Marcella never expected the visit of her previous husband, Aurelius. He was so eager to have a male heir; she never thought he’d care this much to visit his only surviving heir. She imagined that after their divorce, he’d leave her be and never return. So the amount of shock that surged in her body upon learning his arrival was deadly. Her ex-husband isn’t always cruel, but he is a monster when he intends to be. If he was Prince Charming, why would they divorce in the first place? Not that she’s entirely flawless. She neglected her child; she admits that. But how could she take care of a child that reminded her so much of the pain of their past? A child that looked so entirely like the man who broke her heart?

Quiet. Everyone was silent. It was more deafening than any child’s cry.

Eternia sat properly, hands over her lap, avoiding either of her parents’ gaze. She knows what’s bound to happen anyway. She heard the stories. They’re about to go on a full-blown fight.

“You look well,” Aurelius complimented, pointing at Marcella’s belly. “Marriage must be good for you.”

“Thank you, King Aurelius,” Marcella responded, “You don’t look bad yourself. Your new Queen must be making you happy.”

“Are you?” he asked, “Happy…”

“Yes,” she replied, “I am. My husband seems to cherish me. As you can see, I’m pregnant with our third child. The magicians claim it to be another girl.”

“So happy that you neglected our child?” Aurelius’ eyes turned cold, “I understand that you now have a duty to your new husband and family, but we have a daughter who also needs your care. So, why is it that you neglected her throughout the years, huh?”

It was Marcella's turn to become cold. “Isn’t it obvious, your grace?” she scoffed, “This girl resembles you. I don’t want to remember you.”

“She’s as much as yours as she is mine, Marcella!” he snapped, “She’s skinny. I found her in the tower, for god’s sake! Do you even care that she’s in there? Do you intend for her to die just as our children before her? What kind of mother are you?”

“And you’re a perfect father?” she growled, “You decided to divorce me because I couldn’t give you a son. This girl wasn’t enough for you that’s why you left!”

“You gave me two sons, Marcella,” he corrected, “But it’s your fault they died. Even Eternia’s poisoning all those years ago was your fault! I didn’t leave you because you couldn’t give me sons; I left you because you failed to protect our children! God knows I would’ve taken our daughter with me, but your laws forbade me from doing so!”

Eternia watched as everything unfolded before her. The anger… the rage… the pain both her parents felt. “Father,” she said, standing up. “Please don’t fight anymore. Mother is with child and isn’t in the condition to argue.”

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Marcella shed a tear, immediately wiping it from her cheek. She was too pregnant for this. She didn’t want this. She doesn’t care to be called a horrible mother, she just can’t be in the same room as these people. “If you want her, take her, Aurelius,” she offered, “She’s of course, welcome to stay in this palace, however, I can never love her. She’s better off with you.”

“Mother,” Eternia cried, trying to reach for her mother’s hand. Unfortunately for her, her mother wants nothing to do with her.

“You really don’t care about Eternia?” Aurelius asked, placing his hands over Marcella’s shoulders. “You don’t care if I take her? You don’t care that she’s the legal heir to both our thrones? You don’t care if she dies in that tower?”

“Would you crown her?” she mocked, “She’s not the son you so crave.”

“She’s our daughter, Marcella,” he says, “Whether I have a son or not, she’s mine. I would always care if something happens to her. Even if she reminds me of you, I’d still care!”

“I can’t care for her because remembering you is too painful, Aurelius,” she said honestly, “I once thought I couldn’t live without you… Now, I can’t live being reminded of you and what you put me through. I don’t want her, Aurelius. And yes, she is the heir to my throne, but I don’t have to take care of her. Besides, anything could happen.”

“You’re counting on her death; is that it?” he growled, “Mark my words, Marcella. So long as I live, no harm will befall our child. No matter how much you despise us, she will live and she will become queen.”

“Take her,” she says, “I’ll arrange for everyone to prepare everything. As soon as you leave, the palace will be closed until she returns. Just promise me that I never have to worry about you causing trouble again.”

“You hate us that much?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied without hesitation, “I want to close our chapter, Aurelius. God knows I can’t since we have a child… But until she ascends my throne, I’d like to keep this book on the shelf.” That said, the queen left leaving the king and his child.

Aurelius looked at the crying child. She was a silent crier. He knelt down and held her hand. “I apologize, Princess. You shouldn’t have had to hear your parents fight like that.”

“Mother doesn’t want me here,” she cracked.

“No,” he said, wiping the tears off her face. “I’m sorry you were born into a family like ours… Being a royal isn’t easy. Having us as parents is a nightmare, too. I do promise you this: You’ll be taken care of at Sapphire. You’ll learn and have some friends. You’ll be loved.”

“Do you love me?” she asked.

Aurelius felt a shard in his heart. His immediate reaction was to pull the child into his embrace. “Of course, I love you, my princess,” he said, “Had I known sooner of how terrible they’ve been treating you, I would’ve come to get you long before.” He just held her like that for a while. Soon, the child fell asleep in his arms. He sent her back to her chambers while he remained in the drawing room with his friends.

“That was chaotic,” Theodore commented.

Magnus agreed, “I could hear both of your voices from the other room. I could only imagine how awful it must’ve been for your daughter.”

Aurelius chugged on his liquor. He knew Marcella hated him, but to take it out on their daughter? He didn’t think she’d go this far. Did he hurt her that much to drive her that far? She’s not the only one who got hurt, though. He did too. She killed their children.

“So…” Theodore asked, “Are we taking the child?”

Magnus hit him hard in the head. “Are you an idiot?” he glared, “Of course, we’re bringing the child with us! She’s the only heir we have. The future of the Sapphire rests on that baby’s shoulders.”

“Sorry I asked,” said Theodore, “I’m just curious about how the Queen will react to this.”

“She’ll do well to accept the child since she herself can’t give me one,” said Aurelius.

“You really didn’t marry for love, did you?” said Theodore.

Aurelius shook his head, taking another drink. “My first marriage was out of love,” he reminded them, “Need I remind you how that ended?” Sighing, he threw a chest at Magnus. “We’re taking that with us along with a few other things on the morrow. Prepare the staff.” That said, Aurelius vanished into the shadows to God knows where.