You are more handsome in person than in gossip, my prince. Such a shame we hadn't met sooner. I would've been very pleased to be married to you. I certainly know how to make a man happy."

"You're impure?" I asked curiously, making her laugh.

"Oh my prince," she says, "I am pure. But I was taught how to please a man, unlike your wife who was taught all her life how to be a fearsome knight. If you should like it, I would be happy to visit you tonight."

This woman has guts, I'll give her that. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Plenty of noble women have tossed away their virtues in hopes of bedding me.

"I shall pass on that offer, cousin Felicity," I said, "But it has been interesting meeting you."

"A dance, your grace," she says, "Surely you can spare one."

"One dance," I replied, taking her to the dance floor. She was graceful as she was beautiful and her movements were elegant as can be. She doesn't disappoint. Any man would gladly take her hand. So why did she choose to target me? Strange.

"My eyes are up here, your grace," she says, diverting my attention from her breasts to her face.

"Forgive me, Lady Felicity," I said.

"I have quite the offer to give you, my prince," she says, "I would like you to make me your official mistress. In exchange, I will become your eyes and ears. You never know who could stab you in the back. Everyone knows that the Whites are ruthless."

"It's treason for you to speak ill about your cousin's house," I said, warning her. "Besides, I am married to the Whites' heiress. Our union is all about enforcing peace within all nations. I doubt that anything could happen."

"Do you honestly believe that Queen Coraline and Uncle Dorian would let everything your house has done slide that easily? I don't think so," she says, "I know everything. I know all the secrets you may wish to find out."

"Enough," I said.

She smiled wickedly, saying, "Alright, your grace. You may decide within the rest of the week. My offer expires." She turned her back getting ready to leave when she added, "By the way, I believe your wife has a crush on cousin Conner. You do well to keep an eye on her. You've cheated so many times. It's not impossible for her to do the same now that she gave birth to your heirs." With that said, she disappeared.

What does she mean? I have a bad feeling about this. My thoughts were disrupted by Maidservant Rose's tap on my shoulder.

"Maidservant Rose," I greeted.

"Prince," she curtsied, "Your sister is ready and waiting."

I nodded at her, going up on the stage once again. "May I have all your attention?" I said, "Tonight, we have introduced the heirs of both House White and House Cross. There is another member of the family I would like to introduce tonight."

Everyone gathered to hear what I had to say. My father was among them who was standing at the front and at his side was the very monster who organized my mother's demise.

I continued, saying, "As you know, many years ago, my mother, the late Queen Alicent Strong, was assassinated brutally. Her stomach was cut open and the baby who was to be my sibling was stolen. Well, thanks to my wife who created the organization "Pearls" my long lost sibling has returned."

Maidservant Rose led Alicent out to join me by my side.

I placed my hand over Alicent's shoulder and continued, "This is Lady Alicent. As you can see, she resembles my mother completely. We found her at last and now she is home."

Everyone applauded. The person who stood out the most was my father who was in tears. Slowly and unsteady, he made his way toward me and Alicent.

"Damien, what are you talking about?" Alicent asked me in total confusion. We haven't had the chance to talk about who she truly was.

I knelt down to level with her, holding her hands. "Alicent, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner. I had to keep it in to protect you," I explained, "But you're safe now. Father and I will protect you no matter what."

"Damien," my father said weakly, still in shock. "Are you sure that she's your sister?" He looked at my sister with tears in his eyes, his heart breaking at every second that passed. "She has her eyes, her hair, her face," he says, shaking. "My daughter," he cried, hugging Alicent. "My long lost daughter!"

"I don't understand," Alicent says, shaking her head. "What do you mean daughter? What do you mean sister?"

"You are the long lost child of Queen Alicent and King Richard II of Cross," I explained, "You're my long lost sister. We lost you when our mother was assassinated. Now that you're here, we will never let anything horrible happen to you."

"You're my family?" she asked, still in disbelief.

Grea came forth with her wicked smile, acting kind and just. "Hello, Alicent," she says, "This must be a shock to you. I'm sorry if you feel like everyone just jumped at you; that wasn't their intent. We're happy that you've returned to us safely."

Alicent kept her mouth shut, trying to analyze the situation. I feel bad for her. I could see how pained she was in her eyes. She must be so confused and shocked by the information we just dropped on her.

"She's shocked," Grea tells both me and my father. "Honey, why don't you go to Maidservant Rose, alright? She will give you the comfort you so need."

Alicent nodded, running off to Maidservant Rose.

"What was that?" I growled at Grea.

"The girl was shocked and obviously terrified and confused," she replied with calmness, "She needs to be with a person she trusts. Clearly, that falls on your wife or Rose. Your wife is not here and the best thing for her is to be with the mother she came to know upon moving here. If you want the girl to accept either of you, my advice is to give her the space she deserves."

For the first time, her blabbering made some sense. I sighed, giving in. "Fine."

"You're right, Grea," my father says, "Thank you." He then turned to me and asked, "Since when have you found her?"

"It wasn't me, Father," I replied, "It was all Angelique. She found her, took care of her, and protected her while we were away. Maidservant Rose aided Angelique with everything she needed to take care of little Alicent. They kept quiet to protect her."

"My poor sweet child," he says, "She must have gone through a lot."

"She grew up on the streets because you decided to not go forward with the search and investigations," I said coldly, "Whatever she has suffered, it is all on you. Keep that in mind. So if you think we are awful for keeping her from you until now, just remember that she suffered because you failed her as a father."

"That's enough, Damien," the evil stepmother hissed.

"No, it's alright," Father says, "He's right. Whatever he said was true, anyway. If I had looked into it, Alicent would've been spared a good childhood. Instead, she grew up on the streets."

I turned my back on them, making my way to one of the balconies at the far end. To my horror, there I saw two people having at it. They wore the colors of House Claw. I believe they must be cousins of my wife. They look quite young, too. They're probably at least fifteen years of age.

I applauded, catching both of their attention. The boy immediately pulled out from behind her and fixed himself. The girl did the same, fixing her dress and hair.

"Children of House Claw, I assume," I said, folding my arms over my chest. "I didn't think you're a promiscuous House. Cousins fucking outside the balcony whilst a party is happening at this very moment. Disrespectful, don't you think? Tell me, are you two betrothed that you've no fear of doing it?"

"Please do not speak of this to anyone, your grace," said the girl, "I beg you."

"Who are you?" I pointed at them.

"I am Lady Kara of House Claw," she curtsied, "Sister of Felicity, Danyra, and Jestin."

"And I am Sir Kendrick of House Claw, the eldest son," he introduced himself, "brother of Keitlyn and Kristoff."

"Prince Damien of House Cross," I introduced myself, "So tell me, how long has this been going on? Oh, and you better not lie to me 'cause I am the Future King, and lying to me is treason."

"Since we were twelve, sir," they replied in unison.

Twelve, huh? That's new. Well, it's common, but uncommon to unmarried nobles. It's a miracle these two haven't conceived children after doing it since they were children.

"And how often has this been going on?" I asked.

"Every day," they replied nervously.

"We live next to each other," explained Keitlyn.

"Fine, I'll let this slide," I said, "But the next time I catch you doing this, I will tell Angelique and your families."

"Yes, your grace," they said, running away.

Damn. They sure are lucky. If they had conceived a child by accident, their family's reputation would've been ruined. Still, now I understand how bold Felicity was for throwing herself at me. I suppose being promiscuous runs in their family.

"I'm guessing that you saw my sister and cousin having at it?" the devil herself said, coming out of the blue. Felicity stood next to me in the dark.

"You shouldn't be here," I warned.

"Nor should you," she replied, "I bet your seeing them made you horny."

"Perhaps," I shrugged, "So, how long have you known about them?"

"Since it began," she replied, "I told you I know everything that happens. I let them have their fun because I know they'll end up in marriages they don't want. Just like cousin Angelique. She loathes you with all her heart and she had to marry you."

"She truly loathes me that much?" I asked.

She nodded in response. "You were once engaged to be married when you were children. She didn't hate you back then," she says, "But as time passed and you started leading troops against the Whites, she started to loathe you. She was meant to hate you. No, she was raised to hate you. So, I assume you received the cold treatments from her. There are only a few people she was quite enchanted with. There's Jonah of Polaris which you know of. There's Conner whom I told you about. The last person she supposedly had a crush on was Andre of Nightwall. He's very handsome and intelligent. He was the perfect match for her, but fate had other plans for them."

"I see," I said, "What else do you know?"

She pressed her finger against her lips, "Sh..." She smirked. "I told you that the information I have isn't free. I gave you an offer. Everything I told you up to now is more than enough. I am good at my job, your grace. Anything good has a price."

"And what do you gain by becoming my mistress?" I asked finally. I don't understand why she wants the position.

"Well, it gives me enough power if not more than my father," she explains, "Becoming your mistress frees me from any obligations to the House of Claw. On top of that, I don't need to marry whomever they choose. Also, I get to fuck you."

"Is that all?" I asked, pushing her up against the wall.

She smirked, staring at my lips. "Well, you give me my freedom to bed whomever I want and a lifestyle of my choosing. It's a small price to have confidential information, you know." Her hands traced from my neck to my chest and down to my bulge. "Think about it, my prince," she said, making her exit.

I watched as she again disappeared. Angelique and her relatives truly are something else. I sighed, looking up at the starry sky. I decided to head to our bed chamber to retire. Once I got there, I saw Angelique lying on the bed in her nightdress.

"Hey," I greeted, walking in.

She nodded at me, saying, "Hey."

I took off my shoes and clothes changing into my robes. She didn't seem to care about me and instead was just blankly staring at the wall.

"Something wrong?" I asked, approaching her. I sat next to her in bed, placing my hand on her forehead. "You look pale and red at the same time. Are you sick?"

"Just tired," she replied, pulling away from me. "I didn't expect you to be in bed tonight."

"How so?" I asked, taking my place beside her.

"Because I saw Felicity digging her claws at you," she yawned, shifting her body to the other side. "She fancies you, Damien. I honestly don't mind if you guys have at it."

I almost choked at her words. She doesn't care? She doesn't care if I fuck her cousin?

"Really, I don't care," she said with a yawn, "You do you, Damien and I'll do me."

I didn't know what she meant, and even if I asked it was too late cause she drifted off to sleep. What does she mean by she'll do herself? Was Felicity right after all? Is Angelique capable of cheating on me? No, that's crazy. Angelique wouldn't do that, would she?