In the Imperial Garden, blossoms of every hue competed in beauty, their fragrance carried on the breeze.
"Your Grace, please be careful." A palace maid took a cloak and gently draped it over the woman admiring the flowers in the pavilion.
"Hehe... I'm not that delicate." Her gentle voice flowed through one's heart like a spring breeze, bringing joy and warmth.
The speaker was a strikingly beautiful woman, her skin as pale as snow, her features delicate as a lotus blossom. Beneath her arched brows, her eyes sparkled with laughter like autumn water. Her slender, fair hand lightly caressed her rounded belly, her face radiant with maternal love.
Because she treated the servants kindly, the palace maid was not afraid of her and grumbled, "My dear lady, the little prince will be born soon. You can't afford any mishaps now, or His Majesty will have our heads!"
At the mention of the man in her heart, the woman's smile widened, happiness shining in her eyes. Though he was a king burdened with many responsibilities, he loved her dearly, cherished her, and protected her. She was already content.
"All right, let's go back!" The wind was indeed strong here, and she didn't want her stubbornness to harm the child in her belly.
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study, an elderly man with graying hair was reporting solemnly to the one seated upon the dragon throne. "Your Majesty, last night I observed the heavens and found that the Demon Child is about to be born. The Demon Child is both good and evil, its power unfathomable. If not eliminated, it may threaten the kingdom and even plunge the world into chaos."
The handsome man seated on the dragon throne wore a yellow imperial robe, exuding an air of authority. Upon hearing these words, he furrowed his brows in seriousness.
The man before him was Grand Astrologer Simon of Silvermoon Kingdom. The Simon family had served the royal house for generations, possessing spiritual powers and the ability to predict fortune and disaster. Thanks to their efforts, Silvermoon Kingdom had grown from a minor vassal state to one of the two great powers, standing equal to Cang Kingdom. The Simon family's contributions were indispensable.
However, in Grand Astrologer Simon's generation, he had only one daughter. Women were forbidden from participating in government or holding office, and tradition could not be broken. Thus, Simon made an exception and took on a disciple. Yet, ordinary people lacked spiritual power; though they could learn the arts of astrology and divination, their accuracy could not compare to the Simon family. Fortunately, Simon's daughter, Consort Bella Simon, was exceptionally gifted. Though she could not serve in government, she and Emperor Alexander were deeply in love. She entered the palace as a consort and could offer guidance when needed.
Emperor Alexander understood the gravity of the situation and asked in a deep voice, "Can you predict the exact location where the Demon Child will be born?"
Grand Astrologer Simon paused before replying, "It will be born within the Inner Palace."
"What?" Emperor Alexander stood up in shock. "Grand Astrologer, are you certain there is no mistake?"
In truth, he knew that Grand Astrologer Simon had never been wrong, and with the matter involving Consort Bella, he would have triple-checked.
That's right! The matter was closely tied to Consort Bella, for in the Inner Palace, the only one carrying the imperial heir was Emperor Alexander's most beloved consort—Consort Bella! And the little prince was indeed about to be born.
"How could this be? How could my royal child be the Demon Child?" Emperor Alexander collapsed into the dragon throne in despair.
As if struck by a thought, hope flickered in his eyes and he said, "Grand Astrologer, you said the Demon Child is both good and evil. If guided correctly, perhaps..."
"Your Majesty, absolutely not..." Grand Astrologer Simon said gravely. "Bella is my only daughter, and the child in her womb is my own grandchild. But I have observed for a long time—as the Demon Child grows, the evil energy of the Demon Star also grows, even eclipsing the light of the Purple Star. If the Demon Child is born, I fear I will be powerless to control it!"
He loved Consort Bella, his only daughter, dearly. When he first discovered the Demon Child's location, he was shocked. But loyalty to the royal family was the Simon family's duty, and he could not let their reputation be ruined in his hands—he could not become a sinner for the ages!
After a long silence, Emperor Alexander finally spoke in despair, "Grand Astrologer, I leave this matter in your hands." He knew his decision would break Consort Bella's heart, but he would make it up to her. There would be other children, but he could not ignore the fate of the kingdom.
"Your Grace, Grand Astrologer Simon has come to see you." The palace maid reported with a smile, knowing her lady would be pleased.
Sure enough, the woman on the lounge chair immediately broke into a dazzling smile. "Father..." She waved for the attendants to withdraw.
Grand Astrologer Simon looked lovingly at his daughter, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve. "Bella... Your mother made chicken soup for you and insisted I bring it." He placed the food box on the wooden table and personally ladled a bowl for her. "Drink it while it's hot!"
Consort Bella chuckled, "Mother always worries so much! What isn't available in the palace? But her love makes me feel so happy. Especially now, as my own child grows day by day, I understand a mother's love for her children even more."
Watching Bella finish a small bowl, Grand Astrologer Simon finally spoke, "Bella, you cannot keep this child. You must understand your father and His Majesty."
Bella froze. "What do you mean?" A sense of foreboding filled her heart.
Grand Astrologer Simon sighed. "I always wondered why your pregnancy affected your powers. Now I understand—it's because the child in your womb is the Demon Child, and that must be why your abilities have weakened!"
Bella felt her limbs turn cold. "Demon Child?" Her gaze fell on the bowl—chicken soup? Suddenly, a sharp pain twisted in her belly. Her face turned pale, but she calmly asked, "Does His Majesty know?" This showed she was not as fragile as she appeared.
Grand Astrologer Simon nodded, advising, "Do not blame His Majesty. The Demon Child cannot remain!"
Bella let out a soft laugh. "Demon Child? All I know is that he's my child!" Hehe... My senior was right—an emperor always values his kingdom above all. Loving an emperor will never bring happiness. So she never dared to hope for too much, always content with what she had. But she never expected...
Bella looked at the man before her and suddenly burst into laughter. This was her father! Back then, to help the previous king choose the rightful heir, he had used her mother as a tool, causing her to lose the ability to bear children. He thought refusing to take concubines would make up for it. Now, for the sake of the kingdom, he was prepared to kill his own grandchild. Was he too selfless, or simply too cold-blooded?