The gentle breeze ruffled Aiden’s hair as he sat on the balcony with his servant, both of them gazing at the round table between them. The sun shone brightly, unclouded by snow or dark skies. On the table lay a chessboard mid-game.

Five days had passed since Aiden set foot back home, spending warm moments with his mother. He was glad she finally showed closeness again. Yet, he could not shake off his doubts—why had she suddenly changed?

“How have things been?” Duncan asked, moving a black piece. He had just returned from duty.

“Pretty good.” Aiden slid forward a white piece. “But I still wonder. I never thought Momma would be this close to me again. The last time was before I entered Altiora. Is something wrong with her?”

“There’s no way she doesn’t have problems. She’s the ruler of a nation.”

“I mean something serious.”

“Every problem a ruler faces is serious, my lord.”

Aiden traced his finger along the table’s edge. “Then what does she want from me? It can’t be just rest. If that were the case, she could’ve called me home long ago.”

For a while Duncan only stared at a single black piece—the queen.

“I don’t know,” he finally replied. “Maybe your mother simply wants to mend her bond with you. Don’t overthink it, my lord. Just treat this as a spring holiday.”

Aiden nodded slightly and returned to the game.

He played more aggressively, while Duncan stuck to defense. At one point, Aiden captured Duncan’s queen, thinking it had slipped his attention. Smirking, he said, “Are you serious?” and promptly devoured the queen. “Looks like age has shrunk your brain.”

“Really?” Duncan chuckled, then launched a counterattack. In just three moves, he overturned the game and silenced Aiden’s smugness. “So, whose brain is shrinking now?”

Aiden gave no answer, focusing intently.

“Don’t be so serious,” Duncan teased. “You’ll grow gray hair.”

“Damn it!” Aiden surrendered. One by one his pieces fell, Duncan leaving no room for a draw. “I was winning. How did it end like this?”

“Simple. You tried too hard to dominate. Playing white does give the advantage of the first move, but you ignored the greater consequences. When you thought you’d won after taking my queen, you forgot one thing: true victory doesn’t come from who seems ahead, but from who endures to the end.”

“Wise words,” Aiden muttered. “You were just lucky. I wasn’t even playing seriously.”

“Oh really? I could see the veins in your neck bulging.”

Aiden reached for his cup, only to find it empty. “That’s just because my hot chocolate ran out.”

“Excuses, excuses.” Duncan chuckled, then rose from his chair. “I’ll make you another.”

“Not hot chocolate. Tea this time.”

Duncan signaled okay.

Once the door shut, Aiden rose and walked to the balcony railing. Today he would leave the house alone. He had planned this. Even the chess game—and his feigned behavior—were part of his trick to keep Duncan unsuspecting. The frustration, however, was genuine.

He had to go alone. This was personal, something he’d always hidden from his meddlesome servant. With his mother out until nightfall, this was the only chance.

For four days he had observed couriers arriving at least once every hour. He had even tracked their movements during chess games. Right on schedule, one appeared from the back storage.

“Hey, Trucker!” Aiden called softly.

The courier stopped, glancing around in confusion.

“Up here!”

“You calling me?”

“Yes.” Aiden gestured, then tossed down something wrapped in cloth. “Open it.”

The courier unwrapped it. Inside lay a pouch of coins worth quite a sum, along with a note:

If you want more, bring a ladder and place it by my balcony. Give me a ride. Think of a way to get me past the gate guards unseen. I’ll be waiting an hour from now. If you agree, give me a sign.

Trucker looked up at the boy, shaking his head. So young, already bribing people. What would become of him? Despite being just a courier, he still held to his integrity.

Seeing the man’s reaction, Aiden raised two fingers—doubling the payment. In less than three seconds, Trucker changed his mind.

Right then Duncan returned with a cup of tea. “Want to keep playing?”

“I think I’d rather read quietly, then rest. I’ve got a bit of a headache.”

“You said you weren’t playing seriously, yet it gave you a headache.” Duncan set the cup inside. “Very well. If you need anything, just call.”

Aiden nodded, and Duncan shut the door.

The next hour dragged endlessly. At last, Aiden was ready—boots on, cloak draped. True to their deal, Trucker arrived, set a ladder against the hidden side of the wall, and waited.

Once Aiden descended, he folded the ladder, stowed it among the stacked cargo, and slipped into the seat beside the driver. At Trucker’s command, he donned a wide hood and shabby cloak. Aiden asked no questions. The wagon rolled on.

Unlike other royal families, Aiden and Anna did not live in a palace. Their palace stood outside Fellbrook, used only as a symbol and administrative center—Aiden had never even set foot in it. Their home wasn’t like the grand manors with towering porticoes, domed turrets, or flamboyant statues. It was just a modest two-story house with broad front and back gardens, ringed by stone walls. Two guards stood at the gate, opening it for visitors and those with clearance—Trucker included.

Aiden bowed his head as the guards scanned the wagon. Whatever plan Trucker had, Aiden trusted it. He closed his eyes so his distinctive eye color wouldn’t catch their attention.

Seconds passed uneventfully. No inspection. When Aiden opened his eyes, they were already beyond the gates.

“Strange,” he muttered. “How did you keep them from suspecting?”

“Credit goes to Charlie. You can come out now!” Trucker shouted behind him.

Aiden startled. From the piled cargo, a tough-looking child climbed out.

Trucker handed the kid a few coins. “Don’t buy too many sweets. Your teeth will fall out faster.”

The child pocketed them and hopped off the moving wagon.

“I didn’t know you had a boy hiding back there,” said Aiden.

“Charlie’s a girl,” Trucker corrected, startling him further. “She’s good at hiding. I had her sit beside me earlier, so the guards wouldn’t think twice when I left with someone.”

“Clever,” Aiden admitted.

“So, where are you headed?” Trucker asked.

“Could you take me to Romley Street?”

“Of course.”

They fell silent, until Trucker broke it with a grin. “You’re going to see a girl, aren’t you?”

Aiden frowned. “How do you know?”

“Your manner gives it away. When I was your age, I used to sneak out to see the girl I fancied. My grandma forbade me from dating. Said if I did, I’d end up a courier. And, well—she was right.”

“You may be right, though not about destiny. I am going to see a girl. I like her. But I don’t know if she feels the same. When I confessed, she just laughed.”

“That means she turned you down.”

“Seems so.”

“You planning to confess again?”

“I don’t know. For now, I just want to know how she’s doing. I’m not even sure she still lives in Fellbrook.”

“Try again anyway. Who knows? Maybe this time she’ll say yes. You’ve got two big assets: looks and money.”

“Thanks, Trucker.”

“My name’s Felix.”

Silence fell. Then Felix spoke again. “By the way, I’ve never seen you before. Are you a guest of the Lewis family?”

Aiden hesitated. He was forbidden from revealing his identity before the right time, unless his mother did so herself—as with the salmon merchant. If Felix knew he was Anna’s son, the courier would no doubt take him straight back home.

“Yes, I’m their guest,” Aiden replied. “I came from abroad. My parents have business with them.”

“I see.” Felix nodded, then went on. “The Lewis family is kind, aren’t they? You must have felt it staying under their roof. I often get tips when meeting Her Majesty the Queen. But her kindness goes far beyond that. My grandma says Nordavia used to be harsh land—nobody wanted to live here. People wandered just to survive. But since Queen Anna took the throne, this land of misery turned into a thriving kingdom. Permanent settlements rose, and the economy flourished.”

Aiden didn’t want to hear it. Anything about his mother’s achievements—or his brother’s—only weighed him down. But Felix rambled on, too eager to stop.

“And you know what else? Her son is smart and strong. I envy him—we’re the same age. While I’m just a courier, Prince Elden has already become Lord Protector by his own merit. In terms of governance, a Lord Protector is equal to a King or Queen. His presence secures Eirabelle’s stability. He’ll be a great successor. My grandma adores him… though I think she mostly adores his handsome face.”

Aiden shrank in spirit, muttering only, “Is that so?”

“Yes. Without them, people like me would never have escaped poverty. Even if all I do is deliver packages, I earn decent pay and live with safety. And the Crown often helps the needy. No wonder so many revere them—especially Queen Anna.”

Aiden glanced at the street sign. “Well, Trucker, I’ll get off here.” Truth was, he just didn’t want to feel smaller than he already did.

“You sure?”

“Yes. It’s close enough.” He handed over some coins. “I’ll give you the rest when I return. I’ll need a ride and that ladder of yours. Meet me back here in about half an hour.”

“Alright.”

Aiden walked on, Felix’s words lingering. How could he not be overshadowed by his mother and brother, when their achievements towered while he drifted aimlessly? Yet he knew Felix hadn’t meant to wound him—he’d only spoken his admiration for the ones who had changed his life.

Thankfully, gloom did not last. Aiden arrived at his destination, his face lighting up. A small restaurant stood before him, the aroma of its dishes still wafting. He paused, recalling memories tied to someone.

He stepped inside. A middle-aged woman he knew greeted him warmly, moving toward the counter.

“Welcome, sir. What would you like to order?” she asked. For a moment she froze, staring at him with a puzzled recognition. Frowning, she murmured, “Aiden?”

“How have you been, Mrs. Hopkins?” Aiden greeted.

“Is it really you?” she blinked in disbelief. Aiden nodded, erasing her doubts. She ushered him to a seat.

She always served him food whenever he came. Today was no different—a bowl of beef stew.

“Ten years,” Mrs. Hopkins said, watching him eat. “I can hardly believe it. The gloomy little boy who used to come to my restaurant has grown this tall.”

“That’s because of your cooking.”

“Oh, you.” Mrs. Hopkins giggled shyly, then grew somber, dabbing at her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Aiden asked.

“Seeing you reminds me of Lina. You two used to play together.”

Aiden’s mind jolted. “What happened to her?” he asked anxiously.

“She’s fine,” Mrs. Hopkins reassured him. “Five years ago, after finishing elementary school, Lina left Fellbrook for further studies in Delara. She was offered a scholarship by the elite Hareyard Academy. You know, after losing her father, Lina’s life wasn’t easy. She matured quickly. I didn’t want to hold her back—she deserved the best future. She’s brilliant. And I’m not her real parent anyway. But…” Mrs. Hopkins struggled against a sob, “I miss her.”

Aiden reached across the table, taking her hand. “I miss her too. But Lina’s a good girl. She’ll come back one day to repay your kindness. She sees you as her mother.”

“Really?”

“She’s very proud of you.”

Mrs. Hopkins smiled. “Thank you, Aiden.” Wiping her face, she brightened again. “How are things with your mom? Are they better now?”

Mrs. Hopkins didn’t know who Aiden’s mother really was. She only knew their relationship had been strained. That was why Aiden often came to her restaurant—for comfort.

“Yes. We went out together a few days ago.”

“I’m glad. You should forgive her. I’m sure she’s a good person. After all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, right?”

Aiden nodded.

Not long after, more customers began to arrive, enough to keep Mrs. Hopkins busy.

“Sorry, Aiden, I have to tend to the guests.”

“I’ll help you,” he said, tidying his empty bowl.

“No need. You just sit.”

“I still have a few minutes before I go.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 4: A Shattering Truth