Cleandro’s Mother was fast asleep, and Acacia was checking up on her using one of her enchantment to make sure she was alright. Fabia had explained that it was sometimes experienced, where mothers would lose their memories after childbirth and would later remember. But in Raziah’s case, she can only deduce since they do not know what she is.
Malcolm had encouraged everyone not to let anyone else know about Raziah’s condition, especially the King so as to preserve the od man’s health. Fabia had cleaned up the baby with the help of Aragon, and now Cleo was lying comfortably in his father’s arms who could hardly take his eyes off him.
The baby was strong, a tight grip whenever its little hands grabbed you and it was fascinating. Not even Aragon knew about the children of their kind having such strength at birth because for vampires, it usually began to develop at the age of ten.
Now his worries were turned to Raziah. His gut had told him something was wrong from the way she looked at everyone in the room before asking who they were. They had all felt another wave of shock, and shortly afterwards, she had silently laid down and slept off. Maria had changed her out of her bloody clothes, cleaned her up and wore new ones on her.
Meanwhile, Cleo’s eyes were open and he was staring at the ceiling above him. With his pink lips slightly apart, it felt as if he was waiting for something.
"What do you say I take her to the Amethyst Forest?" Acacia suggested, and everyone turned to look at her.
"Bell can do a more thorough check to make sure she’s alright, maybe find a way to help her regain her memories faster," Acacia said it considering the Princess’s safety. With all the Mystery surrounding her, it wouldn’t be safe to leave her out in the open like this. The forest was a much safer place for her, and Bell would also assist.
"I agree," Fabia chipped in, "It’s the best option."
Acacia didn’t know how to say the last part, but she had to, "And...the baby will be coming with us. Since his mother will be there too."
She almost cringed when Aragon snapped his gaze at her, but then she was right and he knew that.
"Fine," Aragon nodded stiffly after a short while.
"I’ll leave you to inform King Octavius about this. I guess we should be leaving now. She might wake up at anytime," Acacia implied and moved toward Raziah while Fabia scooted closer to the King, hoping he would stop glaring and hand over the baby. Unlike the first time she had met him, he seemed to have calmed down a lot now.
She could see that it was a very hard thing for him to hand over the baby and when he finally did, she had to walk away with Cleo fast before he would suddenly reach out and snatched him back up. Even Cleo himself shifted a little uncomfortably in Fabia’s arms, like he was already missing his father’s touch.
Aragon badly wanted to go with them. He was literally itching to be at the same place his child and woman were, but there was still Erandell to rule. Plus, he might scare away the witches with his presence.
Not too long after they had left, Aragon left to see Octavius. The old king was alone in the Royal library going through a few books when Malcolm allowed his Majesty in. Octavius sat down on the floor behind a few shelves, engrossed in his reading when a strong presence had him looking to see Aragon walking up to him.
"You seem busy," Aragon said.
The King smiled, "It’s a bit calm down. I wanted to get away for a short while,"
Aragon nodded, understanding, "Happens a lot,"
"Malcolm told me you arrived last night. I’ve come to understand that...the Princess is carrying your child," He didn’t ask, but it came out a bit as a question that he was trying to confirm.
"Yes," He stepped closer to the man and sat down on the floor next to him while Octavius closed the book and placed it on his lap.
"There wasn’t any sign of her being pregnant when she returned. And it all seem...a little too fast,"
"It is, but the baby is fine now. Healthy and strong,"
Octavius paused, "I don’t understand..."
"She gave birth this morning, about a while ago. But to make sure she and the baby and doing very well, I’ve sent them somewhere they can be catered and taken care of. They will be back soon." He mentioned, staring at the shelf of books in front of him. His mind was somewhere else, and Octavius could tell.
"What happened when you saw her last night? Are the both of you..."
"Once everything settles, I plan to marry her. And don’t worry, I’m not making that stupid mistake of letting her go again. You should probably inform the other kingdoms that I have stalked my claim on her once again,"
Octavius nodded, "Will you be staying for a while?"
"I plan to leave as soon as we are done talking." He replied.
They had a few discussions here and there and Aragon noticed it wasn’t just him that was spaced out most of the time. Octavius had this stiff and downcast look in his eyes, and he would occasionally open his mouth like he was about to say something important, then shut it back close.
"Is there something you want to say to me?" Aragon inquired when they both stood up. He was ready to leave and the King was going to see him off. Both of them stood facing each other.
Octavius was still contemplating whether he should say this or not. In a way, it was his place to say it especially now that Aragon and Raziah are patching up their relationship. Yes, Raziah did say that she didn’t want him to know, but then what? What if he finds out on his own? During the period where he and Eleazar had been trying to fend off the other kingdoms, Eleazar had told him that someone was after Raziah’s life.
For some dark reason. A reason strong enough to take away lives of people that tried to find out what it was.
Octavius could only think about Raziah’s past and conclude it had something to do with it. If Aragon knew about it, he could become a strong supporting pillar about the matter. Its better to hear it directly it from them, than from the enemy himself. And knowing Raziah, she would never let Aragon know about her past.
"There’s something I feel you need to know," He began, already feeling the lump of guilt in his throat. Raziah would flare as hell if she found out about this, "But Raziah..."
Aragon’s eyes darkened. But he didn’t say anything. The King wasn’t smiling anymore which meant it wouldn’t be good news. He had a feeling he shouldn’t hear this and leave immediately as Raziah herself might not even want this, but then...
He couldn’t move. Yes, he wanted to know. He needed to know more about the woman he loved. Anything would do! He was that curious and in anticipation.
"Raziah...is not my daughter. Her kingdom was invaded years old, and she was forced to leave and come back here. Since then, she’s taken the title as my daughter and stayed locked up in her room till she married you."
The part about her not being his daughter had been kind of open to him since he had visited the last time she had dinner with the family. It was so clear they were making up every word and trying to act like the perfect family, but the second part about her kingdom being invaded wasn’t what he had expected. He was just about to ask the name of that kingdom when Octavius opened his mouth again.
Aragon heart began to beat faster, and something intensely painful wracked through his chest the second the words came out, "Also, Raziah doesn’t have much time left. Because of...what she is, she is bound to die before she clicks twenty five years old."
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