THE REUNION

"Give back what you stole!" the guard barked, glaring at little Lycian. His face was red with anger as he tightened his grip on the boy's arm.

"I didn't steal anything from you! Let me go!" Lycian shouted, struggling hard to free himself.

"Don't lie to me, boy!" the guard snapped, his voice harsher now. "I know you took bread from the kitchen. Hand it over!"

"I said I didn't take anything, you stupid old man!" Lycian yelled, his face scrunched in anger. With all his might, he kicked the guard's leg. The man let out a yelp, grabbing his shin and hopping on one foot. Lycian seized the chance and tried to run, but the guard was quick and grabbed him again.

"You little thief," the guard snarled. "I'll teach you a lesson!" He raised his hand to strike Lycian.

Before the blow landed, Astoria appeared. She swept in, pulling Lycian close to her. 

"Finally, the whore shows up!" the guard spat, his words with venom. "Your brat stole

something. Tell him to give it back!"

Astoria took a steadying breath. Though her heart raced, she stood tall. "If my son did anything wrong, you come to me first," she said firmly, her voice trembling slightly but holding its ground. "You have no right to lay a hand on him. That is not your place." 

The guard sneered, but Astoria's fierce gaze held him at bay.

"What did you say?" The Guard named Tyran growled, his tone low and threatening as he stepped closer. Astoria instinctively backed away, fear tightening her chest.

"Lycian," she turned to her son, her voice soft but urgent, "did you take something?"

"Nothing, Mother," Lycian said, his small face sincere. "Senora offered me bread from the kitchen because I was hungry. I took it, but then she told the guards I stole it." 

Astoria's eyes snapped to Senora, her glare with anger. 

"Look at me like that again," Senora sneered, stepping forward, "and I'll pluck those eyes out myself."

Astoria's heart raced, but she forced herself to look down. Fear clawed at her, but she refused to step back entirely. She couldn't. Ever since Lycian was born, she had vowed to grow a spine, to protect him in this evil palace. If she didn't stand up now, who would? 

"And you, little rat," Senora snarled, pointing a finger at Lycian. "How dare you drag my name into your filthy lies? You stole that bread! Don't you dare try to blame me." 

Astoria clenched her fists, her voice shaking but firm. "If you're done shouting, Senora, maybe we can talk like adults."

"We may be nothing in this palace, but I have taught my child to be content with the little we're given. Don't you dare call him a thief!" Astoria warned

"Are you talking to me?" Senora hissed, her tone filled with menace.

"It seems you've forgotten your place," Tyran sneered, pulling out a whip. "Maybe it's time to remind you with a lesson."

Astoria's eyes narrowed, her fear momentarily overshadowed by anger. "Maybe you should focus all that rage on your lover, Senora," she said sharply. "Are you aware of her late-night escapades with the guard on duty?"

The color drained from Senora's face, her confidence crumbling. Tyran turned to her, his eyes blazing with shock and fury. 

"What escapes ? What is she saying ?" he demanded.

"I... I don't know why she would say such a thing, I would never ch..cheat" Senora stammered, her voice shaking. Then she spun to glare at Astoria, her face with rage. "I'll kill you for this!"

"What's going on here?" came a sharp, commanding voice. The head maid appeared, her presence enough to silence the chaos instantly.

Senora lowered her head like a scolded child. "Astoria's son stole bread," she said quickly. "We were only scolding him for it."

Astoria opened her mouth to protest, but the head maid cut her off. "The Alpha has just passed away, and instead of honoring his memory with silence, you're squabbling over a loaf of bread?" Her voice was like ice. 

Senora flinched, bowing her head even lower. 

"The prince will arrive soon. Have you prepared his chambers?" the head maid demanded.

"I... I was just about to," Senora stammered, her words stumbling over themselves.

"Incompetent fool," she muttered under her breath, then turned sharply to Astoria. "You! Make yourself useful and clean the prince's chambers. He will finally be back home after six whole years, and the least we can do is make sure his room is welcoming."

Astoria wanted to argue—it wasn't her place to enter the royal chambers. But one look at the head maid's stern face told her there was no point. She lowered her head and mumbled, "Yes, ma'am," before hurrying off with her son.

After settling her child safely in the maids' quarters, she walked to the prince's chambers. Her steps were slow and careful as she pushed the heavy door open and stepped inside.

The air was stale, and the room was a mess. Dust covered every surface, and cobwebs stretched across the corners like forgotten threads of time. She closed the door behind her, letting out a small sigh as her eyes swept over the neglected space. There was so much to do.

She started by wiping the dusty furniture, her hands moving quickly and efficiently. Next, she rearranged items that had been left out of place and opened the windows, letting fresh air rush in to chase away the years of stillness.

As she worked, memories filled her mind—memories of that night with Kieran. A faint smile crept onto her face, unbidden but warm. It had happened so suddenly, but it remained one of the most unforgettable nights of her life. The night the man she had always loved had chosen her.

Even though Kieran still didn't know anything had happened between them, the alcohol hadn't helped him remember. But Astoria remembered every detail. She knew a man like Kieran could never love her or marry her, but that didn't stop her from dreaming of a life with him.

She took a deep breath as she kept cleaning, working for hours until the room was spotless.

When she was finally done, she sank into the soft, warm bed. She breathed in what little scent of Kieran lingered on the pillow. A smile crossed her face as she whispered to herself, "I wish you were here. Even if I can never be close to you, I've always been happy watching you from afar."

She took another deep breath, holding the pillow to her face, smiling like a teenager in love. 

Then, a deep, manly voice broke the silence, and her smile vanished in an instant. 

"I must say, I never thought I would see someone besides me so comfortable in that bed…"