Viktor's heart raced as he crept out of the hallway, having heard everything. Isabella was pregnant.

Pregnant! The word boomed in his brain, shaking every nerve. It couldn't be. Not now. Not after all his planning so carefully laid. Once outside the palace and safely within the shadow of his quarters, Viktor leaned against the cold stone walls, trying to steady his breath. His hands shook as he drew his phone from his pocket.

There was no time to waste. He dialled a number in a hurry. It rang twice before a deep, familiar voice answered. "Viktor. Is there a problem? " "Yes," Viktor hissed, his eyes darting around him for his solitude. "We have to move. Now." A pause, then a calm response. "What happened? " "Isabella." He could hardly hold his voice steady. She's pregnant." Silence emanated from the other end of the line.

Viktor could practically feel the other man processing the information. Then, after a beat, his reply came out low and deadly, "That changes everything." "No kidding, it does," Viktor snapped. "If that child is born, the kingdom will rally behind her. "Lucas's rule will be absolute, and everything we've been working toward will be undone." The man on the other end of the line sighed, his voice tinged with irritation.

"Are you sure about what you heard?” he asked.

"Yes, I heard her myself.” She said it to Elara." Viktor replied, his jaw clamped shut, as he stepped off the wall and commenced pacing.

"Undeniably. We have no choice but to take action now. We can't afford to waste any more time." Another extended pause. "Take action now, Viktor.”

"Viktor ceased his pacing and stared off into the distance. "We need to ensure that child never sees the light of day."

"I see…"

The voice on the other line wasn't shocked. "But it's tricky.

We can't afford any mistakes. We can't risk suspicion falling on us." Viktor clenched his fist, biting back his frustration. "Do you think I don't know that? It has to look…natural.

No one can suspect a thing. Especially Lucas." "I agree. But have you thought through all the eventualities? " The voice was so collected, unnervingly so. "One misstep, either in timing or in judgment, and Lucas will put two and two together.

You know how he is about her." "I've thought it all through! " Viktor snarled, doing little more than keeping his voice down. "There is no other choice. Once that child is born, it's over. We have waited too long for caution now." After a moment of silence, the voice spoke again. "So, what is the plan? "I have a few ideas." Viktor started pacing again, running a hand through his hair. "But we need to make sure that everything is just right. I mustn't be seen, nor can you." "Obviously. It means both of our heads if it goes wrong." Viktor's mind was racing.

It wasn't a time to mess this up. Not after everything he'd done. The kingdom was supposed to be his. That was the deal. That was the mission.

But if Isabella gave birth to an heir…no, he wouldn't allow that to happen. "What exactly are you proposing, Viktor? " The man on the phone asked. "We need to act before Lucas returns," Viktor said, lowering his voice even though no one was around. "Once he's back, there will be too many eyes. Too many risks.

We have three days to take care of this." "You're certain we can do this in three days? " There was scepticism lacing the other man's voice. "Isabella isn't just anyone.

She's heavily guarded. And her pregnancy will make Lucas even more vigilant." "I know," Viktor muttered, his teeth grinding together in frustration. "That's just exactly why we need to move right now before the word gets out." "And if anyone suspects us? " "They won't," Viktor snarled. "Because it won't look like anything other than a…tragic accident." The man on the other end of the line chuckled darkly. "A tragic accident, you say? You've thought this through, haven't you? " "I've had years to think this through," Viktor echoed back with a bitter tone.

"Years to plan against every possible outcome.

Isabella's pregnancy wasn't one of them. But we can still salvage this." "Hmm," the voice hummed in thought. "And what do you need from me?" "I'll need your men," Viktor said firmly. "Quiet, efficient people who can move without being seen.

I have the perfect idea of how to handle this, but I need you to make the arrangements." The voice was quiet for a moment, considering Viktor's request. Then, with a sigh, the man on the other end finally spoke. "All right, I'll get the men ready. But remember, Viktor, this has to be perfect. If Lucas even suspects us…"

You wouldn't like the end result.