Chapter 5

The moment I blew the wooden whistle, the pain sharpened violently.

But I held on tighter.

Bellareyna. Darius. This game of chess had reached its endgame.

When the agony crashed over me like tidal waves, I was carried into a hidden room within the queen's quarters.

The space had long been prepared as a delivery room. The heavy smell of blood mixed with herbs, thick enough to make you dizzy.

A folding screen split the room in two. From the other side, I could hear Bellareyna's deliberately exaggerated cries.

"Ah… it hurts… Darius…"

"Don't be afraid, Bellareyna. I'm right here."

Darius's voice drifted through the screen, painfully gentle.

I lay on the birthing bed, sweat soaking through my shift.

Two midwives stood at the foot of the bed, their eyes darting nervously away.

No question—they were Bellareyna's people.

The floating comments raced wildly across my vision.

[Here it comes! The legendary baby swap scene!]

[The young general looks so handsome and cool. He'd do anything for his beloved.]

"Push, my lady!"

The midwife urged me on, though her hands pressed clumsily against my stomach.

I bit through the tip of my tongue, using the pain to force myself to stay conscious.

Behind the screen, Bellareyna's "weak cries" grew softer and softer.

"Darius… am I… going to die…?"

Darius's voice sharpened instantly.

"Don't talk like that! Nothing's going to happen to you. I won't let anything happen."

Then I heard him lower his voice.

"How's it going on the other side?"

Someone answered quietly, "She's already in labor, but the baby is breech. I'm afraid…"

Darius cut in without the slightest hesitation.

"Save the children. The children have to live."

I closed my eyes.

So that was the truth.

In his heart, as long as Bellareyna could have healthy children, my life meant nothing.

Another violent wave of pain tore through my abdomen. Something inside me dropped heavily downward.

"The head's out!" one of the midwives exclaimed—this time with genuine shock.

Gathering every last bit of strength, I gave one final push.

The first child, a boy, slid into the world, his cries loud and strong.

Moments later came the second—a girl.

Twins.

The midwives quickly cut the cords and wrapped the babies in cloths.

Weakly, I reached out a trembling hand.

"Let me… see them…"

The midwife carrying the children stepped backward.

"Please be patient, my lady. I need to clean them first…"

Holding my babies in their arms, they walked toward the folding screen.

"No…"

I tried to force myself up, only to fall from the bed.

My knees slammed against the ice-cold floor. Crawling forward, I dragged myself through the spreading pool of blood beneath me, leaving a long red trail behind.

Behind the screen, Bellareyna asked weakly, "Twins…?"

"Your Majesty," came the reply, "a boy and a girl."

Joy filled Bellareyna's voice.

"That's wonderful… Darius, I finally have children now…"

Darius was silent for a very long time before answering with a single word.

"Yes."

One word.

And with that one word, he gave both of my children away.

The midwives carried the wrapped infants around the screen while I watched helplessly, my fingernails scraping desperately into the gaps between the floor tiles.

"Wait… the children… my children…"

My voice turned raw from screaming, but no one looked back. Panic and despair clawed through my chest.

Darius stood beside the folding screen, his face half-lit by flickering candlelight.

His gaze stayed down.

He didn't dare look at me.

The floating comments exploded.

[AHHH THIS IS SO PAINFUL TO WATCH!]

[General, turn around and look at her!]

I laughed.

Blood bubbled at my lips as the laughter dissolved into coughing.

"Darius… you're going to regret this…"

Bracing myself against the floor, I slowly forced myself to stand. Blood streamed down my legs.

His whole body went stiff.

At that exact moment, the hidden room doors suddenly burst open.

"The King has arrived!"