King Riette's silence was palpable, his resolve was thinning due to the desperation surrounding him. He'd prepared himself for this moment, to steel his heart against wavering. But now, seeing his children beg, was tearing him apart. Yet, he felt bound by his decision, convinced that it was necessary for their survival.
Queen Norma, however, couldn't bear the sight of her daughter and Mark breaking down like this. She'd watched Mark grow up, and the pain in his eyes now was almost too much to bear. As a mother, she remembered the heartbreak and pain she felt when her daughter left them 5 years back in the past. She understood their pain, but her hands were tied. Her face was etched with sorrow, her eyes red-rimmed from holding back tears. Her heart torn between her duty and her children's happiness. She knew why King Riette was doing this, but as a mother, she couldn't help but feel the weight of her children's suffering watching them like this. Tears streamed down her face as she gazed at King Riette, her eyes pleading with him to reconsider. "Riette, please... think of something," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "A..At least give them a way out. Don't completely cut off their ties. Please, they are our children."
King Riette's sigh was heavy with the weight of his decision. The room held its breath, a mix of concern and worry etched on every face, as they waited for his next words. Finally, he spoke, his voice measured and deliberate. "You both will leave, and the announcement of your death will be final," he declared, his words dripping with finality. "There's no change in that. However, I'll allow Lily to be with you... under the guise of studying outside the kingdom." His gaze was stern, his voice was cold and his tone was unyielding. "She'll be with you as your daughter, but she'll be under my care, and she'll undergo the Royal Assessment heir/heiress training. She will be here as Lily Lellen and be with you as your daughter."
His eyes seemed to bore into Mark and Selina, as he was particularly indicating there was no room for argument. "Whatever training she receives, whether she likes it or not, you both won't have any say in it from this day on." The king's voice was cold, his resolve unwavering. "And I'll allow Lina to meet you and be with you for 20 days of every year, under the guise of sending her on vacation." The king's expression was unreadable, but the terms of his offer were clear, this was the only compromise he was willing to make.
"And you both will live a simple life, You're practically de.. dead after leaving this place, so stay as low as possible. You've made your choice once, now face the consequences. There's no room for negotiation or argument to change anything more than this."
He glanced around the room, his gaze lingering on each face before he added, "And everyone in this room will forget what happened here after we cross the doors of this room. I won't spare even your my own kin if this conversation gets out." A veiled threat hung in the air, the weight of his words was crushing, the silence that followed oppressive.
King Riette stood up, his eyes lingering on the couple, who looked like they'd lost their souls. "Prepare yourselves to leave," he said, his voice firm and final, before turning to exit the family chamber.
PRESENT,
Lily lay on her bed, wide awake, she couldn't sleep after hearing what her parents' said. Her mind was reeling with thoughts about her grandfather, King Riette. She remembered the deal she'd made with him when she was 10 years old.
When she was 10 years, Lily was already knew that her grandfather had exiled her parents from living in the kingdom because they'd disobeyed him by leaving their land and living together outside the kingdom. At that age, She understood that Grandpa Riette was punishing them, and anyone who spoke about them in the kingdom would face consequences. According to the kingdom, they were practically dead, erased from the records, their existence a secret known only to a few.
As King Riette had promised, he allowed her parents to meet Lina for 20 days every year. Back then, when Lina was just 7 years old, Lily had witnessed how heartbroken her little sister was after her annual visit with Mark and Selina. Despite being apart for most of the year, Lina's deep connection to their parents was evident. She longed for them intensely, and the bond they shared was palpable. After each visit, Lina would cry for hour. And being with her parents, Lily knew her parents felt the same anguish of being separated from their daughter. The pain of parting was a heavy burden for all of them.
When she was 10, Lily also came back to Kingdom with Lina after their vacation with their parents. That night, Witnessing her little sister's heart-wrenching tears for their parents was agonizing for Lily, too. In addition, Lina couldn't cry like that due to her Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis wouldn't be good for her, Heavy crying would make it difficult for her to breathe, and she ended up in the hospital.
Determined to make Lina happy, Lily decided to talk to her grandfather, King Riette. She hoped to find a way to ease Lina's pain and bring some joy to her little sister's life.
LITTLE LILY'S SHORT LOOK BACK,
"Grandpa," little Lily called out softly in her childlike voice, her tone heavy with sadness that was all too evident. King Riette's eyes met hers, filled with concern, as he assumed she'd come to him because Lina's hospitalization had upset her. He wrapped his gentle voice around her worries, trying to reassure her, "Don't worry, Grandpa's here. Nothing will happen to Lina. She'll be alright." His warm breath carried the words, and his hands instinctively reached out to offer comfort.
Little Lily shook her head, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She'd come to talk to her grandfather, not to plead with tears. Her grandfather had once told her that tears couldn't accomplish everything she wanted, and that sometimes it was better to speak up and ask for what she needed.
"No, Grandpa, it's not about Lina being in the hospital that's bothering me," Lily said, her voice steady. "It's that she's unhappy. Why won't you let my parents be with her? If they were, she would be happy and wouldn't have to cry so much or end up in the hospital." Her words tumbled out in a rush, filled with a determination that belied her tender years.
King Riette gazed down at the little girl standing before him, her eyes sparkling with a pure, untainted light. She bore a striking resemblance to her father, more so than her mother. His expression softened as he reached out to gently pat her head, his palm warm against her hair. But then his tone shifted, becoming more serious. "Did you forget, Lily, that talking about your parents is an offense?" His eyes searched hers, his gaze piercing as he waited for her response.
Little Lily's gaze held steady, her eyes locked onto her grandfather's as she collected her thoughts. After a moment, she replied, her voice clear and determined, "No, Grandpa. It's not about defying the rules. I'm not talking about them to anyone outside the family. I'm talking to you, and it's necessary because... they might be the solution, Grandpa." Her words were laced with a quiet conviction, her small hands clasped together in front of her.
Grandpa Riette's response was swift, his voice firm but measured. "And your solution is unacceptable, Lily. It's their punishment for choosing the wrong path. They have to face the consequences." His eyes bore into hers, his gaze intense. "Remember this in your life, You have to be responsible for your actions. When your decisions lead to unfavorable situations, instead of regretting them, be brave enough to face the consequences or try to change the situation to your favor." His words hung in the air, heavy with expectation.
"They're facing the consequences now," he continued, his tone unwavering. "Understand?" The room fell silent, the only sound was the soft ticking of the old wooden clock on the mantle.
Little Lily nodded her head thoughtfully, her ponytail bobbing slightly with the movement. "I understand, Grandpa. I'm responsible for the results and consequences of my actions." Her voice was steady as she continued, "But Grandpa, Lina didn't do anything wrong. She'll be happy when she's with Mommy and Daddy. They're good people, and they took care of me well, they'll always told me to do good things and be kind. They're happy with me but sometimes, i saw them felt sad for being away from Lina." as she spoke, her small chest rising and falling with each breath. Her eyes had begun to well up with tears. She stubbornly blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. She had come to talk, not to cry. She lowered her head for a moment, collecting herself, when she looked up again, her gaze was steady, with a sincere tone, she said, "Their punishment is like a wall between them and Lina. It makes them sad again and again for being faraway to eachother. I want them to be happy, Grandpa. But I don't know what to do to make Lina and Mommy and Daddy happy together." She looked up at her grandfather with a puzzled expression, "What should I do, Grandpa?"
A faint smile crept onto King Riette's face as he gazed at his granddaughter, impressed by her sensibility. At just 10 years old, she was already showing remarkable maturity. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he considered her. "Hmm, your parents did wrong, and I gave them a chance to correct their mistakes," he said, his voice measured. "But they were too caught up in their own desires to take it seriously, and now they're facing the consequences."
His eyes locked onto hers, his gaze piercing. "Not only are they suffering, but you and Lina, who didn't do anything wrong, are also being affected. But I'll give you a chance, considering your situation and Lina's. However, it won't be easy. It will take you many years to succeed." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "So, are you ready to take this chance? Or are you willing to let your parents be banished from the kingdom forever?" The room fell silent, the only sound the soft ticking of the clock on the mantle, as he waited for her response.
As King Riette's words hung in the air, a surge of joy coursed through Little Lily's chest, and a smile tugged at her lips. "I'm ready, Grandpa," she said, her voice filled with determination. "If one day I can bring my parents back to our kingdom to stay with Lina forever, then I'll take this chance."
King Riette's eyebrow shot up, and he regarded her sternly, his expression a mixture of surprise and disapproval. "Don't jump into the pit before you know what you're agreeing to, child," he reprimanded, his voice firm but controlled. "Did you forget what I just said a few minutes ago? You're responsible for your actions. Here you are, agreeing without even knowing the details."
Little Lily playfully stuck out her tongue before responding, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I don't mind whatever consequences I'll have to face if it brings my family together, staying with all of us. So, I'm happily agreeing, and I'll be responsible for my actions and results. Now, tell me what I have to do, Grandpa."
King Riette's smirk hinted at amusement as he leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with challenge. "Your eldest cousin, Zerus, has been undergoing the Royal Assessment Heir/Heiress Training for the past year. So, are you ready to train for the Assessment?"
Little Lily's eyes widened in astonishment, her face a picture of confusion. "But why should I have to undergo that assessment training, Grandpa?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty. "Uncle Callum said it's an assessment only for training the next in line for the throne, for the future ruler." She tilted her head, her brow furrowed in puzzlement, as she waited for her grandfather's explanation.