Chapter 43: He isn't good for you; he never was.

Angelique's POV

I woke up to the sound of my family's voices. Opening my eyes, I saw my parents and the whole Malachite family. Damien was out of sight. I assume he opted to avoid the family drama that's about to unravel.

"Angelique," my mother gasped, "You're finally awake. You've been asleep for two days!" Somehow the look of concern on her face brought comfort to me. At least now I know she has a heart.

"Calm down, Queen Coraline," said King Ford, "The doctors assured us that she will survive." He came closer, placing his hand on my forehead to feel my temperature. "The fever has gone," he states, "She'll be better by tomorrow."

I sat up, resting my back against the headboard. "Is everything alright?" I asked, "Why are you all here?"

"We wanted to be here when you woke up," explained my cousin, Prince Ford. "Everything good, then? Strong?"

I nodded in response. "Always," I said.

Conner sat at the foot of my bed, sighing. "You scared us immensely, cousin," he said, "I am glad that you're finally conscious. The doctors said that you lost a lot of blood due to your wounds. If we hadn't treated you sooner, you would've died."

"Where are the twins?" I asked, searching for my babies. They aren't in the room.

"Don't worry," said my mother, "The babies are with the nursemaid. They are very healthy. We're proud of you, Angelique. You handled the situation well as a worthy heir and warrior. Your people are proud of you and so are we."

"You take after the Whites, cousin," commented Conner, "Anyway, do you want to rest? We can leave you to it if you'd like."

"No," I replied, "I think we should talk about the elephant in the room. I assume you know about our family's plans... Now that I've given birth, I'd like to know what you intend to do." I scanned all their faces. They appeared to be both in disbelief and shock as they glanced at each other. Conner and Ford appeared calmer than most.

"Of course," King Ford nodded, "I wanted to ask you personally if you'd accept either one of my children as your husband. I'm asking you as your uncle and not as a monarch. I want to consider your feelings in all of this since you are like a daughter to me." My uncle has always been this kind. Kinder than my parents even. I often envy my cousins for having such a good-hearted father who would choose his sons first before the crown.

My parents looked at me sternly, making sure I'd say the right things.

Without hesitation, I nodded. "Of course, I'd accept this proposal," I replied, "I don't think of any other man fitting to rule by my side. But of course, I'd like to ask my cousins the same thing: are they open to this or not? I should not want them to be forced to take my hand in such important matters."

Conner and Ford both gave me an assuring smile. "We assure you, Princess," Conner says, "We are delighted to marry you."

"Well, whomever you prefer," Ford adds, shrugging.

"Then it is settled," my mother declares, "Angelique shall marry either prince she chooses. Anyhow, now that she's given birth, we need two more, yes?"

I nodded in response. "Yes," I replied, "Damien and I plan to have two more children. Once they are at least two years old, we may proceed with the assassination of my husband. The sooner I perform my duty, the sooner we can scratch him from this dynasty."

"Good," Queen Maria says, "He isn't good for you; he never was. Let us not forget how he let us down by choosing to go to Diamond Fortress instead of here. What a disappointment."

I cannot defend my husband even if I wanted to; not that I do. Queen Maria was right; he was a disappointment. To them, at least. I never once hoped that he would come to my rescue; I knew he wouldn't. No matter how "different" he tries to present himself, he can never fool me again. He hurt me once; he'll do it again.

"Why did he choose to go there instead of here?" asked Queen Maria. "Why?"

My mother gave us a devilish smile. It was almost terrifying. She took a sip from her cup, walking around us. "Because of his younger sister, no doubt," she said wickedly. Her eyes were that of the devil and her tone chilling.

"Sister?" King Ford questioned. "Richard has a bastard?"

My mother shook her head in response. "It's his daughter with the late queen, Alicent Strong. I saved her from death when she was freshly cut from her mother's womb. She's the perfect soldier, don't you think, Angelique?"

Oh my god. Her face says it all... That smile... "What are you talking about?" I asked.

She looked at Ford and Conner, gesturing for them to speak up. Conner gave in and said, "She was the one who saved little Alicent from Grea's wrath. Your mother protected her from King Richard's wife."

"No," I argued, "You, mother, left her to starve in the streets. She lived with a cruel person all her life!"

"That's not true," Ford argued on my mother's behalf. "The lady was paid to take care of her until she was ten. Once your mother figured out the life the poor girl has endured, she had that woman removed. Alicent was never left alone on the streets for she had a secret guardian following her around and keeping her safe."

"I'm no monster, Angelique," my mother states, "But I must admit that my kindness has a price. Since I saved her from Grea, there are plenty of things I want in return. Hence she found herself trying to be a part of your organization."

"So you've planned it from the start then," I said in disbelief. "You saved her to make her a pawn in your chess game."

"Why yes," she nodded cruelly, "I am a queen, dear; not a naive princess. I would do what I can to survive and honor the crown. I did what I could to win the battle against the Crosses. I raised you to become a fit warrior capable of striking Damien down, and it worked. Everything I had planned for the last two decades has worked."

"Your mother is wise, cousin," Ford commented, "She knows how to rule well."

I sighed. I can't say anything in Alicent's favor in order to save her from her inevitable fate in my mother's game. If I mean to save that kid, I need power.

"Is there a problem?" my mother arched her brow, "Have you grown fond of my little project? I don't blame you if you have. She is a darling girl. Given that I saved her from her death eleven years ago, and you saved her from starvation and poverty, that girl will be loyal to us. You can be fond of her, but you should know better than to form some deeper attachment. She is and will forever be one of them—a Cross."

"I agree," I lied, "But what about my children? They are Crosses by blood. Will you see them as the enemy as well? Because of your comments about young Alicent, I want to ensure the safety of my newborn children. Will they be safe upon my marriage to the Malachites, or, will you slowly kill them too?"

Their eyes grew wide in discomfort.

"Of course not," they said in unison.

Conner says, "Your children will be safe and will remain unharmed when you marry either of us; trust me on that. If you need me to sign a decree stating this, then I shall gladly do it. My dear cousin, I would never dream of taking the life of my own family." He was genuine; I'm sure. Still, people can change within a second. I have to be cautious.

"No harm will be done to your children," mother stated, "I promise you that. We have a plan for this, I assure you, Angelique. You've nothing to worry about."

"I see," I nodded, "If nothing further, then we should discuss the plans for the official party of the twins. Is everyone here?"

"Everyone," replied King Ford.

"It will be quite the event to celebrate the birth of the twins who changed history!" added Queen Maria.

"I want equality in all this," I stated sternly, "My daughter was born first. I don't want her to fall behind the glory of my son who was born second. I want this ceremony to be done fairly and just. Dianne should be introduced first as the heir to my throne, and later her brother, Alexander, as the heir to their father's throne. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"

"But it has always been the son first," my father and uncle tried to object, earning looks of disgust from us.

"No," Prince Ford agreed with me, "I think Dianne should be introduced before Alexander. Dianne is rightfully the heir, anyway. That has always been the law of White, has it not?"

"It has," my mother nodded, "The princess will be introduced first. Should anything change, they shall answer to me."

"Good," I nodded. "Is there anything else we need to discuss? If not, then I shall require my children here under my own watchful eye. I don't want them getting used to being raised by servants."

"Is that a jab at me?" my mother asked in disbelief.

"It is a jab at all of you," I replied, arching my brow. "I want my children to grow up feeling loved and protected. I don't want them growing up the way I and my cousins have."

She shook her head, keeping her composure. It was evident on her face that she didn't agree with me. Of course, she doesn't. They prefer to raise soldiers rather than raise their children.

"I agree with Angelique," Conner said almost hesitantly. "I would like to raise my children in the same manner as she would. I believe that if we raise children with more love and compassion, they will grow up to be even stronger than us. Perhaps they will surpass us even."

Ford nodded, adding, "I agree as well."

The adults in the room left in disagreement and disbelief. They couldn't agree with us at all. They were raised the same way we were and yet we see things so differently. I never understood why.

"They don't see things the way we do, do they?" Ford says, shaking his head. "Well, we can never change old people. It's a good thing that we're all young and capable of establishing real change."

"I agree," Conner says, "I think we'll be more effective. So, Angelique, you look very angry by the look on your face. Why is that?"

"Why?" I asked, glaring at them, "You didn't tell me anything about what I found out about little Alicent."

"Ah," Ford looked at his older brother. "Well, that mess up was this guy's fault; not mine. Please don't glare at me. Glare at my elder brother who is very much loyal to your mother." With that said, he gave me a smile and left the room.

Conner and I were left alone, staring blankly at each other. We both sighed. Were we going to argue about this? I don't think it's worth the trouble. What I need from him is his loyalty. Loyalty to me and not to my mother. If he's to be my husband, I need him on my side; not anyone else's.

"You're still angry," he says, sitting closer to me. He reached for my hand, holding it firmly. "I know that it's not just about my not telling you. There's more to it; I'm sure. I want to ask you something really personal, Angelique. Do you like Damien?"

I was dumbfounded. Why would he ask that so out of the blue?

"It's okay," he says, "I would understand if you developed feelings for him. It's only natural. In fact, I would be worried if you didn't."

"Why are you asking me this so out of the blue?" I asked.

"Because I want to know," he replied, "You loathed him before you married. If you managed to catch some sort of feelings for him, it gives me a little bit of relief. It means that one day, maybe you'll catch feelings for me too. We are to marry, after all. I don't want to have a loveless marriage; I just want you to know that from the very beginning."

"Conner," I said.

He continued, "I will never harm you nor will I ever hurt you. I am offering you a happy and loving life. I will accept your children and treat them as my own. I will be loyal to you from the day we say "I do." That's my promise to you if you ever choose me."

I thought long and hard before I mustered the courage to say anything. "Conner, I appreciate everything. But don't you think that you're going too fast? I don't think it's time to have this kind of talk yet."

He smiled, holding my hand tighter as though it was a message that he understood. He replied, "I will go with the pace that you wish."

"Thank you," I said, "And to answer your question, Yes. Yes, at some point, I did catch feelings for Damien. It was brief, but it burned ever so brightly. I never told anyone that; not even him. I convinced myself that he was nothing to me now. After he tried to hurt me that night, I knew that he had to go."

"Hurt you?" he almost roared, making my heart beat rapidly. "He dares touch you? I'm going to kill him myself."

"No," I said, holding his hand. "I took care of it. It doesn't matter anymore. So please, don't do anything, alright? I'll do my part in all this; you do yours."

He nodded, planting a gentle kiss on my hand. "I'll leave you then. I shall tell the maidservants to bring you the babies."

"Thanks, Conner," I said, letting him leave.

I finally admitted to someone that I did like Damien. Why does it feel strange though? It doesn't matter. Conner is what's best for me, my children, and the realm.