• ELOISE •
Where did the ti go?
Perhaps because I spent most of my ti sleeping, I was already 25 weeks.
Celia passed a cup and I took it, staring at the blue liquid. For weeks now, I have been taking this, and my fatigue has been less severe.
This was the cure Celia and Corvin had been working on.
However, it was difficult to completely deplete the magic in my blood; the only thing they could do was reduce the effects so that my body was strong enough to carry the baby to full term.
I sighed, chugging the entire liquid; it was tasteless but cold in my mouth.
"Hmm, that’s good," Celia said, checking my pulse. "You’re just as healthy as the royal baby. By next week, I can be sure of your due date."
"Though it may vary," Corvin said.
"What do you an?"
"The baby might co earlier than expected. Your body might not be able to wait that long."
I gulped at his response.
Diana elbowed him right in the rib. "What’s he saying is that we better be prepared for your delivery sooner rather than later."
I forced a smile.
~•~
"I was so excited that I could finally leave my chambers, but I didn’t expect this," I whispered to Diana.
"I’ll find a way to get us out of here."
The Dowager cleared her throat. "What’s this? I haven’t seen you for a long while, and when I do, you don’t even warm up to ?" She sounded offended.
Though I cannot really bla her. I have been within my wing for months, and she wasn’t allowed to see because of the secret treatnt.
"I’m glad to see you, Mother," I said, hoping to put her mind at ease.
"Are you?" she countered before leveling her gaze at my bump, and her foul expression turned bright. "Oh, my grandchild is growing very healthy."
"Yes, all because all I do is eat."
"And yet it doesn’t show on you." She clicked her tongue. "My grandchild eats a lot, it seems. Oh my, I need to tell the servants to stock more food."
Diana and I shared a look.
"After this, let us take the ti to look at all the wonderful gifts I have gotten for my grandchild."
I opened my mouth and looked for Diana for a rescue plan.
"Um, Eloise is probably very exhausted. It’s ti for her nap."
"Nap? You have been having that quite too much. I don’t rember feeling that exhausted when I carried my children."
I’m going to ignore the fact that she thinks she can compare with her.
"Then now, Mother, I shall take my leave."
"Why the hurry?" She caressed my bump. "Do allow more ti. Oh! That was a kick."
"Is it?" Diana said interested.
So much for helping . Diana was every bit as engrossed as the Dowager was.
But I must say the image was quite pleasing.
"Oh..." I groaned when I felt a slight discomfort. "That was a strong one."
"That is certainly the Lycan genes. They are always so energetic. Do not worry when it seems like it’s about to crawl its way out."
I gaped at her in horror.
"Mother! You’re scaring her. Besides, we’re not sure if it’s going to be a lycan."
"Whatever it may be, I’m sure our moonblood will hold strong. The snowbloods have weaker blood, so I’m certain ours will prevail."
"Or it could be just human?" I cut in.
The Dowager pinned with a look. "Human?"
"Yes, human. Does that displease you, Mother?"
"It doesn’t matter." She smiled. "Whichever it cos out as, it’s still my precious grandchild."
"Hmm..." I mumbled under my breath. I leveled my gaze at my bump.
It doesn’t matter what you beco, my child. Drevon and I will love you beyond words.
"Has the gender been known? Celia should be able to tell now."
"Unfortunately, she can’t, just like how there is yet to be a heartbeat," Diana replied.
"Hmm... then it must be a boy, the moonblood is strong."
"Or it’s a girl..." I said, amused.
"A boy," she enforced. "And he shall beco Alpha."
"Whichever it may be..." I reminded her. "Your words, Dowager."
But it seems like the Dowager wasn’t going with that when it ca to this.
I frowned. "Are you being serious?"
"We need an heir..."
"I’m sure you do. If it’s a girl, then she’s every bit of an heir."
The Dowager leaned away, unable to hide her displeasure, but I couldn’t care less about what she thought.
"If it’s a girl, then I have a little niece coming," Diana said excitedly.
"Of course," The Dowager said with a forceful chuckle.
~•~
"So much for having lunch with the Dowager," I grumbled.
"She just couldn’t wait; it’s all grandchildren this and that every day. You’re lucky you don’t need to hear her every ti. I bet she says it in her sleep, too."
"Can you believe her? What does she an, it better be a boy?"
"Pay her no heed. The empire expects a boy child that’s why she’s all like that."
"I don’t give a damn about what they think."
Diana smirked. "Of course you don’t."
"So how’s Corvin?" I asked abruptly.
She froze. "Why are you asking about him?"
"Oh, co on, Diana, I have been holding off as best as I can. Now spill!"
Her face turned red, and it was a very amusing sight.
"It’s been..." she trailed. "I don’t know how to explain it, but I have been avoiding him, in a way."
"Why? Don’t tell it’s because of Drevon."
She scoffed. "Certainly not!"
"I see, so my husband can’t co between you two, that’s refreshing to hear."
"S-Stop!"
I snorted.
"You and that sound!"
I rolled my eyes. "Forget now. We’re talking about you."
Diana sighed heavily. "Rember weeks ago when I dreamwalked?"
"How could I forget?"
"Well, I didn’t ntion this to anyone. I was close to having my soul ripped out of my body, and I was scared I wouldn’t get to you in ti."
"Oh, Diana."
"At that mont of the end, I saw Corvin."
"You did?"
She nodded. "I did not just see him, I saw his face," she sighed dreamily. "Goddess help , it was the most handso face I have ever seen."
"I thought warlocks never show their faces to anyone."
"Right?" She uttered, still in disbelief. "After that, I shifted."
"What?"
"I did ntally, and after that day, I have been feeling strange."
"Strange? How strange?"
Diana stared at her hands. "Like there is sothing else inside , waiting to break free."
Could it be?
"Eloise Balthar."
Diana and I turned to the voice, and a woman walked towards us, the heel of her boots clicking against the marble floor.
I was srized. I had never seen anyone like her before. I was taken over by a strange silence, where all noises were gone.
The strange woman was dressed in a flowing coat of icy blue trimd with silver embroidery that flared out behind her, with a high collar framing her face. Beneath it, she wore a black corset with silver designs, and a pair of sleek black pants tucked in tall, laced boots.
Her hair was pure silver, and her eyes were sharp blue, brighter than any color I have ever seen.
While I stood there gawking at the beauty, Diana stepped in front of ; her body language told sothing was wrong.
Suddenly, like a gush of wind, Diana was suspended to the wall, with blood ice wrapped around her fra to keep her in place.
"Eloise, run!"
Her yell brought back the noises, and it was like I could finally breathe, but I hitched when the woman stood before , matching my height.
She snatched my jaw as if to keep still.
"W-Who are you?" I asked, having no idea how I found my voice, amidst her cold aura.
"Orianna Winter. I’m family, and Grandmother wishes brought here."
W-Winter? Then she’s...
A growl ripped through the space, and Orianna was torn from . I stumbled backwards but broke my fall when my back t the column. With a shuddering breath, I faced the scene.
"D-Diana?"
She had shifted, and it was nacing. The pressure that seized the air felt like it’d burn through my skin. Her deep, heavy growls shock the earth.
Orianna stepped forward, with claw marks on her face, but strangely she didn’t bleed, and the wound closed up like glass coming back together.
Diana crouched low, ready to attack, her claws digging into the ground, causing crates. Her growled vibrating the air around her.
"I did not co here for more blood than intended, but I’m starting to rethink my choice of action," Orianna said in a cold tone that sent shivers down my spine.
"Diana, no!"
But it was too late, just when Diana pounced on Orianna, she was impaled by a bloodied ice.
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