Predecessor

Lucentis sent a letter to Kael, stating that Valencia would not be allowed to go to the Black Forest with him. Kael tossed the letter into the garbage can. Valencia stared at him.

“Yes, my love?” he teased with a smile.

“Why didn’t you tell me that I still have a family member?” she questioned.

Kael’s smile faded as he straightened his back.

“You’ve never asked…”

“But you could have mentioned something!”

“Valencia—”

“What else do you know that you won’t tell me?”

Kael went still. He bit his tongue and looked down at the table. He took a deep breath.

“I’m not here to hurt you…” he whispered.

Valencia tightened her jaw, clenching her fists.

“Yet… you played me like a fool,” she responded.

“I do not see you as a fool. I will never consider you a fool—”

“Then what would you consider me?” she paused. He froze. “You saw me as a way to live. Was I just a tool to extend your life?”

“Valencia, you know that’s not it!”

“Then what is, Lord Kael?” she questioned. His jaw tensed. “Did your parents know that I never knew I had a family?”

Kael closed his eyes and sighed.

“No… I never told my parents that you didn’t know… that’s why I didn’t know that my mother had called Duke Elyane to the meeting.”

Valencia bit her lower lip and turned away.

“Liar…” she mumbled.

Kael hurried to her side, grabbing her elbow.

“Valencia—”

“Let go of me!” she demanded.

Kael released her elbow. He paused and stared at her. She locked eyes with him, grabbed her cloak, and stormed out of the mansion. She ran through the forest, searching for a peaceful spot to stay.

Once from afar, Nuredus knocked on Kael’s door and opened it.

“Where’s Valencia?”

“She left…” he muttered. Nuredus‘s brows creased. “She… wants some alone time.”

“What? You two are just married. Why would she…?” Nuredus paused, pondering. “Is it about Duke Elyane?”

Nuredus frowned at him, already knowing the answer. Kael scratched his forehead, groaning.

“Yes… I didn’t tell her that he’s still alive.”

Nuredus smacked him in the head.

“How could you not tell her that she still has a family?! That child has been running for her life with her mother for years! No one knew where they had gone!”

“But… Mother—”

“I don’t care what your excuses are. As far as I know, her parents were really loved by the Elyanes. Otherwise, why wouldn’t they help her mother escape from the Royal Family?”

Kael gulped, swallowing his guilt. Fuck. I thought if she wasn’t ready… this is frustrating. He darted around Nuredus, grabbing his coat and running out of the mansion. William quickly followed at the sight of Kael walking to his horse.

“Lord?”

“Find Valencia… now!” Kael ordered.

Meanwhile, Valencia sat on the rock, hugging her knees.

“Little vessel,” Vrastos’s voice rang through.

Valencia covered her face, hiding her cries.

“Go away!”

“I can’t believe that old man is still alive…” Vrastos claimed.

Valencia clutched her clothes.

“Shut up…” she muffled.

Vrastos laughed and looked at her.

“They treated Eureon like a son. A family that they would die for…” Vrastos explained. Tears puddled on Valencia’s arms. “And… Eureon would make me do crazy things for their residence. He would ask me to find your mother’s dog when the dog got lost… build a gazebo in the garden so that your mother could have tea with him…”

“And yet… he was forgotten… like he never existed.”

Vrastos patted her head, gently brushing her hair. He sighed.

“No matter what happened to him, he stood with a smile. Brighter than those who have everything… but why does his child have the darkest one?” Vrastos questioned.

Valencia slowly raised her head and stared at him.