50 You were doomed from the beginning. UNEDITED.

Three months have passed since Anne's pregnancy. Strangely, her belly didn't grow any bigger than it had before.

Anne was on the verge of killing this man. "A-Am I really pregnant?"

Her eyes strained wide as she panicked. "Doctor!"

"Y-your majesty! Please spare me! I swear to you that you are. There are signs of another life in your body and all the symptoms matched! I-I don't understand!" The physician immediately went down on his knees. He was sure he examined her properly.

"B-but I was told that it would work!" Anne mumbled under her breathe, biting her lip. Her body was in a state of panic.

"Step aside." Yifei made her way through the servants. "I'll examine her myself."

She quickly sat down and lifted her hands above Anne's stomach.

A soft blue light slowly emitted and glimmered brightly as she scanned Anne's abdomen.

Anne gripped the bed sheets tightly as she looked at Yifei.

"So how is it?" The king softly asked. He was so nervous to even stand. His chest tightened, he squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the answer. It felt like no what the answer was, it would lead him to death's door.

"There's clearly a sign of life in there, but there seems to be something enveloping it,"

Chen frowned and also examined her with his mana.

He glanced at the doctor and said, "It seems to be growing but at a very slow rate from what I hear of pregnancy."

"That's strange. At this stage, she should have her belly growing right?" Yifei frowned. "But it doesn't look like the child is in any harm."

"It could be that because of the royal lineage that the growth rate is slow." The physician reasoned. "But I've never seen such an issue in the past before."

"Have multiple physicians take a look at her and have her get a health check daily. Since we don't know much and it doesn't seem like the mother and child are in danger, let's observe for now." Chen gently held Yifei's shoulders. "I've cast a spell just in case anything does happen."

"Alright, Anne. You should calm down. It would not be good for you and the baby." As she lifted the blanket up for Anne, Yifei was swiftly shuffled towards the door.

"Then we'll be leaving for now. You two can have some time to discuss between yourselves." Chen took his wife out.

The room was filled with a heavy atmosphere. Having an heir is a serious thing. It's very serious but...if it brings such unhappiness to both of us, he rather not have one at all. It was what the king thought; however, they were doomed from the beginning. Insisting that they should marry. Even though, their social standing was far from each other. She was someone who liked to be free.

"Dear lay down and rest. It's been a long day or would you like something to eat?" The king began to pamper her.

Anne turned her back against him and stroke her tummy. "The baby. I will have this baby." He's my ticket out of this hell hole.

Her voice was strained and full of anxiety.

"Chen and Yifei said there was nothing wrong! Don't worry about it. Even if it's slow, it's going to be okay as long as the child is healthy. I'll have the maids bring in something for you to eat." The king tried to calm her down.

______

After closing the door, Chen hurriedly asked, "Is something the matter?"

"Nothing, what's wrong?" Yifei smiled.

"You've been trembling for a while now." Chen gripped his hands on her shoulders as they continued down the hallway.

Yifei looked at his hands and glanced back at her husband. He's always like this, sometimes she felt that she's a burden to him.

Yifei patted him gently and assured him. "Don't worry. Just for a second, I just felt strange yet familiar aura when examining her. Nothing too serious."

Stopping at the end of the hall, Chen turned to look at Yifei.

"What is it now husband?" Following suit, she stopped beside him.

There may be some truth to that, but I know deep inside, it is something you refuse to tell me. Chen frowned.

The lights from the windows shined between them lightened her face. Her eyes emitted a curious look, waiting for his answer. Her blank smile that reflected into his eyes worried him.

She looked so far away. He felt estranged.

Sometimes when Yifei talked about herself. It was always the surface and never deeper than what she leads them out. He always respected her. He knows she doesn't want to talk about it. He knows, But this nagging feeling makes him feel scared for the first time in his life.

"Don't stray too far from me." Chen suddenly hugged and nestled on her neck. "Don't leave me alone."

"What are you talking about? Why are you like this so suddenly?" Yifei chuckled.

"Don't even think about escaping, you're mine you know that? No one can take you away from me. You're mine..."

Yifei sighed. "Stupid, I would never leave you. I never left your side ever since we married, right? and I won't in the future."

"Promise?" Chen looked at her eyes for confirmation.

"Promise."

Hearing her resolute answer once again, he somehow felt relieved and hugged her tightly.

"I'll resolve this matter, You don't have to stress about other people's problems. You just need to be you next to me. That's all I wish."

Chen naturally locked his fingers with Yifei's and lifted them for a kiss.

"You're such a big puppy." Yifei patted his head. "There's no signs of danger. Just be wary, but don't stress out, okay? I remind you this every time, but you seem to forget every time."

"I can't promise, but I'll keep that in mind." Chen smiles.

"Then what shall we have for lunch?"

"Let's eat out or have the maids make it. Today's been a long day for you."

Yifei giggled again. "I didn't do anything today! You are raising me into a pig. Eating and sleeping all day!"

"Then all the better. Even though you can eat enough for 10 people, you are still too skinny!"

They laughed and talked about happy things.

Chen's eyes still dimmed down. Maybe someday she'll talk more about it.

——————-

The land in the far west.

"So it was a success?" A deep voice resonated within the room.

"Yes, we made a deal with her and received some interesting information."

"Indeed a worthless woman." The man dipped his tea. "But it is interesting how desperate she can be. Now we just have to sit back and watch."

The man smiled condescendingly as he played with the edge of his cup.

"She's in the next room. Let her know that it was a success. It was part of her plan too."

"Yes, sir." His attendant bowed. "It's all going accordingly as you thought it would. Should I begin the next phase?"

"Don't start it right away. Wait just a little more."