Chapter 19: Moonlit Vows
The walk to the Council Chamber was a somber procession through darkened halls. Hannah had thrown on a robe of deep blue velvet, Kiara a simpler silk wrap, Briana her clothes from earlier, now feeling absurdly out of place. They did not speak. The weight of the summons was a physical thing, a chain around their newfound freedom.
When the towering doors swung open, the scene within was not what they feared.
King Alistair of Cordonia stood not by his throne, but at a side table, pouring four glasses of amber brandy. The stern lines of his face, which Hannah had expected to be carved from stone, were softened by the warm firelight. He turned as they entered, his eyes—Hannah’s eyes—finding them. A slow smile spread across his face.
“There they are,” he said, his voice a warm rumble. “My daughters. Come in, close the doors. Leave us.”
The guards obeyed, the heavy thud echoing. Camilla was already there, curled in a high-backed chair, a glass in her hand, a look of smug relief on her face. Their Aunt Tamia stood rigidly by the fireplace, her expression unreadable.
“Father,” Hannah began, her formal tone wavering. “Regarding the decision we relayed through Aunt Tamia—”
“I’ve heard,” Alistair interrupted, handing a glass first to Briana, who took it with wide, wary eyes. Then to Kiara, then Hannah. He kept the last for himself. “Camilla filled in a few… passionate details. Apparently, my sister omitted the most interesting part.” He shot a glance at Tamia, who merely lifted her chin.
“The part where the woman who has captured my daughters’ hearts is, through a rather exciting scandal in my wilder youth, also my daughter.” He took a sip, his gaze settling on Briana. “Biology is a funny thing. It makes connections whether protocol approves or not.”
Briana’s knuckles were white on the glass. “Your Majesty, I had no idea.”
“Of course you didn’t,” Alistair waved a hand. “I knew of you. Provided for you, quietly. But your mother wanted you free of this gilded cage. I respected that.” He looked at Hannah, Kiara, Camilla. “Seeing you here, with them… it seems the cage door blew open anyway.”
He set his glass down. “The official story will be delicate. A rediscovered royal cousin from a distant branch, legitimized. The people will adore the romance of it. The Council will grumble. But I am still the King.” He smiled, a genuine, weary thing. “All I have ever wanted was your happiness.