119

119
Chapter 119

Ophelia’s phone buzzed on the table beside her, and when she picked it up, her face hardened instantly. The maid’s trembling voice on the other end told her everything: the entire royal court now knew Azalea was pregnant.

Ophelia’s fingers clenched so tightly around the phone that her knuckles turned white. “What?” she hissed. “She announced it?”

“Yes, my lady,” the maid whispered. “At the victory banquet. The king and queen danced and—”

Ophelia ended the call with a sharp swipe before the maid could finish. Her heart pounded with a mix of fury and humiliation. She had waited for this moment — her moment — to expose Azalea in a way that would ruin her completely. Now, Azalea had taken control of the narrative, turning her pregnancy into a royal celebration rather than a scandal.

She stood abruptly and grabbed her coat. Mack, who had been lounging in the corner, shot her a curious look. “Where are you going?”

“To fix this,” she spat. “I was supposed to be the one to reveal Azalea’s secret and destroy her reputation. Now she’s turned it into a crown jewel to make herself look like the perfect queen.”

Mack shrugged, his expression unreadable. “Then maybe it’s time we stop playing games and make sure that pregnancy doesn’t last.”

Ophelia froze and turned to look at him sharply. “You’re still thinking about her?”

Mack rose to his feet, his jaw tightening. “She’s the reason I’m here, Ophelia. The reason I’m stuck in this mess of a marriage. I wanted Azalea back because she was supposed to be mine.”

Ophelia’s laugh was low and bitter. “Yours? You abandoned her for me, Mack. Don’t act like some wounded lover now that she’s thriving without you.”

He glared at her. “I don’t care what you think. She’s carrying Federico’s heir now, which means if she stays alive, she ties herself to him forever. And I won’t stand by and watch that happen. If I can’t have her, she’ll have nothing — no child, no throne, no future.”

Ophelia tilted her head, her lips curling into a slow, dangerous smile. “You might be more useful than I thought. But if you’re serious about this, we need precision. No reckless moves.”

“What do you have in mind?” Mack asked, his voice tight with impatience.

Ophelia reached for her bag, her mind already spinning with possibilities. “First, I’ll speak with Leandro and Thomas. If there’s anyone who wants Azalea gone more than us, it’s them. I need to know what they’re planning — and maybe we can work together.”

Mack crossed his arms, skeptical. “You trust them?”

“No,” Ophelia said, almost amused by the suggestion. “But I trust their hatred for Federico. And as long as Azalea is his strength, she’ll be their target. If their plan works, we all win. If it fails, we’ll just step in and finish what they started.”

Mack smirked darkly. “Then go. Find out what they know. Just make sure they don’t get suspicious. And Ophelia—”

She paused by the door and glanced back at him.

“Make it quick,” he said, his voice dropping low, almost a threat. “Because if they hesitate, I won’t.”

Ophelia’s smile widened at his sudden ruthlessness. “Good,” she said softly. “Let’s see how fast the mighty queen falls.”

She stepped out into the night, determination blazing in her eyes. There was no room left for half-measures. Azalea had turned what should have been a scandal into a triumph, but Ophelia would make sure that triumph didn’t last. If Leandro and Thomas had a plan, she would find it — and if not, she would create one herself.

Either way, Azalea wouldn’t be queen for much longer.

___

The music from the banquet hall still drifted faintly through the palace corridors when Federico led Azalea up the grand staircase, his hand warm and firm around hers. The glow of the evening hadn’t left her face — she looked radiant, her happiness untouchable.

Inside their chambers, the atmosphere was softer, quieter, more intimate. Vicky was waiting, as if she had read their minds. She carried a tray with a crystal bottle of wine and two glasses.

“Your Majesty, Your Grace,” she said with a small bow, setting the tray on the table before slipping away discreetly.

Federico poured the wine himself, the deep red liquid catching the candlelight. “To the most beautiful queen this kingdom has ever seen,” he said as he handed her a glass.

Azalea smiled, her heart warm as she clinked her glass against his. “To the most stubborn king who still managed to steal my heart,” she replied.

They drank, the rich wine leaving a pleasant heat behind. Federico set his glass aside and reached for her, pulling her close. “You scared me tonight,” he murmured against her hair. “For a moment, I thought you might faint again.”

Azalea looked up at him with a teasing smile. “I’m fine. I just wanted everyone to know that this child is not just mine, but theirs too — their future king or queen. They needed to hear it from me.”

Federico kissed her forehead softly. “You’re brave. I love that about you.”

“I love you too,” she said simply, her words carrying a depth that made his chest tighten.

He kissed her then, a slow, tender kiss that deepened as if sealing their moment. Azalea’s wineglass slipped from her fingers onto the table as she melted into his arms. Federico scooped her up effortlessly and carried her to the bed, his crown discarded on the nightstand.

Their laughter was soft, private, as he lay her down and joined her, their hands finding each other as if they were the only two people in the world. The night stretched on, the faint sounds of the after-party below fading into silence, leaving only them — a king and queen, a man and woman — wrapped in their love.

When it was over, Azalea rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Federico’s hand traced lazy patterns along her back. “Whatever comes next,” he whispered, “we’ll face it together.”

Azalea smiled against his skin, feeling more secure than ever. “Always,” she whispered back.

Sleep claimed them soon after, the flickering candlelight painting soft shadows over their entwined form

s — two lovers unaware of the storm still brewing just beyond their walls.