The words of Gale elevated Aster's spirit. Although Aster emphasized her family more than the kingdom, she still is a kind and dedicated queen. And as a mother and a queen, she wanted her child to inherit what is hers. All this time she is saddened by the fact that Arata will not be able to be a king, her own blood denied of his rightful place.
After hearing her husband's words she is now determined that no matter what is denied of Arata, their love to their son won't be.
The queen pulled herself together, stood up, taking Arata from her husband's hands, and said "Arata, don't worry about a thing Mama and Papa will take care of you no matter what" with determined eyes.
Arata responded with a baby chuckle and said ["mama"] with {Hearts Roar}.
Both Gale and Aster were shocked but were immediately filled with smiles. Aster kissed Arata and "Yes! mama , say again Arata Ma-Ma"
Gale hugged Aster to be in the view of Arata and said "Arata say Papa! Pa-Pa" while pointing at himself.
As both of them started indulging in their cute son, there was a knock on the door of the queen's bedroom.
When the queen said "Who is it?", Wendy came inside. Looking at Wendy both the parents smiled and hurried her to come closer and said with overlapping tones "Look Wendy, Arata said Mama!".
Wendy looking surprised came closer to the couple.
Looking at the surprised Wendy, Aster pridefully said "My Arata is quite intelligent, right!", while Gale continued "And Cute! so cuute, just like Aster".
Aster blushed and shook her head denying "nhmhm, no Arata takes after brave and handsome Papa".
Looking at the pink environment Wendy thought [no no! I already know the prince can talk! what's surprising is the mood swings of you stupid couple! Also, what do you mean by saying "takes after brave and handsome Papa"! you just beat the crap out of my father for saying just that!].
While she is glad that her childhood friend and the queen are fine now, she still hates it when they create a pink bubble around them. She coughed and "The Prince is quite amazing. Your highness, Lady Seiko is waiting in the waiting chamber, she is requesting to speak with Your highness and Lord Gale."
Aster with her usual smile said with a drop in her voice "Oh! What does that Fo- ... Lady Seiko wants? Any case, I am busy and Gale is tired, so tell her to come again or somethi-"
"Busy with what exactly?" Seiko interjected, standing at the now open queen's bedroom door. If any other lord barged into the queen's bedroom like this, they would probably be dead for some time now but Lady Seiko is not only the Prime Minister of the kingdom but she is also the second wife of Duke Westwind, the prince consort, and the childhood friend of the queen Aster.
Glaring at the now coming closer Seiko, Aster said with a big smile "You know Seiko, you might accidentally get killed if you barge into the Queen's bedroom. Not all those that guard my cambers are aware of our relationship"
Seeing the underlined hint of threat from the queen's words, Wendy tactfully placed herself away from any crossfire from the two mistresses, while Gale just stood there awkwardly.
Seiko responded with a smirk " So you are saying the Old man hired 'them'1[1] the shadows that protect the queen and royal family, they have no name by protocol from those who have no idea that I am the prime minister, wife of this man, and is your friend ?"
The queen said silently under her breath "was".
Although realizing the counter Seiko just lifted her hand making a fist and said "Welp! it could be a possibility but even then they have to be able to beat me first and there are not many in this kingdom that can do that, right dear?" and proceeded to lock her arms with Gale with a charming smile.
Seeing Seiko's intimacy with Gale in her very own bedroom, Aster's smile went into killing mode and she said with a monotone voice, "I know Seiko, although people call you shrewd ( FOX), you are actually a muscle type (Gorilla). Maybe they will recognize you macho if you display your physical prowess, then you might get the title shrewd macho minister! (Fox-tailed gorilla bitch!) "
Wendy is sweating bullets understanding the underlying insults and challenges, she looked at the man in the middle and he is looking at her like a puppy that's about to be torn apart by a tiger and a dragon. Wendy resolutely took a step backward and turned her head away, ignoring his pleas in the most dignified and cut-throat manner.
While Gale was surprised at his friend's betrayal and distressed by his situation, Wendy thought [who told you to marry both the queen and the prime minister! I can't help you with these monsters! I know how sister Seiko manipulated you since we are kids and I am aware of the queen's yandere switch, there is no way anyone can help you! Just become manure for your family and this kingdom, niichan]
Gale finally mustered his courage and said "uhm.. Ar.. Arata will be scared if you two look serious, I can take him to oth-"
"you think I am scary" asked two overlapping voices without letting him finish his sentence.
Wendy thought [Poor niichan, although your plan is good your execution is bad. Let me harvest your hard work] and said " I will take the prince to the other room, so Lord Duke does not need to worry"
Gale screamed internally [WHY ARE YOU STEALING MY ESCAPE ROUTE, he is MY son, he should be used for MY escape!!]
While Wendy is shamelessly taking someone else's lifeline, Arata once again said ["mama"].
All arguments came to standstill and perfect silence filled the room.
Finally, Seiko said, "Your highness, we should talk."
There was no tease or rivaling tone in her voice like before. It was a flat and non-compromising voice.
With a sigh, Aster said, "Wendy take Arata out to play and close the door while leaving."
After Wendy took the prince and left the room, the queen ordered, "Sit, Seiko it will take some time."
Lady Seiko sat in the chair and Aster began to explain the chaos that happened since Arata's first word, only leaving out Yababa's secret.
Seiko listened to everything silently. After the queen is finished she said in a carrying voice, "Liv, I am sorry, I wish... and believe that Arata will get better." Aster nodded her head.
Seiko continued now in a bit strong tone, "But as always, you both are idiots when it comes to anything but your area of specialization. Firstly, Gale, I told you time and time again to stop coming to conclusions. You should thank Old man, if he didn't knock some sense into you, your stunt could have caused major troubles. All that old snakes in the court would have caught something is wrong with the queen or the prince."
Gale lowered his head in quilty. Seeing that the queen started to defend, "It is not Gale's fault! His {Deep Roar} connection with me ha-"
Seiko interrupted saying, "I am not finished Liv!"
Aster stopped herself. As a queen she is above all her subjects but Seiko is now addressing her as a friend, not as a minister. Of the few friends, she has, her relationship with Seiko is deeper and so is her debt to her. For Aster when Seiko calls her 'Liv', it is not the prime minister of Summers Bloom that's calling her, but her big sister-like friend.
Seiko continued, "{Deep Roar} is troublesome. Gale should know about it and worst of all he took it to the spirit drain level. Seriously, are you an idiot? Do you even get it, Gale? With one fell swoop, you could have made your son an orphan, took out the kingdom, and doomed us all."
Gale looked visibly hurt by Seiko's words. Seeing this Aster tried soothing her friend, "Seiko, please! you know Gale, he -"
Seiko interrupted again saying, "Yes I know him! he is my husband too Aster. I had to run here fearing that I have to see my friend and husband killed by the enemy and I came here only to realize my worst fears almost materialized into reality. And what triggered it? Feelings? Love? whatever bullshit it is, I told you both before and I am telling you again- what we fought for, what we won, and whatever we build meant nothing if we die without enjoying it."
As Aster and Gale lowered their heads, Seiko said in an undertone voice, "Gale, I don't want to die but I don't think I or Aster can live without you."
Gale looked up and just said "Seiko"
Seiko continued, "That is not all the burden you carry, mind it! not just two lives! all those that supported us, Old Man, Wendy, Liam, Gina, and everyone who didn't kill themselves will be hunted and torn apart if Aster and you are dead. Keep that in mind. Please.."
Seiko held Gale's hand for a moment and then straightened her back like she is ready to give the second round of sermon. She said, "As for you Majesty..."
The change of target from Gale to her and the change in her address made Aster flinch.
Seiko continued, "You locked yourself? really? why not send a written report that the first prince and hope to revive the Anthurium is lost to the court? If the Old man didn't cover for your absence we are looking at a coup or foreign invasion"
There is worry in Aster's eyes. She will leave this throne for her family but the enemy won't stop just because she gave up her seat. They will go for Anthurium's blood, Arata's blood. Only when there is no Anthurium, they could claim Summers Bloom.
Gale stood up and declared, "They have to go through me first!"
With sharp eyes, Seiko snapped back, "I just told you not to jump to conclusions! And if you want to protect just make another child fast!"
