As the prince's determination grew, he began to formulate a plan. He would find a way to manipulate his father's decisions or perhaps even the Duke himself. The thought of Zilayefa belonging to another man was unbearable, and he would stop at nothing to claim her.
Meanwhile, within the Duke's palace walls, Duke Larry was indeed having second thoughts about marrying Zilayefa. He had grown fond of her kindness and intelligence, but the pressure from King Alastair and the expectations of his title weighed heavily on him. Was he truly ready to commit to a life with a woman from a humble background?
As the night fell, Zilayefa sat in her quarters, unaware of the drama unfolding outside. She had heard rumors of the prince's affections, but she had never imagined the depth of his desire or the king's disapproval. Little did she know, her fate was being decided by the men in high places, and the outcome would change her life forever.
Days passed, and Zilayefa had almost given up hope. But then, one afternoon, she heard the sound of carriage wheels crunching on the gravel outside the palace. She rushed to the window, her heart racing with excitement. Could it be?
Moments later, Duke Larry entered her chambers, accompanied by a woman and a young man who looked eerily familiar. Zilayefa's eyes widened as she took in the sight of her mother and brother Bernard. She hadn't seen them in years, and the shock of their presence left her speechless.
"Mother! Bernard!" she exclaimed, rushing to hug them tightly.
Her mother, overcome with emotion, held her close, tears streaming down her face. "Zilayefa, my child, we've missed you so much!"
Duke Larry smiled, pleased to see the reunion. "I'm glad I could keep my promise to you, Zilayefa. Your family is safe and sound, and they'll stay here with you in the palace."
Zilayefa turned to the Duke, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Grace. This means the world to me. I don't know how to repay your kindness."
The Duke's expression softened. "You don't have to repay me, Zilayefa. I'm just glad to see you happy."
As the family reunited, the atmosphere in the palace began to change. Zilayefa's laughter and smiles became more frequent, and her bond with her brothers grew stronger. Bernard, who had been quiet and observant, began to open up about how the Duke has helped in ever since the wolf incident and how he was allowed to manage one of the Duke's mines
The six of them - Zilayefa, her mother, Bernard, and Richard, Ryan and Bryan- would often spend evenings together, sharing stories and laughter. Zilayefa's heart swelled with joy, knowing she had found a sense of belonging and love in this new life.
One evening, as they sat together in the palace's cozy library, Zilayefa turned to her mother with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Mother, why didn't you come back after Father's passing? We suffered so much, and I sent you letters pleading for your help."
Her mother's expression changed, and she looked away, her eyes welling up with tears. "Zilayefa, I didn't receive any letters. I had no idea about your father's passing or your struggles."
Zilayefa's eyes widened in shock. "But... but I sent you letters, Mother. I begged you to come back and help us."
Her mother's voice trembled as she spoke. "I'm so sorry, child. I was trapped. The late Duke of Ralston enslaved me after your father's debt became unpayable. I was forced to work in his estate, unable to leave or contact you."
Richard's eyes flashed with anger. "Why didn't you tell us, Mother? We could have tried to rescue you."
Their mother's face contorted in pain. "I was ashamed, and I didn't want you to risk your lives trying to save me. I held on to the hope that one day, I would be free."
The room fell silent, filled with the weight of unspoken emotions. Zilayefa's heart ached for her mother's suffering, and she felt a deep sense of regret for not knowing the truth sooner.
Duke Larry's expression turned somber. "I'm so sorry to hear this. I'll make sure to investigate the late Duke's actions and ensure that justice is served."
As the truth unfolded, Zilayefa's feelings toward her mother shifted from anger to compassion. She realized that her mother's absence was not out of abandonment but out of circumstance.