American Royalty

Chapter 5

*one year later*

Rose sat in her bed, pondering why Evan had become distant. She bore him twin daughters, Sarah and Emily, though she had yet to conceive a son for him. It had been three weeks since Evan came to her chamber to even visit for breakfast. As she decided to stand, still wishing her husband would come see her, she noticed her quarters were surprisingly empty. She walked to the table as Destiny and Sabrina came in, curtsying to her politely. She nodded curtly as she turned to them, hoping to receive news from the king.

"Good morning your grace, the princesses are in their room being tended to by the wet nurses," Destiny announced to Rose's dismay. Sabrina brought in a red long sleeve dress and a tiara for Rose, designed for the Twelve Days of Christmas celebration, though in her gut she knew celebrating was the last thing to be done. Rose nodded at them, saddened yet not surprised at the lack of news about Evan. Since the birth of the twins news had stopped being delivered to her about royal affairs, whether foreign or domestic. She stood and got dressed, glancing once more at her reflection in her mirror before walking down to court with her ladies following her. She was determined to find out why Evan was ignoring her, though she unfortunately suspected why.

When she entered court, the attendees bowed to her politely. Evan looked at her confused, he had not summoned her to court. If she had been anyone else, she would have been sent to prison without a single thought.

"Majesty, may we speak alone?" Rose asked as she curtsied to him, ignoring the looks she was being given by the Chancellor of the Faith. He stood and bowed to her, before walking to his private office, annoyed with her insubordination. Once they were alone he looked to her, waiting for an explanation as to why she decided to appear at court unannounced.

"Evan you have been cold to me since I birthed the twins last year. They are turning one and you have not visited my bed since. I understand I did not bear you a son, I can't help that though," Rose pleaded as Evan looked away from her. He loved the twins, there was no denying that.

"You were to bear me a son, you failed that unfortunately. The British monarchy has survived so long because male heirs keep the same family on the throne. Princes secure our house always has the throne, princesses do not," He begrudgingly explained. He needed a son to keep the family monarchy going, regardless if she could help it or not.

"Give me another chance, I promise you I will give you a son. Please your grace, I beg you to please give me another chance at producing a male heir," Rose begged. He sighed as he ran his hands over his face in frustration.

"Do not ever show up to court unless summoned. I will come to your chamber tonight. You have one more chance," He muttered as he walked past her to his throne.

Destiny stood looking at Evan as he returned to his throne. As he sat back down, he looked at her curiously. She was beautiful and mysterious, though her grey eyes hid an emotion he could not read.

Rose came out of the office, walking to her room as she touched her stomach lightly. He told her she had one more chance to have a son, making her wonder what would happen if she didn't. She doubted he would punish her for never bearing a son, though she had no proof that he wouldn't. He had someone beheaded for speaking out against the monarchy at one of the yearly festivities. What would he do to her if a male heir was never produced? She pushed the thought to the back of her head as she entered her quarters, taking a deep breath before addressing her court.

"The king is going to visit me tonight, the chambers must be cleaned and the linens replaced before that time," she ordered as the ladies nodded and began preparing the room for the king's arrival.

She was preparing for bed nervously when she heard the door creak open, alerting her to King Evan entering her chambers. She smiled at him, earning nothing in return. Destiny placed the pillows on the bed before curtsying to the monarchs, glancing at Evan seductively. Her jealously grew more each second she stood between the two. She had made sure to make subtle appearances at court and around the palace, ensuring she would catch Evan's eye more and more. When he stared at her in court, she knew the plan she and Carter had designed had been set into motion. It would not be long before she would have him to herself.

"Good night your majesties," She said as she began to walk out slowly. Evan watched her carefully, studying her as she made her way to the door. With one last glance, she exited the room without another word. Once she had left and they were alone, he climbed into bed with Rose as he had done once before. She looked at him as he sat beside her quietly, wondering what she could say or do to show her devotion to producing a suitable heir for him. Suddenly he turned to her and kissed her gently, caressing her face in his hands as he lightly grazed over her freckles with his thumb. She kissed back softly to let his lips linger longer. Rose smiled as she felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

"I love you," she whispered as he kissed her neck, nipping the skin between his teeth lightly. He said nothing, never confirming or denying he loved her as well. Rose's heart sank as the silence fought through, suffocating any kind of emotion that had been between them.

Evan pulled back to look at her, eyes clouded over as he sighed. He would never lie to her, though saying he loved her would be a partial lie. She was the mother of his twins, yet he had slowly become less attracted to her. He had nothing to offer her words of devotion, though he knew it hurt her. Before she could ask why he didn't respond, he was on his way out of her chambers. He was the king, he didn't have to feel obligated to reciprocate any feelings he did not have.

Rose sat in silence as she watched the door shut, before bursting into quiet sobs of heart break. She had no family, no home of her own, and now she had no affection from her husband. She longed for him to care for her as he did when they first wed. Though it was clear to her now that those feelings of passion were no longer present. She longed to have a family with him as her parents had before the blast. The thought of her not having a son felt like a punch in the gut. Rose had not understood the reason a son was so important, though she knew not having one made life as Queen tougher than she had ever imagined.

As the time passed, she sat thinking of what she could have done to keep his attraction. She cried and silently prayed that he would see her as he did when she was with child. She longed for the love that he showed her before the birth of the princesses, though it was apparent she would never get that back. Her heart broke as she laid where he had sat a few hours prior, sniffling as she drifted into a saddened slumber.

Evan entered his room, sighing as he sat on his bed in defeat. He loved her at one point, but the fear of losing his lineage to the throne overpowered any love and devotion he had had for her. He knew he needed a son, though he had no interest in lying with her anymore. All the passion and love he had for her had disappeared when he was told the babies were not males. Selfish as it was, he needed to have a son. He was thirty with no male heir, knowing that would mean he would leave his kingdom in the hands of his daughters. Foreign leaders were already asking to arrange a marriage between his daughters and their sons, joining different countries together as well as kingdoms. He knew that could not happen, America had become a monarchy to rule without anyone stepping in. If he allowed one of his daughters to become the Queen, America's monarchy would never be it's own.

"Carter," he sighed, waiting for Carter to come into his room. He had been made one of the kings personal courtiers and advisors two months ago, and Evan knew who his sister was. Though it sickened him to think of cheating on his queen, his desire for an heir burned more than his conscious had.

"Yes your majesty?" Carter replied as he stepped into Evan's chambers. Evan took a deep breath before looking at him. Carter could see the pain in the king's eyes. He knew what he was going to ask, though he had to hide his smug smirk until he was dismissed.

"Bring me your sister."

"At once your Majesty."