Magnate's Blood Crown

Eighteen

As Nanon and his brothers approached their ancestral home, they halted at the sight of Lady Lawan standing solemnly at the gate. The mother and son, estranged by time and circumstance, found themselves rooted in place, unable to bridge the gap between them.

In an uncharacteristic display of emotion, Lady Lawan took tentative steps forward, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. When she was close enough, she broke into a run, enveloping Nanon in a tight embrace, her composure crumbling. Nanon felt the tremors of her body and the warmth of her tears soaking his shoulder.

"M-Mother?" Nanon's voice wavered as he held her, uncertain and unaccustomed to such a display of affection. It was a gesture he had yearned for but never experienced.

Nanon's own eyes welled with tears as he glanced around. Nuea and Arak were visibly moved, tears streaming down their faces, while Hiran struggled to maintain his composure. Fah and Noi, ever the stoic observers, watched with faintly rolling eyes.

The brothers were taken aback, not daring to interrupt the poignant reunion. "Mother!" Nanon patted her back, trying to muster the strength to comfort her.

"Please forgive me, my son," Lawan whispered as she pulled away, her knees giving out as she fell to the ground.

Nanon dropped to his knees before her, confusion and concern mingling in his tear-streaked face. "Mother, what...?" His voice choked with emotion.

Lawan struggled to regain her composure, wiping her tears with trembling hands. She cupped Nanon's face, her eyes filled with remorse. "Please forgive me, my son."

"Why...? What...?" Nanon's voice was a mere whisper as he finally reached out to wipe her tears. "I've never seen you like this. I don't know what to do."

Lawan took a deep breath, her voice laden with sorrow. "I heard what transpired today and realized the depth of my mistakes."

Nanon's confusion deepened. Lawan guided him to a nearby bench, seating him beside her. "Have you heard of your late uncle Wanchai?" she began, holding his hand tightly. "My younger omega brother who died tragically young."

Nanon nodded, squeezing her hand in silent support.

"He was much like you-beautiful, dominant, with peculiar pheromones... And like you, he was willful," Lawan's eyes glazed over with memories. "One day, he was assaulted by our neighbor and his companions."

Nanon gasped in shock.

"It happened because he was an omega. The assailants claimed he had no right to be in a gathering of alphas. My father, fearful for his reputation, took no action. Instead, he locked Wanchai away in a chamber for days until..." Lawan's sobs overtook her, her body shaking with grief. "We found him dead in that chamber."

The revelation left everyone stunned. Nanon pulled his mother into a tight embrace, tears streaming down his face. He had always wondered about his uncle's disappearance but never knew the true story.

"I didn't want that fate for you," Lawan continued, her voice muffled against Nanon's shoulder.

Nanon pulled back, frowning in confusion.

"I was strict with you, thinking it would protect you. Your cheerfulness reminded me of Wanchai, and the way alphas flocked to you frightened me. Day by day, my fear made me harsher. I never realized I was causing you pain before anything could even happen. I was wrong, my son." Her voice broke with remorse, and she clasped her hands in front of Nanon, pleading for forgiveness.

"No, Mother," Nanon enveloped her in his arms. "I understand now how troubled you must have been."

"But I was wrong," she repeated, holding his face. "You are not Wanchai. You are Commander Hiran Kirdpan's son. You are strong-stronger than I ever imagined. To stand up and ask for a custom to be changed, to gather the courage and speak your heart before the ruler of the land, to receive a decree in your name... You are unlike any omega I have ever known, my son."