Chapter 32: She's eleven, Queen Grea.

Damien's POV

Angelique released some words last night that are now unfortunately a blur to me. I can't remember much apart from my choking her. I didn't mean to do it. It just happened. I would've never harmed her in any way knowing that she's carrying our child. I felt awful and wretched. I decided to come find her.

I walked into the garden looking for my wife when I caught a glimpse of Grea sitting across from her. Naturally, I was curious. What was Grea doing with Angelique this early in the morning?

Grea shifted her gaze unto me with a wide-eyed stare. It was then replaced by a deadpanned look and a cold greeting, "Damien, I have been wanting to talk to you."

With a sinister smile, I replied, "Right back at you stepmother." I walked in, planting a kiss on Angelique's cheek and taking the seat next to her. I thought about all the things Grea may want to say to me. Did Angelique per chance mention what happened last night?

"Good morning," Angelique greeted me with a smile. The smile wasn't very convincing. She probably loathes me after what happened last night. I will have to work for it—winning her affection— again from the very beginning

I held her hand, squeezing it gently. "You got up rather early today. I was looking for you," I said. I then turned to Grea who was staring at us. Obviously, she was trying to analyze the situation. "Now, ladies first," I gestured, "What is it that you wanted to speak to me about?"

She looked at Angelique and back at me. "I wanted to talk about Alicent," she said, making Angelique flinch.

I smirked at her, folding my arms over my chest. "My mother?" I asked calmly, "Will you finally enlighten me about how you seduced my father into betraying her? My mother may have been quiet or simply in the dark about it, but I certainly was not. I knew about your affairs with my dad and how you were praying for my mother's demise." The tone of my voice confused the old hag, making her rest her face in her fist.

She cackled like a hag, shaking her head in disbelief. "My dear boy," she says in such a pretentious tone, "I meant the child Rose adopted a few months ago. I wasn't about to talk about Alicent Strong. I simply wanted to ask how you felt about this new arrangement."

"New arrangement?" my smile grew wider, "Do tell."

"Having a sister," she teased, "You're no longer the only child of the woman who raised you. Does it not bother you one bit? Not a teeny tiny bit, Damien?"

"This is childish," Angelique yawned, leaning her head against my shoulder. "Can we go?"

"No," I replied, still keeping my gaze fixated on Grea. "Let us stay and continue this chat. It only has begun, right, stepmother?"

"Agreed," she nodded.

"I met Alicent yesterday," I said, handing Angelique her cup of tea. "She is a beautiful, young girl and she shows a lot of promise in Angelique's organization. She is also quite respectful, and I see that Rose is very fond of her."

"It's great that Rose finally adopted a child of her own as she is now in her forties—it will be a miracle if she bears a child of her own," she says, "Is Silver still wavering to pop the question? You're all grown up now. I don't see a reason why they can't marry."

"If you're implying that it was my fault for their failed romance, you'd be lying to yourself," I scoffed, "If you hadn't sent me to live in the estate and took care of me yourself, then Rose and Silver would've happily married. Don't clean your conscience and dump in on me."

"Fine," she says, "Now back to Alicent. When will she be presented to society? A pretty girl like her should be introduced this early in her life. How old is she again?"

Angelique gulped, replying, "She's eleven, Queen Grea."

Grea smirked as though she just received what she wanted to hear. At that moment, I also had the confirmation I needed.

"She's eleven years old," I repeated, scanning the old hag's face.

"Eleven, you say," she licked her lips, "Interesting. Well, I would like to personally sponsor her."

"Unnecessary," Angelique refused, "I am already sponsoring her. I have taken a liking to the girl and have decided to sponsor her. She will make a fine lady when she comes of age and I intend to choose her match with her."

"But don't you have your own children to worry about?" Grea asked, "I know you plan to have a lot of children."

"But we would like to sponsor Alicent," I said.

"And two other girls," Angelique added, "We are sponsoring Alicent, Eva, and Nala. If you wish to sponsor a child, maybe we can open a branch of this organization in your kingdom."

"Now," I interrupted, "I would like to talk to you regarding my father. He hasn't asked for me yet. As his wife, I expect you to know everything about his health and condition. Tell me, is he going to die?"

Before I knew it, cold tea splashed on my face, staining my shirt. I did well containing my impulses and only flashing her a sinister smile.

"You treasonous brat!" she growled, "How dare you even ask if he is to die soon!"

Angelique rushed to her side, trying to calm the hag down. "My husband just wanted to ask about his father's health, your grace," she says, "Please calm down, your grace."

Grea sat back down, still struggling to regain her composure. "Damien, I will not have this conversation with you," she said, taking a sip of water. I suppose the hag does care for my father. At least a tiny bit.

"Fine," I said, "Kidding aside, how is my father doing?"

"Still confined to his bed," she replied, "He will send word for you once he is ready." She stood up, nodding at Angelique, and left.

Angelique looked at me, staying in the seat next to Grea's. She looked troubled and cautious. I expected nothing less from the warrior princess that she is. She'd do anything to protect our unborn child from any threat—even me.

"Angelique," I said, resting my head against my palm, "About last night..."

"Stop," she said, "I will do the talking. You laid your hands on me knowing that you could harm our unborn child; why?"

"I was drunk," I reasoned, knowing that it wasn't a valid reason.

"Drunk or not, you know what you're doing," she says sternly, "It only means that you wanted to do it but couldn't. Alcohol only gives you "courage." You wanted to hurt me!"

"All I can do is apologize," I said calmly, trying to calm her down as well. "I can't do anything to change what I did."

"You can do something, Damien," she argued, clutching onto her belly. "You can start by changing how you are. But don't do anything on my account. If you're to do something, do it for yourself."

I nodded. Seeing and hearing her like this... it makes me feel something—guilt. I am guilty. I swore I would never be like my father. I saw how he hit my mother when she failed to deliver him heirs. How low have I fallen... I didn't like this. I didn't like how it felt.

"Enough of that," she says, "Let's talk about what really needs to be said."

"Alicent is my sister," I said without hesitation. I witnessed and heard everything I needed to in order to confirm Angelique's theory. In addition to that, Aliecent looks exactly like my mother.

She sighed in relief, but her eyes still screamed confusion. "Last night..."

"I witnessed Grea's reaction when you said Alicent's age," I said, "That alone was confirmation that the child is my sister. Now, I want to thank you for taking care of her, Angelique."

"Of course," she said, "It's only right that we took her in."

"No, really," I said, taking both her hands. "You are a White. I know that hatred runs deep within you too, and yet you took her in knowing she's just another Cross. Thank you for doing something instead of just letting her... fall into the hands of Grea."

She nodded, pushing my hands away. "She was collateral damage to what happened in the past," she said, "She was a baby when it happened. She deserves to know who she really is. To know who her family is. I may be a White, but I'm no monster. I don't like harming children. So, what's your plan now? We cannot hide her from the world forever."

She was right. We can't hide Alicent from the world forever. Sooner or later, we need to introduce her to the world. Most importantly, to my father. Despite the hatred I feel toward him, my sister deserves to know who her father is.

"I don't have a plan yet," I admitted, "I fear I have to become King before we can introduce her. I don't think my father would believe what we have discovered."

"Surely, he will feel a connection once he meets her," she assures me, "Anyhow, the original plan we had was to introduce her to society on our child's christening. We haven't thought of anything beyond that."

"Oh come on," I said, "I know you."

"You know me?" She asked, shaking her head.

"Well," I replied, "I know that you're intelligent. You wouldn't go to battle without any plan. So come on, Angelique. Help me protect my younger sister."

"Why don't we start by you getting to know her," she said, "She'll be here any minute. I usually spend my mornings with her. Why don't you take this one step at a time? Get to know your sister, and when you figure out a strategy, let me know."

A little girl with long brown hair soon emerged from the other side of the garden. She looked exactly like my mother with her long hair let loose and her flushed pink cheeks. Curtsying, she says, "A pleasant morning, your grace

"Hello, dear," Angelique greeted her warmly. She gestured for her to sit beside her.

"It's good to see you, Alicent," I said, meeting her gaze. She looked frightened of me and a bit confused.

"I'm sorry if I have offended you yesterday, your grace," she said, bowing her head lightly. "I did not mean to."

"Please, don't be," I assured her, "You did nothing wrong. I apologize if I came off as rude yesterday. I had a long trip is all." I couldn't stop staring at her. My heart was pounding inside me like a ticking clock. I suppose this is the connection I feel with her. She is my sister after all. I don't know how to address her without scaring her.

"I am glad we have this time to share with each other," Angelique broke the silence, "Alicent, why don't you tell us more about your day-to-day activities? I'm sure the prince would love to hear more from you. Maidservant Rose raised him, after all. The prince is now kind of like your brother since Maidservant Rose is now your adopted mother."

I looked at Angelique. She makes it look so easy to do this. To approach her. She's done so much more for me than I have for her. She played the part of a dutiful wife to perfection while I remained a jackass. She's sunshine compared to me. The only thing I ever did was fuck her, betray her by fucking another, and last night laid my hands on her. I didn't deserve this—what she's done. I felt awfully guilty. I suppose that's because I know that I feel something other than hatred. What do I do now?

Angelique stood up from her seat, nodding at me. "I have to retire to my chambers because of this huge belly of mine," she reasoned, "Please, Alicent, feel at home. Prince Damien is happy to have the privilege of spending time with his adopted sister." She walked toward me, whispering, "Don't waste it, Damien." With that said, she left.

I suppose there's no turning back then. I'll get to know my sister.

"This is very awkward," she blurted, smiling sheepishly.

I did the same, scratching my head. "Sister, then."

"Brother, it's nice to finally meet you," she replied.