‘Your majesty, congratulations.’ A Shafran male opened the door.

‘Thanks Oren, i hope this child can be the future of the kingdom.' Adrian lay back in his chair.

‘My grandchild will be, but i didn’t come here to just congratulate your majesty and see my daughter; i’ve heard that your health is not great.’ Oren sat on a chair across Adrian.

‘I’m glad for your concern; i’m just a little weak, the idea of a new religion showing up among the people in this trying times, i don’t like it.’ The archduke began to massage his hands.

‘I think you are blowing this thing out of proportion; rumors are that this goddess have the appearance of a Chatzi, What a joke.’ The marquess had a smug expression.

Adrian took a deep breath and looked at the Oren with disdain in his eyes, but he couldn’t do anything because he was the leader of the noble faction that simply hated the Chatzi and they were the majority; the other part didn’t love them either; they just didn’t care viewing them the same as the rest of the commoners.

‘Ah, i’m sorry, your majesty As a token of my respect for your daughter, i will now give you space and visit the Archduchess.’ He got up and walked to the door.

Adrian saw Oren’s back and thought that he was there just to provoke him. It has been a long time since he wrote to his daughter; he was regretful for that but there was no choice for him as he needed to cut communications with his daughter for the nobles to help with Velvent at the time. Another thing was that he wanted Judith, his now wife, to feel loved.

‘I’m so tired, but i wonder what Ariadne is doing now; she is even taking care of the monsters on her duchy.’ Adrian grined.

In the castle, a Shafran female was on a chair on the balcony, just looking at the sky, trying to relax while having one hand on her belly. A smile was stapped on her face. Finally freed from her father, she was now the happier in her life.

‘Humm... you seen happy; that is good.’ Oren steps on the balcony, looking at his daughter.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

‘F-Father, let…’ She was interrupted by Oren’s hand.

‘There is no need, Archduchess, you need to rest and relax, you have the future inside of you, everything you need shall be granted.’ He smiled at her while looking into her eyes.

‘Ah, thanks; i will do my best.’ She looked at her belly.

‘To be honest, i was surprised on how quickly you seduced the Archduke, that was commendable, maybe a task only you could have done, but the future is uncertain, just keep that in mind.’ He patted her shoulder.

She was finding strange how he was acting with her; at home he would ignore or frown at her shy demeanor, but now he is acting like a loving father, the same way he did with my brothers and sisters; something inside of her prevented herself from falling into his grace.

‘He is kind, loving and cherishes his daughter, i saw her many times but never had the courage to talk to her myself; everyone talked behind her back and i didn’t want you to have a bad reputation because of me.’ She took a deep breath.

‘Even back them, thinking abou me, i truly had a diamond in the rough; for that, i apologize, daughter.’ He bowed to her.

That took her back; she didn’t know what to say; it was like a completely different person was talking to her; maybe that was her time shining in his eyes, but again, something prevented her from opening up.

‘No problem, father; you had your own ways of educating me; we can start again from now. Could you help me prepare the funeral of the duchess? Adrian said she had only five months left.’ A tear dropped from the side of her cheek.

‘Of course, I’m surprised on how her territory was holding on; maybe those Chatzi have something to offer after all, surrounded by all of those monsters and they are still there and growing in numbers if her numbers can be trusted, of course.’ He gave a small laugh.

‘Maybe giving her name to the duchy after she passes would be a good present for his majesty, a gift from the nobles.’ She smiled at her father.

‘I don’t think it will be needed, but nobody knows.’ Again, he patted her shoulder before turning around and walking away.

She looked at him going out of the room, leaving her alone; something didn’t feel right but her thoughts were redirected to her belly as he passed her hand on top of it; for now she would just focus on her unborn child.

On the halfway point, Oran was humming, and the sound made him calm as he walked; nobody was in sight, his thoughts were completely empty, and that sensation was foreign for him; a tip of intrigue filled his mind because of it.

‘Everything is going like it should; i wonder if we could use the Chatzi, if they are resisting like they are now, with our support, it would be a good wall against Velvent.’ He smirked.

He stopped right next to a window, put his right hand against it and looked outside, seeing some Chatzi doing gardening in the courtyard and smirking again. He let go of the window and scratched his cheek.

‘Look at me, even thinking about those abominations, maybe even they had their place in this world, let’s see it when i’m in control of the country.’ Oren smiled and continued to walk while humming.

Adrian was on his bed. It has been some time since he was feeling weak; his age was showing more; in his mind, he thought that having a child with his new-found love trigged the clock of death in his heart, like finally he could let go, but he needs to endure for some more years, as his thoughts fade away, his eyes closed, and he felt a sensation of peace as he remembered Ariadne’s face for a moment.