Chapter Ten

"Love is never hurtful; it's never about forgetting who you are, it's about exploring yourself more." — Ankita Singhal

____

"We need to act fast but carefully and intelligently." 

The meeting had begun twenty minutes ago, all the allies I had made throughout the years were gathered around the table to find a way to steal the throne without too much damages. 

The first idea we all agreed on, was to let me get pregnant with Sir Hassan, as we all knew he wouldn't betray us and even if he did I could get rid of him without being of my future heir. I could always find a man to replace him if needed. I know it might sound a bit cold but I have no choice, my people need me or someone competent as ruler of this beautiful empire. 

The heir, it is the thing are always focalized on. 

If I happened to die during the coup d'état, there was always a plan b. 

-

"So how should we proceed, Alexander?" The king asks. " We need to open the case now before they smell something otherwise, all our efforts would be vain." 

"I have two amazing spies, they started three months ago. They gave me evidences of fraud and Human trafficking of the prime minister and counselor of the king regent so far, they are digging deeper as we speak. But this won't be enough, we need something on the king regent." The international alliance wouldn't let that slide even if our empire was important to them. The international alliance is, like it's an alliance with all the countries, islands, empires, kingdoms, etc... 

It was established after the Great War that include too many countries, caused destruction and killed too much. My father and other empires were in part responsible of this conflict. But they also prevent people of power who are corrupted to rule, So with their support and that of the allies, but especially of public opinion, they will be arrested, put on the trial and put to death in no time. 

And despite the fact that I'm going to give birth to my child myself, which will call into question my position as an alpha. The fact that I will have an heir leaves me legitimate to the throne rather than my uncle who was dozens of bastards but no legitimate ones, I am still the son of the late Emperor Augustin. 

My husband, Sir Hassan, son of Sir Thomas a knight of the brotherhood of the shadow Knight who fought along side my father and Lord Morlon, a respectable Baron. United with the crown prince Alexander and father of his children, nobody would go against the union publicly. 

I thought about it for a long time and I know this is the best  solution... 

" And for the heir, I will get surgery soon, so you don't need to worry about that. "I explain and he nods the prospect of carrying a child was scary yet thrilling. It was a big 'fuck you' to the aristocracy and somehow, got me closer to sir Hassan. 

" Yes, but you should be careful. After the Duke had our first son, many people were questioning his status as an alpha, even himself. It lead to countless fights, made some kind of anger and resentment grow toward me. Even if he wanted like I did to have this baby, he told me that he felt less of an alpha and it was damaging to his mental health. If you want to have this baby and be emperor, you should therefore be ready for all the criticism you will receive from everyone else including yourself, but know that the man who will accompany through this journey has to show the way and support your decision. " He tells me as the others left the room. 

" For the borders, we have some revolutionary who are quite still angry about the loss of the north land from the war and they want to reclaim them, I sent five hundred men to get things done 

. If the issue continues I will be forced to put sanction, but I want to avoid any unnecessary conflict. Everything will go as planned do not worry yourself too much, your highness."

_

Right before everyone went to sleep, I ask his highness if I can sleep besides him, he seems reluctant at first but after a long minute of internal battle with himself he agrees. 

Once inside I tell him I can sleep on the couch, instead he takes my hand and leads me to the bed. 

He take the cover of and lies is on the bed, he doesn't let go of my hand. 

"Can you kiss me?" He asks after some time, I don't react as tiredness took over me. So he turns toward me and whisper in my ear,"Hassan, can you kiss me please?". 

My brain is on autopilot, I put my arm around his waist and I give him a gentle kiss on the forehead. 

"Goodnight, your highness." And I slip into deep slumber. 

____

Some whispers woke me up in the middle of the night, I figure out it's s coming from Alexander, That he is having a bad dream. 

"Your highness, wake up..." I shake his shoulders lightly, as he keeps muttering some nonsense,"Alexander, hey. Wake up please." 

"Don't, no... I will do whatever you want, just don't..." he murmurs frightened, I keep shaking his shoulders. 

"... You are nothing...You are not an alpha... You are a stupid worthless bitch..." I hear him say, I frown deeply and I shake him up once again. 

His eyes finally opened he is sweating so much. He starts sobbing inside my arms and I tighten my hold around him. What's going on with him, it's the second... 

" Calm down your majesty, it was just a nightmare." I kiss is cheeks repeatedly.