Alexander just stared blankly at her mother as she spoke to the court officials. Today was the day they were going to decide the fate of Valoria. Some court officials were suggesting that they give in to the demands of Crescia considering the fact that she was already mobilizing her forces and that she had the support of the other kingdoms. These were the discussions dominating the throne hall now.

But Alexander’s mind was far from the place. He couldn’t even hear what the court officials were saying. His mind drifted to Isadora. How was she faring now? The last time he had met with her, he had done the unforgivable. The last look on her face that day answered it all. She was mad at him! Would she forgive him? How the hell could he forget about her?

Surprisingly, Roselyn was also seated in the hall today. After she had ’saved’ Alexander’s life the day before, Victoria had showered her with praises and even insisted she was the rightful person to get married to Alexander. She was happy being showered with the praises and when she explained how she had ’saved’ Alexander’s life, everyone was flabbergasted. Even Elle, who had learnt of the incident later, promised to kiss Alexander if he got in trouble again. That had made everyone laugh except for Alexander. He, better than anyone else knew what had happened to his body.

"Are you okay?" Roselyn asked Alexander when she noticed the distant look on his face. She was seated next to him as they would be a couple soon. However, the wedding had been postponed due to the uncertainties of the war but Roselyn didn’t care. As far as she had her Alexander, she was planning to go through the worst for him.

Alexander let out a silent breath and turned to face Roselyn. And now that she was up close, for the first time, he took in the details of her face. She was gorgeous indeed. Her sharp features were ones that every man would die for, but not Alexander. She couldn’t hold a candle against Isadora.

Roselyn blushed lightly at the intense gaze Alexander had fixated on her. How could she pretend she was alright when his gaze alone was affecting her this much? She still couldn’t believe she was seated next to the ever cold prince Alexander. What had made him change so drastically?

She moved an inch closer and slid her hand into Alexander’s in a lovely manner, the way a couple holds each other. Alexander looked up at her, surprised. She just offered her a meek smile and held him more tightly now. Alexander didn’t like the way she was acting around him. First, she claimed to have kissed him to save his life and now she was acting lovey dovey around him.

"Maybe our crown prince has something to say about this. Your Highness?" A court official proposed turning to face the couple. Alexander looked up surprised by the sudden turn of events. He didn’t have a trace of what they had been talking about, but of course he knew the topic. If the official thought he was a weakling, them he was in for a big surprise. He seized this opportunity to get away from Roselyn, tearing her hand from his with a sorry look on his face.

"Your Majesty and Lords," he began, standing up. "It is a great honor to have this opportunity to address you and give my opinion regarding this matter. First of all, we can’t win this war without an ally. For that, I suggest you crown me as the king as soon as possible and I promise to visit several kingdoms and establish diplomatic relations with them. As a king, I promise to redeem Valoria from Crescia’s scandal."

The court officials began murmuring after that.

"His Highness is right!" Victoria chimed in. "We are behind schedule in crowning Alexander as the king, My Lords. I suggest that we crown him as soon as possible." The murmurs grew again, louder this time. Alexander and Victoria just let them discuss for a while.

"I agree," one member said. "I agree," another said, and another and another.

"But under one condition. His Highness must promise to safeguard the independence of Valoria, no matter the means." The other officials nodded at that. They all wanted the safety of their families.

"I’ll gladly do that, Lords," Alexander said, a smile curved on his face. The drastic change that had happened to his body was not going to waste. And now he felt even stronger than before. He felt as if his words alone were enough to defeat Crescia. But again, he didn’t want to raise some brows, given that he was Valorian. That’s why he wanted to become a king first. The rest would fall in place.

"It is settled then," Victoria said after a while of silence. Gods know how long she had waited for this moment. So many things had happened to her in these last few days and she wanted a break, an end to all of this. The war, the pregnancy, all of it. She let out a sigh of relief when a sudden retch feeling filled her mouth and she felt like vomiting on the spot.

"Mother? Are you alright?" Alexander asked, his voice laced with concern. Victoria held her stomach in pain causing Alexander to panic even more. Within no time, he walked to where Victoria was and wrapped his hands around her to prevent her from falling.

"Just take me out of here please," Victoria managed to say. The urge to vomit was high and she didn’t want to spill the contents here. Not in front of the court officials.

"Take me to the washrooms," she told Alexander who was now leading her outside of the hall. Two knights walked after them but Alexander gestured them to stop. They walked through the hallways headed to Victoria’s room but the urge became uncontrollable and she ended up vomiting on the garden.