Chapter 10: A change of heart
Heinrich was a man who loved his daughter above all else. Even though he was told he needed a son, he could not act as other men and pretend his girl was not a blessing.
The moment she was born, he loved her wholesomely. The little hands of hers, her cheeks, her small nose. He could feel the warmth of her skin going deep within his heart. She was the realization of a dream, to become a father. And even though he and his wife were not madly in love, due to an arranged marriage, he liked her very much and no matter what, he would always be grateful for that little miracle she gave him.
Looking at Vivian and how the Crown Prince would glance here and there during dinner, he could only smile and feel hope that his daughter could be very happy. He knew it was expected of him to give her in marriage to a noble and, of course, her approvation was of no importance for the society they lived in. But he did consider her every thought on the matter. Vivian was comfortable with that man. Yes, man. No matter his status, he was no more than a man to Heinrich. And as so, if he ever broke his daughter's heart, he would pay.
"So, Your Highness… How long do you intend on staying?" Heinrich asked, smiling.
"I intend on staying for a few more days. I should have already returned, but I sense I must stay for a while more." Brian answered and gave a quick glance in Vivian's direction, something she noticed and, of course, instantly looked down, blushing. Heinrich also saw the small movement of the Crown Prince.
"Ah. I hope it is for something good, Your Highness." Vivian's father said, sincerely.
"It is. I know it is. My heart tells me."
They talked a bit more and soon, Brian was gone. Heirinch liked him very much, but gave no chance for the man to stay and chat with Vivian, alone. No. He might have the utmost respect for the royals, but he also knew Brian's reputation as a womanizer and he would not let his daughter be one more conquest.
When Vivian was off to her chambers, Heinrich sat by the office and started to smoke his cigar. He normally wouldn't do that, but he wanted to think better and calm down his nerves. A knock on the door woke him from his own mind.
"Yes?" he asked and soon, his wife's voice came from the other side of the door.
"May I enter?" She asked and Heinrich allowed it. Her face appeared and she entered, closing the door behind her. Aleena was a woman around reaching her forties, but she was still very beautiful.
"How may I help you, dear wife?" He asked, but he had a feeling she would want to talk about the Crown Prince.
"Hmm, My Lord, how was your traveling? We hardly spoke during dinner." She said and Heinrich was surprised.
"It was… It was fine, Aleena. Fine. Nothing out of extraordinary." He said, sincerely.
Aleena approached him and put her hand on his arm, making Heinrich raise an eyebrow and look at her.
"I think we should have a child." She said, serious. "Our daughter might get married soon and…"
"I have long ago let it go, My Lady." He said, but he was not going to lie. He wanted a child. She was not a young girl anymore and long ago, she said she wanted no more children. Even though he held a title, he would never force his wife, leaving the duty for a boy to his younger brother.
"Why the change of heart? Aren't we too old?" By what the society said, she was old, but not him. No, a man was never too old to have children. But the woman…
"I just…" Aleena sat by the chair's arm. "I think it is time. I have delayed it so much, by believing my Vivian was still a child, but now, I can see it is no longer true. She's a woman."
Aleena would always push the thought of going through a pregnancy away. She didn't have a great time while she was expecting and she was afraid of suffering again. They had a miscarriage after Vivian and she decided to wait. But she ended up waiting for too long.
"I am not going to give you that burden. You already gave me a child and I am satisfied, Aleena." Normally, he would call her 'My Lady', so formal.
"I want you." She said, in a low voice. So low he hardly heard it, which made him frown.
"What did you say?" Heinrich has always desired her, but he would wait for her to give him a signal that she also wanted him. He felt as if he was forcing himself on her if he asked or said anything. According to what people said, the wife belonged to the husband and as such, she should bow to his every wish, including warming the bed.
"Don't make me repeat!" Her face was as red as a tomato and he held a laugh. He learned to love her within time. Many thought Aleena was cold and distant, but in fact, she was just too worried about everything.
Heinrich pulled her from the arm of the chair to his lap and caressed her cheeks.
"And I want you, too. Are you sure about it?"
"More than anything." Aleena said and approached her lips from his.
While they were both trying for another child, Vivian was in her room, looking out the window. She was afraid of her own feelings.
"What is happening to me?" She asked herself, worried. "Do I like him?"
The answer popped into her mind instantly, and was positive. Yes, she liked him. But what if he didn't feel the same way? Brian Baskerville liked to tease and as much as it could seem funny, it was desperate. Vivian could never tell if he was speaking the truth.
What she didn't know was that Brian was having a turbulence of feelings inside of his mind and heart. Different from her, he could not bear the idea of falling in love with any woman.
"It is just a deal. I must concentrate!"
Two days after that, a letter from his father arrived.
— New chapter is coming soon — Write a review
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone