The next day — Kingdom of Gold — The Throne Palace
News arrived before the caravan:
"The Emperor has returned… alive.
With Queen Niren… and the child."
But the details were vague.
Laila stood on the palace balcony, wearing her white cloak, her son Raine in her arms.
Her eyes watched the gate, her heart pounding as if it knew the unspoken truth.
---
At dusk…
Van entered.
His clothes were torn from battle, soaked with seawater, blood, and sweat.
He walked slowly, holding an infant wrapped in a black cloak.
Behind him, Niren walked, nearly collapsing from exhaustion but refusing to fall.
Laila's eyes took in the full scene…
A child.
Niren.
And Van holding the child, not Niren.
Silence fell.
---
Laila descended confidently from the stone stairs, standing directly before Van.
She studied the infant, then raised her head and quietly asked:
"Whose son is he?"
Van replied without hesitation:
"My son… from her."
Laila's expression flickered briefly.
She neither screamed nor cried.
But she took a step back and said in a choked voice:
"I thought you were hiding something… but I never imagined this."
Van spoke softly:
"I did not betray either of you. I did not betray you.
It was not love in the dark… but a moment of truth, a time of illness.
And I learned only too late."
Laila closed her eyes, then whispered:
"This child… will he sit above my son?"
Van said:
"No.
Raine is the heir.
And this one… will be his sword.
His brother… not his rival."
Tears welled in Laila's eyes… but she smiled bitterly:
"I hope your words hold true… when they grow."
Then she turned and left without another word.
---
That night, Van was in his chamber, nursing the child by hand while Niren slept on the couch, her face glowing for the first time without pain.
He whispered to the child:
"I will name you… Darin.
Darin Raigor…
Son of war, son of survival."
---
In another room, Laila sat alone, staring at Raine sleeping in her hands, then said:
"My son… you have a brother ahead of you.
But remember, I did not bear you to be a shadow,
but to be the sun… or fire if needed."
That night… no one in the palace closed their eyes.
Neither from love,
Nor from fear… of what was to come.