The Villainess Next Life (COMPLETED)

Chapter 22

Alarice was on her way towards the office from the tea party when a strong, big hands grab her arm from the back.

"What's the meaning of what you did?" He asked

She looked at his pair of blue eyes.

"It is as it is. I blessed the possible future crown prince." She said nonchalantly

"Why?" He asked. Pain was written all over his face.

"Why wouldn't I? Naveen doesn't have the qualification to inherit the throne and Mael was suffering from his lessons as the prospective heir. And I think long about it. I don't really need to fight for power, do I? I was going to leave here in less than two years. As long as I have our contract that states that you're giving me the autonomy in managing the slums of the Empire then I no longer need anything. However, my opinion of your getting another wife and having a child with her before you appoint the crown prince still stands. It will give you enough time to think of a long-term way to fix the power balance between the New nobles and old ones." Alarice explained

"Just how far are you willing to hurt me?" He asked

Her eyes widened for a second then he laughed mockingly.

"Why would you be hurt your majesty? In the first place you are the reason of all this. Didn't you marry me because you wanted to have enough power to protect the Empress consort? And there you have it. I'm thinking of a plan to protect her. Then, please excuse me your majesty. The Empress consort needs you. I heard pregnant women constantly seek for their husband during pregnancy." She said then bowed politely

She's glad that she wake up in her dream. Though it was short, she really did enjoyed and is happy with that far fetched reality. It's almost time for her to leave the country. She needs to focus on her work. The faster, the better.

"But I won't let you get away." Murmured Nicholas but those words did not reached the Empress' ears.

--

That night they were supposed to sleep with each other. But awkwardness only filled the room.

Nicholas tried to open his mouth a lot of times but failed to say a word.

"Your Majesty. I apologize but I cannot serve you tonight. I'm really tired and I still have a lot of work to do tomorrow." She politely said

He scoffed. "Alright." He said the lay on the other side of the bed

For him it was painful being near her yet she's hard to reach. It feels like his effort to get closer to her the past year were all for naught.

He's happy that he's having a child. Of course, as a father he's really glad that the child came to his life. But sometimes, he cannot bear to look at the Empress Consort's belly as it reminded him of his broken relationship with the Empress Regnant.

He closed his eyes tightly. Still, just being near her brings him shameless joy. It doesn't matter if she hates me. It doesn't matter if she detest me. She just needs to be by my side. She just needs to be somewhere I can reach.

But Alarice was going to leave. He knows that she will leave no matter how much he stopped her. He needs to chain her. A chain thay even though she wants to leave she just can't.

There is only one way he can chain a woman. He needs to talk to the doctor that was checking up on Alarice tomorrow.

--

After their awkward night. Nicholas went yo the doctor first thing in the morning.

"So you mean, she can still get pregnant?" He asked

The old man was trembling. Nicholas has always had this aura that makes other ordinary people feel so small in his presence. It's something a swordmaster possess. The only reason he never showed it to Alarice is because she told him to become a merciful ruler. One that can sympathize and empathize with the minority.

She told him that on one night when they went out. The city lights were dazzling gold just like her eyes that he did what she said.

He ruled with mercy and didn't kill people that easily. He was kind enough to play with other children during orphanage visit. He never used violence. He always listens to the nobles. He can't even kill them even if they annoy him.

That's the ruler that she created in him. It's hard to suppress his killing instinct and anger but he did a good job.

Alarice never knew that people trembles in his mere presence whenever she's not around. She never knew that a secret torture chamber under the sun palace was built. She never knew that the nobles that vanishes was taken care of him. She didn't need to know any of that.

"Y-yes, your majesty." The doctor said

"How do I do it?"

"T-the empress regnant was in possession of a fruit from the spirit world that makes the body once again healthy. She's been constantly consuming it so i-if my hunch us correct she's almost healed." He said

Her ocean blue eyes glint. He can chain her here. If she had his child. He can force her to stay.

He was thinking of that when the door in the doctor's office slammed open.

"Your Majesty, I apologize for my rudeness but an epidemic was spreading in the south. It was so contagious that half of the people are now experiencing symptoms. A hundred already died in just five hours." The hushing Pierre said

"Call all the imperial doctors for an immediate meeting." The Emperor ordered.

"And Your Majesty, the Empress Regnant dashes off to south. She said she'll help healing the people in there."

What?!

The Emperor's face lose its color.