The incident

Mia sat on the edge of the bed, her hand resting against her stomach. Ten weeks. The doctor’s words from yesterday still echoed in her head. She hadn't slept a wink.

William stood by the window, already dressed as he adjusted the cuff of his suit. Light hit his face, but he didn't look at her.

"I have a trip to Germany," he said, barely turning his head.

"You're leaving? Today?" Mia looked at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. "The day after I told you I'm pregnant?"

He grabbed his coat from the back of the chair. "Are you asking me to stay? You knew how my schedule worked before we got married."

Mia stood up. Her legs wobbled, but she steadied herself. "I'm not asking you to cancel the whole trip. Just give us a few hours. We need to talk about what this means." She pointed down at her stomach.

William slid his arms into his coat without answering her concern. "We talked yesterday. Follow the doctor's orders and go to your checkups."

"Oh, really? So what am I supposed to do? Sit here and wait for you?"

He looked straight at her. "Damian and the council will run things while I'm away. You stay in the palace. The staff knows what to do, and you don't go anywhere without a guard."

Mia took a step toward him. "I'm carrying your child, William! A real baby. And I have my own life to live."

He buttoned his coat and glanced at his watch. "Look, I don't have time for this. I have a flight to catch."

She clenched her fists. "Bastard."

William reached the door and paused with his hand on the knob. He looked back at her. "Rest. The doctor said you need it."

The door shut with a quiet click.

Mia stood in the middle of the room, staring at the door he'd just closed. It wasn't as if she needed him there. She could manage without him.

She walked over to the window and watched his black car roll down the driveway, passing through the palace gates until it vanished.

Mia had just finished a short walk around the house when someone knocked on the door.

A senior aide entered without waiting for permission. His face was pale, and he seemed to struggle to get the words out. "Your Majesty… there's been an incident."

Mia put her book down. "What happened?"

"The King was attacked on his way to the airport." He swallowed. "He's badly hurt."

Mia shot to her feet. "How badly? Is he alive?"

"We don't have official confirmation yet. But he has been taken to the hospital, and the Chancellor is contacting the German authorities. I was told to inform you immediately."

Mia gripped the armrest. "Then find out what's happening. Put me through to whoever is in charge at the scene."

The aide hurried out.

The next hour passed in a blur. Staff hurried through the corridors, phones rang, and people came and went with updates that answered nothing. Someone placed a glass of water beside her, but she left it untouched.

When the next update came, a senior royal physician entered the room. He stood by the door with his hands folded behind his back.

"The King survived the attack, Your Majesty. He's at the hospital." The doctor paused. "However... the head injury is severe. He's in a vegetative state. The medical team can't say whether or when he'll wake up."

Mia stared at him. "Vegetative?" she repeated. "What does that even mean? Explain it to me."

"His body is stable for now, but there's no sign of him waking up anytime soon. They're running more tests, but I can't promise he'll recover."

Mia walked to the window and placed a hand against the frame. She needed a moment to take it all in. She and William didn't love each other, but he was still her husband and the father of her baby.

"So he won't be waking up anytime soon."

"We can't say that for certain, Your Majesty."

Mia turned to face him. "Does his brother know?"

The doctor hesitated. "Prince Damian was informed immediately. He's already meeting with council members."

"All right. You may go."

Once the doctor left, Mia sat on the edge of the sofa and pressed her palms harder against her knees, trying to stop her hands from shaking.

William was alive, but not still alive at the same time. And while he lay in a hospital bed, Damian, his younger brother, was already moving to take his place.

A soft knock came at the door.

Elise, one of the senior secretaries, stepped inside.

"Your Majesty, Prince Damian has called an emergency session of the Court council for tomorrow at nine. He's formally filing for the regency."

Mia lifted her head. "Already?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. He's secured the support of three senior council members."

Mia rose from the sofa. "What happens if they approve it?"

"Prince Damian would take control of the government until the King recovers or a permanent solution is reached. Decisions concerning the crown, the lineage, and the royal household would go through him."

Mia looked down at her stomach.

William's heir was growing inside her, yet Damian was preparing to take control of everything before anyone even knew whether William would wake up.

"Does the council know about the pregnancy?" she asked.

"No, Your Majesty. It's still strictly confidential, as you instructed."

"Keep it that way."

Elise nodded, bowed, and left the room.

Mia walked to the bed and sat on the edge, resting a hand over her stomach. For a moment, she said nothing. Then she looked toward the closed door.

Damian. What was he really up to?