*Saoirse*
I cradled Prince Aiden tenderly against my chest, his tiny fingers curling around mine with a strength that belied his delicate form. The great hall was silent, every soul within its ancient stone walls leaning in with an air of anticipation.
The candles flickered back to life one by one. I was choosing not to take this as an omen but as a sign that my children were destined for great power. We had been through enough. I would fight to ensure my children never suffered the way their father and I had.
Former King Xander, my father-in-law, stood before us, the embodiment of regal dignity, yet as he looked upon his grandchildren, his eyes shimmered with unshed tears. His voice broke through the hush, rich and deep, trembling with emotion that resonated in the hearts of all present.
