Chapter 27: And I fear death is nearing me as well.

Angelique's POV

Today my father summoned me to his chambers discreetly. Something tells me this is bigger than he paints it to be. My father only ever summoned me whenever he leaves for a deadly mission or when he's sick, thinking that he's dying. Given my condition, I wasn't permitted to come see him the minute he arrived. He's been here for two months already.

I sighed, feeling my steps getting heavier and heavier with every step I took. I held onto my baby for courage as I landed in front of his room's entrance. "Princess Angelique," the pager announced.

I entered the room, meeting my father's gaze. "Father," I greeted, walking to his side. "Are you still sick?"

He coughed, nodding. He looked like a breathing corpse. His injury was huge on his abdomen and shoulder. It appears that in the course of two months, it still hasn't healed. "How have you been?" he asked, gesturing for me to sit.

I sat on the chair next to his bed. "I have been well, father," I said, "If you're worried about the cargo in my belly, I am perfectly healthy."

"That's good," he coughed, "Damien has been successful in clearing out the south. He is stronger than his father, Richard. He also rules with an iron fist. I hear he leaves no survivors in every battle. He's determined to finish this war once and for all for the sake of the child you're bearing."

"Yes," I nodded, "So he said. How is King Richard? Is he to die soon, father?"

"They say he won't last another year," he coughed, "And I fear death is nearing me as well. As you know, I am but a consort in this country. I was the prince of House Claw until I married into your mother's house. My older brother still bears no children, and I being the next in line to his throne, the crown befalls on me. Should anything happen to him, the crown falls on my lap, and then yours."

"What are you getting at, father?" I asked.

"The other Kings and I have been talking," he coughs, "Nothing official, but just blabber. We talked of changing everything by establishing an empire by putting the strongest country at the top. All twelve nations will become one empire."

"Father, if that happens, our house rivals my husband's," I said thoughtfully, "To solve this conflict, we need to sign the crown matrimonial. Damien and I would have equal rules, but then it becomes a more dangerous game. If I sign my name on that paper, if I die, everything passes to him. And given our previous arrangement of having two heirs—one for the White and one for the Cross—it would complicate this." I winced, feeling a sharp pain in my stomach. "Ouch," I groaned, holding onto my belly.

My father looked at me worriedly, saying, "I will make the arrangements on your behalf. I will make you Queen of the Twelve Kingdoms."

"I do not want it, father," I said, almost begging. "I already feel the burden of being born in this family. I cannot go through it all over again."

"I will speak to your husband," he said, holding my hand, "You, my child, will unite all the nations and become the greatest queen in history. They will write books about you and praise you. A thousand years from now, your reign will still be remembered."

I flinched, feeling the pain in my stomach. The stress is too much. I cannot be here.

"When you were a young girl, I had shared this with you," he says, "You were eager and willful. You make me prouder than any father. From the very first time you picked up your sword, I have been preparing you for this. Many years from then, you did not disappoint. You fulfilled your duty despite how much you loathe Damien. You turned down Jonah's offer of marriage despite how you feel for him. You did everything for honor and the crown. Even now, as a pregnant mother, you refused to stay and bed during this war. Instead of enjoying indulgences with the other ladies, you created an organization that benefits the less fortunate women and children. All the things you've done are the works of a true ruler."

I shook my head, pleading with my eyes. "Father."

"No," he says, "You're the future of this kingdom, Angelique."

"If that is all why you summoned me, is there anything else you would like to say?" I asked, "I would like to take my leave. I fear the distress and burdens you have given me will put my health at risk."

He nodded, coughing. "I will summon you again once the plans are absolute."

I took one last look at him before leaving out the door. I ran into my mother who wasn't looking good as well. I suppose she's aware of the plans my father is set to make. No doubt, she will force it upon me.

"In time, when you become Queen of White and the Empress of the Twelve Kingdoms, you will put our name on that Throne," she says, catching my wrist, "You are in no way to falter because of that prince. You will sign the crown matrimonial and when the time shall come, strike your husband down. You will take everything from the Cross." With that said, she released me from her grasp.

I walked away, feeling heavy in my chest. I didn't ask for this. I did not want to be the ruler of all twelve kingdoms. And to strike Damien down... I can't possibly be the reason why my child will grow up without a father. No... But where is duty if I don't do what's expected of me? I cannot let my feelings cloud my judgment. When the baby comes, then I will decide the fate that would befall Damien.

I made my way to the courtyard where everyone was, breathing heavily. The pain inside me won't vanish.

"Angelique," Maidservant Rose called, running to me.

Before I knew it, everything went black. All there was were empty nothingness and oblivion. Did I just die? It can't be. Everything is in total darkness but my thoughts are still conscious. I could hear Maidservant Rose's words echoing and feel her hold. They were taking me back to my chambers. That was the last thing I can remember before darkness truly consumed me.

Opening my eyes, hours had already passed. Night had befallen from the view on my balcony. I looked to my right, seeing Maidservant Rose along with Hera and Alicent, waiting for me.

"Dear God," Hera sighs in relief, holding my hand. "You're finally awake, Angelique." She kissed my hands, tears falling from her eyes. I see that I gave her a big scare. "The doctors said you were under great stress. What happened?"

Maidservant Rose adds, "We brought you here quickly. Luckily, Prince Jonah caught you before you fell."

Jonah? Jonah is here? But why? He should be on the battlefield with Damien. What is he doing here in the palace?

I sat up, trying to regain my strength. "Jonah is here?" I asked, "Has my husband returned as well?"

Maidservant Rose shook her head in response. "I'm afraid not, Angelique," she replies, "Jonah was summoned here by his brother. King Jericho is on his way."

That means that my father's plan is in the works. That's the only reason I could think of as to why Jonah is here. I never thought that a day would come when I would hate to see him.

"How are you feeling, your grace?" Alicent asked, handing me a cup of water.

I accepted the cup, drinking it. "Thank you, Alicent. I appreciate it. I am feeling better now."

"Jonah of Polaris," the pager announced before he entered. The girls bowed in respect, leaving us be.

"Angelique," he says, walking to me. He took my hands, kissing them gently. I could see the concern and love in his eyes shining like the stars in the sky. "It's a good thing I came when I did. How are you feeling now?"

I turned away, withdrawing my hand from his grasp. "What are you doing here, Jonah?"

"Because my brother summoned me," he replied.

"I mean in my chambers," I said, "You cannot be here, Jonah. Damien will kill you if he finds out that you were here; you know that. I don't want your blood in my hands."

He shook his head, taking back my hand. "I cannot just stand by and watch you suffering. I had to know you're okay. I've been away for too long, Angelique. I missed you."

I looked at him sternly. "I appreciate your concern, Jonah," I say, "But this cannot happen again. There are eyes all over us. You'll be putting yourself in danger."

"I would die for you," he argued, "Damien doesn't even value you."

"But we are wed," I fought back, "And you, my friend, are not. Perhaps you need to find a bride soon. I recommend Hera." I gave in, recommending Hera. It is against my wishes, but t'is what needs to be done. If he continues to be unmarried, he will keep running back to me. Hera will be happy with this union.

"Hera?" he questioned, "She is but a friend to me, Angelique."

"As you are to me," I replied.

"But you love me," he argued, "We love each other."

I thought hard about the words he had spoken. I did love him romantically. I don't know if my feelings remain the same. I know I love Jonah, but it's different. I don't think I love him the way he wants me to anymore.

He planted a kiss on my forehead, holding my hands tighter.

"Get out," I said coldly, "I shall not have you doing this to me in my own home. Don't you get it, Jonah? You cannot plant a kiss on my forehead and expect everything to be fine."

"Forgive me," he says, looking away.

"Let it be clear that I do not want you, Jonah," I said, "And never do this again."

"Damien is cheating on you," he said, turning his back, "I didn't want to tell you, but I felt like you should know. That man sees you only as an object that he possesses and not as a person." With that said, he left.

The trio came back with a worried expression spread about their faces. "He looks unhappy," Alicent blurted.

"He wants you still, doesn't he?" Hera asked, keeping a straight face.

"I offered your hand in marriage as you wanted," I said, "But he didn't want you. There's nothing else I can do at this point. If you still want him, then you have to figure out how you will make this work." I turned to Maidservant Rose, saying, "And I just found out that your son is fucking some whore on the battlefield."

"I am," Maidservant Rose tried to apologize.

I raised my hand, shutting her up. "I knew this would happen eventually," I said calmly, "I just thought you should know about it."

"Maidservant Rose, I can take it from here," said Hera, gesturing for her to leave. "Please have a good night's rest."

"Very well," she said, turning to me. "Your Highness."

"Your Highness," Alicent curtsied.

Once they left, Hera went immediately to my side. For sure, she bears important news that can't be heard by anyone else. "I overheard your parents discussing important matters," she said, "I know about the empire."

"It's what caused my blackout," I said, drinking some water. "What else do you know?"

"I know that they mean to replace Damien once you've succeeded," she says, "Your father considers putting Jonah on the throne beside you, but your mother thought otherwise. She wants you to marry your uncle. Er, the first cousin removed."

I knew who she was talking about; just not which one. My father's uncle has two sons—Conner and Ford. Conner and I are the same age while Ford is three years younger than us. Both were my playmates as kids, but I haven't seen them since I was thirteen.

"Which one of the sons?" I asked.

"Your mother said that she prefers you to wed Conner, but Ford is also a desirable choice," she continued, "She said that if you go through this smoothly, she would let you choose which groom to wed among the two."

I sighed. Of course. I should've known she would choose someone from the family. I could see why she chose those two. Their family holds a lot of power and has a kingdom of their own. They are the last existing Malachites—a name that once ruled an empire. Having one of them by my side will back my rule.

"I know this is out of context, but are they handsome?" she asked, scratching her head.

I grinned. I wasn't going to hold back. "They are incredibly so," I said, "I recall having a crush on Conner as a child. He was probably one of the few people I fancied. But know this, I haven't seen him since we were children. I don't know what he looks like now."

"So what did he look like back then?" she asked curiously.

"He was tall and slender," I described, "He was also very athletic and good fun. We were mischievous kids. They both had different beauties, but they possessed the same shade of black hair and black eyes."

"I see," she nods, "But will you accept this? Kill Damien Cross?"

"I have yet to decide," I said firmly, "This is a hard decision to make. I just don't want my child to loathe me for killing their father."

She nodded in response. "Another thing," she says, "They will be invited after you give birth."

Now that I've gathered this information, what the bloody hell do I do?