The War God’s Favorite novel Chapter 35

The Concubine Mother
Cassandra was going a bit whiter than usual. She was pregnant with an Imperial Baby! Kairen’s baby, and a little Prince, too, since only sons were born with a dragon… She couldn’t believe it. They had been together for only a few weeks! And someone had already stolen the baby’s dragon egg?
“Cassandra.”
Her Prince’s voice barely reached her. Everything was going too fast, too confusing. She slowly started going down, but Kairen caught her before her legs gave way completely. Krai was agitated around them, too. Going in circles around her, growling a bit. The War God carried her, turning to the castle to walk back.
Nebora was worried about her, biting her lips and frowning, yet she didn’t dare to suggest anything on the way back. All four of them got back to Kairen’s bedroom, where he helped Cassandra sit on his bed, Nebora immediately kneeling at her side. She put her arms around her stomach, frowning a bit.
“So I really am…pregnant? With His Highness’ child?”
Shareen rolled her eyes.
“Unless he fucked someone else around here, yes, sweetie. An egg means a pregnancy and it was definitely Krai’s. Hence, the brat is his Master’s. And our mother wouldn’t have bothered with it if it was anyone else’s.”
“Why would your mother take it?” asked Cassandra. “Shouldn’t it stay with the dragon who…had it?”
“If you want it dead within three days, yes. Our father’s vault is open to any Imperial Family Member, since it’s guarded by Glahad. And his dragon will let any of his children in. That’s six Princes and about twenty Princesses, mind you. And I wouldn’t trust any of them near a dragon egg.”
So any of their siblings could be after her baby…and his egg. Since she was living so far away, protected in the Onyx Castle, Cassandra had almost forgotten what a scary and dangerous place the Imperial Palace could be. She felt something cold inside her heart, a wave of fear surrounding her. This baby was only a few days old! What else would she have to face from now on? Could it be born safely?
Just when she was overwhelmed by those thoughts, Kairen surrounded her with his large thick fur cloak, covering her shoulders. She looked up at him, but her Prince had this dark look in his eyes. A War God expression. Cassandra took a deep breath in. She wasn’t alone.
“Father wasn’t too happy either,” said Princess Shareen. “I bet Mother did it behind his back. His other concubines must be pissed, but at least they won’t dare act against her.”
*That damn woman,” growled Kairen.
“It’s still better with her than at the Palace,” argued his sister.
“Can’t we retrieve it?” asked Cassandra.
The siblings turned their eyes to her. Shareen crossed her arms with a smirk.
“Our mother is a stubborn bitch. She probably didn’t take that egg just to have it as a decoration. Kairen never visits her.”
That last sentence was actually directed at her brother, who was still frowning. Seeing as he wasn’t responding, Shareen shrugged and laid on the bed next to Cassandra, her hands behind her head.
“Anyway, I’ve done my share. I think I’ll stay here for a while. I’m bored of the Palace and your flying lizard is probably not taking me back anytime soon. Do you have any pretty girls? Other than this one.”
She said that, pointing at Nebora, who promptly looked away. Cassandra decided to ignore Shareen’s antics and
turned to Kairen. She didn’t really grasp what was truly at stake, but this egg was her child’s future dragon. She hated not being able to confirm it was safe. Cassandra stood up and took a couple of steps to reach Kairen’s side, taking the Prince’s hand between hers.
“My Lord, please…can we at least make sure the egg is safe?”
For a while the Prince remained silent, his eyes stuck somewhere else. Then he turned to her.
“Are you content?”
His question took her by surprise. She had expected anything but that. What was he asking about? She couldn’t understand until Kairen silently put his large hand on her stomach. She blushed. He meant her pregnancy! Cassandra hadn’t even had time to think about this. What were her feelings on this matter? She was pregnant, expecting a child at seventeen! And an Imperial Baby, no less. Just a few weeks ago, Kairen had taken her virginity, but she hadn’t even had time to picture herself bearing his children. She knew men of power needed heirs, but she wasn’t even yet accustomed to the idea of being his concubine!
Yet…Cassandra was clear on how lucky she was. Of all people, Kairen was a strong and powerful man, yet he acted unexpectedly nice and gentle to her. After years of slavery, she had risen to the concubine status in just a few days. Moreover, she wasn’t with a cruel or brutal man, but with him.
No, having his children wasn’t anything bad. On the contrary, her feelings toward him had already blossomed, like tiny, shy flowers hidden in her heart. Bearing her Prince’s child was a surprise and a blessing.
Cassandra slowly nodded, showing a gentle, serene smile. Kairen seemed relieved for a second, and kissed her gently.
“How boring,” said his sister’s annoyed voice behind them. “Are you going to see Mother then? I can’t handle much more mushy stuff unless you move on to my favorite part. You know, the hot part.”
Kairen glared at his sister.
“You are coming, too.”
“Oh hell no, Brother. I think I’ll stay here and enjoy my time with your…”
“Shareen.”
His sister glared at him, but Kairen’s voice did not allow another refusal from her. Cassandra felt a bit awkward, stuck between the Imperial Siblings. Nebora rolled her eyes, hoping they would just make a decision soon. Eventually, Shareen got up with a growl, her hands on her hips.
“Fine!”
She walked out, unhappy, the diamonds on her purple dress glittering as she left the room. Was she immune to the cold as well? Anyway, Cassandra was left alone with Kairen and Nebora in the room after the Princess’ unhappy departure. Her servant friend got up and selected another coat for her from the closet, a large brown one.
“My mother lives an hour away,” said Kairen.
“Not in the Palace?
“Only when she feels like it.”
What kind of woman could their mother be? Cassandra put on the coat, realizing it was a bit thinner than the previous one, as they were probably heading back to the South. Once she was ready, Kairen accompanied her downstairs, where Shareen was already waiting with a pout.
Next to her, Krai almost jumped to Cassandra as soon as it saw her. She smiled, caressing the huge snout. Was it acting more clingy than usual because of the baby?
Kairen cut short the dragon petting, helping her climb up its back and positioning himself behind her. Shareen, still on the ground, was unhappy.
“Damn it…”
She eventually climbed up too, behind her brother. Krai took off swiftly, Kairen firmly holding on to her, as Cassandra tried not to be as afraid as usual by the flight. She was always impressed by the height, but had learned to watch the horizon instead of the ground, and take deep breaths.
“Imperial Princesses aren’t born with…dragons?” she asked Kairen.
“No.”
“We have other talents, rather than taming flying lizards,” answered Shareen from behind him.
She didn’t bother to say what though. Did girls have something to compensate for not being born with dragons? She had heard some of the Imperial Family had heavenly powers. Was it magic? So far, Cassandra had thought Shareen was like any woman, besides her birth status in the Imperial Family, obviously.
Resting against Kairen’s chest and lost in her thoughts, she barely realized the trip was already coming to an end. Krai was flying low, over what seemed like a large village. In their line of sight, another castle was waiting. More like a palace, it was a light grey color with gold on its roof and lots of ivy everywhere. It was unlike anything Cassandra had seen before. It wasn’t as hot as the Capital, or as cold as the Onyx Castle’s location, hence the scenery was very green, filled with trees and plants. Cassandra immediately felt drawn to it.
The black dragon landed outside the castle, in what was apparently a large courtyard. Kairen helped Cassandra down, and she realized it was indeed a bit warmer here, though she still needed her coat. The air was filled with nice floral scents too. It was nothing like the stuffed and overwhelming Capital streets, or the desertic area around the Onyx Castle.
An old woman ran to them, followed by a handful of lower ranked maids.
“Welcome, Imperial Prince Kairen, Imperial Princess Shareen. The Imperial Concubine Mother is waiting for you.”
Only then did she notice Cassandra, who had been standing behind Kairen. The old woman immediately bowed again.
“Welcome, Imperial Concubine.”
This title felt very strange to Cassandra’s ears. However, she didn’t have to answer, the siblings confidently walked into the castle and Cassandra followed, a bit impressed.
This palace was very different. First, there weren’t many enclosed areas. Every room had large openings and ivy running freely through the walls. It seemed as if most of those rooms had been abandoned and left to nature’s goodwill until they reached the higher areas. Climbing a few stairs, they entered a spacious room with a balcony and a large table in the middle. It took a second for Cassandra to realize that the table was shining, the wood covered with thousands of little diamonds.
But most impressive, behind that table, on a large purple sofa, was sitting a tall woman. She had dark skin, her long hair was dyed a dark red shade and pulled up in a very artistic and complex hairdo, and wore a dark pink dress. Her thin lips were dark red, and her eyes were glaring at her children.
“Imperial Concubine Kareen, this is…”
“You think I wouldn’t recognize my own children? No matter how unwilling they are to be here, they are still mine.”
Her cold voice had the old woman and maids bow even lower. Her glare was still directed at Shareen and Kairen though.
“So? Nothing to say to your mother, after ignoring her for two years?”
“Where is the egg?” asked Kairen coldly.
His mother crossed her arms.
“That’s it, Son of mine? Nothing else to say? You even went ahead and had the guts to get a concubine without my consent. You weren’t so daring before. And you, Shareen? How many times have you ignored me?” 2
“I would see you more often if you came to the Palace, dear Mother,” sighed the Princess.
“How impudent. I am the parent. I gave birth to both of you, shouldn’t you show some respect and at least visit me, instead of having me go all the way there?”
“Father misses you,” added Shareen with a smirk.
Her mother’s grey eyes got even darker.
“See if I care about that old man!”
Cassandra was almost hiding behind Kairen, impressed by their fiery mother. This woman had such a temper! No one in this country would dare to say a bad word about the Emperor, yet she was throwing a fit so openly. Kairen and Shareen seemed used to it though, as neither of them reacted.
The Imperial Concubine took a deep breath, then her eyes fell on Cassandra.
“Is that her? Your young concubine they mentioned?”
Cassandra had no idea how to react. Who was they”? She slowly stepped forward, seeing as no one was stopping her. Kairen was still close though, thus she felt a bit more confident. His mother wasn’t too satisfied though.
“Come here, child. Let me see you from up close.”