In the palace courtyard...
The servants and guards stood in rows, their faces a mix of astonishment and joy as they welcomed a woman who appeared weary, yet her eyes radiated warmth and kindness.
She was Prince Raivan's mother.
Raivan approached her and gently embraced her, as if trying to hold all the pain of the years in a single moment.
Raivan (in a soft, warm voice):
"Julie, take my mother to the room I prepared for her."
Mother (surprised):
"When did you prepare a room for me, my son?"
Raivan (his eyes teary, yet steady):
"I had prepared a room worthy of you... hoping that one day... you would warm its cold walls."
She smiled and gently placed her hand on his cheek.
Mother:
"My son... you've been suffering alone."
Raivan (lowering his head):
"No, Mother... I don't want you to carry my burden now.
Go and rest. You've returned to where you belong."
She looked at him hesitantly, then smiled and silently walked away with Julie.
A short while later – In the Prince's Library
Raivan entered and sat at his desk. Moments later, Walter followed him in with hesitant steps.
Walter (in astonishment):
"Strange... How did the ruler allow you to bring her here?!"
Raivan (bitterly):
"Because he's sending me to my death."
Walter (stepping closer, alarmed):
"To where?! What do you mean?!"
Raivan (taking a deep breath):
"Dalma... the plague has taken over.
Everyone who entered... never came out.
The ruler said the village will be sealed off. If I can't find a solution... the disease will spread.
So... he agreed to let me bring my mother, on the condition that I go."
Walter (furious):
"You can't go! This is madness! We'll find another way!"
Raivan:
"It's an order from the ruler... and as long as he's promised to keep my mother safe, I'll sacrifice anything."
Walter (firmly):
"Then I'll go with you!"
Raivan (placing a hand on his shoulder):
"No. If anything happens to me... take care of my mother, and of this palace. It will be yours."
Walter (voice trembling, trying to hold back emotion):
"Don't be stubborn, Raivan..."
Raivan (with calm eyes):
"My mind is made up.
I'll leave in the morning.
Just don't tell my mother yet—let her rest a little."
He gently places his hand again on Walter's shoulder.
Raivan:
"I'm counting on you... my friend."
Walter (eyes glistening):
"But... Raivan—"
Raivan (voice tight, heading toward the door):
"Tell Hind to prepare lunch... all my favorite dishes.
We'll celebrate my mother's return—if only for a few hours."
The prince stepped out, his strides steady—
but his heart shattered.
"What kind of father sends his son to the edge of death?"
Inside the dining hall,
The mother sat at the table, her eyes fixed tenderly on her son, while the servants placed dishes carefully around them.
Raivan did not allow himself to dwell on the fact that she was there;
the joy of having her beside him swept away all the sorrow in his heart.
Mother:
"You know… every time I sit alone, I remember a little boy who would only eat from my hands. Haha."
Raivan:
"I used to feel safe then… your hands made me believe that no matter how chaotic the world was, there was peace surrounding me."
Mother:
"And now that you've grown, I find my peace only near you.
You've become a wonderful man.
I'm so proud of you, my little one."
Raivan smiled gently and took her hand.
Raivan:
"Let's eat before the food gets cold."
Mother (for the first time):
"I will truly enjoy my meal… because you are here with me."
Night had fallen,
and a heavy silence cloaked the palace, as if it were holding its breath against the looming dangers from afar.
Raivan ordered for Mera to be brought to him.
She entered hesitantly, yet her eyes never left his.
Raivan's voice was stern:
"Listen carefully. The plague is spreading, and I've decided to go see for myself. Be obedient to my mother and Walter; do not oppose them. They will manage things in my absence."
He paused, then added:
"If Walter can't handle the Queen here, he will sell the palace… and take you all somewhere safe and far away."
Mera's voice trembled, her expression tense:
"Please don't say that… for every illness there's a cure! Let me come with you!"
Raivan raised an eyebrow in surprise:
"Where do you think you're going? This is no picnic, Mera."
She lifted her head with a mix of confidence and worry:
"I have some knowledge of ancient medicine. I can help you on this journey."
He stepped closer, gazing intently into her eyes:
"Where did you learn medicine?"
She smiled faintly:
"From my grandmother… she knew much about herbal remedies."
Raivan seemed lost in thought for a moment, as if a memory struck his soul, then nodded:
"Alright… but if I sense any danger, I'll send you back immediately. Go now and prepare. We leave at dawn."
Mera left the room, her heart pounding like war drums, her steps quick toward the unknown. Raivan's eyes followed her silently, hiding a deep worry no one had ever seen in him before.
In the darkness of the night, Raivan quietly entered his mother's room.
She was peacefully asleep, her face glowing softly with a warmth shaped by years of longing.
He stepped closer, sat by her feet, and whispered as if speaking to his own heart:
"Forgive me, Mother… for leaving once again."
With trembling hands, he gently pulled a soft blanket over her shoulders:
"I just wanted to see you… to feel your touch one more time.
And now… I can leave."
He stood in silence and stepped out, as though leaving his very soul behind that door.
In the sky… the first thread of dawn appeared...unlike any dawn before it.
Outside, the wind began to howl, as if nature itself was preparing for a farewell unlike any other…
At first light, the horses neighed, and the clear sky concealed a fate known only to God.