Raynold lifted up Cathryn's skirts. Lucien turned away.

"I do not want to see this," Lucien said and began walking back to his mother's bedroom.

He could hear his mother's muffled screams echoing in the hallway.

"A wise choice," the voice said, following him.

"The brothers are alike in that aspect. Savage men to the women they are married to. I hope that trait has not been passed on to your blood, boy," the voice said.

Lucien's face darkened. "I will not do that to Euphee."

"The name of the lady you wish to save, I presume. But you are so lacking. How can you save someone else when you are so weak? You are still just like the crying child years ago," the voice said.

"No, I am not!" Lucien shouted angrily. 

A wave of darkness engulfed Lucien. It dissipated and he was no longer in his mother's bedroom. The scene of roses filled his nose. He was in the garden and his mother was taking a strolling with someone who was not his father.

The King.

A few years must have passed from that disturbing scene he had just witnessed a while ago. Time had finally etched its worry lines on Cathryn's face but she was still as beautiful and ethereal as she was before.

"The sun is not that bright today, Your Highness. I do not need to be shielded by a parasol," Cathryn said. 

"Your skin is too pale. If the sunlight hits you, I fear your skin will go ablaze! And why do you keep me addressing me like that? I told you that you can call me Raegan. You are not a stranger to me, Cathryn," the King said, smiling in a way Lucien had never seen before. 

"But you are the king now. People will say nasty things if they hear me calling you without your title, Your Highness," Cathryn said firmly. 

"I will have their heads flying if they say nasty things about you. Now, stop calling me with my title, Cathryn. Do I need to command you to do that?" Raegan said trying to smile but looking exasperated at the same time. 

A small smile formed on Cathryn's lips. "Perhaps."

Raegan sighed. "Duchess Cathryn Ashburn, I command you to call me by first name when we are alone. Will that suffice?"

Cathryn chuckled. "As you wish, Raegan."

"There! That's better. Actually, it might be better if you call me with a nickname. I should give you another command," Raegan said.

Cathryn frowned. "That would not be proper. We are siblings-in-law, Raegan. Nothing more."

Raegan stopped walking and Cathryn stopped too.

"If I had met you first, we could have been more, Cathryn," Raegan said, his voice tinged with regret.

Lucien stood frozen in shock. King Raegan had been kind to him ever since he could remember. He thought it was because Raegan simply wanted to take care of his brother's son. He never imagined that the King had feelings for his mother.

If the King had been married to his mother instead, would she still be alive now? 

Cathryn stepped away under the parasol's shade.

"Your Highness, I think I am feeling under the weather at the moment. I shall withdraw to my room now. It is best that you leave also," Cathryn said, avoiding his eyes. 

Raegan looked like he wanted to protest but he nodded and handed her the parasol. "I see. Take care, Cathryn. Until we meet again."

"May your Light continue to shine upon our Empire."

Cathryn curtsied and walked away, leaving the King alone, watching her with forlorn eyes.

"I never knew," Lucien said.

"You do not know a lot of things, boy," the voice said.

A wave of darkness engulfed Lucien again then it dissipated.

A different day. A different scene.

His mother had company again in the garden. This time it was the Queen.

Queen Celestinia was sitting across the Duchess from the table with tea and biscuits laid out in front of them. It looked like an innocent afternoon tea time between two ladies but the air seemed to crackle between them with tension.

The Queen looked as beautiful as ever. Sparkling diamonds decorated her long golden hair reflecting off the sunlight. Her dress was in a youthful shade of peach decorated with gold embellishments and precious stones. On her head was a tiara with rare light blue gems that matched her icy blue eyes.

"Cathryn. I can call you Cathryn, right? Or would you prefer Duchess?" Celestinia asked coolly.

"Cathryn is fine, Your Highness," Cathryn said.

"Cathryn, I've heard that my husband had been visiting here quite a lot," Celestinia said.

"Yes, that is true, Your Highness," Cathryn said with a guarded look.

"I just wonder why he visits the Ashburn Residence when the Duke is not here anyway or it because the Duke is away which is why he visits?" Celestinia asked. 

"His Highness is my brother-in-law and he just visits for friendly conversation," Cathryn said firmly. 

Celestinia narrowed her eyes.

"Friendly. My husband used to be like that with me too then he got tired of our friendly conversations when we got married. You must be his new plaything then," Celestinia said with an icy smile.

"I am not His Highness's plaything I assure you, Your Highness. I am loyal to my husband and my time is much too occupied taking care of our son than becoming someone's plaything," Cathryn said in a dignified tone.

Celestinia seemed amused. "I think I can see why my husband has taken fancy on you."

"If you could forbid His Highness to visit here when my husband is away, I would greatly appreciate it, Your Highness," Cathryn said.

"My Reagan has a will of his own but you, perhaps I can impose mine on you," Celestinia said with a strange gleam in her eyes.

Lucien had a sinking feeling of what was going to happen.

"Mother! Twea time ish ower!"

Cathryn turned her head. A small boy with emerald green eyes and a gap in his tiny teeth came running towards her. When he finally reached her, he lifted his head and grinned wide.

"Mother! You said you will pway with me after twea!"

"Oh, my dear Luci, I still have a guest. I'm so dearly sorry," Cathryn said, her expression softening. 

Lucien was bewildered. He could not remember the time his mother had spoken so gently to him. He must have been too young to retain the memory but it was still a shock to him to see his mother talking so sweetly to him when he was a child.

"So that's your son I presume?" The Queen asked. 

"Yes, Your Highness. This is Lucien, my adorable son. I do apologize for this interruption. I hope you forgive my son. He is too young to know of etiquette," Cathryn said, looking worried.

"Perhaps if you introduce me to your son I can forgive him for his lack of etiquette, Cathryn," Celestinia said.

"Yes, of course, Your Highness," Cathryn said and turned to the young Lucien.

"Luci, my dear, this is Her Highness, Light to the Sun's Empire. What did I teach you about greeting royalty, Luci?" Cathryn urged.

The young Lucien nodded and faced the Queen with a serious look on his small face.

"Pwaise be, Light to the Sun's Emwire!" The small Lucien said and bowed.

Cathryn clapped. "Great job, my dear Luci! Come here and sit on Mother's lap!"

"The Light shines upon you," Celestinia replied dryly. 

"I think I am taking up your play time with your son. I shall take my leave for now. Let us continue this conversation another time. Also, I think I will bring something just for you, Cathryn," Celestinia said, standing up.

"That is not necessary, Your Highness, but I shall not decline your offer. Let me walk you out," Cathryn said.

"No need. Just enjoy the time that you have with your son, Cathryn. It is a precious time that will run out sooner than you expect it to," Celestinia said.

Cathryn smiled and hugged the young Lucien tightly. "Yes, a child does grow up so fast."

Celestinia left and the young Lucien was alone with his mother.

"My dear Luci, I hope you don't grow up so fast," Cathryn said, patting his head.

"Why, Mother? I want to gwow us fast so I can cawwy you!"

Cathryn chuckled. "You don't need to carry me. Mother can walk on her own. It's just that I fear you will forget me when you grow up. You will be a duke just like your father and you will be so busy. You might not have time anymore for your mother just like your father."

The young Lucien looked angry. "I will not be like Father! I will not leave Mother awone!"

"That is sweet of you, my dear Luci, but you will find a different lady you would not wish to leave when you grow up. I think you are too young to understand but Mother will be content just for you to visit whenever you are free," Cathryn said.

"I don't want a different wady!" The young Lucien insisted.

"You say that now but I am sure you will. You are bound to catch so many ladies' hearts," Cathryn said, smiling and ruffling his fluffy black hair. 

"Mother, are you weaving me? Are you giving me away to a wady?" The young Lucien asked, close to tears.

"Oh, my dear Luci, I am not leaving you. You are my treasure. Mother will always be with you until you tire of me," Cathryn said and planted a kiss on the top of his head.