Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch-Chapter 232: Orianna Winter

• ELOISE •

Where did the time go?

Perhaps because I spent most of my time sleeping, I was already 25 weeks.

Celia passed me a cup and I took it, staring at the blue liquid. For weeks now, I have been taking this, and my fatigue has been less severe.

This was the cure Celia and Corvin had been working on.

However, it was difficult to completely deplete the magic in my blood; the only thing they could do was reduce the effects so that my body was strong enough to carry the baby to full term.

I sighed, chugging the entire liquid; it was tasteless but cold in my mouth.

"Hmm, that’s good," Celia said, checking my pulse. "You’re just as healthy as the royal baby. By next week, I can be sure of your due date."

"Though it may vary," Corvin said.

"What do you mean?"

"The baby might come earlier than expected. Your body might not be able to wait that long."

I gulped at his response.

Diana elbowed him right in the rib. "What’s he saying is that we better be prepared for your delivery sooner rather than later."

I forced a smile.

~•~

"I was so excited that I could finally leave my chambers, but I didn’t expect this," I whispered to Diana.

"I’ll find a way to get us out of here."

The Dowager cleared her throat. "What’s this? I haven’t seen you for a long while, and when I do, you don’t even warm up to me?" She sounded offended.

Though I cannot really blame her. I have been within my wing for months, and she wasn’t allowed to see me because of the secret treatment.

"I’m glad to see you, Mother," I said, hoping to put her mind at ease.

"Are you?" she countered before leveling her gaze at my bump, and her foul expression turned bright. "Oh, my grandchild is growing very healthy."

"Yes, all because all I do is eat."

"And yet it doesn’t show on you." She clicked her tongue. "My grandchild eats a lot, it seems. Oh my, I need to tell the servants to stock more food."

Diana and I shared a look.

"After this, let us take the time to look at all the wonderful gifts I have gotten for my grandchild."

I opened my mouth and looked for Diana for a rescue plan.

"Um, Eloise is probably very exhausted. It’s time for her nap." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Nap? You have been having that quite too much. I don’t remember feeling that exhausted when I carried my children."

I’m going to ignore the fact that she thinks she can compare me with her.

"Then now, Mother, I shall take my leave."

"Why the hurry?" She caressed my bump. "Do allow me more time. Oh! That was a kick."

"Is it?" Diana said interested.

So much for helping me. Diana was every bit as engrossed as the Dowager was.

But I must say the image was quite pleasing.

"Oh..." I groaned when I felt a slight discomfort. "That was a strong one."

"That is certainly the Lycan genes. They are always so energetic. Do not worry when it seems like it’s about to crawl its way out."

I gaped at her in horror.

"Mother! You’re scaring her. Besides, we’re not sure if it’s going to be a lycan."

"Whatever it may be, I’m sure our moonblood will hold strong. The snowbloods have weaker blood, so I’m certain ours will prevail."

"Or it could be just human?" I cut in.

The Dowager pinned me with a look. "Human?"

"Yes, human. Does that displease you, Mother?"

"It doesn’t matter." She smiled. "Whichever it comes out as, it’s still my precious grandchild."

"Hmm..." I mumbled under my breath. I leveled my gaze at my bump.

It doesn’t matter what you become, my child. Drevon and I will love you beyond words.

"Has the gender been known? Celia should be able to tell now."

"Unfortunately, she can’t, just like how there is yet to be a heartbeat," Diana replied.

"Hmm... then it must be a boy, the moonblood is strong."

"Or it’s a girl..." I said, amused.

"A boy," she enforced. "And he shall become Alpha."

"Whichever it may be..." I reminded her. "Your words, Dowager."

But it seems like the Dowager wasn’t going with that when it came to this.

I frowned. "Are you being serious?"

"We need an heir..."

"I’m sure you do. If it’s a girl, then she’s every bit of an heir."

The Dowager leaned away, unable to hide her displeasure, but I couldn’t care less about what she thought.

"If it’s a girl, then I have a little niece coming," Diana said excitedly.

"Of course," The Dowager said with a forceful chuckle.

~•~

"So much for having lunch with the Dowager," I grumbled.

"She just couldn’t wait; it’s all grandchildren this and that every day. You’re lucky you don’t need to hear her every time. I bet she says it in her sleep, too."

"Can you believe her? What does she mean, it better be a boy?"

"Pay her no heed. The empire expects a boy child that’s why she’s all like that."

"I don’t give a damn about what they think."

Diana smirked. "Of course you don’t."

"So how’s Corvin?" I asked abruptly.

She froze. "Why are you asking me about him?"

"Oh, come on, Diana, I have been holding off as best as I can. Now spill!"

Her face turned red, and it was a very amusing sight.

"It’s been..." she trailed. "I don’t know how to explain it, but I have been avoiding him, in a way."

"Why? Don’t tell me it’s because of Drevon."

She scoffed. "Certainly not!"

"I see, so my husband can’t come between you two, that’s refreshing to hear."

"S-Stop!"

I snorted.

"You and that sound!"

I rolled my eyes. "Forget me now. We’re talking about you."

Diana sighed heavily. "Remember weeks ago when I dreamwalked?"

"How could I forget?"

"Well, I didn’t mention this to anyone. I was close to having my soul ripped out of my body, and I was scared I wouldn’t get to you in time."

"Oh, Diana."

"At that moment of the end, I saw Corvin."

"You did?"

She nodded. "I did not just see him, I saw his face," she sighed dreamily. "Goddess help me, it was the most handsome face I have ever seen."

"I thought warlocks never show their faces to anyone."

"Right?" She uttered, still in disbelief. "After that, I shifted."

"What?"

"I did mentally, and after that day, I have been feeling strange."

"Strange? How strange?"

Diana stared at her hands. "Like there is something else inside me, waiting to break free."

Could it be?

"Eloise Balthar."

Diana and I turned to the voice, and a woman walked towards us, the heel of her boots clicking against the marble floor.

I was mesmerized. I had never seen anyone like her before. I was taken over by a strange silence, where all noises were gone.

The strange woman was dressed in a flowing coat of icy blue trimmed with silver embroidery that flared out behind her, with a high collar framing her face. Beneath it, she wore a black corset with silver designs, and a pair of sleek black pants tucked in tall, laced boots.

Her hair was pure silver, and her eyes were sharp blue, brighter than any color I have ever seen.

While I stood there gawking at the beauty, Diana stepped in front of me; her body language told me something was wrong.

Suddenly, like a gush of wind, Diana was suspended to the wall, with blood ice wrapped around her frame to keep her in place.

"Eloise, run!"

Her yell brought back the noises, and it was like I could finally breathe, but I hitched when the woman stood before me, matching my height.

She snatched my jaw as if to keep me still.

"W-Who are you?" I asked, having no idea how I found my voice, amidst her cold aura.

"Orianna Winter. I’m family, and Grandmother wishes brought me here."

W-Winter? Then she’s...

A growl ripped through the space, and Orianna was torn from me. I stumbled backwards but broke my fall when my back met the column. With a shuddering breath, I faced the scene.

"D-Diana?"

She had shifted, and it was menacing. The pressure that seized the air felt like it’d burn through my skin. Her deep, heavy growls shock the earth.

Orianna stepped forward, with claw marks on her face, but strangely she didn’t bleed, and the wound closed up like glass coming back together.

Diana crouched low, ready to attack, her claws digging into the ground, causing crates. Her growled vibrating the air around her.

"I did not come here for more blood than intended, but I’m starting to rethink my choice of action," Orianna said in a cold tone that sent shivers down my spine.

"Diana, no!"

But it was too late, just when Diana pounced on Orianna, she was impaled by a bloodied ice.