POV: KAELIS DRAYDEN
Timeline: One month after the trial
Location: Arventis Royal Gardens - Memorial Site
The memorial is beautiful.
White marble. Two statues—Queen Seraphina and King Aldric—standing side by side. Holding hands. Looking toward the future they never got to see.
Below, an inscription:
QUEEN SERAPHINA DRAYDEN
KING ALDRIC DRAYDEN
Beloved Rulers. Devoted Parents.
Their love created the future. Their sacrifice protects it still.
Hundreds of people gather. Nobles. Citizens. Representatives from other kingdoms.
Nyx stands beside me. Ravion beside Kieran. All four of us in formal attire. Presenting a united front.
I step forward. Time for the dedication speech.
"We gather today," I begin, voice magically amplified, "to honor two people who were stolen from us. Who were murdered for power they never wanted. Who were erased from history by lies and manipulation."
The crowd is silent. Listening.
"Queen Seraphina was—by all accounts—kind. Gentle. Beloved by her people. She ruled with compassion. With wisdom. With LOVE."
I pause. Emotional. But I push through.
"King Aldric was strong. Just. A warrior who fought for his kingdom. Who protected those weaker than himself. Who died trying to expose the truth."
I look at their statues. At parents I never really knew.
"They were taken from us before Kieran and I could know them. Before we could learn from them. Before we could LOVE them the way they deserved."
Tears now. I don't hide them.
"But their legacy lives. In us. In this kingdom. In the fact that we're standing here TODAY, honoring TRUTH over lies. Justice over vengeance. Family over power."
I turn to Kieran. Gesture for him to join me.
He walks forward. Stands beside me. Twin bond glowing softly between us.
"We are Seraphina and Aldric's sons," Kieran says. "Separated at birth. Reunited by fate. United by love."
"And we promise," I continue, "to honor their memory. To rule as they would have ruled. To build the kingdom they dreamed of."
"Together," we say in unison.
The crowd ERUPTS. Applause. Cheers. Some people crying.
Kieran and I approach the memorial. Place flowers. White lilies—Seraphina's favorite.
"Hi Mom," I whisper. "Hi Dad. We finally made it. Finally found each other. I think... I think you'd be proud."
Through the bond, I feel Kieran echoing the same thoughts.
We stand there for a long moment. Saying goodbye to parents we never really knew.
But also saying HELLO. Acknowledging them. Claiming our heritage.
It's closure. It's painful. It's necessary.
It's HEALING.