anwhile, back at llisa’s chamber, she was now dressed in an exquisite gown, seated regally on her golden feathered chair. A warm smile graced her lips as she gently cradled the little prince in her arms, feeding him the bottle tenderly.
"My prince," llisa whispered softly, her gaze locked on the infant’s face. "You’ll grow up to be strong and handso. Mother will make sure you’re always safe and sound." She leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on his tiny forehead. "Mother loves you very much."
From a corner of the chamber, the soft, persistent cries of the girl child echoed faintly, slicing through the otherwise serene atmosphere. The sound caused a subtle shift among those present....the servants exchanged quiet glances, and a shadow of sadness fell across Nyla’s expression as she continued to hold the crying girl close.
"Have you sent a ssage to my father and brother?" llisa asked suddenly, raising her gaze toward Nyla. Her warm expression faded into one of quiet concern. "What’s taking them so long to get here?"
"Yes, Your Highness. I have already sent word," Nyla responded, bowing deeply. "They will be here soon." After a slight pause, she hesitated, then added carefully, "Your Highness... what about the princess?"
llisa’s eyes darkened, her smile vanishing completely. "What about her?" she asked coldly, her tone void of any warmth.
"She hasn’t eaten," Nyla replied, worry evident in her voice as she held the crying baby girl closer to her chest. "She’s only a baby, Your Highness. She might not survive without food. And... you even refused the wet nurse permission to breastfeed her."
Nyla’s voice trembled as she glanced at the infant’s scrunched-up face, still damp with tears. "These children... they are twins, Your Highness. You cannot possibly love only the prince and abandon the princess."
"Please, Nyla," llisa said firmly, her tone clipped and resolute. "I told you....I have nothing to do with the girl. You were the one who insisted we take her. I allowed it, yes, but only as a gesture of kindness, not because I desire to be her mother. Do not mistake this for affection. It was an act of rcy.....nothing more."
She shifted her gaze back to the baby boy in her arms and added pointedly, "If you want to take care of the girl, you may. I will not stop you from feeding her. But do not bring her near . I do not wish to see her."
Nyla swallowed hard, her lips parting as if to argue, but no words ca out. She bowed again, her expression heavy with unspoken protest. Despite the ache in her chest, she obeyed, for llisa’s permission had finally been granted and that was what she had been waiting for all along. Without her approval, she dared not act.
Gently, Nyla took the baby and moved to a corner where she had earlier prepared a feeding bottle. She filled it with warm milk and, with trembling hands, brought it to the baby’s lips.
The mont the nipple touched her mouth, the baby girl’s cries ceased instantly. She latched on and began to suck eagerly.
"It’s okay, darling," Nyla murmured, a soft smile breaking through her worried expression as she rocked the baby slightly while feeding her. "You’re safe now."
"The Gamma Lord is here!"
A deep, masculine voice echoed from outside the chamber, prompting a radiant smile to spread across llisa’s face. She rose from her seat at once, her posture elegant and composed, as the heavy doors were opened to reveal her father....the Gamma Lord and her elder brother, both just arriving.
"Bring my grandson....quickly!" the Gamma Lord bood with uncontainable joy, his eyes bright with excitent as he stepped forward.
llisa carefully handed over the baby, who was fast asleep in her arms. "He’s right here, Father," she said softly, her heart swelling with pride. "Your little grandson."
"Oh, my goodness..." the Gamma Lord murmured, holding the baby boy close to his chest. "He’s so beautiful....so cute. That useless Emperor wouldn’t even allow us to visit until you woke up! Do you know how worried and frustrated I’ve been?" he exclaid, a mix of irritation and relief in his voice.
"I’m so sorry father that I got you worried. This was why I requested that you co imdiately after I woke up. And yes, your grandson is handso," llisa replied with a warm smile as her gaze shifted toward her brother, who stood tall and proud beside their father. "He looks just like Brother did when he was a baby."
"Congratulations, Sister," her brother said, bowing deeply. "You’ve given birth to the future Emperor. I’m now an uncle." He grinned as he gently touched the baby boy’s soft head. "He’s perfect."
"Please, Father," llisa said, her voice filled with gentle anticipation, "I want you to na him. He’s a miracle baby, after all. I would have died in that terrible fire accident at the praying ground if not for him. I purposely didn’t allow the emperor to na them."
The Gamma Lord’s expression softened as he turned his attention back to llisa. "I’m just grateful you survived, my daughter. You brought not only my grandson into this world but also a granddaughter," he said. Then his gaze shifted to Nyla, who still cradled the baby girl with care.
"Bring the girl over to ," he commanded, his tone gentler now.
Without hesitation, Nyla stepped forward and carefully handed the baby girl to the Gamma Lord, who now held both infants in his strong arms.
He looked at them with deep affection before speaking with authority, "The prince shall be nad Ashen, and the princess shall be called Seraphina."
He paused, allowing the nas to settle in the air before explaining, "Seraphina ans ’burning one’.....a na that symbolizes her survival through the flas, her inner strength, and a radiant, noble spirit. And Ashen... it cos from ’ash’, representing rebirth, the quiet poetry of tragedy and resilience. A strong, mysterious na for a child destined for greatness."
"They are children who will rise and shine," he continued, a look of pride lighting his features. "My precious grandchildren." With that, he placed a gentle kiss on each of their cheeks.
"Thank you so much, Father. I love the nas," llisa said, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "They’re beautiful... truly beautiful."
"Bring in the gifts!" llisa’s brother suddenly shouted, turning toward the doors.
Almost imdiately, the doors swung open, revealing a procession of burly n carrying large, ornate boxes wrapped in luxurious red silk. They moved in one by one, stacking the boxes carefully inside the chamber.
"Oh, my goodness, Father!" llisa exclaid in awe as she hurried over to one of the boxes. She unfastened the clasps and opened it, gasping at the sight inside.
It was filled with rows of tiny, exquisitely crafted garnts....made from the finest fabrics for both Ashen and Seraphina. There were clothes for every stage of their early years, from infancy until they turned five. Nestled beneath the layers were dazzling pieces of jewelry....gold, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds....each piece custom-made for royalty.
"These are for my grandchildren," the Gamma Lord announced proudly. "And that’s not all. The provincial governors will also be sending their gifts during the naming ceremony. The other boxes contains dicinal herbs for you...jewelries, perfus all while there are also alot of toys for my grandchildren and many more. They have to know that they’re grandfather loves them."
"Thank you so much father." llisa replied with a warm smile on her face.
He turned back to llisa with a booming laugh. "You are now the mother of the future Alpha Emperor, llisa. It’s only a matter of ti before Ashen ascends. You’re already the Empress Mother in all but title!"
"Thank you, Father," llisa said with a satisfied smile. "Now I can finally return to the harem and teach those lowlife concubines so manners. I’ve been too quiet lately. No etings, no scolding....but all that ends now."
She narrowed her eyes, her expression hardening with vengeance. "Especially that Sorayah," she hissed, followed by a chilling, triumphant laugh. "That slut has been parading herself as the Emperor’s favorite while I was in confinent. She’s tasted power long enough. It’s ti for her to choke on it."
"You are the Empress Luna and the prince’s mother," the Gamma Lord said firmly. "Crushing those concubines will be like crushing ants beneath your heel."
He then straightened his shoulders, his tone heavy with command. "Dimitri has no choice but to na Prince Ashen as Crown Prince. Once the boy turns one, the official announcent must be made. After that, Dimitri will have no choice but to abdicate....and you, llisa, will beco the Empress Dowager. You will rule in your son’s stead until he cos of age."
Another hearty laugh erupted from the Gamma Lord. "You’ve done proud, daughter. Now, sit back and watch how your father handles the rest."
llisa nodded slowly, her smile returning. "I trust you father."
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