Chapter 182 - Flood an Ocean
Adeline didn't know what to say. If one child has led to such complications, what would two do? She turned to Elias, her eyes wide. "A-are you sure?"
"I saw two sacs," Elias muttered. "The doctor also witnessed it."
Adeline swallowed. She trusted him. There was no way he'd lie to her about that. Unable to utter another word, she felt like her heart was threatening to jump out of her c.h.e.s.t. What were they going to do now?
Adeline looked at Elias. His eyes were bright red, signalling his emotions were high and he was in a bad mood. They reminded her of pigeon blood rubies, so beautiful, yet cold. She saw the turmoil before she heard it. His large hands covered her soft ones.
Adeline's face crumbled. She had felt the tremble of his fingers, when they tightly clasped over hers, squeezing reassuringly. He was being so strong for her, holding back his pain and emotions to prioritize hers.
"We'll figure a way out of this," Adeline said, her voice shaky. She reached forward and hugged him, his hand instantly resting on her back, his other weaving through her hair.
"I'm sure we will," Elias said in an emotionless voice, completely confusing her.
- - - - -
The next morning, the castle was plagued with somberness yet again. The air was tense and thick, but people didn't know why. The King behaved as he usually did, attending meetings with foreign embassies, completing paperwork, and wore his usual ghost of a smile. The Queen acted as if there was nothing wrong, taking walks in the garden, going over the castle accounts, and managing the estate.
They were seen together frequently, making people think there was nothing wrong. Many had witnessed the Queen's timid smile and soft laughter, and the King hovering beside her with his slight smirk and amused chuckles.
"Your Grace, it's time," Evelyn said, tucking her hands in front of her. She had found the loving couple in the gardens. The King had an arm resting on his wife's waist, as the Queen touched a golden rose.
"It's time?" Elias echoed, turning to Adeline.
"To tell the public," Adeline said. "Of the pregnancy. I have a plan."
Elias raised a brow and glanced at her expression. Calm and collected, she showed little hesitation. "I have faith in you, darling."
Elias brought her hand to his lips and wryly smiled. "I just have no faith in our children. Should I expect you to faint?"
"Not when you care for me so well," Adeline responded. He chuckled and leaned in, kissing her on the side of the head.
"Then enjoy, darling."
Elias released her waist and watched as she left with Evelyn. In the distance, he saw Weston quickly walking to the gardens as well, most likely, with urgent news. He witnessed Weston pass the Queen, pause, and bow his head as they exchanged small talk. Then Weston flushed.
Elias choked. What kind of sight was that? Weston quickly looked away, shaking his head and continuing to approach the King.
"What?" Elias said the second Weston was in front of them.
Weston dipped his chin in greeting, his brows taut, a pink blush still creeping on his neck. "I spoke to a credible source, and believe we may have a plan on our hands."
"What is it?"
Weston hesitated. "It will not be an easy one, Your Majesty."
Elias didn't respond.
"The scientists believe it is better to turn the Queen now more than ever. I know her blood has to be drained and we need to find a compatible Pure-Blood, but it is the only way to save her."
Save her. Elias glanced at his right-hand man. A silent understanding was passed along. They were going to prioritize the Queen over the baby. Why? Because Adeline can always give birth in the future, when she is healthy.
"Adeline is O negative," Elias somberly said. "She can only receive blood from someone O positive or O negative."
"Yet she would be a universal donor," Weston spat out. "The world is truly unfair."
Elias frowned. Of course she would be O negative, one of the rarest blood types.
"Search far and wide," Elias coldly said. "Until you find a Pure-Blood that is O negative or positive."
Weston hesitated. "The problem is, Your Majesty… Because the Queen is human, she will need more blood than when a Half-Blood is turned into a Pure-Blood. Meaning the donor would…"
"Would have to sacrifice themself," Elias finished.
Weston's expression became grim. Even if they do find someone with such a rare blood-type, how were they going to convince that person to sacrifice their life? The population of Pure-Bloods was low as it is. Almost every known Pure-Blood in the world was either wealthy or powerful. It'd be impossible to convince someone to join the cause.
"Pure-Bloods like us have lived for centuries, our bloodline is what created the first Vampires. Everyone roaming this world is a descendant of us. Finding someone to donate their blood would be impossible, Your Majesty," Weston said.
"Whoever said about donating their blood?" Elias bemused.
Weston's brows shot up. "You don't mean—"
"Focus on finding a Pure-Blood with the same type as Adeline," Elias said in a humored voice. "What comes next will be easy."
Weston gulped. "D-don't tell me, Your Majesty, you plan to murder them?"
Elias didn't even blink. "Afraid to get a little bit more blood on your hands?"
Weston shook his head. "My hands have always been stained, but you're different, Your Majesty. The blood on your hands can flood an ocean."
- - - - -
Adeline was nervous. This would be her second time sitting in a chair and speaking to the public on live television. She believed this kind of anxiety wouldn't die, no matter how many times she practiced inside of her head.
"How about we go over your speech first?" Evelyn offered. "Just to be safe, Your Grace."
Adeline paused. "I will just be saying that I met a doctor. All is well and I'm safe. There was a bit of nausea in the beginning, but everything has calmed down. There is nothing to panic about, and we're doing everything we can for a healthy pregnancy."
Evelyn slowly nodded her head, digesting the information. "Perhaps we should leave out the nausea, Your Grace. It will look like a weakness."
"No," Adeline firmly said. "It is the truth that people will expect from any normal pregnancy. If I don't mention that, then people would be suspicious the entire speech is a lie."
Evelyn hummed. She supposed the morning sickness part would make the Queen more relatable to the population, humans and vampires alike. She concluded it should be fine then. Though she was still curious about what the King and doctor saw that put them in such a horrible mood, it wasn't her place to ask.
"I trust in your judgement, Your Grace," Evelyn stated, giving a thumbs-up to the camera crew. They were right on the dot, and only a minute away from the scheduled time.
"Please take a seat then, Your Grace," Stella said in a preppy voice, hoping to ease the tension in the room.
Stella couldn't imagine how nervous the Queen must've felt, speaking on live television where the entire world could be watching her. If the Queen made a mistake, it'd be impossible to edit it out, and everyone would witness it.
"Let's begin then," Evelyn said, turning to the camera people who flashed on the lights.
The Queen wordlessly sat down on the chair, just as Evelyn quickly came forward, adjusting the Queen's appearance a little bit. Evelyn always found it interesting that the Queen had amazing posture. Her legs were properly tucked, her hands resting prettily on the l.a.p, and her shoulders squared.
"Beginning in 5, 4—"
Evelyn supposed it was the royal blood coursing through the Queen's veins. Being a Princess meant she went through rigorous training, but Evelyn was astonished that the Queen had remembered all of her lessons.
"—3, 2…"
"Good morning," Adeline warmly said with a friendly smile that reached her eyes. "I am pleased to share with you wonderful news."
Adeline placed a hand on her stomach, her smile beaming. "I am pregnant."
Adeline paused for a few seconds to let the information sink in. "Of course, like most, I had morning sickness," she lightly laughed, softening her tone so that it didn't sound so professional and uptight.
"Fortunately, it has gone away. I've met with a doctor yesterday who confirmed the pregnancy is going very smoothly and I am extremely healthy."
Adeline stared into the camera lens, despite being blinded by the light. "I have seen everyone's warm wishes in front of the castle gates. The flowers are lovely and it has truly touched my heart," she softly said, touching her c.h.e.s.t. "Because of everyone's get well wishes, I was able to recover much faster."
Adeline's heart was racing. She was nervous, but tried her hardest to remain normal. "That will be all for today. I will let everyone go now, especially with how early in the morning it is," she joked. "Please enjoy the rest of your day."
Adeline waved her hand goodbye just as the camera was cut off. She couldn't relax yet. She maintained her smile until she stood up from the chair and was out of the camera lens. Only then, did she let out a sigh she didn't know she was holding.
"You did very well, Your Grace!" Stella squealed, excited that the Queen was so competent.
Adeline's gaze met Evelyn who firmly nodded in agreement. With that speech made, the country's anxiety should be put to a rest, right?
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