116

116
Chapter 116

Bennett stood by the window, waiting for Leandro to finish speaking with one of his attendants. When the man finally left, Bennett stepped forward, his expression grave.

“We have a situation,” Bennett said without preamble.

Leandro raised an eyebrow, sensing the weight behind those words. “What kind of situation?”

“It’s Azalea,” Bennett replied. “Maya heard from Vicky — the queen is pregnant.”

Leandro’s face stiffened, his jaw tightening as though the news had physically struck him. “Pregnant?” he repeated slowly, almost disbelieving. “So soon?”

“Yes,” Bennett confirmed. “And they’re keeping it quiet for now, which means it’s still early. But make no mistake, once it’s announced, it will make her position untouchable. She won’t just be queen; she’ll be the mother of the next king or queen.”

Leandro turned away, running a hand down his face. His mind raced. A royal heir would solidify Federico’s rule for generations. It would make any attempt to remove him infinitely harder.

Before Leandro could respond, the door opened and Thomas strolled in, looking as casual as ever, though his sharp eyes immediately took in the tension in the room.

“What’s going on?” Thomas asked, closing the door behind him.

Leandro didn’t hesitate. “Bennett has just informed me that Azalea is pregnant.”

Thomas froze for half a second before letting out a harsh laugh. “Of course she is. Everything always seems to go perfectly for them, doesn’t it?”

“This isn’t a joke,” Leandro snapped, his temper flaring. “Do you understand what this means? Federico isn’t just the king — now he’s producing an heir. That child will stand between us and the throne.”

Thomas’s expression hardened. “Then we remove the obstacle.”

Bennett frowned, taken aback. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Thomas said, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a dark whisper, “we make sure there is no child.”

Leandro’s head turned sharply toward him, his eyes narrowing. “You’re suggesting we make her lose the pregnancy?”

Thomas’s smile was cold and deliberate. “Exactly. You wanted Federico to look weak, Leandro? Imagine the chaos when the kingdom learns the queen lost the heir, and under his watch. It will shatter their perfect image. And if we play this right, it might even turn the council against him for failing to protect the future of the throne.”

Bennett hesitated. He had been prepared for plots and betrayals, but this was darker than anything they had previously discussed. “That’s risky,” he said carefully. “If they find out we’re behind it—”

“They won’t,” Thomas cut him off sharply. “We do this quietly. No direct confrontation, no open threats. Something subtle, something that looks like an accident. Azalea will mourn, Federico will break, and the throne will no longer have a secure future.”

Leandro crossed his arms, thinking. “It’s dangerous,” he admitted, “but Thomas is right. We can’t allow a royal heir to stand in our way. This might be our last chance before Federico cements his rule.”

Slowly, Bennett nodded, though unease twisted in his stomach. “Fine. But we have to be careful. We can’t leave a single trace behind.”

Leandro glanced at his younger brother, whose smirk told him all he needed to know. “Leave that to Thomas,” he said. “He seems to have a plan already.”

Thomas simply smiled, his mind already racing through the possibilities.

When their discussion was over, Bennett excused himself, bowing slightly before slipping out of the chamber. As he walked down the dimly lit hallway, a chill ran through him. He had known from the beginning that this game would get ugly, but now the stakes were higher than ever.

And if they succeeded, there would be no turning back.

____

Azalea sat at the edge of the bed, carefully opening the small bottle of morning medication. Her fingers trembled slightly as she swallowed the pills with a sip of water. Federico, sitting across from her with his usual stoic expression, watched her closely. There was a quiet tension in the room, a calm before the storm.

The sound of engines rumbling in the distance broke the silence. Azalea’s head lifted. Outside, faint voices carried through the open balcony doors. Guards were shouting orders, welcoming the arrival of the delegation from the neighboring pack.

“They’re here,” Federico said, rising to his feet.

Azalea nodded slowly, placing the empty glass on the bedside table. “You won’t show your face yet. Not until tonight,” she said firmly, meeting his gaze. “The banquet is where everyone will see you—where they’ll see us. Before then, I don’t want whispers or rumors ruining what I’ve planned.”

Federico tilted his head, his lips curving into the faintest smirk. “You’ve been planning something.”

Azalea didn’t answer right away. She stood, smoothing down her robe and walking toward the window to watch the guards line up outside, welcoming their guests. The sight was both intimidating and reassuring. The success banquet tonight was more than a celebration; it was her chance to change the narrative, to reclaim her place as more than just a pawn in court politics.

They sat down for breakfast shortly after, a quiet one. The clinking of cutlery was the only sound between them, both of them lost in thought. Federico kept stealing glances at her, as though trying to read the plan she hadn’t shared with him yet.

When the plates were cleared, Azalea rose. “I have a fitting appointment today. The gown has to be perfect,” she said. Her tone was steady, almost businesslike, but Federico caught the fire burning in her eyes.

He stood as well, stepping closer. “You’re preparing for something bigger than just a banquet,” he said quietly.

Azalea’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Yes,” she admitted, her hand brushing her stomach almost instinctively. “Tonight, everyone will know the truth. Everyone will know I am carrying the future of this kingdom.”

Federico’s chest tightened at her words. Pride—strange and unexpected—filled him. He reached out, briefly touching her hand. “Then let them see us for what we are,” he said.

Azalea nodded, her determination hardening. “Exactly. And once they know, there will be no turning back.”

With that, she left the room to prepare for her fitting, leaving Federico standing alone, staring after her. He felt something stir inside him—not just the weight of duty, but the sense that tonight would decide everything.

Tonight, the entire kingdom would know Azalea was pregnant. Tonight, the game would change forever.