[Footsteps echo through the grand hall.]

Children: [Excitedly] “Wow! So beautiful, Grandpa! Look at all these paintings on the walls!”

Grandpa: [Chuckles] “Yes, my dear. These are the portraits of our ancestors—those who ruled and protected this kingdom.”

Children: “Wow! They look so powerful!”

[The group continues walking through the hall, admiring the grand portraits. Suddenly, one child stops and points excitedly.]

Child 1: “Grandpa, look! A sword! It’s huge! Whose is it?”

Child 2: [Noticing an inscription] “There’s a name written here... Let me read it... Lu... Lucia...”

Grandpa: [In a solemn tone] “Lucian Al Pestelio... The Great.”

Children: “Grandpa, who was he?”

Grandpa: [Lowering his voice] “He protected this kingdom... even though the kingdom and its people never did anything for him.” [A moment of silence] “Oh! It’s already time for lunch. Let’s go and eat something.”

Children: “Yeah!”

[Evening sets in. The old man sits alone in his office, staring at a portrait of his family. His expression is distant, lost in memories.]

[The door creaks open, and his son enters.]

Son: “Dad? What’s wrong? You’ve been quiet ever since you saw that sword. Is everything all right?”

Old Man: [Sighing] “There are many secrets hidden within our family… and he is one of them.” [Taking a deep breath] “Lucian Al Pestelio.”

[Hearing the name, his son looks puzzled. From behind, his wife, sister, and mother enter, drawn by the conversation. They all exchange surprised glances.]

Son: “Dad… Pestelio is our family name. But I’ve never heard of him. Who was he? Why does no one know about him?”

[The old man looks at them, his eyes filled with sorrow and pride.]

Old Man: “His name was erased from history… yet he was the greatest knight ever born into this family.”

Son: “But why? If he was so great, why was his name hidden?”

[The old man leans back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as he recounts the past.]

Old Man: “Our family has ruled and protected this land for generations. It is our sworn duty. But in fulfilling that duty, there were times when kings neglected their own families, prioritizing the kingdom above all else.

It began with the 13th King of Astria, Karl De Al Pestelio. He was a wise ruler, always thinking of his people. His wife, Elsa De Al Pestelio, stood by his side, helping him in every way she could. Together, they had three children—the eldest, Novel Al Pestelio, their second daughter, Ersia Al Pestelio, and their youngest... Lucian Al Pestelio.”

[A flashback to the past—the Queen’s chambers.]

[Elsa lies in bed, exhausted but smiling, while Karl sits beside her, concern etched on his face. Their children, Novel (7) and Ersia (5), stand nearby, watching anxiously.]

Karl: [Holding Elsa’s hand] “Elsa, does it hurt? Do you need anything?”

Elsa: [Smiling weakly] “Karl, I’m fine. This isn’t the first time I’ve given birth, so stop worrying.”

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[Karl’s face remains tense with concern.]

Elsa: [Softly laughing] “Don’t make that face. The children will start worrying, too.”

[The children, already teary-eyed, look at their father.]

Novel & Ersia: “Mom, does it hurt? Why does Dad look so sad?”

Elsa: “No, my loves, I’m fine. Come here.” [She opens her arms, and the children climb onto the bed beside her.] “Soon, you’ll have a younger sibling. You will be an older brother and sister—you must protect them, alright?”

Novel & Ersia: [Eyes sparkling with excitement] “A younger sibling? Wow! We’ll protect them!”

Elsa: [Smiling] “That’s my brave children. Now, go back to your room and finish your homework.” [She looks at Karl] “And you… You should go and fulfil your duties. I have the head maid and the nurse with me—I’ll be fine.”

[Karl hesitates but finally nods.]

Karl, Novel, & Ersia: [In unison] “Bye! Take care!”

[As they leave, Elsa watches them with a soft smile, unaware of the fate that would soon shape their family’s history forever.]

[After two months, when the Queen’s labor began]

Karl paced anxiously outside the chamber, his hands clenched into fists.

Karl: “How is Elsa?”

Midwife: “Your Majesty, everything is fine for now. The labor pains have just begun. Please wait here.”

[From inside the chamber, Elsa’s agonized cries filled the corridor. Karl’s heart pounded in his chest.]

Karl: “Why is she in so much pain?”

Adios (the royal secretary): “Your Majesty, childbirth is always painful. We can only pray to the gods for their safety.”

[Karl pressed his hands together, whispering prayers under his breath. Suddenly, Elsa’s screams grew weaker. The midwife rushed out, her face pale.]

Midwife: “Bring more warm water and towels, quickly!”

[Karl grabbed the midwife’s arm, his voice trembling.]

Karl: “What happened?”

Midwife: “A complication has arisen. Everything was fine, but suddenly, the Queen was losing consciousness. The situation has become critical. We are trying our best to save both the Queen and the child.”

[A cold dread settled over Karl. His hands shook as he grabbed the midwife’s shoulders, his voice filled with desperation and rage.]

Karl: “Listen to me carefully. Your priority is to save the Queen. No matter what, Elsa must live—even if it means the child does not.”

[The corridor fell into an eerie silence. Everyone stood frozen, shivering at the fury in Karl’s voice. The midwife swallowed hard and nodded.]

Midwife: “Y-Yes, Your Majesty.”

[Moments later, the cry of a newborn echoed through the chamber. The midwife emerged, her expression one of relief.]

Midwife: “Your Majesty, the Queen and the child are both safe.”

[Karl stormed into the room without hesitation. Elsa lay exhausted on the bed, her face pale but smiling. A maid cradled the newborn in her arms. But instead of joy, Karl’s face darkened with anger. The tension in the room thickened as he took heavy steps toward the child. The air itself seemed to freeze.]

[Elsa stirred, her eyes fluttering open. The moment she saw Karl’s furious expression, she knew. With a sudden burst of energy, she shouted.]

Elsa: “Karl! Stop!”

[Karl halted, startled by her voice.]

Elsa: “Bring the child to me.”

[The maid hesitated before carefully placing the infant in Elsa’s arms. She gazed at her child, love and warmth filling her eyes.]

Elsa: “Karl, look at him. Our child.”

[Karl turned away, his expression unreadable.]

Karl: “The child is too small… I might hurt him if I hold him.”

[Elsa frowned, sensing the distance in his voice.]

Karl: “You should rest. I will visit another time.”

[Without another word, he strode out of the room. His footsteps echoed ominously down the hallway.]

[Adios followed closely behind as he made his way to his office.]

Adios: “Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

[Karl stopped abruptly. His cold and unyielding voice sent a chill down Adios’s spine.]

Karl: “Never mention that child to me again.”

[Outside the office, passing maids overheard his words. The rumor spread like wildfire throughout the palace—the King did not love his third child. Soon, the entire kingdom whispered of the monarch’s rejection, and the child, though born of royal blood, became a shadow in his own home.]

[Thus began the untold story of Lucian Al Pestelio.]

[After four days]

Elsa sat in her room, cradling her newborn child, her heart was heavy with the weight of rumors and Karl’s cold demeanor. Stroking the infant’s soft cheek, she whispered in an emotional voice, "My child... I don’t know what happened that day to make your father act this way, but don’t worry. With time, everything will heal." Her voice carried a fragile hope, but her forced smile barely concealed the sorrow behind her teary eyes.

The maids who stood nearby lowered their gazes, their hearts aching for their queen. At that moment, the child’s tiny eyes fluttered open, and he gave a small, innocent smile. Seeing that pure expression, Elsa’s tears, which she had been holding back, finally fell. The maids rushed to her side, offering silent comfort as she wept.