A Royal Obligation
Chapter 215: Shared Grief

Chapter 215: Shared Grief

The grand hall of the palace bustled with life, echoing with hurried footsteps and murmurs as Queen Morgana and Amarok rushed toward the main entrance.

The news of King Xavian and Crown Prince Theron’s return had brought a wave of hope, but also a veil of unease. Morgana’s heart raced as she nearly collided with her husband and son the moment they entered the palace.

"Xavian!" Morgana exclaimed, reaching out instinctively to grasp his arm. Her deep purple eyes searched his face, her breath catching at the heavy shadows etched across his features.

Trailing behind her, Amarok scanned the entrance hall, his expression laced with confusion. "Where are the twins?" he asked, his voice low but tense.

Theron stepped forward, his shoulders stiff. "They’re still in Neomenia," he answered before Amarok could inquire further.

Amarok blinked, his brows knitting together. "In Neomenia? Why? What happened?"

The question stirred something in Morgana, and she turned sharply to face her husband. Her tone was clipped, almost trembling. "Why aren’t they here, Xavian? And Eirik, what of him?"

Xavian hesitated, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came. The weight of the question loomed in the air, pressing on them all.

"Morgana..." Xavian began softly, his voice faltering.

But Theron interjected, his voice strained, "Mother, I think we should sit down for this."

Morgana’s breath hitched. Her heart dropped, and her mind filled with possibilities, each worse than the last. She clutched Xavian’s arm tighter, her voice breaking. "Just tell me, how is Eirik? How is my son?"

"Eirik is safe," Theron assured her quickly, his tone earnest. Morgana exhaled shakily, relief washing over her momentarily. But the worry lingered. She knew her son and husband too well to miss the shadows in their expressions.

"There’s more," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

The family moved to the sitting area, the tension palpable as they settled into their seats. Morgana sat beside Xavian, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap. Theron took a seat opposite them, his posture rigid, while Amarok perched on the edge of a nearby chair, his gaze darting between them.

Morgana’s eyes flicked between her husband and her son, frustration bubbling beneath her worry. Both men sat in silence, their reluctance to speak only deepening her anxiety.

"For heaven’s sake, will one of you speak already?" she snapped, her voice sharp with fear. "This silence is killing me!"

Xavian let out a heavy sigh, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Eirik was critically injured," he began carefully, his words slow and deliberate. "We had to stop in Neomenia to ensure he received proper treatment."

Morgana’s breath caught in her throat, her body stiffening as the words sank in. "Critically injured?" she repeated, her voice trembling. "What do you mean? What happened to him?"

Xavian hesitated, his gaze shifting away from her. The pain in his eyes was evident, and Morgana’s heart sank further. "There’s more, isn’t there?" she pressed, her tone firm despite the quiver in her voice.

"Morgana..." Xavian began again, but his voice faltered. He turned to Theron, silently pleading for his son to take over.

Theron swallowed hard, his face pale as he met his mother’s gaze. "Mother..." he began hesitantly, his voice thick with emotion. "Eirik lost the baby."

The room fell silent, the weight of the revelation crashing down like a thunderclap. Morgana gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes widened in shock.

The moment the words left Theron’s lips, Morgana’s world seemed to tilt. The room felt colder, smaller, suffocating. She sank back onto the couch, her hands trembling as they gripped the edges of her dress. The baby, Eirik’s baby, was gone. Her grandchild, the one she had dreamt of holding, of watching grow into a reflection of Eirik’s love and strength, was lost forever.

"No..." she whispered, her voice breaking. "No, not the baby..."

Amarok, sitting nearby, froze in his seat. His usual calm demeanor shattered as his expression turned to one of disbelief and grief. "The baby..." he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Before anyone could speak further, a sharp gasp came from behind them. All heads turned, and Theron’s eyes widened as he looked toward the doorway.

Standing there, her hands trembling as they covered her mouth, was Queen Elena.

Elena’s face was pale, her eyes wide with horror as she stood frozen in place. She had recovered greatly over the past few days, spending most of her time resting in her healing chambers. When the servant had come to inform them of the king and crown prince’s return, Morgana and Amarok had rushed off in a hurry, leaving her behind.

But something had compelled her to follow. Slowly, she had made her way to the sitting room, determined to hear how Eirik’s rescue had gone. She hadn’t expected to overhear such devastating news.

"Elena..." Morgana began, rising from her seat and moving toward her.

Elena’s gaze flicked to her sister-in-law, tears spilling down her cheeks. "The baby...?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Theron stood abruptly, his hands clenching at his sides. "Queen Elena," he said softly, his gaze full of guilt and sorrow.

Elena shook her head, her trembling hands falling to her sides. "How could this happen?" she asked, her voice rising. "How could this happen to him?"

Morgana reached for her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Elena collapsed against her, her body shaking with silent sobs. Her tears soaked Morgana’s shoulder.

"Kaelix..." she whispered. "Oh gods." She thought of her son, so full of love and devotion for Eirik, forced to bear the lost of a child. The pain he must have felt in that moment, how it must have broken him.

The king sat with his head bowed, unable to meet her gaze. Amarok sat back in his chair, his head in his hands as he tried to process the news. His mind raced with questions, grief mixing with confusion and anger.

The two queens stood together, their tears mingling as they clung to each other for support. Amarok watched silently, still processing the news.

Theron stepped forward, his expression grim but determined. "Eirik is alive," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the room. "And that is what matters now. We will help him heal, together."

Xavian nodded solemnly, his gaze heavy as he watched the women before him. "Mbuzuoria will pay for what they’ve done," he said, his voice low but filled with resolve. "They will pay for every ounce of suffering they’ve caused."

Morgana pulled back from Elena, her face tear-streaked but resolute. "They will," she agreed, her voice steady despite her anguish. "But first, we focus on Eirik. He will need us more than ever."