A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.
***
Empress Clastigaufeas walked to him. She sat beside his body and watch him breathe. Her tears poured even more and went down to embrace him.
"Wake up, Lee. I told you, I will be a terrible parent. I can't do this. I don't like this."
The machines replied in his stead with whirs and beeps.
If he's awake, he will probably throw terrible jokes at her first before actually consoling her. Then they will make love until she's forgotten what she's crying and worrying about and then throw yet another set of jokes. The worst and dirtiest jokes she's ever heard.
She intertwined their hands, transferring her warmth to him. He's not dead, but he's not alive either. He's stuck in-between.
"I need you. Come back to me," she whispered as she let all her tears fall.
She get up and her tears fell to his face. She lower her head and kissed his cheek. There's a tube in his mouth for life support.
"If you die, I will fucking travel to wherever your soul is and slap the shit of it back to your body. You can't leave me just like this, Maxism Ford Lee-Vernignac."
She tap her fingers on the tube and smiled her insanity away. She slowly pull the tube and the Emperor gasped for air. Luckily, she was there. Using her mouth, she helped him breathe and though impossible, they blended.
***
Crown Prince Claxiord arrived and looked at the servants and knights, "Has she come out yet?"
They shook their heads. Mila, the Head of the Empress's maids-in-waiting stepped forward.
"Forgive us, Your Highness. I know you're worried, but I believe nothing wrong is happening inside. Please, I ask for your patience once again---"
"I'm done with waiting, Mila! Open the door! It's been three days!"
Duchess Selene came running and stood by his side. Voltage and Franchetti Xerene, too, who came by to check on their family.
"Still inside? What could possibly go wrong? I sense no danger, though," Franchetti Xerene said and walked to the door. Mila blocked her path.
"Easy, girl. I won't open it."
Voltage Xirquit looked around, "Where's Maxigaufeas? Is Princess Eowyne still here?"
The Crown Prince sighed and massaged his nape.
"Yes. I don't know what they're up to, but Maxigaufeas has been keeping in touch with Watts and Thirdy."
"Is it true that she locked herself there with Maxism because she fought with Maxi?" Franchetti Xerene looked back.
Crown Prince Claxiord massaged his nape again.
"I heard. Because Maxi slept with the Princess. That idiot."
The husband and wife's eyes widened.
"What the eff? He really is his father's son!"
The Crown Prince gave her a bored look when she started laughing. Voltage Xirquit is shaking his head on the other hand.
Suddenly, an awkward kind of air blew when the Prince arrived with his lover and friends. Crown Prince Claxiord stared at him with disappointment before drifting his stares to the door.
Watts Xirquit communicated with his mother through their eyes. Voltage Xirquit sighed as soon as he saw the Prince.
"What? Is everybody blaming me now? Right," Prince Maxigaufeas, full of sarcasm.
Princess Eowyne breathe in sharply and looked up to her man. She mouthed, "I'm sorry," to him and he squint his eyes on her.
"Not your fault," he mouthed back to her.
They flinched when they heard the door knobs turn. Mila stepped aside, waiting for the moment of the door opening. They were holding their breaths. The Empress's presence was felt, but it's not the same as before.
She opened the door and found familiar faces on the other side of it, wearing only her white, lace sleepwear dress.
Prince Maxigaufeas's grip on the Princess's hand loosened when he saw how lifeless the Empress have become.
Her red eyes lost their shine. And they slowly blink, as if they were tired. They were half open; they've never seen red as dull as the color of her eyes.
"How long has it been?" she asked lowly while looking down.
"Three days, Your Imperial Majesty," Mila answered with tears welling in her eyes.
The Empress's breathing is so gentle but so deep.
"Mom," Crown Prince Claxiord called softly and approached his mother.
But she began to lower her knee, until it touches the ground.
Crown Prince Claxiord felt like everything around him and about him stopped.
"Don't misunderstood. Your father's still alive. But I'm surrendering my position now since you're an adult. Isn't that right, Maxigaufeas?"
That's when he dropped the Princess's hand.
"M-Mom..." their voices broke.
Empress Clastigaufeas stand up and looked at the Emperor-to-be straight in his dilating and glistening eyes.
He broke down, hyperventilating, as he gaze at his mother.
"I-I can't... I can't do... No... Why are you... You..."
Empress Clastigaufeas dropped her stares and walked past him. Emperor-to-be Claxiord pulled her back.
"Why!?"
Franchetti Xerene was about to go between them when her husband blocked her way with his arm.
"I'm not yet ready, Mom! You can't just do this! You can't just give up like this! I'm not yet ready! First, Dad. Now, you!? Can't you just hold on a lil' bit longer? I don't know what to do anymore!"
"Claxiord,"
The Emperor pulled his breath and controlled his tears.
"To move on, you must get rid of the problem."
Prince Maxigaufeas's heart fell.
"W-What? What problem? What are you saying, Mom!? You're not a problem!? MAXIGAUFEAS!"
Like a boy, the Prince flinched in fright and looked at his brother with wide open eyes.
"Why... Why is it me again? Why did you call me that way? You never called my name that way, Kuya! Is everything my fault now!? Then I'm the problem! Get rid of me instead! All of this is happening because of me!"
Watts Xirquit went to the front and pushed him back. Princess Eowyne stepped back, afraid of the consequences their physical mistake have made.
"All because we slept together! Goddammit! How fucking shallow, Mom! So fucking shallow! You're supposed to be comforting me! I've been hating myself ever since! Instead of helping me get back to my feet, you pushed me even lower! I needed Eowyne, Mom! I needed her! Why do you do this to me? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME!"
"BECAUSE I'M A WEAKLING, MAXIGAUFEAS!" The Empress finally snapped, putting everything in that yell.
"Oh, if you only knew how many I told your stupid father that I'm gonna be a terrible parent BUT HE NEVER LISTENED! He wanted a family so I gave him a family! He wanted a family because he never had one, that's why he wanted his own and he swore to never do what his parents did to him! They abandoned him! And I! I SLAUGHTERED MY KIN! This place is haunted! I never wanted to be here again, but because of that goddamn mission---I HAD TO! Only I can see their ghosts! Only I gets to suffer because I know this place more than anyone else! You don't know what it's like to wake up in the middle of the night to check if I'm sleeping by his side or standing at my sons' doorsteps with a knife in my hands! I never wanted any of this! I only did because I love him! Because he promised me that he will make me happy---that every day that I'm with him, I will forget all the things I've done! I am cursed. I am broken. I am not fit to be a mother, but I gave myself to him because I love him and he's so wonderful and I love all his ambitions and ideas and plans for the future. I had you because I love him. I had you because I'm a slave of his love and attention. I had you because I was scared that if not, he would leave me. He's always there for me. Maxism... Maxism---I'm l-losing my husband because of you."
She aggressively pulled her wrist back from the Emperor's grip.
"I don't need any of this anymore if without him. Hate me all you want. Call me selfish, but you will never understand. I don't know how to show my affection. My family's been fucked up ever since. I never knew love. I had a hard time adjusting. AAAAAHHHHH!!! Nobody knows me better than he do! I don't even know myself but he do!"
She collapsed on the floor while clutching her chest. Emperor-to-be Claxiord fell to his knees and embraced his mother.
"I'm sorry if I'm such a fucking villain to your lives. I don't know how to be affectionate. I don't know how to love. I don't know how to care. I don't fucking know how to deal with emotions and feelings. I only know how to receive. I'm sorry if I'm like this. I don't know why I'm like this either."
The servants wiped their tears and acted strong as much as they could. Prince Maxigaufeas found himself getting closer to his mother. She's crying her eyes out, letting all her bottled emotions go freely.
Watts Xirquit hand his handkerchief to Princess Eowyne. She looked at it first before taking out hers. The witness, Lord Thirdy, laughed at what happened but karma hit him fast when he blew his snot out after laughing.
The Empress suddenly felt an excruciating pain poking her stomach.
"M-Maxism... My husband... My husband---A-Ahhh..."
Empress Clastigaufeas held her aching stomach and felt a bump. A servant screamed and pointed the Empress's behind.
Blood.
"What the---Clast, you're fucking pregnant!?"
Franchetti Xerene slapped her husband's arm to do something. When he came back to reality, he immediately went to pick up the Empress who's bleeding.
"M-Mom? You're with...child? What did you do!? How!?"
Watts Xirquit brought his hand to his mouth, covering his grin.
"They blended?"
That made everyone turn to him.
"Blended?" they repeated, then looked back at the Empress.
"That's impossible! Dad is a human! She can't blend with a human...can we?"
Voltage Xirquit stomp his foot and glared at them.
"The baby is more important. Thirdy, call your Dad! Xerene, let's go! And you, Claxiord. You know whose blood to spill and who to punish if a word about what happened tonight comes out. Do you get it?"
The stupefied Emperor-to-be nodded, not himself.
He brought the Empress to their chambers. Franchetti Xerene followed with the ladies, but the Duchess and the Princess stayed at a distance. Watts Xirquit and Lord Thirdy went out to fetch the Duke, leaving Prince Maxigaufeas with his dumbfounded.
"Okay, okay. What should I do? I'm panicking! We're not in the Tower! Volt, what to do!? The baby!" Franchetti Xerene panicked and climbed the bed.
"First, calm down. Next, prepare a basin and a towel with warm water. And where is Watts? He's supposed to be here!"
Franchetti Xerene screamed and cried.
"I don't know what to do, Volt! My mind is going blank! Maxism's baby! Volt, do something!"
"I am doing something! Calm down!"
Princess Eowyne bit her nails. If something were to happen, it'll be her fault and she will never forgive herself for killing the Empress's baby because of the stress she caused to her.
Duchess Selene hold her hand. When she looked at her, she received a smile from the Duchess.
"Maxism..." Empress Clastigaufeas called out.
"Girlie, what did you do? Did you really blend with him? You're pregnant! Shit. Selene, call Watts and tell him to make another machine! That's what he get for being a genius! Go!"
"Yes, Mom!"
The Duchess salute at her and smiled at the Princess again with assurance before leaving her side.
"Blend...? Yes. I did. He was... Everything was dark. He's darkness. But it's warm. My husband..."
Franchetti Xerene's mouth gaped open. Voltage Xirquit lift her jaw to close it.
"No fucking way! For real!?"
The Empress fluttered her eyes. And as she turn her head side by side, enduring the pain, she found Princess Eowyne who immediately dropped to her knees.
"P-Please forgive me, Your Imperial Majesty! I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
She scoffed with a smirk.
"L-Lucky...bitch..."
Voltage Xirquit looked at his wife and she only winced.
A minute later, Lord Thirdy threw his father inside the room.
"What the fuck! What was that!" The Duke complained strongly and jumped back to his feet.
"She blended with Maxism! This one is crazy! They really did!" Franchetti Xerene immediately told him, shocking him entirely.
"WHAT!? Wait, how the baby!? Save it first! Holy shit. I have a feeling it's a girl! That's a girl!"
"Make it a son. I can't imagine what kind of chaotic devil it would turn out to be if it were be a daughter."
Mila entered the room with medicines.
"Thank you, Mila."
Duke Paris stand beside the Empress and supported her back while Voltage Xirquit gives her the medicine. Emperor-to-be Claxiord finally caught up with his brother.
"H-How is she? How's the baby?"
Franchetti Xerene opened her space storage and pulled out her things inside. She's now, professionally, in her doctor mode.
She wore the stethoscope to check the Empress's heartbeat, while her husband is taking a sample of the Empress's blood to test if she's really pregnant.
Franchetti Xerene screamed again, louder.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS IT!?" they yelled.
She burst into tears.
"Confirmed, no cap! She's pregnant! Clast is with child!"
Her sons' knees lost their strength and fell to the ground. An hour of their little celebration, a portal opened and dropped Watts Xirquit out with Duchess Selene.
He's panting.
"U-Ultrasound. Here. Let's see the baby."
Everyone clapped. He made it in no time!
After preparing the Empress, Emperor-to-be Claxiord did the honor of doing the ultrasound on his mother, moving the transducer on her belly. She already have a small baby bump in the size of a 14-weeks baby bump.
Their tears of joy burst from their eyes when they've seen the fetus of their family's new member in the Empress's womb.
"Holy...shit. They really did...blend?" Duke Paris breathlessly muttered in disbelief and excitement.
"A miracle," Mila stated, holding back her sobbing, "It's a miracle! The Empress's and Emperor's bond!"
Duke Paris suddenly was in stitches.
"Bloody hell. Even in that state, Maxism is shooting scores. Bwahahaha! Damn!"
Franchetti Xerene clapped her hand and hugged the Empress. She looked at the live feed of her yet another child, then smiled.
"F...uck. I want a cat..." After saying that, her eyes closed and went to sleep.
"A cat? Do we have a cat?" Prince Maxigaufeas panicked and bit his nails. Emperor-to-be Claxiord put his hand down.
"Go to Axeore Empire at once. We don't have cats here. They have lots."
"O-Okay..."
Lord Thirdy have a different thought, "Would they even give us some? I mean, aren't cats like their 'gods'? They worship cats. I doubt they would let us domesticate their religious figure."
"A cat is a cat. Just get your Mom a lion, tiger, a leopard, or cheetah. I just know she'd like wild feline better," Voltage Xirquit shared and they couldn't agree more.
"But I want a cat, too," Prince Maxigaufeas sulk and rest his head on the edge of the bed.
"Then, leave it to me."
Their heads all turn to Watts Xirquit. He adjusted his vest. Duke Paris and his son squirmed, biting their lips.
"Stawpp, Wattsy. That's so hot!" They jokingly slap his arm. Watts Xirquit was clueless.
"As I was saying, I can pull some strings and ask for a cat. I'll pay them a visit."
"Why? Is there a business you have to deal with them?" His mother questioned.
They haven't talked yet since Moon's execution. None of them have, and none of them has dared to mention her. They're yet to narrow down everything to a conclusion since they're quite focused about Emperor Maxism's state.
"I might have. I will be very busy now. The Academia's opening is right around the corner. I have lots to do."
Franchetti Xerene crawled off the bed and gave her son a soothing embrace.
"Stop overdoing things. Have a time off, my love. Get some rest. You have lots of time in your hands. You deserve a nice vacation."
Watts Xirquit looked down. There, they found her image reflected in his regretful eyes.
"It's to distract myself. I'd rather drown myself in paper works than drown in my loneliness and regret."
Her grip around him tightened.
"I'm sorry... But don't do things alone. Hire secretaries. Don't do those paper works alone. At least have somebody to help you."
"No. People are dumb. I can only trust my works to myself."
Their eyes widened and gave him side-eye stares.
"Wow. Sorry if we're dumb, genius Watts. It's clearly our fault that we're not in your level," Duke Paris sarcastically remarked, hurt.
"Then study. It's really your fault why you're a dummy," Voltage Xirquit saved with a raised brow.
"Oh, shut up! Just---let's get into business. Volt and I will stay here for the meantime. Watts, when are you going to leave? Do you want your friends to accompany you?" Franchetti Xerene changed the topic so they can move on.
"I'd love to go alone. It's a private matter. Also, King Liorei schedule a meeting with me tomorrow, so I have to see him. And if you wouldn't mind... Mom, Dad, Uncle Paris, would you go with me when I meet him? I have something to say."
"Oh, yes! Finally, the tea!" Duke Paris clapped his hands in excitement.
Watts Xirquit sighed.
"Is your Kuya Ohms invited, baby? We'll assign Elektra and Spike to be with them," his mother sweetly said and caressed his chest.
"Yes. I already wrote him a letter. Your Majesty Claxiord, I'd appreciate it if you were to attend, too."
The Emperor-to-be tilted his head around to look at him.
"I thought you wouldn't ask. I accept."
"What about us!?" His friends complained, "Do you not trust us, Wattsycakes?"
Watts Xirquit scrunched his nose, "I do trust you, but what I need are professionals, rational people, and intellectual people, Thirdy. Second, please don't call me by that pet name. It's weird and you sound gay."
But the Lord only acted more 'gay'.
"Oh, you hurt me! What about that heated night we spent together? Take responsibility, My Lord! You took advantage of my feminine weakness! Ah~"
Duke Paris choked his son.
"Ack! Dad!"
Voltage Xirquit clapped.
"Then, we don't have much time to spare. Get moving, all of you. Those who will be left, I will assign tasks on you. Mila, have a knight on his way to our estate. Summon our children."
"Right away, Your Grace." Mila bowed and quickly left the room.
Watts Xirquit breathe in and looked into his mother's eyes. She smiled at him, reassuring and kind and filled with her unconditional love for him. She brushed his hair back and cupped his face, then tiptoed to reach her son's nose and kissed its tip.
"I love you so much, my brilliant baby boy. You're the greatest and bestest thing that's ever been mine."
Upon hearing it, her husband made a bitter expression on his face. Their son pat his mother's head and smiled.
"Thank you, Mom. Thank you for bringing me to this world."
Tearfully, she rained sweet kisses all over his face.
Her son is always grateful, and she's bottomlessly sorry for betraying his trust and breaking his heart.