MAX POV

As soon as the sun kissed the earth, I made my way towards Reigh's bedroom, where for the second time it was there that Niel slept.

Reigh, again, threw tantrums despite her promise that she will behave. She got excited about everything she could see in the palace. She gets hyped that even his brother can't stop her. She ended up so drained and tired that she can't sleep anymore. Her nanny and Ryu did their best to put Reigh to sleep. In the end, I let Niel go to our daughter. As much as I want him to be with me, our daughter needs him more. He also doesn't talk to me even though we are in the same room. I seemed like an invisible person to him, so I let him sleep with Reigh. In addition, it gives me more time to think.

The whole night, I weighed all the consequences that might happen. Things that can happen if he knows everything and things that can also happen if he knows nothing. I ended up with the conclusion that even if doesn't know anything, he will be doomed and still be doomed to be in danger. That person will still use him to make me obey all his commands and demand. If somehow he has an idea of what is going on, he can somehow be prepared. Moreover, it will not affect our relationship.

So, I made a decision, a firm one. I let him know all, but not in one drop. One information at a time. I don't want to drop all the bombs in front of him. I'm afraid that he can't handle it.

Niel might be a strong person. Someone who can stand against the storm, but the truth is, he is too fragile. That's why I yelled at him so much. For me, he is like a fragile porcelain cup that if I just hold it in the wrong way, it can be broken.

He's a fighter. I agree with that and I will not argue on that matter. But if it has something to do with his family, that is a different story.

I saw it once. That time, his father was sentenced to death with my own father, the late king. He collapsed as soon as the decree was read to their house. He has had a high fever for a week. He keeps on crying even if he is asleep. He also stayed in bed for almost three weeks because of that incident, and I don't want that to happen again. Not in my watch, not in my reign. So, as much as possible, I don't want him to know anything. It made me scared. Scared of what will happen to him. But I think what I want will not happen.

"Your Majesty." Anna and Sharon greeted me immediately the moment they saw me. They just came out of the room. They both carried a basin and a towel.

"Are they awake?" I asked the two.

"The prince is still asleep, but the queen is already awake, Your Majesty." Sharon replied politely.

"Thank you."

They step aside and let me pass through. I didn't even bother to knock because I might wake up my princess. I got inside the room and immediately closed the door. Morning air is still cold despite the sun already up in the sky. And my mother instructed me that I need to be careful every morning or evening. Cold air was not good for Niel's health.

I slowly approached the bed where Niel was sitting while lovingly watching the sleeping Reigh. He is wearing a blue bear panda printed pajama.

"She looks like an angel." I whispered in Niel's ear and sat down behind him. Niel was surprised at what I did so I barely laughed. I hugged him from behind and rested my chin on his shoulder blade. I gently massage his stomach. He loves belly rubs. That's what put him to sleep when he was young. I once witnessed it when I watched him sleep in his room.

He is not used to sleeping alone. That time, his mother held a congratulatory party for his father in their house. The maids are busy serving all the guests and so is his mother. No one will accompany him to sleep. So, he dragged me into his room and let me watch him sleep.. I just let him drag me as I had nothing to do in the party. I was bored and didn't even understand what my father and other elders were talking about.When we entered the room, he immediately went straight to the bathroom to clean and change his clothes. I felt ashamed. I was in his room with him and it somehow.. inappropriate. It is inappropriate for me to be there alone with him. After that, he immediately lay down on his bed. He pulled his top sleepwear up to his chest, revealing his flawless belly. He then started rubbing his belly up and down. I was confused and shy. I just keep watching what he is doing until he falls asleep.

After an hour, his mother entered the room. She was shocked by me being there and the position of his child. I immediately explained. I made myself clear and explained what really happened. I said that I never did anything inappropriate to his son, nor I laid a finger on him. I said that I just watched her son until he fell asleep. She understood it and apologized for her son's behavior.Then, out of my curiosity, I asked the matron of the family what I witnessed. That's when I found out that Niel likes belly rubs especially when he goes to sleep.

"Can we talk?" I kissed his neck while rubbing his tummy and I earned a slap on my arm.

"Aren't we having a conversation yet? Niel answered.

He is obviously mad and it's my fault.

"A serious talk baby."

"Are we telling jokes here?"

I scratch the back of my head. A note had already been taken. Don't make Niel mad.

"Baby, please." I kissed his cheeks.

"Just talk." He answered with a sigh.

"Won't Reigh wake up?" I will ask.

"Just talk, Max." Niel said in an impatient tone.

I mentally sigh. I could do nothing but follow his wishes.

"I know you are mad at me. I'm so sorry. I can explain everything. Can you please listen to me?" I slowly introduced him to me.
He looked straight into my eyes. He did not say any words, not a single letter.

I let out a deep breath, still waiting for him to say anything. I want him to vent out. I can feel his anger and I want him to release it.

"Is that all? Is that all you're going to say? Sorry? You said you can explain everything. Why don't you start?"

Niel eyes are ready to cry. Is the tone of his voice restrained? Stop the anger, stop the shouting.

"I don't know where to start." I answer.

"Why don't you start with the real reason you appointed me as queen?"

"Okay." I took his hand and gently squeezed you.

"I know your thinking that I marry and make you my queen is because of the children. Because Ryu positions need a support of the title you have. Niel, that is all wrong. I marry you because I love you. I marry because I need you in my life, not as a queen but as my love. I need you and my kids. You completed me Niel. You and the kids completed me. If you asked me now what will I choose, you or the kingdom ... Niel, baby, I'm ready to give up my crown just to be with you and my children. You're so important to me."

"Really? Then, what about Megan? Why didn't you tell me that she is your royal consort and she is pregnant with your child."

"About Megan, I'm so sorry if I didn't tell you. I'm sorry if I kept it a secret. I don't know how to tell you. I know you'll get angry and I'm afraid you might not agree with what I want." Niel burst out laughing. He even looked away and shook his head.

"I know I sound selfish, but that's the truth. If I'm scared of anything right now other than your anger, it's that you'll lose me again."

"And then?" I scratched my head again. I'll start to think about how to woe him .

"As for Megan's pregnancy, it's not mine. It's my cousins ​​baby. She just let his father know that the kids is mine so that his father will still believe that she don't know anything about his plan."

"You think I'll buy that word of yours?"

"No. I can see how mad you are to me, but that's the truth. I don't know if you have any idea of ​​what kind of person Megan's father is. He is manipulative and he wants even the royal family to be manipulated by him. He acts like he cares about the royal family where in fact, all he wants is to manipulate us. To hold us in our neck and make us follow him. He wants my throne. So I can abdicate my throne but not him."

"Then why did you accepted her?"

"I have my reason baby."

"Of course you have. You won't take action if you don't have a reason. But that's your reason, you can't tell me. Why Max? Why can't you tell? You already gave me all the reason, but your acceptance of Megan as your wife, I can feel your hesitation to tell me the reason. "

I glanced at Reigh to check if he woke up to the strength of Niel's voice. Lucky she's not. Or maybe she is but she chooses to fake her sleep.

I let out a deep sigh and again I looked directly into his eyes at Niel. If Niel's eyes can put out daggers and blades at these times, I'd probably have been dead already.

"It's because of you." He frowned. Confusion flooded his beautiful face.

"Me? Because of me?"

"Yeah. I accepted Megan as my consort because of you. And also, Megan is not that man's daughter."

"Huh?" Niel said, confused. I cupped his face and gently caressed it. I could feel him staring at his face, his eyes that fascinated me.

"Megan is not a Prime Minister's daughter. I accepted her so that I can protect you and her too. It's as if I can convince her father that he can make me obey him somehow. Megan's child is not mine. It's Marquis Pierson's child. He is my cousin. "

"What have I got to do with Megan?"

I let out a deep breath. I don't want this thing to come from me. I want him and Megan to talk about it. I want Niel to automatically know his connection to Megan.

"Max, tell me, what is my connection to Megan?" His voice raised again and this time, Reigh moved but still remained sleeping. She just turned her back to us.

"I don't know how far you remember Niel, but I know you haven't reached the deepest secret of your being. I'm afraid you'll remember that time, but I know the day will come. and that past will appear. "

"Just answered my question directly Max. Who is Megan? How am I connected to her to the point that you have to protect her also."

I want to smile. I can sense jealousy in his tone, but I keep that smile to myself. Niel might explode even more when I smile because of the knowledge that he is jealous.

"Megan, is someone important to you Niel. She is someone close to you. Megan ...." I'm still hesitating, but that determination in Niel's eyes made me decide to spill some tea for her. And I know that once I tell that piece of truth to her, the door of the past will break open. He will start remembering where everything starts.

"I'm waiting, Max."

"Fine. I'll tell you. Megan, is your sister. Not just sister, she is your twin."

I wait for him to say anything, but not a single letter release from his mouth. Only tears and a pale face.
I immediately embraced him. Damned it. I said I shouldn't say. I shouldn't surprise him.

"Tell me your joking Max." Niel said while crying.

"I'm not. Megan is your sister, your twin. And she needs you now baby."