The Damned Demon

Chapter 737  An Inevitable Confrontation

Ceti blinked, her eyes wide with disbelief as she processed Igrid's revelation.

Rowena's reaction was a stark contrast—her shock was palpable, yet she managed to suppress the tremble in her voice as she spoke. Her crimson eyes flickered with confusion and disbelief, as though the very concept of pregnancy in such a short span of time seemed impossible.

"That... that cannot be possible," Rowena said slowly, her gaze flicking down to her stomach as if she could physically deny the reality of the situation, "It hasn't been long enough..."

Her voice trailed off, and the weight of the words lingered in the air. Not even two years had passed since her union with Asher.

And for those of her bloodline, it typically took at least a decade or more to conceive a child. Yet, here she was, learning that she was already pregnant.

Igrid winced slightly at Rowena's words, a brief smile tugging at the corner of his lips, "You aren't wrong to think like that, Your Majesty," he said carefully. "But we all know His Majesty is special in many ways. His bloodline is beyond comprehension, and perhaps that translates to the fact that he could make this present situation possible."

Ceti's cheeks flushed with astonishment as she processed Igrid's words.

Her mind swirled with the realization—Asher's essence was potent enough to bring about such a thing so quickly. The idea that the strongest vampire could conceive a child in such a short time, given the nature of her powerful bloodline, made her marvel at Asher's power down there in ways she had never thought possible.

No wonder he was such a pervert!

Rowena slowly placed a hand on her stomach, her fingers caressing gently, as though trying to feel the child that now grew inside her. A warmth spread through her chest as her mind began to settle on the reality of what was happening. Her crimson eyes, once filled with shock, now softened with a new, almost radiant light—a light she couldn't ignore. I'm bearing Asher's child... The thought filled her with a deep sense of happiness and warmth, a feeling she hadn't anticipated. Her face softened into a faint smile, the expression rare and serene.

"This is news for celebration, Your Majesty," Ceti said, her voice soft and filled with warmth as she watched Rowena, a gentle and excited smile touching her lips, "I'm sure our people and His Majesty will be thrilled to know that you are expecting."

Rowena's smile faltered, her expression hardening with sudden resolve. She shook her head firmly, her tone serious, "No... we can't let anyone know about this, not even him. Not yet."

Ceti's eyes widened in confusion, and she was unable to keep her disbelief from showing, "But why, Your Majesty?" Her voice was filled with concern. "Why hide such joyous news? I understand the dangers of our current situation, but—"

Rowena's gaze turned serious, her eyes hardening with the familiar steel of a queen determined to protect her kingdom, "Because we know that Asher is already under tremendous stress and pressure to protect our kingdom," she said, her voice low and resolute, "If I tell him about this, it will only add to his burden. He will begin worrying about this unborn child, and that is a burden I cannot allow him to carry yet. As his wife and queen, I will bear that burden alone for now. I will let him focus on what's at hand, and once this is all over... then I will tell him."

Ceti's face softened with understanding, though a deep sadness lingered in her eyes. She pressed her lips together in silence, realizing Rowena was unwavering in her decision.

She wasn't just thinking about the child growing inside her; she was thinking about the kingdom, about Asher, and the greater good.

Igrid's face softened as he said, "Your Majesty, if I may, letting His Majesty know might only make him fight harder than he already does because the power of a newborn soul can affect a man in more ways than you can imagine. When your mother was pregnant with you, your father was about to engage in a dangerous quest. But she told him the news anyway so that he would have a very important reason to return. So I kindly suggest not to think that it would burden him."

Ceti readily nodded as if she couldn't agree enough with what Igrid said.

Rowena's eyes flickered with uncertainty before they calmed down, "Your words are wise, Igrid. I was too worried to think it through. I shall then tell him myself after he returns. But before I tell him, nobody else should know. We will both decide together how to handle this situation."

Igrid, as always, respected her wishes. He gave a slight bow of his head, his voice steady, "Of course. As you wish, Your Majesty."

Ceti nodded slowly with a warm smile, "We will do as you say, Your Majesty."

Rowena's hand gently tensed around her stomach as she felt the weight of another soul settle upon her. She wasn't just carrying her own child—she was carrying the future of her family, and of her kingdom. The path ahead was uncertain, and the kingdom itself was on the brink of war. She couldn't afford to let personal matters jeopardize the safety of the people or Asher's focus. But at the same time, she and Asher would do whatever it takes to protect their child until then.

—

Not too long ago in the Severed Realm,

A quiet tension was building on Mars. In one of the most grand and opulent buildings in the Eternal City, Cecilia stood by the large window, gazing out over the sprawling city. The Martian sky hung dark and oppressive above the glowing metropolis, its red-tinted atmosphere casting an eerie hue over everything. There were already Hunters and their family members who were manaborns, walking around with M.A.M tech installed in their bodies. She wished she could warn them, but here she was…her hands tied.

Her expression was grim, her thoughts far away, contemplating the uncertain future that awaited both Mars and her own, especially her daughter's position within it.

Just as she was lost in her own musings, the doors to her quarters banged open with a sudden force.

*Bang!*

Rachel burst inside, her face flushed with anxiety, slamming the door behind her and rushing toward her mother.

"Mom! We're in danger! We have to get out of here. Quick!" Rachel's voice was frantic, her usual composure shattered by the urgency in her words.

Cecilia's eyes widened in surprise, her heart pounding as she immediately stepped forward, grabbing Rachel by the shoulders with a firm grip, "Calm down, Rachel! What is going on? What happened?"

Rachel shook her head rapidly, her eyes wild with panic, "There isn't enough time to explain, but Dad now knows who Asher truly is! If he didn't know before, he definitely knows now!"

Cecilia's expression fell, her blood running cold at the thought of Derek's reaction. The very mention of his name sent a chill through her, and she immediately felt the force of the danger that was closing in on them. Her mind raced as Rachel dragged her toward the door, her breath freezing in her chest at the prospect of what was to come.

But just as Rachel opened the door, their eyes widened in shock. Rachel's body tensed yet gripped her mother's hand firmly as she unconsciously stumbled back.

Standing in the doorway, his figure blocking the exit, was Derek. His expression was colder than usual—his eye gleamed with a dark intensity, and there was no trace of the warmth he normally showed to his family.

"Were you two going somewhere?" Derek's voice was low, chilling, as he slowly stepped into the room, his movements deliberate. With a faint click, he locked the door behind him, his right eye glinting with a dark light.

The tension in the air was thick and suffocating. Cecilia's heart hammered in her chest, but her face betrayed nothing as she quickly gathered herself. She instinctively pulled Rachel aside, her movements graceful but deliberate, positioning herself between her daughter and Derek as she attempted to mask the fear rising in her chest.

"Oh, honey," Cecilia said, her voice smooth and casual despite the storm of emotions brewing within her. "I thought you had gone back to Earth for a meeting," She gave him a small, nonchalant smile, hoping to defuse the moment with her practiced ease.

Derek, however, remained unfazed. His eye locked onto hers with a chilling intensity, his voice as cold as ice. "You didn't answer my question," he said flatly, his gaze never leaving her, an almost predatory gleam in his right eye. The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of something unsaid.

Cecilia's smile faltered slightly, the edge in his voice cutting through her calm. She could feel the suffocating pressure of his aura surrounding them. There was something different in the air—a deep, unmistakable intensity, like a storm just before it unleashed its fury. It was something they had never felt before, and it made the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end.

Her hand, which had been holding Rachel's, grew cold. The warmth of their bond felt distant now, swallowed by the immense tension. She tried to maintain composure, her fingers tightening instinctively around Rachel's as she dryly chuckled, "Oh, we were just about to take a walk around the city and get some fresh air. A little break, you know? Rachel and I could use some rest," she said, her voice betraying none of the nervousness gnawing at her insides and added, "Were you-"

"You lied enough!" He suddenly snapped, his tone biting and sharp, the outburst cutting through the silence like a blade. His words hit like a physical blow, making both Cecilia and Rachel flinch at the sudden eruption of anger while feeling his icy stare.

Cecilia's breath caught in her throat, her facade of calm slipping for a brief moment as she stumbled backward, her eyes widening in shock. She instinctively kept holding Rachel behind her back, as if to shield her from the fury that was radiating from Derek. "D-Derek..." she stuttered, her voice trembling despite her attempt to maintain control.

Rachel, gripped by fear, still tried to free herself from her mother's grip to protect her just in case, but her mother's grip was too strong, and she could only look on helplessly. The room seemed to close in on them as Derek took another deliberate step forward. Every movement he made seemed to send a chill down their spines, and neither of them could bring themselves to look away from him.

Derek's expression darkened, his face an unreadable mask of cold fury, his arms rippling with restrained power and anger, "Were you two planning to lie to me until the end and run away?" he asked, his voice dangerously low. The venom in his tone made it clear that there was no question he was asking for reassurance—it was a demand, a condemnation, "Is this how you treat me after everything I did to provide the best future for both of you?"

Cecilia's heart sank at his words, the sharpness of them like a dagger lodged in her chest. She had known this confrontation was inevitable, but nothing could have prepared her for the brutal honesty of his anger. She had never seen him express such anger in her life.

Her voice faltered as she tried to respond, but it felt as though her words were being suffocated by the pressure in the room, "Derek, I—"

He cut her off, his voice rising with each word, the fury in his eye almost palpable, "Tell me..." His eye flashed with a dark, unnatural gleam, glowing faintly with malice, "What did you two lack so much that the both of you let a filthy demon touch and corrupt you?" His words were a guttural accusation, as if the mere thought of it disgusted him, "How could you betray me like this?"