Chapter: The Blood That Cannot Be Hidden
The King arrived without trumpets.
Without banners.
Without the blinding weight of royal ceremony.
A single carriage crossed the stone bridge leading into Silverlake Town under the late afternoon sun. Its wheels were plain, its sigil deliberately obscured. Only two riders accompanied it—men who walked with the quiet discipline of blades kept sheathed.
To the world, this was a private visit.
To King Orean Evercrest, it was judgment day.
---
King Orean Evercrest – Inner Monologue
I knew the moment I saw him.
The boy's face had haunted him
The same sharp Jaw line
The same calm eyes that watched rather than reacted.
The same unsettling stillness—like a blade resting in its scabbard.
Daniel Heartlock.
The son of a maid.
Too similar.
Too familiar.
Only one thing had stopped him from acting.
Hair.
Not crimson.
Not Evercrest red.
And yet…
---
The Truth Unearthed
After leaving Silverlake after Aurelia's Birthday Party ,Orean had ordered one man—his shadow—to remain behind.
Not to protect.
But to observe and gathered the information about Leslie Heartlock
And the report that returned to the capital later had shattered every excuse he clung to.
> Leslie Heartlock never took a lover.
She rejected all proposals.
She lived only for the child.
There was no other man.
No coincidence.
No doubt.
Only cowardice.
So the King devised a plan.
A visit justified by concern for Baron Saint John's daughter.
A mask of royal courtesy.
And then—
A test no lie could survive.
---
Baron Saint John's Mansion – Late Afternoon
Baron Dean Saint John stood rigid as the King stepped inside the manor.
Dean: "Your Majesty… this is an honor beyond words."
King: No how can I not come.. when i came to know your daughter went missing because of freak anamoly
Octavia followed, hands folded, eyes wary but respectful.
Octavia: "We are grateful for your concern regarding Aurelia."
King Orean smiled faintly.
Orean: "She is precious to the kingdom. I wished to see her with my own eyes."
Where is she ask her to come and see me and ask That Head Maid's Son Daniel the only person to ever rejected me .. i wanted to meet him also
After listening to king's Request Leslie's world was just came crashing down all of a sudden .She can't focus anywhere her fear anxiety keep on increasing
Octavia: Yes majesty.. Leslie go bring Daniel I'll bring Aurelia... Leslie.. Leslie are you listening please go bring Daniel..King wants to see him
Leslie: it was getting harder and harder to breathe but no one's reject The baroness order but to Reject king's order is out of question..let's hope he is genuinely want to meet the kid who rejected him
After few minutes
Aurelia Came and saw the king
Aurelia curtsied properly—but her eyes drifted past the King.
Toward Daniel. Who was already there ..He came after knowing King has come to meet Aurelia but wanted to see him too..He doesn't took that seriously..so he went without any worries
He stood beside Leslie, dressed simply, hands folded, posture humble.
King's heart pounded.
Sensei: "Confirmed. Emotional instability detected in King Orean Evercrest."
Daniel: I feel it too.
---
The Calm Before the Storm
The King spoke kindly.
Asked about Aurelia's health.
Praised the Baron's governance.
Shared tea.
Laughed softly.
Even Leslie relaxed—slightly.
Too slightly.
Then—
Orean: "Lady Leslie."
Leslie stiffened.
Leslie: "Y-Yes, Your Majesty?"
Orean's eyes moved to Daniel.
Orean: "May I speak with you and your son "
Silence fell like a blade.
Octavia frowned.
Octavia: "Your Majesty… is something the matter?"
Orean: "A personal curiosity. Nothing more."
Dean hesitated.
But who refuses a king?
Dean: "…Of course."
---
The Trap Springs Shut
They were in the middle of hall under every one's Gaze .
Huge Stone walls.
No windows.
Only a single brazier burning low.
Orean turned.
His gaze locked onto Daniel.
The air changed.
Orean: "Daniel Heartlock."
Daniel bowed.
Daniel: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Orean stepped forward.
Orean: "Look at me."
Daniel raised his head.
Their eyes met.
The resemblance was undeniable now.
Leslie felt it.
Her blood ran cold.
Leslie: "Your Majesty… please—"
Orean raised a hand.
Orean: "Do not interfere."
He snapped his fingers.
One Man appears and
FWOOSH—
Fire surged.
Controlled.
Precise.
Daniel didn't move.
Didn't scream.
Didn't resist.
Flames licked his scalp.
Hair burned away instantly.
The smell of scorched air filled the room.
Aurelia's scream echoed from outside.
Aurelia: "DANIEL!"
She burst into crying ..tears streaming.
Aurelia: "STOP! PLEASE STOP!"
Octavia and Dean was also shocked
Octavia: "Your Majesty! What is the meaning of this?!"
Dean: "This is unacceptable!"
Leslie fell to her knees.
Leslie: "Please… he is only a child…"
Daniel clenched his fists.
Every instinct screamed to retaliate.
Sensei: "Power suppression advised. Any retaliation will expose you."
Daniel (inner): I know.
He endured.
Silent.
Unbroken.
---
The Healer's Touch
Orean turned sharply.
Orean: "Healer. Now."
A royal healer rushed forward, panic in his eyes.
Golden light enveloped Daniel's head.
Burned skin restored.
Scalp healed.
Pain vanished.
And then—
Hair began to grow.
Slowly.
Visibly.
First dark.
Then—
Crimson.
Deep.
Royal.
Evercrest red.
The room froze.
No one breathed.
Aurelia's sob caught in her throat.
Octavia staggered.
Dean whispered.
Dean: "…By the gods…"
Leslie's world collapsed.
Leslie: "N-No… no… no…"
The healer fell to his knees.
Healer: "Your Majesty… this… this is royal blood…"
Orean exhaled slowly.
Orean: "As I thought."
---
The Truth Spoken Aloud
Orean knelt.
Before Daniel.
A King.
Kneeling.
Orean: "My son."
Gasps erupted.
Aurelia covered her mouth.
Aurelia: "Daniel.. King's Son
Daniel stared at the floor.
Daniel: "You are mistaken, Your Majesty."
Orean: "No."
Orean turned to Leslie.
Orean: "You hid him from Me "
Leslie trembled.
Leslie: "To protect him and myself " No one respects a women who spread her leg without marriage..she is a whore to the world but the worst thing is that every one hate and feels jealous of A bastard . A bastard will never have never get recognised and earn respects if he lived inside the king's castle..
Your all 3 wives will hate me and Daniel ..your kids will bulky him coz he is a bastard that's why I hid him .. sorry for being selfish but I never regreted my decision
Orean: "You suffered alone."
Leslie: "So he wouldn't."
Orean closed his eyes.
And then he speak
Orean: Still you don't have any rights to hide him from his father
The World Shifts
Dean found his voice.
Dean: "Your Majesty… is this true… is Daniel—"
Orean stood.
Orean: "Is an Evercrest."
Octavia looked at Leslie coz she told him Daniel's father is no more in this world
Finally Daniel got the courage
Daniel: why are you here to claim me or punish my mother
For your information
Daniel: "I don't want a throne."
Orean froze.
Daniel: "I don't want a crown."
Daniel: "I want my mother safe."
Daniel: "And my life unchanged."
Silence.
Orean studied him.
Intresting
Orean: "You truly are my son."