'
I was lying on my bed in my cabin, enjoying a moment of rest. Even though I was a monarch, it was essential to take care of myself.
A book on magic rested on my nightstand, and I flipped through it while sipping a hazelnut coffee.
Suddenly—KNOCK KNOCK.
Someone knocked on the door.
— Come in, I said calmly.
The door opened to reveal Raelia. She walked over and sat beside me on the bed.
— The shores of Ednia are in sight, we'll be arriving soon—
Before she could finish her sentence, I gently pulled her close and placed a passionate kiss on her lips.
She blushed instantly, flustered.
— Sometimes I realize I don't say it enough—how lucky I am to have you by my side, I murmured.
Just know that I love you and… I'd love for us to find some time just for the two of us.
Raelia lowered her eyes shyly, holding my hands in hers before replying:
— O-Okay…
Our ship docked at the port of Ednia, where an enormous crowd awaited us.
The area was blocked off by royal knights who had set up checkpoints to control the agitated population.
From the ship's bow, Sylena observed the scene with surprise.
— Why are there so many people? she asked.
Gilbert, ever calm, replied:
— They must be here to welcome us triumphantly.
Sienna nodded and added:
— I was expecting a crowd, especially after our victory on the continent of Alderia… but not this big.
In the chaos, voices could be heard rising:
— Let us through! We want to see His Majesty, Monarch Jonady Kaya!
A woman pointed and exclaimed:
— Look! It's Lady Raelia!
Raelia scratched her cheek, visibly embarrassed.
Farther off, another woman was staring at Kaylen, whispering in awe:
— It's the White Tiger…
A group of young women were bickering:
— Look at me!
— No, me! He has to notice me!
But suddenly, all their gazes were drawn to a stunning woman.
Her long chestnut hair cascaded down to her legs, framing a delicately featured face adorned with a side-swept fringe.
Her mesmerizing violet eyes gleamed with an intense light.
She held tightly onto Kaylen's arm, her gaze clearly stating: "He's mine. Don't even think about it."
We disembarked from the ship, welcomed onto a red carpet.
Soldiers proudly held up Ednia's flags, bearing the royal family's crest.
Three figures stood in front of the escort of soldiers:
Former King Henri of Ednia
A young boy, Damian
An unknown woman seated in a wheelchair
Damian ran straight into my arms.
— Wow! I missed you, Big Brother Jonady, Big Brother Kaylen!
Kaylen ruffled his hair with a smile:
— You too, Damian. I hope you've been behaving?
The boy pouted and replied:
— Yes, Big Brother, I didn't bother anyone! I just wanted to come with you guys…
I crouched to gently pat his head.
— You know you're still young… It would've been dangerous.
Then Damian turned his gaze to a figure behind me and asked curiously:
— Hey lady, who are you?
Sylena, slightly caught off guard, replied:
— I'm Sylena, the… f-fiancée of Jonady.
Damian raised an eyebrow, processing the information, then declared with childlike logic:
— So… that means you're my big sister too, if you're with Big Brother?
Sylena, amused, chuckled softly and said:
— Yes, you could see it that way.
Meanwhile, Raelia had thrown herself into her father's arms.
— I'm back, Father.
Henri gently placed a hand on her head with affection.
The woman in the wheelchair smiled and said:
— I see you're doing well, Nilyna… and still looking after Raelia.
Nilyna gave a slight bow toward the woman in the wheelchair.
— Yes, Lady Clotilde. I'll always remain by Raelia's side.
I finally approached, and Raelia, taking my hand, smiled proudly and said:
— Mother, this is the first time you two meet… He's the man I love—and the new monarch of Ednia, Jonady Kaya.
Clotilde set her piercing gaze on me.
A beautiful woman with features similar to Raelia's, her radiant blonde hair styled in an elegant bun and a graceful yet commanding presence.
A strange feeling washed over me.
Why do I feel like I'm being watched?
But just as quickly, the sensation vanished.
Clotilde extended her hand toward me.
— A pleasure, Jonady. I'm Clotilde Raelia's mother… your mother-in-law. You may call me "Mother."
I shook her hand, still slightly unsettled.
She felt my grip and commented with a faint smile:
— Hmm… I can tell you've been training.
I frowned slightly, not fully understanding what she meant.
Henri took control of her wheelchair and announced:
— Well then, we should head to Amiria.
The guards cleared the path, and Clotilde called out to Damian:
— Come on now, Damian.
The boy happily ran over to them.
Kaylen, standing next to me, whispered:
— Did you feel it too?
I nodded.
— Yeah. Just now… I felt like I was being watched. Like a tiger had its eyes on me.
Nilyna stepped closer and added:
Lady Clotilde is powerful she trained me briefly when I was young.
Raelia confirmed:
Mother like Nilyna, comes from a lineage of Servants assigned to protect the Ednia family.
She and Father fell in love when they were young.
But during the succession crisis, she faked being paralyzed to avoid drawing attention to Father, so she could protect him from the shadows if needed.
Kaylen nodded.
I see… clever.
No one would suspect her, seeing her like that.
Nilyna added solemnly:
Even now… I don't think I could defeat ever Lady Clotilde.
A deep thought crossed my mind:
— Well as i can see… my mother-in-law clothilde is incredible.