The sun rose with a lazy stretch, casting a muted glow over the room that did little to dispel the remnants of a restless night. My head throbbed with the weight of unsolved thoughts, shadows of the past creeping in like unwelcome guests. I had spent countless hours lost in contemplation — a habit I thought I'd kicked since Bellamy entered my life, but somehow, old ways lingered. Beside me, Bellamy lay in a blissful sleep, her face relaxed and her lips slightly curved, a soft smile born from the joy of her children and the thrill of shared happiness. It should have sufficed to soothe me into slumber, yet the peace eluded me like a fleeting dream. Around midnight, unable to shake the turmoil that gnawed at my insides, I slipped out of our bed and retreated to my study. The crackling fire warmed the room as I poured myself a glass of rich American bourbon, its amber liquid swirling like my chaotic thoughts. I caught sight of the flames, their dance hypnotic, yet no clarity emerged. Frustrated, I finally picked up my phone and typed a simple message, burdened with expectations. Me: You owe us an explanation. With that unsentiment farewell, I returned to our bed, the quiet enveloping me as I tried to find solace. Each second ticked away and the dawn beckoned, heralding the arrival of yet another grueling day in this unending cycle of royal duties. The demands of a king aside, the smiles of my children and the love of my wife often lent me reasons to keep moving forward, no matter how heavy the weight on my shoulders. And then, like a bolt of lightning, consciousness crashed back into my mind, jolting me as I felt the warm softness of Bellamy around me. “Tell me this isn’t a dream,” I murmured, my voice barely escaping my throat as I thrust into her eager mouth. “Not a dream,” she replied, a devilish spark igniting in her eyes as she took more of me, swallowing down as I groaned, losing myself to primal urges. My headache was forgotten, replaced by electric pleasure that coursed through every vein. “Fuuuuck,” I gasped as I tangled my fingers in her hair, yearning to guide her. A better idea struck. “Sit on my face while you do this.” She paused, her mouth stilling for just a heartbeat before I could almost hear the gears turning in her mind. “Stand up,” I ordered, and she complied instantly, a grin creeping in and fueling my yearning. “You're very bossy this morning. Here I was, giving my husband a simple blow job, and now he wants me to sit on his face while doing it?” I smirked, knowing she enjoyed this as much as I did. “Do you not like that idea?” “If you want to eat my pussy, who am I to stop you?” “Then allow me, for I am your king, and I demand you sit on my face and take my cock deep down your throat.” I gave her a playful smack on the ass, eliciting a sharp breath, her body shivering in anticipation. I reveled in her submission as she adjusted herself, turning with a delicious anticipation that sent my mind reeling. My fingers gripped her soft hips as I guided her down, my tongue already working its magic. “Oh!” she gasped, her body instinctively trying to pull away, but she knew better than to think she could escape my grasp. “Nothing I haven’t done before, sweetness,” I teased. “I know, but…I’m pregnant now,” she confessed, trepidation lacing her words. I chuckled, a slow smirk curling my lips. “And does that not make your body even more desirable to me?” “I just feel…open.” “You are,” I breathed, my lips brushing against her skin, igniting a fire within us that was too consuming to resist. “I can see every enticing bit of you.” “Ah. Shut up. Not helping.” With that, I unleashed my tongue in a wicked motion, licking her from beneath to above, the taste of her divine sweetness igniting hunger within me. “This is my body, Bellamy. I own it. I am obsessed with it, and how I choose to devour every inch of you is mine alone.” She shivered, responding as if my words were an incantation pulling her deeper into our world. “Now suck my cock, my queen. Show me how talented that pretty mouth and sharp tongue can be.” A glimmer of mischief sparkled in her eyes. Winking cheekily, she breathed in deeply and then wrapped her hand around me, enveloping my cock with a delightful eagerness that stirred a primal urge buried deep inside. It felt so good it momentarily left me stunned, but I regained my focus and returned to attentive worship of her body. Gripping her back, I pulled her closer, my mouth closing around her clit, sucking as if it were the only sustenance I craved. She was already soaked, my tongue dancing wildly, igniting fires within her. The rhythm of her mouth working me was beyond anything I could bear. She took me completely, the warmth of her throat enveloping me, and just as I felt myself teetering on the brink, I needed her to come first. Her lips tightened, and with each movement, she gave into the rhythm as I feasted upon her essence, her body writhing in pleasure. The moment her orgasm rolled over her, fluttering against my tongue, I lost all restraint, the world spiraling into a haze of ecstasy as I filled her mouth, enjoying that delicious sound of her gagging. “Jesus Christ!” I gasped, stars dancing behind my eyelids. “Is there anything you can’t do?” She offered a low hum in response, the sound vibrating through me and only egging me on as I claimed every inch of her. As she pulled away, breathless, I spun her around, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. The mingling of our tastes, the heat we shared was intoxicating, a whirlwind of sensation that made the world outside cease to exist. But fate was ready to intervene. The softly jiggling door handle broke us from our reverie. “Sebastian, sorry to interrupt your morning activities, but I need you up and dressed now.” It was Rowan, and the urgency in his voice snapped us both to attention. “What is it?” I called back through the closed door, irritation boiling beneath the surface. “Our mother is expected within the hour.” My heart dropped. In mere moments, we scrambled to dress, each second feeling like an eternity. Javier had taken Phaedra to school, and the chaotic scene of a ferret darting between my ankles, with Sabrina and Zayer close on its tail, did little to distract me from the impending visit of my mother, a figure I had avoided since the funeral of my sister, Nora. Bellamy stood beside me, her demeanor unusually quiet, tension etched on her face. I could see her anxiety about facing my mother, whom I knew had harbored deep prejudices against our union from the very start. Emily stepped in at that moment, taking Sabrina and Zayer out to play, allowing me to gather my thoughts and gauge the storm that was about to descend upon us. The door to the parlor swung open, and the steward announced in a tone that would never lack for formality, "Her Majesty, Queen Isabella of the house of Alarie." Bellamy tightened her grip on my hand, her heart racing beneath the skin. “Relax,” I whispered, unable to suppress the tension coiling in my gut. “It’s only my mother. Not… Jesus Christ.” A nervous grin crossed her lips, but it shattered like glass as my mother glided into the room, enveloped in an eye-catching red dress that propelled her forward as if the world itself bowed to her presence. “Darling, you look simply wonderful,” my mother crooned, her large designer purse a fortress against the castle of her expectations as her gaze landed on me, cold and sharp as ice. “Mother,” I managed, pulling her in for the customary kiss on both cheeks, forcing a smile that barely masked the churning anger within. “It’s lovely to see you again.” “Yes. It’s been too long,” she scoffed, her tone as biting as an icicle. I bit down on my tongue, the words I wanted to say burning at the tip, and barely held back my biting sarcasm. Rowan stepped in, ever the cautious diplomat. “Mother.” “Oh, Rowan. Don’t you look dashing as always?” she complimented, but as she turned her steely gaze on me, it was obvious she saw through the act. “Perhaps he’s not as happy as he claims to be.” Bellamy’s jaw tightened in response, almost as if I could see the indignation filling her. “Actually, this is the happiest I’ve ever been.” I could hardly suppress the pride swelling within me as I stepped forward. “May I present my wife, since you were unable to attend our wedding and meet her then? Mother, this is the new queen of Messalina, Queen Bellamy.” Bellamy’s grip on my hand tightened as she braced for the impact from my mother’s cold glare. “Your Majesty,” she greeted with a firmness that surprised even me. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” My mother’s lips curved into a smile that held no warmth, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized Bellamy. “Ah, Bellamy, my dear. You’re…” Her voice dipped with disdain, every syllable tinged with condescension. “Adequate, I suppose, especially for an American.” The heat of embarrassment rushed to Bellamy's cheeks, but she stood resolute, refusing to provide my mother the satisfaction of her discomfort. “Thank you,” she replied, her teeth gritting behind the polite facade. “You look exactly as I imagined. I’m glad you could make it to our palace.” My heart swelled with admiration for her strength, and I had to fight not to grin. “Of course. My sons need me.” Her gaze flicked around the room, lingering over Bellamy, assessing her like prey. “Though maybe I should have come sooner to guide my eldest and the king of the country toward better decisions.” “Mother,” I interjected sharply, stepping protectively in front of Bellamy. “That is not why you’re here nor is your opinion on my choices desired.” “Fine,” she conceded, though her eyes remained trained on Bellamy like a hawk. “For your sake, my dear son, I shall hold my tongue and my opinions.” “Good,” I stated firmly, letting the weight of my authority hang heavily between us. “Because if you don’t, you’ll be asked to leave. Bellamy is your new queen, and she will be treated with the grace and respect she deserves.” And I meant it. If my mother dared disrespect Bellamy again, I wouldn’t hesitate to show her the door. Before a moment could pass in tension, the door swung open abruptly, and in walked Bellamy’s father, clad in nothing but a bathrobe, looking utterly bewildered. My mother's face contorted in shock as I couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “Bellamy!” he exclaimed, finding her at last. “Can you point me in the direction of the shower? And why on earth is there a plastic bag on my arm I can’t remove?” Bellamy turned to me, her eyes shimmering with laughter, and I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers, sending her off to assist him. “Go. You don’t want to miss any of this.” She offered me a soft, teary smile before excusing herself to my mother and heading over to her father. “I can help you, Dad. But how did you end up all the way over on this side of the palace? Where’s your helper?” “My helper?” he echoed without a hint of recognition. “The guy who tried to chase after me? Ha!” He laughed heartily, oblivious to the brewing storm in the room. “I got the better of him.” I couldn’t contain the laughter spilling forth, and even Bellamy shot me a sharp look over her shoulder that was more amused than reprimanding. “What on earth was that?” My mother scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. “Bellamy’s father. He has dementia and isn’t well.” “I can see that,” she muttered, her gaze narrowing on me, her judgment sharp. “You really should not let that man run around unattended. You both represent our family, and you need to be more mindful of your image. A queen’s image is everything, after all. So far, I haven’t seen anything regal about her. Perhaps that is the problem." I could feel my temper rising with each word that escaped her mouth, igniting the fury simmering within. “Mother, that’s enough!” I bellowed, the heat of anger pulsing through my veins as I towered over her, Rowan standing at my side. “Bellamy is more than capable of being a great queen, and I have no doubt she will prove herself. She has my full support and I expect you to respect her as my wife and as the queen of our country.” My mother waved it off, her face plastered with her usual icy disdain. “How can you think she’s fit? She’s the nanny! I see the appeal.” Her insinuations burned through me. “You think you’re so wise after barely meeting her?” Rowan shot back, fury matching mine. “I’m simply suggesting that a quick divorce might be the most advantageous course.” A twisted smile crept onto my face. “Do not presume to speak on my marriage when you know nothing of it.” My words came out in a taunting whisper. “Your grandchildren will be on their way by the end of summer.” Her face darkened as the underlying contempt turned rancid, but before she could respond, the door swung open again. Althea entered, her sharp gaze assessing the atmosphere in the room and landing on both Rowan and me. “Sister, you've been here all of ten minutes and already my nephews look miserable. Tell me you haven’t opened your mouth with your unnecessary and unwanted opinions on my new niece?” My mother twisted to face Althea, shock morphing her features. “Your new niece? You cannot be serious?” “Actually, I am.” Althea moved closer, her confidence disarming. “You just never listened when I spoke about her. Bellamy is wonderful and I love her as a dear friend, as my new niece, and as my queen.” My mother’s eyes narrowed, but I was beyond caring. I stood resolute in my love for Bellamy, ready to defend her against any onslaught my mother dared to level. “Now, if we’re past all this, I’d like to get down to business,” Althea continued, unfazed by the storm brewing in our family. As if she were a conductor, she orchestrated the tension into something unexpectedly good. My mother glanced at her in defeat but nodded, retreating to the sofa, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her own pride. The air was thick with unspoken words as we all settled, my heart racing, anticipation beating like a drum in my chest. “It’s not something I ever wanted anyone to know about,” she said, her voice laced with a gravity that pierced through the banter, as if she intended to unravel a longstanding secret. “I suppose it’s time to let everyone know. Your father had an affair with the woman who took your sister.” The silence that followed was deafening, folding over us like a heavy blanket as shock reigned.