A Royal Obligation
Chapter 208: A Father for my Children

Chapter 208: A Father for my Children

The courtyard was nearly silent now, save for the soft rustle of autumn leaves and the distant sound of hooves receding toward the gates.

Queen Aveline stood, and watched the Valeidio entourage fade into the horizon, her thoughts lingering on King Xavian’s gratitude and the royal family’s unspoken worry for Prince Eirik. But more than anything, her gaze lingered on her daughter, Abigail, who seemed lost in thought, holding a small pendant tightly in her hand.

Aveline’s eyes softened as she observed Abigail’s rare vulnerability.

She wondered if her daughter’s guarded heart, had started opening to the Valeidio prince? Abigail had always been self-reliant, composed, and unflinchingly cool in her demeanor.

It had never occurred to Aveline that she would find her daughter so taken by someone. And yet, there she was, her fingers delicately wrapped around a pendant as though it were a lifeline.

Lord Cedric excused himself to tend to his nephews, Aveline took the opportunity to approach Abigail. She began walking slowly along the garden path, glancing back only once before calling softly, "Walk with me, Abigail."

Abigail startled slightly out of her thoughts, her fingers relaxing around the pendant as she looked up. "Of course, Mother," she replied, moving to join her.

They walked in silence for a few moments, Aveline leading the way, enjoying the warmth of the late morning sun as it filtered through the palace gardens. Finally, Aveline turned slightly, casting a knowing look at her daughter. "You seem to have developed a certain fondness for Prince Theron," she said, her tone casual yet probing.

Abigail blinked, a flash of surprise crossing her face before she instinctively went on the defensive. "Do you... have a problem with that?" she asked, her voice guarded, her posture straightening.

Aveline chuckled, not missing the way Abigail’s tone was laced with protectiveness. "I never said that I was against it," she replied with a teasing smile. "I merely observed that it seems you have... developed feelings for..."

"Yes, I have," Abigail admitted abruptly, cutting her mother off, her gaze drifting to the pendant in her hand. "And it wasn’t just over the last few days."

This surprised Aveline, though she kept her expression composed. "Oh?" she replied, raising a brow with curiosity.

"It started when you sent me to Prince Eirik and Prince Kaelix’s wedding ceremony as a delegate," Abigail continued, her voice softening as she recalled the memory. "I noticed him then, Theron, among his brothers, quietly watching over them.

His eyes followed Prince Eirik and the twins everywhere they went, as though he could shield them just by watching. There was something in the way he looked at them... something protective, loving. I’d never seen anything like it."

Aveline glanced sideways at her daughter, catching the fond smile that softened Abigail’s usually guarded face. She listened, intrigued, as Abigail continued.

"He cares for them so deeply, Mother. He’s patient and kind. I knew then he would make a good father." Abigail’s smile widened as she lost herself in the thought, her fingers again curling around the pendant. "There was just this... gentleness in him. I suppose that’s what I first admired."

Queen Aveline couldn’t help herself. A delighted laugh escaped her, bright and full, startling Abigail out of her reverie. "You fell in love with him because you think he’ll make a good father?" she asked, amusement sparkling in her eyes.

Abigail blinked, her brows furrowing. "Yes?" She hesitated, her voice uncertain as she looked at her mother, confused as to what was so funny. "Is... that a problem?"

Aveline chuckled again, shaking her head in disbelief. "Not because he’ll make a good husband, but because he’ll make a good father?" She studied her daughter, trying to comprehend this logic that seemed entirely unique to Abigail.

"Yes, I don’t see the issue," Abigail replied, her expression now one of mild indignation, as though she were being teased unfairly. "Isn’t that important?"

"Oh, I agree it’s important, darling," Aveline said, a smirk tugging at her lips. "But are you not, perhaps, thinking a little far ahead? Are you choosing a husband, or are you more focused on choosing a father for your future children?"

Abigail let out an exasperated sigh. "Mother, what are you saying? The father of my children would also be my husband, so of course I’m choosing both," she said, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Aveline laughed once more, her daughter’s earnestness utterly endearing. "Ah, Abigail, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. You’ve always been rather... practical," she teased, though her voice softened as she reached out to take her daughter’s arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "But your main focus is on marrying a man who will care for your children, not necessarily for you?"

Abigail’s face flushed a little deeper, a rare sight that Aveline couldn’t remember seeing in years. "Mother, please stop," Abigail grumbled, her voice laced with both irritation and amusement. "You’re twisting my words and confusing me."

Aveline smiled gently, letting go of her arm and stepping back. "All right, I’ll stop," she relented, though her eyes sparkled with a mixture of pride and amusement. "But it warms my heart to see you so... invested in someone. I can see how much you care for Theron."

"I do," Abigail replied, her voice soft and sincere. "I even told him as much... and he promised we would give us a chance." There was a vulnerability in her eyes, a delicate flicker of hope, and it struck Aveline just how deeply her daughter had fallen for the Valeidio prince.

"Well, in that case," Aveline replied warmly, "I suppose you have some work to do here. Take care of his siblings, especially Prince Eirik, who remains in our care. Make a good impression, and ensure they carry nothing but glowing reports back to Prince Theron." She winked playfully, unable to resist a little more teasing.

Abigail’s face turned an even deeper shade of pink, her gaze lowering in embarrassment. Aveline’s steps faltered in surprise as she took in her daughter’s flustered expression, an expression she had never seen on Abigail’s usually composed face. Could it be...? Aveline wondered in shock, is my cold-hearted daughter actually blushing?

"Oh, Abigail," Aveline murmured, smiling as she stopped to face her daughter fully, her heart swelling with maternal affection. "You really have found someone who matters to you, haven’t you?"

Abigail straightened, clearing her throat and trying to regain her composure. "I suppose I have," she admitted, though she couldn’t quite hide the shy smile that lingered on her lips.

Aveline reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from her daughter’s face. "I’m proud of you," she said softly. "Theron is a fine man, and if he can make you feel like this, then he must be someone special."

They continued walking slowly, the sun casting a warm glow over the garden as they shared a rare, tender moment. Aveline kept her arm around Abigail’s shoulders, feeling both proud and wistful.

She had always wanted happiness for her daughter, and though she had never imagined Abigail would find it with a prince from Valeidio, the sight of her daughter softened by love was more than she could have hoped for.

After a quiet moment, Aveline glanced at her daughter. "Abigail, never forget to write to him while he’s away," she urged gently. "Love needs to be nurtured, especially across kingdoms. Don’t let it slip through your fingers."

Abigail nodded, her gaze distant but determined. "I will, Mother. I don’t intend to let him go so easily," she replied, her voice filled with a quiet confidence.