Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points!

Illena studied him in silence for a moment, her fingers lightly tracing the handle of her cup. Then, with a soft breath, she leaned forward slightly, with a teasing smile.

"Your mother is… quite the presence," she murmured. "I must admit, I was not expecting to meet the former empress in such a manner."

Arkanos gave a short, humorless chuckle. "Neither was I."

Arkanos exhaled softly, shaking his head with a knowing look. "But I expected it."

Illena chuckled, swirling her tea lightly before taking another sip.

"Oh, my love, your mind may always be prepared for anything, but I have a surprise even you would never have anticipated."

Arkanos smiled in kind. He could sense something was making her truly happy, and that in turn pleased him. Yet, his curiosity was piqued. "I remember you mentioned wanting to surprise me earlier," he mused, tilting his head slightly. "I'm curious—what is it?"

Illena set her cup down gracefully before meeting his gaze, her golden eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, I would like to get a little closer so I can whisper it into your ear," she purred.

Arkanos let out a low chuckle, his smirk deepening. "Then get over here, darling. Do you even need permission?"

Illena laughed lightly as she stood, her steps slow and deliberate. She moved toward him, then, with practiced ease, settled herself onto his lap, her arms crossing over his shoulders.

She leaned in close, her breath warm against his ear as she murmured, "Guess who's going to be a father."

For a moment, Arkanos froze. His usually sharp mind momentarily halted as he processed her words. Then, blinking, he looked up at her, his emerald eyes searching hers. "Wait…" he said slowly. "Are you—"

Illena finished his sentence with a soft laugh.

"I am with child, my dear."

Her lips curled into a smirk as she playfully traced a finger down his chest, letting it drift lower, tapping teasingly between his legs.

"I suppose all your efforts have finally paid off."

Arkanos's eyes widened, his gaze flickering from her mischievous expression down to her stomach.

His hands instinctively moved to her waist, fingers gripping her lightly as if grounding himself in the moment.

His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, softened with something rare—a look of wonder.

"You're…" He exhaled, still trying to fully grasp the weight of her words. "You're really carrying my child?"

Illena let out a small, pleased hum, her fingers still tracing lazy circles on his torso.

"Mmm, I am." Her lips curled into a knowing smile.

"You look shocked, love. I thought you expected everything?"

Arkanos finally tore his gaze away from her stomach, looking up at her face, at the sheer amusement in her golden eyes.

A breathless laugh escaped him as he blushed slightly. "Damn it, Illena… You really caught me off guard."

She chuckled, clearly satisfied with herself. "Good. It's about time."

He was still trying to process it. He, the Emperor of the Bloodbane Empire was going to be a father.

The idea had never fully formed in his mind before. Fatherhood had always seemed like a distant concept, something he would deal with one day.

Yet here she was, curled in his lap, telling him that day had arrived.

A slow smile spread across his face, his hands sliding down to rest gently over her abdomen.

Using his mana, he could feel the life beneath his palms, the thought that within her, a child was growing. His child.

It made him so happy.

"How long have you known?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

Illena tilted her head. "A week and few days now," she admitted with a cat like smile.

She looked so cute Arkanos had to look awake as he felt himself being overwhelmed with joy and pride.

She used both hands to turn his face back to face her, smiling mischievously as she said, "Don't you dare look away from me papa, I want to savour that expression you are making, burn it into my very soul."

Arkanos let out a low, rumbling laugh. "You really enjoy tormenting me, don't you?"

She tapped a finger against his lips. "Endlessly."

He caught her wrist, pulling her hand down so he could kiss her palm. His gaze darkened slightly as he murmured, "You realize this changes everything."

Illena's expression softened, her playful demeanor giving way to something more serious. "I know."

There was an unspoken weight in those words. This was no ordinary child. Their child would inherit not only Arkanos's power but the dangers that came with it. The empire was not a gentle place.

It was a world of politics, war, and betrayals. There would be those who would see their child as a tool, a threat, or a pawn in a greater game.

"I won't let anything happen to you," Arkanos said firmly, his grip tightening slightly on her waist. "Or to them."

Illena smiled, her fingers threading through his hair. "I would expect nothing less from you, my emperor."

For a long moment, they simply held each other, the weight of their new reality settling between them. Arkanos could already feel the gears in his mind turning—securing protection, ensuring no threats could reach them, preparing for the future.

But for now, he allowed himself this moment.

His lips found hers, and as they kissed, he whispered against her mouth, "You've given me the greatest gift, my love."

Illena smirked as she pulled back just enough to murmur, "Oh, don't get too sentimental on me now."

Arkanos chuckled. "Just wait until you start getting cravings. Then we'll see who's sentimental."

Illena groaned dramatically. "If I start craving something ridiculous, you'd best not make a fuss about getting it for me."

"I would move heaven and earth for you."

She smiled, pressing a hand to his cheek. "Then I suppose I ran away with the right man."

Arkanos smirked. "That was never in question."

And as he held her, the nature of what lay ahead settled into his heart—not as a burden, but as a purpose... A hope, a dream.

Arkanos exhaled softly, his fingers still resting against Illena's abdomen. Then a thought struck him, something more personal, something that made him smile.

"What are we going to name them?" he asked with curiosity and anticipation.

Illena chuckled, tilting her head to the side. "Look at who's so eager," she teased, brushing her fingers through his silver hair.

"Shouldn't we at least wait to find out if they're a boy or a girl first?"

Arkanos scoffed, smirking as he locked eyes with her. "An emperor should always take charge in any field."

She laughed, shaking her head. "Of course, you'd say that."

He arched a brow. "So?"

Illena sighed dramatically before flashing him a playful grin. "Fine. We'll pick two sets of names—one for a boy and one for a girl."

Arkanos nodded in satisfaction. "Now we're talking."

Illena tapped a finger against her lips, pretending to think. "For a girl… perhaps something regal, yet fierce. A name that carries strength and elegance."

Arkanos hummed, his fingers still idly tracing small patterns over her abdomen. "Something fitting for a daughter of the Bloodbane lineage. We can't have anything too soft."

Illena chuckled. "Oh? And what if she turns out to be a delicate flower?"

Arkanos gave her a knowing look. "With you as her mother? Impossible."

She smirked, flicking his forehead playfully. "Fair point. Then what about… Selene?"

Arkanos mulled it over, the name rolling through his thoughts. "Selene…" He tested it aloud, letting the sound settle in the air. "It has grace, but also a quiet strength, but you do also know that is my mother's name?"

Illena nodded. "I know, but I'm sure the previous empress would be more than willing to let her grandchild share her name. Besides It reminds me of the moon—silent, yet ever-present, watching over the world."

Arkanos traced his fingers lightly along her spine, his smirk returning. "And for a boy?"

Illena arched a brow. "I assume you want something commanding. Something powerful."

Arkanos leaned back, his emerald eyes gleaming. "Of course. A name that will strike fear and respect before he even steps into the room."

Illena rolled her eyes. "Naturally." She pondered for a moment, then smiled slyly. "How about… Vael?"

Arkanos's smirk faded slightly as he considered it. "Vael." He repeated, his expression contemplative.

"It's strong, isn't it?" Illena said, tilting her head. "It carries weight without being excessive."

Arkanos exhaled slowly, a slow grin creeping onto his lips. "Vael Bloodbane." He nodded in approval. "Yes… I like it."

Illena's smile grew. "Then it's settled. Selene if it's a girl, Vael if it's a boy."

Arkanos's fingers brushed over her stomach again, feeling the faint pulse of mana radiating from within her. He still wasn't sure if he fully believed it. Him. A father. The thought felt foreign, yet… right.

Illena watched him, amusement in her golden eyes. "You're already getting attached, aren't you?"

Arkanos let out a soft, almost self-deprecating chuckle. "How could I not? This child is ours. A piece of both of us."

Illena leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to his forehead. "Then I suppose we'll both just have to make sure they grow up strong. Unbreakable."