Chapter 44: It's been long, has it not?

Angelique's POV

I got ready in time for the ball. Miraculously, regaining my strength wasn't hard. I was back in my usual color and my energy was normal. I bathed and made sure I was presentable to the ton. My long dark hair lay flowing at my back with the royal tiara atop my head. My gown was made of the finest cloths in the land. It was simple and yet it screamed royalty. It was golden with a corset that made my figure stand out, and the skirt flowed freely and voluminously. I was bejeweled in gold and diamonds from head to toe.

"You look lovely," my mother states upon entering the room. "You're exactly what you're meant to be, Angelique. Your beauty, your wit, your intelligence, and your talent are meant to be used by the crown. You're meant to become the Queen of all queens."

I turned to face her. She wore an emerald gown that made her skin look like porcelain. She doesn't disappoint at all. She used to be called the fairest of all women. She likes to think that she still is.

"As do you, Mother," I say, "You look the part of a Queen Mother."

"I just came here to check on you," she says, circling me like a hawk. "You seem to get along just fine with Conner. Is he your choice of Damien's replacement? If you ask me, he is the best catch. He suits you."

"I admit that we do see eye to eye," I replied, "And he swears to be just with my children with Damien. So long as his loyalty lies with me, I'll treat him with the utmost respect. Anyway, have you seen my husband? I haven't seen him since the last time which apparently is two days ago."

"Ah, you know," she says, "He's probably whoring himself out right about now. There's no reason not to anyway."

"The truth, Mother," I demanded knowing well enough that Damien wouldn't be doing that. He's likely with Maidservant Rose or Lady Alicent.

"Fine," she says, "He is already at the party entertaining his family's guests."

"And everyone is there?" I asked, "All of the family? Our family?"

My mother replied, "Of course. No one from our clan dare miss this event. And if you're asking about your other cousins, they are eager to see you. Are you ready?"

"I am," I replied.

"Good," she says. She then snapped her fingers, signaling the nursemaids to come in. She took little Dianne in her arms and handed her to me. "You will take the heir that will take after you in the White Throne," she says, "I will take the boy."

"Shouldn't the father be the one taking her?" I raised my brow.

"He's not here, is he?" she fought back, "I will be the one to introduce the children with you. After all, the father rather be with his family instead of immediately coming to you."

"Actually, the father is here," interrupted my husband.

I didn't even notice him come in.

He came forth, taking Alexander from the nursemaid. "Thank you," he tells the maid then turning to face us. "Your majesty," he greets my mother. "My dear wife," he shifted his gaze to me, "I apologize if I haven't gotten here sooner. I had so much to do. But I'm here now."

"Took you long enough," I replied coldly. "Shall we?"

He nodded in response walking with me. My mother followed after us much to her displeasure. I suppose she purposely gave Damien many tasks that he'd miss this—presenting our children to the world. My mother miscalculated. What Damien wants Damien gets. He wanted this.

As soon as the doors opened, all eyes landed on us. Everybody bowed and curtsied in respect. Soon enough, we were swarmed by the people.

"Cousin Felicity," I curtsied, "It's been long, has it not? Might I introduce you to my daughter, Dianne."

Felicity is a year younger than I and we used to be close. She comes from my paternal side of the family, and she has three younger siblings. There's Kara, the middle child; then there's Denyra, the one who followed after Kara; and lastly, there's Jestin.

Felicity curtsied in respect, smiling at me and my new family. "Well, they look like you," she comments, "But I believe your grace must formally introduce them first from over there by our great uncles."

I nodded, letting her go. I then turned to Damien who gave me a nod. Together, we went to the back where the throne sat. Once we got there, all eyes yet again were on us. Our parents along with the rulers of this realm gathered with us to announce the birth of our children.

"Two days ago, we were blessed with two new heirs to the throne of White and Cross," my father announced, "And I am very proud to say that my first grandchild is none other than Princess Dianne Alicent White, daughter of Princess Angelique of House White and Prince Damien of House Cross."

Everyone rejoiced, cheering as loud as can be.

King Richard II, Damien's father, then proceeded, saying, "And our second grandchild born after Princess Dianne is none other than Prince Alexander Dorian Cross."

"The future of the realm," they said in unison.

Once again, the crowd rejoiced.

I felt Damien's hand intertwine with mine and he raised it as a sign of unity. After the formalities were over, the babies were taken back to rest with the nursemaid. It was mostly my command. I believe that the leading cause of death in infants is their overexposure to people. And people these days are filthy. I wouldn't risk my children's lives over mere formalities. Once they were taken, I broke away from Damien. I walked straight to my cousins who were thankfully farther from the Cross' side.

"Cousin Angelique," they all bowed and curtsied.

"For a mother who just endured a horrific birth, I must say you look really radiant," Cousin Kendrick compliments, planting a kiss on my hand. He's one of the cousins I really get along with. Kendrick is the oldest of three siblings. He has a younger sister named Keitlyn and the youngest among them was Kristoff.

"Thank you, cousin," I replied, "You don't look bad yourself. "Has your training as a knight paid off? You're fifteen now, yes?"

"Yes," he replied.

"God, we've all grown," I said, "Let me tell you that being wed is much more horrid than you think. I don't recommend it."

"But you're married to Damien Cross," Felicity states, folding her hands over her chest. "Is it horrible because he exhausts you every night? I heard he's the sexiest man alive today and his performance is absolutely divine. I bet none of our cousins could compare. Damien's stamina is that of a beast."

"Don't judge us, Felicity," Desmond, our cousin says, "You can't judge what you haven't tried. Do you want to try?"

Felicity blushed. "Not with you, you idiot," she says, pulling his ear. "But if Angelique is open to sharing her husband, I would be delighted to surrender my virtue."

I felt a shiver of disgust shower down on me. Share my husband with her? That's got to be one of the most disgusting things I've ever heard. I mean I wouldn't mind dumping Damien on her. I don't want him anyway.

"If you want him, have at it," I said carelessly, "Try your best to seduce him. I assure you I don't mind."

"What?" Felicity stuttered. I suppose she didn't think I'd actually let her have a chance with my husband.

"Now she's all flustered," Kendrick sighed in disbelief, "You can't do it, can you, Felicity?"

"Just watch me," says, storming off. Knowing Damien, he wouldn't refuse her advances. She is beautiful after all.

"You really don't care, do you, Angelique?" Desmond and Kendrick said in unison.

"Why should I?" I raised my brow, "If he can have his fun, there's no reason I can't have mine. Let this be a lesson to you, my cousins. Do not cheat lest ye want your wives or husbands to cheat as well. Anyhow, I trust you wouldn't dare tattle on me. I am, after all, the future of all realms."

"Of course," they all say.

I then turned away from them, looking for a certain cousin of mine. Where oh where is Conner? I sighed, spotting Damien with none other than Felicity. Of course, they were already dancing. Soon enough, they'll be in the bedroom. What is it about cheating that he does it constantly? Is there a thrill to it?

A hand grabbed mine, dragging me into a darkened hallway.

"Conner," I said, looking up. "Something wrong?"

"I just saw Damien with cousin Felicity," he says, "Has your husband no shame?"

"Apparently not and neither does Felicity," I stated.

"What do you mean?" he asked, "Did Felicity make the advance?"

I nodded in response. "She did," I explained, "Felicity was blabbering about wanting to fuck my husband. She didn't think I'd let her do that, but I did. And because I did and she has her pride, she wouldn't back out from it. If she were found out, she would be in big trouble. Her father might have her head served on a platter, or, she could be saved by becoming my husband's official mistress. Well, so long as he lives, of course. We both know he hasn't that long to live."

"Do you ever wonder what it's like to cheat on someone?" he asked curiously. I swear, sometimes I think he could read my mind.

"Just now, actually," I replied. Just then, a thought went over my head. Without any warning, I clashed my lips with his.

Taken aback by it, he pulled back, staring at me wide-eyed. "Angelique, we shouldn't," he says, "Not yet at least."

"What's stopping you?" I asked, "I want this. And should I conceive, it will pass on as Damien's child anyway. You needn't worry about the consequences, cousin."

He bit his lip, thinking deeply. He then turned to look around, searching for anyone who could possibly spot us. Upon seeing no one was there, he dragged me to his study. He shut the door, looking into my eyes.

I bit my lip. So this is the thrill of cheating, huh? The constant fear of getting caught? To hell with that. I've been craving to be touched for ages.

Conner walked towards me, lifting me up to his desk. "Are you sure?" he asked cautiously, slipping a hand on my thigh. Receiving a nod from me, he continued to crash his lips onto mine. His hands roamed around my body as mine did his. I didn't care if this was wrong. I liked it. I want it.

Soon enough, his fingers touched the very woman within me making me gasp.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked, pulling his finger back.

I shook my head. "No," I said, "Keep going."

He continued to push and pull, my womanhood dripping at his touch. As his pace fastened, my breaths shortened. He smiled, seeing that I was almost at my high. He pulled out his fingers, smirking at me. "Not yet," he says, "I want to put it in you."

"Then do it," I said, my heart beating faster and louder.

He turned me around, unbuckling his pants. I turned slightly to gaze upon him and I wasn't disappointed. He was larger than I anticipated. He positioned himself at my entrance, holding onto my hip and shoulder. His first thrust made me gasp, feeling his manhood deep inside me.

I moaned, letting him know I wanted him.

He thrusts slowly, trying his best not to hurt me. "You're so tight, Angelique. If I hadn't known that you've given birth, I'd think you're a maiden."

"I assure you, I'm no maid," I said, "do it harder."

He smirked, nodding at my request. His thrusts got harder and faster, ramming into me. The sound of our flesh slapping against each other was audible and so were our gasps and moans. One of his hands made its way to my bud as he continued to thrust from behind me. He rubbed it violently, making me shake in pleasure.

"Stop," I stuttered, "If you do that, I'll cum."

He groaned, refusing to stop. "I want you to cum," he said, doing it faster than before. Soon enough, I felt my insides curling around his thick rod, milking him for all he's worth.

"Conner," I say, trying to catch my breath. "I'm getting closer."

"I am too," he replied, continuing his pace. Before we knew it, we were screaming each other's names. We stayed connected for a while as we recovered our consciousness. Slowly, he pulled out and I turned to face him. "That was..." he said.

"Amazing," I said, pulling him closer. "Fuck, I didn't know you were good."

"Well, we never really thought about doing that until tonight," he replied, "Well, for you at least. I always thought you were beautiful."

Really? If he only knew that I had a crush on him when we were children... "Anyway," I said, fixing my dress. "I should retire to my chambers and clean myself. I wouldn't want anyone to find me with someone else's seed other than my husband's."

"If anyone asks, I'll tell them you weren't feeling well," he says.

"Good," I replied, "It was a pleasure to have you, Conner. Hopefully, when we're wed, we'll be able to have beautiful children." I then left him in his study.

I just had sex. I just had sex with my cousin. I just had sex with my cousin whilst still married to Damien Cross. Why don't I feel guilty? No, I should relax. I shouldn't feel guilty anyway. Damien's only my husband in name. Besides, Damien does this to me all the time. What he doesn't know won't kill anyone. Should he ever find out about this, it would be a blood bath between him and Conner. No one can know.