CHAPTER 166: LET’S HAVE A BABY

"My fellow citizens, good evening.

Tonight, I come before you not as a politician, not as the head of state, but as a man who shares the same fears, the same burdens, and the same hopes as each one of you. Over the last weeks, our nation has endured two cowardly and unprovoked attacks from Icelandia. Lives were shaken, families left with scars, both visible and invisible. To those who lost loved ones, I say this: your pain is my pain, and your grief is the grief of an entire nation.

I know what many of you are feeling tonight. Fear. Doubt. Anger. Some of you are asking, ’Is anywhere safe anymore?’ Others are asking, ’Why should we believe in leadership that allowed this to happen twice?’ These are valid questions. And you deserve answers.

Let me be clear, Icelandia believes that through fear, they can bend us. That through violence, they can silence us. But they have underestimated the strength of this country and the resilience of its people. We do not bow to intimidation. We do not crumble when tested. We endure. And we rise.

Over the past months, some of the brightest minds, our finest engineers, and our bravest military officers have worked tirelessly to build a shield strong enough to guard not only our skies but our very way of life. Tonight, I announce to you that the Aegis V Defence System is fully installed and operational across our key states and regions.

What does this mean for you, for your families, for your children? It means that for the first time in our history, we have a shield, one that can intercept incoming threats before they ever reach our soil. It means that never again will you wake in the middle of the night to the sound of sirens without knowing if you’ll see the morning sun. It means that our borders, our skies, our future... Are secured.

Now, I have heard the voices of doubt. I have read the criticisms. Some say we are provoking Icelandia. Some say we are walking the nation toward war. To them, I say this... Defense is not provocation. Protection is not aggression. The Aegis V was not built to invade. It was built to shield, to defend, to safeguard. Any nation that respects peace has nothing to fear from it. Only those who seek to harm us will find themselves blocked at every turn, and we’ll surely strike back.

I know there are those who fear that these measures will fail... That we are gambling with your lives. I do not dismiss your fears. But hear me now... My responsibility as President is to make sure that not one child sleeps in fear, not one parent wonders if tomorrow will come, not one citizen feels abandoned by their nation. That is my oath. That is my duty. And I will not fail you.

This is not just about defense technology, it is about trust. Trust that when danger looms, your country will stand between you and the threat. Trust that no matter how loud the enemies shout, our unity will be louder.

My fellow Nortasian citizens, we stand at a crossroads. We can choose to live as a people defined by fear, or as a people defined by courage. I say we choose courage. We choose resilience. We choose to live, not in the shadow of our enemies, but in the light of our strength.

So tonight, go home to your families. Hug your children a little tighter. Tell them the truth... That their country has built a shield for them, that their tomorrow is safer than yesterday, and that their leaders—your leaders—will never stop fighting for their peace.

We are not afraid. We are not broken. We are not alone. Together, under the banner of this nation, we are safe. We are strong. And we will endure.

Thank you. May God bless you all, and may God bless this nation."

"That was hell of a great speech, my love," Camilia acknowledged Jayden with a kiss after the speech, and he himself was confident that he did a lot of good, he had no doubts about that.

In no time, the nation buzzed after the president dropped the speech, different topics rising across the country.

(The People’s Gazette: "The sudden resignation of two governors, followed by whispers that the President is preparing a response against Icelandia, has triggered nationwide anxiety. Critics argue that the President is dragging the country into a suicidal confrontation, especially when the economy is barely holding on. Civil organizations have begun staging protests in NorthVille, Fenille and Old Wiston, demanding transparency. Meanwhile, a smaller fraction of bloggers praise the President for ’finally growing a spine.’ But is it bravery or recklessness?")

(Urban Sphere Blog: "This administration is mistaking nationalism for a death wish. Icelandia is not a rival we can toy with. We don’t have the arsenal, the technology, or even the internal unity. Ordinary citizens will pay the price first, not the President in his guarded villa. If this government continues down this path, we might as well start digging mass graves now."

(The Frontier Post: "We must ask ourselves: is this really about Icelandia, or about a wounded ego? Two governors resign and suddenly the President wants to posture like a wartime leader. But people aren’t fooled. We are still waiting for electricity, jobs, and food security—none of which bombs can solve. If the President believes conflict will earn him respect, he is tragically mistaken.")

As if it weren’t enough, there were already topics and tags trending on every social media platforms, including the ones in favor with the President’s decision, and the one that said otherwise.

#NoWarPlease.

#SaveOurFuture.

#StandWithThePresident.

#FrostlineFear.

(@SpringMama234: "So the President wants to play hero with our lives?? Most part of the country still needs advanced development, but he prefers funding money for war against Icelandia?!")

(@FreeMindJoe: "We always criticize leaders for being weak, now one finally wants to act strong, and everyone is crying. Which do we want?")

(@CityLad: "Icelandia?? With the same Frostline crew that controls half the North Atlantic grid?? Madness. Pure madness. #NoWarPlease")

(@Tobin244: "Finally a leader with courage. Do we always bow our heads? Icelandia has mocked us for decades. Enough is enough.")

(@Hyke: "Supporters should please line up at the front when the missiles start flying. Don’t drag us into your foolish bravery.")

There was also a particular post on Loopi that got Jayden astonished.

(Youth Union Forum: "We refuse to be used as pawns in another man’s power game. Icelandia is untouchable, and this is not patriotism—it’s provocation."

Comment 1: "Exactly. Rich people will be evacuated, and the poor will be left to burn."

Comment 2: "If we don’t defend our sovereignty, then what are we?"

Comment 3: "There’s a difference between defending sovereignty and rushing headlong into a suicide pact.")

Jayden felt the weight hitting hard, but at this point, what could he do? He actually couldn’t prove anything to make the majority believe him at this moment...

It only had to take the main time when they would take action.

(SkyCorner: "What’s happening right now is theater. The President thinks a military flex will save his dwindling approval rating. But ordinary people aren’t blind, they know war means hunger, fuel hikes, and body bags. And for what? To look tough on TV?")

(TasiaPulse: "Half the country believes the President is crazy, the other half believes he’s courageous. But one thing is clear—no one trusts the government’s plan. If war is coming, people want answers, not propaganda.")

Jayden soon stopped going through the media any further, as it would definitely weigh him down.

"Now’s their time to yap and show their fears. When the real show begins, they would all be eating their words in silence," Temi who was sitting next to Jayden said, trying to cheer him up.

Jayden gave her a look and nodded.

He knew that right for sure, and he was looking forward to that moment... That moment when the people would finally believe in him, and take every word he speaks seriously.

He considered the fact that he hadn’t proven much to make them trust him, and show them that he wasn’t like the past leaders who never cared for the progress of the country.

He wanted to prove them wrong!

He wanted to prove that he would be the greatest ruler that Nortasia has ever seen, and he would definitely do that...

He knew it.

...

He soon settled in his room later that day, having his usual meditation before going to bed.

Just then, Temi walked in.

"Mind if I spend the night with you?" She asked, posing sexily in her white, short dress that revealed the glory of her hot body.

"Uhh, sure..." Jayden wouldn’t dare to decline after all.

She approached and laid beside him, purposefully having her butts wiggle around the area of his clothed dragon.

Jayden didn’t find it hard to discover what she wanted, as he didn’t take any more time before landing a kiss on her moist shoulder and neck.

Temi turned, her eyes sharp and she stared straight at his eyes.

They switched to a short session of marvelous kissing, until Temi withdrew and looked at him, this time with a more, romantic, serious face.

"Jayden?" She called.

"Hmm?" Jayden responded with his face straight towards her.

"Let’s have a baby," Temi then said.

At that point, Jayden froze!

.

.

[A/N: Whatchu think? Should Jayden have a baby? And from Temi first? Who deserves to be the first mother of the harem?]