Chapter 28: The Plan to Return Home"Where are the others?" Alaric's voice was a weary demand. His figure was barely recognizable in the dark, battered and bloodstained from the brutal months of fighting."Sire!" The soldier called out, startled by the king's sudden presence, yet quickly subdued his voice in the stillness of the forest night. Alaric was dragging two unconscious, wounded soldiers across the forest floor with a makeshift banner while his face was devoid of any sign of pain or exhaustion, though his posture betrayed the toll of their arduous battle. "The captain discovered a cottage deeper in the woods. Please, sire—our remaining men are safe and being tended to. Rest yourself," the soldier urged, his own voice laced with concern.But Alaric's expression remained steeled as the bitter remnants of battle reflected in his eyes. The war, which he'd once hoped to end swiftly, had dragged on for two agonizing months, costing the lives of half his army and chipping away at his
Chapter 29: Her Voice"Say... Amaris. If I may ask... why are you alone in this forest?" Captain Lysander asked, holding his fishing line steady as he waited for a bite.The question caught Amaris off guard. She paused, trying to gather her thoughts, and managed a small smile. "Well... uh..." she began, stammering as she searched for the right words. She clearly wasn't comfortable sharing her story.Lysander noticed her hesitation and waved a hand dismissively. "Ah! Never mind. You don't need to answer. I'm just curious, that's all. It's not every day you see a pregnant woman managing all of this by herself. You're stronger than most," he added with genuine admiration.Amaris chuckled, warmed by his kindness, though she knew she could never reveal the truth. She couldn't possibly tell him that she was carrying the king's child. That knowledge could lead to all sorts of complications, especially for a loyal knight sworn to protect the throne."What about you, Captain?" she asked, shift
Chapter 30: Save His Majesty"Captain! Captain Lysander!" Amaris called as her voice echoed with urgency. The soldiers halted, all eyes turning toward her. Lysander immediately spun around, recognizing her voice and rushed to meet her while worry began creasing his brow."What is it, Amaris? Has something happened?" he asked, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of distress.Amaris gestured toward the sizable pile of provisions left in her yard. "Captain, you've left so much here—far more than I could possibly need. Look at all of this meat, and... supplies? You all need it more than I do, especially with the journey ahead," she protested, shaking her head in disbelief."Please, Amaris," Lysander replied gently, trying to reassure her, "accept it. You've given us more than we can repay, and we couldn't in good conscience leave you without provisions."Just as she was about to respond, a metallic clatter sounded through the clearing, silencing them both. Lysander whipped around, ins
Chapter 31: Walls CrumblingAmaris wiped her brow, feeling the exhaustion set in as she tied the final strip of cloth she could salvage from her worn clothes into a makeshift bandage. Her hands were trembling, not only from fatigue but also from the urgency to keep Alaric alive. She took a cup of water from her bedside and gently reached forward, intending to help him drink. But before her hand could even brush his forehead, Alaric's fingers shot up, gripping her wrist tightly.The sudden grasp startled her, her breath catching as she looked down at him. His eyes cracked open, clouded with pain and disorientation, the cold intensity in his gaze momentarily making her heart race. He didn't seem to recognize her, and she braced herself, calling softly, "Alaric... can you hear me?"His eyes shifted, struggling to focus, but the blank stare softened as his vision cleared. Gradually, a look of realization dawned, melting the coldness in his gaze and filling it with wonder. "Amaris..." His
Chapter 32: VoiceAlaric's smile softened as he took Amaris' hand in his, his touch gentle yet steady. His thumb traced slow circles over her knuckles, as if reassuring himself that she was truly there beside him."I have missed you dearly..." he began, his voice low and filled with a quiet intensity that sent a shiver through her. "When I gripped my sword during the battle, all I thought about was when I'd be able to hold your hand again. Every strike, every breath—I counted the moments until I could return to you.""And when the nights grew cold, when I lay alone beneath the stars... I'd close my eyes and imagine your warmth beside me, the way you'd curl close, as if you'd shield me from the world itself." His fingers tightened slightly around hers, and Amaris could feel the strength of his longing in that simple gesture.His weary eyes brimmed with emotion, never leaving hers as he continued, "I'd think about your laughter, the way it brightens even the darkest of my days. I though
Chapter 33: Cries of A Sorrowed HeartAmaris stirred awake. Her body was heavy while her mind was still in a daze. A strange ache throbbed in her heart, and her head spun with fragments of her last memory—the blinding golden light, the howl of the wind, and Alaric's desperate voice calling out to her, his hand reaching but never touching. Her heart clenched as reality slowly settled in, seeping through the fog of her mind. She opened her eyes fully, and dread washed over her as she recognized her surroundings.She was back in her room.The familiar walls seemed to mock her. It was stark and cold compared to the warmth of the cabin she'd just left. Panic clawed at her chest as she took it all in. Her heart pounded with a painful urgency. She scrambled upright, and in her haste, her hand brushed over her belly—still rounded, still carrying the child that should not have followed her here. She was still wearing the dress she'd worn that last night, when Alaric had promised everything goo
Chapter 34: The King's CommandDays bled into one another as Alaric searched relentlessly for Amaris. He scoured every corner of his kingdom, leaving no village, no remote hideaway untouched. He sent spies beyond the borders, into distant territories and neighboring empires, each returning with empty hands and haunted expressions. It was as though she had vanished into thin air, leaving not even a shadow behind.The only thing tethering him to sanity was the ring he'd secretly slipped onto her finger as a silent promise he thought would last forever. When she disappeared, the ring was all that remained—a cold, silver band resting on the very spot she had been taken from him. He carried it with him constantly, gripping it until it felt as though he could imprint her memory into his skin.As he sat on his throne, staring down at the ring with hollow eyes, the doors burst open. A group of his men entered and immediately fell to their knees in reverence. They didn't dare raise their head
Chapter 35: TwinsSelene looked at her reflection on the tinted glass, hardly recognizing herself in the modern dress she'd pulled from her closet. It felt strange to be back in her usual clothes, especially after everything that had happened. The dress gently fit over her belly which constantly reminded her that she was carrying Alaric's child, even though it seemed impossible.How could this be real? Alaric and his world had only existed in the pages of a book. But here she was, back in her own world, with part of that life still with her. She rested a hand over her stomach, feeling both amazed and determined. Her connection to Alaric was real, and she couldn't just let it end this way.She needed to find the book's author. Whoever had written it held the answers, and maybe even a way back. But the author used a pseudonym, making the search difficult.Still, she wouldn't stop until she found them. She'd look through every library, every publisher's list if she had to. Somehow, she'd
Chapter 81: The Wise ArthurAlaric stood by the window of his hotel room with his freshly cleaned hands clasped behind his back. He was dressed in a crisp, dark suit from the clothes Arthur had brought and looked every bit the powerful figure he once was. Yet the lines of worry etched into his face betrayed the turmoil within him.He picked up his phone and dialed a number swiftly. The call connected after a single ring.“Gather a pair of neonatal nurses immediately,” he commanded, his voice firm but slightly hoarse. “I need them ready to travel to the address I will be sending you. You’ll find two newborns there under Mrs. Callaghan’s care. Ensure they are handled carefully and brought to the Union General Hospital where Selene... Selene Clarke is in.”The person on the other end hesitated but obediently answered. “Yes, sir. Should I arrange for additional help?”“Do whatever it takes. I expect them taken here as soon as possible,” Alaric replied sharply. Then, before ending the call
Dear lovely readers,We’re nearing the final chapters of The Tyrant’s Baby. It’s been an incredible journey bringing this story to life, and I’m so grateful for your support, love, and patience along the way. Stay tuned as we uncover the last twist, turn, and heartfelt moments in Selene and Alaric’s story.Thank you for being part of this adventure!With love,Yña Banana 🌙
Chapter 80: MistakeSelene's eyelids fluttered open. Her gaze was unfocused as the sterile white ceiling of the hospital room swam into view. Her body felt heavy with every muscle weighed down by exhaustion, and a dull ache spread across her abdomen. She blinked a few times, trying to make sense of her surroundings.Then, she sees a doctor standing at her bedside, meticulously checking her vitals. A nurse was beside him, recording notes on a clipboard and adjusting the IV drip connected to her arm. She was still in a daze, almost forgetting what exactly had happened to her."Mrs. Clarke," the doctor said gently, noticing her eyes opening. "You're awake. That's a good sign. Can you hear me?"Selene's lips parted, but her voice came out in a barely audible rasp. "Where... where am I?""You're in the hospital," the doctor replied calmly, leaning in slightly. "You've been through quite an ordeal. We're monitoring your recovery, but you're stable now. Don't try to move too much just yet."
Chapter 79: A RealizationThe nurse hesitated for a moment before gently placing a hand on his arm. "Mr. Clarke, you need to clean yourself up. Please," she urged in a soft yet firm voice. "The doctors are doing everything they can. We'll inform you as soon as there's any news."Alaric barely reacted as his bloodied hands trembled at his sides. His gaze remained fixed on the emergency room doors waiting for someone to come out. "I can't leave," he rasped. "Not until I know she's okay."Before the nurse could insist, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway which caught their attention. He turned his head sharply to see an older man rushing toward him. It was his butler, Arthur, followed closely by two maids. Each of them carried bags while their faces were etched with panic and concern."Mr. Clarke!" the butler called with relief seeing that a nurse seemed to be attending to him. He then stopped in front of Alaric, scanning his disheveled and blood-streaked appearance. "We came as so
Chapter 78: Unbearable Pain"Selene? Dear? Wake up." Mrs. Weaver's voice trembled with nervousness, cutting through the haze of relief that had only just settled moments before.Alaric who was just a few steps away from the room, froze. The words he heard sank into his mind like ice. Then, like a man possessed, he whirled around with his fear propelling him back into the room. In one swift motion, he handed the newborn to Mrs. Weaver as his trembling hands betrayed his panic."Take her!" His voice cracked out of desperation.His focus tunneled in on Selene. Her still, pale figure was a vision he couldn't bear to accept. He instantly dropped to his knees beside her while his hands reached out, trembling as they cupped her face. "Selene," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Stay with me, my love. Please."When she didn't respond, his breath hitched. His panic quickly rose like a tidal wave. Without hesitation, he slipped his arms beneath her, carefully but urgently pulling her limp body
Chapter 77: BetrayalSelene's raw and unrelenting cries echoed through the room. Her grief was pouring out in waves that seemed to ripple through everyone present. Mrs. Weaver, though composed, handed the crying infant boy to Mrs. Callaghan with steady hands. "Take him," she instructed softly. "He'll need tending to."Mrs. Callaghan nodded with a grim expression on her face as she took the tiny boy and cradled him close to her chest. The baby's wails filled the void left by Selene's sorrow, but it did little to lessen the burden inside the room.The midwife never strayed far from Selene's side. Her sharp eyes watched every movement of the grieving mother. "Selene," she called gently, her voice steady but lined with concern. "You need to rest. You've just been through so much." But Selene's sobs only grew louder, her anguish blinding her to the world around her.Meanwhile, across the room, Alaric stood frozen. His frame was rigid while his hands trembled at his sides. He had seen death
Chapter 76: Rockabye BabySelene's eyes flew open, and she gasped for air. Her chest heaved as though she’d been drowning and had just broken through the surface. Pain surged through her lower body, sharp and unrelenting, pulling a scream from the depths of her soul.“AHHHH!”Her scream echoed through the room, raw and piercing.“Selene!” Alaric’s voice cracked as he pushed himself closer to her side, relief and terror flooding him at once. He had been whispering to her, begging her to come back to him, and now she was awake—but the agony in her expression filled him with dread.Mrs. Weaver, who had been meticulously arranging her tools moments earlier, allowed herself a brief sigh of relief when Selene stirred awake. But the fragile calm in the room was shattered by Selene’s anguished cry.“Please… save my baby girl… please!” Selene sobbed, her voice raw with desperation and panic. Her trembling hands clung to the bedsheets as if they were the only anchor in her storm of fear. Tears
Chapter 75: LunaSelene found herself standing in a garden unlike anything she'd ever seen. The air was warm and fragrant, filled with the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft hum of distant birdsong. Flowers of every color stretched as far as the eye could see. Their petals shimmering as though kissed by sunlight and dew. A large willow tree stood at the garden's heart, its branches swaying gently in a breeze that seemed to come from nowhere.She felt strangely light, as if the burdens of her reality had been momentarily lifted. Her bare feet pressed into the soft grass, and a sense of peace settled over her. Yet, there was something familiar and deeply personal about this place, though she couldn't quite place it."Mommy?"The voice, high and sweet, startled her. Selene turned quickly and froze. Standing a few feet away, beneath the shade of the willow, was a little girl. She couldn't have been more than five years old, her wavy hair the same deep shade as Alaric's, cascading down
Chapter 74: Too EarlyThe house was a storm of chaos as Alaric burst through the door. Selene was already limp in his arms with her blood staining both of them. "Help her!" he roared, his voice filled with desperation.Mrs. Callaghan, who had been folding laundry, dropped everything at the sight of them. "Oh, Lord have mercy!" she gasped, rushing forward to take charge.Noah who was startled by the commotion, appeared from the kitchen with eyes wide in panic seeing Selene unconscious. "What happened?!""She's bleeding!" Alaric shouted as he staggered toward the nearest couch, gently laying Selene down. "Do something! Someone, help her!""We need to get her to the hospital," Mrs. Callaghan said firmly. "She needs proper care, and we can't wait!""No!" Alaric's voice rang with panic as he snapped his head toward her. "The roads are blocked! It'll take hours to even clear a path, let alone get to my car. We don't have time for that!"Mrs. Callaghan faltered, realizing the truth in his wo