Angelique's POV
I stared into my husband's eyes as he waited for me to speak. Of course, he wants to know what I know. I didn't exactly tell him everything that had happened when he was away. I'm just glad that my plan earlier worked. At least now I have the assurance that all my assets won't belong to my husband should anything happen to me.
"Well?" he asked, pushing me gently against the wall. "Aren't you gonna speak?"
I pursed my lips, folding my arms over my chest. "Well," I began, "I've known this for quite some time now. My family informed me before you decided to return home."
"And?" he arched a brow.
"And that's that," I replied innocently, "It's basically the same speech your father gave minus the "I am dying" drama. My parents mentioned the crown matrimonial and I wasn't pleased."
"So why haven't you mentioned it?" he asked, taking my hand into his. He sighed, looking away. "Never mind," he says, "I know the answer to that. You don't trust me yet."
His choice of action took me by surprise. I thought he would've choked me or something seeing that his eyes have gone cold. I felt his arms pulling me into an embrace, surprising me even more.
"Damien?" I asked, "What are you doing?"
"I don't know," he replied, still keeping me in his arms.
I pulled away, meeting his gaze. "Whatever," I said, "I do want to know if you want this. Do you? Because I honestly don't."
"What happened to the girl who was destined for greatness?" he asked, placing his hand on my cheek. "I thought you were just playing hard to get earlier. Why don't you want this?"
Because I have to kill you, you idiot. But it can't be helped. I have to kill you, Damien. I may not like it, but it is what it is.
"I just think it's too much responsibility," I lied, "Besides, there will be conflict. Would they call it the White Dynasty or the Cross Dynasty? It's just too much trouble for me. Knowing our parents, they'll put a lot of stress on which name sits on the throne."
"I see," he says, leading me to the courtyard. Alicent was already there with Nala and Eva training together in archery. Nala seems to be improving quite a lot.
"Your sister is a jewel, Damien," I said, pointing at the girl. "Have you thought about when we'll introduce her to your father? I believe we ought to speed things up because of Grea's interference with our plans. I could tell that she was plotting something. I just don't know what it is yet."
He nodded in agreement. "Yes," he says, "She wants to clear her name from any of this. But I could feel it, you know? I could feel that she was a part of my mother's demise. I just don't have the proof yet."
I have the proof, but I can't give it to you. Not yet. I enjoy having your stepmother on a leash.
"Changing the topic, have you thought of a name yet?" he asked, sitting me down on the bench. "What names would you pick?"
Honestly, I haven't thought much about it. "I don't know yet," I confessed, "What would you name our child?"
He smiled, looking up at the sky. "If it's a girl, I'd like to name it after you," he says, "If it's a boy, then I should like him to be named after me." Noticing the disgusted look on my face, he asked, "What? Is everything okay?"
"I absolutely hate that idea," I said, sticking my tongue out. It sounds absolutely horrible.
"What about Dianne?" he asked, "It means divine. It's also the name of the forgotten queen."
"Alright," I nodded, "Dianne sounds better than naming it after me."
He smiled. "And what you name our boy?" he asked curiously.
"Alexander," I replied, "I think betrothing our children together would be the wisest thing to do. What do you think?"
He paused to think, nodding after. "I suppose that is wise," he agreed, "It will keep our blood strong. But then we must have two pairs of children. One must inherit the Cross name and one the White name."
"That leaves the question of who would inherit the empire after us," I said, knowing that he won't live to see that day. I merely suggested that we marry our children so they inherit his crown. I know I am to wed my cousin, Conner anyway. After marrying Conner, my children with him will sit on the throne.
"We'll see, won't we?" he says, inhaling a breath of fresh air. "Anyway, there will be a hunt soon. Most of us will be out to celebrate your pregnancy. We will return just in time for your birth though. It will be just for two days."
"Yes," I nodded, "I know about the grand hunt. It happens every time the royal is pregnant. You shan't worry about me. Our child and I will be fine." I then stood up, gesturing for him to stay. "Please enjoy your time watching Alicent. I shall meet with my mother regarding the preparation of my birth." Before he could utter a reply, I bolted.
I need to inform my mother that Damien knows about the Empire project. Once I reached her chambers, the pager paged me. I then went in to see her reading a book by her balcony.
"What is it, Angelique?" she asks, flipping over to the next page. "Something wrong?"
"Damien knows," I said, taking the seat across from her. "King Richard told him about the Empire. I made my demands earlier regarding what would happen should I die unexpectedly. All my assets will go to my children and not pass through Damien."
"Woah," she says, "Slow down, dear. How much do they know?"
"Everything minus the secret plan you have of murdering my husband," I said, "When might I meet my cousins? I should like to meet properly who I'm replacing my current husband with."
"Why?" she asked, "Did his violence finally anger you to the point that you'd finally consider killing him?"
"How did you," I asked.
"I know everything, Angelique," she says, "I know he choked you. I also know about his plenty of indiscretions. I also know about his secret sister you're hiding."
I bit my lip.
"Do not act surprised," she says, "I'm your mother. I raised you to be like me. I'm proud of you for doing what it takes to survive. Now that you're completely on board with killing your husband, let us have the official talk."
I nodded in agreement.
"We want the name of White on that Dynasty we're building," she says, "Once Conner marries you, the name shall remain White and not Malachite. Your children with him shall have his last name, Malachite, but they will emerge as Whites. After you wed him, your reign will become peaceful. You needn't worry about anything else."
"Am I to marry Conner or Ford?" I asked.
"Either one of your choosing," she replied, "I prefer you marry Conner, but I suppose Ford is just as desirable." She then moves on to the next topic. "This is how I want this to go. About two months after you've been crowned rulers of the empire, we will poison him. We won't be blamed so long as you play the part of a wife who's in love. By that time, his parents are both dead, and no one would dare question your hand in this. After that, give it another month or two, and you can wed either of the two Malachites. You could even have them both for all I care. So long as you're on top, I wouldn't interfere."
"You seem to have this all figured out, Mother," I said.
She smiled wickedly, flashing me her pearly white teeth. "Do you understand what you must do, Angelique?"
"I do, mother," I swore, "He must die one way or another. My children will have either Conner or Ford as their father. I know them well enough to know that they wouldn't hurt us in any way."
"Good," she says, "I'm glad you finally understand what you must do."
"Of course," I said, "It is my duty to my kingdom. I will kill Damien Cross, and once that's done, I will take everything from him." Killing Damien is the only way I could survive and have the stability that I need. I may regret it at first, but time heals everything. I'd be sparing the world a cruel king and my children a violent father. This is for the best, and nothing can sway me from it.
"Damien Cross must die for you to succeed," she says, handing me a bottle with what I assume is poison. "This is what we'll use to get rid of him. Remember to make yourself appear as a good queen and better than he. Make him appear as a cruel husband who deserves what is coming to him."
"Yes, mother," I vowed. He must die.