Eighteen Years Later…
"Prince Damien, the Queen requests your presence in her chambers."
The young maid bowed deeply, keeping her eyes to the floor.Damien barely looked her way. He raised a hand, dismissing her with a silent gesture.Then he sighed and called out, "Dishon! "My robes! And hurry up, or I swear—"
A muffled voice replied from the dressing room."Oh will you cut it out?" Dishon stepped out, already holding the royal robes in one hand and a smug look on his face. "No need to yell like you're some dying falcon."
Damien rolled his eyes. "My father sent you here for a purpose, but it seems like I need to remind him how useless you are."
"Really?" Dishon arched a brow, lips twitching into a grin. "You've been saying that for years. And yet, here I am—still your unfortunate companion."Damien took the robe and draped it over his shoulders. "Come on, go meet your stepmother," Dishon teased, adjusting the prince's collar.
Damien narrowed his eyes. "Watch your mouth. Someone might hear you."
"Yeah, yeah. Sure."
"Weren't you supposed to be my bodyguard? "And I'm guarding your body right now—by making sure you look good while doing royal things." Dishon gave a mock bow. "After you, Your Highness."
Damien threw him a deadpan look that said, Really? But he stepped forward, the two making their way out.As they strolled through the palace corridor, they passed a line of maids who immediately straightened and blushed, eyes widening like fluttering birds.
Damien ignored them, unfazed. He was used to it. His beauty was infamous. But Dishon? He loved the attention.He shot a wink at one of them. The poor girl nearly swooned.
"You love the attention, don't you?" Damien muttered without looking at him.
"It's not my fault I was carved by the gods."
"Mmm. That 'beautiful face' is going to need a healer when I land a punch."
Dishon winced slightly. He knew Damien meant it—and could do it.
Finally, they arrived at the Queen's Chambers. The two guards bowed and opened the tall golden doors without a word.
Inside, the scent of jasmine lingered. Laura, the Queen's ever-dutiful lady-in-waiting, stepped forward and curtsied.
"Her Majesty is in her bedroom, Your Highness. "Dishon, wait here." Damien waved him off.
"Gladly." Dishon wandered toward a cushioned bench and promptly began charming another maid."Laura, lead the way."
They walked through the long corridor of the royal quarters, stopping at a grand door carved from cypress wood, draped with silken banners and the royal crest.
Laura opened it gently. "Your Highness."
Damien entered. The Queen turned at the sound."Damien, my son," she said with a warm smile. "It's been far too long since you last visited me. "I know, Mother." He approached and kissed her knuckles with practiced grace.
She held onto his arm, and together they walked through the arches into her private garden, sunlight dancing across marble floors and roses in bloom."Come, let's have tea. Have you eaten breakfast?"
"No, Mother."
She gasped. "Damien! I've warned you about this."
"Laura!" the Queen called.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" she appeared in seconds."Tell the maids to bring breakfast—now."
Damien chuckled softly. "Mother, sit first." He pulled her chair out like a true gentleman and took the one beside her.Soon, the maids returned carrying silver trays. They bowed respectfully and began serving.
"You know my son doesn't take milk in his tea!" the Queen barked suddenly. "Why is there milk?"The young maid trembled. "I—I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I'm new. I didn't know."
Damien waved a hand. "It's alright, Mother. I'll have the juice."
"But Damien—"
"Mother." He gave her a pointed look. She understood."Very well. You may leave."
The maid bowed, nearly tripping over her skirt as she fled.A moment of calm settled over the garden.Then the Queen spoke, her tone softer, but edged with something deeper.
"Damien… you know I'm not your birth mother." He turned to her, gaze steady. "Of course I know. But that doesn't change how I see you. I really do care for, love, and respect you as my real mother
"I know, son. I just wanted you to know… no one apart from the late King, your father, and I know this secret."She took a deep breath.
"This is how it began…"
"The throne deserves an heir, Your Majesty. I suggest you marry another woman — it's clear your Queen cannot give you a child," a councilman said."Thank you all. I know what to do," King Arthur said, dismissing them.
"The meeting is adjourned."
He ignored their murmurs and walked straight to the Queen's chambers."Leave us," he ordered the maids who had been dressing her."Your Majesty, what brings you here?"
"Veronica, there's a problem. The council wants me to take another wife."
"What?? You know you can't do that! The curse!"
"Exactly. I'm totally confused."
"Don't you think it's time for us to adopt a child? "But Veronica… even if we adopt a child, the curse will affect him too."
"We have no other choice now. We can't tell the council that you're impotent!"
"The son I adopt will also be impotent…"
"Don't worry. We'll figure out something. Leave everything to me. I'll get the child. Just announce to the council that I'm pregnant."
She paused, then added in a whisper:
"My demon friend will help me."