It Is You
960 Words
Ciara frowned.
“I do not need you to follow me.”
Reagen barely looked up from where he stood adjusting his coat.
“Then you go nowhere.”
His tone was flat. Nonchalant. Final.
Ciara’s jaw tightened.
For a second, she wanted to argue.
But she already knew arguing with Reagen was like speaking to stone.
Reluctantly, she exhaled.
“Fine.”
She turned sharply, muttering under her breath.
“Insufferable man…”
Then left the chamber.
Reagen heard it.
He said nothing.
But the faintest twitch at the corner of his lips almost looked like amusement.
By sunrise, the royal carriage was prepared.
Under heavy guard, Ciara and Reagen rode silently toward the grand hospital where Brenda had been receiving treatment—the very treatment Reagen had promised.
When they arrived, attendants bowed deeply.
Inside one of the quiet chambers—
Daniel sat beside Brenda’s bed, carefully feeding her broth.
Brenda looked far healthier than before.
Color had returned to her face.
Strength slowly returning.
At the sound of footsteps, Daniel looked up.
Then froze.
“Ciara?”
He instantly stood and crossed the room, pulling her into a warm hug.
Ciara smiled softly, hugging him back.
Daniel pulled away quickly.
“How are you? Are you alright? Has palace life been treating you well?”
Ciara nodded.
“I’m alright.”
Then her eyes shifted to Brenda.
Her throat tightened.
She hurried over.
“Mother…”
Brenda smiled weakly.
“My child…”
Ciara fell into her arms, tears gathering in her eyes as she hugged her tightly.
“You look better…”
Brenda softly stroked her hair.
“I told you I would not leave you so easily.”
Behind them, Daniel glanced at Reagen.
Then said carefully—
“A little privacy?”
Reagen’s gaze turned cold.
“No.”
Flat. Sharp.
Dismissed.
Daniel scoffed quietly.
Ignoring him, Reagen walked toward Brenda.
The room noticeably stilled.
Even Brenda tried to sit straighter.
Reagen gave a respectful nod.
“Lady Brenda.”
His voice carried royal calm.
“It is good to see my wife’s mother recovering well. May your strength continue to return.”
Brenda looked startled.
Then politely lowered her head.
“Your Majesty… you should not have stressed yourself coming here.”
Reagen’s eyes briefly moved toward Ciara.
Then back to Brenda.
“My wife came to visit her sick mother.”
His tone remained calm.
“What kind of husband would I be if I did not follow her?”
Daniel gave a quiet scoff from behind.
Reagen ignored him.
Instead, he signaled the doors.
At once, royal guards entered.
Each carrying large silk bags.
Gifts.
Medicine.
Fine fruits.
Warm blankets.
Coins.
Expensive herbs.
The room fell silent.
The guards carefully placed everything before Brenda.
Reagen spoke simply—
“Get well soon.”
Then turned and walked out.
Leaving stunned silence behind.
Brenda stared speechless.
This was not the cruel king Daniel had once described.
Daniel himself looked caught off guard.
And Ciara…
Ciara stood frozen.
Because on the carriage ride here—
She had seen none of these bags.
At the palace…
Charlotte paced furiously before Elena.
“He barely notices me anymore!”
Her voice was sharp.
“Now he is accompanying Ciara to visit her mother?”
Charlotte turned.
“What if Reagen is beginning to fall for her?”
Elena’s eyes darkened instantly.
Her hand clenched around her wine goblet.
“Reagen will never fall for Ciara.”
Her voice was cold.
“Not while I still breathe.”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes.
“Then we need a plan.”
Slowly…
Elena smiled.
And it was not kind.
Later that day, Ciara and Reagen returned.
They separated.
Reagen went into his own chamber.
Ciara entered hers.
Bored and restless, she opened her wardrobe and began rearranging her dresses.
Silks.
Robes.
Furs.
Then—
Her fingers brushed a tiny hidden box.
She paused.
Slowly opening it.
Inside…
A delicate necklace.
Her lips softened into a smile as she remembered who had once given it to her long ago.
Without thinking—
She wore it.
Then stepped outside.
As fate would have it—
She nearly crossed paths with Elena.
The Queen Mother had every intention of ignoring her.
Until—
Her eyes landed on the necklace.
She froze.
Her expression changed.
“Where did you get that necklace?”
Ciara blinked.
Confused.
“My lady?”
Elena stepped closer.
Her voice sharper.
“Who gave it to you?”
Ciara frowned.
Why did she care?
Before she could answer—
Elena suddenly grabbed the necklace.
Her breathing hitched.
She inspected it carefully.
Then her face twisted.
“It is mine.”
Ciara stiffened.
“What?”
Elena’s eyes flashed.
“I have been searching for this necklace for years. How do you have it?”
Ciara became even more confused.
Then—
A door opened.
Reagen stepped out, already irritated.
His brows furrowed.
“What is wrong now?”
Elena pointed at the necklace.
“Do you remember this?”
Her voice was tight.
“The necklace I lost years ago? Why is it on her neck?”
Reagen looked over.
Then froze.
His expression changed.
Shock.
Real shock.
His gaze slowly lifted to Ciara.
Then softer—
Almost careful.
“Who gave you that necklace?”
Not anger.
Not accusation.
Just a question that sounded like he had waited years to ask.
Ciara swallowed.
“I… do not know.”
She touched it lightly.
“It was a long time ago… when I was little. A little boy gave it to me.”
Silence.
Reagen’s eyes widened.
Something bright sparked there.
Recognition.
Disbelief.
Hope.
He stepped forward.
His voice almost breathless.
“It is you…” 👑
- Writer
