"Is it wrong to cherish her when her husband fails to appreciate the treasure he holds within his grasp?"
⋆ Claude De Alger Obelia x Navier Ellie Trovi
➳ 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞...
"Are you truly sure about proceeding with your plan?" Duke Ergi casually remarked from a distance, his legs crossed as he sat at King Heinrey's table.
Heinrey remained silent, his gaze fixed upon the window, deep in contemplation. Should he truly move forward?
Without haste, he replied in a soft yet resolute tone, "Of course. You, too, seek revenge for your mother, don't you?"
Ergi arched an eyebrow, a faint frown gracing his features before he regained his composure and wore a cunning smile.
"Oh? Then what about you? Aren't you aware that the empress will eventually discover your actions and harbor resentment towards you?" he questioned, tilting his head slightly to the side.
"I have faith in her trust and understanding," Heinrey replied with a tinge of sadness in his voice, and the duke's raised eyebrow conveyed his skepticism.
"Do keep in mind that engaging in a war with the empire she governs alongside the emperor is an inevitable consequence," he calmly remarked before letting out a scoff, his smirk growing wider.
"And secretly stealing magic from their empire..." he mused aloud, feigning contemplation.
"Intriguing notion of understanding, wouldn't you say?" he inquired, amusement evident in his tone.
"But it is your decision. Just ensure that your plan does not backfire. After all, you are risking your friendship with the empress," Ergi stated as he rose from the desk, elegantly draping his coat over his back and making his way toward the door.
Placing his hand on the doorknob, he paused briefly to gaze at the still-silent Heinrey, who remained fixated on the view beyond the window.
"I offer these words out of genuine concern for you, your majesty," Ergi continued, his smirk persisting, before opening the door and exiting the king's office.
As the door softly closed, indicating Ergi's departure, Heinrey's expression grew even more somber.
"My Queen..." he whispered sorrowfully, covering his face with both hands.
"I am deeply sorry for this..."
♕
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"Is that all?" Artemis inquired, a frown etching deeper on her face as she read Claude's brief response to Navier's letter. In her human form, elegantly attired, she found herself increasingly frustrated.
Artemis silently reread the message, her annoyance intensifying with each passing moment.
[I see.]
"Your majesty, surely you realize that traveling all the way to the Eastern Empire is a taxing endeavor. You should have written a more substantial reply," she voiced her dissatisfaction, her frown deepening.
The emperor remained silent, his gaze fixed on the grand duchess with his expression blank, further irking her nerves.
"Fine. Suit yourself. Just be aware that my regret grows deeper with every passing moment," she stated flatly, pivoting on her heels and making her way towards the exit of Emperor Claude's chambers.
♕
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Rashta reclined on her bed, her face adorned with a radiant smile, while Sovieshu took a seat at the bed's edge, his gaze fixed upon her.
"Your majesty! I can feel the baby kicking in my stomach!" she exclaimed joyfully.
"That's wonderful news," he replied softly, managing to muster a small, gentle smile, despite his current turmoil over the earlier events.
"It's getting late. You should get some rest," he murmured, tucking the soft blanket snugly around her.
Just as Sovieshu turned to leave, he abruptly halted when Rashta reached out and took hold of his hand.
Bewildered, he looked at his mistress, who gazed back at him with a sorrowful, pitiable expression.
"Your majesty, you haven't been spending much time with me lately. Can't we talk a little longer?"
The emperor regarded her for a moment before offering an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, Rashta. There have been many pressing matters demanding my attention these past few days..." he trailed off.
"Don't worry," he continued, leaning in and planting a tender kiss on her forehead, eliciting a flutter in her heart. "I promise to spend more time with you tomorrow. Is that alright?"
Rashta remained silent for a moment before eagerly nodding, her lips curling into a delighted smile as she released his hand.
With a newfound seriousness etched upon his face, Sovieshu stepped away from the bed, once again mulling over Kosair's words.
'That incident...' he thought to himself, closing the door behind him, his teeth clenching slightly as he recalled the cookies he had shared with Navier. In truth, both he and Navier had consumed them.
'Nevertheless, Navier is truly the one unable to conceive, as I have been able to have a baby with Rashta.' Doubt gave way to a surge of confidence within him.
