A Royal Obligation
Chapter 218: Morgana and Elena’s Private Grief

Chapter 218: Morgana and Elena’s Private Grief

The Valeidio healing chamber was bathed in soft amber light from the enchanted sconces lining its stone walls.

There was an oppressive silence In the room except for the gentle rustling of curtains and the occasional crackle of a nearby hearth.

The air carried a faint hint of lavender and chamomile, yet even the soothing atmosphere couldn’t lift the heavy weight that hung over the room.

Queen Morgana sat stiffly on a chair beside Queen Elena’s bed, her deep burgundy gown pooling around her feet.

The intricate golden embroidery on the fabric shimmered faintly in the light, though its regal beauty was lost on her as she clutched a crumpled handkerchief in trembling hands. Her white, braided hair was adorned with delicate pearls, but strands had slipped loose, framing her tear-streaked face.

Across the room, Queen Elena rested against a mound of soft pillows. Her sapphire-blue dress, simple yet elegant, clung delicately to her form, the silver detailing around her neckline catching the light.

Her dark hair, once radiant, was loosely pinned back, strands falling to frame her pale face, which had only just begun to regain color. Despite her outward poise, the grief in her eyes betrayed the turmoil beneath.

"I failed him," Morgana whispered, her voice breaking the heavy silence. Her gaze was fixed on the marbled floor, unable to meet Elena’s sympathetic eyes.

Elena leaned forward slightly, her hands resting lightly on her lap. Her expression softened with concern. "Morgana, you cannot..."

"I should have been there, Elena," Morgana interrupted, her voice trembling. "I have failed my lovely boy."

Elena brows furrowing in concern. "Morgana, please stop ..."

"No." Morgana’s voice cracked as she pressed a crumpled handkerchief to her lips, stifling a sob.

"I should have been there," she repeated, staring down at her clasped hands.

"I should have been by baby’s side from the beginning. Maybe if I had," Her voice faltered, and she drew in a shaky breath.

"My Eirik suffered alone, and now... now he has to carry the pain of losing a child he never even had the chance to meet. My grandchild." Her words ended in a whisper, tears streaming unchecked down her cheeks.

Elena’s expression softened, she pushed herself upright, her movements slow but deliberate as she reached out a delicate hand to rest on Morgana’s arm.

"Morgana, don’t do this to yourself," she said gently. "You couldn’t have known. None of us could.

As much as we want to shield our children from every hurt, we cannot control the storms that life throws their way."

Morgana’s hands trembled as she clutched the handkerchief tighter. "But he’s my son, Elena. My baby.

And I wasn’t there for him when he needed me the most. I failed him. Isn’t it my duty to protect them? If I had stayed... if I had been there... maybe..."

Elena shook her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "And if you had stayed, what would have changed? Could you have stopped what happened? Could you have undone the heartbreak that was fated to be?"

Her voice was steady, but the weight of her own grief laced her words. "You must stop tearing yourself apart over what-ifs. They will only consume you.

Listen to me," she said firmly, her voice carrying a note of quiet authority. "You are not to blame for what happened. Blaming yourself won’t bring back what was lost, nor will it help Eirik heal. Right now, he needs you to be strong, not drowning in guilt."

Morgana’s lips quivered, her tears spilling even more. "But how can I be strong when I feel so helpless? I can’t take his pain away. I can’t give him back his child."

Elena’s grip on her hands tightened. "None of us can," she said softly. "But we can be there for him. We can remind him that he’s loved, that he’s not alone. That’s all we can do, Morgana, and it’s enough. You need to stop punishing yourself for things beyond your control."

Morgana let out a shaky sigh and wiped at her tears with trembling fingers. "You make it sound so simple," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness.

"It’s not simple," Elena admitted, leaning back against her pillows. "But it’s necessary.

When I think of Kaelix, and the decision he was forced to make... I wonder if he will ever forgive himself."

Morgana turned to her, her brows knitting together in concern. "Kaelix did what he had to do. It was an impossible choice, yes, but he made it out of love for Eirik. You know that as well as I do."

Elena nodded slowly, her expression pained. "I know. But the weight of such a choice, it doesn’t fade easily. And I fear that he, too, will carry scars that no amount of time or love can heal." Her voice faltered, and for a moment, she seemed lost in her own thoughts.

Morgana reached out, placing a comforting hand over Elena’s. "Then we must be there for them, Elena. For both of them. Not to dwell on what was lost, but to help them find strength in what remains."

Elena’s gaze softened, and she gave a small nod, though the sorrow in her eyes remained.

For a moment, the two women sat in silence, their shared pain filling the space between them like an unspoken bond. Then, Elena drew a deep breath, her hands folding neatly in her lap as she stared at the flickering light of a nearby candle.

"I need to return to Zephyros." Her tone was lighter but resolute.

Morgana’s head snapped up, her brow furrowing in concern. "Elena, you’re still recovering. You need to stay here and rest. There’s no need to rush back. Please allow yourself the chance to heal fully before..."

"No." Elena’s interruption was gentle but firm. She straightened her posture, drawing on reserves of strength that seemed almost new. "I’ve rested long enough. My place is in Zephyros, with my husband. He needs me, Morgana. I cannot let him bear this grief alone, especially not with Kaelix still here in Neomenia by Eirik’s side."

Morgana’s lips pressed into a thin line, her concern warring with understanding. "But you’re still weak," she said, her voice tinged with worry. "You shouldn’t push yourself too hard, Elena."

Elena shook her head firmly. "I appreciate everything Valeidio has done for me," she said, her voice steady despite the emotion in her eyes. "You and your kingdom have given me the best care and saved my life. But I need to go home. My husband is grieving alone, Morgana. I can’t leave him to bear that burden by himself. I need to be by his side."

Morgana hesitated, her brows knitting together. "But are you sure you’re ready? You’ve only just begun to regain your strength. Staying a little longer..."

"...will not change what I must do," Elena finished, her tone resolute. "I’m better now. Strong enough to travel, strong enough to be by my husband’s side.

And I must be there, Morgana. When Kaelix returns with Eirik, I need to be ready to welcome them home. They’ll need all the support they can get."

Morgana studied her in-law’s face, searching for any hint of doubt. But Elena’s expression was steady, her determination unwavering.

"I’ll recover faster in Zephyros," Elena continued, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Being with my husband will give me strength. It’s time for me to go home."

Morgana’s shoulders slumped, and a deep sigh escaped her lips. "I understand," she said quietly, her voice was barely above a whisper.

"But I’ll miss your presence here. You’ve been... a great comfort to me, Elena."

Elena’s smile grew warmer, and she reached out to squeeze Morgana’s hand. "And you to me," she said sincerely.

Morgana nodded, her expression bittersweet. "I wish... I wish we didn’t have to part so soon.

But I don’t have the right to stop a wife who misses her husband. You shouldn’t be kept away from him in the first place."

Elena chuckled softly, a rare sound that lightened the heavy atmosphere. "Thank you, Morgana," she said. "And please, take care of yourself. Eirik will need his mother’s strength now more than ever."

The two women sat there for a moment, their hands intertwined, their shared grief and understanding binding them in a way words never could.

Finally, Morgana released Elena’s hands and stood, her movements slow and deliberate. "Promise me you’ll take care of yourself. And if you ever need anything, anything at all, write to me. Valeidio will always be here for you."

Elena look up to her from her bed, a faint smile gracing her lips. "And Zephyros will always be here for you."

Queen Morgana leaned down and embrace her an they queens shared a heartwarming embrace.

Their grief mingling in the silence between them.

When they finally pulled apart, there was a quiet strength in their eyes, a strength born of shared pain and unyielding resolve.

Elena watched Morgana leave the healing chamber, with a sense of both loss and hope filled her heart.

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