A carriage rolled to a stop before the grand Edeline estate. The crisp evening air carried the scent of rain, and the rhythmic sound of horse hooves faded into silence as Charles stepped out. He knocked firmly on the large wooden door, and moments later, it creaked open.
Edeline stood there, her expression unreadable.
Charles gave a slight nod. "Edeline, it's been a while."
She offered a small smile. "Yes, it has." Then, her gaze shifted to the boy standing beside him. A softness crossed her features as she reached out, wrapping her arms around him. "My son… William."
William hesitated for a moment before melting into her embrace.
Charles exhaled. "I'll return in four days to pick him up."
But before Edeline could respond, the sound of armored footsteps echoed from behind them. A group of knights appeared, their presence suffocating the air with an undeniable authority.
"What is the meaning of this?" Charles demanded as the knights suddenly seized him.
"Father!" William cried out, attempting to rush forward, but Edeline grasped his arm, holding him back.
"The carriage is ready," one of the knights announced.
Without a moment's hesitation, they bound Charles' hands, dragging him toward the waiting carriage. His struggling was futile.
"Where are you taking me?!" Charles growled.
One of the knights, his face grim, responded in a low voice. "Lord Charles, please understand—this is the king's order."
The grand hall was dimly lit, the flickering torches casting long shadows against the cold stone walls. Edward knelt on the marble floor, his hands bound in thick rope. Around him, several knights stood like sentinels, their faces void of emotion.
The heavy doors at the far end of the chamber opened, and the king entered. Dressed in royal regalia, he moved with a quiet, calculated grace before settling onto his throne. His gaze fell upon Edward.
Edward clenched his jaw. "What are you trying to do?"
Before he could receive an answer, another set of footsteps echoed through the hall. The knights dragged someone forward—Cassandra. She stumbled as they forced her to her knees beside Edward.
His eyes widened in shock. "Cassandra! What are you doing here? Where are the children?"
One of the knights responded in a cold, detached voice. "They are being taken care of."
Silence fell over the hall. A storm was brewing, and none of them knew how it would end.
The heavy atmosphere in the grand hall was suffocating. Charles struggled in the grip of the knights as they forced him forward. His breath was ragged, his wrists bound in thick ropes.
Edeline entered the room, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. Beside her stood Jonathan, his expression tense.
She turned to one of the knights. "Take Wiliam away from here," she ordered her voice firm.
The knight hesitated for only a second before nodding. He grabbed William by the arm, pulling him toward the exit. Jonathan didn't resist, though his eyes flickered with concern.
Meanwhile, Charles, Edward, and Cassandra exchanged shocked glances, their fates uncertain. Edeline stood to the side, her gaze unreadable.
The king leaned forward on his throne, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Edeline, tell me what you know."
She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening into fists. "After leaving royalty, I decided to marry Charles. We lived a peaceful life—at least, I thought we did." Her voice wavered slightly. "But three months later, I saw something I never expected."
The room fell deathly silent.
Edeline swallowed, her face pale. "I saw Edward… and Charles…" Her breathing grew unsteady. "Charles was beneath Edward."
Charles and Edward's eyes widened in horror.
"Wait… she knows?" Edward whispered, barely audible.
Cassandra's voice broke through the silence. "Brother Charles… and my husband Edward?" Her hands trembled. "What is going on?" She took a shaky step forward, her voice rising. "Are you two… gay?"
Edward clenched his fists. "I can explain—"
"Enough!" Cassandra snapped, her voice shaking with fury. She turned to Charles, her eyes burning with betrayal. "Is it true?"
Charles's jaw tightened. "Cassandra, you know I'm not like that—"
"Enough!" she screamed, cutting him off.
The tension in the room was unbearable. No one dared to speak.
The truth had finally surfaced, and there was no turning back.
The tension in the grand hall was suffocating. Silence loomed heavy as the king exhaled deeply, rubbing his temple before speaking.
"Edward… Edeline…" His voice echoed through the chamber.
He slowly stood from his throne, his regal presence towering over them. His sharp gaze settled on the siblings.
"Your mother's death was the only reason I allowed you two to live freely. I let you carve your own paths because I owed her that much," the king stated, his tone laced with finality.
Edward and Edeline remained frozen, their expressions unreadable.
"But," the king continued, his voice darkening, "when I learned about Edward's actions—about how he shattered Edeline's life—I could no longer remain silent."
Edward tensed, his fists clenched behind his back.
The king's eyes flickered with cold remembrance. "Edeline came to me that night… the night she was about to give birth to William." His gaze shifted toward Charles, who stood motionless, his face pale. "Because you, Charles, were not home. You were with Edward."
A heavy silence followed. The words hung in the air like a blade.
Edeline lowered her head, her fingers digging into her dress.
"That is why I told her to give William to you, Charles," the king continued. "And to live as a commoner." His voice was unyielding. "She deserved peace after what you did to her."
A sharp breath escaped Edeline's lips.
Charles' expression twisted in disbelief. "Your Majesty… I—"
"Silence." The king's tone left no room for argument.
Cassandra, still kneeling, looked at her husband with eyes filled with betrayal and fury. Edward remained speechless, his face unreadable.
The truth had been laid bare. And now, there was no escaping it.