𝔽𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕖𝕘𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 | Claude De Alger Obelia X Male OC

chapter 1

~

Diana of Siodona was a skilled dancer and a breathtaking woman. Her golden hair shimmered like spun sunlight, and her striking magenta eyes held a captivating allure. The moment he laid eyes on her, he, like many in the grand hall, was entranced by her effortless grace and the mesmerizing sway of her movements. But her gaze was fixed solely on him—of course, it was. This dance was a gift to the emperor.

Diana of Siodona was summoned before the emperor. From that moment, love blossomed between them, as vibrant and fragrant as the flowers in the palace gardens. I kept my distance from their meetings, though Diana would occasionally extend an invitation. The emperor, however, grew irritated by my presence. Two days later, he stormed into our shared chamber, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression darkened by a deep scowl. I couldn't help but snicker at the tiny pout that formed on his lips. He huffed in response and disappeared into his closet.

"Refuse her next time," he muttered when he emerged, now draped in his favorite white robe. I chuckled and turned to face the window.

The moon was full that night. I pulled the covers to my chest and let out a steady breath. The candle flickered out, and a strong arm curled around my waist. I turned away from the moonlight, meeting a pair of glowing blue-jeweled eyes. My vision blurred as sleep overtook me.

~

For days, Diana suffered from bouts of nausea. Concerned, the emperor summoned the palace physician. The diagnosis was clear: the Siodonian dancer was pregnant with the emperor's firstborn.

Whispers swirled among the servants.

"The unfavored empress," they murmured.

"Are you sure he is even capable of fathering a child?"

Ah, but I wouldn't let such talk get to me.

The emperor was stunned by the news but delighted at the prospect of a family with the love of his life. However, by the time Diana reached her third month, her health began to decline inexplicably. Once again, the emperor called the physician. While he remained at Diana's side, I retreated to my office, waiting.

The door suddenly slammed open. "Claude!" I gasped.

He was livid. His brows furrowed, and his mouth twisted into a snarl. "T-That woman!" he growled, pacing the room like a caged beast. I shut the door behind him. "What happened, Claude?" I asked, guiding him to the sofa.

"It-it's that thing!" he spat, his glare fixed so intensely on the rug that I feared it might catch fire.

"What thing?" I pressed.

"The child!" he roared. He leaped to his feet, resuming his frantic pacing.

~

The palace physician explained that the child possessed an extraordinary amount of mana, causing Diana's health to deteriorate. When the child was born, Diana would die.

I was speechless.

Claude's reaction was understandable. If my love's life were at risk, I would feel just as helpless. But unlike him, I would not try to erase their existence from my mind.

That night, darkness stretched across the sky. No moon, only stars. Claude was nowhere to be found. I turned on my side, away from the glittering window, and stared at the painting of a fruit basket hanging on the wall. Why did Claude keep such a mundane piece? The clock struck twelve, yet I could not tear my eyes from the ripe red apples, the golden pears, the cascade of grapes that resembled a waterfall of white wine. I could use a drink.

6 a.m., and I was still awake. My handservant would come in an hour. Claude had not returned.

At breakfast, I forced down my meal despite its blandness. Across the table, the emperor sat with dark circles under his eyes. I stared at my empty porridge bowl and the vanishing remains of my fruit before excusing myself to fulfill my duties as the Empress of the Obelian Empire.

~

Diana, now eight months along, carried the stomach to prove it. Her once-radiant complexion had paled, though her eyes still shimmered with happiness—albeit a dimmed version of their former brilliance. A maid informed me that the emperor had stopped visiting her.

Still, Diana wore a front of carefree smiles and bell-like laughter. I smiled along with her.

Before I left, I told her, "Call for me if you need someone to talk to, Diana."

She nodded, her smile warm but weary. "Farewell."

My throne stood beside the emperor's, gilded and upholstered by the skilled hands of generations before me.

"Blessings and glory upon the Sun of the Obelian Empire!" a nobleman declared. The emperor barely acknowledged him.

"Speak!" Claude ordered.

The man visibly trembled.

Later that night, I entered Claude's chamber. "Claude, where have you been?" I asked, shutting the door behind me.

He stood before the window overlooking his private garden. "That is my business, Sam," he said darkly.

"At least visit Diana—"

He turned sharply, blue eyes burning with fury. "Do not mention that wench in my presence!" he hissed.

"Claude, she misses you," I whispered.

He said nothing, but his eyes betrayed him.

"You are forbidden to enter the Ruby Palace or approach any of its occupants," he declared, voice like ice. "This is an order from your emperor."

I clenched my fists.

"Leave!" he commanded.

~

I still snuck into the Ruby Palace to check on Diana. She seemed fine, though exhaustion clung to her like a shadow.

One afternoon, after visiting her, I was intercepted by the emperor.

"Sam," he said coldly.

He confined me to a single room like some misbehaving child. I was the older one in this relationship! Ugh.

~

A month passed, and Princess Athanasia de Alger Obelia was born.

That night, Claude entered my room, his robes stained with blood. "Claude?" I asked cautiously.

He disappeared into the bathroom, emerging moments later in nothing but a towel, his skin damp from the shower. May I say, this man was well-endowed in all the right places.

He dressed in black silk pants, his movements slow and heavy.

"Claude?" I repeated.

He slumped onto the satin sheets. I turned to face him. Moonlight seeped through the curtain's gap, casting silver onto his golden hair.

"She's dead," he said, his voice void of emotion.

I swallowed. "The baby—?"

"Alive," he sighed.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Claude," I murmured.

He let out a dry chuckle. "Save it."

I leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Sleep, dear."

His eyes fluttered closed. His breath evened.

I wrapped an arm around his waist, my vision blurring. And then, sleep claimed me too.

~

Hi,

This story is just gonna be a tester. So if I get at least 100 READS and 5 LIKES and 1 COMMENT I will continue with the story.

P. S. Stay safe and love

P. P. S. ALL conditions must be met before the story can commence.

- sleep_ex