Chapter 6 The painful truth

Three days had passed. Three days since Garrick had walked out of the cottage with her newborn daughter wrapped tightly in his arms. Three days since the royal guards had taken him away to Ravencrest Palace. And three days since Madonna had slept.

She sat outside the small cottage, her eyes fixed on the narrow forest path. Every sound made her heart race. Every passing traveler made her look up But none of them was her father. The villagers pretended not to stare as they walked by.

They lowered their voices whenever they passed her home. “I heard she gave birth without a husband.”

“They say the child was born beneath the Blood Moon.” “Poor Garrick…” “He spent his whole life protecting the village, only for shame to find his own household.”

Madonna heard every word. She simply lowered her head and continued peeling herbs for her grandmother. The old woman gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to keep working.” Madonna forced a weak smile. “If I stop… My mind won’t stop." The grandmother's eyes softened. “You should eat something.” “I’m not hungry.” “You haven’t been hungry for days.” Madonna looked toward the empty cradle standing in the corner of the cottage.

It was still exactly where she had left it. The tiny blanket folded neatly inside. The sight tightened something inside her chest. “I don’t even know… if she’s cold.” Her voice broke. “…or if she’s hungry.”

The elderly woman pulled her into a gentle embrace.

“No mother should carry this pain.” Tears rolled silently down Madonna’s cheeks. “I didn’t even give her a name. I held her for only a few minutes. I don’t know if anyone will ever call her daughter.” Grandmother closed her eyes.

Neither of them noticed dawn slowly breaking beyond the hills. Before long, Madonna wiped away her tears and stood.m“I’m going to Blackwood.” Her grandmother looked up sharply. “Child…” “If my father truly left her there… I have to know.” The old woman hesitated before giving a small nod. “I’ll go with you.”

The journey through Blackwood Forest was quiet. Rainwater still clung to the leaves from the storm days before. The deeper they walked, the quieter the forest became. Madonna had never entered this far before.

Every step made her heart beat faster.

Finally… The ancient Moon Willow came into view.

Its silver branches swayed gently in the morning breeze. Madonna ran toward it. “Please…”

She fell to her knees beneath the great tree. Her eyes searched desperately. Nothing. No child. No tiny bundle wrapped in her father’s cloak. Only damp earth and fallen silver leaves. A sob escaped her lips. She pressed both hands against the ground. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.” The old woman quietly searched the clearing. Then she stopped. “There are footprints.”

Madonna quickly looked up. “What?” The old woman crouched near the roots of the tree. “The rain washed away most of them… but someone came here after your father.” Madonna hurried over. “Could it have been the royal guards?” The midwife slowly shook her head. “No. Their boots leave deeper marks.” She studied the faint prints one last time. “Whoever stood here… carried something away.” Madonna’s heart skipped. Her eyes filled with tears once more. She didn’t know whether to hope… or to fear. She looked up at the moon-shaped branches stretching above her. “If you’re alive…” Her voice trembled. “…please forgive your mother.”

A cool breeze swept through the clearing, rustling the silver leaves overhead. One leaf drifted gently from the branches and landed in Madonna’s hands. She stared at it silently. she couldn’t explain it but It felt like an answer.

The Temple of the Moon stood in perfect silence. Soft rays of morning sunlight filtered through the crystal windows, painting silver patterns across the white marble floor. Queen Elara climbed the temple steps slowly, followed only by a single maid. She had made this journey every month for the past twelve years.

Today was no different. The High Priest was already waiting before the altar. He bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty.” Elara offered a gentle smile. “High Priest.”

The maid quietly stepped back, leaving the two of them alone. The queen walked to the altar and lit a small silver candle before the statue of the Moon Goddess. Its flame flickered softly. She closed her eyes. “Please…If I have done anything to offend You… Forgive me. I have asked for nothing but a child.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I do not seek more power. I do not seek a greater throne. I only wish to hear someone call me Mother.”

The High Priest lowered his eyes. Those words pierced deeper than she knew.

Only yesterday, he had learned that King Cassian already had a child… A child the queen knew nothing about. He silently pushed the thought aside. This was neither the time nor the place.

When Elara finished her prayer, she turned toward him. “Tell me honestly.” He met her eyes. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

She hesitated before asking the question that had lived in her heart for years. “Has the Moon Goddess shown you anything? Any vision… Any sign… That I will one day give my husband an heir?” The temple became very still. The High Priest remained silent for several moments. He remembered the silver light…

The child hidden beyond the northern border… The truth resting safely in Ravencrest. He could not speak it. Not yet.

Instead, he answered gently. “The Moon Goddess has never abandoned those who remain faithful.” Elara searched his face. “So… There is still hope?” “There is always hope, Your Majesty.” A faint smile appeared on her lips. “Thank you.” She bowed once before the altar. “I shall continue to wait.”

The High Priest watched her leave. Only after the great temple doors closed did the smile disappear from his face. He looked up at the statue of the Moon Goddess. “I have obeyed Your will.” He spoke quietly.

“I told her no lie… But neither did I tell her the truth.”

His fingers tightened around his staff. “If this child is truly part of Your plan… Then reveal her when the time is right.”

A cool breeze drifted through the temple, though every door remained shut. The silver flame upon the altar danced gently, The High Priest lowered his head. “I understand.” No answer came. Yet somehow… He felt he had been

The council chamber was unusually quiet. Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Ravencrest Palace, casting long shadows across the polished stone floor. King Aldric sat upon the throne while the royal elders discussed matters concerning the kingdom. Prince Kael’s naming ceremony. The harvest. The patrols along the northern border. Life had begun to return to normal. To everyone present…

The matter of the Blood Moon child had already ended. Only Seer Maelis remained distracted. She stood near the palace window, her cloudy eyes fixed on the distant Blackwood Forest. The feeling in her heart still hadn’t disappeared. Weak… Faint… Yet undeniably alive. She slowly turned toward the throne.

“Your Majesty.” King Aldric lifted his gaze. “Speak, Maelis.” The elderly seer leaned upon her staff.

“There is something I wish to ask.” The king nodded.

“You have never needed permission.” Maelis took a slow breath. “If another girl were born beneath a future Blood Moon… another child destined to become the next Moon Queen… What would you do?” The elders exchanged puzzled glances. King Aldric answered without hesitation. “I would uphold the Law. If that child threatened my queen…then she would meet the same fate.” The room fell silent. Maelis lowered her eyes. “So… You would spill innocent blood again.”

A frown crossed the king’s face. “I would protect my wife. And my son. The crown demands difficult choices.” The old seer nodded thoughtfully. “It does.”

She slowly lifted her head. “So did your father.” Aldric frowned. “My father?” Maelis met his gaze. “Do you remember your mother?” “Of course.” “Do you remember why she surrendered her place as Moon Queen?” The king answered immediately. “Because Queen Selene had already been chosen. My mother’s time had come. She accepted it.” Maelis gave a small nod. “She accepted the Moon Goddess’s will.” Aldric folded his arms. “My mother made that sacrifice because Selene was born when she had reached the proper age. That is different.”

Maelis’ expression became firm. “Is it?” The question lingered between them. “No one commands the Moon Goddess, Your Majesty. No king. No queen. No seer. She chooses as She pleases.” The chamber remained silent. Maelis continued. “Your mother understood that. She sacrificed her crown so that Queen Selene could take her place. Not because she was forced… But because she knew destiny cannot be bargained with.” She took another step forward. “You, however, have chosen another path. You have tried to protect destiny… by taking the life of an innocent child.” Aldric’s jaw tightened. “I did what any husband would do.” “You acted out of love.” Maelis did not argue. “But love should never become an excuse to challenge the will of the Moon Goddess.” Her grip tightened around her staff. “Be careful, King Aldric. You may believe the matter has ended… But fate has a way of returning to those who try to outrun it.” The king looked away. A flicker of doubt crossed his face. Before anyone could speak again, the great doors opened. A palace guard stepped inside and bowed. “Your Majesty. The nobleman, Garrick Ashcroft, has begun his assigned duties within the palace grounds.” Aldric gave a brief nod. “Very well.” The guard withdrew. The meeting resumed as though nothing had happened.

Only Maelis remained troubled. As she looked toward the distant forest once more, a single thought echoed through her mind. “Moon Goddess… Whatever path You have chosen… May this kingdom be strong enough to face it.”

The journey back to Valeria had ended days ago. Yet King Cassian found no peace. He stood alone on the balcony outside his chambers, watching the morning sun climb above the mountains. The kingdom was awake. Servants hurried through the courtyards. Knights trained below. Everything carried on as it always had. Everything… Except his thoughts. He could still remember that night. The burning pain spreading through his veins. The strange cottage where he had opened his eyes. The face of a frightened young woman who had refused to leave his side until the poison had passed. He had never even learned her name. A knock sounded at the chamber door “Enter.” The doors opened, and a tall knight stepped inside before dropping to one knee. “You summoned me, Your Majesty?” Cassian turned to face him. “Rise, Darius.” The knight obeyed.

“You have served me faithfully for many years. But now, I have only done my duty.” Cassian walked toward the table where a map of the neighboring kingdoms lay open. His finger rested on the border separating Valeria from Ravencrest. “I have a task for you.” Darius stepped closer. “Name it my king" “Several months ago, while returning from the eastern provinces, I was attacked near the Ravencrest border.

I remember hearing of the incident. I survived because someone saved my life.” The knight remained silent.

“I want you to return to that village.” Darius looked at the map. “What am I searching for, Your Majesty?” Cassian’s eyes lingered on the border for a long moment. Then he spoke quietly. “I don’t know. I never learned the name of the person who helped me. I don’t even know if they’re still there.” He folded the map. “But something tells me… that I left more behind than my gratitude.” Darius frowned slightly. “Should I inform the council of this mission?” “No.” “The queen?”

“No.” “The High Priest?” Cassian hesitated. “…No.”

“This journey remains between you and me.” Darius placed a fist over his chest. “As you command.” He turned and left the royal chambers.

Cassian remained standing by the window. His gaze drifted toward the distant northern mountains. He couldn’t explain why his heart had become restless.

It wasn’t guilt. It wasn’t curiosity. It felt… Like something was calling him.

Far away, beyond the forests of Ravencrest…

A little girl laughed in Rowan’s cottage as he struggled to keep her from pulling his beard. Neither of them knew that, with a single command…

The first thread of destiny had begun to tighten around them.