Chapter 5: Shadows of the Forgotten

Halea's POV

I was moments away from sleep, my fingers moving idly through Leanzie’s hair as his steady breathing lulled me closer to rest. The quiet of the room was comforting, wrapping me in a rare sense of peace that I hadn’t felt in days. My mind was quieter than usual, free from its relentless questions—if only for now. I felt my eyelids grow heavier, my body relaxing into the embrace of exhaustion.

Then, a knock at the door pulled me back to wakefulness.

The sound was soft, almost hesitant, but enough to make me tense. I blinked rapidly, my heart quickening for a moment as I registered the noise. Glancing down at Leanzie, I felt relief wash over me when I saw that he remained undisturbed, his slumber intact. Suppressing a sigh, I slid out of bed carefully, my feet brushing against the cool floor as I made my way to the door.

When I opened it, I found Viary standing outside, as composed and poised as ever. Beside her was Xeny, standing quietly with her hands folded in front of her. It was Viary’s typical time to arrive—her nightly duty to prepare my bath. This was her routine, nothing unusual.

“My lady,” she greeted, her voice calm but formal, “I’ve come to ready your bath.”

I nodded, turning my gaze briefly toward Xeny. “Leanzie will be sleeping here in my room tonight,” I said. “You may take the rest of the evening to rest.”

Xeny looked at me briefly before bowing deeply. “Of course, my lady. Thank you.” Without another word, she turned and left the hallway, her footsteps soft as they faded away.

Viary stepped inside without hesitation, moving toward the adjoining bathroom with practiced efficiency. I closed the door behind her and remained where I was for a moment, staring into the quiet of the room. Then my gaze shifted back to the bed, to the boy who lay so peacefully asleep.

He looked so delicate under the soft glow of the lantern, his breathing calm and untroubled. For a moment, I allowed myself to appreciate the serenity of the scene. But my thoughts wouldn’t let me stay there long.

The questions came back—familiar and sharp, gnawing at me with the same intensity as before.

Who was Leanzie’s father?

Where was he now?

What kind of man had impregnated the body of Lady Halea Dayrith—the body I now inhabited?

I shook my head slightly, trying to dispel the thoughts. But they refused to leave. This wasn’t about me or my memories; this was about Lady Halea, the real owner of this body, whose past had become a tangled mystery that I couldn’t untangle.

Had she known the man? Loved him? Trusted him? Or had he been cruel, a liar, someone who had betrayed her? I felt my stomach twist as the thoughts piled on top of one another.

“The bath is ready, my lady,” Viary’s voice broke through my swirling mind.

I blinked, her words grounding me momentarily. “Thank you,” I murmured, stepping past her and into the bathroom.

The heat of the water enveloped me instantly, soothing my tense muscles, but I felt no relief. My thoughts followed me, relentless and demanding, forcing me to confront the questions I so badly wanted answers to.

I stared at the rippling surface of the water, trying to focus on the warmth, but all I could think about was Leanzie’s father. Who was he? What kind of man could leave his child behind without a trace? Did he even know that Leanzie existed?

When I finished my bath, I returned to the bedroom. Viary was still there, tidying up with quiet efficiency. She folded a blanket neatly, smoothing its edges with care, before moving on to adjust a pillow. I watched her for a moment, debating whether to speak, before finally breaking the silence.

“Viary,” I said, my voice steady but careful.

She stopped her work and turned to face me, her expression neutral but attentive. “Yes, my lady?”

I glanced briefly at Leanzie before meeting her eyes. “What do you know about him?” I asked. “About Leanzie. Do you know who his father is?”

For the first time, Viary’s composure faltered. Her brow furrowed slightly, and her hands stilled against the blanket she’d been adjusting. She looked at me, her expression shifting into something I couldn’t quite name—confusion? Concern? Her voice came carefully.

“My lady,” she began hesitantly, “why do you ask me that? Surely you already know the answer.”

I tensed slightly, but I kept my gaze steady. “I wouldn’t be asking if I already knew.”

“But…” Viary trailed off, her confusion deepening. “You were the one who returned with him. You were the one who claimed him as your son. My lady, I—”

Her uncertainty was palpable, and I felt my frustration grow. “Viary, I need you to tell me what you know. Whatever you remember. Please.”

Her hesitation lingered, and for a moment, I thought she might refuse. But the weight in my voice seemed to compel her, and she finally sighed, nodding reluctantly.

“Three years ago, when you returned to the estate, he was with you,” she said, her tone measured but uneasy. “But even before that… you disappeared. It was four years ago, when you were nineteen. You and your brother, Haldriex Dayrith, had gone to the market together. But by the end of the day, you were gone.”

I frowned, my chest tightening as I processed her words.

“Your family searched for you,” Viary continued, her voice softening slightly. “Weeks turned into months, and still, there was no sign of you. Everyone feared the worst. Your brother… he took your disappearance especially hard. He blamed himself for losing you, and even now, he hasn’t forgiven himself.”

I swallowed hard, the ache in my chest growing heavier. “He hasn’t come home since then?” I asked quietly.

“No, my lady,” Viary replied. “Not even after you returned. He’s been on the battlefield ever since, punishing himself for what he believes was his failure to protect you.”

I lowered my gaze, my thoughts clouded with sadness and guilt. “And when I came back?” I murmured. “What happened?”

“You were found in the forest near the neighboring kingdom,” Viary said. “You were weak, injured, and carrying Leanzie in your arms. When you returned to the estate, you didn’t explain what had happened to you—or where you had been. The only thing you said was that the boy was your son.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. I felt the weight press down on me, my thoughts swirling faster than I could keep up.

“And no one questioned that?” I asked sharply.

“At first, yes,” Viary admitted. “But when they saw how much you cared for him, the questions stopped. He became a part of the family.”

“And is that all?” I pressed, my voice low and urgent.

Viary hesitated, her reluctance clear. “There is one more thing,” she said slowly. “You told me once, my lady, that he wasn’t truly your son. You said he wasn’t yours… but you never explained further.”

I stared at her, my breath catching as her words sank in. My gaze drifted to Leanzie, his innocent face peaceful in sleep, yet surrounded by so much mystery.

“Thank you, Viary,” I said finally, my voice quieter now. “You should rest. It’s late.”

Viary bowed slightly before leaving the room, her footsteps soft against the floor. As the door clicked shut, I sank into the chair at my desk, my thoughts consumed by the unanswered questions surrounding Leanzie and the body I now lived in.

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