The Villainess Next Life (COMPLETED)

Chapter 34

"What?! Are you crazy?!" Alarice exclaimed

"I did my best to stall the decision."

"What do you mean you did your best?! You should've outright rejected the idea! Mael is only thirteen for goodness' sake! You can't send a child to the battlefield."

"I am 10 when I went to the battlefield." Nicholas tried to reason out.

After the meeting with the nobles, the news traveled quickly to the moon palace where the Empress Regnant resides. It was the night that they need to spend together and here they are arguing.

They were in Nicholas bed chamber. Alarice was walking back and forth arguing with him while he was sitting on his bed.

"Does that made you happy?" She asked

"It made me strong. Besides, he needs it so he can grow further."

"Are you listening to yourself? He doesn't need to be strong. He needs to be protected. He's just a child. How could you...?" Alarice stopped talking

These are the times where she really feel that she's a stranger of this world. The things that she find very strange was very normal for them.

It is normal for them to send a child to the battlefield to bring home honor for the family. Nicholas thought the same too.

"Nothing's decided yet anyway. I was weighing the possibility." He said.

"So it's really okay for you to send him to the battlefield?" She asked

"Mael was a strong sword fighter. He has the imperial blood running within his veins. If we send him to the battlefield and use the power of the imperial family then the casualties will lessen."

"But that's the best outcome. What if it comes to worst? What did Qashanna said about it?"

"She agreed."

"She did what now?! Why?"

"She said she believe in her child and that Mael's going to win the war."

Alarice's head ache. She just realized how different are they. She sat down beside him.

"What did Mael said?" She asked

"Before I discussed it with hime, he wrote me an official letter asking me to send him to the battlefield." He said

Alarice looked resigned. Mael probably did it because of his now unstable position as an heir. Now that his mother did have a second child, it feels like she was ready to discard Mael.

Nicholas held her hand and lean his head on her shoulder.

"You don't have to stressed yourself over these things. Just focused on your recovery, Ally." He said

She was silent for a while. When those children appeared, Nicholas had a chance to be sweet with her.  And ever since that day, he began to be more clingy and touchy.

She let him be, as she likes the warmth he's giving her.

"You are both his parents. If all of you agrees together then there's nothing I can do." She said

Nicholas looked at her. The atmosphere became sensual, suddenly. He then kissed her gently. He was often rough and eager when they were making love. Just like a beast in heat trying to devour her.

But now he was sweet and gentle that she wonders if this will be enough for him.

---

The next morning, Alarice woke up late with all the body sores. Nicholas was already gone to work.

"His Majesty told you to rest for the rest of the day, Your Majesty." Constance said

She oblige as she cannot even lift her hand properly due to exhaustion.

"Wait, where's the kids?" She asked

"What kids?" Constance asked

"You know, the two children here- wait... Children?"

Alarice feels lost. She's trying to remember something important but she can't. She almost say it but it got blocked on her head .

"What am I talking about again?" She asked

"Pardon? You must be very tired. Please rest Your Majesty." She said

She just nodded and went back to sleep again.

--

Mael was reading his books under a treewhen Naveen came running into him.

"Brother! Is it true?! You're going to war?!" He said

"Where'd you hear that?"

"From mother. She said that I should start being serious at my studies so I can be prepared to be an heir. I don't want to brother.  Please don't go. What if you die there?"

Mael smiled. He pat Naveen's head. He'll miss this little guy but he needs to do this. The war will take place at the territory of Duke Elmea. That means he'll have a better access to information there.

He doesn't know why but he feels like he needs to uncover something from her mother and grandfather. He can't remember who said those things but he clearly remembers what they said.

In the middle of roses are thorns. The root of those roses is poisonous and will cause the whole land drought. I know it’s hard but you have to uproot the roses.

He needs to uproot the roses. That's why he needs to win this war.

--

At the same time, Qashanna was having tea with his father in the rose garden.

"I'm surprised you asked me for tea."

"I know that it is you who spread the disease." Qashanna said

Dukes Elmeas face suddenly became distorted with his malicious smile.

"So you're being wise now." He said

"You're the only one who have the capacity to do those things cleanly. It did benefits me so it doesn't really matter."

"Even though it endangered your unborn child's life?"

"Oh I know you well father. You won't let your chess pieces die, especially your greatest piece. What is your plan on this war?" She asked

"Why would you ask?"

"I need power. I need Mael to win this war for this child. He needs to open up a clean path for this child to be an heir." She said

The duke laugh like a madman. Qashanna drank tea to calm her mind.

"You were just like me Qashanna. You acted like a sweet, innocent lady just like your mother but in the end my filthy blood that you so hate is still running in you. You are able to sacrifice your own child for the sake of power." He said

"I am not like you! I'm also doing this for them! It's all the Empress Regnant's fault. If it wasn't for her I won't loose the love and power that I deserve! Mael is also at fault. He keeps on siding with that woman! He was being brainwashed by her! If he can't bend to my will then might at least make himself useful for this brother of his!" She shouted as she slammed her tea on the table.

The duke smirked.

"Then what do you want my daughter?"

"I want her dead. If only she will die, everything will go back to how it's supposed to be." She said angrily

"That's the plan. Considering her personality, she'll definitely oppose to the idea of Mael being sent to the battlefield. We will use this opportunity to make a rift between her and the Emperor. You just need to birth another prince and everything will go smoothly."

"What about the war?"

"Don't worry. Everything's under my control."

"Just make sure that Mael and Nicholas will live. I don't care about the others but I'm willing to give you information,  power and connections for your plan but make sure they won't get hurt." She warned him

"Yes, of course." The duke answered meaningfully.