The Crown's Entrapment

Xenia smiled as she watched Helena enjoy the bowl of mixed-cut fruits in front of her. Thankfully, she was recovering well under Aurelia's care.

"I don't know why, but I keep having this feeling that I've known you for a very long time already, Your Grace," Lena commented with a smile.

"Well, the feeling is mutual, Lena," Xenia replied back with a smile. "By the way, just like Aurelia, you can also just address me as Xenia whenever it's only us.

Xenia then turned to Aurelia and asked, "Do you think it's fine for her to go outdoors now?"

"Yes. Starting tomorrow, she can go out on her own," Aurelia nodded. "While walking outside will be good for her, she still needs to avoid too many strenuous activities. She's still under observation, after all."

The Queen nodded in understanding. From what she recalled, Aurelia had found something weird in Lena's body. The physician believed that it involved the former guardian's core energy, so she decided to wait for Jayra to come back so that the mage could also give an opinion on what it was all about.

From there, the three of them talked some more before Xenia finally felt sleepy enough to retire first into her own bedchamber. Bidding her friends goodbye, she made her way to her room only to sigh deeply the moment she went inside and found an empty bed.

It was understandable, at least. Darius was still out busy looking for Osman. Up till now, there was still no body or any trace of the man to be found, which meant that the search continued despite its ever-increasing length.

Shaking her head, Xenia let her chamberlain help her in cleaning up before eventually preparing herself for the bed. Lately, she was becoming lazier, and Aurelia said that it was because of her early stages of pregnancy. At least she didn't get to experience morning sickness often. But then, that didn't stop her from badly missing her husband. Knowing this, she kept her wall up since she didn't want her husband to feel her longing and get distracted in his search for Osman.

​ Xenia lazily crawled onto the empty bed and laid herself down. Staring at the ceiling, she murmured, "Osman… I hope you're just safe somewhere."

It was also the same in her prayers. She was hoping that Osman survived whatever it was that had happened to him. To be honest, she still had so many unanswered questions about what truly happened. Although, she had a feeling that Helena's sudden appearance was also connected to Osman's disappearance somehow.

Devas had mentioned that Helena used up all her power before it naturally left her body. Knowing that she wondered if it was possible that she had been the one to save Osman. But then, where was he then?

She turned sideways and stared at the bright moonlight coming from the open balcony of their bedchamber.

[Are you already asleep?] Darius telepathically asked her, instantly bringing a sweet smile to her face. Well, they weren't together, but the two of them never failed to often communicate through their Mate Bond often. Still, it would be nice if he would finally be with her physically.

[I can't sleep yet…] she answered with a sigh.

[Your wall is up again,] Darius noted with a sigh. [You do know that makes me worry, right? Whenever I'm clueless about what you're feeling, I can only assume the worst…]

[But I don't want to distract you from your search for Osman,] Xenia mumbled with a pout. [It's just that… I miss you so badly…]

[I miss you too, my love,] Darius answered back. [That's why I'm coming to see you.]

[Huh? Are you coming home?]

[Yes,] he swiftly replied. [To you, my love.]

[When? But you haven't found Osman yet.]

Her words were left unanswered as her door suddenly swung open. Xenia jolted up from the bed, blinking in surprise as the newly-arrived Darius walked towards her.

After the surprise had left her body, Xenia flashed her sweetest and widest smile as she met him halfway, pouncing into him as if it had been decades since they last saw each other. Catching her, Darius lifted her up as she then wrapped her legs around his waist.

"What happened?" Xenia asked as she buried her face into the crook of his neck.

"There's still no progress, unfortunately. It's like Osman just disappeared without a trace," Darius explained with a heavy tone. "Also, Bartos and Jayra were with me on our return home. Though, they had to bring Bella back to the Hindman Manor."

He then asked, "How about the guardians? Any news from them?"

"Nothing. Lena is recovering well, at least," Xenia sighed. She then perked up as she recalled, "Right, I already talked to Calypso about our plan, and he said he was willing to cooperate. He already started making arrangements to formally have Lena as his legal sister."

"That's good," Darius smiled in relief. He then scoffed as he added, "I should see him tomorrow to iron out a few of the details then. Maybe even congratulate him for the good showing he put up in proving his worth to be the new Alpha of Midnight Pack."

Xenia chuckled. "He put on a good show alright, especially in impressing his mate Aurelia. I doubt she was even impressed with the way she looked beside me though. Really, Calypso needs to work hard to even get her attention."

"Well, I'm sure he will," Darius hummed. "He at least finally met his match…" He then murmured with a sigh as his hug on her tightened, "Ah… I missed you so much, my love."

Xenia hummed in contentment as she allowed herself to enjoy his presence. She could feel how tired and weary her husband was right now. A lot of things had happened. And while there were a lot of things they could celebrate, they were quickly followed by yet another tragedy like losing a good friend. Like Osman, who they still didn't know if he was even alive or dead.

"Come. I'll help you get cleaned up," she whispered as she urged him to put her down.

As soon as she was on her own feet again, Xenia had the servants prepare a warm bath in the tub for Darius before promptly dismissing them. There was then a bout of silence as she helped him undress.

"I would love for you to join me, but I have to consider our babies," Darius murmured with a sigh as he slowly went inside the tub.

Xenia chuckled as she sat behind him to help him scrub his back.

"Have you thought up a few good names?" she asked as she began helping him bathe. "Can you also tell what their genders are already?"

Darius chuckled. "Hmm… I won't know their genders, love. But names… How about Enia and Arius? From our names?"

"Xaris and Daria then?" Xenia jokingly suggested with a chuckle. "We don't even know their genders. Anyway, let's think up better names to choose from before I give birth. Let's make a list and we can go from there."

The two then sat in comfortable silence as they went on with their respective business. Eventually, Darius hummed in satisfaction as he stood up from the tub.

"Alright… I'm done now, my love," Darius remarked. "I want to go to bed with you now."

Xenia moved to help Darius dry off with a towel, but before she could even start, he had already scooped her up into his arms and carried her to bed with him.

Still, it wasn't like she couldn't feel his longing for her from their Mate Bond, so she simply nudged herself more into his chest. She was just so glad that he was back with her like this.