"Mother," Kaelin called softly, his voice hitching with emotion.
The Duchess slowly crouched to meet his gaze, her eyes unusually tender. "Mother has wronged you, my dear heart," she said gently. "And she is deeply sorry. Do you think you might forgive her, just this once?"
Tears spilled freely from Kaelin's eyes as he flung his arms around her neck, clinging to her as though he might never let go. She wrapped him in her arms, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
"There, now," she whispered. "No tears. You're a big boy and Aldovia's finest singer. You mustn't cry."
Kaelin pulled back slightly, still sniffling. "Mother… Did I sing well? Is my voice truly good?"
The duchess chuckled, wiping a tear from his cheek. "It's more than good. It's beautiful. Tell me what your heart desires, and I shall see it done."
At her words, Kaelin's eyes lit up with hope and something brighter, belief. Lola, standing nearby, watched with a soft smile as the boy's joy bloomed before her eyes. It was then she noticed the royal family had approached, standing a few paces away, silently observing the moment. She hadn't even heard them come.
"Truly, Mother?" Kaelin asked, his voice trembling with excitement.
Duchess Aurelia nodded with a solemnity that almost made it seem sacred. "Truly."
"I wish to leave Aldovia," Kaelin declared. "I want to go to the Lower Lane and build a name for myself. I want the world to hear me."
Aurelia tilted her head, pretending to ponder. Then she smiled. "Very well. I shall make the necessary arrangements."
His gasp was almost a laugh. "Truly, Mama?"
She cupped his cheek. "Have I ever made a promise I did not keep?"
"No," he whispered, shaking his head.
"Come now, boy!" the Grand Empress called warmly. "Sing for your grandmother!"
"Grandmama!" Kaelin beamed and ran to her, laughter trailing behind him.
Aurelia rose slowly, her face composed once more. Her gaze met Lola's briefly, cool and unreadable.
"Do not expect anything in return," she murmured, her voice clipped before she turned away.
Lola didn't flinch. She merely smiled faintly, her eyes steady. Her work here was already done.
And then she looked up. Her gaze collided with the Emperor's. Time seemed to halt.
They stood across the space, locked in a silent exchange that said far more than words ever could.
But Lola was the first to look away, turning instead to the ladies gathered around her.
Duke Marcello stood at the edge of the garden, his hands clasped neatly behind his back, eyes fixed on the boy who now basked in the laughter of noblewomen and the approving smile of the Grand Empress.
"Do you truly believe it is wise to agree to sending Kaelin away?" he asked quietly, his voice laced with concern as his wife came to stand beside him.
Duchess Aurelia did not answer at once. Her gaze remained locked on the small figure of her son, now twirling dramatically for his grandmother's amusement, his song carrying lightly through the air like a delicate ribbon of sound.
"It no longer matters," she said finally, her voice low, smooth, and deliberate.
Marcello turned to face her more fully, his brow furrowed. "He is still your son."
"And he shall be fine," Aurelia replied, brushing invisible dust from her gloves. "Away from court… from distractions. It will be good for him."
The duke studied her, unconvinced.
Aurelia exhaled slowly, as if indulging his doubt for the last time. "With Kaelin out of the picture, we can focus our full efforts on securing the throne for Ryker. That has always been the plan."
A silence fell between them, then cold, unsettling, and absolute.
In the distance, Kaelin's voice soared once more, warm and full of innocent pride. But between the Duke and Duchess, not even the music could bridge the void that yawned wide beneath the weight of unspoken intentions.