The Billionaire's Sin

"Her royal highness Duchess Kat Herondale of Marilla is here for her morning greetings," announced by one of the Queen Consort's bodyguard. He opened the double door and let the elegant lady walked in before we could accept or reject her presence. Adira Stygian. The Queen Consort; my mother stopped sipping on her favorite tea. She turns her head to the door and anticipates for her daughter in law with a warm smile on her lips. It's warmer today because she is in good mood. I bet nothing could wipe off that smile. "Your Majesty," she said. Kat Herondale bobbed a curtsy to her before she settled on the vacant space next to where I am sitting. "How was your sleep, Ma'am?" Kat Herondale casually asked the Queen Consort. "Wonderful. How about you? How was your sleep?" A smirk slowly crawl on the side of my lips. The Queen must be happy at the news of my acquisition to the biggest shipping company in Ascian that she is being extra friendly to everyone. I lean against the backrest. I was trained to behave properly and keep posture but when I am around my mother. I know that I could loose a little. It's not like she'll nag at me for not following the royal rules and protocol. I could always do what I want and behave the way I want in front of the woman who gave birth to me. It's the perk I get after giving more power in her hand the moment I came to life and became Ascian's crown prince. Kat quickly shove our interlock hands after reaching the safe distance away from the Queen Dowager's chamber. We came to greet her together like the usual after we're done with the Queen Consort because apparently. My grandmother thinks Kat and I are living a fairytale-like love story. Her day wouldn't be perfect and complete if she won't see us acting like head over heels in love for each other. "We will give her majesty a what?" Kat sneered. "A grandchild within this year? In case you have forgotten. I just turned eighteen last month, Sinichi!" I could sense the anger hiding beneath her calm and sweet-toned voice. My feet move to be in my chamber. Kat's footstep followed me. I know for sure that this conversation will take forever to end. "I won't bear your child." I scratch my left eyebrow, where I could feel a small scar I got from an accident when I was young. "Who says you have a choice? In case you misunderstood. I am informing you that we will have a child. I am not asking for your permission nor opinion about this matter," I said and pointed the door of my chamber. Asking her to leave. I have a board meeting to attend and Kat is wasting my time. Kat didn't move. Her stance looked as if she is challenging me. My feet took a step to cut the distance between the two of us. "When you decided to agree on our marriage. You had the power to control someone else's life except yours. Because when you said I do, you have fully surrendered yourself in my palm. I am the one who gets to decide for you my wife," I said. Kat Herondale flashes a death glared. She was furious she didn't mind to mask her emotions. "Wasn't my Mother's real-estate company and land development corporation enough?" my mouth pops open at her question. I stared at Kat for a few more seconds. I think I get it now. This is the reason of her anger. Because she finds out that her father handed me the shipping business that's supposed to be hers. "Your father give the company to me because he thinks that you are lacking... you are not capable of leading it to its brighter future and that's on you. It's my fault that you are weak and not good enough in the eyes of your own blood and flesh---" "Like how the King and Queen Dowager sees you too?" my pupils dilated out of anger after hearing her back lash. I pulled the collar of her dress. Kat flinches. Her body shakes and she closes her eyes automatically. I was about to let go of her when she released a heartily chuckle. She is mocking me. "Shut up." Kat Herondale harshly grab my hands away from her collar. She even had the time to fix it before she met my enrage and burning pools. "Sinichi we're riding on the same boat. As much as I'm lacking you are too. The reason why her majesty, the Queen Consort kept pushing to your limit is because your best is not that praise-worthy. After all these years, with all the power you are born with. You are nothing but a baby that constantly needs his mother's protection. If not you'll be devoured by your enemy waiting in line for the throne." The anger on Kat's eyes falter until it faded completely. She run her hand through my shoulder down to my chest. Fleeting seconds passed and she is smiling sweetly at me like the usual. "Keep a sweet smile when you leave to greet the King," she reminded me using the same words I always say to her. Before she open the door of my chamber. Kat glance at me and smile again. "The duality of that woman," I murmured before I heard myself throwing my head back to laugh. "Guess the old saying is true. Birds with the same feather flocks together." I sighed and walk to the table filled with wines that satisfy my taste buds. "How greedy could you be Kat Herondale? I can't wait to see you take off your wings and sparkling halo." Our wedding ring made a clinking sound as it hit the material of the wineglass. "Queen Consort is right after all. You are what I need. The perfect accessory I must have that will dazzle me as I sit in the throne." I raised my glasses to drink the fine-tasting wine from our orchard.