I cried out in pain, clutching Prince Carlson's sleeve."Darling… I think the babies are coming."Prince Carlson's face turned pale, and he scooped me into his arms."Summon the imperial physicians! And all midwives—immediately to the birthing chamber!"For the first time, panic laced his normally composed voice.In the birthing chamber, the pain was almost unbearable. I felt myself on the brink of unconsciousness.A piercing, heart-wrenching scream, and then… the shrill cry of a newborn filled the room."It's a son!"Before the midwives' joy had even settled, another wave of pain hit me."There's another! The consort must push again!"Exhausted and trembling, I bore the second child. Amidst my haze of fatigue, I heard the midwife's trembling voice."Tw… twins! A boy and a girl!"Prince Carlson whispered near my ear, his voice thick with emotion. "Alicia… thank you…"When I awoke, I lay on a soft bed. Prince Carlson was cradling the swaddled twins and awkwardly cooing. See
Nicholas lunged forward, but a guard's boot sent him sprawling."I gave up everything for you… my rank, my future! That wretched woman ruined my family! Now I have nothing!"He frantically pointed to his mutilated ears."Look! Prince Carlson cut these off! He's a madman! You'll have no future with him!"I swung my hand across his face, making him turn away."This slap," I said, my fingers trembling from the surge of cold fury, "is for the old me you once tormented.""Did you think of me when you abandoned me for power?" I continued, voice ice-cold. "Did you think of our past when you let Maggie ruin my face? Did you remember me at all when you arranged for beggars to violate me?"A bitter laugh escaped me as I rested a hand on my belly."Now, I am the Imperial Consort, with a child in my womb, and you…"My eyes swept over his broken ears and ragged clothes."You are nothing… less than even a beggar."Nicholas, why would I ever want a crippled man with no ears?"His face dra
"You said, I… was nothing but a nuisance," I said.My mother shuddered violently, then suddenly raised her hand and struck herself across the face."Alicia, I was blinded by my own folly!"She wept bitterly, tears streaming down without regard for her dignity."Forgive me this once… I will make it up to you, I swear…"I stepped back, avoiding her outstretched hand."No need."Turning toward Prince Carlson, I said, "Darling, let's go."He wrapped an arm around my waist, and together we walked away, leaving my mother with a look of utter despair.Behind us, Maggie's hysterical screams rang out, "Alicia! You will die a terrible death! You think marrying a eunuch means safety? He will despise you—"An arrow whistled through the air, cutting her words short.Alongside my mother's startled scream came the muffled crash of a heavy body striking the ground.I paused mid-step, but I did not look back.On the carriage ride back to the prince's residence, he toyed with my fingers."
"Do you believe all those rumors?" Prince Carlson asked.He suddenly leaned close, warm breath brushing against my ear."Or… would you like to verify the truth yourself?"I flinched at his sudden intimacy, but he caught my wrist and drew me into his arms."Y-Your Highness…" I stammered, only to have his finger press lightly against my lips. "Call me 'Darling'."His low, magnetic voice left no room for refusal.The candles crackled as he lifted me horizontally, carrying me toward our wedding bed."I spread those rumors," he murmured, loosening my robe while whispering against my ear."All to test who seeks only power and influence."Heat suffused me from head to toe, yet his next words made my eyes widen in shock."And you…"He pressed a gentle kiss to my neck."You are the only one who knew I… could not… yet still chose to marry me."As my clothing fell away, my toes curled in nervous tension.He was painstakingly gentle, erasing the tears at the corners of my eyes with sl
"I asked who harmed my princess consort. This is not an invitation to lie. If you speak falsely again, my sword will show no mercy."Prince Carlson's voice was colder than ice. His long fingers traced the hilt of his blade, the gleaming threat instantly silencing the entire courtyard. Every breath held.At that moment, my mom suddenly rushed forward and dropped to her knees."Your Highness, forgive us! It's all Maggie's fault—"She yanked Maggie forward."Speak! Did you harm Alicia's face?"Maggie's makeup was smudged, but she trembled through the words, pointing at me."It… it was her own… ah!"A prince's guard slammed a sword scabbard into her face."This is your final warning."The prince methodically wiped the blood from his blade, eyes icy."Who defaced my princess consort?"He added, voice low and lethal, "Next time, it will not be a mere scabbard."Maggie collapsed, blood trickling from her lips."It was me…" she stammered. "Before the beauty contest, I mixed corro
Everyone turned sharply, their eyes widening at the sight of a tall, commanding figure walking slowly toward them.He wore a dark, embroidered robe, a golden belt hanging at his waist, lending him the bearing of a towering pine.Most striking of all was the silver mask covering the upper half of his face, leaving only the rigid lines of his jaw and thin lips visible."Prince… Prince Carlson?!"The hall erupted into stunned murmurs. Guests scrambled to their knees, bowing in unison.Nicholas's face drained of color. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the floor.Maggie's porcelain vial shattered with a sharp crack, spilling its bitter contents across the gold-threaded folds of her gown.Prince Carlson's dark, embroidered boots clicked against the shards of ceramic, ornaments chiming at his waist.I froze, staring at the masked man before me. A memory flickered. This was the man who had saved me in the jewelry shop!Prince Carlson noticed my dazed expression and lifted a gl