231 The Love of a Mother

AUTHOR'S POV

Stellan uneasily left the dining hall with his father. It was with heavy steps as he drag his feet away from Helena, leaving her with the Duchess alone. He held Helena tightly, as if he'll be gone for too long before following the lead of Lord Nero to the wine cellar.

Meanwhile, Helena sat comfortably as she watch the Duchess eat her last piece of raspberry tart. Even the sweetness of such saccharine didn't let the duchess crack a smile, or soften her stoned features. Then, in a while, the servants nervously left at the Duchess' single nod… making Helena think it's time for a cat fight.

"Soul travelers indeed havean enchanting beauty… seen in their eyes", Duchess Lucia suddenly blurted out. This time, she didn't even glanced at Helena.

"I apologize if I remind you of someone", Helena caught the duchess' attention with just only a few words.

Duchess Lucia didn't expect that his son would open such private matter to her. "So you knew? Hemm.. Nero and Evangeline have already built a family when I came in the picture", Duchess Lucia uttered. "She was pregnant back then, and surely, a very lovely soul traveler as you are". 

"Do you mind if I ask…", Helena leaned forward with her very inquisitive stares.

"… why am I still here?", Duchess Lucia squinted her eyes, with a smug on her face.

"Why do you still choose to love him?", Helena uttered, that have stunned the Duchess.

Duchess Lucia was left astounded, opening her mouth without any words came out. Helena's clever thoughts pricked her like a needle. Seeing herself on the shiny dessert spoon only showed how she have gotten soft as soon as Lord Nero is the person being talked about. "Am I that too obvious?", the Duchess sipped a little water at the surprising question.

"If you no longer love a person, and if the relationship never meant well... even as a former princess who I'm sure until now have more will and power than the lord, you should have at least left Hesam a long time ago. There's no viable reason to stay, given your divorce has been granted years ago. But you didn't... you chose to stay. You even watched your son suffer, and make the man you love call him a name that isn't his.", Helena bluntly said that impressed the Duchess.

Helena's demeanor made Duchess Lucia realize something. At this point, Helena's wit under her pretty face starts to annoy the vexed duchess. "Now I can see what my son saw in you. I think you'll make a good queen someday, Princess", Duchess Lucia love Nero, and longs for his attention. She have loved him from the moment she laid her eyes on him, despite having a pregnant partner beside the man she was forced to marry. As she witness how strong Nero's affection for his endearing soul traveler, Lucia swore to herself that she would have something similar like what Evangeline has. Thinking that she'd get the same attention, she used the circumstance of their fixed marriage to steal Nero from Evangeline. However, it never led to what she thought it would. And worst, Nero's love died along with Evangeline despite her choosing to stay after the divorce and keeping him pleased because of his losses regardless of what cost... even punishing his son.

"I guess not...", Helena knew that Duchess Lucia dislikes her, considering the evidently cold and hostile ambience in the warm tastfully room adornment they are in. The affection that she and Stellan share indeed came by as a surprise, after all. No one witnessed their courtship, not even a proper engagement. It is teuly possible for Stellan's parents to accept a woman who just came out of nowhere. "You may say your piece now. I know you've been wanting to tell me something ever since Stellan walked out of this room".

"I have only prayed for my son's happiness. And for him to bring his future wife to Hesam with a remarkable smile on his face, is one of the greatest blessing a mother could ever wish for.", Duchess Lucia is ready to toss everything out. "He's the only treasure I cherish most in this lifetime", she said.

"But?", Helena knew that there's more than those vague words.

"King Galen", two words that Helena knew would one day go between him and Stellan. "My only son will be in danger if you marry him. When my son told us the name of the woman he'll spend the rest of his life with, Nero and I were too stunned to even look each other in the eye. It was like a death sentence for Stellan. Galen searches for you along with his wicked love that makes him go mad. We do not want to be entangled with his affairs that would lead us to our own deaths", Duchess Lucia kept her chin up, with a grim face.

"He's a brother. We can't possibly form a certain kind of intimacy, much more marriage and children", Helena felt disgusted just thinking of such idea. 

"While that's true, you are still aren't connected by blood. Galen as the King will surely have ways.. and I want my son to stay out of it", Duchess Lucia sighed with eyes closed, leaning back on the chair. "You seem like a nice girl Helena. When I saw my son's smile that I have never seen before… I had second thoughts meddling with his personal life. That if I approve of this unrequited of yours, I'd be finally spared with the piling guilt and several gaps as an imperfect mother to Stellan. But still, I care for my son's safety. And with you, his life will be in danger. Maybe, I can find other ways to make it up to him", she said clearly.

"I.. I-I understand", Helena could hardly catch a phrase. Clearly, she became enlightened where the duchess is really coming from.

"There's a door behind you, on your right. Just follow the corridors and it will lead you to the inner bailey. There's an underground passage to the sewers, follow the emblem of Hesam and you'll find your way to the palace", Duchess Lucia didn't remove her gaze at Helena as she whisper audibly.

Helena felt her chest tightening hearing the words of the Duchess. This is the love of a mother to her son. She cannot blame Stellan's mother for loving him too much and wishing him the best of life there is to offer. Without any word, Helena stood up and led herself to the door, and went ahead just what the Duchess have told her. "Don't look back, Helena", Lucia said with a heavy heart, as she clasp on the edge of the armrest.