Thomas, at sixteen, was a remarkably handsome youth – tall, with an athletic build, his hair black as night, and his eyes a deep blue. Many families sought to match their daughters with him, but the young man declined every offer.
His father, so concerned, summoned him for a discussion.
Leonardo: "Son, we're alone; you can be truthful with me. Why do you reject all these proposals?"
Thomas: "Father, there's only one girl in my mind and heart – Valery Roberson. I desire no one else."
Leonardo: "And if she doesn't return from the frontier?"
Thomas: "She will, Father. She promised."
Leonardo: "Very well, son. You're still young. I won't accept any proposals for now."
Thomas: "Thank you, Father."
After Thomas leaves, the king summons his most loyal servant and instructs him to disguise himself as a common worker at the duke's estate to learn everything about Valery.
So the servant began working as a gardener, inquiring about the girl. The staff all said the same – that Valery was a beautiful, kind, and noble-hearted child, always active and determined. They also recounted her upbringing with a nanny, a solitary spinster who had never worked as a servant in the mansion. She lived modestly on her sewing, with no luxury but abundant love for the child.
The servant returned, piquing the king's curiosity even further about the woman who'd raised Valery. While immersed in thought, he receives a request for an audience – from Patricia Ferre, the widow of the former duke.
Leonardo welcomed her, and with great sorrow displayed on her face, she handed him two letters.
Patricia: "Your Majesty, I did what I could to keep Greta safe; I beg your forgiveness."
Confused, Leonardo opened the letter bearing his father's name.
MY DEAREST SON, IT IS WITH HEAVY HEART I WRITE THIS LETTER, FOR MY TIME ON THIS EARTH IS DRAWING TO A CLOSE. I SEEK PARDON FOR ALL MY PAST WRONGS, YET I HAVE NO REGRETS ABOUT HAVING LOVED. YES, MY SON, I, A MIGHTY KING, FELL FOR A SIMPLE MAID. SHE ASKED FOR NOTHING BUT A SMILE FROM ME. NOELIA WAS A HUMBLE GIRL WHO ENTERED THE PALACE AS A MAID, AND OVER TIME, I GREW FOND OF HER. YOU WERE BUT TWO YEARS OF AGE WHEN NOELIA FELL PREGNANT WITH MY CHILD. NEVER WAS SHE AFFORDED LUXURIES, AND YOUR MOTHER SOUGHT HER DEATH ON MANY OCCASIONS.
WHEN I SET OUT TO SIGN A TREATY WITH THE KING OF THE EAST, MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN. IN MY ABSENCE, YOUR MOTHER EXILED BOTH TO THE STREETS, THREATENING NOELIA. THANKS TO MY DEAR FRIEND DUKE ESTEBAN FERRE, HE PROVIDED THEM A PLACE TO LIVE. MANY BELIEVED THE CHILD TO BE THE DUKE'S, BUT NO, GRETA IS YOUR HALF-SISTER. TAKE CARE OF HER, MY SON.
Leonardo was bewildered; he'd always believed his mother to be a just and kind queen, but the letter revealed her as cruel.
The second letter, from Duke Ferre, detailed how he had looked after mother and daughter, fearing the jealousy in his own son. Everyone assumed the girl to be his illegitimate offspring, and this could pose trouble eventually.
Leonardo: "Why do you deliver these to me now, Duchess?"
Patricia: "Your Majesty, after years spent in a convent away from the kingdom, I've just returned to find my son sent Greta to the frontier."
Leonardo: "I understand, Duchess. Thank you for this information; I will do everything to bring my sister back safely."
The Duchess departed the palace, leaving the king besieged by endless questions and a great unease – never had he known of his half-sister's existence.
Lost in his thoughts, he received reports from the frontier. Among them, a separate letter informed him that General Roberson had married Greta Grim, who had become his wife a few weeks prior.
While this news allayed some of the king's anxieties, it also heightened his concerns, knowing he could not bring her to the palace.
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 30 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments