As Edeline stepped into the grand hall, her gaze swept across the room until she spotted a knight standing near the entrance.
"Where is William?" she asked.
The knight bowed slightly. "He is playing with the young master in the garden, my lady."
Without another word, Edeline made her way outside, her steps firm yet measured. She spotted William and Jonathan in the lush green garden, the golden sunlight casting soft shadows across the grass. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she watched them, but her heart ached for Jonathan.
She walked toward them, kneeling to embrace Jonathan gently. "Don't worry about anything," she whispered, stroking his hair. "Everything will be fine."
Then, standing up, she reached for William's hand. "Come, it's time to go home."
William hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering toward Jonathan, but he didn't protest. Hand in hand with his mother, he followed her to the waiting carriage. As they rode away from the palace, the carriage rocking gently with each movement, William turned to Edeline, his expression serious.
"Mother, why is Jonathan there? And where are his parents?"
Edeline exhaled softly, her fingers tightening slightly around her lap. "Are you worried about him?"
"Yes," William admitted. "He didn't look comfortable. I don't think he wants to be there."
Edeline glanced out the window, watching as the streets of the capital blurred past them. "I know," she murmured. "But some things are out of our control."
By the time they arrived home, the evening air had begun to cool. A knight opened the carriage door, stepping aside as Edeline and William emerged. As they stepped inside their modest home, an unexpected figure sat in the small living room, her posture straight despite her age.
An elderly woman, clad in a knight's suit, sipped tea gracefully as if she belonged there.
"It's been a while, Edeline," the old woman greeted, her sharp eyes glinting with wisdom.
Edeline nodded in acknowledgment. "Hello, Lady Helena."
The woman stood, her gaze shifting to William. "This must be William."
She reached out, placing a firm yet gentle hand on his head.
Edeline turned to her son. "William, this is your grandmother."
William's eyes widened slightly. "Oh… she's my grandma?"
Helena's expression softened, a rare warmth replacing the usual steel in her gaze. She smiled and pulled William into a brief embrace.
"You've grown well," she murmured.
Edeline took a step back. "You two should spend some time together."
Helena chuckled. "Oh, I intend to."
William looked between them, curiosity flickering in his gaze. Something about his grandmother intrigued him—her presence was different from anyone he had met before.
Edeline had just finished preparing dinner, placing the warm dishes on the table as she sat down with William and Helena. The small home was filled with laughter and warmth, a rare moment of peace that Edeline hadn't felt in a long time.
William smiled as he ate, feeling a sense of comfort he hadn't realized he needed. Even Helena, usually composed and serious, seemed relaxed, chuckling at one of William's innocent remarks.
Suddenly, a loud knock on the door interrupted their moment. Edeline's expression immediately hardened. She stood up, smoothing down her dress before walking over to the door.
As she opened it, a knight stepped in, his expression tense.
"What happened?" Helena asked, her voice sharp and commanding.
The knight bowed slightly before speaking. "We have an emergency. Some enemies have attacked Edward's house."
Edeline frowned. "But there's no one there. Why would they target an empty house?"
"We don't know, my lady," the knight admitted. "But we must remain cautious. We have no idea who launched the attack or why."
William, who had been silently listening from his seat, felt his stomach tighten. His fingers curled around his fork as he processed the knight's words. An attack? Why?
Helena stood up, her usual authoritative presence returning. "Edeline, I think you need to be careful here. If they targeted Edward's house, it might be a distraction or a message. Either way, it's dangerous."
She turned to the knight. "I will go and check on the situation myself."
Edeline nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. If someone was targeting Edward's house, it meant things were getting worse. And she had a feeling this was only the beginning.
As Edeline stepped out, she closed the door behind her and led William to his room. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and said, "You don't need to worry about anything, William. Everything will be fine."
She glanced at the clock on the wall—it was 7:30. Turning to him, she asked, "If you're not sleepy yet, shall we play chess?"
William nodded. "Yeah, sure."
Edeline set up the chessboard on the table, and they both took their seats. As they played, she carefully observed him before asking, "Do you want to live with your father?"
William moved a pawn forward and hesitated. "I don't know... Sometimes, it feels like he doesn't want me, but then, after a while, he starts playing with us again."
Edeline sighed. "When you grow up, you'll understand your position and responsibilities. You are my child, my blood. You are royal..."
Before she could continue, a sudden noise came from the kitchen. Both of them froze in shock.
"Wait here. Let me check," she whispered.
She slowly opened the door, only to be met with a terrifying sight. Knights dressed in red uniforms stood before her, each bearing an armband marked with the letters "BK." Cold steel pressed against her throat as a sword was drawn to her neck. One of the knights poured petrol all over the house while another grabbed William forcefully.
Edeline's eyes widened in horror. She struggled, her voice breaking as she cried out, "No! What do you want? Leave him alone!"
As the knight approached, the others instinctively took sides, making way for him. The woman turned, her eyes narrowing as she took in the familiar figure.
"I thought you were dead," she said coldly.
The man smirked. "How would I die so easily?"
Her expression darkened. "Kael, what do you want?" she demanded, her voice laced with anger.
Kael stepped closer, gripping her face gently but firmly. His golden eyes bore into hers. "You already know what I want. Where are Jonathan and Julian?"
She clenched her jaw. "I don't know."
Kael studied her for a moment before shifting his attention to the William standing nearby. Releasing her face, he strode over to him and tilted his head. "Hey, kid," he said with a sly grin. "What's your relationship with that woman?"
William met his gaze without flinching. "She's my mother."
Kael's laughter echoed through the space, sharp and mocking. "You? Her son?" He chuckled again, shaking his head. "What a joke."