Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1162 - 73 : Continued Faith

Chapter 1162: Chapter 73 : Continued Faith

*Daphne*

I squeezed my mother’s hand as we prepared to walk out onto the balcony overlooking the crowd of our people.

Father was already beyond the glass doors, standing in the cool morning air, giving a lengthy introduction and filling the people in on the fact that I was now home safe. He thanked everyone for their continued support.

My siblings and I glanced at one another nervously, sensing that it was just about time for the rest of us to make our way out there.

Which meant that our mother would soon make the big announcement.

“It’s going to be alright, Mother,” Alexis said, giving her a quick hug.

“We’ll be right here with you,” Rosie added with her signature stunning grin.

Jacqueline and I shared a look and a slight grimace, but we joined Rhys and our other sisters in embracing our mother, knowing that she needed the support, despite the fact that she was a strong, distinguished queen.

Mother hugged us back, looking at each of us with her eyes shining with gratitude. “Our kingdom is blessed with five wonderful and kind children,” she said, one hand going to her chest as she gazed at us with pride and affection. “But you need no worry about me. I know it is my duty to inform our people to the best of my ability.”

“Queen Lena,” we heard Father announce in a firm, booming voice.

My mother straightened and sent us one more reassuring smile that didn’t quite reach her blue eyes before making her way through the tall glass doors and onto the palace balcony.

We held back for a couple of beats before making our way out behind her, lining up on our parents’ right side according to age. Rhys sat stoically in his chair on my left.

My father stepped back to allow my mother to stand before our people on her own. His face was serious, even stoic, but I could see the concern swimming in his brown eyes as well.

“I would like to echo King Xander and thank you all for your continued support and overwhelming faith in us as your leaders,” Mother started, her clear, strong voice easily making its way over the sea of expectant faces.

As I forced myself to keep my head held high and listened to my mother’s voice, I couldn’t help but feel a powerful dread, despite the fact that this wasn’t my first time receiving the news.

“As your queen, I feel it is my duty as well as my privilege to keep you well informed,” Mother went on. She took a steadying breath. “I have given my powers back to the Moon Goddess, and therefore, can no longer hold the title of White Queen.”

The shocked gasps and concerned murmurs that rose up over the crowd were even worse than my imagination had created. Rhys took my hand and I resisted the urge to step closer to my mother and protect her from the panic rising in the crowd.

“Fear not!” our mother bellowed. Miraculously, the crowd quieted. “Even though I am without my abilities, we will not leave you all unprotected.” She swept her hand out toward a smaller balcony further down the wall of our palace.

We craned our necks, trying to see where our mother was gesturing. I could just make out a few women who stepped out onto the balcony adjacent to us, all dressed in stunning robes with intricate golden design patterns etched onto them.

“These young ladies are distinguished graduates from my academies for gifted girls,” Mother explained. She looked at the women and nodded meaningfully. “Please. Introduce yourselves, ladies.”

“Hello. My name is Kaylee,” said a petite young woman with flowing, straight white hair. “I hold the power of creating extensive force fields using moonlight.” She held out her arm and a glowing wall about the size of a shield appeared in front of her. She nodded and stepped back once it disappeared.

A slim, slightly taller woman stepped forward from the small group. Her extremely wavy chestnut hair bounced as she did so. “My name is Isabelle, and I was blessed with the ability to communicate with animals.”

She raised both her hands above her head, palms up, and about a dozen morning doves surrounded her, chirping and singing. She nodded to them and they took off over the crowd before disappearing into the sky.

Rosie glanced at me and we shared a wide-eyed look.

There were a couple more women who introduced themselves, all with impressive magical powers that could easily be seen as protective in nature. A dark-haired woman named Nayla showed us how she could manipulate plants.

She caused the vines crawling up along one side of our palace to twist and curl to her will, making it look like a bundle of snakes. One more reserved woman named Joline didn’t demonstrate her ability, explaining only that she held the power to manipulate the senses of others.

She assured the crowd that it was a powerful weapon that could be used to protect our kingdom.

“Thank you, ladies,” Mother said before speaking to our people once more. “This is just a small portion of our forces built up over years that will continue to do all they can to ensure our safety. Once again, thank you for your continued support and faith in us.”

The crowd continued to murmur with concern as we turned to make our way back into the palace. It was obvious that the announcement had drained our mother terribly. Father had a firm arm around her and led her into the sitting room. We all followed dutifully behind, all equally worried about her wellbeing.

Father helped Mother to a plush chair in the sitting room, and we all surrounded her as she slumped against the cushions. She waved us off when we attempted to fuss over her. “I am fine, my darlings, just tired is all.”

“You were very brave,” Father said, caressing her cheek in his large hand. “I am proud of you, my love.”

Mother blushed and smiled warily up at him. “I did my best,” she said. But then she frowned slightly. “I fear that we have caused quite an uproar among our people.”

“It was for the best,” Father reminded her, but not unkindly. “No matter what it takes, we will assure them that they continue to be ruled over by a family worthy of protecting them. That being said, it would be best if we were to announce a successor as soon as possible.”

All eyes were on Rhys as he sat straighter in his chair and nodded solemnly.

"I know there is concern over the line of succession, but I am one hundred percent committed to becoming the next king when the time is right. I know I have much to learn and that my path will not be easy, but I will do whatever it takes," he stated firmly.

My parents gazed at Rhys with pride. "We have no doubt of your dedication and abilities, son," my father said. "There is no rush. You must pace yourself. It will likely be years before you are strong enough physically and caught up educationally to fully take on the mantle of kingship."

"Your father is right," my mother added gently. "This is a marathon. Take the time you need to heal and grow. We are all here to support you every step of the way."

Rhys nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "I understand. Knowing I have your unwavering support reassures me that I will overcome this."

I stepped forward and placed a hand on Rhys’ shoulder. "You’ll always have my support, brother. In fact, I can help with your physical therapy as well as your studies."

Rhys covered my hand with his own. "I would appreciate that, Daphne. It means the world to me to have you here at the palace."

My parents and siblings all voiced their encouragement and willingness to help Rhys in any way needed.

A plan was made to slowly integrate him into meetings with my father’s advisors and council sessions to learn statecraft and diplomacy. I would work closely with him on his rehabilitation and academic subjects.

“Rion should also attend some of these sessions as well,” my father insisted. “He needs to gain his own understanding of what being part of the Royal Family entails.”

I nodded my head and gave a small smile of understanding. But Rion and I had never really discussed what we were going to do moving forward. I knew he would be fine staying in the palace so long as Eva was there.

But would he want to plan for a life to stay permanently?

At the end of the day, I made my way down the long, quiet hallway toward my bedroom. I pushed the door open, my eyes widening slightly when I saw Rion sitting on the bed without a shirt, reading a book.

He stood up when I entered, placing the book on the nightstand by my bed. My cheeks turned pink as my eyes traced over the planes of his chest.

He held his arms out to me and I grinned gratefully before stepping into his embrace, pressing my cheek against his warm chest, relishing in the feel of his strong arms holding me close.

“I thought the queen did very well,” he said finally, breaking the sweet silence that had surrounded us.

I took a deep breath before peeking up at Rion through my eyelashes. I took his hand and led him back over to the bed. He followed me willingly but with a confused expression on his face.

As tempted as I was to just cuddle with Rion, maybe read a book together, or just chat about meaningless topics, I knew that the conversation with my family would just be weighing heavily on my mind the entire night.

Besides, this decision involved him now just as much as it did me.

“Sit with me,” I requested. “We need to talk.”

“This seems serious.”

“Well, my family brought up the need to announce a successor as soon as possible.”

Rion nodded as he listened.

“He also suggests that you attend meetings and lessons with Rhys as well. What do you think?”

Rion squeezed my hand. “Of course I will. I am forever in his debt for showing mercy to me and my sister. However I can best help serve the kingdom, I am more than willing to do so. As long as you are by my side and my sister is safe, I will do anything.”

“But, is this life really what you want?”

“Daphne, I am happy. But I get the feeling that you’re trying to answer that question for yourself.”

My eyes widened when I realized that he was right. Before everything happened, I had been happy to accept my role as princess and live out my life with royal duties.

But, now... I wasn’t so sure.

“Well, I think I’d like to stay and help Rhys with his recovery and so long as Eva is under palace arrest, maybe even until the baby comes. But after that....”

“Just say the word, and we go where you want to go.”

Over the next few days, the palace settled down and got back to normal.

Rion and I made our way to the royal physician’s office for a very overdue prenatal checkup. I was nervous and excited to see how the baby was developing.

As I laid back on the exam table, the doctor spread a warm gel on my belly and moved the ultrasound wand around. Suddenly, a quick, fluttering heartbeat filled the room. My eyes teared up as I gripped Rion’s hand.

"There are your babies," the doctor said, pointing to the screen.

I gasped. "Babies?!"

Sure enough, two tiny forms were visible and when I listened closer, I could make out that the racing heartbeat was actually two.

We were having twins...

Rion grinned from ear to ear, squeezing my hand.

After finishing all the tests and exams, we left the office in a happy daze. As our car made its way back to the palace, however, Rion grew quiet.

"What is it?" I asked, noticing his furrowed brow. “Are two babies too many?”

He sighed. "No, not at all. I’m excited about the twins, I really am. But part of me is worried."

"About what?"

"Well, you know I was experimented on by Hestia... I carry the bones of the first witch inside of me and it makes me the way I am. I can’t help but wonder if that could have an effect on our babies."

My heart dropped.

In all the excitement, I hadn’t even considered that.