Chapter 204: The Missing Heir
Beside Rebecca, Julian’s small hand tightened around hers.
"Mother... what are we going to do?" he whispered fearfully as he stared at the strangers surrounding them.
"Our master suspected you might try to leave," the man at the front said with a smirk. "That’s why he ordered us to keep watch. You didn’t disappoint him."
Rebecca’s heart sank.
With a slight tilt of the man’s head, the others immediately closed in around her and Julian. Before either of them could make a sound, they were seized, and moments later they vanished into the darkness without a trace.
****
Meanwhile, everyone had returned to their usual duties, yet Rowan found himself growing more frustrated with each passing day. Three days had gone by since he had tasked Cedric with investigating the matter, and he still hadn’t received any additional information.
At first he had been patient.
Now he wasn’t so sure.
Rosalind had noticed his growing worry and wanted to ease it however she could. That afternoon, she made her way to the kitchens, and although she could have simply asked a servant to prepare tea for the king, she wanted to make it herself.
As she walked through the palace, hushed whispers drifted through the corridors.
"Do you think there’ll be an heir soon?" one servant quietly asked.
"Definitely. Have you seen the king and queen together lately? They’re very close. I’m sure there’ll be good news before long."
Rosalind continued walking without paying much attention to the conversation. She had assumed the whispers throughout the palace were connected to Rowan’s recent concerns, but she hadn’t realized they had something entirely different in mind.
The truth was that she had missed her monthly cycle and had barely noticed it herself. With everything happening lately, she had simply assumed the stress and worry were affecting her. Unfortunately, she had also begun experiencing bouts of nausea and occasional vomiting during the mornings, though she had done her best to keep it hidden.
The last thing she wanted was to give Rowan something else to worry about.
"Your Grace, at least allow us to carry it for you," Freya suggested as Rosalind lifted the tray containing a steaming cup of tea.
"There’s no need. I can manage perfectly fine," Rosalind replied as she carefully made her way out of the kitchen.
Freya and Kira exchanged glances but wisely chose not to argue.
"When the two of you get married, you’ll understand," Rosalind said teasingly in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Both Freya and Kira immediately blushed.
Rosalind laughed softly at their reactions as they followed behind her, escorting the queen through the palace corridors toward her destination.
The door opened and Rosalind stepped into the study. Rowan lifted his gaze the moment he saw her approaching, and the tension that had been sitting on his face softened immediately. "You could have asked the servants to do this," he said as she drew closer.
"I would rather take care of you myself," Rosalind replied as she placed the tray on the table.
A faint smile found its way onto Rowan’s face.
"I know you’ve been worried these past few days. I just want you to know that I’m here for you," she said gently.
"Thanks, wife," he replied.
Rosalind smiled back at him before handing him the cup of tea. Rowan accepted it and took a sip, pausing for a moment as he tasted it. "Calming tea," he muttered.
"Yeah. How do you feel?" Rosalind asked.
"Better."
The answer alone was enough to make her satisfied. Rowan set the cup down and let out a slow sigh before rising from his seat. He walked toward her until he was standing directly in front of her, and Rosalind instinctively leaned back against the table as she met his gaze.
Then Rowan lifted his hands and gently cupped her cheeks. "You’re the best," he said.
Rosalind hummed softly in response as he leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her lips. Some of the tension he’d been carrying seemed to ease, and when he eventually pulled away, he rested his forehead briefly against hers.
"I’m sorry I brought you into this mess with me. We only just returned from our honeymoon, and now you have to face all of this..." His voice trailed off quietly.
Rosalind lifted her hand and pressed her fingers gently against his lips. "You don’t have to apologize for anything," she said softly. "I chose to be here with you, Rowan."
His gaze softened as he looked at her. For a moment, his eyes seemed as though they might turn misty, but he held the emotion back. Instead, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. "I’m lucky to have you," he admitted quietly.
Rosalind felt warmth spread through her chest at the words. She then reached for his collars and pulled him closer.
They were enjoying the rare peace between them before a sudden knock sounded at the door.
The sound immediately broke the moment. Rowan closed his eyes briefly and exhaled, "How I hate when this happens," he complained.
Rosalind chuckled softly. "Come in," she called after both of them had stepped apart and composed themselves.
The door opened a moment later, revealing Cedric standing in the doorway. One look at his expression was enough to wipe away whatever lightness had settled over the room.
Rowan noticed it immediately and his gaze sharpened. "Cedric,"
"I have enough information, Your Majesty," Cedric said calmly.
Relief almost surfaced on Rowan’s face, but it vanished just as quickly when Cedric added. "But there’s another issue at hand,"
The room instantly grew tense.
Rowan’s jaw tightened as Cedric fell silent, seemingly considering how best to deliver the news.
"Speak, Cedric," Rowan ordered.
Cedric lowered his head slightly before answering. "They’ve gone missing."
For a moment, complete silence filled the study.
Then Rowan’s fists tightened at his sides, his knuckles turning white as the meaning of those words settled over him. Rosalind felt her stomach drop, and judging by the look on Rowan’s face, she knew he had reached the exact same conclusion she had.
Someone had moved first.
