Before leaving the capital, Yuvan went to the pce to bid farewell to Ruth.


    Her eyes were brimming with tears as she spoke, "If you truly care for me, you''ll petition His Majesty to allow me to go to Valken with you. At least then we wouldn''t have to endure this separation, never knowing when we might see each other again." Yuvan knelt before her, his voice choked with emotion as he replied, "Mom, I don''t want to leave you either. But Valken is nothing like the pce. Your body wouldn''t be able to bear the long and exhausting journey."


    Ruth dabbed at her tears. "There was a time when your sister could stay in the pce and look after me. But now that she''s been sent to the Heritage Bureau and you''re returning to Valken, what hope do I have left here? Besides, I''m much better now. The hardships of the journey won''t trouble me. If you won''t petition His Majesty, then I''ll do it myself. He''s kind hearted. I''m sure he''ll allow us to stay together."


    "Mom, we''ll be reunited soon, I promise. Just give me a little time."


    Ruth reached for his hand, her frail fingers like brittle branches yet gripping him tightly.


    "My son, the country is at peace now. The people are safe and living stable lives. The Southern Frontier has been reimed, and the fighting at Victory Pass has ceased. You must work hard to govern your territory well.


    "Starhaven can be the prosperous and peaceful realm your dad envisioned, a ce where everyone thrives. Nothing is more important than that. I''ve spent most of my life in this secluded pce, and I''ve seen so little of the world. But even I know that the people want nothing more than to live in peace and security."


    Yuvan''s expression faltered for a moment, but he forced a smile. "Mom, you''ve spent your life in the pce. The things you''ve been told were filtered before they ever reached you. What you see isn''t the full picture.


    "The capital may be prosperous, but do you know how many people still live in misery? They go hungry,ck proper clothing, and sell their children or pawn their wives just to survive. The heavy taxes andbor levies leave them overwhelmed."


    Ruth started to shake her head, but Yuvan sped her hand tightly, continuing, "And do you know about the Sinir family-father and sons-who died on the battlefield at the Southern Frontier? His Majesty could have sent Rafael to the frontlines earlier, but he hesitated. He feared Rafael might grow too powerful, and that dy cost the Sinir family their lives."


    "No, you''ve only heard rumors," Ruth said firmly. "I mayck experience, but even I know howplicated the situation at the Southern Frontier was. The Duke of Northwatch reimed the region once, but Sandoria''s counterattack caught thempletely off guard. "That wasn''t something His Majesty or the court officials could have foreseen. And don''t forget, His Majesty had only just ascended the throne. Who could have predicted such a swift reversal of fortune?"


    Her frail hands suddenly mped


    tightly around Yuvan''s wrist, tears streaming down her face. "My son, listen to me. Valken is a wealthy domain. It will bring you and your children a lifetime of prosperity. Do not take unnecessary risks don''t gamble with your life


    ryour


    family''s."


    Yuvan frowned, his tone sharpening as he said, "Mom, what are you talking about? What do you think I''m nning to do? I was only pointing out some ws in the system. It''s just a casual conversation between us, nothing more."


    Her cloudy eyes met his, a strange mixture ofughter and sorrow in her gaze.


    "A casual conversation," she murmured. "Yes, just idle chatter. I know your heart is kind. If you''re unhappy with your princess consort or your concubine, then take more women into your household.


    Surround yourself with those who can warm your heart and brighten your days. Life could be so good-don''t give me reasons to worry about you."


    Yuvan''s expression darkened slightly. "Who''s been whispering nonsense into your ears, Mom? Who''s been spinning tales to make me out as some sort of traitor? I am myself, and Eleanor is Eleanor.


    "I hold justice in my heart; I am no rebel or usurper. And let me tell you this if ever someone raises their sword against the capital, it will only be because the king has be corrupt and unworthy of the throne."


    Ruth trembled at his words, withdrawing her hands slowly.


    "I am an old woman," she said weakly. "I shouldn''t meddle in such matters. Let''s pretend I never heard that or asked about it. But remember this-I am your mom, and I still live in this pce."


    Yuvan was silent for a long moment before he spoke softly, "Mom, don''t worry. The queen dowager is merciful. No matter what happens, she''ll see to it that you live out your days in peace." Ruth smiled faintly, though tears glistened in her eyes.


    "Good, very good," she said with a bitterugh. "A son who ces his mom''s fate in the hands of someone else''s mercy-such a devoted son I have."