CHAPTER 26 : Sir Modrius Of Hancelot

In the deep stillness of the dark, an eerie presence filled the room where Persian lay sound asleep.

Unbeknownst to him, a sinister force had infiltrated his dreams, and the air grew thick with an unsettling energy.

Strange, guttural words, not known to any human tongue, echoed through the darkness, forming a haunting melody that seemed to seep into Persian's subconscious.

Persian shifted restlessly in his sleep, sensing the malevolent aura surrounding him. The room was bathed in an otherworldly glow, casting long, ghastly shadows on the walls.

The ominous chanting continued, growing louder and more insistent, as if trying to pierce the veil between worlds.Suddenly, a massive, gnarled hand emerged from the darkness, its fingers long and twisted like gnarled tree roots.

The hand reached out with a slow, deliberate motion, aiming to snatch Persian from his peaceful slumber.

Suddenly, the door creaked open and a figure stepped in.

It was persian's mother, the voices stopped hissing and the hand slowly clawed back into the darkness it came from...

And just like that, the sinister eerie presence in the room had settled into a peaceful sleep.

The first light of dawn gently seeped through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across Persian's face.

As the sun's rays delicately caressed his skin, Persian stirred from his sleep, his eyelids fluttering open.

For a moment, he felt disoriented.Then, he saw his mother, the queen, standing by the window, her silhouette framed by the soft morning light.

With a loving smile, the queen pushed the curtains aside, allowing the sunlight to spill into the room, illuminating the space.

The warm embrace of the sun made Persian feel a sense of peace wash over him."Rise and shine, my dear," his mother said, her voice gentle like a melody, as she observed him with a mix of affection and concern.

Persian looked at his mother, the queen, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. There was a sense of understanding in his gaze, a realization that the world he knew was more complicated than he had ever imagined. The queen, her expression gentle yet remorseful, spoke softly, her voice carrying the weight of regret.

Queen: "My dear Persian, I need you to know that I never wanted to keep secrets from you. I thought I was protecting you, shielding you from the harsh realities of the world outside these palace walls. But I see now that my intentions, while rooted in love, have led to misunderstandings."

Persian: "Mother, I understand. But keeping secrets only made me feel more lost and confused. I need to know the truth, even if it's difficult. I want to be a part of the world, to understand my responsibilities as your son."

Queen: "You've always been my little boy, my precious son. I held on to the hope that you would remain that way, sheltered from the burdens of adulthood. But I see now that you've grown, not just in years, but in wisdom and strength. You are no longer a child, and I have to accept that reality. I have to trust that you can handle the truth, that you can be responsible for yourself."

Persian: "Mother, I Know you can't help but worry but you don't have to worry about me. I want to explore,take risks,and be prepared for whatever challenges come our way. I want to make you proud, to be the son you raised me to be."

Queen: "And you have, Persian. You've made me incredibly proud. I see the compassion and bravery in your heart, and I believe in your ability to face the truth, no matter how difficult it may be. From now on, I promise there will be no more secrets between us. We'll face the challenges together, as a family."

Persian nodded, a newfound sense of determination in his eyes. The air was clear between them, the unspoken understanding bridging the gap that had once separated them.

With honesty and trust, they embraced the future, ready to navigate the complexities of life together, united by the unbreakable bond of love and understanding.

BACK IN KINGDOM GOLGOCORY

Amon strolled through the bustling streets of the kingdom, his mother Morgana by his side. The air was filled with a sense of excitement and joy as people recognized him and greeted him warmly, welcoming him back to the place he had once called home. Their smiles and heartfelt words of affection washed over him, filling his heart with a sense of belonging.

Morgana observed her son, her eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and love. She could see the genuine happiness in his eyes as he interacted with the people of the kingdom. Amon was not just her son; he was a beloved member of the community, respected and cherished by all.

As they continued their leisurely walk, Morgana turned to Amon, her voice gentle. "My dear, when do you think you'll be returning?" she asked, her eyes searching his face for any sign of uncertainty.

Amon sighed softly, a hint of melancholy in his expression. "Soon, I suppose," he replied, his voice tinged with resignation. "But let's not dwell on that for now. What matters is that I am here, with you, surrounded by the people who care about me. I want to make the most of every moment."

Morgana nodded, understanding the bittersweet reality that hung in the air. She placed a reassuring hand on Amon's shoulder, offering him silent support. In that moment, Amon's eyes brightened, his expression softening as an idea crossed his mind.

"You know, Mother," he began, his voice thoughtful, "if I do return, I would love it if you came with me. The queen, and everyone else, would adore meeting you. They would see the incredible woman you are."

Morgana smiled, appreciating her son's sentiment, but she shook her head gently. "Amon, it's not that I have anything against them," she said, her voice calm but resolute. "It's just that our lives are here. This is our home, and I find comfort in the familiar surroundings and the people who have always stood by us.

And having nothing against them doesn't mean I like them"

Amon nodded, understanding his mother's perspective. He respected her decision.

In that moment, surrounded by the welcoming smiles of the people he cherished and the unwavering love of his mother, he felt a renewed sense of determination to make the most of the present, embracing the warmth of the home he had found and the bond they shared, wherever their paths might lead them in the future.

BACK AT THE PALACE

Persian stood before the grand gallery of portraits, his eyes scanning the line of rulers and important figures that adorned the walls. The paintings depicted the legacy of his lineage, the faces of kings and queens who had ruled before his father, each portrait exuding an aura of authority and wisdom.

As he continued his gaze, his eyes fell upon a particular portrait that caught his attention. The woman depicted bore a striking resemblance to his father, the same sharp features and determined eyes. Passing by, was Elyss, the chief maiden of the palace, her posture regal and composed.

Intrigued, Persian turned to Elyss, his voice filled with curiosity. "Who is the woman in this portrait?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the painting.

Elyss studied the portrait for a moment before she spoke, her voice tinged with respect. "That, my prince, is Queen laniya , the mother of our current king. She was a remarkable woman, known for her bravery and unwavering determination. She ruled the kingdom with grace and strength during her time, leaving behind a legacy that still echoes through the halls of the palace."

Persian felt a sense of awe wash over him as he listened to Elyss's words. The admiration in her tone was palpable, and he could sense the reverence she held for Queen laniya.

He imagined the courageous spirit that must have resided within the queen, the same spirit he hoped to embody in his own journey as a ruler someday.

"Tell me more about her," Persian urged, his curiosity piqued. He wanted to learn about the woman whose blood ran through his veins, the woman who had shaped the destiny of their kingdom.

Elyss smiled, her eyes reflecting the fondness she held for the memory of Queen Seraphina. "She was not only a wise ruler but also a compassionate soul," she began, her voice carrying the weight of history.

"She cared deeply for her people, always putting their needs above her own. Queen laniya was a beacon of hope in times of darkness, a guiding light that led our kingdom to prosperity. Her legacy lives on, not just in the portraits that adorn these walls, but in the hearts of those who remember her."

Persian nodded, absorbing Elyss's words with reverence.

"How do you know so much about her. Did you work with her"

Elyss smiled "I wish....I know so much about her from the stories I was told....I never got to work with her"

Elyss then excused herself and let for her duties..

As Persian stood near the portraits, his eyes fixed on the image of Queen Laniya, he felt a presence beside him. It was his mother, the queen, her eyes soft with understanding. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and comforting.

"You have finally met your grandma," she said, her voice filled with a mix of emotions.

Persian turned to his mother, a smile gracing his lips. "I have," he replied, his voice filled with affection. "And she's a wonderful person, even though I never had the chance to meet her in person."

The queen nodded, her eyes distant for a moment. "Oh, so you know about her," she said, a hint of surprise in her voice. "She was one intimidating woman. If caring was a person, it would be her. She had a heart as vast as the kingdom she ruled."

Persian's curiosity was piqued. "Wait, so... how did she die?" he asked, his tone gentle but inquisitive.

The queen's expression shifted, a shadow passing over her eyes. "I'm not really sure of what I heard, but... I heard she was killed in a war," she replied, her voice low and somber.

Persian's brows furrowed with concern. "What war?" he pressed, wanting to understand the history that had shaped his family's legacy.

The queen hesitated for a moment before she spoke. "There was a war between the people of Enchancia and the Grimsons," she explained, her voice tinged with sadness.

"It was a time of great turmoil and strife. Many lives were lost, including your grandmother's. She fought valiantly, defending our kingdom until her last breath."

Chapter 14: Unveiling the Truth

The queen and Persian stood in stunned silence as the king's words hung heavily in the air. His revelation, raw with emotion, cast a somber veil over the room. Persian's eyes widened with shock, his heart heavy with the weight of the truth he had just learned.

"She did fight valiantly and she did defend our kingdom, but she still had life," the king's voice cracked, his pain evident. "But then, our most trusted warrior, a noble man took her life from her."

A chilling silence settled in the room as Persian absorbed the enormity of the revelation. The betrayal, the loss, the heartbreak — it all swirled in his mind, leaving him speechless. The image of his grandmother, once a powerful queen, now seemed fragile and vulnerable in his thoughts.

"That is why we didn't want to tell you about the war," the king continued, his voice trembling with a mixture of sorrow and regret. "I know you are more than capable of fighting, especially with your abilities. But in a war, everyone is your enemy, even your allies."

The weight of the truth bore down on Persian, his heart aching for his family and the kingdom he would someday rule. The king, usually a pillar of strength, now sobbed openly, his vulnerability laid bare before his son.

"I was scared, Persian," the king confessed, his voice breaking. "Scared that what happened to her would happen to you. I wanted to shield you from the harsh realities of the world, to protect you from the pain I couldn't protect her from."

Persian felt a surge of emotions welling up inside him — empathy for his father's fear, sadness for his grandmother's tragic fate, and determination to honor her legacy. He reached out and placed a hand on his father's shoulder, his touch gentle yet reassuring.

Persian asked "who killed her"

The king cleaned the tears falling down his cheek "sir modrius of hancelot"