Chapter 215: Handing Over to the Queen

{Third Person}

One month later, an ordinary morning at the royal palace began with Queen Lysandra and the King’s concubine joining His Majesty for breakfast.

The morning had started peacefully enough, with the three of them seated around the long dining table in the King’s private dining room while servants moved quietly around them, serving fresh bread, fruits, eggs, roasted meat, and warm tea.

The young wolf prince had been born a month earlier, and although the child was still very young, his existence had already changed the atmosphere within the palace.

His mother had become increasingly confident since giving birth to a male heir, and that confidence had gradually begun to show in the way she spoke to everyone around her, including the Queen.

Lysandra had noticed it from the beginning, but she had chosen to remain silent. She sat beside the King with a composed expression while the younger woman spoke more than necessary.

At first, her remarks were harmless enough, but as breakfast continued, they became increasingly bold.

"It has been such a blessing having a healthy son," the concubine said with a smile as she gently placed her spoon down. "His Majesty must be very happy. After all, every father wants a strong male child who can carry his bloodline forward."

Lysandra slowly lifted her eyes from her plate.

The concubine did not seem to notice the warning in her expression, or perhaps she simply did not care.

"I think the palace feels different now," she continued. "There is something comforting about knowing that His Majesty has another son. A child like mine deserves to grow up surrounded by everything befitting his position."

Sebastian had remained quiet throughout her remarks, eating his breakfast without showing any particular reaction. The Queen, however, could feel the irritation growing inside her.

The concubine was becoming too comfortable.

She was no longer behaving like a woman who had been fortunate enough to receive the King’s affection. She was beginning to speak as though the birth of her son had given her a position she had never actually been granted.

Lysandra finally picked up her teacup and took a slow sip. The younger woman noticed and smiled.

"Your Majesty, I hope you don’t misunderstand me. I only mean that now that His Majesty has another son, perhaps some things within the palace will eventually change."

Lysandra’s fingers tightened slightly around the cup. Before she could respond, Sebastian finally raised his eyes. The look on his face was enough to silence the concubine for a moment.

"What things?"

The woman hesitated. "I only meant..." She smiled nervously before continuing, "That His Majesty now has another son to think about. I believe it is only natural that his future should be carefully considered."

Sebastian placed his cutlery down. The quiet sound immediately drew the attention of both women. He looked toward the concubine.

"You have been very talkative this morning."

The colour in her face changed slightly. "I apologize, Your Majesty."

Sebastian did not respond to the apology. Instead, he leaned back slightly in his chair and looked at her with an expression that gave nothing away.

When breakfast finally came to an end, the servants began clearing the table.

The concubine assumed that the King would dismiss them and allow her to return to her quarters with her son, but he spoke.

"Bring the prince here."

The concubine’s expression changed immediately. "Your Majesty?"

"You heard me."

A servant bowed and hurried away.

The woman stared at Sebastian in confusion before her face slowly tightened with concern. "Why does His Majesty want the prince?"

Sebastian looked at her. "I have made a decision concerning the child."

Her heart began beating faster. "What decision?"

Sebastian did not answer immediately.

A few minutes later, the servant returned carrying the infant carefully in his arms. The tiny prince was awake, his small face peaceful as he looked around without understanding anything happening around him.

The sight of him immediately softened his mother’s expression. She reached toward him instinctively. Sebastian, however, stopped her.

"The child will remain with the Queen."

The words fell heavily across the room. For several seconds, the concubine simply stared at him. Then she shook her head.

"No."

Sebastian’s expression hardened. "You have no authority to refuse."

She rose from her seat so quickly that the chair moved backwards. "Your Majesty, please." Her voice trembled. "You cannot take my son away from me."

"I am not taking him away." Sebastian corrected.

"You are giving him to her!" She pointed toward Lysandra, tears already filling her eyes.

Lysandra remained seated, though even she was stunned by the King’s decision. She had not expected this.

Sebastian turned his gaze toward the concubine. "The child is a prince of this kingdom. He requires protection, stability, and proper care. I have decided that the Queen will raise him."

The woman shook her head repeatedly. "Please, Your Majesty. I can take care of him. I have never neglected him. I have done everything for him since the day he was born."

"I know."

"Then please don’t do this." She moved closer, tears beginning to fall freely. "I beg you. Let me keep my son."

Sebastian’s expression remained firm. "You will still be his mother."

"But I will not be raising him!" Her voice broke as she covered her mouth, struggling to hold back another sob.

The child began to stir in the servant’s arms, seemingly disturbed by the tension in the room.

The concubine immediately reached toward him. "Please..."

Sebastian looked at the infant for a moment before turning his attention back to her. "I have made my decision."

She fell silent. The words left no room for negotiation.

Her eyes moved toward Lysandra, and the hatred that flashed through them was impossible to hide.

Lysandra met her gaze without saying anything. Inside, however, she was far from pleased about the King’s decision.

She had no desire to raise another woman’s child, especially one whose safety could easily become a matter of life and death.

If anything happened to the young prince while he was under her care, Sebastian would never overlook it.

Considering how strained their relationship had become, Lysandra could not dismiss the possibility that he might use such an incident as the final reason to destroy her.

She had already spent years protecting her position. Now the King was placing a dangerous responsibility directly into her hands.

The concubine seemed to realize that her pleas were useless, so she slowly lowered her hands, tears running freely down her cheeks as she looked at her son one last time before the servant carried him toward the Queen.

"No..." Her voice was barely audible. "Please..."

Sebastian did not change his mind.

The servant carefully placed the child into Lysandra’s arms.

The Queen looked down at the infant, her expression stiff and unwilling. She had no choice but to accept him.

The concubine watched the scene through a veil of tears. Her precious son was being carried away from her, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

She turned toward Sebastian one final time. "Your Majesty..."

He did not look at her. And that was all the answer she needed.

She covered her mouth as a sob escaped her and hurried out of the dining room before anyone could see her completely break down.

She returned to her quarters with tears streaming down her face, leaving the breakfast table behind and, with it, the son she had believed she would be allowed to raise herself.