Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points! - Chapter 190

Chapter 190: • Serenity at the Edge of Steel Part Two
Arkanos considered her for a moment, his fingers gently stroking Vael’s silver hair as the boy began to doze against him. “Then we adapt,” he said. “Ivan’s scouts are mapping their hidden docks, and Sylvana’s magic will track their movements. No airship will fly unopposed… Although I strongly doubt they currently possess the means to outfly an archangel in the air, even if he’s a fallen.”

Selene, who had been quietly demolishing her pancakes, looked up, her golden eyes twinkling with amusement. “My son, you speak of war as if it’s a game of chess,” she said, licking a drop of honey from her finger. “But I trust you’ll keep this empire—and my darling grandson—safe.”

She leaned forward, cooing at Vael, who stirred slightly in Arkanos’s arms. “Isn’t that right, little one? Your father will make the world kneel for you.”

Little Vael nodded.

Illena chuckled softly, her gaze softening as she watched Selene dote on Vael. “Seems my little man is already stealing hearts,” she said, her voice warm with pride. But her eyes flicked back to Arkanos, a silent question lingering—how much of his heart was in this war, and how much remained here, with them?

Arkanos met her gaze, his expression softening for a moment. “The empire will stand, Illena,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a rare tenderness. “And so will we.” He lifted Vael slightly, pressing a gentle kiss to the boy’s forehead, earning a sleepy murmur from the baby.

Sephira set down her fork with a deliberate, delicate motion. Her vibrant green eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, and a slow, confident smile curved her rose-painted lips. She rose from her seat, the fabric of her gown rustling softly as she stood, drawing every eye in the hall. Her blonde curls bounced lightly, and she placed a hand lightly on the table.

“Since we’re sharing such good news tonight,” she smiled.

“I thought it only fitting to add a little surprise of my own.” She paused, her smile widening as she let the moment hang, her eyes locking briefly with Arkanos’s before sweeping across the table. “I am with child.”

A stunned silence gripped the hall. Kaela, mid-sip of her wine, froze, her bright blue eyes widening in shock as the goblet hovered near her lips.

Illena’s yellow eyes blinked rapidly, her fork pausing above her untouched quail as she processed the announcement. Selene, a forkful of pancake halfway to her mouth, raised an eyebrow, her golden gaze glinting with intrigue.

Arkanos’s expression remained unreadable for a moment, his hand still gently cradling Vael, who stirred slightly in his arms.

His emerald eyes locked with Sephira’s, a flicker of surprise giving way to a faint, approving nod, though his stoic demeanor held firm.

Illena was the first to recover, her lips curving into a warm, genuine smile as she set down her fork and leaned forward.

“Sephira, that’s wonderful!” she said, her voice rich with sincerity. “Another child to grace the empire—truly a blessing.” Her silver-green hair caught the light as she tilted her head, her warmth extending to her rival despite their occasional arguments.

Selene set down her fork with a soft clink, her golden eyes twinkling with delight. “Well, well,” she said playfully as she dabbed honey from her lips with a napkin. “Another grandchild to spoil! Sephira, you’ve outdone yourself.” She leaned back, her smile broadening as she glanced at Arkanos. “My son, you’re building quite the legacy.”

Kaela, still visibly shocked, finally lowered her goblet, her blue eyes softening as she found her voice. “Congratulations, Sephira,” she said quietly, her tone measured but kind. “This… this is joyous news.” Her fingers tightened briefly around the stem of her goblet, a flicker of complex emotion crossing her face before she masked it with a small smile.

Sephira’s smile grew radiant, her green eyes gleaming with pride as she placed a delicate hand on her still-flat stomach. “Thank you, all of you,” she said, her voice softening but still carrying that playful confidence. She glanced at Arkanos, her gaze lingering with a mix of adoration and triumph. “I hope to bring honor to our emperor and our empire with this child.”

Arkanos shifted Vael gently in his arms, the baby now dozing against his chest. “You do us proud, Sephira,” he said, his deep voice steady but warm, a rare crack in his usual stoicism. “The empire grows stronger with this news.” His eyes held hers for a moment, a silent acknowledgment of her place in his life and legacy.

Illena reached across the table, her hand briefly squeezing Sephira’s. “We’ll be here for you, Sephira,” she said, her yellow eyes bright with sincerity. “As mothers, as family.” Her words carried a quiet strength, bridging any rivalry with the shared bond of their roles.

Sephira returned the squeeze, her smile softening. “I’m grateful, Illena,” she said, then glanced at Kaela and Selene. “To all of you.”

Selene raised her goblet of honeyed milk, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

“To new life and new legacies!” she declared, her voice ringing through the hall. “May this child be as fierce and radiant as their mother—and as stubborn as their father.”

A ripple of laughter echoed from each of them, even Kaela’s lips twitching into a faint smile as she raised her goblet. Illena and Sephira joined in, their goblets clinking softly in the candlelight. Arkanos, still holding Vael, lifted his own goblet with his free hand, his faint smirk signaling his approval of the toast.

Sephira then leaned slightly toward Arkanos, her rose-painted lips curved into a coy smile as she rested a hand delicately on the table, her other hand still lightly touching her stomach.

“My emperor…”

“I’ll be visiting you later tonight. We should discuss a fitting name for our child…” She paused, her smile sharpening as she added, “…and perhaps talk about a certain… priestess.”

Arkanos, mid-sip of his deep red wine, froze, his emerald eyes widening slightly as the liquid caught in his throat. A sharp cough escaped him, and he set the goblet down with a clink, his usual stoic composure faltering for a brief moment. Vael stirred in his arms, letting out a soft whimper, and Arkanos quickly adjusted his hold to soothe the baby, his face flushing faintly with embarrassment.