Ever After

Age: 19

Going from a Duke's daughter, to a Duchess, is not at all a leap in anything new.

I did exactly as my mother does, and as a married woman, I even see my mother at parties held by other noble women.

I wasn't as active before marriage in politics and social gatherings, so not many knew of me besides rumors. Some said I was trying to aim for the throne with how much time I spent with Ceil, or that I was aiming to become the wife of the many King's aids.

The joke is on them, because when I married Duke Violet- Kai, and became the Duchess... the whole Kingdom blew up with surprise and shock!

Of course, there was quite literally no news on me and Kai being together.

Then people started gossiping about it merely being a marriage of convenience.

Though, with a husband like mine who never fails to show as my partner to a ball, or picks me up himself in the carriage to take me home... once again. The joke is on them.

My wedding was even bigger than the Royal Wedding. The case was because of my outside connections. The Royal Family of Karmillia hates the Frare Kingdom, but still made their presence at my wedding which was held at the Winter Palace. Kai put the entire wedding together as well, with help from my mother of course.

I failed to mention how much my mother adores Kai. It's like she found the man of her dreams, but in a son-in-law way.

Vincent hates Kai. Never fails to mention it either. Kai isn't fond of Vincent... mainly because he isn't a brother by blood.

Ceil married Katrina before me and Kai married, and their wedding was very sweet, but not over the top like Ceil wanted. Katrina and I have also gotten closer, having partners both so high up.

Ironically, Kai was made the Prime Minister too, while Vincent took control of the military. Father's spartan training really did pay off for him. I was proud.

The Violet Dukedom focuses on ministry, foreign affairs, and the treasury. Once Kai forcefully made his father retire, and sent him off to a remote estate in their Fief to handle smaller affairs there, he took control of everything left behind.

I didn't realize Kai was actually very good at socializing, though he uses his playboy persona, as well as extremely smart. He graduated from the Academy after only a year, of course I followed after him, and merely tested out of all their primary study sections.

I was recently offered a teaching position at the Academy in their science division. Someone as high up as me makes it difficult for the students to abuse their positions and make it hard on the Professors.

I was apprehensive on how Kai would handle it, but he was very supportive, despite being able to spend less time with me during the school year. I guess he just worked harder when I wasn't around, to clear time on school breaks so we could spend everyday together. It made me very happy.

Though, exhausted at night from his rigorous stamina.

Vincent also got engaged... and to the woman of my own choosing. Secretly of course. Even she didn't know, which made it all the better.

Her name is Hanna Louise Parkinson, a tiny blonde woman about my size and height, with big doe brown eyes. She's a beautiful girl, but that wasn't why I chose her. Of course, I have to like my sister-in-law no?

I found her when I was sneaking out of the house to explore the capital before my marriage.

She was also in disguise, but not very well.

She's a woman blessed by a wind fairy, and though she thought I couldn't tell, she was also a contractor. Ricin told me after my visit to the Fairy Kingdom, I made an impact. More fairies were contracting humans. A life time bond.

Hanna's fairy is a small blue and gold bird that rested on her shoulder, and when Ricin pointed it out, I was amazed.

So I followed her, to see what kind of woman contracted a fairy.

Just like the wind, she was incredibly hard to track and find. Yet, when I finally caught up... she was at an orphanage.

It was near the same place my father picked up Vincent.

Surprised, I did my own undercover work, and found she used to be an orphan as well. She was adopted at the young age of four by Earl Parkinson. He's a heavy set man who reminded me of Santa Claus. His wife is a tall and skinny woman, but both party are extremely well mannered and kind.

Apparently, though they had a son, they found they could not conceive anymore children.

So they adopted the little Hanna, and added her to their home.

Once my interest is caught, it's hard for me to ignore.

I began inviting Hanna to every tea party I attended. She of course, showed up.

I understood right away why her fairy was a wind fairy. She was elusive and impossible to find and talk to.

I nearly went mad trying to catch this girl! So, instead of finding Hanna, I instead made a visit to the Parkinson Earldom under the excuse of delivering a letter from Ceil to their heir and son.

Of course, Ceil was helping behind the scenes with me.

They welcomed me, and I found that their home was lovely, and their heir also very kind.

But he, much like my own brother, was a complete sis-con. Amusing to see it in reverse honestly. Now I got to watch what others saw.

I asked about their daughter who was near my age, only a year younger. They were more than happy to introduce us, and I finally got to meet Hanna.

She's shy at first, and speaks extremely quietly. Soft and gentle, but carefree and curious about everything.

I liked her a lot. She enjoyed reading even more than I did, and while her interests were towards history, poetry, and literature, she was very smart and capable.

Her nature was just a bit skittish though. She'd run at any sign of someone new coming towards her, and you quite literally needed to act like she was a bird.

I slowly began inviting her to my home, of course, only to my greenhouse and room to not frighten her. Hanna is also a loyal person, and isn't afraid to stick up for what she believes in.

This was how she met Vincent.

He was extremely rude to her at first which greatly disappointed me. I was shocked when he slammed the door to my greenhouse open angrily and glared hatefully at a terrified Hanna.

"Get away from my sister you social climbing latter runt! If you want money, I'll give you as much as you want!" He shouted like a child! I nearly had a heart attack.

Yet when I was going to reprimand him, it was Hanna who stood up for herself.

Hanna, barely my own size, and admittedly I'm small, stood with shaky legs and big teary eyes. She puffed up her cute chest and said right back, "The distrust of a friend is distrust in yourself. How ugly you must view this world to believe I would ever want anything more than Rose's trust and devotion. No less than what I give her. A man, one in privilege and power, daring to accuse and slander without the slightest thought to the other party and reputation, should stay in the shadows before believing himself a hero" and then, to my utter shock, she pulled out a large wallet full of golden coins... and threw it at Vincent!

Thinking back, I've never laughed so hard as I did that day.

She said, looking like a pitiful bullied child, but with eyes unwavering, "I think I'll donate to the funding of your education Sir Vermillion. Please use wisely" before she politely whispered her goodbye to me, before leaving.

Vincent didn't see, and neither did I- but Ricin told me once she was out of sight, she sobbed and ran back to her carriage. She fell quite ill after she returned home.

Of course, I brought plenty of medicine and soup for her when I visited again. She cried in my arms, but I rubbed her back and told her how cool she was! Truly, she was both eloquent and beautiful... but very cool.

A girl I greatly admired.

Since then, I banned Vincent from stepping one foot near her.

Not because I really wanted to ban him, but tempt him with the thought of also looking into who she was. If I didn't tell him and shunned him away from her, like I was protecting her from a big bully, he'd do his own research and observations.

I hit the nail on the head. Three weeks later, Vincent came to my room, and for the first time... asked me how he could apologize.

"I didn't know... I mean, she just showed up out of no where, so I thought... well, it was rumored she was using you for money... and I-"

"You heard with your eyes closed and mouth open. You believe rumors now? They say I'm a loose woman, so my baby brother must also-"

"No! I don't believe them! I was wrong. I'm sorry!" He immediately dropped to the floor and profusely begged me how to apologize to her.

Of course, if it were that easy, it would've already been done.

That's because she has wind magic. She knows exactly when someone she doesn't want to see or speak to, is approaching. She'd sometimes randomly get up and leave without even saying goodbye.

I'd merely laugh and a few minutes later, Vincent would appear.

Eventually, after another month of his apology attempts, I allowed him to get close.

Of course, I used Ricin to aid me in this. He transformed into his car form, and played chase with Hanna's fairy.

We were in my bedroom, trying to find the right kind of tea to serve at an upcoming garden party I was forced to host by my mother. Hanna is actually a very good planner, and offered her advise and skills.

Vincent, on my word, appeared after I "had to use the restroom".

Of course, I was ease dropping! No way was I missing it! I just could see their faces.

Vincent walked into the room, and when I saw my cue, I ran to the door to listen in.

"Lady Parkinson...  I sincerely apologize for my outlandish and horrible behavior towards you"

Now Vincent is a proud fellow. He never apologizes, and never bows his head.

Yet I knew he was bowing in apology.

Hanna is a skittish girl though. So I wasn't shocked when she tried to run away. Through my window. On the third floor.

"W-wait! That's dangerous! Stop! Holy shit she did it?! Wait!" And of course, he ran after her.

That day. Hanna escaped.

I laughed so hard at his helpless expression.

Yet, when I saw Hanna again, she blushed like crazy when I asked her about how she felt about Vincent's apology.

"I-I wanted to accept... I just... nervous... couldn't" her voice would dip in audibility. So cute! Hanna's head full of fluffy blonde curls shook a bit with herself as she tried to tearfully explain but failing to.

It took Vincent six months! Six long months, to actually speak to Hanna. Of course, he finally turned a bit forceful, and cornered the poor girl. Sadly I wasn't around. But poor Hanna would turn so red and stutter when I tried to ask, it wasn't hard to image what happened.

Then, after another week, they were formally engaged... by Vincent's own hand.

I cheered when he told me.

"Yes! Capture success!" My brother eyed me warily after that.

No matter, my sister in law is the cutest!

She'll be marrying in about another month, into the Vermillion house.

Father and Mother mostly travel now, all over the Kingdom, and Mother even went home... and saw Grandfather. I knew her heart broke, but she came home more peaceful and happy. Father looked haggard though, only they know the hell he faced.

Then there's Gerald.

I never would've guessed, but he actually ended up kidnapped by his new fiancé. A woman... even I'm scared of.

That's because the gorgeous and vivacious Yullia Ro Gardenia, a Marquis's eldest daughter... absolutely adores cute things.

When she first saw me at the Royal Engagement ball held in Katrina's honor... I was viciously attacked!

She's strong like a gorilla for a Noble's daughter. Terrifying.

"I've never... good lord, have I been blessed? What is this adorable soul? Are you lost?" She questioned me like she was a concerned mother! It's all a ploy though! She crushed me against her enormous breasts, and cooed like she's never seen a short girl before.

I had to motion Hanna with my eyes... to run!

Yullia, a tall and slender woman, with a great rack, and waist length straight red hair... she's a femme fatal if I've ever seen one. She possess sharp Phoenix eyes the color of lavender. She is indeed, a sharp, yet soft woman.

Like a mother, she isn't afraid to nag your head off... but she is detail oriented and efficient.

Gerald, with all his skills and power, could not outrun this jungle cat who sunk her claws so deep... I'd pity him if he weren't such an ass.

Tried to skip class? She dragged him tied up like a hog, and left him.

Puppy dog eyes to avoid going to another ball? Like a tiger, she literally dressed him herself, no shyness, and drug him out. She rode the horse herself there! No carriage! He was tied to the horse!

A spartan woman through and through. While I enjoy her when she is calm... if she sees anything adorable... like poor Ricin who nearly lost his life to her cuddling, well.

I wish the two happiness and many children so she will leave me alone.

Maxwell actually became a foreign ambassador, and handed down his family seat to his younger brother. I'm not quite sure about his life, but maybe I simply don't give a damn. Who knows?

Phillip became the first to make gay marriage legal in the Kingdom, and married his right hand man in the knighthood, Sir Marcus...

I wish. I swear though, the way Sir Marcus looks at Phillip... my own heart skips a beat!

Phillip remains unmarried, and says he will marry later but wishes to dedicate himself fully to knighthood. He's a good boy, I'm sure Sir Marcus will capture him!

I secretly passed a letter to Sir Marcus, and now, when he sees me, he blushes furiously and runs away.

What did I pass him?

Of course, I passed him the perfect plan to capture Phillip's heart.

That's a secret for later.

Then my own married life.

Truly... I never saw it myself... but soon, I'll be a mother.

I was terrified when the symptoms appeared.

"Kai... I don't feel so-" I was humiliated that I had to run to the toilet to throw up all the dinner I had eaten.

Kai immediately called the Royal Physician.

Then sweetly helped me clean up, and took me to bed.

He was nervous seeing me so pale, and when when I claimed to be fine and feeling much better, he made me wait to get a full checkup before I was allowed to move about.

I swear, seeing a grown man sweating and pacing around like I was bleeding to death... truly, he's the funniest.

I couldn't help but to tease him,

"Ah, maybe my secret drug abuse has caught up? Kai, my love, forgive me-"

I didn't even get to finish the joke before I had to stop. The man looked enraged and even when I said it was merely teasing, he called three more doctors because the poor Royal Physician was taking too long.

A doctor shortly arrived, a female of course, and it took her only a minute to congratulate us. Kai was too funny.

"Are you congratulating me about my wife dying?!" He roared. The poor doctor about lost her life before I stepped in to scold him.

"It means I'm pregnant you absolute fool!" I hit him on the back of the head to knock a little sense into my idiot husband.

Kai had the nerve to stare at me like a real idiot.

"Pregnant...?"

"Yes"

"You are?"

"No, you are. Idiot! Who else but me?!"

"I'm.. I'm going to be a father?"

"No, Ricin is. Of course you! Did I hit you too hard?!"

"My baby is having a baby!" He cheered, picking me up.

"That just sounds wrong. Honestly Kai" I sighed, but enjoyed his excitement.

For. A. Second.

This man isn't just possessive. He is over the top. That's just on a regular basis. Cooking? He thinks it's too dangerous for me.

Horse back riding? Too dangerous?

My poison? Was all thrown away! That is quite literally my trademark!?

It only got worse when he found out I was pregnant.

A nursery? More like another house.

Servants? Increased by twice the amount and all were given extreme background checks and capability tests. Most of them are all trained guards as well as servants.

Doors? All child proofed. I swear. I couldn't walk two feet without this man towering over me. Like I'd fall at two months pregnant?! You couldn't even see a difference in my body.

Any male? A threat. My own father? A threat! I even resorted to begging for Ricin's help- who knew I was with such a baby crazy fairy too?! He was in on it!

All my food? Tested for poison. I almost hired a maid to poison me because I had nothing! Poison doesn't work on me! Of course, I'm not crazy enough to consume poison pregnant- even though I did study the drawbacks, but my baby's immune system was linked to my own... so technically...

I had to steer myself from such thoughts of course.

When news came out that I was pregnant, I dreaded for this poor unborn child already. It may never see the sun, because it might give it a sunburn! God was against me, because even the Mermaid Queen herself came to congratulate and give me a necklace made from a meteorite which landed in her territory, and her blood and magic, to protect the child.

The Fairy Queen and her daughter sent an abundance of toys that even I couldn't figure out without the help of Ricin.

My Grandmother sent a ridiculous amount of rare fabrics from all over the continent- even Elven Silk! It's a baby! Hell, I couldn't even get the damn silk!

My mother visits at least once a week. Hanna comes by every three days, and the damn Queen of Frare visits once a month.

Why do they all visit me? Because I'm under house arrest! And no one is complaining but me. Literally, even my brother won't leave me alone. No one is on my side.

I can only cry inside and ramble to my baby when I get a few moments alone... which I have to threaten my own damn life with, to get.

Kai looked horrified when I told him that I would go absolutely insane and would have a miscarriage if the bullshit went on any longer.

"Stressing out a pregnant woman is literally the worst thing you can do! If I'm too stressed, I can very well have a miscarriage- which can also kill me. Do you want that? You want me to die?"

"Baby no! What can I do? Please tell me, I will do anything!"

"Let me go pee. By myself."

"Of course! You won't trip right? At least one servant to make sure?"

"I will kill that servant and I will kill you. I'll probably have a heart attack and die after. I'm four months Kai. Keep fucking with me, see if I don't ditch everyone and go stay in the Mermaid Kingdom- with a bounty to kill on sight if they see you"

Admittedly my hormones were wild, and I was starting to experience the drawbacks of pregnancy at this point. I'm not very big, so I was already showing a fair amount.

This bastard though. Tested my patience at every twist and turn.

I had to prepare him for the deliver. Five months in advance and every second I could.

"You will wait outside the delivery room. If you even step one foot inside, see if I don't poison your food. I will kill you. I'll live as a widow and our poor baby will be fatherless. I'll have to tell it that you went on a suicide mission and never came home because you don't love us enough. You hear me? Waiting. Outside. Don't test me Kai. Im gonna be in pain. It's gonna hurt like absolute hell. I will scream. I may even curse your very existence. All normal. You disrupt even one person from their job because you can't keep your shit together, I will burn this house down like a madwoman. I'm already going crazy from pregnancy. You know that this is your fault right? I wanted to wait till I was 21 for a baby. But you can't keep your d*** in your pants!"

"Yes my love, it's my fault. I'm wrong"

"I'm not done you bastard!"

"Yes. Whatever you say is right- PLEASE DON'T USE THE KNIFE!"

"I AM CUTTING MY FOOD! WANT ME TO CHOKE?!"

"I WILL CUT IT!"

"GO TO HELL!"

Now I'm six months pregnant.

It's gotten a bit better after I finally had my mental breakdown before everyone.

I finally threatened to destroy the Kingdom, before they let me outside in the garden... without people.

I killed a Demon with my bare hands, but can't walk a garden without a servant or husband so far up my ass that I can't breathe?

Though, I deeply love everyone, I needed my space.

Though the biggest issue I face is at night.

I'm constantly unable to find a comfortable position to sleep.

And I'm unbearably horny.

I'm blowing up like a balloon, my confidence has sunk like a ship, and I've never craved my husband more.

My husband who refuses to give me even the slightest relief. He's scared about the baby.

I did everything in the book get my husband to touch me.

I finally gave in, and lowered my pride down, to trick him.

I sat on the bed, dressed in one of his shirts... he has extra just for me now.

That was all I wore, and my hair was sprawled out around me. I had recently taken a shower, and bathed in a bath of rose petals and vanilla. My skin was soft and I would admit my face was more radiant than normal.

When Kai came into the room after his own bath, he paused and stared at me for a moment before smiling a drop dead gorgeous smile. How can one person be so beautiful?

He came close and kissed my forehead gently. He refused to even hug me, and instead likes to sit me on his lap so I can rest against him.

He's scared about hurting me.

Even heated kisses are short lived. He always pulls away and checks on me. He's more of a cock block than a live in mother in law.

"Husband~" he always loved being called this, it made him extremely happy.

It worked to get him on his knees in front of me, holding my hands softly to listen to my every whim.

"Yes my love?" His electrical eyes were eliciting sparks in my body. Such a heated stare.

"Hold me?" I begged cutely, touching his cheek with a hand I freed. He leaned in to my touch for a moment, kissing my palm. Before he moved to pick me up and set me on his lap, his head buried in my neck, while his hands softly rested on my growing belly.

He was too cute sometimes.

His lips brushed my neck, but I knew he was discreetly trying to scent me.

We have a few beast man servants, but most were female. I'm not sure why he feels the need for this...

"Husband.. touch me more" Kai had frozen solid behind me. This was because I became quite shy in bed. I never initiated really, unless I would kiss him.

Now I was asking him.

"I can't... if I hurt you-"

"You won't, I'm okay. Do you want me?"

"Of course I do... it kills me honestly. But I won't take even the slightest risk"

"Intercourse is completely fine at this point. As long as it isn't rough" I tried to assure him. Who knew he'd be so firm?

"No baby"

"Not even a little?"

"Not even a little"

I was pretty desperate at this point. I'd help myself if I could! My belly gets in the way! It's not my fault.

"I get it... I'm not pretty anymore. I'm so fat" I let big crocodile tears roll down my cheeks.

When Kai smelt them, he immediately, but gently. Of course. Laid me down to face me.

His eyes were panicked.

"Rosalia. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, or will ever meet. Don't you dare slander yourself. No one holds a candle to you. You are not fat. You are carrying our child. It is a baby inside you" he looked so helpless, but at this point, I became a real ruthless woman.

"Liar! It looks like I shoved a watermelon under my clothes. I look like a cow!"

"That's not true!"

"My own husband won't touch me! How can it not be true? It's an excuse right? My husband is a man with the most control, how could he not be able to handle loving his wife gently? Liar!"

Honestly, the tears were a bit real. It's easy to cry if I just think about being fat. My hormones were wild enough as is.

Kai looked more nervous than a child admitting they broke something expensive.

"Rose.. you know I would never lie about that-"

"Then why won't you fuck me?! Touch me! Kiss me, love me! You promised you would!" I used my hands to cover my eyes to help sell the story a bit.

"I'm craving my husband, I need you. You said you'd do anything. If it's not because I'm a hideous beast now, then why else? Is.. is it another woman?"

I'm going low here. I acknowledge this, but I've been trying for weeks now. If I don't hit a home run on this pitch, I may as well lay down the towel.

"Never! I'd kill any woman shameless enough to make my wife even consider worrying. You are my mate! My kind can't even become aroused by another!"

That was indeed new information. Noted for a later period, but this somewhat hinders my plans...

"Kai.. please. Please. My love. Husband. Xavier. Kailine. I need you? Anything? Just your hands then?" Kai stared at me a bit dumbfounded.

"Is... is it that bad?" He asked worriedly. He checked my forehead, probably thinking someone slipped this poor pregnant lady an aphrodisiac. No. It wouldn't work anyway.

This was just my body. I don't know why, I can't help it! Yet I have never had to plead my own husband to take me. Usually I'm the one begging for a break!

I will make this asshole suffer when my baby comes out. Suffer through hell before he's allowed to have me because of this torture session.

However right now, I need to be a pitiful damsel.

Thankfully he can't see the absolute dragon running rampage in my soul. Or else he'd run.

"Yes! It's bad. I need you. I feel like I'm dying. I can't... I can't do it myself, look? My hands won't reach, and my chest hurts too much to touch like that. So? Help me?"

"But if I hurt-"

"Is it because you can't get it up anymore...?"

Kai's eye twitched.

Yeah. I risked my life. All for a quick lay. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Would I do it again? No.

Never.

Thankfully I'm pregnant so he can't chain me.

"Are you trying to fuck with me?" His eyes narrowed and a malicious smile formed in his lips. He's absolutely pissed. I had no choice though. I'm leaving no bridges unburned.

My legs were forced open, and I was ruthlessly eaten alive.