= "christmas"

.·。.·゜·༺♥༻ ·゜·。.

Not many people knew and understood Cal's true objective for Seol-il. Philippe, Kym Shion and a few other people were involved in their secret meetings, but that was it. He had told Gigi the night he showed her the maps, believing that he would be better off with his wife's knowledge and blessings. It was all pre-calculated; neatly and meticulously planned.

He first learned of Seol-il's cruel treatment against its working class in his earliest meetings with Dr. Jaeyr seven years ago, and the idea hatched. But for the plan to work smoothly, he needed an insider who was willing to work for him; providing him with knowledge from the inside and being his right-hand man when the deed's done. A local resident with as much hatred as he needed to trump over the Royal Family. Jaeyr then introduced him to Kym Shion.

Of course, he could just march into their border with the strength of Angletonia's military and Seol-il would be brought to its knees in no time. But how would he differ from their malevolent King? Not quite the image he wanted to convey. To assure his popularity, he needed the people to side with him. And what better trigger to make them stand against their rulers than war, famine, disease and disaster?

Since famine and disease were already at play, thanks to the Seol-il ruling class, they needed to set the third in motion; disaster. Kym Shion presented him with intel about an old, damaged dam that's set to break in a couple of years. Cal hated the idea of killing people and having to call it 'casualties', so they forged a plan for it to hit the main routes instead of the settlements. That way, there would still be a crisis on supplies without taking a lot of innocent lives.

His next plan was to build shelters, as a way to present himself and interact with the Seol-il refugees. An antithesis to their malicious King; warm, caring, and humble. Everything he built for them, healing the sick and pouring the soup, wasn't for nothing. With the main roads breached, they'd have plenty of time to mingle with the people without being intercepted by the Royal Family.

Caring for those refugees had served two purposes. The Seol-il government hated foreign interventions; especially since they were taking their people into Angletonian land. It was a huge blow to their ego.

As predictable as they were, they took the bait; attacking the Angletonian border despite their weakening conditions. A few days after he heard about the attack, Cal was quick to set up a large audience in the celebration of Gigi's pregnancy, allowing him to make a public declaration while making it seem like a moment's decision.

A valid reason to attack, for Seol-il was the one who delivered the first blow.

It's checkmate.

"Their resistance is weakening, Your Majesty," the Colonel of the armed forces told him as they stood in the Archambault fortress, watching the front from afar. "Should we declare a ceasefire?"

"Ceasefire? We are going easy on them, or they would have been done within a week of us coming here," one of the lords who stood by said.

Cal silently observed Seol-il soldiers fleeing their burning camps through his binoculars. These were the people who had mercilessly attacked their helpless citizens. "Yes, let's do a ceasefire. Ask one of their people to come over. I'd like to send their King a message."

A Seol-il messenger came during the ceasefire and Cal set up for an audience in the fortress. He had to leave his pregnant wife for this, so it better be worth it.

"I am making your King a very generous offer," he began. "Call off the attack and come down to see me. I am inviting him to the Angletonian capital where he must make a proper apology for attacking Angletonia, and make amends for the expenses we've spent to tend the Seol-il refugees."

"They'll never be able to afford that!" one of the soldiers in the audience whispered.

"If he does exactly that, I will pull my forces from the border, return every single one of Seol-il citizens from Angletonia, and forget this ever happened."

"Y-Your Majesty?" The messenger trembled.

"You heard me right. Make him come and apologize to me."

***

"Word of you being unwilling to apologize has reached the Emperor," a Seol-il noble said, dressed in a fine suit as they all gathered before their King in a formal meeting.

"So?" the King hissed.

"Your Majesty, for the sake of your country and its people, you should consider the offer," said a scholar. "It's already difficult for the people to cope after the disaster, and now the country's expenses are being spent on war! It's a fight we can't afford!"

"Issue an order for the lords of each village to donate wheat to the farmers," added another. "That would cover for the war expenses!".

"No you can't, Your Majesty! Aren't we nobles citizens too? This is discrimination!" a high lord yelled.

"Yeah! Can't the farmers farm for themselves?"

"And it's winter now. Life is getting harder for the people of Seol-il. Not to mention the soldiers who died in the—"

"You are a bunch of complaining grouches!" The King slammed his hand on his table. "The purpose of the people is to serve their King. We can't run out of soldiers; we have plenty of men. Order every family to enlist their sons for the war!"

Leaving the throne room, he came across Kym Shion who stood guard outside the doors, unaware of his role in the war. "Get out of my way, cross-breed!"

THE ROYAL DECREE :

By the Command of His Majesty the King,

every family shall send at least one (1) adult male

to serve in His Majesty's troops

by the end of this month

Any exempt from this rule

Shall pay 100 silver coins

and/or suffer imprisonment

Even though it was wartime, Cal made sure to come home for Yuletide. It was the holiday season and the situation was looking good on the Angletonian side, and he'd been away from home for a month.

Gigi kissed him deeply as he got home; cashmere dress highlighting the generous curves of her pregnant body. "You are staying for the holidays, right? Not just for the dinner?"

"I'm staying with you till the new year. I've been away from you far too long." He buried her deep in his chest. Her skin glowed under the twinkly lights of the winter decoration, contrasting with her shiny dark hair. Was it even possible that she became more beautiful since the last time he saw her?

It's sad he couldn't whisk her away to their private quarters immediately.

"Junior, I didn't notice when I first arrived. You're getting taller!" He measured the height from the top of Junior's head with his hand.

Junior jumped into his hug. "And you're getting shorter!"

"Gigi, look at you! Pregnancy treats you so well," Philippe chirped.

Gigi laughed. "Now that the annoying sickness has passed, I feel that I have all this extra energy!"

"This place looks spectacular! It's amazing, considering it's your first Yule!" he continued.

"I helped her with it!" Junior piped up, as his father fed him pie.

"I read a lot of Anglese books as a kid," Gigi added. "Here, Philippe, have some pie! I'm sure you didn't get any in the war."

Waiting for dinner, they sat together near the fireplace as Cal left to broadcast a speech on the radio. Callisto was the first Emperor to start the tradition, but Cal was the one who encouraged him, thinking that a modern approach of communication would be a better way for them to reach out to the people.

"I had prepared myself to deliver my greetings from Archambault earlier today; so I am very delighted to be able to speak to you again, my dearest fellows, from the warmth and comfort of my own home."

"That's him! That's Papa's voice!" Junior bounced off his seat and turned up the radio's volume as the palace staff members on the floor stood together in respect of the speech.

"It is in a spirit of joy and gratitude that the Empress and I send our Yuletide greetings to the people of our Empire.

To the Empress, myself and the Prince, this year has brought the greatest joy that we have ever known as a family. Our happiness has increased a thousandfold, knowing that we will be welcoming a new member. We are also deeply touched by the overwhelming kindness and loyalty that you have shown us.

But you must have heard by now, about the forces that try to test the integrity of our Empire. I am here to tell you; do not be afraid. This isn't the first war we have endured, and it won't be the last that we'll win. The Empire remains strong, as we ever will be. Angletonia stands tall.

My heart goes out to those of us who are still called on to serve in the Imperial Army at this very moment. Who missed coming home to their families to defend the honour of our country. I thank them for their chivalry and resilience and send a heartfelt greeting.

I wish you all a happy, happy Yule!"

The speech ended with applause from everyone in the room, and Gigi thanked the staff as they were permitted to return and do their chores. Junior climbed back onto the couch and into Gigi's lap.

"Something moved!" he exclaimed, staring down at Gigi's tummy.

"It's the baby," Gigi beamed. "Your sibling's saying hello to you."

"To—to me?" He glanced at the bump nervously and back at Gigi. "What do I do now?"

"They want to be your friend too, just like I do." She ruffled his hair, knowing Junior wasn't a natural social charmer. "Why don't you say hello back?"

Junior gulped, lowering his head closer to her belly. "Hello?"

As he pressed his tiny palm on the side of her belly, Gigi's face lit up as she felt a strong kick. "See? They like you so much."

Junior hid his face coyly.

"Did they really?" Cal said, returning from the broadcast. He rushed over to kneel at Gigi's feet and pressed his cheek to the baby bump. After a while without any movement, he raised his head in disappointment.

"They might be asleep." Gigi smiled, running a hand over her belly. "They were very active while you were away."

"They don't like you." Junior stuck his tongue out at him and Cal's face fell.

Later that night, Gigi and her husband fumbled their way into the bedroom, kissing feverishly as she got him out of his suit and tie.

"I've missed you so much." She ran her hands over every part of his body that she could reach, desperate to feel him again and making up for their lost time. Her red lipstick smeared all over his lips. It had been too long.

Cal chuckled, putting a palm over her shoulder. "Darling, hang on. Will Baby be alright and all that?"

"Oh, Sire, the baby will be alright. But I will not be, if you don't close the distance between us right now," she panted. "Come here." Pressing his body against hers, she sighed happily as she sensed the desire between his legs.

She mewled in protest as Cal caught her wrists, stopping her ministrations; only for it to cut off as he dropped to his knees, ducking his head under her skirt. As minutes passed, Gigi's legs began to shake, struggling to keep her balance as her husband ravished her sensitive core with his hot tongue.

The pleasure soon overtook her, looking down at him as she finished, lids heavy with lust. "Again."

Cal kicked his shoes off and they fell, scattered on the floor along with the rest of their clothing as they crawled under the canopy of their bed. He trailed his kisses over the roundness of her baby bump, along the back of her spine.

"How do you want me?"

Gigi's lips quivered as she held onto the headboard. "Take me hard. Show me how much you missed me."

The sounds of their lovemaking were echoing wall to wall over the next hour. Cal fell to her side, disentangling his fingers from her dishevelled hair. Kissing her temple, they laid together, happy and fulfilled.

"Let us make love every night before your return to Archambault." Gigi nuzzled into his neck. "I don't know if I'm going to want it again in the next few months, and—" She gasped loudly, alarming him.

"Darling, are you alright?"

Gigi's arms curled around her belly, smiling. "The baby—your child, they just kicked hard!" she laughed, pressing his palm against it. "Here."

"Oh—my. Did we wake you up, sweetness?" He rubbed over the spot where the baby had kicked. "I'm so sorry."

There was a prolonged silence before tiny little flutters hit his palm.

"It's alright, my love. I've missed you too," Cal pressed his cheek against the bump, eyes glistening wet as he kissed it. "Papa's here now. Papa's home."

.·。.·゜·༺♥༻ ·゜·。.