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The Unofficial Empress - Chapter 6
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Alexandra felt as if a gong is ringing in her ears upon hearing the doctor’s news. The doctor has no idea who she really was and does not even show an apologetic expression. He congratulated her for carrying the third prince’s child. Who wouldn’t be happy? It’s a prince’s child.
And that prince has been urged several times to bear a child even outside of marriage. For the sake of the bloodline, the Angenas would break the family tradition that is to marry and be faithful to one woman to love and have children together.
For the Hongs, Alexandra having children outside marriage would also be alright as long as it is a boy. Among Marie Hong’s seven children, Alexandra’s father was the only boy and she was the only child of her father. She inherited the family name Hong but they had to leave the palace and change their name. Her father let her be adopted by a poor childless couple who turned out to be the duke and duchess of Andrews in the kingdom of Katotohanan. They gave her the family name Andrews which sounds like a foreigner. It benefitted her and because of that surname she was not judged nor disgusted by people who knew the Katapangan’s long-running history.
Her middle name became Hong and it was never used to call her anymore until someone from the Hong family recognized her. That was three years ago when she was about to return to Katapangan to find a decent job. Vicente Do, a nephew of her grandmother found her and told her to infiltrate the palace as a maidservant. Everything was arranged for her and she didn’t even have to change her name.
If Vicente Do heard the news, he would be very disappointed in her. What if Marco Angenas heard it? That name rang a bell and she felt more miserable. He was there at the banquet. What if he learned it from gossips? Would he look down upon her as well? “Why do I even care about that bastard?” she scoffed and clutched the sheets under her.
“Who is that bastard you were talking about?” Marco spoke so she snapped her head towards the closest bed where only a curtain serves as a division. Marco unveiled himself. A very repressive presence caused her chest to tighten. They held gazes and she couldn’t look away because if she did, it would feel like she lost and she has given permission for him to devour her.
The tension was only lifted when he grinned and walked closer. “I won’t let the child suffer no matter what you say,” she spoke and held her still flat belly.
“Is that how the Hongs teach their children? Willing to sacrifice an innocent life to gain more sympathy?” he sneered with clenched teeth and fists but with an ice cold face.
“What are you talking about?” she asked as she got up from the bed. “Sympathy? Aren’t the Angenas more crafty in terms of gaining sympathy?” it was her turn to ask with mockery.
“Woman,” he said as he nudged her chin with his forefinger, “you are not the only one to decide the unborn child’s fate. I am that bastard’s father. You must remember that,” he said and released her chin.
“You are the bastard! This child is mine,” she said and was about to leave but Marco grabbed her arm. “Let go!” she commanded without turning towards him.
“No, I won’t until we’re clear,” he said as the door opened and summoned the royal doctor. When the doctor sensed the heavy air around them, he immediately retreated. She smirked and flung his hand off from her and turned to face him. “It seems you are going to threaten me with the child. Tell me how I can make the child safe,” he said and closed the gap between them.
“What have you been blabbering?” Alexandra stepped back with an astonished gaze.
“I want my child safe and healthy,” he replied with a straight face. Really? Marco Angenas is willing to keep the child? It is a Hong’s child for crying out loud! She was speechless and motionless until Marco held her shoulder. She shuddered upon his touch but she simply brushed his hand off while copying his cold expression.
“I thought you were going to let me abort it,” she spoke with softened expression. A slight change from his gaze was evident yet very fleeting one may think that it was just an illusion. “I’m sorry I misunderstood.”
“I’m at fault as well for the misunderstanding. I didn’t think that a Hong would be willing to carry an Angenas’ offspring. Forgive me,” he said curtly and sat down on the bed. “I’ve been thinking about it since last night when I heard the news. One innocent life shouldn’t get involved with the family dispute. Though I thought of resorting to abortion so you can’t be burdened…”
“Abortion is not the only way to solve unwanted pregnancy,” she said as she caressed her belly. “I wasn’t going to tell you but it seems that you’ve known it earlier than I did.”
He smirked and looked up to her. “You should get ready for a special treatment. Once the palace knew about your pregnancy, you’ll be pampered to the point you’ll get suffocated.”
Instead of lightening the mood, he made it darker with his subsequent sigh after each phrase. “We’re married anyway so you can’t say no,” he said and walked towards the door. “I’m leaving first,” he told her and left.
—–/////—–
Alexandra was overwhelmed by the bombarding questions and criticisms from her colleagues. Only Nina remained by her side. Even the chef would speak with mockery every time she greets him to work. The issue didn’t die for a week until the emperor visited their chambers.
They all fell silent as they greeted the emperor. Jericho eyed them one by one but she remained calm and composed. The old man smiled with benevolence once he spotted her. “Come here, dear child,” he called with an outstretched arm and she couldn’t help but be mesmerized with that harmless gesture. “I’m sorry for my son’s poor treatment,” he told her and cleared his throat.
A butler stepped in front from his majesty’s side. The emperor ushered her outside and let the butler handle the issue. Her hand began to sweat as they walked in the hallways. She felt guilty as she fidgeted her cold fingers. She wetted her pale lips before she stopped from her tracks. “Your majesty,” she said stepping backwards with slightly bowed head. She knelt on the cold floor to the emperor’s surprise. “I…”
“Alexandra!” Marco’s voice resounded in the hallways. Alexandra and the emperor turned their heads to the tall man approaching with long strides.
Marco heard from the servants gossiping early morning that the emperor was heading towards the maidservants’ chambers. He guessed that the emperor might have extracted the information from the doctor even if he told him to keep quiet. He does not blame him though but knowing a Hong’s approach, Alexandra might reveal her true identity. If she did, everything would become so complicated.
He hurried towards the said chambers. He met his niece and she confirmed that the emperor headed to the west hall so he ran and even took shortcuts whenever the guards are not looking even though it is prohibited to run in the hallways.
He was just on time when he saw Alexandra kneeling on the floor. “What pregnant woman would kneel!” he spat and called out her name loudly for her to feel his annoyance. “I told you to keep the baby safe and healthy,” he roared as he pulled her up not acknowledging his father’s presence.
“Marco, be lenient with her. She’s vulnerable,” his father spoke as gently as ever and he froze for a moment. He turned to him and greeted formally as usual.
“Father, may I speak with Alexandra?”
“Why…yes. I was about to bring her to you. You must have heard from the servants that’s why you are here. Anyway, you may be excused,” he said and smiled. That smile. Kind yet mysterious. Marco could not deny that he feels strangely in danger just by looking at it.
“Then, I bid farewell,” he said and escorted his ‘wife’ away.