Helen lay in her bed, weighed down by illness and fatigue, but her ears remained alert. She heard Kyle's voice, raised in argument at the door. Slowly, she pushed herself up, leaning on the walls for support, and shuffled toward the source of the commotion. Her hand trembled as she opened the door.
Kyle turned toward her, startled, as did King Harold and Orin, who were both standing near the fireplace. Their eyes widened at the sight of the frail woman. But her gaze was drawn not to them — but to the sound. The soft, sharp cry of an infant.
She turned her head toward the small bundle placed in the corner. The baby's cry pierced the room. With faltering steps, she crossed the wooden floor and gently lifted the crying child into her arms. Instantly, the baby calmed.
"She's so beautiful, Kyle…" she said, her voice fragile but warm. "Look at her eyes… they shine like a kitten's."She pressed a soft kiss to the baby's forehead and looked up at the king."Your Majesty... What is this little one's name?"
King Harold remained silent. Instead, he gave Kyle a look — one that said, Don't speak of it. But Kyle stepped forward and gently tried to take the baby from Helen's arms."She's not ours, Helen. Her family will come for her soon."
But Helen held onto the baby and looked up at him with quiet desperation."Please, let her stay. She's so innocent… she would bring light to this house."Her tone softened Kyle's heart. Her words touched the very wounds he tried to keep hidden.
Harold stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Kyle's shoulder."Care for her, until that day comes," he said. "Raise her as your own… as your son."
Helen blinked. Son? She thought. She looked down at the baby in confusion — a baby girl, clearly. Did the king just call her a boy?
Then she heard them murmur the name Luna.
Kyle looked at Helen with troubled eyes."Take her inside, Helen. Take care of her. I'll be there soon."
She nodded and disappeared into their bedroom, holding Luna close.
Once she was gone, Kyle turned back to the king and Orin, his voice filled with resentment."It seems the problems of the castle follow me everywhere, Your Majesty. And now your daughter, too, will carry the burden of sins she never committed. But I swear to you, if it weren't for Helen, I would never have taken this child — not even if you had threatened my life."
The king lowered his eyes."Thank you, Kyle. Even if you did it against your will."
Then he turned to Orin."I'll be waiting outside. Join me when you're done."
As Harold exited, Orin stepped forward, looking Kyle in the eye."We told you everything about the child, Kyle. Your wife… she's already fallen in love with her. But don't forget, she must never be raised as a girl. Her fate lies back in the castle. Keep this secret well."
Kyle clenched his fists."And how long will we keep silencing ourselves, Orin? How long will we watch horrors unfold and say nothing? You think the girl will survive this? Even if we hide her, they'll find out. But fine — as long as she's under my roof, I'll protect her. Until that cursed day comes when you take her back."
Orin gave a tired smile."Your words are harsh, but… thank you, Kyle. Thank you for helping us."
With that, he turned and mounted his horse beside the king. Together, they rode off into the dark, back toward the castle.
Inside the cottage, Helen was the happiest she had been in years. She cradled Luna with tears of joy in her eyes, laughing softly, whispering to her. The baby giggled, waving her tiny hands in the air.
Kyle entered quietly, watching the pure, radiant happiness on Helen's face — a joy he hadn't seen in what felt like forever. He sat down beside her, watching them both.
"She's smiling at me, Kyle… she's trying to grab my face. Look at her," Helen whispered. "Isn't she precious?"
Kyle's heart ached. He knew what he had done was wrong — he had accepted responsibility for a child that wasn't his, to fix a king's sins. But perhaps, in all this chaos, something was right. Perhaps… this child was a gift to Helen. A daughter she could never bear, but could finally love.
And he… would find happiness in her happiness.