Chapter 130
Chapter 130
Chapter 130
-Alexia –
Five years passed.
“Daddy! How come my aunt is younger than me?” The seven-year-old Prince Alec questioned. His eyes rounded as he pointed
to Princess Aurora.
Whenever Alexia and Kieran visited Azenna, they told their son that Aurora was Queen Avery’s daughter. Alec had always called
Aurora by her name. That day was the first time Alexia revealed how Aurora was Alec’s aunt!
Laughter erupted in Taplean’s palace gardens as the maids prepared for the royal family to have a picnic lunch. Queen Avery
was munching on some finger food and nearly choked at the horrific look on Alec’s face.
Kieran and Balthasar had a serious conversation about the development in Eswen when Alec raised his troubling question. They
also fell into a set of laughter, including the warriors standing guard around the garden.
“Well, that is a long story -” Kieran pointed to King Balthasar and proposed, “Your grandpa is willing to share.”
A hiss left Balthasar’s l*ps, leaving everyone laughing their hearts out. Balthasar said, “It’s a long story, Alec.”
“Long stories intrigue me,” Alec said after finding his way in front of Balthasar.
Now and then, Balthasar and Avery visited Taplean too. They often spent half a day on the massive lawn behind the palace, just
like today, simply catching up.
While King Balthasar was telling Alec a long story, three young children ran around the table.
“Kane! Kate, stop it! Ryan is still two years old and can barely catch up with you!” Alexia scolded. Her twins were Kane and Kate,
who were a copy of Alexia, whereas Alec grew to look like Kieran.
They were all running so fast, and little Ryan followed them around. Poor Rae, in her four-month-old belly, was trying to catch her
son!
“Slow down, buddy!” Rae called.
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Alexia laughed and helped her friend. She first caught Ryan, Rae’s son, before holding Kate with her other arm.
“Oh, My Goddess!” Rae accepted her son and said, “Thank you, My Queen. Excuse me. I will take my son back inside the
palace.”
Kieran, on the other hand, caught Kane just in time. He growled, “Stay put, little man, and have some yogurt!”
“Yuck!” Kane remarked, and Kieran hissed.
“What did I say about respecting Mommy and Daddy?” Kieran raised his voice just a little, asserting his authority over his
children.
Kane quickly sat in his chair and ate his yogurt plus the fruits on their plate. Kate soon followed, smiling as she finished her
healthy snacks.
“Good kids. Always listen to Daddy because Daddy knows what is best for you,” Kieran reminded.
“Yes, Daddy,” the twins said.
In the next few minutes, their picnic table was filled with food. Their family ate as they chatted about old times, challenges in both
countries. and the plans for the future of their lands.
“We are strengthening the education system of our schools,” Queen Alexia said. “We raised professors’ salaries, especially in
public colleges, to encourage them to teach within their lands rather than going to the east continent.”
“Let’s continue the cross-training for Azenna, Paredon, and Taplean,” Balthasar suggested. “This alliance will continue to put us
at the top of amongst power nations.”
Taplean’s strength thrived after Kieran’s takeover. It was a combined. effort between Paredon, Azenna, and Taplean. It certainly
helped that Prince Raegan continued to look up to Kieran as his king. Then, King Rowan of Paredon had always appreciated
how Kieran and Avery saved his son.
There had been no invasion since, but Kieran did not want to risk it. He continued to level up all the warriors’ training and
prepare for the worst. No one can be too sure.
Aside from that, Kieran had improved Taplean’s railroads and
expressways, allowing all packs easy access to necessities within bigger
Chapter 130
towns and reducing the isolated areas where rogues could shelter and attack.
On the other hand, Alexia focused on education and women’s and children’s welfare.
Together, as a couple, they decide on monetary aid per pack, whether investment or relief. Of course, there was the usual
workload; judging and imposing the law whenever a serious crime had been committed or reported.
“Five years have passed, but I feel like there is still so much to be done,” Kieran said. “I sometimes wonder if we had done
enough.”
“Times and the needs of the people are also changing. We created more highways for the country now; next, we need to provide
them with more public transportation,” he added.
Alexia embraced her husband’s arm. She leaned on his shoulder and expressed, “Of course, we have, Kieran. We do what we
can with the resources we have.”
“You both have done great in the early years of being a king and queen,” Balthasar remarked. “I see the compassion in your
eyes, and I know you can achieve more.”
Avery reached for Alexia and Kieran’s hand, saying, “I agree. I am sure you both did better than me, which makes me proud.”
“When I become king, I’m going to teach everyone how to be rich so they don’t always ask for help from my Daddy,” Alec
suddenly blurted out.
Alexia lifted her brow at her son. She turned to Kieran, and they both had a lightbulb moment. They realized they had been doing
so much for the nation, but how much were the individual packs contributing to their own territories?
“You are right, Alec,” Kieran said. He glanced at Alexia, saying, “Wife, our next focus should be the livelihood of our people.”
– Kieran –
In the next council of alphas, King Kieran asked each pack for proposals on what businesses they could establish within their
territories. Queen Alexia attended the entire meeting to give her two cents.
Chapter 130
“For the Deep Water Pack, our lands are rich in springs. In fact, we are one of the mineral water distributors in our neighboring
pack,” Alpha Gallagher said. “We just don’t have enough resources to buy the chemical and pieces of equipment to produce
more for the nation.”
Kieran and Alexia reviewed the alpha’s proposal. After some time, Kieran declared, “To Deep Water Pack, we are granting a loan
of Two Million Dollars payable in ten years, with a minimal interest of 5% per annum, provided that a palace inspector regularly
visits your pack to monitor the progress of this project.”
The alpha was almost teary-eyed as he said, “Thank you, My King. My Queen. It is a very generous and reasonable offer
indeed.”
“You are welcome. May this opportunity flourish the Deep Water Pack,” Kieran responded. He looked at the succeeding alpha
and called, “Next, Alpha Herald.”
Following the livelihood projects each pack had implemented, Taplean grew prosperous over the years. Each pack had
something to offer Taplean and the nation become one of the biggest exporters in the
content.
Came with wealth was the nation’s power as Taplean further
strengthened their borders from invasions. Even rogues had reportedly exited to Vottara.
After eight years of ruling Taplean, Kieran became more confident about taking his family on vacation. On Kieran and Alexia’s
anniversary, Kieran took his family to Eastern Content, where the towers reach the sky and city lights go beyond one’s line of
sight.
Atop the tallest tower, Kieran had a special dinner with his wife and children, but the kids were settled at another table with their
guards.
Following a lovely candle-lit dinner, Kieran danced with his wife while a violin played in the background. As they swayed to the
music, the children helped Kieran with his romantic gesture, each giving their mother a red rose.
“Mom, Dad told me he loves you,” Alec said before giving Alexia the flower.
“Thank you, love,” Alexia responded to Alec.
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“Mommy, Daddy said we should promise to leave you alone tonight,” Kate said.
Alexia laughed while remaining in Kieran’s arms. She accepted the rose just in time for Kane to say, “Daddy said he loves you so
much that he wants another pup.”
With mouth rounding, Alexia smacked her husband. She snorted before saying, “Seriously, Kieran. As if three is not enough.”
“With you, my wife, nothing is ever enough,” Kieran suggested before k*ssing his wife. “Happy Anniversary. I love you, and I will
always will.”
Alexia smiled at him brightly. Her face flushed as she wrapped her arms around him. She said, “I love you too, my husband.”
With a wink, she added, “Maybe I’ll take you up on that another pup proposal.”
Kieran growled.
*** THE END ***