Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Happy face
Of course, it was like the plot of some melodramatic novel, deliberately stretching out the tension with misunderstandings for a thousand Chapters that could easily be resolved in a single conversation. But no, fate had other plans – a dramatic interruption was always just around the corner.
Just as Rowan opened his mouth to explain about "side effect," a voice boomed across the garden:
"Darling!!!"
Carlton watched as Alaric came barreling towards him, flanked by several worried royal guards. The Emperor’s face was etched with concern as he reached Carlton and enveloped him in a tight embrace.
"Darling! I heard you scream earlier! Are you alright? Our children aren’t hurt, are they? What are you all doing here? Did something happen?" Alaric bombarded him with questions, his voice laced with anxiety. "Are you unhappy right now? Are you... ?" His worry seemed to escalate into full-blown panic at every passing second.
Carlton patted Alaric’s arm and cut off his relentless interrogation before it spiraled any further out of control: "We’re fine, Alaric," he said calmly but firmly. He couldn’t help but think that if he kept this up, Alaric would be asking Calrton about the precise amount of oxygen he was breathing or the precise number of seconds they had been apart.
Alaric released his embrace, but instead of stepping back, he cupped Carlton’s face in his hands, his gaze intense and filled with worry. He scanned Carlton from head to toe as if searching for any sign of injury before turning to their seven children. Relief washed over him as he saw them all safe and sound – even the notoriously mischievous triplets seemed eager to launch themselves into Alaric’s arms, though Malcolm, Helena, and Austin held them back with gentle restraint.
A wave of visible tension drained from Alaric’s shoulders as he confirmed everyone was safe. "Thank goodness..." he breathed out, glancing around nervously before leaning closer to whisper conspiratorially in Carlton’s ear. "You all went together and then disappeared into the palace garden... I was worried something would happen to you... like two days ago when you fainted...and then...that amnesia..." The word ’amnesia’ hung heavy in the air between them, a secret they shared but dared not utter aloud outside their family circle.
"Take it easy... nothing will happen," Carlton murmured calmly, though he wanted nothing more than to wriggle free from Alaric’s embrace. The scrutiny of their court was a constant weight, and he couldn’t risk giving them any more ammunition for gossip about their relationship. At least the rumors that painted them as hopelessly devoted idiots were somewhat endearing compared to whispers of rejection or coldness between them. He resigned himself to Alaric’s embrace, playing along with the charade for now.
Alaric’s heart swelled with joy as Carlton allowed the embrace to continue, not pulling away or uttering any protests. Emboldened by this small victory, Alaric tightened his arms around his love, oblivious to the growing chill emanating from Carlton that sent shivers through those nearby.
Fortunately for everyone involved, Rowan stepped in to diffuse the increasingly awkward situation. "Your Majesty the Emperor," he greeted Alaric with a respectful bow.
Annoyance flickered across Alaric’s face but he kept it carefully concealed. With an exaggerated sigh, he released Carlton from his embrace and turned to Rowan with a narrowed gaze.
"Rowan," he said in a tone that brooked no argument, "I’ve been waiting for you all day. What kept you? Making the Emperor wait is inexcusable."
Rowan looked distinctly uncomfortable at being called out like this. He fidgeted guiltily before attempting an explanation: "Ah well... there was an emergency situation earlier that required my immediate attention... I’m sure you understand, Your Majesty... even Empress Carlton has experienced such things himself."
Alaric immediately grasped Rowan’s meaning and flashed him a knowing smile. "I see... it’s only natural that you would be delayed... but..." His eyes scanned the palace garden suspiciously. "Don’t tell me you handled this ’emergency’ here? In the palace garden?"
Rowan blushed a deep crimson, embarrassment etched across his features as he struggled to find an appropriate response. The poor man looked like a deer caught in the headlights, unsure of how to extricate himself from this awkward situation.
Kastiel, who had been lurking behind Rowan’s back, suddenly darted forward and planted himself firmly in front of his flustered husband.
"Your Majesty," he declared with an air of mock solemnity, "it is my fault."
Alaric’s gaze snapped to Kastiel as if struck by lightning. His eyes widened momentarily before darting to Carlton for any sign of reaction. The Emperor knew all too well how jealous and fiercely protective his Empress could be when it came to potential rivals vying for his affections - especially those who dared to approach him with ill intentions toward their children. Alaric had grown accustomed to Carlton’s explosive temper whenever such individuals crossed their path, transforming the usually dignified Empress into a raging Godzilla on the warpath.
Normally, this would have elicited a chuckle from Alaric. Knowing his beloved Empress would unleash his wrath on anyone attempting to steal his affections brought him perverse amusement. But now...now felt different. Today, Carlton remained utterly unmoved by Kastiel’s sudden appearance or declaration. His expression was as placid as a still pond, devoid of the usual fire that burned whenever someone dared to encroach on his territory.
A pang of loneliness stabbed at Alaric’s heart. He knew Carlton couldn’t remember their eleven years together, but seeing him so detached, so...cold, filled Alaric with a profound sense of loss. It wasn’t just the absence of his fiery jealousy; it was the missing warmth, the unspoken understanding that had once been their constant companion.
Alaric then pinched the bridge of his nose, a heavy sigh escaping his lips as he massaged his temple, tried to focus on the matter at hand with Rowan and Kastiel. The audacity of these two, engaging in such lewd activities right under the palace’s roof! He fixed them with a stern glare.
"The two of you, cavorting about in the palace garden like a pair of randy teenagers? You know full well what the consequences are for such brazen behavior!"
Kastiel scrambled to respond, desperate to salvage the situation. "We understand completely, Your Majesty," he said quickly. "We will accept whatever punishment you deem fit. It was an emergency and we couldn’t find a more...private location. We tried to be discreet so no one would catch us in the act."
As if on cue, Kilian came bounding over from where Rowan had set him down. The young boy threw himself into Malcolm’s arms with all the enthusiasm only a six-year-old could muster. Looking up at his parents with innocent eyes, his little face scrunched up in confusion as he overheard snippets of the adult conversation.
"Huh? Daddy, are you guys talking about Father BEEEPPP Daddy loudly and BEEEPPP daddy to tears? Didn’t Cristian and Cristyn see you two earlier?"
The garden fell deathly silent. Kastiel felt his knees buckle as the blood drained from his face at his son’s words. Rowan, meanwhile, looked like he’d short-circuited - his brain simply couldn’t process the vulgar language spilling from his little cabbage’s mouth.
The two mischievous little whirlwinds, Cristian and Cristyn, simply couldn’t resist the temptation to insert themselves into the conversation when their names were mentioned. They bounded over with all the boundless energy only children possess.
"Yes, we saw Uncle Rowan and Uncle Kastiel playing game ’go to heaven together’," Cristian announced proudly. "But Father Emperor said if we disturbed the play, we’d end up in hell and be cursed not to eat cake for a whole year! So we ran straight back to Daddy!" He flashing a smug grin at Alaric in hopes of earning his father emperor’s praise. But poor Alaric felt like crying - his back was cold as ice from Carlton’s frigid glare piercing him like needles.
"That’s right! That’s right!" Cristyn chimed in enthusiastically, her words tumbling out in a rapid-fire stream. "Uncle Rowan and Uncle Kastiel were standing behind that big tree near the bushes. We could tell they were playing game ’go to heaven together’ because they made the same sounds as Father and Daddy do when they play it! Even though we couldn’t see them directly, just hearing it was enough for us to know...especially since Uncle Rowan looked so incredibly happy, and even though Uncle Kastiel was crying, he still seemed really happy too!"
The chatty little girl prattled on, unwittingly dragging her own parents deeper into the mire of humiliation.
Alaric wanted to melt into the ground and disappear. His children’s innocent yet mortifying revelations were enough to make him want to weep openly. He could feel Carlton’s icy glare boring into the back of his skull again, each frigid look a silent accusation.
Alaric nervously pivoted to face Carlton, attempting a smile that came out more like a grimace. He held up his hands in supplication as he spoke.
"My sweetheart, my empress, my darling honey bunny," he began, his voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. "I only say such things to the children so they’ll leave us be while we...ahem...engage in our baby-making activities. Please don’t fly into a rage..."
He reached for Carlton’s hand, but the empress was too quick. Carlton leaned in close until their faces were mere inches apart and whispered icily into Alaric’s ear.
"Alaric... do you want to be the first emperor in our history to be smacked down by his empress?"
Alaric recoiled as if struck, letting out an awkward laugh that bordered on hysteria. "Darling! It appears a storm is brewing - we should all retire indoors posthaste!" He grabbed Rowan by the arm and yanked him away from where he’d been floating dreamily among the clouds after hearing his innocent son utter such vulgarities.
"Come, Rowan! We must needs convene and confer on the state of affairs in the north with all haste!" Alaric babbled, desperate to escape the mortifying scene. He ushered everyone towards the palace door, praying fervently that he could somehow salvage this disastrous situation.
Everyone, caught in the awkward aftermath of Alaric’s hasty retreat, instinctively looked up at the sky. It was a picture-perfect day – azure blue canvas stretched endlessly above them, not a cloud in sight. Even a lone crow soared overhead, its raucous "caw... caw..." as if laughing at the absurd human drama unfolding below.
Cristina squinted up at the sun-drenched heavens in bewilderment. "Father, but it’s such a lovely day out-"
Helena swiftly cut her off with a silencing glare. The triplets felt aggrieved - their view of events had been mostly obscured by their older siblings’ hands, and they resented this perceived injustice. If only they could have foreseen that sixteen years hence, when their elder brothers and sister regaled them with this tale, they would have wished fervently to scrub clean not just their eyes but also their ears!
