The next day, the atmosphere in Anya's state-of-the-art Imperial Medical Laboratory was tense and focused. The room, located deep beneath the Palace's main medical wing, was secured by Barron and monitored by Willow (who was simultaneously reviewing a Senate ledger at high speed).
Anya, the Nature Control specialist who doubled as the Empire's most trusted physician, stood ready to begin the compatibility analysis.
"Your Majesties, Willow. We must proceed with utmost precision." Anya began, "Willow, your extraordinary physical resilience is already a massive advantage. We will first run the genetic compatibility markers between your DNA and Emperor Vaelorian's. We are checking for any Gift-related counter-indicators that might destabilize the embryo."
Vaelorian and Willow both provided samples. Anya, assisted by her specialized equipment, began the complex sequencing and analysis.
The process was sterile and straightforward until the collection phase was complete. Vaelorian, standing beside Riven, suddenly held up his hand.
"Anya, wait. Before you proceed with the fertilization, I have a request."
Anya, with a confused frown turned towards Vaelorian. "Your Majesty? The sooner we begin the analysis, the better. Time is... always a factor."
"I know. This won't take much of your time, I promise," Vaelorian replied calmly. "I need Riven's samples collected as well."
Riven, who had been standing back in his official capacity as Consort and Security Oversight, looked genuinely confused.
"My samples, Your Majesty? For the heir?" Riven asked, looking even more confused. "Vaelorian, we agreed the Imperial line must be preserved, and that means the child must be directly related to you. My samples..."
Emperor Vaelorian: "Riven, look at me."
Vaelorian stepped closer, ignoring Anya and Willow for a moment. He reached out and placed his hand firmly on Riven's chest, right over his heart.
"We fought tooth and nails to be together. We went against generations of protocol for the right to share a room and a life. We are ascending the throne as Emperor and Consort, a unified front. It doesn't feel right for only my DNA to be represented in our child." He lowered his voice, the absolute conviction. "I want a child with your DNA too. With all your stubbornness, beauty, and intelligence. I want the world to know that the heir to Lumina is not just mine, but ours. We'll find a way to combine our legacies, Riven. We always do."
Riven was lost for words, his control momentarily fractured by the profound, sudden depth of Vaelorian's declaration. The Emperor wasn't just planning for a successor; he was building their family.
Anya, the ever-practical scientist, quickly stepped in, her tone grave.
"Your Majesties, I must advise you of the risks. Traditional In Vitro Fertilization already has specific success rates, generally hovering around 30% per cycle. Adding a second genetic donor, in an attempt to create an embryo with combined material from two fathers, is… highly risky."
"We have the technology to attempt to cultivate an ovum that could accept both sets of genetic material, but the success rate is drastically lower. The ovum may reject the complex genetic restructuring. We are facing a success rate likely below 10% per attempt, and it would require multiple cycles, adding time and stress to Willow." Anya explained further.
Willow, leaning against the counter, pushed off and walked over to Riven, placing a calming hand on his arm.
"I understand that, there might be risks. But if it means the child is both Vaelorian's and yours, then the extra time and the lower success rate are acceptable to me. We agreed to do this without restraint; let's attempt the impossible."
Riven looked at Willow's resolute face, then back at Vaelorian, whose trust and love were unwavering. He nodded, finally speaking.
"Very well, Your Majesty. We have always defied the odds. Let's do the impossible."
Anya: (Sighing, but already moving to set up the new sample collection) "Understood. The Imperial Successor will be a combination of genius and extraordinary biological genes. We will proceed with the attempt to create an ovum suitable for two genetic donors. This will require several days of highly specialized preparation, just you know."