Chapter 260
Thorne’s POV
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The meeting room door slammed behind me, and I felt my fists tighten, a knot of frustration gnawing at my gut. The list the elders handed me–the one they so proudly called their solution to the kingdom’s issues- was now nothing but shredded paper on the floor.
Judith, nestled in my arms, didn’t seem to notice my mood. His small arms wrapped around my neck, his innocent gaze meeting mine.
“Are you going to get married?” His voice was soft, filled with curiosity.
I felt my brows furrow deeper. “I don’t know, Judith. Maybe.”
The elders were right about one thing. The kingdom needed a Luna, and it needed an heir. But I didn’t want to admit that to the boy in my arms, not when his question sparked a painful memory.
“Why did you yell at them if you’re going to get married?” Judith’s voice cut through my thoughts, his little face scrunched with concern. “Are you in love with someone they won’t let you marry?”
The question hit harder than I expected.
I tried to hide the ache that surged in my chest. “No,” I muttered, my voice rougher than I intended. “The elders didn’t stop us… fate did.”
The woman I loved–she was gone. The pain of that separation still lingered, heavy and unyielding.
I would never love anyone the way I loved her. Never.
The thought of finding a Luna now seemed pointless. What did it matter? As long as she could fulfill the role, that’s all that mattered.
I forced a smile and rubbed Judith’s wild hair. “Hey, don’t worry about it. If I do get married, you can still call me daddy. Nothing’s going to change. Now, let’s go meet your new nanny.”
I took him back to my chambers, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on me. The servant went to summon Lady Alara, and soon enough, she was here.
I stood up, trying to shake off the strange sense of anticipation that crept up my spine as the door creaked
open.
She walked in slowly, dressed in a long black gown that hid her form. Her face was concealed behind a mask. She looked… unremarkable. A shadow in the room, fading into the background.
And yet, I couldn’t look away.
She stepped forward and curtseyed. “My King, young master, good day.”
I steadied myself, fighting the inexplicable tension in my chest. “Lady Alara, do you know why I summoned
Chapter 260
you?”
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Her nervousness was palpable. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, and her head lowered as she spoke in a near whisper. “No, my King. I don’t… Did I do something wrong?”
Before I could answer, Judith jumped off his chair, excitement bubbling over as he rushed to her. “You’re going to be my new nanny! Aren’t you happy? You can stay with me in the packhouse all day long!”
I watched Elara freeze, her wide eyes meeting Judith’s enthusiastic face. The realization hit her like a ton of
bricks.
She was going to be his nanny.
I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d even considered the danger of being so close to the boy. The risk of her identity being exposed…
Judith grabbed her hand, his small fingers tight around hers. “Say yes! Please, say yes!”
I could see it in her eyes–the hesitation, the conflict. But then she smiled, soft and tender, the kind of smile that made my chest tighten for reasons I couldn’t explain.
“Of course,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the storm behind her eyes. “It would be
“It would be my honour.”
Judith let out a delighted squeal, but I cut through the moment with a sharp command.
“Not so fast.”
Her smile faltered, and I could feel the tension building between us. I stood and walked toward her, stopping just a breath away. I looked down at her, my gaze scrutinizing her every move.
“What’s your
full name?”
“J…Elina Alara,” she stammered, barely above a whisper.
“Are you married?”
Her lips pressed together in a nervous line.
Why was I asking this?
I didn’t care about her personal life–at least, that’s what I told myself. But there was something inside me, something I didn’t want to acknowledge, that made me need to know.
Elara hesitated. She glanced at Judith, who was waiting expectantly, and I could see the struggle in her eyes.
“I… I am married. I have a child,” she answered, her voice barely audible.
A flicker of something dark twisted in my chest. She was married?
With someone else?
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Chapter 260
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I didn’t understand it. She was just a stranger, after all. But hearing those words–something about it felt wrong, like a shot of ice to the heart.
I quickly pushed the feeling aside, though the jealousy lingered, an uncomfortable heat that I didn’t want to confront.
“Good.” I stepped back, shaking off the strange emotions swirling inside me. “Then you know how to care for a child.”
“I do, your majesty. You can trust me with the young master,” she said firmly, her voice steady.
I took a deep breath, forcing the tension down. “Be very careful, Lady Alara. If anything goes wrong, if I find even the smallest sign of incompetence, you will be punished. And nobody will be able to save you.”
She flinched, and I saw the flicker of fear in her eyes.
I meant every word.
