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