Chapter 71 - He Did Nothing (2/2)

He was wearing his favorite black sweater that used to be mine and his shaggy hair could use a trim. His genes mixed with Catherine du Pont's would produce beautiful babies.

”Sorry, I didn't realize you were so lost in thought,” he said sweetly before leaning over to kiss my cheek. My face was red before but now it was completely aflame.

”I was thinking about visiting Mariela,” I said quickly. ”She's probably even more bored than we are since she's stuck in her room.”

This wasn't entirely true—Mariela's situation was but one stop on the train of thought he derailed. But I would rather die than tell him what I was actually thinking about when he startled me.

We may have been married but we were also in the 'testing the relationship to see if it worked' stage so bringing up a future would only get his hopes up. I was taking it one day at a time.

Al frowned. ”I don't know what they intend to do. Feigning an illness only works for so long. They'll have to announce the pregnancy any day now.”

It was too bad ultrasounds didn't exist here. If Mariela was having a girl she wouldn't be a threat since only males could inherit the throne.

She would be able to get Sigmund off her case earlier. But if she was having a boy that would cause further problems before he was even born. Maybe it was for the best.

”But then Mariela will be in danger until the baby is born! And afterwards, if it's a son...” I trailed off.

What kind of monster would hurt his own nephew? Then again, Sigmund had no attachments to anything but power. I wouldn't put it past him.

”Franz is crafty, he won't let anything happen to his family,” Al said bitterly. ”That child might be his ticket to the throne.”

What a horrible thing to say. As if Franz wouldn't protect his wife and child out of love. I saw how much he cared for Mariela—of course he would cherish their child just as much.

Although...he hadn't done anything over the years to help his little brother.

Al's belief that he only cared about people who were of value to him wasn't completely unwarranted. Was it because he was technically competition? But Al never wanted the throne! He just wanted people to like him for who he was instead of for his title.

”Al, what exactly did he do to you to make you feel that way?”

He sighed and closed his eyes.

”Nothing. He did nothing as Sigmund tormented me, Mother berated me, and Father ignored me. I cannot forgive him for standing by and watching. To me, he is nearly as bad as Sigmund. That's why I don't care who becomes king.”

I still hadn't figured out why everyone treated Al so poorly. It was almost as if he weren't actually a part of his family.

He certainly didn't look like anyone, with their warmer skin and hair tones. But if he were an illegitimate child, wouldn't the novel have said something about it?