It was because Owen encountered true happiness that he wished it for his people, no matter the cost to himself. Just as you protected your daughter’s innocence and joy all this time, no matter what.

Jizelle smiled brightly as Delilah bounded over to them, unable to contain her excitement and glee. She felt an instinct to brush a gentle hand over the girl’s head, only to realize that she too, had long desired a child. At this point, she wasn’t sure she could even conceive. She was one of the first ladies brought in when it became a concern that the royal couple couldn’t produce an heir.

They’d spouted all sorts of questions. Whether it was a lack of attractiveness between them, or that either of their bodies were too stressed. The nobles, the Council, everyone wanted to figure out a certain and clear factor in the lack of an heir.

Melanie had been first.

Jizelle had been the next, barely spending a few months with the lady before Melanie was sent back to her family’s countryside home to recover from a near fatal fall off her own balcony. There were some who claimed to have seen a figure push her, others believed she jumped of misery. Melanie never said one way or another, just left with a quiet goodbye and a warning for Jizelle.

It was only a week later that Jizelle understood. Blood on her lips, body on the floor, she grasped Melanie’s words. It wasn’t just a fall that wrecked Melanie.

Her eyes spotted the small smile on Ariana’s face, nearly covered by her fan. After all, nothing could hide the grin in that woman's gaze.

The Queen.

That was who ruined Melanie.

Over the years, she tried to protect the other ladies they added into the palace, but nobody could be everywhere at each passing moment. The number of times she tasted poison was hard to count any longer. There was just too much, too many to remember.

She could feel her body becoming frailer, taking longer to recover each time. Even a regular cold was much worse than it had been a few years ago. However, she’d also become good friends with Owen over the years, promising her loyalty to him rather than Ariana. It took time for him to open up, but she informed him of things through Mara’s ears and eyes as well as her own.

Some thought, much like the Queen, that Jizelle was aiming for the throne. If Ariana was removed, Jizelle was the next to take her place, as the one with seniority among the ladies in the palace. Truthfully, all she wanted was for a friend to become happy. Owen deserved it for all he did to help the kingdom he ruled, the people he watched over. She just didn’t want Ariana in a position of power anymore. This was a matter of who deserved the title of Queen of Felshare. With that foul heart, Ariana didn't deserve it, not in Jizelle's eyes. The people she was supposed to serve didn't deserve it either.

But, Jizelle herself did not want to touch the position she wanted the current Queen to vacate. She didn’t want to be Queen. She didn’t want to marry Owen either. The man Emeria just asked her of was someone she’d known for years, ever since she’d first arrived at the palace.

Meeting him had been like the stars aligning. It was magical for her. She’d considered asking him to run away with her in those first months. Now, it was unthinkable. She couldn’t leave, not yet.

And would he even want to?

He couldn’t either, she thought bitterly, he can’t leave, ever.

She pushed those thoughts aside as she focused on what was in front of her. Princess Delilah and Lady Emeria. With another signal to Mara, two small boxes were placed in her hands. They were the very boxes that Adele and Zaya had accepted earlier. Conspiratorial grins in place, the two exchanged a giddy look and watched Jizelle hand the first box to Delilah and the second to the girl’s mother.

“Please accept these. It’s a welcome gift.”

The lids of the boxes lifted to show beautifully crafted jewelry. Each gemstone held a beautiful shine when greeted by the light of day. It was easy to see the craftsmanship and care taken in making the two items which matched each other in style and color.

In Delilah’s box was a bracelet, adjustable in size, while in Emeria’s there lay a necklace.

Jizelle watched, holding her breath, hands tightly clasped, lips pursed, waiting for a pleasant reaction from the two of them. She looked between them, at the surprise on their faces.

Delilah’s eyes widened.

“Woah…”

Awe sparkled in the young girl’s expression as she gently touched the bracelet in her box.

“Is this for me?”

“It is.”

A bright smile shone on her face and Jizelle’s matched it, just upon the sight alone.

“Jizelle… I…”

When Emeria’s eyes met Jizelle’s, it was plain to see what she was trying to say. That it was too much to accept. Her gaze softened and she rested a gentle hand on Emeria’s.

“Please take it?”

Emeria sighed, giving in with a nod.

“Don’t feel obligated to wear it, alright?” Jizelle said, even as Delilah was asking Zaya to put her new bracelet on her wrist so that she could admire it better.

Emeria could tell, just at a glance, how expensive these simple matching items were. There was nothing but happiness in the Jizelle’s eyes, nothing to suggest that this was a scheme. Adele and Zaya looked just as thrilled that the gifts had been accepted.

No. She wanted to do this… just because. She’ll be saddened if it is refused.

Even with accepting the gift gracefully and with a smile, Emeria was still conflicted about the words Jizelle had told her earlier, those of giving Owen peace in his heart which allowed him to marry a woman he didn’t care for. She kept thinking back to the note she’d left Owen with. She could have made a different choice. There were so many opportunities, so many options. It left a growing ache in her heart.

She hadn’t even told him a proper goodbye. She’d just left, and with their child as well. Did she deserve this treatment, she wondered, these gifts?

Jizelle spoke with Delilah, encouraging her and giving her due praise as she was handling it all, the move into the palace, the meeting of new people, and everything else with more grace than most adults could muster up. When Delilah cracked a joke, Jizelle laughed along. It was evident from the past few hours that not only Jizelle, but Zaya and Adele were extremely fond of the youngest addition to their palace lives. Though Emeria tried to remain a bit guarded, in fear of opening up too soon with little knowledge, she couldn’t help feeling a sense of warmth watching the four of them chat.

The day arrived. One of delight and surprise and dread, depending on the side in which they each sat. Of course, as one thing is confirmed, another is thrown into speculation and rumor. It was too late to stop the spread, to quiet the voices that carried the news. Though it hadn’t been for lack of effort, Queen Ariana had not been able to bribe or trick her way into destroying or swapping the samples. As such, her ears were filled with words about her own fertility, and with each moment that passed, another ounce of rage was added to her clenched fists and tight smile. Her body couldn’t betray her harsh feelings.

There were cheers as daylight shone above, when the people gathered to hear the grand news. The kingdom wasn’t without an heir. Deliah was indeed, by blood, a Princess of Felshare.

Known for their inability to be bribed and an unending search for truth, with the stamp of certainty from the Messengers of Aknan, all was confirmed in fact. Delilah was a legitimate descendant of the royal family line, and in particular, she was Owen’s biological daughter. Though this was a mere formality. He’d already known.

Emeria’s position was solidified, as well as Delilah’s, in the hierarchy of the royal family.

It was unwelcome news for the Velcone family. They had to grit their teeth and refrain from saying anything against the new Princess or her mother. Ariana herself had to smile, despite it feeling more a grimace.

On an extended balcony overlooking a square in which the people of the capital were allowed entrance on that day, Owen stood with Delilah. Off to the side, both Emeria and Ariana were given chairs like thrones to sit in. Those who served them were far off to the side, only able to come closer if they were signaled to. It was just the two of them, with nobody to hear their conversation as the people's cheers only grew in volume. Even so, Ariana attempted a pleasantry despite her own thoughts on the matter.

“Congratulations, Lady Emeria.”

“This ceremony isn’t about me, Your Majesty,” Emeria replied bluntly. “This is a happy occasion for the people, and the Kingdom of Felshare, as Owen now has an official heir. Delilah is the star of today, not me.” When Ariana grit her teeth, unable to say anything for few seconds, Emeria spoke again. “Oh. You don’t have to congratulate her either.”

“Pardon? But as her step-mother–” Ariana tried again.

The second those words came out of the Queen’s mouth, Emeria cut her off.

“At least be honest with yourself, Your Majesty. Only those who can call themselves by such a title with sincerity are those with an investment in the child’s future.” She turned to Ariana. “Are you invested in Delilah’s prosperity and success?”

They held gazes for a long moment, unflinching.