"What do you mean a child in me?" She asked in disbelief as she gets up suddenly.
"You're pregnant Empress Mother." Mael said with certainty
"NO! I can't be pregnant! I've consumed so many contraception that I might as well be infertile now! That's also what the doctors said!" She yelled
"But the doctors examined you and they said you are on your 6th week."
Alarice was trembling. Why now? She can't afford to be pregnant. She's about to leave the castle in less than 3 months as per their original contract. Though that contract was tear apart by Nicholas himself, she still vows to follow it.
She already decided to indulge her stupidity for the next months they need to be together then let it all go. She was now almost determined to be free of everything about that man.
"Should I get rid of it?" She murmured
"What?! You can't do that!" Mael said
She harshly look at him with teary eyes. She really didn't know what to do now.
"Then what do you want me to do?! Join the power struggle in the harem and let this child be a tool for power or worse be killed by the other wives of the emperor?! I don't want that! Now that I still don't have that much attachment to this life, I might as well get rid of it." She said almost hysterically.
"Like I said, I've already gave words to the palace about your condition. Father must already knows-"
"Why did you do that?! You know I never wanted to have a child of his!"
"That's exactly why. I know you don't want our Father's child and predicted that you might kill my sibling without anyone knowing so I tell father immediately. You cannot kill a known imperial family member, Your Majesty, Empress Alarice. I as a prince will absolutely do what it takes to prevent you from doing any of that." He said
Tears fell from her eyes. She didn't know why she's crying but she just can't contain the whirlwind of emotions in her.
What should she do now?
"Leave me alone." She said crying
"No. You will always be on surveillance from now on." He said
Alarice lay down and cover herself in blanket. She touched her flat belly.
"Then tell the doctor to examine me again after a week. There must be some kind of mistake." She said holding on to that tiny hope that she is not pregnant.
"Yes. When father comes, we'll do another examination." He said then ordered a maid to look after her.
You shouldn't have come, child. You were better off with different parents.
--
A letter came urgently at the Emperor's office that put the whole palace in an uproar.
Father,
Empress mother is pregnant. Please see to it that she'll be send back to the palace for the battlefield is not a good place for a pregnant woman.
We are also about yo go home. We just have to capture the remaining rebels.
For the meantime, please prepare a celebration as it is the first pregnancy of the Empress Regnant.
- Mael
An informal letter. A letter that was written abruptly. But for Nicholas, it was like his dream come true.
A child between him and the Empress. How lovely can they be.
A direct heir. In the succession law of the Empire, the heir born from the Empress Regnant will be given much priority than that of the other wives.
This is the reason why Alarice didn't want to have a child with him. This will stir up trouble. A lot of trouble.
--
Though most of the people in the palace rejoice. There are some that didn't take the news positively.
Qashanna locked herself on her room with his new born prince who doesn't even have a name yet. She was standing besides the prince's crib. He still cannot be carried as they were waiting for Alarice to heal his weak body.
Qashanna was having mixed feelings. She wanted for Alarice to hurry up and go home so she can heal the prince. She was willing to go down on her knees for his son. But now... With the horrible news. She didn't want to see her.
"Don't worry my child. I'll make sure you get the things that you deserve." She whispered looking at the weak child in his crib.
--
Elisha was the most furious. She keep on throwing things in her room. The maids were so scared that they all didn't go near her room and took Naveen away.
She always thought that Alarice and her was equal. Both are not favored by the emperor but has enough power to stay in the harem.
Naveen being the source of her power and Alarice having the support of the new nobles as hers. That's why she was always with her.
To keep her in check that she will not have more power than her. But the Emperor started favoring her. She can't even go near her as the cold gaze of Nicholas pierced through her whenever she tried to approach the Empress.
And now, with Alarice display of her healing power and being pregnant with the Emperor's child.... She cannot stand still.
She was now at the bottom of the harem.
"ANNA!" she yelled calling the head maid of her palace.
The trembling made come inside the messy room. Glasses are everywhere. Her bed was torn apart and water from the vases were splattered.
Even the Concubine herself is a mess.
"You called my lady." She said trying to compose herself
"Contact Mikhail. Send him an aborticide and tell him to make the Empress consume it." She ordered
The maid was in horror.
"B-but..."
Before she said anything, Elisha's hand fell on her cheeks making the maid fell down the floor.
"Do it! Or what?! Are you looking down on me now?!"
The maid trying to hold her tears slowly shake her head. She then bow her head to the ground and said.
"P-please forgive my rudeness, My lady. I'll do what you ask." she said begging
"Get out now!" she yelled once again.
Please don't hate me too much, Alarice. It's your fault for trying to go up the ranks. You already have your brains in you and some of his favor, you don't need to have the Emperor's child anymore.
--
Yow! Author here!
I'm not so busy at work so here's another chapter as you requested hihi. Please enjooooy~~
And yeaah~ thank you all so much for enjoying this story!!