Reborn to Restore

Prologue Amidst the mild showers of the summer rain, distinct chatters could be heard from the deep forest. Victoria appears with her son; they appear to be in a hurry. Men’s voices can be heard from the distance, one is shouting commands. Victoria quickly finds cover and hides with her son as the ten men ignorantly march past them. Chapter 1 Victoria’s POV “I do not understand how a father can be so cruel. Instead of choosing the eldest son to join the king’s court guard and represent the family, he chooses you, the youngest and the most fragile one. Michael my son, once you cross that river, do not look back and never come back here. Live and become stronger, and I am so sorry that this is all I can do for you. I love you with all my heart”. With that I felt my heart break into tiny pieces as I tightly hug my son and then send him off to where I do not know. With only a tiny bag of supplies and my grandfather’s necklace as send-off gift, I sure pray that he meets some good people. I watched Michael, my last-born child as her crossed the river, he waved and then disappeared into the corn fields. I went down to the river to wash my face and then gather some fruits and rush back home before I draw suspicion to myself. As soon as I went down, I heard footsteps getting closer and before I could move, they had spotted me. “Lady Victoria, may I ask what you are doing here ma’am?”, Lucas, the captain asked. “Since when are my whereabouts any of your concern, captain?”, I asked annoyed at his lack of respect. “Apologies my Lady, it is just that we are under strict orders to keep this area closed, may we escort you home?”. “Of course,” My husband, William, is the commander of King Emmet’s army. Emmet is the king of the southern kingdom of Yura, and the brother to the king of the northern kingdom Drake of the iron fist. Emmet holds the tradition that every family ought to send one son to join the king’s court guard training and enlist in his force. Failure to do that results in heavy penalties. William knows the harsh training and the cruelty that the recruits are subjected to and that is the reason he refused to send any of our three elder sons. Well, he is also training his own sons to build his personal army without the King’s knowledge, treason, I know. I have kept this quiet because for years he had threatened to kill Michael if I did anything. William and I have four sons, no daughters, our firstborn son Marcus, followed by the twins Edward and Edmond and then Michael. Maybe it is because he was born tiny and fragile, but William has always hated Michael. When he failed to show the same progress as his brothers, William saw him as nothing but a failure that is why he wants to send him off to join the king’s court guard. At last, we reach our house, and damn, William is right outside. He doesn’t seem happy. For days he has been searching for Michael while I have kept him hidden. I have been faking grief and that drew his attention and he was approaching me with a warm heart, something I had not experienced since Michael’s birth. “My lord, we found no trace of him”. “Keep searching, do not stop, he is just a child, he can’t be far”, William responds calmly. “Yes, my lord”. He then looks to me and smiles warmly. “My dear, how are you holding up today?” “My lord, trying, it is difficult to accept”. “We will find him, do not worry. Come here”. With that he ushered me into the house.