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