When Beauty Destroys The BL World

Chapter 103~The Beginning of the Curse~

Dacia slowly opened her eyes, vision blurred as she stared at the ceiling above her. She blinked several times, her chest rising and falling with shallow, uneasy breaths.

Where... was she?

Her fingers clutched at the familiar silk sheets beneath her. The scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air, mixing with a faint perfume. Her head pounded dully, and her throat felt dry.

Then, voices.

Low, hushed.

"...Are you certain?" the king's voice asked-deep, cautious.

"Yes, Your Majesty. There's no doubt. She is nearly two months along."

Two months?

Dacia's eyes widened slightly. Her heartbeat quickened.

The rustle of skirts brought her attention to her left. A gentle hand touched her forehead.

"Dacia...?"

The queen's voice-soft and relieved.

As Dacia turned her head, she saw Queen Elenora's elegant face leaning over her, her eyes glimmering with joy. Behind her stood the king, his expression visibly lighter than usual.

And beside them...

Nickolai.

He stood a step behind, still dressed in his formal wear. His face was blank-cold, unreadable. Yet something behind his gaze sent a ripple of fear through her.

"You're awake," the queen said gently, brushing a strand of hair from Dacia's face. "Thank the Goddess..."

Dacia blinked again, trying to speak. Her throat strained as she croaked out, "What... happened?"

The queen smiled brightly.

"You fainted, dear. But now we know why." Her smile deepened. "You're pregnant."

The words hit like a blow.

Dacia froze.

Pregnant?

She lay there in stunned silence, unable to form a single word. Her eyes shifted from the queen to the king, who chuckled heartily and turned to clap Nickolai on the shoulder.

"Congratulations, my son," the king said with a wide grin. "This is wonderful news! A future heir already... The people will be thrilled!"

Nickolai inclined his head stiffly. "Thank you, Father."

But Dacia noticed how his jaw clenched.

The fire in his eyes.

The storm beneath the surface.

The queen squeezed Dacia's hand. "You must rest. We'll make sure you're well taken care of. This is a blessing, my dear."

Before Dacia could say anything-before she could make sense of what was happening-the king and queen took their leave, promising to announce the joyous news to the court.

And then the door closed.

Leaving only her and Nickolai.

The silence was deafening.

Dacia tried to sit up, her hands trembling as she held the blankets close to her chest. "I... I didn't know... I had no idea..."

Her voice was barely above a whisper. Her lips quivered.

Nickolai said nothing. He just stared at her. A long, lingering stare that made her stomach twist with dread.

There was no joy in his eyes.