Chapter 30: You will follow my orders, Angelique.

Angelique's POV

Damien did not take the information the way we had hoped. Maidservant Rose is crying her eyes out and Alicent is clueless about what happened. I myself don't know how to handle the situation we're in.

Seeing him today... I don't know how I feel about it. It was just blank. Completely blank. He was just a person that I knew for a short period of time; he left; he came back. Why did he hug me? Did I accomplish my goal? No, it's too easy. I know better. He's trying to play me in my own game.

"Hera," I said, turning to her, "Help me find my husband. I need to speak to him."

"Right away," she said, doing as she was told.

I then made my way to my chambers. I was stopped by my mother halfway toward it. "Mother," I greeted.

She had a look of disdain sprawled across her face. She knows Damien's back and she is not happy. "Your husband is out at a local pub, Angelique," she said through gritted teeth. "Did he at least come to see you first before going off?"

"He had the decency to do so, yes," I replied, "Is something the matter?"

"I wanted to remind you of your duty," she says sternly, "Now that he's back, I don't want you being seduced by him. You are the future of this monarchy. You can't risk having feelings for that scum."

"Then I wish you hadn't forced me to marry that son of a bitch," I argued, earning a slap from her royal highness.

"You will play the role of a loving wife," she said, "You will follow my orders, Angelique. You will give birth to his child and bed him until you have secured an heir. You will become an empress and unite the twelve nations. You will kill Damien Cross once he is of no use and then you will marry Connor Malachite. Do you understand me?" She was red in rage. She must really think that I am under Damien's spell, losing her composure like this. She has no reason to fret. I don't "feel" anything for Damien. At least I don't think I do.

"Do you understand?" she repeats through gritted teeth.

"I do," I replied, "You needn't worry, mother. I am not in love with Damien Cross. But... is it necessary that we kill him? Our child will grow up without a father."

"Pregnancy has gotten you soft," she said, brushing her fingers through my hair. "It is essential that we kill him. Should you be out of this condition, I'm sure you wouldn't hesitate to strike him down. As for your child, they won't grow up without a father. You'll be married to Conner. He is what you and this soon-to-be empire need. He will be a good emperor and a good father to your children. I am sure that he will love them just the same."

"And how will my children's inheritance be?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest, "This will be complicated."

"It already is," she argued, "The succession goes as follows: Your sons with Damien will inherit his throne and properties; your daughter with Damien will inherit the White throne; your children with Conner will inherit the whole empire. Conner's father was already notified of the plans. He and his wife are very pleased with the proposal."

As expected, she already had my whole life planned. All I had to do was live it. Years ago, I would've been so excited about it. I was raised knowing I was destined for greatness. Today, I'm not so sure anymore. Becoming a mother is clouding my judgment.

"What?" she asked, forcing me to face her, "Have you forgotten who you are? You are Angelique White! It is your destiny to become the first ruling empress and change our history. You swore an oath to me that you will become who I want you to be. Do not disappoint me now!"

"What makes you think I have what it takes to become the empress and unite all twelve nations?" I asked.

"Because you are my daughter," she replied, "You have the blood of great rulers running in your veins. You are the daughter of White, Malachite, and even Claw! You have powerful blood running through your very veins. The Malachitian Empire was one of the greatest in the world before it reached its downfall. You are the chosen one to bring glory back to your ancestors, Angelique."

"Alright," I nodded, "I will put Damien in his place. You don't have to worry about anything else."

She nodded back, leaving me back to my own business.

I went straight to my room, taking off my dress. It was hot and heavy; I needed to breathe. My mother sure knows how to make me feel the pressure. I changed from this dress to a more comfortable, softer one. I sat by the balcony, watching the view. I saw Jonah with flowers in hand and a box hidden behind his back. What on earth could he possibly be up to?

Hera entered the picture, making her way back to me. To her surprise, Jonah grabbed her wrist. I could only imagine the words they exchanged. Jonah gave her the flowers and the box as a present. I was astonished. Jonah made it very clear that Hera is nothing but a friend to him. Why the sudden change of heart? Why now?

"Your majesty," Alicent called, entering my chambers. She looked in distress and confusion was evident on her face. "Have I done something wrong to displease the prince? He left rather abruptly after meeting me, and the servants say he was in a foul mood."

I came to her, patting her shoulders. "You did nothing wrong, Alicent," I said, assuring her. "You may go and return to Maidservant Rose. I will see you again tomorrow, alright?"

She nodded, leaving.

Alicent Cross. We still don't have certainty that she is Alicent Cross—the lost daughter of Richard II and Alicent. Somehow, I don't feel the intense need to loathe her. Unlike Damien when I first met him, I already knew I felt strongly against him. I hated him with every bone in my body. But Alicent is different. I don't know if it's because of the uncertainty, but I feel very much at ease with her. In fact, I am very fond of her. In the short span of being with her, she became a sister figure for me. I suppose that complicates things for the future of my reign. If I have to get rid of Damien, what will happen to Alicent?

I shrugged the feeling of guilt away, turning to face the person who had just entered the door. It was, of course, none other than my husband who reeked of alcohol. What a pleasant way to meet each other after being apart for a good eight months.

"Husband," I greeted, staying at my spot.

He placed his bottle of god knows what on the table, staring blankly at me. He walked closer, making me step back. "Who was that child and where did you get her?"

"You reek of alcohol, Damien," I said, keeping a distance between us. "I think we should talk about this when you're sober."

He walked closer, grabbing me by my wrist. Our eyes locked, keeping close contact. I could feel his heavy breaths and the intensity of his stare.

"We need to talk!" he growled.

"Yes, we do! But I will not fucking talk to you when you're drunk like this!" I snapped, breaking away from his grip. "You have no idea what that girl has been through. You have no idea what we have been through. What I've been through, trying to solve the unsolved case of your mother's death. I have Grea by the neck, Damien. I will not have you fuck it all up just because you are drunk!"

He grabbed me by my neck firmly, holding, me in place.

"Damien," I coughed. I could breathe, but hardly.

His eyes were demonic and possessed. "What do you know about my mother's death?" he questioned, still keeping me in his grip.

"Damien," I choked as his grip became harder and tighter. At this very moment, I know that this man will kill me. Maybe not now, but sooner or later he will have my head on a pike. I see now why it's essential that I get rid of him. Who knows what he might do not just to me but our child? He released me from his grip breathless and weak from his grasp. I struggled to catch my breath as I watched him.

"You will tell me everything you know, Angelique," he said, his voice dripping with venom.

"No," I said firmly, "I decide when I will talk. I wanted to speak to you when you came, but instead, you went to the local pub. Did you really think you could go there without my family finding out? You disrespected my family by going there instead of formally greeting them in the throne room. You have disrespected me by leaving me hanging in the courtyard. I worked hard on everything, and as I have said earlier, I will not have you fuck it all up!" I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen, causing me to fall back, only to be caught by the railing of my balcony.

Damien's eyes grew wide. Seeing me flinch and the baby in distress must've sobered him up as he immediately rushed to me. He lifted me up, carrying me to the bed and placing me down softly.

I caressed my belly, still feeling the ache. God forbid that I deliver the child too soon. I cannot fail this "simple" yet complicated task.

"Please, stay back," he said. His mood switched from enraged to calm in an instant. "I apologize for my behavior. I shouldn't have done that. Please forgive me."

I stared into his pleading blue eyes. How pretentious. Given that I was in distress, I didn't want to drown deeper into the water. I decided to wave the white flag for now and play along with his stupid game. I nodded in response as he put my hand against his cheek. He almost looked like an angel instead of the demon that he is. I can't help but wonder if our children will inherit any of his awful flaws.

"You're right," he says, "We should talk about it when I have sobered up. I don't want to put you in distress any further. I shouldn't have hurt you like that. It's just that... I came home thinking I could finally breathe. Instead, I was greeted by that unwanted surprise. I wish you hadn't done that in that way."

"You already did," I said, "There's no changing that. All I can do is accept your apology. I'm the pregnant one here. Why do you sound like you're the victim in this scenario? I am carrying your baby therefore I am the weak one here. If anything, I am the victim; not you. So please stop talking as if you are one."

He nodded, holding my hand tighter. "Alright," he nods, "I understand."

"Have you seen your father, at least?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No, I haven't," he replied. "Tomorrow I will. You don't need to worry about it, okay? Please, just stay in bed. After what I witnessed today, I need you to just stay in bed. I can't risk you feeling distressed knowing that it could harm our baby."

"I want to sleep," I said exasperatedly.

He nodded, jumping into the bed. He curled up beside me, just holding me. "Can we just stay like this?" he asked, resting his head on my shoulder.

"Sure," I replied, closing my eyes.

I knew what I was getting into. I knew from the start that the man I was marrying was a dangerous one. That this man could kill me. Why do I feel so surprised when he held me by my neck? I shouldn't be. After all, he is a Cross. I will play along for now, but once I have succeeded, I will strike him down. I will never ever let him lay his hands on me ever again. Damien Cross muct die.