Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Side effect
Rowan and Kastiel, having just concluded their clandestine tryst behind the bushes and trees, hastily straightened their disheveled attire. Emerging from their verdant hiding spot, they were met with an unexpected sight - not only their eldest son, Kilian, but also Carlton and his seven children standing mere feet away.
Rowan quickly approached Carlton, his brow furrowed in concern. "Your Majesty, is everything alright? Has something troubling occurred?" He glanced over at Kilian, who was being held by Malcolm, relieved to see that his son seemed unharmed... save for the fact that Rowan’s beloved little cabbage had been claimed by the crown prince at an alarmingly young age.
Carlton regarded Rowan with a frigid stare as he crossed his arms. "What were you thinking, leaving your young son unattended while engaging in such activities out here in plain sight? Have you no shame or sense of propriety?" His voice dripped with disapproval and barely contained outrage.
Carlton’s hopes for this world’s Rowan were dashed, replaced by a deep sense of disappointment. This Rowan was nothing more than an immoral pervert, shamelessly indulging in his desires while abandoning his young son! Carlton’s outrage bubbled to the surface as he struggled to comprehend such irresponsible behavior.
Rowan blanched at Carlton’s accusation, suddenly feeling quite bashful about their recent exploits now that they’d been discovered. "Ah! Forgive me, Your Majesty!" he exclaimed, his face flushing with embarrassment. "But this was an emergency situation that I could not foreseen. Surely you of all people should understand the urgency of our predicament."
However, Carlton remained unconvinced and disapproving. Rowan felt a pang of guilt but also an overwhelming sense of helplessness. This situation was not at all what he had anticipated. At a loss for words, he chose to focus on Kilian instead.
He crouched down and opened his arms invitingly towards Kilian. The little cabbage immediately released Malcolm’s hand and ran into his father’s embrace with gleeful giggles. Rowan scooped up his firstborn and stood tall once more, planting a tender kiss on Kilian’s cheek.
Underneath it all, Rowan reveled in the smug satisfaction of knowing that even in this dire moment, Kilian had chosen him over the cabbage-thieving crown prince. A smug smile tugged at the corners of Rowan’s mouth as he glanced at Malcolm with a knowing look. Malcolm could only offer an awkward smile in return.
Hmph! Of course my little cabbage certainly prefers his father over that cabbage thief!
As Carlton watched this exchange unfold with furrowed brows, he couldn’t help but feel utterly perplexed by Rowan’s cryptic words. "Emergency? What do you mean, Rowan?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion and a hint of exasperation.
"Huh? Of course it’s a matter of side effects-" But before Rowan could elaborate further, Kastiel finally caught up to their little group, his presence causing Rowan to abruptly halt his explanation.
Kastiel approached Carlton with a face that was equal parts scared and uncomfortable. He greeted the Empress hesitantly, unable to meet Carlton’s gaze directly. "Your Majesty... please forgive us both... for what we’ve done...but we just..." His words trailed off as he seemed unable to continue speaking in front of Carlton.
Seeing his beloved spouse falter, Rowan immediately stepped in front of Kastiel protectively, shielding him from view. He looked at Carlton with a serious expression etched upon his features. "Your Majesty," Rowan began carefully, "it has been nearly a decade now. I hope you are no longer angry with Kastiel."
Carlton was stunned, unable to comprehend why Rowan and Kastiel were acting as if he were some sort of villain when all he had done was remain silent. He tried to piece together the history between himself and Kastiel in this world. What dark secrets lay hidden in their shared past? Why did they act as if he were still holding a grudge after all these years?
The tension hung heavy in the air as all eyes turned to await Carlton’s response.
Carlton considered lying to Rowan and Kastiel, pretending he had amnesia like he had told his family. However, he quickly realized that such a deception might prevent them from revealing the truth about their shared past. Instead, Carlton narrowed his eyes at Kastiel, pretending to understand the situation in order to coax more information out of them.
"Why is he still reacting like that?" Carlton muttered under his breath, as if questioning Kastiel’s lingering behavior. "Is he still the same as before? Wanting to do the same thing?"
Rowan leapt to Kastiel’s defense without hesitation. "Your Majesty!" he exclaimed urgently. "Kastiel has changed since we married! Surely you know it was all a misunderstanding? You can’t still blame him just because he used to have feelings for His Majesty Emperor!"
Kastiel peeked out from behind Rowan, his face etched with panic and fear. "Your Majesty Empress," he pleaded desperately, "I no longer harbor any affection for His Majesty Emperor! I love Rowan now with all my heart!"
Carlton’s mind reeled as he processed the unexpected revelation of a love drama from their past.
A love rectangle? Kastiel, Rowan, me, and Alaric?
He couldn’t help but draw parallels to his own world, where Kastiel was like an adorable puppy who loyally followed Alaric’s every move. But woe betide anyone who dared threaten the crown prince - that cute pup would transform into a fierce, barking guardian in an instant. The thought crossed Carlton’s mind that perhaps Kastiel in his own world harbored similar feelings for Alaric.
As these thoughts swirled in Carlton’s head, back in the another world, Kastiel sneezed repeatedly while anxiously awaiting Rowan’s arrival at the palace.
Carlton fixed Kastiel with a sharp gaze, causing the frightened man to flinch and take cover behind Rowan once more. Though hidden from view, Kastiel’s trembling voice still rang out clearly.
"I speak only the truth, Your Majesty," Kastiel insisted nervously. "I now love Rowan and our three beautiful children above all else. I was young and foolish then, and His Majesty Emperor was simply the most handsome man close to me at that time... of course I developed a crush on him... especially because of his... rather plump derriere."
"AHEM!" Rowan coughed pointedly, his jealousy palpable as he heard his spouse waxing nostalgic about an old flame and admiring another man’s physique.
Kastiel, lost in nostalgic memories of his past crush on Alaric, suddenly snapped back to the present. He spun Rowan around, gripping his beloved’s arms tightly as he held their son Kilian close.
"Hubby, please calm down," Kastiel soothed urgently. "It’s all in the past now. I’m utterly devoted to you and our love." His voice dropped to a seductive purr. "Especially since we’re so incredibly compatible... physically speaking." He winked playfully. "And while your derriere may not be quite as plush as His Majesty Emperor’s, your soft chest more than makes up for it, my darling. You are my everything~♡"
Rowan turned in Kastiel’s embrace, wrapping an arm around his waist and pressing their bodies flush together. "Ah darling," he murmured huskily against Kastiel’s ear, "I hope you won’t speak of other men again... For you, I would do anything to possess the plump ass that pleases you so much." He nipped at Kastiel’s earlobe. "My darling should have whatever he desire♡"
Kastiel let out a breathy moan, tilting his head to give Rowan better access to his neck. "Ah hubby~♡ You are the very best," he purred, turning his head to capture Rowan’s lips in a deep, passionate kiss.
Carlton stood frozen, his expressionless mask slipping as he watched Rowan and Kastiel kiss with unbridled passion, completely oblivious to their surroundings. In his mind’s eye, he could almost see a mocking little heart bouncing off his head, taunting him for being so shocked by their public display of affection.
But little Kilian... still cradled in Rowan’s arms, seemed unfazed by the intimate display - the nearly 7-year-old boy simply waved cheerfully at Malcolm as if it were an everyday occurrence.
Meanwhile behind Carlton, Malcolm blushed furiously and quickly covered Cristina and Nikolai’s eyes with his hands. Helena followed suit, closing her own eyes and shielding Austin’s vision as well despite the young prince’s protests. Only Cristian and Cristin remained wide-eyed with innocent curiosity as they stared at their kissing uncles.
As Rowan and Kastiel began to emit rather lewd noises mid-kiss, Carlton finally snapped out of his stupor. His face flushed with embarrassment and outrage as he barked at the lovebirds:
"Stop that this instant! Do you want to corrupt the minds of impressionable young royal children with such lewd behavior?" His voice rose with each word, echoing through the palace halls. "Have you no shame? No decorum? This is a palace, not a brothel!"
Rowan and Kastiel sprang apart, the heat of their passionate kiss still lingering on their lips. Kastiel’s face was flushed, his lips swollen from the intensity of their embrace. He lowered his gaze, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.
"We apologize for our lapse in judgment, Your Majesty," Kastiel said softly, his voice laced with contrition. "We allowed ourselves to get swept up in the moment... We hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us."
Rowan scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, averting his eyes from Carlton’s stern gaze. "I know we crossed a line today with our indecent behavior, especially within these palace walls," he admitted ruefully. "We could face punishment for such wanton displays." His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper as he leaned closer to Carlton.
"But Your Majesty..." He trailed off hesitantly before continuing in an even lower tone. "Wasn’t it years ago when those side effects from the fruit appeared to you irregularly? You and His Majesty Emperor often... well... engaged in such activities outside? And you would ask me to cover up your actions so no one else would find out..."
Carlton’s so speechless, he’s at a complete loss for words. Rowan’s revelation left him reeling. Alaric and Carlton of this world, had been sneaking off to engage in lewd acts outside? And they had actually asked Rowan to help conceal their scandalous behavior? The very thought was utterly mind-boggling.
He wanted to be furious at Alaric for their brazen behavior, but found himself at a loss for how to express his outrage. Physically lashing out against the Emperor was out of the question - Carlton didn’t want history to record him as "The Empress Who Committed Domestic Violence Against The Emperor."
As Carlton wrestled with these conflicting emotions, Rowan’s words suddenly clicked into place.
Side effect.
The phrase echoed in his mind, bringing back a hazy memory from the night before - Alaric mentioning something about side effect before he drifting off to sleep.
What could it possibly mean? Carlton turned to Rowan, his confusion evident on his face as he asked:
"Rowan, I must confess I’m at a loss here. The side effect you spoke of... what exactly does that entail?"
