Royal Secret: I'm a Princess!

"YOUR MAJESTY!"

Nikolai was about to behead the kitchen staff that dared to insult Mona when Glenn risked his life to stop him. Of course, he calmed down a little. Even in a rage of fit, he wouldn't hurt or kill a trusted ally like Glenn. Still, being held back pissed him off. "Glenn, if you don't want to be severely punished, shut it."

"It's not like that, Your Majesty," Glenn said, then he pointed at a maid running towards in their direction. "Isn't that lady one of Lady Roseheart's maids? It seems like she has an urgent message for you."

Glenn was right.

A maid wouldn't risk her life to approach him if it wasn't for something urgent or important. Since the servant was working for Mona, he was concerned. He dropped his arm that held his sword and spoke to the maid.

"What happened to Mona?" he asked coldly. "That better be important."

The maid, who was trembling in fear, bowed her head so low he thought her back would break. Then, in a shaking and frightened voice, the maid greeted him politely before giving her report. "Y-Your Majesty, Lady Roseheart has fainted and M-Madam Hammock said that His Majesty must come as soon as…"

He didn't hear the rest of the report and ran as fast as he could towards his room where Mona must be.

Of course, Glenn followed him behind.

"Glenn."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

Nikolai's jaw clenched before he spoke. "Bring Gavin here."

***

WHEN Nikolai arrived at their bedroom, Mona was already asleep.

Madam Hammock assured him that Mona and their baby were both fine. Since he didn't want to disturb Mona's sleep, he asked the Healing Sage to talk in the tea room. After the maids served the refreshments, he asked them to leave.

Since he asked Glenn to bring Gavin to him, only him and Madam Hammock were left in the tea room.

"Your Majesty, I know that you're shocked but please don't worry too much," Madam Hammock said, consoling him. "The royal baby is fine–"

"What is Mona's current condition?" Nikolai asked, more concerned about Mona than the child in her womb. "Why did she faint? That rarely happens, Madam Hammock. Even when we fought in a war together in the past, she didn't faint no matter how much Mana she used when summoning Spirits to fight. In fact, the last time she fainted was when she summoned William for the first time. That was years ago."

The madam fell silent as if she was debating with herself whether to speak or not.

"Speak if you don't want to die here, Madam."

The Healing Sage let out a sigh before she spoke. "Your Majesty, the royal baby seems to be eating at Lady Roseheart's Mana and… and life force."

He was shocked to hear that. "Is that normal? Do babies consume their mother's Mana and life force?"

"This isn't a normal case, Your Majesty," the madam said in a sad voice. "According to my diagnosis, it seems like the royal baby is weak. Therefore, the royal baby doesn't only need nutrients. She also needs Mana and life force from her mother."

That made him frown. "Then, doesn't it mean this pregnancy is dangerous for Mona?"

"That is the case, Your Majesty."

His jaw clenched while trying to control his rage.

If he knew that the royal baby would be a danger to Mona, he wouldn't have agreed to have a child with her. To be honest, he didn't really want a child with her because he knew that the Rosehearts were only capable of giving birth to females.

He had seen the terrible life that Nichole had lived.

Thus, he didn't want to give that kind of future to his daughter.

But it wasn't like he couldn't turn down Mona's request. He promised her that he would give her anything and everything that she wanted. And so, the two of them conceived a child.

Still, if Mona's life was at risk…

"Madam Hammock."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Mona's life is more important to me than the child in her womb," Nikolai said seriously. He knew that his decision would hurt Mona. But he would rather receive her wrath than lose her forever. "If a situation where I have to choose between Mona and the child comes, then I want you to save Mona."

"But Your Majesty–"

"I am the one you serve, Madam Hammock," he said coldly. "And don't forget the reason why I allowed you to live despite the horrible things that you've done to Nichole. Or have you truly forgotten about it?"

The Healing Sage lowered her eyes to the floor. "I haven't forgotten, Your Majesty," she said weakly. "I swore on my life that I will serve Lady Roseheart the way I should have served the late Princess Royal."

"That's right– I told you to serve Mona and not the child," he said, his voice still cold and empty. Even though he looked tough outside, his conscience was still killing him on the inside. Still, his decision was firm. "Mona comes first. No matter what Mona says, her life matters more than the child. Understood?"

Madam Hammock bowed her head. "I understand, Your Majesty."

"Good," Nikolai said, then he sipped his tea before he spoke again. "And remember, Madam Hammock– keep your mouth shut about this matter."

***

"MONA, you should still be resting."

"I'm fine," Mona insisted, ignoring Nikolai's scolding. She just woke up so she was still on the bed. She was sitting on the mattress while leaning against the headboard. "Madam Hammock said that I only fainted because of exhaustion. It must be because I've been using my Mana to talk to the Spirits and other beings nonstop for the past few weeks."

She had to appease the Spirits and the other beings that cared about the Cosmic Tree as much as she did. Thus, she failed to look after her health and physical body properly. Thankfully, the Spirits and the other beings seemed to have calmed down so she could relax now.

"I'm sorry, baby," she said gently while rubbing her stomach carefully. "Mommy has been too busy lately. I promise to take care of myself better for you."

She turned to Nikolai when she realized that he was too quiet.

That was when she saw an unfamiliar emotion on his face. He looked upset, but he also looked like he was feeling…

[I'm not sure but he looks guilty for some reason…?]

"Nikolai?" she called him carefully, then she put a hand on his cheek. "Are you okay? You look… upset."

She only said 'upset' because she didn't know what to call the other emotion that she saw in his eyes earlier.

Nikolai, who was sitting beside her, turned to her and nodded. "Yes, I'm upset," he admitted. "Have you heard about the ridiculous rumor between you and Gavin?"

She laughed awkwardly. "Yes, I've heard it."

Not only that– she had also heard the rumor straight from the mouth of the person who caused it in the first place.

[Lady Sera Wisteria, look at the trouble that you brewed…]

She also heard from her maids that because of that nasty rumor, more than half of the servants in Yule Palace that talked about it had been fired or worse, heavily punished by Nikolai.

And Gavin was also summoned to the palace.

Nikolai initially planned to meet Gavin alone. But she insisted to come along. Even though she knew that the rumor was something that only came from Lady Wisteria's creative mind, she was aware that Nikolai would often lose his rationality when he was jealous.

"Nikolai, you know that it's not true, don't you?" she asked. "There's no way that Gavin has feelings for me."

"I know that," he said with a frown. "But I'm curious as to why that kind of rumor began in the first place."

"It's because of Lady Sera Wisteria," she said while shaking her head. "I'm sure that there has been a misunderstanding between her and Gavin."

Moreover, she knew that Lady Sera Wisteria was interested in Gavin for a long time now.

The young lady was known for being difficult and temperamental. She wouldn't be surprised if she found out that Lady Sera Wisteria started that ridiculous rumor on purpose.

"I've heard that Lady Wisteria grabbed your hair," Nikolai said coldly. "I wonder how I should destroy House Wisteria."

"Don't do that, Nikolai. You will only fuel the rumor even more if you punish House Wisteria," Mona scolded him. Then, she cupped his face between her hands to gently force him to look at her. "The rumor will die out soon so don't do anything."

Unfortunately, that nasty rumor wouldn't die out anytime soon.

***

"YOUR MAJESTY, Lady Roseheart, I deeply apologize."

Mona felt bad to see Gavin Quinzel bowing deeply to her and Nikolai when he hadn't done anything wrong.

When she turned to Nikolai, she was glad to see that he no longer looked angry. Like her, the emperor looked awkward to his cousin and the respectable Commander of the White Lion Knights bow his head when he was innocent.

"Stop it, Gavin," Nikolai said while clicking his tongue. "It was Lady Wisteria who started this mess. Am I right?"

Gavin raised his head and scratched his cheek. "I think Lady Wisteria has misunderstood my intention for giving the hair ornament to Lady Roseheart. I should have been more careful. I'm truly sorry for all of this."

"Gavin, you're too nice," Mona said, then she sighed. "It's not your fault, okay?"

***

"IT SEEMS like the rumor didn't shake His Majesty and Lady Mona Roseheart's relationship."

Gavin ignored Lukas' attempt to mock him.

As of right now, the two of them were in his office in the Quinzel Estate. He had summoned the elf not to hear his taunting but to ask for his help. Thus, he was being patient.

"I've only started," Gavin, who was half-sitting on the desk behind him, said and crossed his arms over his chest. "Lukas, can you or Lord Helstor create a fake prophecy?"

Lukas, who was about to sip his tea, stop midway to give him a look of disbelief. "A fake what?"

"I need two fake prophecies to send to His Majesty and Lady Roseheart separately," he explained to the elf. "One that would make His Majesty hate the royal baby, and the other to make Lady Roseheart leave His Majesty."

He knew His Majesty's weakness, and so was Lady Roseheart's.

And yes, he was going to exploit those weaknesses for his benefit.

"I can't make fake prophecies," Lukas said seriously. "But I will ask Lord Helstor if he could help you this time."

"Great," Gavin said, his face void of emotions. "Tell him that I need it done as soon as possible."

***

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