“Your Majesty, how do you respond to the allegations that you only married your wife because of the pregnancy?”
“Queen Bellamy, are you feeling overwhelmed by your new role and responsibilities?”
The questions fly at us from all directions, each one more invasive—and frankly rude—than the last. My heart races and panic claws at the edges of my mind, but I refuse to let them see me falter.
With a steely resolve, Sebastian places his arm firmly around my waist and pulls me close. He turns to face the crowd of reporters, his voice strong and confident as he speaks.
“Enough!” he commands, silencing the onslaught of inquiries. “I have had enough of these baseless rumors and accusations.” The press seems taken aback by his sudden display of growly authority, and for a moment, the cacophony of voices dies down.
Clearly, they’ve never seen him inside the palace when he’s being the beast king.
He stares down the reporters, his eyes emanating authority. “I will address these rumors once and for all and that will be the end of it.” I glance up at him, my heart swelling with love. Despite protocol dictating otherwise, he’s confronting the gossip head-on, placing us above all else. “Bellamy is my wife, my partner, and the mother and stepmother of my children,” Sebastian continues, his eyes casting down to mine. “I love her deeply and unconditionally, and I will stand by her no matter what challenges we face. She is my queen in every way, and I am simply a man who is lucky enough that she took me on as her husband and king.”
The crowd before us seems to momentarily hold its collective breath, processing the weight of his words.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the din. “Thank you for being my rock.”
He gazes down at me, his eyes softening with tenderness. “Always.”
The swell of pride and happiness within me threatens to overflow, a warm sensation that radiates from my heart and permeates every fiber of my being. I don’t care what the press has to say after this. It’s funny, I don’t think I had truly considered myself the queen until this moment. Standing here beside him, ready to tackle the world and give myself over to my husband and his country.
With an encouraging and loving smile aimed at me and the protective arm he has around me, I can’t help but feel emboldened.
“Your Majesty, do you have anything to say?” A reporter’s question slices through the dissonance of voices and camera shutters, redirecting the spotlight onto me.
Inhaling deeply, and with my newfound determination, I step forward, ready to face the press head-on.
“Ever since I became queen,” I begin, my voice steady despite the rapid beating of my heart. “I’ve been hesitant to speak before you all. The attention can be overwhelming, and I feared that any words I uttered would only fuel the rumors that have plagued us. I’m young. I was the nanny, and yes, I’m pregnant. That’s all true.” I pause, glancing at Sebastian with a wry smile on my lips. “However, sometimes people meet in the most unforeseen of ways and fall in love when they least expect it.” My voice gains strength as I continue. “I love Sebastian, I love his children, and I love his beautiful country that has welcomed me so graciously.”
A murmur ripples through the crowd, but I ignore it and press on.
“Sebastian and I are excited for what the future holds, both for our growing family and for our country. Thank you for your time and please, allow us privacy. We are newlyweds, after all.” I wink at the reporters, retake Sebastian’s hand, and start to walk off.
“You’re going the wrong way,” Sebastian murmurs to me when we hit the sidewalk, and I keep going.
“Now you tell me.”
He chuckles. “You were incredible.”
I smile. “So were you.”
We’ve been homefor a week, and everything seems to have settled down. The press has left us alone, even calling us the most adorably in-love royal couple in history. Now there is a “bump watch,” but considering the twins aren’t expected until the end of August, they have a lot of watching to do.
The children and I along with Arthur have taken to exploring the palace. There are over a hundred and thirty rooms in this place, and I think I’ve only been in about a dozenor so. Plus…there is the library. What was once my absolute favorite place in this palace, a sprawling library two stories high including the crow’s nest on top complete with a fireplace and reading area, has become something of a black spot to me.
All I can picture when I think of that room is Samil. The wild, bloodthirsty look in his eyes. The gleam of his blade. The slice of it on my skin. The warm stickiness of my blood. Seeing Sebastian lying on the floor, his pulse fading as he bled out.
I miss it though. The library. It was my sanctuary. My haven. The place that felt like it was mine and mine alone. You know, since Sebastian gave it to me.
I haven’t found another room yet to match it, and trust me, I’ve been searching. Most of these rooms are old, stuffy parlors that are simply dusted so they don’t grow cobwebs or guest bedrooms that could house an army. And I’m not even speaking of the staff’s area, because they have that too.
This palace is mammoth and it’s very cool and old.
But…I want my library back.
Emily is with Sabrina and Zayer in the backyard while they chase Arthur around. Phaedra is expected home from school in about an hour, and Sebastian has been holed up in a conference room for the last two hours along with Althea since today the new prime minister is here visiting.
I told everyone I was going to lie down and that wasn’t a lie. Initially, I was. I’m exhausted. These twins are no joke, and I fear for my ability to parent Phaedra, Sabrina, and Zayer when they come.
