Arman’s first child could be the next Beast King. Once his many other wives had found out that Padparadscha was pregnant with the potential heir to the throne, they’d grown concerned. They were assertive women who had practically volunteered to marry Arman, strong-willed and often fighting or bickering with each other. Arman used to find it amusing that these women would fight over him, but he knew those strong-willed women wouldn’t pick a fight with Padparadscha while she was pregnant with his child.
Realizing that harm might befall his queen, he regretted not disciplining his wives sooner, but it was too little, too late. At that point, Padparadscha could have been subject to a concentrated barrage of harassment. In fact, it would have been good if it had stopped at only harassment, but there was a real possibility of her and their child meeting their doom if not careful.
While this meant that Arman needed to take sufficient precautions, that wasn’t enough to ensure that he could protect her. If the worst-case scenario happened, it would be meaningless to regret it after the fact. For that reason, until the baby was born, Padparadscha’s existence was being concealed, and she was to be taken care of at Celestine’s palace—a fact only known by especially trustworthy individuals such as Arman’s retainers, Celestine herself, and both of the girls’ caretakers. Not even the other kings from the Four Great Nations had been informed yet. It wasn’t that he suspected or distrusted Jade and the others, but the fewer people who knew the secret, the better. There was no telling what crack the truth of Padparadscha’s existence could seep out from, after all.
Since Celestine’s palace was filled with devout spirit worshippers, there was nary a soul who went against her wishes, meaning it was far safer than leaving her with Arman. As such, with the birth of their child drawing near in secret, Arman had found a brief period of free time to visit her palace—to meet Padparadscha, of course, and not Celestine.
He now knelt beside Padparadscha, who comfortably sat in an armchair, and softly touched her belly. He looked so dopey and lovestruck that it made one wonder where his Beast King majesty had gone. Feeling his child’s presence as it sporadically moved in its mother’s belly made emotions he never felt before well up inside of him.
“Now I can see why those dragonkins only love one partner,” he admitted with a gentle look in his eyes as he gazed at his wife. He was undoubtedly a womanizer, but he loved Padparadscha so much that he felt he could devote his entire life to her. It was totally different from the feelings he had for his other queens, whom he’d married to fulfill his role as Beast King. The fact that he was so at ease meant that love wasn’t anything to trifle with—a fact that was sinking in for him. Arman had always scoffed at the dragonkin being so obsessed with one person that they would even risk their lives for them, but now he had cast those feelings to the far winds.
“Oh, come now, Master Arman,” Padparadscha said with a giggle. If any of the other queens had seen the look on his face, they would have been burning in jealousy and hostility toward Padparadscha. The decision to leave her in Celestine’s care had been the right one. There was no doubt that blood would have rained otherwise.
In the midst of this serene sight, Celestine interjected, practically rolling her eyes at the display. “Master Arman, it seems the court wants to hold an emergency meeting.”
“Huh? What the hell? They’re using you, a Beloved, as a messenger now? Who do they think they are?” he said, tensing his brow. His response was understandable enough; it was conduct unthinkable for a nation that worshipped Beloveds.
“Who do you think is to blame? They asked me because if they interrupt your private time with Lady Padparadscha, you’ll stare daggers into them and get into a hissy fit.”
Celestine was the one person who wouldn’t incur Arman’s wrath. Or no, perhaps it wasn’t safe to say she was the only one now that Arman had found the love of his life, but since Padparadscha was soft on him due to her docile nature, Celestine was essentially the only one who could make him act without earning his ire.
“It seems to be an emergency, so you should hurry over there.”
He clicked his tongue a bit before reluctantly standing up and stroking Padparadscha’s cheek. “I’ll have this wrapped up and be back in a jiffy.”
“Good luck with work.”
When Arman reached the meeting room, he looked disappointed. Without even hiding his sour mood, he took his seat at the head of the table, joining his main retainers, who were already present.
“What’s this about? I’m busy, you know. If this is something stupid, I’ll bash your heads in.”
One of his followers, dripping in a cold sweat, timidly started to talk. “The neighboring nation of Furgal has started preparing for war and is massing troops along the border.”
The room went abuzz. The unrest spread quickly, as it seemed that many of the retainers hadn’t heard of this news.
Arman, however, wasn’t too surprised. “This isn’t the first time they’ve tried to start a war.”
“This is the first since Lady Beloved’s existence was made public, sir.”
“Is that a fact?” Arman asked, tilting his head.
“Starting a war with our country when we have a Beloved is akin to suicide. I wouldn’t assume that they are that stupid.”
“I see.”
Celestine, the Beloved, was a big deterrent, and ever since her existence had become public knowledge, no other nation had dared start a war with the Nation of the Beast King. However, before that, Furgal had frequently launched wars against them, so Arman’s memory had become fuzzy.
“Why are they trying to go to war now, then?”
“We do not have that much information, but what should we do? They might have already crossed the border.”
“In that case, we’ll send troops too. How many are there?”
“About ten thousand.”
“Then we’ll send thirty thousand,” Arman instructed without a moment’s hesitation and swiftly continued on. “Sheesh, the Imperial Nation was in turmoil, and now us? Do they really think they stand a chance when we have Celestine?”
“They seem to know that it’s impossible, but...” the retainer said as the others smiled wryly. The presence or absence of a Beloved was huge. Not a single person thought that the Nation of the Beast King would lose to them.
“I feel bad for the people who were forced to participate, so if you have the leeway, just drive them away from the border.”
“Very well, sire.”
The meeting ended there for the day.