Most humans would think Lycan was a cruel creature, they were monsters who liked to kill humans. So before being killed by the lycans, they must kill the lycans first. This was the mentality that most people have regarding lycans. It would be hard to change this.
"I actually plan to reveal this fact to everyone," Nicholas said which made the queen's eyes widen. "What do you think, mother? As you said, now I am the king and my words are law. I can make new laws that humans and lycans could live side by side with proper arrangement and set rules, as long as both sides respect each other."
The queen looked down to the floor and was deep in thoughts. If only her husband was the one who had taken this initiative, things would have been better for them. Nicholas wouldn't need to live in so much stress and hide.
He grew up with a lot of hatred for himself which the queen could see but was hopeless to do anything about.
If only the late King William was wiser and not filled with so much personal grudge, they would have a better relationship as a family. Ahh.. she could only think of the what-ifs.
"Are my grandchildren lycans?" The queen's question suddenly startled Nicholas. He didn't expect his mother to blurt the words. How could she know? He had not confirmed with her that Luciel and Jan were his.
"Why did you ask that?" Nicholas asked back, trying to keep his expression calm.
The queen sighed. "Well, I did read a lot about lycans after you were turned. It was part of my efforts to find out how I could accommodate you. Of course, I tried to find cures, but I was also prepared if it was irreversible and you would become a lycan for your whole life."
Nicholas looked at his mother in disbelief. This was news to him.
"So? What did you find out?" He asked her carefully.
Queen Marianne smiled. "I wanted to know what your life would be like if you grow up to be a lycan. I found out that you might have lycan, hybrid, or human children. It's quite fascinating."
She added, "Seeing your determination to reveal your secret to the public that you are a lycan, I can only think and hope, you are doing it because of your children too."
Nicholas went silent for a moment. He could hear the sadness in his mother's voice. Surely she was wishing that her late husband had done the same for Nicholas, but he didn't.
"You are a good father," the queen wiped her wet eyes and laughed bitterly. "You are nothing like your father."
"Mother..."
"So... are they really my grandchildren?" The queen asked Nicholas with a hopeful gaze. "Is that why you are doing this?"
Nicholas finally couldn't hide the fact any longer. He nodded and confirmed her suspicion. "They are."
"Ohh, my god.. I am so happy to hear that," the queen cried but she looked happy. "I knew it, from the moment I laid eyes on them, they remind me of you. I am so happy they are my grandchildren."
Nicholas gripped her arms and gently told her that another reason why he wanted to reveal his secret, aside from his children was he was tired of hiding the fact because he was always worried about being found out.
He wanted to free himself from the burden. He was ready to accept all the risks he would face after making that confession. In addition, he also said that he thought it was better for him to reveal the fact himself than someone else to reveal it.
"Right now Noel is suspicious and I know he will stop at nothing to gather evidence. Before Noel reveals this to everyone, I better confess. If everyone finds out from Noel or someone else, then they can misunderstand me and I won't be able to change their perception."
Seeing Nicholas who had made up his mind, Queen Marianne nodded in agreement and would be with Nicholas to face these tense moments.
Nicholas smiled gently then put his arm around his mother's shoulders and hugged her.
"I will support you no matter what," the queen said.
"Thank you, mother."
"So, when can I see my grandsons again?" the queen asked again.
Nicholas could only scratch his head. "Uhm... about that. It's a long story. I promise I will do my best, but right now, let's focus on revealing the truth to the public and deal with the backlash."
"Ahh, you are right," the queen agreed. "This is such a delicate matter."
"I promise I will get Luciel and Jan and give them what they deserve. They are the heirs to the throne of Riga and I want them to know that." Nicholas said with determination.
His mother smiled and nodded in agreement. Gosh... she missed them already. Maybe she could visit the Romanov's residence and ask permission to see the boys? Would Duchess Sophia Romanov allow her? She was wondering.
***
After that conversation, Queen Marianne finally agreed to invite and discuss it with their close relatives first and Nicholas was quite surprised because the response he received was unexpected.
"I thought there was something important you wanted to talk about, it turned out to be that," said a blonde woman who was one of her mother's relatives.
Nicholas furrowed his brows as he stared in surprise.
"Aren't you surprised, Auntie?" he asked.
"No, because I've known this for thirteen years and I don't think I'm the only one who knows about this." The woman looked at the people who had the same hair color as her and the people smiled and some even laughed.
They then admitted that they also knew, they even helped hide it from the previous king. They also assured them that they would always support Nicholas.
Hearing this, Nicholas was relieved. It turned out that almost all of his maternal relatives knew that he had lycanthropy, and they had never treated him differently. This felt like a breath of fresh air.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om