I Raised Him for Eighteen Years

“Have you lost your mind? I am your mother!”

If I still didn’t understand his intentions, all these years would have been in vain.

My own child had developed unthinkable feelings for me…

Fury and shock coursed through me as I raised my hand to slap some sense into him, but he caught my wrist in a firm grip.

“Yes, I’ve gone mad. Ever since the day I saw him step into your chambers, I’ve been insane,” he growled.

“If that old man can have you, why can’t I? I’m younger, stronger – isn’t that better?”

His words sent a chilling wave through my body, and I froze. “Caelan, you...”

But before I could finish, he cut me off, moving closer as if he no longer wanted to hear my protests.

“Genevieve, why won’t you understand? I truly love you...” he whispered, his voice filled with the raw agony of someone who had been holding in their suffering for far too long.

My heart pounded, terrified of what he was about to say.

If I allowed him to continue down this path, there would be no turning back.

I knew that if this unspeakable crime were ever discovered, not only would I be ruined, but he would forever be branded a monster, condemned for all eternity.

“Is it my death you seek?” I asked, my voice icy and unyielding, finally halting his frenzied advance.

“If you continue, you’ll see my lifeless body by morning. Is that what you want?”

I spoke with such finality, leaving no room for doubt. He needed to know that I was not bluffing.

He stared at me for a long moment, his tears suddenly falling, one by one.

I remembered so vividly the days when he was just a little boy, clinging to me as his only source of comfort in the cold, cruel palace.

I had held him, kissed him, loved him. He had been my sole solace in this barren life.

Seeing him cry like this, I felt my heart softening despite myself, and tears pricked at the corners of my own eyes.

“Mother, please rest early tonight,” he murmured, stepping away from the bed and averting his gaze.

With a stiff bow, he left without another word.

I didn’t sleep at all that night.

The next morning, Viola came in to help me prepare for the day.

That’s when I learned the horrifying truth: all the servants in my chambers the night before had been dragged away and executed.

Viola knelt at my feet, trembling so violently she could barely speak. It seemed she was nearly paralyzed with fear.

In a way, I understood why he did it. The palace was filled with prying eyes and loose tongues, and he likely did this to silence any potential witnesses forever.

But he hadn’t consulted me – hadn’t even warned me before spilling so much blood.

Was it truly for this reason alone?

I hesitated, unsure of what else to believe.

After the morning court session, Caelan burst into my chambers, practically dragging a veiled woman along with him.

When he tore the veil away, I was stunned – the woman bore a striking resemblance to me, seven or eight years younger.

A sickening realization settled over me.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I demanded.

He dismissed everyone else from the room and looked at me with a manic glint in his eyes. “I want to marry you, to crown you as my empress in full view of the world.”

I stared at him, utterly speechless. “You’ve lost your mind, Caelan. Do you truly think you can deceive the entire court?”

His eyes flashed with a dangerous intensity, his expression one of a beast about to pounce. “And if they speak out? Then I’ll sever their heads!”

I pointed at him, my voice trembling with rage. “You–!”

But he grabbed my hand, this time pleading. “Mother, please, just agree!”

I wrenched my hand free, so furious that I could feel the blood pounding in my ears.

After a moment of heavy silence, I spoke, my tone icy with determination. “The prime minister’s daughter, Lila – she is graceful, well-mannered, and intelligent. I’ve met her. She would be the perfect match for you.”

With a sharp crash, the teacup on the table shattered into pieces, knocked aside by his furious sweep.

“Do you no longer care for your father’s and brothers’ lives?”

What?

I spun around to face him, my heart seizing in fear.

His eyes blazed red with fury, his expression contorted with barely suppressed rage.

“Surely, you didn’t know. Last night, I had your family’s estate raided. Your father, the general, and both of your brothers have been imprisoned in the dungeons!”

He was using my family – my blood – to blackmail me. My fury erupted like wildfire, and I slapped him across the face with all my strength.

“What crime did they commit to deserve such cruelty? Why would you destroy them?”

His expression remained icy, his voice hard as iron. “Your family wields too much military power. They conspired with Lord Alistair and have controlled the court for far too long. If I didn’t strike first, I’d be the one sitting in a cell right now.”

I couldn’t deny the truth of his words.

If my father had known about the coup, he would never have stood by. He likely would have had Caelan dethroned and installed a new emperor.

But things should never have come to this…