Chapter 165
The air was thick with tension as the news of my son's birth spread like wildfire through the palace and beyond. Even as I was rushed back to Aldric's chambers, I could feel the shift in the atmosphere—the uncertainty, the whispers, the sudden halt to Lucian's inauguration.
My body ached, every step sending searing pain through me, but I refused to cry out. I refused to show any weakness.
Miriam and two of Aldric's assistants helped me onto the bed while the physician himself carefully placed my son inside the makeshift incubator. He was so small, so fragile, but he was breathing. That was all that mattered.
"You need rest, Your Majesty," Aldric said as he checked my stitches. "Your body is still in shock, and any further strain could—"
"I know," I cut in. My voice was hoarse, my throat raw. "But I cannot close my eyes."
Miriam's hands tightened around mine. "Your Majesty, please. Just for a little while."
I shook my head stubbornly. "If I sleep, he might be taken from me. I can't—I won't—"
Aldric sighed, wiping his hands on a cloth. "You would be fine here your Majesty. Nobody will find you here that easily. The council has called for an emergency meeting. I must attend."
I stiffened. "What for?"
"To discuss the legitimacy of your son's claim," he admitted. "I have already given my testimony, but Lucian will try to twist the narrative. He will say the prince is weak, that he cannot survive."
"He's just a baby," Miriam said bitterly. "And already, they plot against him."
Aldric touched my shoulder gently. "I won't let them take him from you. Don’t you worry.”
I swallowed hard. "Then go."
With a nod, he left, and the door shut behind him.
Miriam smoothed back my hair. "Please, My Queen. You need sleep."
I hesitated, then looked at my son, his tiny form illuminated by the soft glow of the candlelight. "Move my bed closer to him."
Miriam obeyed, and once I was close enough, I reached out, resting my fingers against the glass. "Now I can rest."
She let out a relieved sigh. "I'll keep watch."
**—** *************
When I woke, the first thing I did was check on my son. He was still there, still breathing, and Miriam was standing beside me, eyes red from exhaustion.
"How long?" I murmured.
"A few hours," she said. "I didn't leave your side and the door was guarded.”
"Thank you."
Miriam hesitated, glancing toward the door. "There's something else. Lucian has been searching for you all over the castle. He's furious. It’s only a matter of time before he finds you.”
I stiffened. "Has he come here?"
"Not yet," she admitted. "But I don't think it will be long before he—"
The doors flew open with a loud bang.
Lucian stood in the doorway, his expression thunderous.
Miriam instinctively stepped in front of me, but I pushed her aside and stood, ignoring the pain ripping through my body.
Lucian's gaze flickered to the glass incubator, his lips curling in disgust. "So it is true. You actually gave birth to that weakling."
I bristled. "Say that again."
Lucian strode forward, peering down at my son with cold indifference. "Look at him. Small. Sickly. Do you really believe a child like that can be heir?”
I clenched my fists. "He is the rightful heir."
Lucian scoffed. "He won't survive this week. And when he dies, there will be no obstacle left in my way."
I saw red.
Before I even realized what I was doing, my hand lashed out, striking Lucian across the face with a sharp crack.
He staggered slightly, stunned.
I hit him again.
And again.
Rage burned through me, my vision blurring as I kept striking him. Lucian barely had time to react, stumbling backward as my palm met his skin over and over.
"How dare you?" I seethed. "How dare you speak of my son that way?"
Miriam grabbed me, pulling me back. "Your Majesty please, stop!"
Pain shot through me as my stitches tore open, blood seeping through my robe. I let out a sharp breath but didn't back down.
Lucian touched his bleeding lip, his eyes wide—not with pain, but with shock.
"I don't care what it costs me," I hissed, my voice trembling with fury. "If you lay a hand on my son, if you so much as breathe in his direction, I will tear you apart with my teeth."
Lucian's expression twisted into something unreadable. He looked at me as if he didn't recognize me.
Then, without another word, he turned and stormed out.
The moment he was gone, I sagged against Miriam, my body shaking.
"You tore your stitches," she said urgently. "Lie down."
I obeyed, my breath ragged. "I’m sorry, I just couldn’t. I couldn’t let him win.”
Miriam nodded firmly. "We won't let him. Your Majesty. Don’t worry.”
…………………………
Aldric returned not long after, looking grim.
I struggled to sit up. "What did they decide?"
He hesitated, then smiled. "They've postponed the inauguration."
I exhaled shakily. "So they're not naming Lucian interim Alpha King?"
"Not yet," he confirmed. "Lucian raised concerns about the prince's health, so they've decided to monitor him for a few days before making a final decision. We have until the end of the week.”
I clutched my son tighter. "Then I just have to make sure he gets stronger."
Aldric knelt beside me. "This isn't over, Ariadne. Lucian will keep pushing. You need to be careful. And your son needs to get stronger.”
I met his gaze. "I'm done being careful. I will protect my son. No matter what it takes."
Aldric nodded. "Then I will help you."
Miriam squeezed my hand. "We all will."
I looked down at my son, his tiny fingers curled into a fist. His heartbeat was strong, steady.
I knew he could survive.
I would not let him be taken from me.
No matter the cost.
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