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The Regent’s Secret Wife New
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00:24To be continued...
00:30He returned victorious. I was dining with Leo at a tavern. He had just recited an ancient elven prophecy, and
00:36the nobles at the next table whispered in admiration. At that moment, the tavern door swung open. Devon dismounted and
00:43strode straight towards me.
00:45Elara, he said, these years have been hard on you. This boy inherited my gifts, but I cannot deny your
00:51role in raising him. He paused.
00:53My vow will be fulfilled. Batalia fought beside me at the frontier for five years and gave birth to my
00:58eldest son. I must grant her the title of Duchess. You, however, will be my Paranor.
01:03I signaled my guards to bring Leo to the carriage, meeting his gaze steadily. You misunderstand, sir. I am a
01:11lord's daughter. I will not become any man's mistress. Besides, the true king in my heart is the one who
01:17holds the regency.
01:18Hearing Draven now claim ownership over my son, not even his entire family's bloodline could atone for it.
01:26Surprise flickered across Draven's face before he scowled.
01:29We never swore before the old gods. You are not the mistress of my house. Keep such presumptuous words to
01:35yourself, or the court will laugh, saying the Duchess Paranor does not know her place.
01:39I smeared. When he left four years ago, I had sent a raven to inform him that my wedding would
01:45proceed as planned. On the wedding day, he sent a rusted iron gauntlet with a note.
01:49Since you are so eager for a husband, swear before this gauntlet. It will save you from endless listening urging
01:55you to return.
01:56He never knew I had outsmarted him and taken another husband. Leo pressed his face against the carriage window, looking
02:02at me with worry.
02:03I ignored Draven and ordered my guards.
02:05Take the young Nord back to the Royal Academy. Had I known we'd run into them, I would never have
02:11taken Leo out during the Academy's lunch break.
02:14Not so fast!
02:15Before the horses could move, Talia blocked the wheel. She yanked open the carriage door and dragged Leo out. Leo
02:21struggled in her arms, calling for his mother. I lunged forward.
02:25Talia! Let go of my son!
02:27She dodged with the child, eyes gleaming with triumph.
02:30Miss Alara, what spell has bewitched you? Since when is my son yours?
02:36A guard drew his dagger.
02:38Stop! The young Lord is not for you to touch!
02:40Before he could speak further, Draven kicked him squarely in the chest, sending him flying.
02:45The nobles and merchants down nearby scattered. Draven's voice was cold.
02:51The king is about to confirm he has might, Marshires. The decree has yet to be issued. You lowly servant
02:57dare call my bloodline, young Lord?
02:59Blood spilled from the guard's mouth as he scrambled toward the door to fetch reinforcements. Draven gripped my wrist.
03:06Alara, I know you crave power and airs, and my son has grown remarkable.
03:10He whispered.
03:11For four years, you've enjoyed the prestige of our child at court. Now that we have returned, mother and child
03:17should reunite. What else is there to fight for?
03:20I broke free.
03:21Dream on, I whispered.
03:22The child you bore is a fool, not a fraction of Leo's intellect. If you want any dignity left, let
03:29go immediately.
03:30Deren's face darkened, and he gripped my wrist with sudden force.
03:33How dare you insult your Lord with such words?
03:35He growled. Pain radiated up my arm, but I straightened my back, refusing to show weakness.
03:41Leo, seeing me being attacked, rushed forward, eyes blazing.
03:45Let her go! Don't touch my mother!
03:47Tala trembled with fury as she watched her own child defend me. Her nails dug into Leo's arm, her face
03:52twisted with rage.
03:53My darling, look at me! I gave you your bloodline! That woman only stole your mother's love! She's a thief!
03:57Leo struggled and landed a punch on her temple.
04:00No, you're a lying witch! You're the one hurting my mother!
04:02No!
04:03Tala screamed and released him. Leo tried to dash back to me, but Deren seized him by the collar, lifting
04:08him into the air.
04:09The battlefield general who had struck down enemies without mercy now shouted at a five-year-old.
04:13You insolent boy! How dare you strike your mother!
04:17Seeing Leo's pale little face, my fury erupted.
04:20Draven, are you blind? If she hadn't grabbed him first, he wouldn't have fought back!
04:25Draven's gaze fell on the bruises along Leo's arm. He wavered, about to set him down,
04:29when Talia suddenly collapsed to her knees, wiping tears from her face.
04:34Allura, I bore this child. Do you think I don't care for him?
04:37But for the past four years, you've filled him with hatred towards me, making him reject his birth mother.
04:42How could I have? I know you still hate me. When I gave Draen an heir, I wronged you.
04:46But the child is innocent. If you need to vent your anger, punish me, even take my life.
04:51Just don't turn us mother and son against each other again.
04:55She raised her hand to strike herself.
04:57Stop!
04:57Draen intervened, then turned to me.
04:59Allura, four years ago, I wondered why you accepted the child so quietly.
05:02Now I see. You planned from the start to separate my son from his mother.
05:06If I had known you were this malicious, I would never have entrusted the Draen family bloodline to you.
05:11He said, placing Leo into Talia's arms.
05:14From this moment, you lose all rights to interfere with this child.
05:17Seeing his vile expression, the humiliation from four years ago's rudge back.
05:20When Talia suddenly became pregnant, I had my doubts about Draen, but every time I tried to ask, he cut
05:25me off.
05:25Tara and I are like siblings. The child she carries is from one of the guards.
05:28If I had an affair with her, would I have arranged our marriage? If you don't believe me.
05:32He even forced Talia to drink an abortfitive in front of me, and then sent her to St. Catherine Manor
05:37to recover.
05:38I thought I had misjudged them and felt guilty, sending her remedies from my lands continuously.
05:44A year later, when I visited with gifts, I saw Draen holding the newborn-reformed baby, teaching him to say
05:48father.
05:49At that moment, his smile frozen.
05:51The next day, he tore away all pretense, claiming the child with Talia was only meant to let me practice
05:56how to be a duchess in advance.
05:58I clenched my fists, looking at the pair before me, and let out a cold laugh.
06:02Draen, do you really think I would raise your ultimate child with your mistress?
06:06Draen stared at me with a dark expression.
06:08I was about to reveal the truth when I noticed Leo in Talia's arms, pale and clutching his chest, struggling
06:15to breathe.
06:16I rushed forward, pushed Talia aside, and pulled a pill from a hidden pouch, pressing it between my son's lips.
06:22Leo, swallow it!
06:25Since birth, Leo had suffered from a severe lung condition.
06:28That first winter, he had nearly been claimed by death itself.
06:31Since then, I always carried a life-saving pill close to him.
06:34Under my care, he hadn't had an attack in two years.
06:37This must have been Talia's violent scare triggering a suffocating episode.
06:40As I was about to pat his back to help him swallow,
06:43Talia suddenly screamed, lunged, and yanked my hair, slapping me hard.
06:48Ah! Alara! Why would you poison my child?
06:52She shrieked, tears streaming.
06:54He is my life! How can you be so cruel?
06:58She reached for the pill in Leo's mouth.
07:00Quick, my darling, spit out the poison!
07:02I tried to stop her, but a heavy blow struck my back, sending me flying across the floor.
07:08Draen yanked me upright.
07:10Alara, what did you feed my son?
07:12Tara had prayed half the pill from between Liko's teeth and flung it onto the stone floor.
07:16I yelled at her, furious.
07:18Don't remove it! Let him swallow!
07:19That's the antidote for his lung disease!
07:21He's had this hidden condition since birth!
07:23Draen's grip on my wrist stiffened for a moment,
07:25but the next second, Talia dropped to her knees, begging me.
07:28Alara, I beg you, give me the antidote!
07:31I know you can't bear it! I boobiefight you!
07:33The Marchkiss title! The birth mother's recognition!
07:36I give it all to you!
07:37Just let my child live!
07:38Even if it costs my life, I'm willing!
07:40Seeing Leo corrupting on the ground,
07:42I slammed Draen's arm with all my strength.
07:44Draen, let go!
07:45Leo! Leo isn't poison!
07:47It's a lung attack!
07:47If he swallows that half pill, he'll be fine!
07:49Draen was silent for a moment,
07:51then finally released me and moved toward the half pill.
07:56The next instant, he lifted his boot and crushed the pill into powder.
08:01He sneered at my ashen face.
08:03Alara, do you think I'm stupid?
08:05Poison or chronic illness?
08:07Do you think I can't tell the difference?
08:09My son's lips are already purple, and you still dare lie, since you refuse to reveal the truth.
08:14Don't blame me for having the knights search you!
08:16At his signal, two guards held me down while three knights reached for the hidden pouch in my skirt.
08:21I lifted my chin, voice low and dangerous.
08:24How dare you?
08:25I am the lawful wife sworn to marry His Excellency the Lord Regent.
08:29How dare you touch me, you lowborn scum!
08:32The knights froze mid-motion.
08:34I took a deep breath, glanced at the unconscious Leo, and fixed my gaze on Draven.
08:39Draven, Leo is the sole bloodline of the Lord Regent Caelan and me.
08:45If he takes his last breath today, everyone present will be burned at the stake.
08:50If you value your lives, take him to a healer immediately.
08:55Talia sobs, abruptly stopped.
08:58The Lord Regent did marry a bride, four years ago.
09:02But that wedding day was, in any case, the same day you swore before that iron gauntlet.
09:08She stared at me in shock.
09:09I've heard you once rejected His Excellency at the Palace Ball.
09:13Are you so consumed by jealousy that you now imagine yourself as the Princess Consort claiming my own child as
09:18his blood?
09:20Draven's eyes darkened with malice.
09:24Elara, what the Lord Regent said to you back then was nothing but drunken words.
09:28I didn't expect you to still dwell on them.
09:31Considering you're the daughter of the Chief Minister,
09:33such shameless delusions are no different than the prostitutes of the lower district!
09:37He roared at the knights.
09:39What are you waiting for? Search her!
09:41When Cain confessed his feelings and I rejected him,
09:44he claimed it was a slip of drunkness to protect my reputation.
09:47I had buried every secret to protect Derek.
09:50Yet in his eyes, it became nothing but self-indulgent fantasy.
09:54The knights tore at my skirts, hands rising over me.
09:58Humiliation washed over me, and I bent over, ridging.
10:02Sir, there is nothing on her.
10:04One knight reported.
10:05At that moment, Talia screamed.
10:08Draven! Our child, he's not breathing!
10:11I looked up.
10:12Leo, who had been convulsing moments ago, lay still.
10:16Leo!
10:16I cried, rushing to him.
10:19Draven finally panicked, grabbing a guard.
10:22Go! Take the fastest horse! Fetch the healer!
10:25It's too late!
10:26Talia pulled a dagger from her skirts.
10:28Draven, I've heard of a folk technique to cut open the abdomen and remove toxins.
10:32Slice our baby's stomach and extract the poison.
10:35By the time the healer arrives, you can stitch him up!
10:37I shivered at the madness before me.
10:39Talia, are you insane?
10:41Draven threw me to the ground, taking the dagger.
10:44The one who's insane is you!
10:46Talia is his mother by blood.
10:48She wouldn't harm him.
10:49If he suffers, it's because of your jealous poisoning.
10:53Pull this madwoman away!
10:55He grabbed a jug of strong liquor and poured it over the blade, seemingly ready to carve
10:59into his own child.
11:00I broke free from the knight's hold, shielding Leo with all my strength.
11:03Draven, if that blade cuts him, Kaelin will make your entire family pay with their lives!
11:09Draven sneered, choking me with one hand.
11:12And yet you still refuse to see reason.
11:15The king is young, and all life and death power rests with the Lord Regent.
11:18You cling to his drunken words, calling him by name repeatedly.
11:21Do you expect to drag my entire family to hell with you?
11:23My vision blurred.
11:24Once I save my son, you'll spend three years in the Tower of Penance, so you won't use
11:27vile schemes to drive a wedge between Talia and him again.
11:29He flung me aside, raising the dagger towards Leo's abdomen.
11:33When I opened my eyes, I saw him bring the blade down.
11:36No!
11:37At that moment, a guard's voice shouted from outside.
11:40Your Excellency, the Princess Comfort and the Young Lord are inside.
11:43The door splintered under a kick, and countless royal knights in black armor poured in.
11:50Just as the dagger was about to strike, a stone shot through the air, deflecting it.
11:54Draven froze.
11:55Dozens of swords were now pressed to his neck.
11:59When he saw the figure entering the hall, his face went pale with shock.
12:04The Lord Regent?
12:05The error of authority around Kaelin made Draen tremble, and Talia didn't dare raise her head.
12:11My tears finally broke through.
12:14Seeing Kaelin, I pointed frantically at the child on the floor.
12:18My king!
12:21Leo has stopped breathing!
12:22Save him first!
12:23Kaelin immediately removed a small porcelain vial from his neck, dripping a single drop of alchemical elixir into Leo's mouth.
12:32Moments later, Leo's fingers twilled.
12:36Draven cried out.
12:37Hilara, what did you just call him?
12:40His eyes were red as he tried to rise and question Kaelin, only to be knocked back to the ground
12:46by a guard's sword halt.
12:47Kaelin handed the child into my arms, glancing at my swoded cheeks while his sword remained pointed at Drerik.
12:54Are you deaf?
12:55My wife calls only me.
12:58Who else would she call?
13:00Draven's face went pale.
13:02Impossible!
13:04Hilara married into my family four years ago.
13:07How could you be her husband?
13:09I rushed forward, slapping him hard across the face.
13:12Draven, the moment you shoved Talia's child into my arms four years ago, my loyalty to you died.
13:17The letter I sent was to tell you I would marry Kaelin, and you had someone deliver a rusted gauntlet
13:23for me to swear before.
13:24Draven's face twisted in disbelief.
13:27Kaelin snorted coldly, thrusting his sword forward and piercing Draven's right hand as he gripped his own blade.
13:34Draven wailed and rolled on the ground.
13:37Draven!
13:38Taya crawled forward, terrified.
13:41Kaelin looked down at them.
13:43So it was this hand that harmed my wife and child?
13:46Then it serves no purpose anymore.
13:48He glanced at the marks on my face.
13:52Hilara, these injuries, he caused them too?
13:55Talia scrambled to me, clutching my skirts.
13:58Your Highness, I am ignorant and lowly, unaware of your nobility.
14:03But I am still Leo's birth mother.
14:05Please, for the sake of mother and child, forgive me and return him to me.
14:10Her gaze locked on Leo, greedy and demanding.
14:14Although Leo had regained his breath, his eyes remained closed.
14:18Remembering her madness moments ago, I slapped her several times.
14:24Talia, Leo is the legitimate heir conceived after my marriage to the Lord Regent and born the following year.
14:30Our wedding had taken place in the palace private hall.
14:34To the outside world, it was said that the Lord Regent married a noble-born lady, but her name was
14:39never revealed.
14:41Kaelin insisted on this secrecy to prevent the Draken family from using it against me at the frontier.
14:46After Leo's birth, he was raised at the Royal Academy under the title,
14:51The Lord Regent's secretly nurtured legitimate heir.
14:54As for the child you claim, I paused.
14:56Four years ago, after you abandoned that malformed infant on my estate, I had him sent to an orphanage.
15:02If you want a family reunion, go there and find your true bloodline.
15:07Draven's family bloodline was thin.
15:10Four years ago, after he abandoned that child to me, he and Talia had ridden off to the frontier.
15:16The malformed infant had been declared unlikely to survive more than three months.
15:20No servant dared touch him in the manor.
15:23I was no saint, raising my former fiancé's illidimate child with his mistress.
15:28But I couldn't stand by and watch a small life die on my estate.
15:34So I secretly sent him to St. Mary Orphanage, Lower District.
15:38I never imagined that child would survive with sheer determination until today.
15:43When Talia heard the truth,
15:45she froze.
15:47Seeing me carrying Leo to leave,
15:49she lunged forward.
15:53Allura,
15:54you lying witch!
15:55Don't think you can deceive me!
15:57Leo is my child!
15:58You only want his gifts for yourself!
16:01Before she could reach me,
16:02two royal knights pilled her to the ground.
16:05Caelan drew me under his cloak,
16:07eyes sweeping over Talia.
16:09Since your tongue is so venomous,
16:11you'll be taken back to the palace to face royal justice.
16:16He held both me and Leo,
16:17turning toward the door.
16:19Behind us,
16:19two royal knights
16:20caffed Dreric and Talia
16:21with their arms crossed behind their backs.
16:23Tara screamed,
16:24hair disroveled.
16:25How dare you!
16:26I am about to become a duchess!
16:28The king is about to grant me a title,
16:30and you dare touch me!
16:32Dreven struggled to rise from the pool of blood,
16:34standing in front of Talia.
16:39Are you blind?
16:40Step back,
16:42or I'll personally chop off your heads.
16:44The surrounding knights laughed,
16:46mocking the blood-beast state of Dreven's right hand.
16:49Sir General,
16:50I think you jesk.
16:52Your Excellency's sword has disabled your hand.
16:54You'll never wield a blade again.
16:56Pray tell,
16:57what will you use to cut off our heads?
17:00Laughter erupted again in the hall.
17:03Dreven trembled with rage.
17:04Do not be so insolent!
17:07I'll appeal to his majesty for justice!
17:11The knights laughed even louder.
17:14Appeal to the king?
17:15Perhaps you forget,
17:16the young king has not yet assumed the throne.
17:18The Lord Regent now holds all authority in the kingdom.
17:22You want His Excellency to deliver justice for you?
17:25You!
17:26Deren was speechless.
17:30Back at the fortress,
17:32under the care of the chief heather,
17:34Leo finally emerged from danger,
17:38fully conscious.
17:42My tensed nerves relaxed,
17:44and I nearly collapsed.
17:50Elara!
17:53Kaelin called softly,
17:56catching me before I fell.
17:58Mother.
17:59Leo murmured weakly from the bed.
18:02It's okay.
18:03Before I could finish,
18:05Kaelin pressed me onto the bed.
18:07Your organs are injured in multiple places,
18:09yet you claim to be fine?
18:10He whispered,
18:12If you hadn't insisted on seeing Leo awake with your own eyes,
18:15I wouldn't have let you step out the door.
18:18Though his words were stern,
18:20there was worry and fear in his eyes.
18:23The healer packed away the elixirs,
18:25giving strict instructions.
18:26The young lord experienced extreme fright,
18:30aggravating his old condition.
18:31Over the next several years,
18:33no further mistakes may occur.
18:36Guilt welled up in me as I looked at Leo.
18:38I'm sorry, my darling.
18:40It's my fault.
18:43If I hadn't taken you to that tavern.
18:47Leo pressed his small body against my neck.
18:51I don't blame you, mother.
18:52It was your fault.
18:54It was those two villains.
18:57He looked up at Kaelin.
18:59Father, you must avenge me and mother.
19:03They do not deserve to live under your light.
19:06Kaelin drew us both into his arms.
19:09Leo, rest assured.
19:12Anyone who dares to harm you will answer to me.
19:15Meanwhile, Draven and Talia searched far and wide,
19:19only to have the truth shatter their delusions.
19:22Leo was indeed the legitimate heir,
19:26born the year after the Lord Regent's marriage,
19:29and the princess consort was Elara herself.
19:33Talia had no choice but to face the truth.
19:36Her face twisted in rage and envy.
19:39Brother Draven, that witch is so cruel.
19:43To punish us, she actually threw our child into an orphanage.
19:49Our precious child, who should have been a noble heir,
19:53survived five years in that place, longing for our salvation.
19:58Draven's heart ached, placing all blame on me.
20:01They rushed to the orphanage.
20:05Just as they stepped through the iron gate,
20:08a figure running across the lawn caught their eyes.
20:12The boy was about five, sturdy for his age,
20:15and bore a faint resemblance to a young Darren.
20:19Devon looked at him, almost in tears,
20:22convinced this was his bloodline.
20:25The orphanage director rushed over,
20:27about to check the adoption records,
20:29but Draven stopped her.
20:30No need to look through those papers.
20:32He said, eyes fixed on the boy.
20:34I can tell at a glance he carries the Draven family blood.
20:38Who else could look this exceptional besides my own seed?
20:43Talia screamed and leapt forward,
20:45clutching the boy to her chest.
20:46My darling!
20:49You've suffered all these years.
20:51Look at your father and mother.
20:53We'll take you to the Markiribit estate.
20:55From now on, you're the sole heir of this land.
20:57The boy looked confused,
20:59but when he heard the title Ducal Heir,
21:01a flicker of greed lit his eyes.
21:03He obediently returned to Talia's arms,
21:05calling out,
21:06Father, mother.
21:07The pair were lost in the joy of reunion.
21:10However, just as Draven was about to nod,
21:13a frail little hand tugged at his cloak.
21:17Draven turned, annoyed.
21:19When he saw the child, he gasped.
21:21The child had crooked features and a vacant stare.
21:24Drool slipped from his half-open mouth onto Darren's robe.
21:27This simple-minded child showed no fear,
21:29mumbling,
21:30Father, mother.
21:32Draven felt sick and yanked the frail hand away.
21:36Where did this beggar come from?
21:38Father, mother,
21:39you think a sewer rat like you can call that?
21:42Get lost!
21:43The rejected child fell to the ground,
21:46wailing.
21:47Though mentally limited,
21:48he still remembered that I had once visited him.
21:51I had whispered in his ear,
21:53Survive.
21:53Soon your birth parents will come for you.
21:56When you hear someone call my lord,
21:58that is your father.
21:59The woman beside him is your mother.
22:02He had followed my instructions,
22:03yet the child they embraced was someone else.
22:06Talia's eyes were full of disgust.
22:10This is where this wild mongrel came from.
22:12The orphanage now even takes in cursed idiots?
22:15She hugged her fake son tightly.
22:17Thank the old gods,
22:18my real child grew strong and bright.
22:20If my bloodline had turned out a fool like this,
22:23I'd rather dash my head against a pillar.
22:26As they prepared to leave,
22:27the simple-minded child rose from the ground,
22:29running off to Talia,
22:30calling mother repeatedly.
22:32Talia halted.
22:33By the time she realized,
22:35her skirt had been tugged and wrinkled by the dirty little hands.
22:38She shoved him.
22:39Get lost!
22:40You disgusting mongrel!
22:42I am not your mother!
22:43The child fell before Drapen's boots,
22:45looking up helplessly.
22:46Seeing those eyes,
22:47Drapen instinctively reached to lift him.
22:49But mid-reach, reason returned.
22:51Pitying a beggar felt absurd.
22:53As he drew back his hand,
22:55a cold object touched his palm.
22:57He looked down.
22:59The child held a piece of moldy, black and jerky.
23:03You lowly mongrel!
23:04Dare you taunt a noble lord with this trash?
23:07Darin raised his boot and kicked the boy squarely in the chest.
23:10The child flew back, landing on the stone steps.
23:14His body convulsed,
23:15blood spilling from the back of his head.
23:18Talia screamed,
23:19covering her fake son's eyes.
23:21Don't look, darling.
23:22Don't let this filthy scene scare you.
23:24The simple-minded child lying in a pool of blood
23:26still gazed toward Draen,
23:28never understanding what he had done wrong.
23:29Just then, the orphanage director
23:31finally found the records from five years ago.
23:33She ran over, holding the files.
23:35My lord, your true bloodline,
23:36this simple-minded child you just kicked is yours!
23:38You've mistaken him!
23:40What did you say?
23:42Draven spun, snatching the parchment.
23:45When he read the words, he froze.
23:48This is impossible.
23:50How could my bloodline be-
23:51Five years ago,
23:52when the Lord Regent's Princess Consate brought this child here,
23:55she explained he was your true offspring.
23:57Cursed by the old gods at birth,
23:58the healer predicted he would not survive three months.
24:00The nun's trembling voice explained.
24:04The records are clear.
24:06Perhaps the child's relentless hope to see his parents kept him alive all these years.
24:09The nun wiped her tears,
24:11glancing at the blood-stained jerky on the stone steps.
24:14Life in the orphanage was harsh.
24:16Children only tasted meat once every two or three years.
24:18That piece of jerky.
24:19This foolish child had secretly kept it for three years.
24:22He said when his father and mother came, he would share it with them.
24:25Tala let out a wail, shoving aside the fake air,
24:27staggering towards the stone steps.
24:29My darling, it's mother's fault!
24:31Mother has come!
24:31She reached the simple-minded child's body, holding him tightly.
24:34Blood-stained her long dress, she frantically slapped herself.
24:37Draven also knelt on the cold stone,
24:39his Adam's onion moving with each choking breath.
24:41Just then, he had called for his father,
24:43offering his most cherished food,
24:44and he had ended that fragile life with his own hands.
24:48Darin spat blood violently.
24:50At the same time,
24:51the orphanage was surrounded by a sudden wave of royal knights.
24:55Caelan stepped forward from the formation,
24:57surveying the bodies on the ground.
24:59Daraphin, I still underestimated your cruelty.
25:02Even beasts in the Hiss do not devour their young,
25:04what you slaughtered your own flesh and blood.
25:06Draven snapped back to reality,
25:07eyes red as blood.
25:09What are you doing here?
25:10Come to mock me?
25:11I have no leisure for that.
25:12Caelan said coldly,
25:13Take these two criminals into custody.
25:15Draven panicked, screaming hysterically.
25:17Who gave you the right to arrest me?
25:19I am the commander who brought glory to the kingdom!
25:21Because you are guilt.
25:22I stepped forward from behind the armoured knights.
25:24Caelan was surprised to see me.
25:26You're here too.
25:27I thought I told you to stay at the estate and rest.
25:29My king, I said,
25:31looking at the lifeless child.
25:33I just wanted to see the outcome with my own eyes.
25:38I was too late.
25:39Seeing me, Draven whispered,
25:41Alara.
25:41His voice was filled with regret and bitter resentment.
25:44I frowned slightly, correcting him coldly.
25:46From now on, you should address me as Princess Consort.
25:49He staggered as if struck.
25:50Caelan took my hand.
25:51Over the past four years at the frontier,
25:53you falsified reports of victories,
25:55hid casualties among your knights,
25:57and indulged with your mistress,
25:59trading soldiers' blood and lives for your personal glory.
26:03These crimes have now been fully investigated.
26:05Every charge is true,
26:07and the evidence is undeniable.
26:10Caelan's voice was like a death sentence.
26:12By royal martial law,
26:14you will be taken to the execution grounds.
26:17Carry out the sentence immediately.
26:19Dreven went pale.
26:20As the knights moved to escort him,
26:22he tried to resist instinctively.
26:23Within moments,
26:24he collapsed under the pressure of the knight's sword halts,
26:26powerless to shout.
26:27Talia was quickly shackled as well,
26:29her expression vacant,
26:31even forgetting to struggle.
26:33Both were taken to the execution grounds.
26:35Until the very end,
26:37Talia still clutched a blood-stained cloth tightly,
26:39refusing to let go.
26:40This absurd courtly farce finally ended.
26:43I lifted my head,
26:44meeting Caelan's gaze.
26:46Return to the fortress.
26:47Leo must be worried.
26:48Seven days after Draven's execution,
26:50the young king signed a decree.
26:52The Lord Regent Caelan and his secret wife Alara
26:54would hold a formal royal ceremony the next night
26:57in the Grand Hall of the Royal Palace,
26:59witnessed by all officials and the old gods.
27:01Caelan said he owed me a proper wedding.
27:03The palace master of Ascentes
27:05struck the floor thrice with his staff,
27:07and the wooden doors slowly opened.
27:10I held Leo's hand as we walked down the hall,
27:13nobles on either side bowing low.
27:15Caelan stood on the elevated douse,
27:19eyes never leaping me from the moment we entered.
27:22I knelt before him.
27:27Rise, he said, palm up.
27:29In this hall, you need never kneel to me.
27:32I placed my hand in his.
27:35The high priest of the old gods
27:38raised the ancient sword.
27:40In the name of the old gods,
27:42by blood and oath.
27:44The Lord Regent Caelan,
27:46do you swear to protect the woman at your side,
27:49guarding her from all harm?
27:51I do, Caelan said,
27:53even at the cost of my life.
27:54Princess Consort Ellara,
27:56do you swear to walk beside the Lord Regent,
27:59sharing both storm and calm,
28:02until the old gods call you home?
28:04I looked at Caelan.
28:05I do.
28:05The ancient sword rested across our joined hands.
28:08Its blade cut my fingertips,
28:10blood dripping into Caelan's palm,
28:12our blood mingling upon the steel.
28:14Blood joined, oath sealed.
28:15From this day forth,
28:16the Lord Regent Caelan and Princess Consort Ellara
28:19are witnessed by the old gods.
28:21Caelan did not wait for the priest to complete the ritual,
28:23but lifted my bleeding hand
28:24and pressed his lips to the wound.
28:26A suppressed gauss swept through the hall.
28:28My princess.
28:29He whispered.
28:30From this moment,
28:31anyone who harms you will pay in blood.
28:33I hooked my fingertips lightly around his hand.
28:36Then, Your Excellency,
28:37return my first kiss.
28:39He bent and kissed me.
28:41The nobles bowed their heads, silent.
28:47This was the Grand Hall of the Lord Regent,
28:50and this ceremony was for his princess.
28:55After the banquet,
28:57Caelan led me to the private chambers,
28:59the heavy door closing behind us.
29:01He removed his cloak and looked at me.
29:05Tired?
29:06No.
29:07He approached, hand brushing my face.
29:09These past four years you've endured so much.
29:12Your Excellency Caelan.
29:13He whispered, cutting me off.
29:15In this room, there is no Your Excellency.
29:17His thumb traced a faint scar behind my ear,
29:20cut by Deren's men at the palace four years ago.
29:22He had been present then, but could not act openly.
29:25That night,
29:25he said,
29:26I vowed I would marry you.
29:28You kept your promise.
29:29I replied.
29:30He leaned down and kissed me.
29:32His hand cradled my waist,
29:34pulling me into his arms as we kissed.
29:35Unable to separate.
29:37Alara, say it.
29:38I knew what he wanted.
29:39Caelan.
29:40His breath hitched.
29:41Say it again.
29:42Caelan, my king.
29:43After a long pause, he released me,
29:45forehead resting against mine.
29:46His voice was harzy.
29:48No rush tonight.
29:49Leo waits in the next room for his good night.
29:51I smiled, softly.
29:53Then let's see our son.
29:55He held my hand and slipped a ring onto my ring finger.
29:59This time, he said,
30:00no one can ever take it from you again.
30:02When we opened Leo's bedroom door,
30:04he was leaning against the window,
30:06gazing at the moon.
30:07Hearing our footsteps,
30:08he turned and his eyes lit up.
30:10Father! Mother!
30:11He whispered.
30:12Caelan walked over and picked him up.
30:15Leo's arms wrapped around his neck.
30:18Father!
30:18Leo shouted loudly.
30:20You are a true warrior.
30:22Caelan was silent for a moment,
30:24then hugged him tighter.
30:25My son, you are my pride.
30:27I stepped beside them,
30:29placing my hand over Caelan's.
30:31Caelan kissed the top of my head.
30:33Welcome home, my queen.
30:35I closed my eyes.
30:36From tonight,
30:37I am Caelan's wife,
30:39Leo's mother,
30:40and the true mistress of this palace.
30:43And this is only the beginning.
30:45Welcome.
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