Easton shot out of the couch, alarmed by the talks of war. If Wraith was involved, this world would crumble into nothing! Their technology was advanced and with nuclear weapons involved, truly, there would be nothing remaining on this planet.

"Your Majesty!" Weston cried out. "Waging a war for a woman?"

"This isn't Greek Mythology," Easton added on. "The Queen doesn't have a face that'd launch a thousand ships!"magic

The room turned chilly. The windows were shut, but the temperature dropped. A storm roared in the distance, icicles dripping from the ceiling walls.

Ghouly wisps whimpered around the King's tense presence. The room was spacious, but the King made it feel cramped and small. Even the great ruler of Hell would cower before the King of Wraith.

The twins were no exception, instantly bowing their heads in fear.

"Your Majesty, w-what I meant was," Easton stammered out. "Our Queen is one of the most beautiful women in this world, her face shouldn't just launch a thousand ships, i-it should launch a million ones!"

"Idiot," Weston muttered under his breath. He, unlike his fumbling brother, didn't mess up here. "Let us think this through, Your Majesty."

Weston raised his head and swallowed. "We do not want to make an enemy of the East, for their military rivals ours. If two of the most powerful empires had a war, nothing would be left of this world, Your Majesty."

"I don't care," Elias coldly stated. "Send out men to kidnap either Pure-Bloods."

Weston panicked. "Your Majesty—"

"It is a command."

Weston swallowed hard. He racked his brain for something convincing to say. Something to change the King's mind, as impossible as it was. Once a decision was made by the King, nothing in the world could overturn it. But… something could delay it.

"My report is not complete yet, Your Majesty," Weston finally said. "With more time, I can try and find less powerful Pure-Bloods."

And one instantly came to mind. In fact, Weston hadn't considered the possibility and just only realized it now. Asher. He was located in Wraith and the only Hybrid in this world. Who's to say he was not O negative or positive?

"After all, my research has only just begun, Your Majesty," Weston added on, glancing at the King.

"We don't have time," Elias growled. "Just kidnap that damn—"

The door to the private study opened. Adeline stepped inside, her presence surprising everyone in the room. She had a bright smile on her face, but then it slipped at the tension in the room.

"Darling," Elias muttered, his brows taut. She never came in here.

Adeline blinked. "Oh, I'm sorry, I should've knocked. Am I interrupting something?"

Weston immediately seized the opportunity. "No, you're not!" he quickly said. "In fact, I was just going to head out and finish my research, Your Grace."

"Research?" Adeline asked, glancing at Weston. She wondered if he ran into Lydia and William…

"Yes, about—"

"Leave."

Weston's gaze snapped to Elias. Elias wore a frigid, infuriated expression on his face. He realized the Queen didn't know.

"Right away, Your Majesty." Weston grabbed his twin by the back of Easton's shirt and began dragging both of them out of the door. He was relieved for the distraction, and silently thanked his lucky stars for the opportunity. Without another word, both of the twins hurriedly left the room, not wanting to suffer from the King's wrath.Once they were gone, it was just Adeline and Elias.

Adeline stepped forward, curious about his private study. She took everything in, admiring how beautiful it was. There was a window behind the King's desk, but then she realized it was actually a balcony. Wasn't he worried something would assassinate him from afar?

Then, Adeline realized it was a forest behind him, and the castle was high off the ground. Even the highest tree of the forest could not have a good view to snipe Elias.

"Are you only here to admire my great interior taste, darling?"

Adeline chuckled at his joke. "I was just worried about the window right behind your desk. What if you were murdered?"

"If I can be killed that easily, I would've been dead a long time ago," Elias scoffed. He gestured for her to come closer. She walked towards his desk, her eyes taking in everything.

"What is it?" Elias asked. She didn't even have to ask, and his attention was fully on her. He smiled when she picked up a random item lying at the front of his desk.

"Well…" she trailed off. "I was thinking of having a baby shower."

Elias paused. It'd only make her feel closer to the babies. And there would be guests involved, meaning high society would be expecting a child. Didn't she also make a public announcement today? Now, he knew why she was so eager to announce it to Wraith. Insurance—in case he changed his mind on the child.

"What for?" Elias asked. "The purpose of that event is to get gifts. Whatever you wish for, darling, you can obtain. Just name it and you'll have it. Easy as that. We don't need unnecessary gifts when your husband is filthy rich."

"It's not just for gifts," Adeline said. "I wanted to get to know more aristocrats and make new friends. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet future mothers whose children can play with ours."

Elias shifted in his seat. "Come here, darling," he muttered.

Adeline blinked in confusion. She walked around his desk and stopped in front of him. Without warning, he yanked her onto his lap. She was straddling him, her eyes wide. Despite that, he was still taller than her, his large frame easily hiding hers.

"Sweet girl, do you love me?"

Adeline nearly laughed in his face. "I am married to you, I rule this nation with you, I'm wearing a Royal Artifact as my ring, and carrying your children. Do you think I'd do all this if I didn't love you?"

Elias pulled her close, kissing her on the lips. She was surprised but leaned in, their kiss deepening in response. He suddenly felt the urge to sweep everything off the desk, and take her upon it.

"We can always have children in the future," Elias suddenly said. "You're right, darling. You deserve to be turned into a Pure-Blood. I was selfish for not allowing it sooner. Let us do it now."

Adeline pulled back. What was he saying?

"Let's get rid of this child and make you a Pure-Blood. Then, we'd have the rest of eternity to have more children," Elias proposed. "I have found someone with the same blood type as you and—"

"It's a 1% survival rate," Adeline whispered, not realizing where the change of mind suddenly came from. "An even slimmer chance of living."

Elias paused. "Not if I am here to help you, darling. It's only a 1% survival rate if we use the incorrect blood and method. The chance is as high as 5% or 10% if we use the same blood type that you have and—"

"I thought you accepted our twins," Adeline whispered, suddenly hurt by how quickly he changed his decision.

Was it always going to be like this? Were they finally going to reach a conclusion only for everything to change on a whim? Did they take one step forward, but two steps back?

"My sweet wife, listen—"

"Let me go," Adeline said, attempting to stand up, but Elias held onto her tightly.

Adeline felt a burst of strength from within her, no doubt her babies sensing distress. She could push him away if she wanted to, but before she could fathom that thought, he spoke up again.

"Hear me out, darling," Elias whispered. He needed to convince her soon, especially when Weston was conducting the research.

"No."

Adeline shoved him away and his body instantly fell back. She looked at him in surprise and he looked at her, astonished by her action. Usually, she couldn't even get him to budge.Immediately, Adeline got off of his lap.

"Our babies are developing too quickly," Elias suddenly said, the realization worrying him.

Adeline glared at him. "Most vampire babies only take half the time of a human child."

"And if it's a Pure-Blood's child…" Elias trailed off, his face turning stormy. One-third. She could give birth within three months, instead of the normal four and a half of Half-Blood pregnancies. That was only a few weeks away. It was no wonder she was showing so quickly.

Would it develop at one-third the time of a normal pregnancy? He thought back to the ultrasound he saw yesterday. The babies were big, despite the fact that she was only a month and a half pregnant.

Time was quickly running out.

"Adeline, darling, come here—"

"I don't want to fight," Adeline suddenly said, as she protectively wrapped her arms around her stomach. "Please, Elias. We've been fighting over this issue and having disagreements for so long."

Elias paused. She was right. They have let this issue drag on since she had woken up from the coma weeks ago. But he couldn't help it. Especially when it concerned her.

"I think we need space," Adeline murmured.

Immediately, his face became stormy, a cloud rolling over his handsome features. "What are you talking about?"

"For the meantime, I don't want to reside in the castle." Adeline no longer felt safe here. Especially with how wishy-washy he was being.

"No!" Elias growled, immediately getting up.

Adeline jumped at his loud voice, like the bang of a gun.

Elias took two long strides to her and reached for her, but she slapped his hand away. His jaw clenched, his eyes darkening.

"We're going to sort this problem out right now. We will not let it prolong for another day," Elias said, lowering his voice back to normal, immediately regretting lashing out earlier.

Adeline looked up at him, surprised by his change of tone. In the heat of her confusion, Elias grabbed her upper arms and pulled her towards him.

Adeline suddenly felt dizzy, her stress levels bouncing off the chart. She felt an abnormal amount of fear, but wasn't sure if the babies had sensed they were in danger.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Elias immediately said, realizing how badly he had shouted at her. She didn't deserve it. "Let's sort this out, my sweet wife."

"You're hurting me," Adeline whispered.

Elias loosened his grip. He didn't realize this thumb had been intensely pressing into her arms.

"Let me see," he worriedly said, pushing up her sleeves.

"Don't do this to me," Adeline suddenly said, her voice trembling.

"Darling, I only want the best for you," Elias muttered, his heartbreaking at her voice. Why was it, that all the times she cried, he was the cause of it?

"Please…" she breathed out, suddenly growing dizzy.

"Adeline?" Elias called out, her eyes rolling back and her legs giving up. He quickly grabbed her, but it was futile.

"Adeline!" Elias shouted, as her breathing became slow.

Adeline was beginning to see dots in her vision, but she was terrified, so, so terrified. She felt the energy leave her body, but she forced her limbs to move. Forced herself to cover her stomach.

"Please don't... hurt—"

"I'd never hurt you," Elias murmured.

"—my babies."

Elias was absolutely floored by her pleas. It was the last thing she said before completely passing out.