I was trembling when I saw my mother in the photos. She was so thin, dressed in rags. Her body was full of bruises, and her hair was unevenly cut.

I couldn’t take the photos or even look at it any longer. I clenched my fist and started crying. It was a cry of sorrow, anger, and despair. Benjamin was toying with our lives for a long time.

I looked at Kyle and realized that maybe my mother gave him to grandpa to save him from Benjamin. She didn’t expect that she would get pregnant again. Perhaps she didn’t have a chance to give me away because Benjamin had already planned everything.

Father couldn’t control his rage and took one of the vases from the consultable, throwing them on the floor. I was startled when he suddenly punched the mirror in our bedroom. Blood flowed from his fist.

“Father!” I shouted.

Emily stood up and rushed to my father. She took his hand and removed the broken glasses from his hand. She then put a white cloth on his hand that came from her pocket.

“Aaron, can you get the first aid kit on that cabinet?” I requested.

Aaron hurriedly followed what I asked then gave the kit to me. I looked at my father and smiled at him. He sighed then sat on my side. 

“You should take care of your hands. How would you hold mom if you have weak hands?” I whispered, forcing myself to be calm.

He didn’t answer. We were all shocked by the truth that had been hidden from us for two decades.

“We don’t have to tell grandpa about this for now. We also have to expect the worst.” Kyle said in a calm voice.

I know he was just trying to be calm from all of this. He needed to be strong for Flousia and for us. It was another threat to the throne. If Benjamin was keeping mom hostage, it’s possible that he would use mom to take the throne. 

Mom was the original successor before Kyle and me. If the people found out that she’s still alive, they might think that Kyle took the crown from her.

“What do you mean?” It was Emily who asked Kyle.

“We have to figure out what his next plan is. He would use mom against us. How? I don’t know yet. He could use her to threaten me. Worst of all, he might kill her now to scare us.” Kyle asserted.

I shook my head and glared at my brother. I know it’s possible, but I would never take another loss because of Benjamin.

“Promise me; you will save her! Kyle, father, love, save mom! Please.” I begged while looking at them one by one.

While Kyle and Jayden didn’t answer, father nodded.

“Aaron, aside from that, what have you found out? Did they mention a place?” Kyle asked.

“No, Your Majesty. Only that the men stayed in the inn for a week. The owner said ten men checked in a week before the palace was attacked, then they left on the same day. We could ask around the people at the inn, and maybe we could find more information.” Aaron suggested.

Kyle nodded. “About the royal seal, who did you give it to?” He asked Aaron.

“There’s only one person I thought of that day. It was my grandfather. He worked in the palace for fifty years under the previous king and Princess Catherine.” Aaron answered.

“Was he the one who wrote the name of Kyle’s heir?” I asked.

Aaron became serious before he answered again.

“I don’t know. I have followed your instruction. I told grandpa that if he thinks he’s the right person to proclaim a successor, then choose from one of the royal family members and write down the name.” 

I nodded then looked at Kyle. “We should bring his grandfather here as well. We need to protect him. He’s the next key in finding your successor.”

He agreed, then took out his phone to call someone.

“We need help. Meet us in the throne room.” He ordered.

Our eyes were all focused on Kyle, waiting for his next word.

“Will you do everything for mom’s sake? I mean, I need your help. The Mafia.” He said, looking at my father.

“You don’t need to ask me. Knowing that Catherine is alive, I will do everything to find her, even without your help.” Father answered in a firm voice.

Kyle nodded, then turned to Jayden. “Come in the throne room after half an hour.”

Everyone left, leaving Jayden and me in our bedroom. For some reason, I felt like there was something in between us this past few days.

He was still standing by the window while I was sitting on the bed, waiting for him to start a conversation. I heard him sigh before turning around to face me.

“Are you okay” He asked.

“I’m fine. I was just shocked knowing that was still alive.” I answered.

He nodded, and then it went silent again. The silence in the room was deafening. I couldn’t even think of anything to tell. It was the first time I had no words to say to him. It was frustrating.

“Will you be okay to sleep alone tonight?” He suddenly asked.

I don’t know what he meant by those words, but ever since we lost Mireya, he would come to our bedroom in the middle of the night and sleep on the couch. I didn’t even bother to ask him the reason. 

But the other day, he tried to kiss me on the lips, and I avoided him. I felt like I couldn’t stand sleeping with him in the same bed for now, and I think it was the same for him.

“Yes. Will you be sleeping in another room?” I asked.

I know it sounded like I asked him to sleep in another room, but I don’t have anything to say. My heart felt like it was being stabbed. I wanted to cry, but I didn’t want him to see me wailing like a kid again.

“Yes. Let’s give a space between us for now. I know you need it, and I think I need it too..” He answered before turning his back, leaving me alone in the bedroom.