Chapter 35: You mean to introduce my husband to Alicent, yes?

Damien's POV

It's been a week since I arrived and Angelique and I seem to have been getting along just fine. We don't bicker as much as we used to and I've learned to treat her with high respect. She helped me get back my sister; for that, I owe her much. I still don't completely trust her, but I see no reason to find her as an enemy at the moment. I shall treat her like a friend until she does something drastic to convince me that I must carry out my original plan.

She hasn't spoken much since Jonah summoned her. I haven't seen her with Hera as much either. I feel a little worried that the meeting might've stressed her too much and put the baby in danger.

"How long will you stare?" she asked, opening her eyes. She sat up, letting me help her.

"You were awake?" I asked, handing her a glass of water.

She yawned, nodding in response. "I was awake, Damien," she says, taking a sip. "And I am appalled. You've been staring at me for thirty minutes now. How do you do it?"

"I'm just worried," I confessed, "You didn't seem yourself when you returned after Jonah summoned you. Will you tell me what went wrong? There's no use in lying anyway. I know you're upset. Just say the word and I'll have them throw him in the dungeon."

She chuckled, looking away. "He didn't do anything, Damien," she says, "He just revealed to me his engagement with my Lady, Hera. I am sad that I'll have to let her go."

"And not because he's finally letting you go?" I asked, taking the cup from her hands.

She shook her head in response. "I am not jealous," she says, "But it seems you are. Tell me, Damien, are you jealous of Jonah and me?"

"No," I replied, flicking her forehead. "I know that you know that you're mine. There's nothing he can do to make me jealous. Besides, this is still a political alliance."

"Unless you want to change that," she says cheekily. She climbed on top of me, wrapping her hands around my neck. "Do you want to change that?" she asked playfully, biting her lower lip.

I wrapped my arms around her, keeping her still. "Are you flirting with me?" I asked, almost closing the distance between our lips. We haven't kissed or done anything since I left, and now I find myself in a situation like this. It might be hard to control my impulses with her teasing me like this.

"Maybe I am," she whispered, closing the gap between our lips. Her kiss was sweet and passionate, and it almost felt like she was saying "I miss you." As she pulled away, she rested her forehead against mine.

"What was that?" I asked, caressing her back.

"I don't know," she replied, "Suppose I just needed it."

"And what bothers you?" I asked.

"Childbirth," she replied, "I'm almost due, Damien. I heard it feels like hell."

"I apologize in advance," I said, "I heard it feels like a total bitch." I didn't know how to respond to that. I have no knowledge regarding childbirth other than it can be dangerous and sometimes cause death. In some cases, the father is given the decision whether or not to save the child or the mother. If that happens, I'm certain that I'll choose Angelique. At least until we have an heir and a spare.

"It does," she agreed, "Can we talk about what happens after I give birth? I heard that I might be called upon to lead the armies on the west; is that true?"

So she's heard about the discussion, huh? I wonder who's her informant. It's been clear that no one was to tell her anything because of the stress it might put on her and the baby.

"Damien?" she asked, "Is it true?"

I nodded in response. "It is under discussion at the moment."

"Will you continue to give me short answers?" she asked, getting off me. She got up finding her fresh clothes already waiting for her on the table. She put on the fresh dress while tying her long hair in a braid.

I also got up and started getting dressed. "Yes," was my answer to her question.

"Fine," she said in an annoyed tone. "When the time shall come, do you want me to go to war, or stay and take care of our child?"

Honestly, I would prefer that she stays here for at least another year to take care of our child. I don't want her to go to war just yet. But I also know that she has a duty as the White Knight. She has to do what she can to help end this war.

"Damien?" she calls, pulling me out from my thoughts. "Which one do you prefer?"

"T'is not up to me," I replied.

"I know," she says, "But I'm curious to hear your opinion. I for one am torn. I would love to go to the front lines and end this war once and for all, but at the same time, I want to spend time with our child. This is our first child, after all." He clutched her belly in deep thought. The subject troubles her more than it troubles me.

"I would like you to spend at least another year here," I said, "We owe the child that much. At least one of us should stay behind to be with him. Since you're the mother, I think it best be you and not me."

"I see," she nods, "I understand. I suppose that means that you will leave for battle after our child's christening."

"And what do you choose?" I asked.

"I don't know yet," she replied, accepting my hand. We left the chambers to have some breakfast, but a servant came for us. My father summoned us to come to his chambers immediately. As we reached his chambers, we were greeted by Grea who had teary eyes.

"Queen Grea," Angelique greets, "Are you alright? Is something the matter?"

She shook her head in response. "The King wishes to see you," she tells us, leading us to his bed.

"Your grace," Angelique greeted with respect.

I bowed lightly, greeting him, "Father."

My father looked ill indeed. He was very pale and almost looked like a corpse. He also reeked of medicine and herbs. No doubt, he is dying. It would be a miracle for him to survive more than a year. Now I can't stop thinking if we should introduce Alicent to him before it's too late. He still deserves to meet his daughter after all.

He coughed, trying to sit up. "My son," he says, "My son has finally returned."

"Yes, father," I replied, "Is there something you wish to tell me?"

He nodded, taking my hand. "I wanted to tell you," he struggles, "that I am most proud of you. I may not have been able to express myself much as your father, but I want you to know now how much I love you and your mother." He then turned to Angelique, placing his hand on her belly. "Princess Angelique," he coughs, "As my son's wife and future queen, I ask that you look after him and your child. I know that it's hard, but you must endure for your children's sake. I hope that in time, you will come to love him just as his mother came to love me."

"Father, do not say such things," I said, "You'll get better soon enough. I want you to be better in time for your grandchild's christening, alright? We need you there. There's also someone we should want you to meet."

"Ah, yes," Grea interrupts, "You mean to introduce my husband to Alicent, yes?"

"Alicent?" my father asked, "I don't understand. Isn't Alicent dead?"

Grea pushed us aside, making her way to my father. She knelt down, holding his hand against her cheek. "This is not the late queen, my husband," she says, "Rose adopted a child named Alicent. She's a very beautiful girl, and she almost looks exactly like the late queen."

"There is also the wedding of Silver and Rose," I added, "So please stay strong and make sure you'll be able to attend."

My father coughed, reaching for his water. He took a sip, trying to suppress his urge to lay back down. "I am trying my best to survive for as long as I can. I, of course, would like to attend my best friend's wedding and meet my future grandchild," he says, "But we must face reality. I am young, yet I may die soon. We need to talk about what I want to happen when I pass. After my death, you, Damien will ascend the throne and become the King of House Cross. Angelique will rule alongside you as your consort, and my grandchild—preferably male—will succeed you. But you must also know about the plan regarding making all the twelve nations into one vast empire."

They mean to create an empire now, huh?

"What do you mean, father?" I asked.

He coughed, continuing, "The elders and I have spoken, and we've decided to create a great empire with you and your wife to rule. That coronation, of course, will only be done once Angelique is also the queen of her own house and you her consort. Once that is done, you will ascend and become the rulers of all twelve kingdoms."

I looked at Angelique, trying to read her face. She seemed rather calm. I couldn't help but feel like she already knows about this. If so, why hasn't she told me? Why keep it a secret?

"Angelique," My father continues, "You and your husband will both marry once again upon your ascension as Empress and Emperor. You will also sign the crown matrimonial."

"How do I know you do not plan to dispose of me once I have signed the document?" she asked fiercely, her tone dropping icy cold. There was a fire in her eyes and a coldness emitting from her body. She clutched her stomach, keeping a stern face. "Well?" she asked, "How do I know you do not wish to kill me once I sign my name onto that paper? If I sign those papers, when I die, Damien will have a temporary hold on my properties and not my children. Kingdom White will belong to your son; how do I know you won't kill me?"

I held her hand in an attempt to calm her down.

She withdrew her hand from me, keeping her eyes on my parents. "I do not wish to become the Empress," she said, "I do not want it. Unless you give me assurance that I am safe, then I shan't be part of any of this."

"Angelique, please," Grea says, trying to calm her also. "My husband is sick. Do not raise your voice at him. I understand your concerns, dear child, but now is not the time to be giving him stress."

"And this is the time you give me stress?" she snapped, "I apologize if I give you distress, but you gave me just as much. I am carrying your son's child inside me and I do not wish to endanger it any further by staying here." She turned to me, saying, "I shall leave you to it, Damien."

"No," my father almost pleaded, "I beg you to stay, Princess Angelique. You have my word that nothing will happen to you once you sign the crown matrimonial. Should it be proven that my house assassinated you or any other house planned your demise, all your assets will immediately be put to your children and not Damien. You can enlist the name of the person you trust to take care of it if your children are not yet of age. That is the assurance I give you."

It may be my imagination, but I believe I just saw Angelique smirk in satisfaction. Did she plan this? I suppose she is still as cunning as before.

"I appreciate it, and I will sign it when I see it written on paper," she said with a light bow.

My father went on to continue explaining his will to us for another half hour before he dismissed us from his chambers. Everything I have learned today seems to appear as "yesterday's news" to Angelique. I wonder if she had known this all along.

"Ask me," she said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "You obviously want to ask me something, so do it."

"Very well," I replied, pulling her into a dark corridor where only two of us were present. "Tell me, my dear wife, what is it you know about this "plan" and why did you keep it from me?"

A devilish smirk appeared on her face as her eyes shifted from prey to predator. She's unrecognizable. What is it you hide, Angelique? What is it?