ONE WEEK LATER
The past week has been peaceful for Carl and Zara as Nadia's endless schemes and plots to separate them always fail. Although her plans fail, Nadia didn't stop scheming and attacking. instead, she became more violent and frequent with her attacks, but somehow Gage always anticipated her movements and stopped them from happening.
On the other hand, King Alan and King Neil returned to their Nations after Zara's return, making Nadia feel alone and insecure. She felt like someone was watching her every movement but she couldn't wrap her head around who it was. Also because bad things have been happening to her. Like finding snakes or insects in her room, and also seeing Gwen's ghost. People were starting to think that she was going insane and was unfit to be a queen.
Meanwhile, Zara and Lia couldn't solve the mystery of Myla's sudden disappearance.
They were extremely worried that something might have happened to her. Zara even insisted that Carl send some soldiers in search of her, but all their efforts seemed futile as they were unable to find her.
ZARA'S POV
Carl and I lay in bed after our passionate lovemaking session. This week has been a lot more peaceful than others, making me wonder if it's the calm before the storm.
For some reason, I felt like something was about to happen. And not only that. I've been feeling dizzy and tired lately. Maybe I might be sick or pregnant like queen Catherine said, but I didn't want to get my hopes up and also didn't tell Carl for that same reason. Although I planned to visit the royal physician during the day to find out if I was really pregnant, or if it was some kind of illness.
...
After Carl left the chamber, to attend to some urgent matter, I dressed up in simple attire, going to the physician's quarter with Lia and Aunt Anna.
"Greeting your grace, Lady Anna, and Lia," the physician greeted bowing his head slightly.
I gave him a light smile and nodded in return, before going to sit on a stool, beside the fireplace and aunt Anna and Lia did the same.
"What brings you here queen Zara? you could have just sent for me, instead of coming all the way here," the physician told me.
I smiled. "No sir Thomas! I didn't want to alert anyone. I wanted my meeting with you to be a secret," I said truthfully.
If truly I was pregnant, I don't want to lose my baby like I didn't before. That is, the fewer people who knew, the better, as we still haven't found the person responsible for the death of my first baby.
"Tell me, queen Zara, what should I do for you?" The physician inquired.
"Sir Thomas, I have been feeling dizzy and tired for some days now, and queen Catherine thinks, I'm pregnant. I want you to confirm if her intuition is true," I explained.
Sir Thomas smiled, then he said, "I pray that is the case, queen Zara because right now Everton needs an heir."
I nodded, also hoping that I was pregnant. The royal physician examined me for a while, checking my pulse and my stomach.
"Queen Zara, you're indeed pregnant, but there is a problem," he announced.
It was like I was hit by lightning. No! Please, nothing should be wrong. "Tell me, sir Thomas, what is the problem?"
Sir Thomas sighed. "Your grace, you are at very high risk if you keep this baby. you might die."
I gasped, and I could also hear Lia and aunt Anna do the same.
"No, it can be. Is there no solution?" Aunt Anna chipped in, coming to stand beside me.
"There's none lady Anna, only a miracle can save the queen if she chooses to keep the baby," Sir Thomas answered.
I sighed, feeling my heart clench in pain. It's like I was not destined for happiness. The gods must have cursed me.
"Zara, what are you going to do?" Lia asked, giving me a sad look.
I thought for a while. Even if I had to die, I will surely bring my baby into this world. "Lia, I've decided to keep this baby. I don't mind if I lose my life," I answered.
"But Zara..."
"No but's aunt, I will keep this baby, and none of you must tell Carl or anyone about this," I said, cutting aunt Anna off.
They all gave me a confused look, then the physician said, "Your grace, isn't the king supposed to know about this?"
I shook my head in disagreement. "Carl must not know. Because he if does, he would want to save me instead of the baby. so please, none of you should say anything, I'll tell him when the time is right."
They sighed, with looks of disapproval on their faces, but they agreed anyway. "Okay, Zara! We'll keep your secret until you're ready to reveal it."
...
The council members stood before Carl in the throne room, as they address an important issue.
"Your majesty, our spies in Neptune and Crystal-Ville, have recently informed us that thousands of soldiers were seen recently marching to Neptune, and also king Darian of Crystal-Ville is readying his army, I think they are planning something."
"Yes, your majesty! Not one but all of our spies said the same thing. I think they want to start a war. But with whom?"
Carl sighed, deep in thoughts. If Arthur and Darian are planning a war, it has to be against Everton and no one else.
"Lord William, and Lord Sirius(Minister of defense, and minister of war) I want you both to ready our troops. Those who would stay behind to defend Everton, and those who would fight on the battlefield," Carl ordered.
"Lord Gayle(The treasurer) Do we have enough gold to fund the war?"
"Yes, your majesty! More than enough."
"Good, I want you to take out Gold that will be enough for the war."
"Yes, your majesty."
"Sir Maddox(The Blacksmith)!"
"Your majesty!"
"Make sure there's enough weapon for everyone in Everton, both soldiers, and civilians."
"Yes, your majesty."
Carl was making sure everyone had a weapon because he felt like this war was going to be one like never before."
IN NEPTUNE
Arthur stared at his father king Luther in shock. All these years, he thought his father was dead, but now, here he was standing in front of him, healthy and strong.
"Son, I know you must be wondering why I stayed away! It is because I was building us an army. An army strong enough to Conquer not just Everton, but the entire seven kingdoms. We are going to kill and get revenge against king Carl. Isn't that what you'll always wanted?"
Arthur sighed. Yes, he wanted to take revenge on Carl because Carl's father killed his. but now that his father was standing in front of him, he didn't have any idea what to do.
King Luther saw that Arthur was having doubts, so he said, "Son, remember I may be alive, but your mother is dead, and it's all thanks to King Carlos(Carl's father). Although he may be dead, his son and wife are still alive."
Arthur nodded. His father was right. If he wanted revenge against Carl and wanted people to acknowledge him as a true king, he would have to defeat Carl.
"Alright, father! I would fight alongside you," Arthur replied.
King Luther's lips twitched into an evil smirk. 'Soon I'll be the king of seven kingdoms,' he said inwardly and suddenly his smirk was replaced with a scowl at the realization that he was still standing, while Arthur was sitting on the throne.
In anger he said. "Arthur, now that I'm back, I will take the throne from you, until I conquer the other nations."
Arthur was taken aback and stared at his father in disbelief. Yes, his father was supposed to be the king instead of him, but he was gone for many years, so there was no way, he would step down.
Arthur scoffed, then he said, "Father, your reign was over, ever since you disappeared, I'm not stepping down from the throne."
King Luther was shocked. He couldn't believe Arthur had refused him. That too in front of everyone. Although Arthur was his son, he couldn't let him humiliate him. 'When the time comes, I'll teach you a lesson Arthur,' King Luther mulled, replacing his shocked look, with an unreadable one.
Myla who has been quiet since they arrived decided to speak. She hated that Arthur dared to refuse their father.
"Arthur, how can you refuse father?" She rasped, bringing everyone's attention to her.
Arthur was surprised. 'Did she just call me by my name, and also called my father hers?' he pondered, looking at Myla curiously.
"Who are you? And how dare you speak to the king like that?" one of Arthur's council members spoke before he could.
Myla rolled her eyes, then she said, "I am princess Myla, daughter of King Luther, and step-sister to King Arthur, Who are you to speak to me in that tone of voice?"
Everyone gasped. "So king Luther remarried after losing his wife in a war. But where is his other wife? I don't see her," the council members murmured amongst themselves.
Arthur also gave his father a questioning look but said nothing.
"I married again, and she died during childbirth," king Luther answered putting an end to their questions.
IN EVERTON
Ariel informed Nadia that she saw Zara going to the physician's quarter.
"Do you have any idea why she was there?" Nadia inquired, her brow raised in question.
"I have no idea, my queen. I only know she visited the physician," Ariel answered.
Nadia nodded, an evil glint flashing across her features. "Ariel, keep an eye on Zara, I hope it's not what I suspect. I hope she's not pregnant because if she is, history would repeat itself.
...
Meanwhile, after Carl's council meeting, Jerald summoned him to his office.
"Jerald, why did you call me to my office?" Carl asked.
Jerald sighed, then he said, "Your majesty, remember queen Zara's poisoning? _ I have been investigating it and I think I found out who was behind Zara's poisoning."
Carl's mind was keen with interest once he heard that. "Tell me who it was Jerald. Who is that person?"
"My king, it's..."