THE HEIR THEY TRIED TO ERASE

Chapter 23: The One-Month Celebration

One month had now passed since the birth of the new heirs. Though sorrow still hung over the palace like a shadow, no one could ignore the presence of the children. The palace had planned a small celebration for the one-month milestone of the newborns.

Princess Consort Lady Lysenne entered the great hall carrying the two children. Her steps were careful, her face calm but alert, for she knew how sharp the Queen’s eyes were. She approached the King and Queen with dignity and said, “Mother, Father, I gave birth to twins.”

A soft gasp came from the Queen. “Twins?” she asked, her gaze moving to the children.

“Yes, a baby boy and a baby girl,” Lady Lysenne replied with a gentle bow.

The Queen’s eyes landed on the baby girl, who Lady Lysenne had disguised as a boy for safety. Her sharp gaze narrowed, studying the child closely. “Her eyes… they look like Kael’s,” the Queen murmured, her mind immediately alert to the resemblance.

Lady Lysenne quickly smiled, covering her thoughts. “Yes, Mother. He looks like his uncle. Perhaps the Almighty saw our sorrow and decided to return Kael to us in the form of this little one,” she said smoothly, deflecting attention from the truth. She had learned to speak carefully around the Queen, for the woman’s perception was unmatched.

She turned slightly and held up the baby girl. “Look, Mother, and this is your granddaughter,” she said, directing the Queen’s attention. The subtle shift in focus ensured that Kael’s child—the resemblance that could have sparked questions—remained unnoticed.

The Queen looked at the babies, her eyes softening. “Let us name them,” she said. “The baby girl will be called Princess Seraphina, and the boy… the boy will be called Prince Aelor Veylorn. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes, Mother. Thank you,” Lady Lysenne replied, bowing her head slightly in respect.

From far away, a figure entered the hall, her movements swift but graceful. It was Princess Elera. In her arms, she carried a small bundle—the child she had given birth to, Kael’s son. Her heart pounded as she approached the royal couple.

“Mother, Father, this is your grandson, my biological son,” she said, her voice calm but tinged with emotion.

The Queen’s eyes widened, shock clear on her face. “When… when were you pregnant?” she asked, turning to her daughter.

“When I was leaving the palace, Father,” Elera replied softly. Her gaze fell to the child in her arms, and she could not bring herself to speak the truth about his father. Though he was Kael’s son, revealing that would ruin the long reputation Kael had built and put the child at risk. She kept silent, allowing the story of her departure to stand in place of the truth.

The Queen’s gaze then turned to the baby. “Have you named him?” she asked, concern and curiosity mingling in her tone.

“No, Mother,” Elera replied, her mind already forming the name she would give him. She whispered to herself quietly, thinking of a name that would always honor her beloved brother: Prince Kaelion Veylorn. A name to keep the memory and legacy of Kael alive, and to remind the child of the father he would never meet.

The Queen nodded, reaching out to take her grandson in her arms. Her face reflected surprise as she studied the child carefully. Shockingly, the resemblance to Kael was undeniable—the sharp eyes, the strong jaw, the subtle strength in his tiny hands. Though troubled by this discovery, she said nothing aloud, simply holding the boy close and embracing him.

The room was quiet, the only sounds the soft coos and cries of the children. The King and Queen sat silently, taking in the presence of their grandchildren. Princess Consort Lady Lysenne stood nearby, her expression composed but her eyes vigilant, ensuring that no one suspected the truth of the children’s origins.

Elera placed her son gently into the Queen’s arms, whispering softly, “Mother, I promise… I will raise him well. He will know honor, courage, and love.” Her words were meant for the child, but they carried the weight of all the loss and love she had endured.

The Queen, though troubled by the uncanny resemblance, accepted the child silently. She could feel the strength and spirit of Kael in him, and though she did not speak, she understood the significance. This boy was a living link to the brave and beloved son she had lost, and she would protect him with her life if needed.

The King looked on, contemplative. Though Kaelion was a secret to most, his presence reminded the royal family of sacrifices made, of love lost, and of the future yet to be shaped. Even in the midst of sorrow, hope lingered in the tiny breaths of the children before them.

Princess Elera stepped back, tears in her eyes, as she watched her son held by the Queen. She felt a deep relief knowing he was safe, but her heart ached for the father he would never meet. At the same time, she felt determination growing in her chest. She would raise him with the courage, wisdom, and strength of Kael. One day, he would know the truth and claim what was rightfully his.

The small celebration continued quietly, with the children receiving blessings from the royal family. Though joy and sorrow coexisted, the presence of the newborns brought a sense of renewal and hope to the palace. Life, even amidst grief, continued.

Princess Consort Lady Lysenne kept her composure throughout, subtly guiding the attention of the Queen and King to maintain the illusion that the twins she had presented were the only heirs. Meanwhile, Elera’s secret remained safe in her heart.

As the sun set and the hall emptied, Elera stood in the quiet, looking at Kaelion sleeping peacefully in her arms. “You are the hope of tomorrow,” she whispered. “Your father will always live through you. I promise, I will keep you safe, and one day… you will take back what is yours.”

The Queen watched from her seat, troubled but silent. Though she could not speak of it, she knew the child in Elera’s arms was extraordinary. The resemblance to Kael was undeniable, and it stirred a mix of emotions within her—grief, fear, and a guarded hope for the future.

Thus, the palace entered a new chapter: one where Kaelion Veylorn, the hidden son of Kael, would grow under the watchful eyes of his mother, with the knowledge of a legacy carefully guarded, while the twins raised by Lady Lysenne continued to walk their paths under the guise of heirs. Secrets intertwined with hope, and the stage was set for the generations to come.