Trapped with the Alpha King

Gavriel carefully lowered Althea onto her feet before moving behind her. She felt his fingers loosen the blindfold and a second later, the fabric slipped away from her eyes.

The moment her vision cleared, Althea froze.

Before her stretched a beautiful garden filled with rows upon rows of strawberry plants. Their vibrant red fruits peeked through the green leaves, glistening under the afternoon sunlight.

The sweet fragrance instantly filled the air. Her lips parted as she slowly took a step forward.

Not far away stood a small white gazebo surrounded by blooming flowers.

It looked almost magical amidst the sea of strawberry plants. Althea’s eyes immediately welled with tears.

For a moment, she simply stood there, overwhelmed.

"Gavriel..." she whispered.

Gavriel, who had been watching her reaction closely, suddenly looked nervous.

“Do you not like it?” he asked, suddenly feeling uncertain.

It was the first time he had ever done something like this.

He had personally overseen the transfer and planting of every strawberry plant. He made sure they were the same variety that grew in Althea’s hometown.

Days ago, he had witnessed how her eyes lit up when they visited the strawberry fields she grew up with, and from that moment, he had already decided what he wanted to do. He wanted to bring a piece of her good memories to her.

The strawberry garden alone would have been enough, but Gavriel kept adding more.

A beautiful pavilion at the center. Flowering plants surround the pathways. Benches where they could sit together. And of course, the cradle he had specially commissioned for their future child.

All Gavriel wanted was to make his wife happy in every way he could.

Althea deserved the best he could possibly give her.

For so many years, she had endured pain, sacrifices, and hardships. Now that she was his wife, he wanted her to have everything she had ever wanted and more.

So seeing tears in her eyes instead of an immediate reaction made him nervous.

Althea turned toward him, her vision already blurred by tears.

Then, without warning, she hurried into his arms.

Gavriel instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist, startled by her sudden movement.

“I love it,” she whispered against his chest.

The tension he had been holding instantly disappeared. A smile slowly spread across his face as he rested his chin on top of her head. “You scared me.”

Althea laughed softly.

Then he proudly pointed toward the pavilion.

“Wait until you see the inside.”

Althea chuckled and allowed him to lead her toward it.

The moment they stepped inside, her eyes immediately landed on the cradle. Her expression softened.

The intricate moon and stars carving were beautiful. The craftsmanship was flawless, and every detail reflected the love and care that had gone into making it.

She slowly approached it and gently ran her fingers along the polished wood.

“Our baby will sleep here?” she asked softly.

Gavriel stepped beside her.

“Yes.” His hand instinctively settled on her stomach. “I wanted our child to have a place here too.”

Althea smiled.

Then her smile slowly turned mischievous. A secret she had been keeping for months suddenly felt impossible to hold back any longer.

“It’s beautiful,” she said.

Gavriel looked pleased. “I know.”

“But...” Althea intentionally paused.

His brows immediately furrowed. “But?”

Althea pointed at the cradle. “You should probably prepare another one.”

The smile disappeared from his face. “Another one?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

Gavriel stared at her. Then at the cradle. Then at her stomach. Then back at her again.

The realization came slowly. Painfully slowly.

Althea could practically see his mind trying to process it.

His eyes widened. Then widened even further. “Althea...”

She bit her lower lip to stop herself from laughing. “Yes?”

His voice came out barely above a whisper. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Althea gently took both of his hands and placed them over her stomach. A bright smile spread across her face. “I think one cradle won’t be enough for two babies.”

"We’re having two babies?" His voice cracks with disbelief.

When she nods again, Gavriel immediately drops to his knees in front of her, pressing kisses against her stomach over and over.

"I need another cradle." A kiss.

"Another room." Another kiss.

"More blankets." Another kiss.

"More toys." Another kiss.

Althea burst into laughter while Gavriel looked as though he had just received the greatest gift of his life.

"We’re having two babies." He kept repeating it as if he still couldn’t believe it.

Meanwhile, while the King and Queen rejoiced in their little corner of the garden, Melva and Simon remained a respectful distance away, giving them privacy while still keeping watch.

Both wore smiles as they observed the happy couple.

“I told you,” Melva said with a triumphant grin. “She wouldn’t be able to keep the secret until the delivery.”

Simon chuckled. “You were right.”

“Of course I was.”

“My wife is always right,” Simon agreed without hesitation as he pulled her closer, draping an arm around her shoulders.

Melva immediately felt her face grow warm. Even after being a couple, she still wasn’t completely used to Simon saying things like that so casually.

She glanced at him before asking softly, “Would you like to have a baby already?”

For a moment, Simon fell silent.

His gaze drifted toward Gavriel and Althea, who were still happily talking near the cradle.

A small smile appeared on his lips. “Of course I would.”

Melva’s eyes widened slightly. “Really?”

Simon looked down at her. “Why do you sound surprised?”

“I don’t know...” she admitted shyly. “I just thought you would want to wait longer.”

Simon gently squeezed her shoulder.

“I don’t mind waiting.” His voice softened. “But if you’re asking whether I want children with you someday, then the answer is yes.”

Melva felt her heart flutter. “A lot?”

Simon laughed. “A lot?”

“Well...” Melva mumbled. “His Majesty seems determined to have a whole army of children.”

That earned a hearty laugh from Simon.

“I think His Majesty is trying to build an entire kingdom of little princes and princesses.” Melva chortled.

“Poor Her Majesty,” Simon commented with a grin.

“I don’t think Her Majesty minds very much,” Melva hummed. The two looked toward Gavriel just in time to see him showering Althea’s face with kisses again.

Melva immediately burst out laughing. “See?”

Simon nodded. “Definitely doesn’t mind.”

A comfortable silence settled between them. Then Simon lowered his gaze to Melva. “How about you?”

Melva blinked. “What?”

“Do you want children?” Simon asked back.

Her face immediately turned red. “Of course I do.” The answer came so quickly that even she surprised herself.

Then Simon suddenly leaned closer and whispered, “Although maybe we should start working harder on it first. How about we give them their privacy and have some privacy of our own?”

Melva’s entire face turned crimson. “Simon!”

He only laughed, clearly pleased by her reaction. Before she could scold him further, Simon suddenly swept her off her feet.