The Alliance Marriage Went Wrong

"How have you been, Your Majesty?" Crown Princess Maria asked Empress Amina with a calm yet friendly smile on her face.

"I'm doing fine," Empress Amina quickly responded. "What about you, Maria? You never come and I have missed you a lot."

"I apologize, Your Majesty. Whenever my father is out, I have to take his place and I don't get to leave Vialand often," the Crown Princess explained.

The Empress nodded and when she looked at the young man standing next to Maria, the latter promptly spoke up.

"This is Ancelin, Your Majesty. He's my husband."

Ancelin, the former Duke of Vizza who was now the Prince Consort slightly bowed his head. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Amina Francia nodded in response. "I didn't come to your wedding and I always wonder what your husband would be like," she said to Maria and shifted her gaze to Ancelin and continued, "He's very handsome. I also heard that he's a true warrior."

Ancelin flashed a smile when he heard the Cedore Empress. "I'm flattered, Your Majesty. I'm also very glad that I finally get to greet you. As Cedore is the closest ally of our Vialand, I hope we can meet more often and get to know each other."

The Empress smiled and glanced at her husband who was busy talking with other guests. However, when she turned back to Maria and her husband, she noticed that Andres and Ophelia were now standing next to them too.

"It's been a long time, Maria," Crown Prince Andres said to the woman whom he used to love during his whole childhood and also until two years ago. Looking at the Prince Consort, he nodded in greeting and Ancelin did the same.

"It's great to see you again, Andres," Maria Kareno said and looked at Ophelia who was standing beside Andres.

As Ophelia was one of the guests in the celebration two years ago, Maria knew her. Besides, she was the Princess of Aederin, the most powerful nation on the continent. However, it's her first time seeing Ophelia again after the latter married Andres Francia.

"You too, Your Highness," she said to Ophelia who nodded at her with a little smile.

When Ophelia looked at Andres, she recalled their last meeting that took place two years ago. Many things happened after that.

She got married and he did the same. Then time flew without them seeing each other. But... when she looked at Andres, she can see how happy his life was. She was glad about that.

"Will you leave tomorrow?" Andres asked the couple and Maria nodded.

"We will leave at dawn," Maria Kareno replied. "Though King Arin asked us to stay longer, my father is not feeling well these days. I don't want to leave him too long."

"What happens to Uncle Richard?" Andres quickly asked with his voice hinting at concern.

"I don't know," Maria muttered. "His health is deteriorating these days. At first, he was supposed to attend this event but because of his poor health, I ended up coming with Ancelin."

Crown Prince Andres briefly glanced at his wife who met his gaze. Then he turned back to the Vialand Crown Princess and said, "I will try to visit him once I return to Cedore. It's been a while since I saw him anyway."

"We will be glad if you come," the Prince Consort spoke up. "His Majesty always talks about you, Your Highness. He will be very glad to see you."

"It will be great if you can come along, Your Highness," Crown Princess Maria said to Ophelia. You're the Crown Princess of Cedore now and for the sake of our two nations' relationship, it will be great to get along."

"I agree," Ophelia replied but Andres quickly spoke up.

"I don't think Ophelia will be able to come along if I manage to visit Uncle Richard," the Cedore Crown Prince said and looked at his wife with a little smile. "She's pregnant and it's not good for her to spend days on a carriage."

With laughter, he added, "Even to reach Qalagon this time, we spend weeks. I told her to rest at home but she's adamant about attending because it's the birthday celebration of my nephew."

"That's still good news," Maria remarked. "It means Cedore will soon have one more royal who will be second-in-line to the throne. I'm happy for you two."

"Being a parent is a blessing, Your Highnesses," Ancelin stated. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Ophelia responded and added, "I will visit you as soon as it's possible."

With that said, Maria and Ancelin retreated to their chambers.

"You sure love to boast the fact that you will soon be a father," Ophelia said to her husband who still looked at her with a bright smile on his face. "You told everyone who chat with us."

"I'm just happy," Andres Francia frankly said. "Look at Arin and Orius. They both have a son and they are so happy being a father. You won't know how much I envy them."

"You still have to wait for months if the baby is to be born healthily and without a problem," Ophelia sighed.

"Don't worry. I will make sure that you and the baby are safe," the Crown Prince simply said and they returned to their seat. Soon, Orius, Valerie, and their little son Gervas Alewine joined them.

Unlike 12-months-old Ansel who already fell asleep, 15-months-old Gervas was still quite active. Just like the former, the latter also had a deep resemblance with his parents.

As Crown Prince Andres took Gervas in his arms and played with him, Ophelia stared at him with a little smile on her face. It wasn't until Gervas was born that the Crown Princess knew how much her husband was fond of children.

Even when he was busy all day, he still had the energy to play with his little nephew at night! Of course, he had to go to the Alewine family mansion just for that!

This made Ophelia thought of one thing.

Once she gave birth, her husband will surely become the happiest person in this world and of course, a proud dad......