Loved Ones Lullaby

**Trevor POV**

"I will never love him."
I shared a similar sentiment Lydia communicated with Jacob.
Queen Lynette huffed about how he was a simple, untrustworthy stable boy, belittling him every other word. Unlike the Lydia shining through days ago, she closed her mouth, looking longingly at the man who adored her. But afraid to defend him.
""Please, your Highness," Jacob started, void of emotion. A skill he acquired in Shiuku's servitude. "I request a few minutes privately with Princess Lydia."
The Queen scowled at me. "Are you considering this?! Your future wife, alone with a man who wanted to rob my sweet daughter of her virginity?"
I folded my hands, losing what little remained of my patience. "My apologies Queen, but I believe the elegant Princess of Krennan was raised properly. Lapses in judgment happen, and they repent. My lovely bride-to-be and personal guard are worthy of my forgiveness. So I shall grant them to exchange their goodbyes alone."
Striking deals with demons had the Queen forgetting all lessons in class or subtlety. Good, the sooner the charade broke, the sooner I found my family. To think she was raised to behave and play the game of courts while I was just naturally talented.
"Madness, all of this! I saw the possessive flair in your gaze when I mentioned your Mistress! Does my daughter deserve none of that!"
At the door, Jacob mouthed thank you and made a tally mark in the air. I shook my head. The scoreboard disappeared between us long ago.
"Where is the possessive man for my daughter? You are willing to do anything for your Mistress and that filthy peasant growing in her belly."
Was the Queen really complaining still?
I yanked down on her delicate necklace to prevent myself from physically harming her. Tiny rubies scattered on the ground as the gold chain split in two. She gasped like I'd slapped her and stepped away from me, taking a large gulp of air. Pinching her lips between my fingers, I muffled any scream for help.
"Drop the charade. I'm an investigator for the DSS and a damn good one. For the past week, I've known your country was working with the assassin!" Watch the temper, Trevor. "But I like Princess Lydia as a friend and ally. But, Queen, my kindness for Lydia only goes that far. A fact you are well aware of. Why else kidnap my Cupcake, and risk tarnishing your reputation working with devil-sent?"
Like a trapped animal, the Queen bit down on my fingers. Nails dug into my flesh. Stunned more than pained, I dropped my hand.
"You'll learn to love Lydia as you live together."
Like Hell! Forget controlling myself. I slammed my fist into the wall above her head, causing the cocky Queen to flinch.
"I fucking love Natalie! She's worth more than my soulmate and your daughter. The idea of not being able to marry her is killing me inside. But unlike a selfish cunt like you, I know the lives of the many outweigh my desires. And to be clear, my only desire is my Cupcake and the little muffin she's carrying for me!"
All the color drained from her face, her shoulders shook, and finally, she shut up on her own.
At least the Queen was able to read people, one of the most crucial skills for a member of royalty to possess, according to my sister. My in-law could sense my hostility and urge to murder her.
"Listen carefully, I am going to wed your daughter, despite us both deserving better. I want Aileen and Natalie released. Shion will be returned to us, and Izzy will be freed. Do we have a deal? These are my requirements. Call it Lydia's 'unofficial' dowry."
Ice shards formed where my fists landed on the wall. My aura rippled with sorrow and rage. Concealing my power became impossible.
Meekly, Lynette whispered, "the assassin and my husband made an agreement. I can approve letting my son's ex-fiance go, and your slu- Natalie. Izzy shall be released of any further orders as long as you two are wed… but the bastard child, Shion…"
I punched the Queen in her gut, stopping her prepared speech. She hacked up and lost her lunch on my shoes. Fearful and honest apologies flew from her mouth. A menacing glare sealed her lips once more.
"Don't insult my family. Apologize to them, not some part of my outfit. Shoes can be replaced; my family won't be."
"Sor…sorry." This was how her daughter felt left with Sir Recarad. I felt zero pity. "Shion…he will have a choice, but…I can't guarantee.. he'll be let go. It is Shion's choice."
Damn it, no question what those monsters planned. "Location!"
"I will tell you in three hours. I cannot yield on this." Lydia fell to her knees. "I am more scared of them than you. At least I can understand your anger."
Jacob escorted Lydia back inside. My bride's eyes were glassy, and her lipstick was on Jacob. Damn, was this all fucked up!
Jacob felt no remorse either. "Then don't make deals with-"
"Demons." The Queen tried to finish.
He shook his head. "Monsters."
My fiance held her trembling hand up for me. I slid Jacob's Mother's ring onto her fourth finger. "Princess Lydia, will you make me the happiest man in the world and save my lover?"
A dull gloom darkened the previous glow my future wife returned with. "Yes, my Prince. Do you, a charming, stunning man in your own right, promise to be my second thought at your own wedding?"
Clever Lydia poked out of her shell. I kissed her cheek, proud. "Of course, my dear. Marry me."
At some point during my proposal, Lynette fainted. Since we were stuck for three hours anyway, we let her nap. Honestly, there was enough tension in the air without her. At least we had time to mourn our losses and think.
We understood each other's grief without explanations. So like King Ulrich and Aileen, for my loved ones. I sang.

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**Natalie POV**
**Trigger Warning!!!**

Rattling echoed throughout the eerie cell. The scent of sweat and blood was our only company.
"That bitch!" Aileen roared, fighting against her chains. "My son!"
Guilt flared inside me, watching Aileen break down. Since I'd confessed about my letter, she'd gone from anger to misery, back to anger, until her arms went slack. The proud princess hung her head, defeated.
I'd apologized several times, but it only pissed her off. Every sorry was met with don't. While I blamed myself, she insisted this was equally on her and her brother's unspoken feud. All of us acted shamefully, seeking revenge instead of breaking deception.
We all messed up. Had we just been honest from the beginning…
"Mommy! Aunty!"
Both Aileen and I's heads shot up at the little horrified scream.
"Shion, listen to me, my litt-" Alaric shoved a wet sock between Aileen's parted lips and locked it with a black gadget. Ignoring the disgusting sock stuffed in her mouth, Aileen thrashed against her bounds. Getting her son was her only focus.
"Let Mommy Go!" Shion's fists burst into flame, his bloodlust triggering mine.
Electricity bolted through my nervous system. The flesh on my wrists turned purple and black from the heated metal, soaking up powers I wasn't using. Contractions erupted in my stomach, heading lower. I tried to stop the spasms, but they kept intensifying. The currents and burning continued pumping into my body.
Ahead of me, Shion was in similar pain. The child fell to his knees as blue electricity wrapped around him. Attached snuggly to his neck was a thick collar looking precisely like the cuffs around my wrists. Unable to handle such agony, Shion curled onto the floor. Crimson eyes changed back to gray.
The pain subsided.
"Interesting indeed. So these strange metals feed off any unholy witchcraft near them." Alaric commented, uncaring of the injured child.
Shion stayed huddled in a ball. "Aunty…Mommy…"
"Are weak." Alaric made a motion to the door, and Izzy entered. "This is what loving people get you. Izzy, Go."
Dragging her feet, Izzy walked over to me. A single blue pill about as big as a dime rested on her palm. I bit my lips hard enough to draw blood. Whatever the reason for the drug, it couldn't be good.
Trembling, Izzy explained, "it is to induce miscarriage...Mine."
I had no idea. She kept something so big a secret from me and endured alone.
Izzy placed it on her tongue. "It's Recarad's…, but Natalie…please don't…I don't wanna lose…my baby."
Unadulterated hatred soared through my veins. Just as I started to lose control, a foot hit me in the ribs. A quick glance to the side revealed Aileen swinging in her chains. Drool dripped under the moist sock as she tried to warn me.
"Shion, does Uncle love Aunty?" Alaric asked.
"Yes."
Alaric patted Shion like a dog. "What do people who love each other do?"
"Marry, like Mommy and…" Shion trailed off, hugging himself again. He really was a prodigy. Controlling his emotions to ensure neither of us got electrocuted or burned was master-level difficult.
"Take this to Natalie; hold it up so she can read it." Alaric smiled sickeningly at me. "Disobey or lie, and I whip you. Three lies and Izzy swallows. These rules shall remain in effect for the rest of your stay here."
Hunched over in pain, Shion crawled over to me. A small parchment of paper with careful cursive writing was held near my thighs. My nephew was too hurt to stand.
"Well? Do read it as written. It would be regrettable if you stay stubborn and destroy that innocent life growing in your womb."
My tongue darted out over my dry lips. For once, I was grateful for my dehydration.
'Dear Dad,
I write to you with unbelievable news. The kingdom of Krennan and Lutz shall become allies. I have proposed to Princess Lydia, who in turn has accepted. Also, I would like to announce a new royal baby. Let him be blessed with his Father's love.
Your favorite,
Prince Trevor Hemmer-Lutz

Aileen rolled her eyes, muttering something incoherent into the dirty sock. All I thought about was how amazing my true love was and how much I missed his smile. Internally, I saw him writing the note, figuring out it would travel to us. He didn't outright say it, but there was a hidden message for all three of us. I love my intelligent Tidal Wave Boy so much. But he is marrying Lydia. The royal seal stamped at the bottom proved it.
"You see that demon? You creatures can see an aura? How weak and vulnerable has the news made her?" Alaric waited thirty seconds before growling, "look, or I will whip her."
Concentrating on me, Shion frowned, "sad. Very sad and guilty."
"Good, now since you are so curious about your Daddy, ask Natalie any questions. I'm curious what the truth in all this chaos is."
Izzy's tongue was turning gray as the pill began to dissolve. Aileen stared at her son, silently pleading. And I was battling a storm, trying to keep myself together. I had to, no matter how my heart ached.
"Who's my Daddy?"
"Demon Lord Shiuku."
Shion cried harder. "Daddy…really isn't…So Daddy, is he the man from my nightmares?"
"Probably."
"Is…is Kalum…my brother still?"
The way his big eyes shined with fresh tears ripped at my insides. "Yes, and Devon is still your Daddy Shi- AHHH!"
A leather strap struck me along my side.
"You lied!" Shion ran over to hug his Mother's leg. "Kalum…Kalum isn't my…brother…but I love him."
Pain radiated from my stomach at the lash. "He is."
"Is Daddy a…bad man?"
A kid shouldn't have to deal with this! "Yes."
"Is…is that why Uncle…and Da-Devon train… me?"
Partly, but not the main reason. "No…UHHH!"
Another kiss of the whip landed up my neck. Alaric trailed the tail of the whip slowly around my throat, over my breasts, to venture further down and circle my flat belly.
"Omission counts as a lie here. Careful, next Izzy will swallow, and I'll hit here." He tapped lightly on my stomach before tugging Shion away from his Mother. "Only answer yes, or no."
"Devon…and Uncle Trevor…train and watch me so much…cause I could…be evil?"
I hate myself. "Yes."
Shion sniffled but said no words.
"Hmmm… I suppose my main purpose has been accomplished. Perhaps, I shall forget the demon here for a few hours. Come and spit that out, Izzy. We have a war to start."
Instantly, Izzy spat and reached for a cup to gurgle with. Alaric allowed her until she was sure there was no longer a threat to her unborn's life.
Silence, interrupted by the occasional whimper from Shion, descended in our cell again. Heartbroken, I remembered what Devon taught me. I'd planned to surprise Trevor with it, but the three of us needed it more. Comfort and understanding. A distraction from our personal suffering.
Swallowing my nerves, I sang, "In the cold of night, in the light of day, I will be there to protect you. I'll be there to defend you. I'll be there to give you strength. Just look to me when you need me most. For I love you most. Let me in; I will not boast. Let me in this harsh, harsh world."
I choked up when I heard Aileen humming and Shion's raspy voice singing along.
Letting the tears fall, I continued the Lutz lullaby. "Don't you fret, my little one, for I will always shield you. Let this song show my care when you feel you are about to despair. I will be there no matter what. For my love is in your heart. Let me in this cruel cruel world, and I will save you from it all."