BROKEN BONDS DESTINED HEARTS

Chapter 36 : Deaths

HY LOVELIES

I HOPE YOU ALL WILL BE FINE. LETS START THE CHAPTER AND ENJOY

READERS ARE REQUESTED TO LEAVE COMMENTS AND VOTE

^⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠^♡⁠(⁠˃͈⁠ ⁠દ⁠ ⁠˂͈⁠ ⁠༶⁠ ⁠)^⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠^

Warning 🚫 This chapter contain violence and killing

The queen’s chamber was a sanctuary of quiet elegance, its walls adorned with tapestries depicting Aetheria’s storied past. The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the tall arched windows, bathing the room in hues of gold and amber. The scent of lavender lingered faintly in the air, mingling with the warmth of the crackling hearth. Amid the serene setting, Queen Livia sat in her high-backed chair, her posture regal despite the exhaustion etched on her face.

In her arms, the newborn prince, Leontius, stirred gently, his tiny fists curling and uncurling as if testing the world for the first time. His skin was soft and warm, his features delicate but unmistakably bearing the strong lines of his lineage. Livia’s gaze was unwavering, as though she feared to blink and miss even a moment of this precious sight. Her hand brushed over his dark, downy hair, her fingers lingering as if to reassure herself of his presence. The nursemaid, a woman with kind eyes and deft hands, adjusted the silken blankets around the infant with meticulous care, ensuring he was cocooned in comfort.

The quiet was broken by the soft creak of the chamber door. Livia’s head turned sharply at the sound, her tired eyes brightening with recognition and relief. King Azrael stepped into the room, his imposing frame momentarily outlined by the fading light from the hall. His armor, polished to a mirror-like gleam, caught the light, the engraved crest of Aetheria shimmering faintly on his chestplate. Each step he took was deliberate, the faint clink of metal breaking the room’s stillness.

“Father,” Livia greeted him, her voice steady despite the myriad emotions that threatened to spill over. Relief colored her tone, but sorrow lingered like a shadow. She shifted slightly in her chair, her arms tightening protectively around her son. “You’re leaving.”

Azrael paused just a few steps from her, his stern features softening as his gaze fell upon the child. He seemed to drink in the sight of the two of them, his daughter and grandson, as though committing them to memory. “I must,” he replied, his deep voice carrying a quiet resolve. “The kingdom calls for me. There is no other choice.”

He moved closer, his armored form surprisingly gentle as he knelt beside her. For a moment, the mighty king of Aetheria was simply a father and a grandfather, his presence grounding despite the storm of war brewing beyond the palace walls. His hand, large and calloused from years of battle, rested lightly on Livia’s shoulder.

“But know this, Livia,” he continued, his tone soft yet steady. “You and Leontius are the heart of this realm. Your strength, your grace—they will be what sustains the people’s hope when the hours grow darkest. The light of this kingdom will never fade as long as you both endure.”

Livia’s composure wavered, her lips trembling as her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She lowered her gaze to Leontius, her fingers brushing across his tiny cheek. “Promise me,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Promise me you’ll return, Father. He must grow up knowing your wisdom and strength. He must see the man who fights for him, for all of us.”

Azrael’s expression softened further, his resolve clear but his love for his family shining brighter in that moment. He reached out, his hand trembling ever so slightly as it rested over hers, the warmth of his touch a rare comfort. “I promise, my daughter,” he said, his voice low but firm, carrying the weight of his conviction. “I will return. And when I do, it will be to a kingdom at peace. A kingdom where Leontius will grow without fear.”