11 Chapter Eleven
“Are you crazy?!”
The bitter tone in Pearle's voice made her raise an eyebrow of inquisition. Realizing her slip, Pearle quickly cleared her throat. Slowly, she spoke, her tone soft and persuasive.
“I beg your pardon, Princess. I was not thinking logically. What I meant to ask, was; whatever do you mean by keeping the babe?”
“Are you saying I should not?”
Lightly coughing to decrease the uncomfortable atmosphere, Pearle meticulously murmured.
"Of course not, Princess. But there are consequences."
Wringing her hands in her lap, Angelique murmured, her voice sounding convincing and persuasive, but inside she was a wreck. The tactic that Pearle had shown to dismiss her sudden outburst was deceiving.
“I understand your reasoning, Pearle, but this babe is mine. I wish to keep him/her.”
Gritting her teeth in her mouth, Pearle realized her decision was final, and her face dropped. In a somewhat beguiling tone of voice, she proceeded to reason with the stubborn Princess.
“Princess, I respect your…eh, decision, but I beg you to implore more thinking of this matter. For example, think about the dangers this babe could cause to the Fae kingdom. You are…”
Incredulously scoffing, as she found Pearle's words a bit forward; Angelique felt hurt, as she quickly interjected.
“Once again, I understand your reasoning, but this is my decision. This babe is not at fault for his/her father's crime. He/She is very innocent.”
Breathing in and out, Pearle passed a hand through her hair. She was already stressed. Angelique's words were making her a little tense and irritated. Displeased, she bit her lip. She was growing angrier at the foolish Princess, but she hid it perfectly behind a saccharine smile.
Gritted teeth, she spoke harsh but reasonable words.
“You are extremely selfish and foolish, Princess! Getting rid of the babe is the only other option here. Do you know what you carry?! A hybrid that can bring great insult to the Fae Kingdom is not an innocent babe!"
Aghast by her lack of respect, Angelique's tone was reprimanding and curt.
“I am not selfish nor foolish, but clear-headed, Pearle! I expect you to know how reasonable I think! I will not get rid of my babe, even if he/she is a hybrid or not! End of discussion!”
Growling darkly within her heart, Pearle frowned.
‘Whether you like it or not Princess, this hybrid will die, and there will be nothing you can do about it.’
“No, no, we have not gotten to the main point here, Princess. If this hybrid is born, the Fae Kingdom will be breaking one of the greatest laws in the Fantasia World. The Fae kingdom will burn because of your decision! We will pay the price!”
Wrapping her arms around her midsection, Angelique felt alone, for the vulgar audacity of Pearle’s words was incredibly daunting. The small fire in the fireplace crackled and brought additional warmth to the room, but in the presence of Pearle, she felt cold. She realized the Cold Sprites Queen was unconsciously secreting ice steam from her person.
That showed she was beyond anger. However, Angelique was determined.
“Once again, I understand your concerns, but I have already made up my mind. As High Lady and future Queen of the Fae Kingdom, I pass this command: the babe will live. I will protect him/her from harm, including the wrath and punishment of the Supremes.”
‘Oh god, what is wrong with this foolish Princess?! She will ruin my plans before it is even set in motion if she keeps that hybrid and that stubborn and determined attitude!’
Pearle pointedly thought as shock waves rode up her spin when she heard her command intertwined with massive power. The invincible cord bounding the races together tightened, and it forced her to accept. Forced to bow her head in agreement, Pearle gritted her teeth inside her mouth.
'Such an ignorant and foolish, Princess.'
Suddenly a male messenger appeared behind her through a portal. This distraction caused the cord to snap; the command prevalent but could easily break.
His breathing was harsh, and sweat overpowered his skin.
Falling to one knee, he hissed, as if he was wounded.
“My Queen, I bring grave news. It is the Lycans. They have...they have infiltrated the borders and are moving fast to the castle."
Swiftly turning around, Pearle slightly took a step back when she witnessed the blue substance dripping from the large gash of a long claw engraved on his chest. Rushing towards him, she fell near his wincing and barely breathing and crunching person.
Tsking with distaste in her mind, she glowered.
'That sly and filthy mutt called Rolando is decreasing my patience. Can he not be more practical?’
“What happened?”
Hitched breath, the man forced his blue eyes to remain open.
“As we speak, our best warriors are fighting them off, my Queen, but the Lycans are strong.”
“What about the shields?”
Gasping, fake tears of worry pricked her eyes, but Pearle was not bothered. It was part of her plan. However, she was cross that Rolando and his dogs' theatrics and ploys would bring the Lycan King to her doorstep, something she would hate. Making a mental note to have a private chat with the ruffian, she forced herself to remain focused on the man wavering voice.
“The Lycans who possess affinities are breaking through it as we speak.”
Turning in the wide-eyed Princess direction, Pearle gripped the shoulders of the messenger. Nearing close to his face, she darkly whispered.
“Whatever you see in this room will not be recited. If you peep one word, I am afraid talking would become difficult for you and your family in the future. Do you understand?”
Rapidly nodding his head, the man had turned whiter than a sheet.
She pulled him to the bed with a small evil grin. Turning in Angelique's direction, her expression instantly changed.
“Please, help him, Princess.”
Simply nodding without an ounce of hesitation, she rushed to the gasping man side. Placing a hand over the clawed mark and closing her eyes, she allowed her body to relax as she released a hot and bright substance to cover the wound through her hands. Called Binding, it was a technique that was harmless but effective in closing wounds. It was something she had used earlier on Diana.
The man’s eyes widened as he bawled when the wound under the brightly shining substance began to close until a tiny mark and dried blue blood tainted his skin. It was something he had never seen before, but before he could glance up at the Princess, Pearle knocked him out by injecting a small ice shard with an anesthetic on its tip in his neck.
Sagging, a little drained, Angelique sat on the edge of the bed, for she had used a lot of energy to close the wound. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Pearle murmured.
“Thank you for your assistance, Princess.”
Glancing at the unconscious man, then Pearle, Angelique was about to speak. However, the doors were thrown open by two bodyguards. Recognizing the message in their eyes, Pearle pursed her lips. She had dallied enough.
