Lady Derynn The Daring

The soft breeze in the garden had calmed Derynn's racing thoughts, but as she stood there, memories from years ago flooded back. Her 18-year-old self, the life she once knew, the betrayal of her father's death, the painful wedding to the king, and the forbidden love she had never fully let go of—Marc, who now was far away, caught in the chaos of war.

For a moment, she felt like the girl she used to be. But the past couldn't hold her anymore.

Derynn took a deep breath, pushing those memories aside. The wind ruffled her hair as she slowly turned toward the palace, the towering stone walls a constant reminder of everything she had become. Her body tensed as she crossed the threshold back into the cold, regal halls.

The noise of the bustling servants and royal court sounded distant, as if she were already detached from it all. It wasn't her home. Not anymore.

Her mind was with Marc, but her body remained tethered to a life she had to keep pretending to love.

The palace was waiting for her. The political games, the royal drama, and the cold, calculating nature of her survival in this gilded cage. She was no longer just Derynn Rain, the king's fifth wife—she was the woman who had learned how to thrive in shadows.

And as she walked through the halls, she wondered how much longer she could pretend.

As Derynn wandered through the palace halls, the weight of her thoughts shifted, and for a moment, she allowed herself to focus on the present. The warm, familiar atmosphere of her children's living room welcomed her, and the chaotic noise of the court seemed to fade as she stepped inside.

Her eldest son, Prince Kaelen, was seated at a desk, his brow furrowed in concentration as he read over a stack of parchment. The light from the window bathed him in a soft glow, casting a peaceful aura around him. Despite his serious demeanor, he resembled his younger self—curious, sharp, and determined.

Derynn approached him quietly, her footsteps light as she observed him for a moment before speaking.

"How's the reading?" she asked softly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Kaelen looked up at her, his blue eyes bright with intelligence. "It's... difficult. But I'm managing," he replied, his voice steady but tinged with a sense of responsibility beyond his years.

She smiled, though a trace of worry lingered in her chest. He was growing up so quickly, and the weight of the throne's expectations would soon be upon him. "You always manage," she said, her tone warm with pride.

He nodded, a faint smile crossing his face before he turned his attention back to the parchment.

Derynn's gaze softened as she left him to his studies and made her way over to the others. Her heart swelled with love for all of her children, each one a reminder of the strength she had fought for over the years.

She found Prince Karl lounging on a couch, scribbling in a notebook with a distracted look on his face. He looked up when she approached, flashing her a mischievous grin.

"Mother, I was just plotting my next great adventure," he said, tapping the side of his head with a teasing look in his eyes.

"An adventure, is it?" Derynn raised an eyebrow. "You know that adventures often have consequences."

"Oh, I'm well aware," he replied, the grin widening. "But I plan to handle them."

She chuckled, ruffling his hair playfully before moving on to Prince Kaelith, who was standing by the window, looking out at the distant horizon. His demeanor was quieter, more contemplative than his brothers. Derynn often found him lost in thought, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.

"Kaelith," she called softly, and he turned, offering her a small, thoughtful smile.

"Mother, everything is well," he said, though there was a distant note in his voice.

She walked toward him, resting a hand on his arm. "I know," she said gently. "But sometimes, you need to share what's on your mind."

Kaelith hesitated, then nodded, though he didn't offer more. He wasn't one to open up easily, but Derynn knew that, like his father, he carried much of the kingdom's weight on his heart.

Next, she moved to Prince Khai, who was lounging with a book in hand, but his attention wasn't on the pages. He seemed to be thinking deeply, eyes scanning the room as if lost in his own world.

"Always thinking, Khai," Derynn remarked with a smile.

He glanced up at her and smirked. "Someone has to," he said with his usual humor.

"You might get lost in your thoughts one of these days," Derynn teased.

"I'll find my way out," Khai replied, grinning widely, his usual charm evident.

Finally, she approached her youngest, Princess Elira, who was busy with a set of dolls, arranging them in an elaborate scene on the floor. Her small hands moved quickly, setting everything into place with a careful, focused expression.

"Your kingdom is looking good, Elira," Derynn said softly, crouching beside her.

Elira looked up, her wide, innocent eyes bright. "I'm making a world where no one has to be sad," she said, her voice sweet and determined.

Derynn's heart melted. "It sounds wonderful, my love."

Elira smiled up at her, her innocence a bright spot in Derynn's heart. Sometimes, in these moments with her children, Derynn could forget the bitterness of her royal life, the political games, and the games she had to play for survival.

She looked at her children—her sons, who would one day rule, and her daughter, whose fate was yet to be determined—and she knew, in that moment, that no matter what happened in the future, she would do whatever it took to protect them.

As Derynn sat among her children, her gaze lingered on Prince Kaelen, her eldest. His intense focus, the way he held himself, reminded her so much of Marc, even though he didn't know it. The boy was sharp, determined, just like Marc had been.

But as her mind wandered, a bitter thought crept in. Kaelen—and all of her children—believed Vill Zephyrin, the king, was their father. They had never known the truth. The king's presence, his authority, his name had overshadowed everything.

Derynn couldn't help but wonder, What would they think if they knew the truth?

Her chest tightened at the thought, but she quickly masked it with a smile, turning her attention back to the room. The idea of them discovering the truth, especially about Marc, was a risk she'd never allow to become real.For now, they were safe in their ignorance.