"Miss Catherine, so you are back. Where were you all these years? I want to know everything," the king said.
Sir Andrew then told the king everything—everything except about William.
Catherine gave him a small, grateful smile as she realized he had kept her son's secret. Had he mentioned William, the boy would've been hunted down.
Sir Andrew stepped back and whispered quietly into her ear, "I am a man of my word, Miss Catherine."
Catherine's heart warmed for a brief moment—until a loud slap echoed through the grand hall.
Sir Eddie had struck her across the face in front of everyone.
"You made me feel ashamed in front of the entire court, Catherine!" he roared. "You ran away with that commoner and rejected noble marriage proposals. You are nothing but a disgrace—a taboo upon our family name!"
Sir Eddie was her father—the king's younger brother and the right hand of the throne.
"I am thankful to Sir Andrew for bringing you back," the king said coldly. "This time, you will not disobey me. And tell me—where is that swordsmith boyfriend of yours? Is that freak dead? Awww, how sad."
Sir Eddie smirked mockingly.
Catherine's eyes filled with quiet pain, but she replied calmly, "He was not a freak. I loved him—and I still do. He's still with me, even after death."
Her words weren't about the man himself—but about William, her son, who carried his father's blood. She had wanted him to live a normal life—away from war, away from magic—but everything was now beyond her control.
Sir Eddie's voice broke her thoughts. "You will stay here with us now. Even if you brought shame upon me, you are still my daughter. You'll live under this roof again. Marriage is impossible for you now—everyone knows your pathetic love story. Forget the past and move on."
The king turned to the maids. "Take her to the room she used to stay in."
The maids bowed and escorted her away. Among them was a familiar face—Stephanie, her closest friend since the age of fourteen.
"Everyone leave… except her," Catherine ordered softly.
When the others left, Stephanie turned to her and said, "You're married, aren't you, Catherine?"
"Yes," Catherine whispered. "And I don't want to stay here. I want to go back."
"It can't happen now," Stephanie said sadly. "You have no freedom anymore. And that swordsmith… where is he?"
Catherine's voice trembled. "He's dead. He fell from a cliff while collecting wood. I was three months pregnant at that time."
Stephanie's eyes widened. "You… you have a baby?! Don't tell me—are you insane?! If your father finds out, he'll kill the child! What's his name? How old is he? Where is he now?"
"Well… yes, I have a boy. He's four years old. His name is William," Catherine said quietly. "But I don't know where he is now."
"You don't know?!" Stephanie gasped. "How could you be so careless, Catherine?! He has your blood! He could be dead by now!"
"Just shut up! Don't forget I am a noble!" Catherine snapped. Then, realizing her mistake, she softened. "I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."
Stephanie sighed. "You could've said that peacefully without reminding me of my place."
"I really am sorry," Catherine repeated. "But I need to find him. Can you help me? Is there someone who can track him?"
Stephanie hesitated. "Well… there's Edric, the spy. He might be able to find him."
"That eccentric spy?" Catherine frowned. "Not him."
"But if he's your only chance, then trust him," Stephanie said.
Catherine nodded slowly. "Alright. If he can find William… I'll give him a chance."
"Do you have anything that could help identify your son?" Stephanie asked.
"No," Catherine said. "But… he has blue eyes. And he's five feet tall—even though he's only four."
"That's unusually tall," Stephanie murmured. "Alright, I'll tell Edric everything. He'll begin the search."
"Also, tell him to look near the village on Mount Kamado," Catherine added. "That's where we used to live."
Stephanie bowed and hurried to meet Edric.
"I'll find him," Edric said after hearing everything. "But it will cost you—one hundred gold coins."
"You'll get it," Stephanie replied firmly. "For now, just go and find him as soon as possible."
The search began.
A week passed, but life in the kingdom continued as usual—unchanged, cold, and indifferent.
Meanwhile, only three days remained for the entrance exam. William was busy helping George with work, following him everywhere.
"Only three days left, then I'll go to the magic school!" William said excitedly.
George chuckled. "It's just an entrance test, kid. But I trust you. Do your best."
Later, they returned to the merchant, collected the wages, and walked home.
But as they approached George's house, they noticed a man standing silently in front of the main door.
They stopped.
George frowned and stepped forward. "Who are you?"
The man slowly turned his head. His cloak fluttered in the wind, revealing a faint scar running down his cheek and a strange silver pendant hanging from his neck.
His cold blue eyes locked onto William.
"You…" he whispered.
a name for this chapter