Chapter 21: The Royal Game

Kissing him was like a slap to my senses, and I stopped as soon as I started. What have I done? Alaric fell to his feet, pleading.

"Forgive me, my queen; I deserve to be killed."

I was still shocked at my actions as I waved him off, and he left without looking back.

What did I do? The anger and frustration of not touching my husband for days while he was with another lady made me act on impulse. I saw it as a way to get revenge, but knowing the dangers, I stopped, and besides, that was low of me, honestly, a guard. Confronting the king isn't even an option; his attitude these days doesn't give me a chance to have a talk with him.

I cursed the moon goddess silently for giving me this kind of fate. My life hasn't been smooth since childhood, and now I don't have anything to protect in this world, not even a baby. My heart went to Lola, and I felt jealous of her. If only pregnancy can be switched

Confused with no idea of what to do next, the only thing I can think of is how to get pregnant before the king tries any funny act.

After thinking long enough, I called for Lola. Pacing around in uneasiness, I kept thinking about different options. They announced the arrival of Lola, and she came into the chamber.

"My Queen". She said as she bowed her head.

"Lola, I have a favor to ask.

"Anything you ask, your highness, I will be glad to help."

"Let's switch pregnancies, Lola". She widened her eyes in shock. I went close to her, holding her hands.

"Lola, it's a simple arrangement. I will pretend to be pregnant; the king barely touched me, so no one will know. We will give birth the same day you give birth, and you will give me your baby.

"Your royal highness, with all respect, that's impossible. How did you expect me to give my baby? How do you expect to deceive people for months? You are the queen; your pregnancy will be taken care of by my midwives. How did you expect to convince them? I can't leave my baby for anyone, my queen. This is not possible.

I broke into tears, realizing my mistake. "I'm sorry, Lola. My desperation pushed me to my limits. This was never a good idea. You are a good person, and I don't want to spoil the friendship between us, but Lola, that is the only solution I can think of now. I'm on the verge of being pushed out of my position.

"I know I promised to be by you, my Queen, but this is not the right decision. The king knows more about the tradition, and he can't shake you off your position. Your love for each other will survive this storm.

As Lola rose to leave, I called out, stopping her in her tracks. "Wait, Lola. There's something else you need to know." She turned back, her face glistening with tears.

I thought twice, then spoke softly, "The King... he has a concubine. A pregnancy threatens my post as queen. Lola, all these meetings were to meet his concubine; it explains my pain all this while.

Lola's eyes widened. Suddenly, the Queen's desperate plea made sense. She came close to me.

"I had no idea, Your Majesty." She stammered, her heart heavy with the truth she had just heard.

My eyes were filled with tears.

"Lola. I let my fear cloud my judgment. For that, I am truly sorry.

"It's fine, my Queen; you made the decision in desperation. Heaven knows I keep praying every day for your pregnancy, and I know the goddess won't sit still and watch your position crumble.

I knew I took a bad step in asking Lola, and I really hoped it won't spoil the closeness between us.

"One more thing, Lola". I stalled in deciding if it was the right thing to do.

"Kira knows; she is involved in this also; she knows where the girl lives; her outings with the king are to go meet her; it's a wonder how you are not aware of this despite living with her". Lola let out a gasp, and I knew she was innocent in all this. She kept quiet and asked to return to her post. 

I knew she was taking time to process the information; she sees Kira as a mentor, and this kind of information is enough to shock her.

Left in my thoughts, I had to think of other solutions. I was done being the meek one who sits around for orders. When it was late evening, I dismissed all the staff in my chamber; I needed to be alone. Alaric came in fidgeting, having experienced this morning even

"I'm really sorry about this morning, your highness; please spare me". I looked at him, checking out his body. Alaric is a fine, tall man with muscles; his oval face complements his body, and I caught myself lusting after him.

"You will take this secret to your grave, and no one must know about it."

"Our mission is to get me pregnant by all means, and that's where you come in". He looked confused as I went to him, pushed him on the bed, and did the needful.

Waking up to an empty bed and naked, I realized what I had done, although the feeling of guilt wasn't in me; rather, I enjoyed the night. I haven't had such sweet sex in a while. If the king thinks he can play this game, well, humor me, two can play a game.

I smiled as I went to freshen up.

****Kira's Pov

The King has called for an urgent meeting with the council, and I rushed to prepare for the meeting. Lola came in, her face expressing anger as she stared at me. I was puzzled at her behavior, but the meeting with the king has clouded my mind; I didn't bother asking her.

"We need to talk". She sai

I was about to leave my room, and I placed a hand on her shoulder. "Child, I have a meeting with the king; we will talk when I return.

I ran out of the house without hearing her response. Our discussion will have to wait.

On getting to the palace, the room was full of councils as I found a seat for myself. I thought about the urgency in Lola's tone. Feeling bad for cutting her short, I made a note to apologize when I got home.

The king came, and we all bowed in respect for the king. As we sat, the king started speaking.

"Today's meeting is to seek your opinion on some issues. As councils, I see you as a great part in the decision-making of the kingdom, and I need you all to know that your ideas and opinions count.

The council murmured at the king's statement, and I laughed in silence. So the king actually sees us as part of the decision-makers in the kingdom, and this meeting seems really serious.

"What do you say to a new wife birthing the heir of the kingdom?

What? I stood as the king locked eyes with me for a moment.