Chapter 2

Lady Rayna of House Veridian was the Lady Regent of Valkorias, ever since the **** of her father two years ago. She sat upon her throne as was her right until she took a husband. She was beautiful woman. Her long raven hair tied in an an extravagant style, it contrasted her flawless alabaster skin. She had an average sized bust, and had long legs, and a wonderful figure. She was amongst the most desired women in the kingdom, both for her position and for her beauty.

And here she sat in her palaces great hall as a single foreign knight approached a child clutching his hand as he walked. The entirety of the royal court. He was an older man already with grey around his beard. His hair disheveled as he approached with dark olive skin which contrasted with near everyone here. She noticed his limp walking towards her. “Is he injured,” she asked the captain of her household guard.

“He is, your ladyship,” said the tall man hand on the hilt of his sword as he spoke. “He refuses medical attention. Something about an order.”

She nodded as the man approached, “Present yourself Sir,” she said in a false regal tone as she looked at the man in front of her.

The knight bowed as best he could with his wound. “I am Sir Ferran Ruys a member of the Royal Guard of King Severo of the Kingdom of Thalor.

She leaned forward interested now. Thalor her brother in law. Who was this knight? And who was the child. She saw the child, scared, shivering, and yet curious. His eyes a strange shade of green she’d seen before. The royal family of Thalor. This boy was it could it be? No he could not have lost father and mother at such a young age, “The king,” she said voice shaky nervous fo hear the truth.

The knight merely shook his head not wanting to frighten the child. But that was enough for the lady. Rayna knew immediately what that meant. He was her nephew. And the future King of Thalor. She stood and all eyes were on her then. The eyes of the court as she walked forward. Long black dress flowing behind her as she walked forward and knelt before the child. The knight let go of his hand, “Sir Ruys, I thank you for bringing him here. Go rest and get healed,” she said softly. Her voice no longer the commanding voice it had been when she sat on the throne.

The knight knew his services were no longer needed and left he needed healing quick. The lady meanwhile stayed with the child. He was of a darker olive complexion. With big soft green eyes, and dark black curls that were an absolute mess. She was certain he would have been a happier child in better circumstances. His eyes now though were sad. She frowned for just a moment. “What is your name?” She asked him in a soft tender voice.

“He- hec- Hector,” he said the words struggling to leave his lips. The knight might have tried to shield him. But he knew what had happened. Or maybe it had all just been a dream.

Rayna meanwhile felt sorry for him. All these years without a mother. Without her sister. And now his father dead, he was alone. Just like she was. They were each other’s family. “Hector,” she said smiling for a moment. “I will take care of you from now on,” she said quickly embracing the child. Yes, she would be the mother he never had. That’s what she would do. They would be together, the last of each other’s family. “Astrid,” she said leaving him for a moment and speaking to her handmaiden. “Take him to get washed and feed him. He must be very cold.”