Inside the palace, the queen consort lounged comfortably as her attendants finished arranging her hair. A servant hurried in and bowed deeply.
"My lady, we have news… The group assigned to Elise successfully captured the child. He is now secured in the secret room."
A delighted smile curled across the queen's lips. She rose from her seat, clearly eager to see the child personally. But before she could take a single step, the servant continued, voice hesitant.
"However… they failed to kill the omega."
The queen's smile vanished. "What?" she demanded sharply. "Did he use tricks to escape?"
"Yes, my lady," the servant replied.
"According to the men, they were suddenly overwhelmed by powerful, intoxicating pheromones. Not something an ordinary omega could release."
The queen froze mid-step. Slowly, her eyes widened with realization. "So that herbalist… he is a dominant omega?"
"It seems so."
The queen's annoyance instantly transformed into interest—then excitement. "That's a shame. It can't be helped if they failed to kill him. But…" She chuckled, a low, unsettling sound. "This only means the child they captured… is without doubt also a dominant."
She laughed again, delighted. "I cannot wait to see the child with my own eyes."
As she turned to leave, she nearly collided with someone standing in the doorway.
"Caelum," she said sweetly. "What a surprise."
"Mother," Caelum replied with a frown. "Where are you going?"
"Just in time. Come with me." She tapped his arm lightly. "Let's go meet your brother's adorable child."
"What…?"
Still confused, Caelum followed her down the hall until they reached the heavy wooden door of the secret room. The guard opened it, revealing a small chamber scattered with toys.
And in the middle of the floor sat a small child—barely four years old—crying quietly with hiccups. He had soft brown-black hair, features resembling both Aleric and the herbalist… and most striking of all, unmistakably golden eyes.
"Papa… Daddy… Rhen-rhen…" the child whimpered.
The queen consort stepped forward. "What is going on?" she asked the maid.
The maid bowed. "Your Majesty, the child woke earlier than expected. He kept looking for his papa, daddy, and someone named Rhen-rhen."
Caelum, still stunned, looked between the crying child and his mother. Nothing made sense.
The queen crouched before the boy, smiling sweetly. "Good child. Stop crying now. If you behave, I'll give you more toys and treats."
But the boy only cried harder. "hic,hic,But I want Papa… and Daddy… and Rhen-rhen! Rhen-rhen got hurt because of me—wahhh!"
Caelum finally spoke. "Mother… what is the meaning of this? Whose child is this? Did you kidnap him?"
"Watch your tone," the queen snapped softly. "There is a child present. And the details do not matter." Her expression shifted into excitement again. "Do you know what's truly fascinating? This child is most likely a dominant. Who would have thought the herbalist was a dominant omega? And to have a child with Aleric of all people…"
She laughed, delighted at her own conclusions.
The child, Riven, continued crying. The queen's voice turned honey-sweet again. "If you behave, dear, you might see your papa and daddy. And little Rhen-rhen too."
Riven sniffled. "Really…?"
"Of course," the queen assured.
Caelum clenched his fists. "Mother. We need to talk. Now."
The queen merely smiled. "I will be back, dear," she said to Riven, who no longer cared for her presence.
In the queen's chamber, Caelum's patience snapped.
"How could you?" he demanded. "He's barely four years old, and you abducted him. Are you planning to use him as a hostage against Aleric?"
"You're half wrong," the queen said calmly, pouring herself a cup of tea. "And half right."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It doesn't matter." She waved a hand at her maid. "Prepare the special tea from the Kingdom of Rethvara. I want Caelum to taste their little specialty."
Caelum ignored the cup placed before him. "Why did you want to see me?the queen asked plainly ."I came because I have questions. Lady Razella Montgomory, Did you know her?Were you ...lovers before?"
The queen paused, teacup trembling slightly. "How… how did you know her?" Her expression suddenly brightened. "Ah! So you met her. I'm glad she's alive. And I'm even more glad you've finally met ....your real father."
Caelum, mid-sip of the tea she had forced him to take, nearly choked. "What? What do you mean,mother? Are you saying I'm not of royal blood? That I am not the king's biological child and have no right to inherit the throne? Then what have I been fighting for all this time?!"
"Lower your voice," the queen said coldly. "Unless you want others to hear."
She took another sip of her tea. "Yes,but you don't have to worry about that ...And since you're asking what I plan to do with the child… I'm going to make him the new king. A perfect, ideal king—one shaped by my standards."
"Mother—what are you—"
Suddenly, Caelum felt dizzy. His vision blurred.
The queen smiled darkly. "I told you that tea is special, didn't I? It was gifted by the King of Rethvara. It can alter one's sub-gender. And that king is very interested in you. If you marry him, our kingdom will gain a powerful alliance—one the North cannot challenge."
Caelum staggered, trying to reach the door. His consciousness slipped further with every step.
"Rest well, my dear," his mother whispered behind him. "Five days from now, you will become something new."
Far away in the North, Rhen finally stirred. His eyelids fluttered open. Rin, exhausted, dozed beside him.
"Papa…?" Rhen whispered weakly.
Rin's eyes snapped open.