CHAPTER FIFTY ONE
The next morning, as the sun cast a warm glow over the kingdom, Alyssa sat at her vanity, absentmindedly brushing her hair. Her mind was still reeling from the conversation with Tiffany the night before. The news of the annexation and the merging of their kingdoms weighed heavily on her heart.
She sighed, remembering the snippet of information Tiffany had shared in their conversation. How her family now worked for Liam, the very man who had caused so much turmoil in Alyssa’s life. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of resentment towards him, but she knew she couldn’t let her personal feelings cloud her judgment.
Alyssa’s thoughts drifted to Liam’s father, whom Tiffany had mentioned was dead. The news came as a shock, as Alyssa hadn’t been aware of this development. But in a kingdom where news traveled fast, it wasn’t entirely surprising. She wondered how Liam was coping with the loss and if it had changed him in any way.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
As Alyssa continued to reflect on the confluence of events, she felt an overwhelming urge to seek out Liam. She needed answers, closure, and perhaps a chance to make amends for keeping Tim hidden from him for all these years. She knew it wouldn’t be an easy conversation, but she couldn’t ignore the growing importance of addressing the complicated ties that bound them together.
Just as she was contemplating her next move, Tim’s voice broke through her reverie. “Mom, don’t forget about the play date you set up with Vale’s children today,” he reminded her, excitement lacing his words.
Alyssa’s heart sank at the reminder. Liam’s absence suddenly felt more profound, as if the void created by his departure had grown exponentially. She had set up the play date to provide an opportunity for Tim and Liam to bond, not expecting Liam to be absent when the time came.
“Thank you for reminding me, Tim,” Alyssa replied, forcing a smile onto her face. She didn’t want her son to sense her disappointment. “Let’s go and meet Vale and the children.”
Together, mother and son made their way to the designated meeting spot, a beautifully manicured garden where children often played. But when they arrived, Alyssa was greeted with the news that Vale and her children had been called away on urgent matters. Her disappointment deepened, mirroring the dull ache in her heart.
Feeling dejected, Alyssa decided to spend some time in the nursery, hoping the bright smiles and innocent laughter of the children would uplift her spirits. As she watched them play and heard their infectious giggles, she couldn’t help but think about the bond that Tim was missing out on with his own father.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Tim slipping out of the room until she heard his voice calling out. Alarmed, she hurriedly followed him, praying that he hadn’t wandered too far.
To her surprise, she found Tim standing just outside the nursery, facing a man she immediately recognized to be Liam. Her heart skipped a beat, caught between the rush of emotions that surged through her.
Tim, oblivious to his mother’s internal struggle, looked up at Liam and asked, “Are you truly my father?”
Alyssa held her breath, waiting for Liam’s response.
….
Liam’s eyes narrowed as he stared down at Tim, his heart warring between love for his son and the resentment he harbored towards Alyssa for keeping him hidden all these years. In that moment, his anger got the better of him, and without thinking, he swiftly scooped Tim up into his arms.
“Alyssa,” he said tersely, his voice heavy with the weight of his emotions. “We’re going to my room. Now.”
Alyssa stood frozen, the shock of Liam’s sudden appearance and his firm grasp on Tim leaving her momentarily speechless. She watched as Liam turned on his heel, striding purposefully towards his room, his face a mask of determination. She couldn’t deny the pang of regret and guilt that pooled in her stomach.
As Liam walked, he instructed his men to begin packing their belongings, making it clear that their time in this kingdom was over. His terse command left no room for discussion or dissent. He held onto Tim tightly, refusing to let go, even as Alyssa’s heart ached at the thought of being separated from her son.
With a heavy heart, Alyssa reluctantly made her way towards the exit, an emptiness settling within her. She had hoped that this visit would bring about some resolution, some chance for them to reconcile and come to terms with their complicated past. But it seemed that fate had other plans in store for them.
Just as Alyssa was about to step out of the castle, a guard approached her, his face etched with urgency. “Your Majesty,” he spoke respectfully, “I regret to inform you that you must leave immediately. It is Prince Liam’s orders.”
Confusion flashed across Alyssa’s features. She wasn’t surprised to be ushered out, as the guards had made it all too clear that she wasn’t welcome in Liam’s presence. However, the mention of Tim being with his father sent a chill down her spine.
“But my son… He’s with Liam in his room,” Alyssa protested, her voice tinged with worry.
The guard’s expression hardened, his grip tightening around her arm. “The heir to our kingdom is with his father, and Prince Liam has made it clear that he does not wish to see you,” he stated coldly, his words slicing through her heart like a sharp dagger.
Alyssa’s mind raced with a mixture of panic and desperation. How could Liam keep Tim away from her? What had she done to deserve such punishment? She fought against the guard’s firm hold, her voice laced with desperation as she pleaded, “Please, let me go to him. I need to see my son.”
But the guard remained resolute, his duty outweighing any sympathy he may have felt for her. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. You must leave now,” he said, his voice unwavering.
Feeling defeated, Alyssa reluctantly allowed herself to be dragged away from the castle, her heart heavy with a mother’s longing. As the doors closed behind her, tears welled up in her eyes, and she vowed to do whatever it took to reunite with her son and mend the shattered pieces of their fractured relationship.
Little did she know that the separation would ignite a fire within her, a burning determination to fight for what was rightfully hers. The journey ahead would be filled with challenges and hardships, but Alyssa was prepared to face them head-on, for the sake of her son and the love they shared.
And so, as she left the castle grounds, her heart hardened with resolve. The battle for Tim’s custody had begun, and Alyssa was determined to emerge victorious, no matter the cost.