Oh My, I Messed Up the Story

Sigmund was furious when he stormed back to his quarters. How? How could he have been completely blindsided by his brother like this?

All this time he had operated under the assumption that Franz was trying to become the crown prince by making himself seem like the better candidate. He never would have guessed he was trying to get more representatives on his side in the court.

This had to be Katie's idea; that blasted woman! Franz wasn't smart enough to come up with something like this on his own.

He knew he had promised to keep her alive for Charles' sake but she was too dangerous. As long as she was capable of thinking and speaking, she was a threat. There were so many better women out there—Charles would forgive him eventually.

Even if he didn't, he was a single aide whose loyalty would remain to the crown. Which Sigmund would wear at all costs.

"ROSENIAAAA!" he roared as he threw open the door to her private drawing room.

She was lounging on a chaise eating chocolate covered strawberries and hardly looked up at the commotion. Seeing her so nonchalant when her position was in every bit as much danger as his was infuriated him even more.

"What is it?" his wife asked impatiently. "You have not purposely sought me out in weeks."

Rosenia was a breathtakingly beautiful woman but right now the very sight of her disgusted Sigmund. This was her fault. If she hadn't spent all of her time avoiding him and living the high life by using his title to her benefit he would have an heir already.

"Franz had a victory in court today," he said through gritted teeth. "And his child is due in a matter of weeks. If you wish to keep your position I would recommend doing the one thing that is expected of you aside from being a beautiful room ornament."

She sat up in a huff. "For heaven's sake, Sigmund. Do not try to pin the blame on me when your spy network was unable to dig anything up. This is the result of your own inadequacy."

Blinded by fury, he seized her by the wrist. Fear briefly shone in her eyes but was quickly replaced by a defiant expression. She had no intention of taking her words back.

"My inadequacy? What about yours? Your primary duty as crown princess is to bear me a son. Four years and you have not been pregnant even once! Do I need to replace you?" Sigmund snarled.

"You would not dare—"

"There is nothing I would not dare to do with my position in danger. So either you stop hiding yourself away eating sweets all day or go back to Rowenhilde in shame. I am sure your brother the king would be thrilled."

It was largely an empty threat. Sigmund needed the support of the king of Rowenhilde and divorcing her, even for such a valid reason, would sever that tie. It might even be enough to start a war over.

But Rosenia was thoroughly panicked now and not at all clever. She wouldn't be able to come to that conclusion in her current state of mind. No matter what it took, he had to get her to obey him for once.

"Fine!" she said with tears in her eyes, rubbing her wrist where a bruise was starting to form. "Have your way with me! I do not care. But you are not allowed to talk about replacing me again."

Good. She was scared into compliance. He had thought this would be more difficult since his wife was normally as obstinate as a mule.

Sigmund would do anything to retain his position, even if it meant resorting to unsavory methods. He still needed to find a way to speak to one of his parents about Alpheus because what Charles saw the other day was truly perplexing.

Getting rid of that annoyance would be his genuine pleasure. He had always been such a weak, pitiful child. Never bothering to fight back, he was an easy target. A boring one.

His personality shift as of late had been even more of a bother. Alpheus had never dared defy his older brothers before that wretched woman came along and gave him some sort of strange confidence boost. Yet another reason to get rid of her.

A few hours later, his business with Rosenia was finished so he made his way to the queen's chambers. Sigmund needed answers.

His mother was pleased to see him until she realized what he wanted. Her face closed off immediately, which was suspicious. "That is none of your concern. Alpheus has no chance of attaining the throne. Do not worry about such trifling things."

"Mother, I need to know. I fear he may be conspiring against the crown with foreign traitors."

Alarm replaced her blank expression and she gripped his arms. "Foreigners? What did they look like?"

Sigmund felt that the answer must be significant. "I did not see them personally, Charles did. He said that Alpheus was meeting with people who looked like him in the slums on the edge of town. They all had black hair and gray eyes."

The queen slumped in her chair and rubbed her forehead in exhaustion. He had never seen this proud, dignified woman look so defeated.

"Then our greatest fear has come to pass. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about it. Alpheus is impossible to kill."