"Morning, William." Charles walked into the small council room, taking his seat. The old General looked towards his friend and softly smiled. "Is it true? What the servants saying?"
William sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Yeah. I saw them, Charles. There's no mistaking it; they're Alfred's."
"Fuck." Charles quietly whispered under his breath. He remembered all the conversations about the topic in the past, wondering what would happen if Helga did come with a bastard. But now that it actually happened, he couldn't figure out what to do. "It needs to be dealt with."
"Impossible for now." Charles looked at William in confusion, and the old general wryly smiled. "Esmond is guarding them until Alfred gives an order. If he wishes them gone, I don't doubt Esmond will carry it out, but for now, they can't be touched."
"And the Empress?"