"When you said you already had a candidate in mind, you were talking bout Willow, weren't you?"
Riven asked as Vaelorian ended the conversation with Anya, who had agreed to run the initial compatibility analysis, and immediately turned to Riven.
"Yes, I am. Willow is the most logical choice. She is pragmatic, she understands what sacrifice means, and she is structurally resilient. But this is not going to be a mission, Riven. It is a profound ask. We must approach her with honesty and sensitivity."
"You're right. She is our friend. We owe her the full truth."
The choice of Willow as the potential surrogate was, even by Vaelorian and Riven's standards, highly unconventional, but strategically sound. She was one of the few people whose loyalty was unquestionable, whose discretion was absolute, and whose physical resilience, thanks to her Gift of Speed, was extraordinary.
They summoned Willow immediately. She arrived in the Imperial Residence through the doors. She looked at the two men, sensing the atmosphere was serious, yet deeply personal.
"Your Majesties, I thought the mandatory rest period was still in effect. Are you two planning on breaking out already?"
Both men laughed. "No, Willow. We are doing something that will secure the future of the empire. Please, sit."
Vaelorian explained the dilemma: the urgent need for a legitimate heir, the political instability caused by its absence, and the necessity of finding a surrogate of absolute trust and discretion. He spoke of the biological requirements, the nine months of intense security, and the necessity of complete surrender of the child to the Crown.
Vaelorian concluded, his voice low and sincere. "I want you to know Willow, we are not making this request lightly. We are asking you to carry the future of Lumina. Your health, your resilience, and your loyalty makes you the ideal choice. We are asking you to be the mother of our child, purely in the biological sense, to secure the stability we have fought so hard to achieve."
Riven then spoke, his voice gentle and sincere. "This is not an order, Willow. It is a choice. We understand that this will be profound sacrifice that would bind you to the Imperial family forever. You would receive every honor, every protection, but you would be asked to remain completely silent about the nature of the child's birth. However, we understand If your heart is not in this, we will search elsewhere."
Willow was silent for a long moment, processing the information at her characteristic rapid speed. She looked from Vaelorian to Riven, seeing the vulnerability beneath the Imperial titles.
"A child of the Crown...carried by a commoner with a Gift of speed. That is the most beautifully ridiculous, non-traditional idea I have ever heard. I love it." She smiled, a genuine, excited smile. "Your Majesties, you've trusted me with your most vital political and military secrets. This is simply the most important mission you have ever given me." She took a brief pause, looking at both of them.
"My loyalty is to the vision you two share for Lumina. If carrying your successor is the most effective way to secure the Throne and allow you to proceed with the Crown Initiative Act, then my answer is yes. I accept the mission. I will carry the heir."
"Thank you so much, Willow!" Riven beamed from ear to ear.
Vaelorian released a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Thank you, Willow. Your commitment is everything."
"My only condition is this: I will not be treated like a precious artifact. I will be monitored by Anya, yes, but I will continue my work. The investigation against senator Aldrin is still ongoing, and I refuse to slow down for nine months. You can place me on maternity leave after the child is born."
"Agreed." Riven agreed without hesitation. "You will have full access to our security and medical teams, but your operational duties will remain yours to manage."
"One final thing, Willow." Vaelorian chimed in. "The biological process. The heir must be genetically related to me, the Emperor, and raised by both of us. The details are complex, but the commitment is simple. We will use a trusted geneticist to facilitate the fertilization. The child will carry Lumina's Imperial bloodline."
"Understood." Willow agreed.
Vaelorian nodded before looking at Riven: It's done. Now, we have a means to secure the Throne, and will Anya manage everything. He spoke into Riven's head.
Riven's mental reply was that pure relief: Thank goodness we've managed to find the fastest path, as always. Now. Let's make sure the Empire is fit for the next generation, Your Majesty.