The Prince's Male Concubine

Chapter 25: An Heiress Appeal

"Ladies of the ton, have you heard of the recent events on Lendorrian land?" One of the ladies at the tea party said as she took a sip of her tea.

"No, what happened?" Princess Emory questioned as she was part of the this tea.

"Well, I heard that there is a new prince in town. Prince Archer Hawthorne"

Emory nearly chocked on her sip at the news. Archer... is now a part of the Hawthorne Family? Meaning that he and Nathaniel got... married? Oh dear...

"Your highness? Are you alright?"

"Hmm? Yes, yes. Splendid. Well, congratulations to the new prince. May he prosper in life" Emory smiled, with not a hint of sincerity showing. She now despised Archer even more.

Stealing her man? How dare he?

"Donald. Prepare my carriage..."

--

It was evening at the Palace Ballroom. Guests were gathered there to congratulate the new marriage.

"My dear Archer, you've been courted! I couldn't be more proud of you. Oh how I wish your mother was here to celebrate this moment together" Father Hastings sighed as he held Archer's hand.

"Father, come on now. Do not make me feel guilt" Archer chuckled as he hugged his father. Everytime he hugged his father, a lingering memory of his mother shows. That is why Archer loves his father so dearly. Everytime, he sees her, smiling proudly at him. And now, she's watching him, enjoying his wedding banquet. "I'm proud of you, son. I love you so much" is what she says. Oh how that brings him so much joy.

"Ahem, your majesty" a voice said behind Archer. He whirled around to see Nathaniel kneeling down in front of him. He chuckled and said, "what does thy peasant require?"

"I wish to indulge in a dance with thee" Nathaniel tried his hardest to hide his amused smile as he stood up straight. "Shall we?"

"We shall" Archer replied as he bowed to his father as he turned to face Nathaniel again. The prince took him in his arm as they strut to grace the dance floor with their presence.

They danced to the tune of the violinists and pianists as they looked in each other's eyes.

"I cannot believe that we are finally bound together by these pieces of jewelry" Archer smiled at his new husband.

"I can't believe that you are finally mine. I am now able to cherish you with no shame nor doubt" Nathaniel smiled as he pulled Archer closer to him, making his head rest on Nathaniel's chest and Nathaniel's chin on his head.

The beautiful moment was ruined as the heiress of Speldia burst through the Ballroom doors, with her entourage resding behind her.

Immediately, the atmosphere switched. Something was about to erupt...

--

Archer waited annoyingly outside of the "private" room. The heiress requested for her and Nathaniel to speak, privately. Nathaniel declined, but she forced him anyway.

Archer had enough and barged in, right in time for him to hear Emory say, "I am with your child, Nathan."

Nathaniel turned to the door only to see Archer's horrified and pale face. His eyes immediately widened when tears began to stream down his face.

"...you... conceived a child... with Emory?" Archer said, trying his best to hold back tears.

"No! My love, I would never-" Nathaniel began before he got cut off by Emory.

"Nathaniel, this child will need only one father. Your little marriage will have to end as soon as it started" she smirked.

"Nathaniel... you lied to me" Archer said, his voice choked by the tears.

"Archer, I've never touched Emory ever in my life! You have to believe me!" Nathaniel pleaded.

"You impregnated Emory and turned around to lie to me?! Saying that you have not been deflowered! How could you?!" Archer screamed and ran out of the room, his tears flooding his way. Every attendee at the banquet was shocked to see Archer run through them and straight out the door, followed by Nathaniel.

Archer stood outside, trying to catch his breath. Was everything just a lie? All those promises, were they just for pretend? How could he lie to him? How could he lay with a different person? Especially Emory. How could he?

Nathaniel ran out and stopped in his tracks as he saw his hyperventilating husband crouched down, his breaths uneven and his hands to his head, clawing at his hair.

"Archer!" He quickly ran and crouched down to Archer, wrapping his white coat around him. "Archer, are you alright?"

"YOU LIED TO ME!" Archer screamed louder, catching the attendees' attention as a crowd began to form outside, watching in horror.

"Archer, stay cal-!"

"OH DON'T YOU DARE UTTER ANOTHER WORD FROM THAT LYING MOUTH!" Archer pushed Nathaniel away from him. They both fell to the ground, staining their white clothing.

"YOU PROMISED ME! YOU TOLD ME THAT YOU HAVE NEVER INDULGED IN SEX EVER IN YOUR LIFE, YET EMORY IS WITH CHILD?! ESPECIALLY YOUR CHILD?!" The crowd gasped at the news as murmurs began to grow louder.

"Archer, she is lying! I have never laid with Emory!"

"Oh, Nathaniel dear. Have you forgotten about that night?" Emory said as she stepped near Nathaniel. "Oh but you wouldn't, would you? Since you were so intoxicated. You couldn't even remember your own name. Oh they way you held me in your arms, while taking advantage of me" Emory hugged herself.

Nathaniel's eyes widened. He did consider that might have been the case, since he is such a lightweight.

'I impregnated Emory...'

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