Chapter 203: Surrounded
"Rowan, I don’t think this is possible," Rosalind said at last.
He lifted his gaze toward her. "When Verity and I used to talk, this topic came up several times," Rosalind continued. "Alaric was intimate with countless women throughout the years, yet there was never any mention of a child. We used to wonder about it because with the way people spoke about him, you would think he would’ve had several children by now."
Her brows furrowed as she thought about it. "There were even rumors that perhaps he couldn’t father children at all."
The room fell silent for a moment. "What if this is simply false information?" she asked.
Rowan exhaled slowly. "Even false information can create chaos if it isn’t handled properly," he replied.
His gaze shifted toward Cedric. "How did you learn about this?"
Cedric straightened immediately. "I overheard some nobles discussing it in private. They were speaking quietly, but I managed to learn enough to understand what they were talking about."
Rowan’s expression darkened. Whoever was responsible for these rumours was someone with influence, someone who was deliberately trying to disrupt the peace and stir rebellion by using the child.
He had an inkling that some of the ministers would be willing to play such a game. Those who had remained loyal to Alaric, despite the fact that he had never been the rightful king, would do almost anything to get their way.
Rowan was certain he wasn’t dealing with just one person. They had already tried to undermine him in small ways before, testing his authority whenever they could, but now that these rumours were spreading, they would stop hiding behind subtle schemes and challenge him far more openly.
After a moment, another thought occurred to him. "Where is the boy now?"
Rosalind turned her gaze toward him as he asked the question.
"Who is his mother?" Rowan continued. "And is there any proof that the child truly belongs to Alaric?"
Unfortunately, Cedric shook his head. "I learned of it only recently, Your Majesty. I already sent people to investigate, but whoever is behind this has been very careful. We know there is supposedly a child, but the details regarding his mother and whereabouts are being kept hidden."
Rowan’s hands curled into fists because the lack of information only made the situation worse. "Who else knows about this?" he asked.
"It hasn’t spread throughout the palace yet," Cedric answered. "Only a handful of people seem aware of it."
"Good." Rowan’s response came immediately.
The fewer people who knew, the easier it would be to control the situation before rumors began spreading beyond the palace walls.
"Until then, gather people and find out everything about the boy and his mother. I want names, age, backgrounds, where they live."
Cedric bowed immediately. "Yes, Your Majesty." His voice carried no hesitation.
Once Rowan had dismissed him, Cedric departed at once, leaving the chamber considerably quieter than before.
For several moments, neither Rowan nor Rosalind spoke.
Rowan’s gaze lowered again and a deep frown settled across his face as the weight of everything pressed down on him. The possibility that Alaric had left behind a child was troubling enough, but what troubled him even more was the thought of that child being dragged into a political struggle he had never asked for.
Rosalind slowly stepped closer and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"This could be possible... And If there’s a chance the boy is truly Alaric’s son," Rowan said quietly, "then I don’t want him caught in any of this. None of this is his fault, Rosalind. He’s only a child."
Rosalind’s expression softened. "I know," she replied gently.
For the first time since receiving the news, some of the tension left Rowan’s shoulders. He leaned his head against her shoulder, seeking comfort without even realizing it, and Rosalind immediately wrapped an arm around him.
She knew there was nothing she could say that would solve the problem. For now, all she could do was stand beside him while the storm gathered around them once again.
****
Rebecca knew it couldn’t possibly end there after the noblemen had come to visit her. If anything, she feared that the next time they returned, they would be far less polite and far more willing to use force to get what they wanted. The thought alone was enough to make her stomach twist because she could not afford to lose her son.
One night, after finally making her decision, she slammed a luggage onto the ground and immediately began stuffing clothes and other important belongings into it as quickly as she could. Julian watched from the side of the room while his mother frantically packed their things, confusion written plainly across his face.
"Mother, are we leaving?" he asked, curiosity shining in his pale blue eyes.
"Yes, Julian," Rebecca answered, offering nothing more as she continued moving quickly around the room.
"But why?" he asked. Over the past few days, he had noticed that she was acting differently. She barely allowed him to go outside and play with his friends anymore, and she constantly seemed to be watching something that wasn’t there.
"I don’t want to leave. I like it here." He folded his arms across his chest stubbornly.
"We don’t have a choice, Julian," Rebecca replied, her voice tight as she looked back at him. "Now don’t give me any trouble and do as I say."
Julian swallowed and nodded obediently.
"Good boy," she said softly before leaning down to kiss his forehead.
Once everything was packed, Rebecca took hold of his hand and headed toward the door. "Come with me, and don’t make a sound," she instructed.
However, when she reached the doorway, she found herself stopping for a moment. Her gaze drifted around the small house and all the memories it contained. There were good memories here and bad ones too. She remembered her mother, remembered raising Julian within these walls, and most of all, she remembered the man who had changed her life forever. Her jaw tightened at the thought.
If she wanted peace for herself and her son, she would have to leave all of it behind.
Taking a steady breath, Rebecca stepped out into the night and disappeared into the darkness.
The village was silent. Most of the villagers had long since retired to their homes, leaving only the moon overhead to illuminate the narrow paths. Stars scattered across the sky, casting a pale glow over everything around them as Rebecca hurried forward with Julian beside her.
The little boy glanced around nervously. Something about what they were doing felt wrong, and the silence surrounding them only made it worse.
Suddenly, he gasped. "Mother..." he whispered.
"Hush, Julian. We don’t want anyone to hear us," Rebecca replied immediately, tightening her grip on his hand as she quickened her pace.
Julian wanted to speak again because he was certain he had seen something moving from the corner of his eye, but the look on his mother’s face made him stay quiet.
Rebecca herself was becoming increasingly uneasy. She had the distinct feeling that someone was watching them, and no matter how much she tried to ignore it, the sensation refused to leave. Fear settled heavily in her chest.
"Julian, hurry," she urged, tightening her hold on him.
Unfortunately, she never expected to run straight into someone.
Or some group of people.
Startled, Rebecca stumbled backward as her eyes landed on several men dressed entirely in black. Her heart dropped instantly.
"Heading somewhere?" The man standing at the front asked with a faint smile.
Rebecca instinctively pulled Julian closer and took a step backward. Then, without thinking, she spun around in an attempt to flee.
She froze.
More men had appeared behind her.
Her heart pounded as she looked around frantically, realizing that they were completely surrounded.
