Kaira walked gracefully through the palace garden, her maids following closely behind. The air was warm, and the evening sun cast a golden glow over the stone pathways. But her heart was uneasy.
From a distance, she saw Gilas, standing tall among the other royal guards. A small smile formed on her lips. She had wanted to speak with him.
She took a deep breath and was about to call his name—when she saw Lady Larisa.
Kaira immediately stopped.
Larisa was rushing toward Gilas, her steps quick and urgent. Something about the way she moved made Kaira's stomach tighten.
She turned slightly to her maids. "Stay here," she whispered.
She watched as Larisa reached the guards.
"My Lady," they greeted her in unison, bowing.
"You are all dismissed," Larisa said sharply. "Except for Gilas."
The guards exchanged glances but obeyed, leaving Larisa alone with him.
Kaira frowned. Why did she need to speak to Gilas alone?
Her heart told her something was not right.
Silently, she followed them, keeping her distance.
---
A Secret Revealed
The palace library was quiet, the only sound being the faint crackle of candles burning in their holders. The air smelled of old books and ink.
Larisa entered first, her hands trembling slightly. Gilas followed behind, his expression full of concern.
Kaira remained hidden behind a large bookshelf.
As soon as the door shut, Larisa turned to face Gilas. Her eyes were filled with panic.
"We're in trouble, Gilas," she whispered, her voice shaking.
Gilas frowned. "My Lady, what happened? Why are you crying?"
Larisa swallowed hard. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I'm pregnant," she whispered.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then Gilas let out a breath. "That's… good news, My Lady. I can inform the king at once."
But Larisa shook her head quickly.
"No, Gilas," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The child is not the king's."
Gilas froze.
Kaira, hidden in the shadows, covered her mouth in shock.
"What?" Gilas' voice was hoarse.
Larisa wiped her tears, her hands shaking.
"The child is yours, Gilas," she whispered.
A heavy silence filled the room.
Gilas staggered back as if the words had physically hit him.
"You're lying," he whispered, his voice unsteady.
"I wish I was," she said, looking away.
Gilas ran a hand through his hair, his breathing uneven. His mind raced, memories rushing back to him.
He remembered.
---
One Month Ago
The royal consort's chamber was dimly lit, the warm glow of lamps casting long shadows across the room.
Gilas stood near the entrance, stiff and uneasy.
"My Lady, you called for me?"
Lady Larisa smiled. "Yes, Gilas. Come inside."
He hesitated. It was improper for a man to enter a royal consort's private chambers. But she was the king's wife. He could not refuse.
Slowly, he stepped inside.
As soon as the door closed, he turned back—
And his breath caught.
Larisa had untied the ribbons of her gown. The delicate fabric slipped from her shoulders.
Gilas spun around immediately, his heart pounding.
"My Lady, this is wrong!" His voice trembled. "This is treason!"
Larisa let out a soft laugh. "Oh, Gilas… you speak as if you are innocent."
She took a step closer.
"The king has not touched me in years," she whispered. "I am lonely. I need this. Just this once."
Gilas clenched his jaw.
"I cannot betray my king," he said firmly.
Larisa's smile faded. Her expression turned cold.
"If you refuse," she said softly, "I will scream."
Gilas felt fear tighten in his chest.
"I will tell the guards you forced yourself on me," Larisa continued. "And we both know what happens to a man accused of touching the king's consort."
Gilas froze. His hands trembled.
"My Lady… please," he whispered.
"Choose, Gilas," she said. "Obey me… or die."
His throat was dry. His mind was screaming at him to run.
But he had no choice.
---
Back to the Present
Gilas' hands clenched into fists.
"You promised me," he whispered. "You swored that there would be no problem my lady!"
"I know!" Larisa sobbed. "But that doesn't change the fact that I'm carrying your child!"
She grabbed his arm tightly. "If the king finds out, we are both dead!"
Gilas' mind was racing. He felt trapped.
"What do you expect me to do?" he asked, his voice hollow.
Larisa wiped her tears.
"You must help me. I will prepare a sleeping potion. Tonight, you must make sure the king drinks it. Once he is asleep, I will stay in his chamber until morning. No one will question it when I announce my pregnancy."
Gilas felt his stomach turn.
"And what if the plan fails?" he asked.
Larisa gripped his hand tightly.
"Then we die, Gilas."
A long silence stretched between them.
Finally, Gilas nodded.
"I will do it," he whispered.
Larisa exhaled in relief. "Thank you."
She glanced around before slipping away into the dark hallway.
Gilas stood still, his mind clouded with fear and regret.
Kaira remained hidden, her hands trembling.
She had heard everything.
Her heart pounded against her chest.
"So many secrets in this palace…" she whispered to herself.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
But then, her face hardened.
"This is not my battle. I have my own mission."
Her eyes darkened as she whispered to herself:
"I am here to avenge my father's death."
She turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the palace.
The king's palace
The King's Palace was silent.
King Letuka sat alone on his golden throne, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. His mind was filled with worries and different thoughts.
The meeting with his ministers had ended hours ago, yet their words still echoed in his head.
"Your Majesty, the kingdom needs an heir."
"Without an heir, the throne is weak."
"You must act fast, Your Majesty."
The Minister of Justice was the most persistent.
"You have to act fact to impregnate my daughter as soon as possible, you promised to." he had declared when he was left alone with the king after the meeting.
Letuka clenched his jaw. He hated being pressured, but they were right afterall.
The kingdom needed a crown prince.
But he was still trying to figure out of why did Kaira had the red letter with her.
"Who should bear my heir?" he wondered.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter," he said.
The doors opened, and Gilas stepped inside.
He looked nervous.
"My King," he bowed.
"Come, sit," Letuka gestured. "I need your advice."
Gilas swallowed hard but obeyed.
"What troubles you, My King?"
Letuka sighed.
"Between the Queen, the Consort, and the Concubine… who do you think should bear my heir?"
Gilas froze.
He could feel the weight of the king's question pressing on him.
"My opinion?" he asked carefully.
"Yes."
Gilas forced himself to think quickly.
His heart pounded at the thought.
"My King," he said slowly, "Queen Mayana is too fragile. She may not survive another birth. As for Lady Kaira… she is still adjusting to palace life. But Lady Larisa is strong. She has been here long enough to understand the court affairs. She will protect your heir."
The king nodded thoughtfully.
"Hmm… yes," he muttered. "That's so brilliant of you, Gilas"
Gilas felt sweat on his palms.
"Did I just encourage the king to raise my child as his heir?" he thought, feeling sick.
"Thank you, Gilas," Letuka said. "You are dismissed."
Gilas bowed and left quickly.
Outside the hall, he let out a shaky breath.
"What have I done?" he thought.
In the Queen's Chambers, Mayana paced back and forth.
Her heart was racing.
She had bought a special medicine from the market, but forgot to asked the blind old man of how she was supposed to use it.
She had to try.
"I must give the king a son," she whispered. "I will protect my next child at all costs."
She sat down and took the medicine with a sip of water.
Just as she set the cup down, something unexpected happened.
An arrow shot through the window, piercing the wooden table beside her.
She screamed and jumped to her feet.
Her hands shook as she saw a rolled-up paper tied to the arrow.
She looked toward the door.
"Guards!" she called.
No one answered.
Her breath quickened.
Something was wrong.
Her hands trembled as she untied the paper from the arrow.
When she opened it, her eyes widened in horror.
The note read:
"YOUR HIGHNESS, IT WAS THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE WHO KILLED YOUR CHILD."
Queen Mayana's breath caught in her throat.
Her head spun.
"No… no, it can't be!" she gasped.
She looked at the words again, her hands shaking violently.
Then, suddenly—
A sharp pain stabbed through her stomach.
She gasped, clutching her belly.
Her vision blurred as she vomited blood.
Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor.
Her mind screamed—
But her body betrayed her.
Darkness took over.