CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: VEILED TRUTHS (18+)

Viora’s conversation with her aunt, Lady Calyra, replayed in her mind as she made her way back through the palace halls.

The lack of even a brief flash of surprise on Calyra’s face when Viora suggested that her mother, Princess Athea, might be hiding a secret child, a boy, no less, only added to the mystery. It was like her aunt wasn’t surprised by that news at all, only alarmed.

Not only that, but her her aunt’s attempts to dismiss the idea and convince her that she was overreacting were really surprising. She even suggested that maybe Athea had been browsing the media, and she had stopped on a random picture of a male child when she was interrupted by her daughter’s arrival.

A good possibility perhaps. But the fact that Athea panicked to hide the picture was really telling. It made Viora suspect that she knows about Athea’s secret.

Viora couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than anyone was letting on. The more she thought about it, the more questions arose. If Athea did have a secret child, where was he? Why keep him hidden away? And most importantly, why a boy?

If it really was a boy, then it made sense why her mother would hide him away. But why a male?

In the Lumina Queendom, the Matriarchal Laws were absolute. For over eight centuries, the royal bloodline had been carefully maintained through daughters alone. Male children born to the royal family were... dealt with. Quietly. Humanely, according to the official records, but dealt with nonetheless.

The reasoning was simple: males posed a threat to the natural order. There were many reason, but the most glaring were, they could not inherit, could not rule, and their very existence within royal bloodlines created complications that the Crown could not afford.

Better to prevent the problem than manage it later.

Yet if her suspicions were correct, Princess Athea, first in line to the throne, model of royal propriety, had not only given birth to a son but had hidden him away for what must be years. The crime wasn’t just treason; it was an act that could destabilize the very foundations of their society.

’But where would she hide him?’ Viora wondered. ’And how? This means, Aphrodite is not my blood sister. Hmmm, this.... It all makes sense now.’

Lost in thought, she nearly collided with a young woman hurrying down the hallway in the opposite direction. The servant, she couldn’t be more than twenty years old, stumbled backward with a sharp intake of breath, her green eyes widening in recognition.

"Princess Viora!" The girl dropped into a hasty curtsy, her auburn hair escaping from its practical bun. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I wasn’t watching where I was going."

"Neither was I," Viora replied, studying the servant with new interest. She was unfamiliar, new to the palace staff, most likely. Perfect. "What’s your name?"

"Kessa, Your Highness. I work in the eastern wing cleaning services."

The eastern wing. Close to her mother’s private chambers. Even more perfect.

"I like your name, Kessa," Viora said, allowing warmth to creep into her voice, "how long have you worked in the palace?"

"Only three weeks, Princess. I’m still learning the routines." Kessa’s hands twisted nervously in her gray uniform. "I hope I haven’t done anything wrong?"

"Not at all." She responded, "Are you alright? You look... shaken."

The servant gulped, her eyes going impossibly wide. She did not expect the princess to ask her, if she was alright. "I-I’m fine, Highness. I... I’m just nervous."

"You don’t need to be nervous." She turned to walk away, but then stopped, causing the servant to also stop before could walk away.

"Actually," Viora said, her voice taking on a casual tone, "I wonder if you might do me a small favor?"

The servant’s eyes darted nervously between Viora’s face and the floor. "Of course, Princess. Anything."

"I need someone to keep an eye on Lady Calyra today....just to see if she visits my mother’s chambers. Nothing more." Viora’s smile remained gentle, almost conspiratorial. "Could you manage that for me?"

The girl nodded quickly, though confusion flickered across her features. "Yes, Highness. I can do that."

"Why, if I may ask?" the servant ventured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Viora’s expression softened with what appeared to be genuine affection. "Oh, it’s nothing serious. I’m planning a surprise for my mother, something special, and I need to make sure Lady Calyra doesn’t spoil it by visiting at the wrong time."

She gave a small laugh. "You know how family can be. Always showing up when you least expect them."

The servant’s tension eased slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Of course, Princess. I understand completely."

"Wonderful." Viora placed a gentle hand on the girl’s shoulder. "This must remain between us, naturally. Surprises lose their magic when too many people know about them. Can I trust you with this?"

"Absolutely, Princess. You have my word."

"Excellent. Send word to my chambers whenever you see Lady Calyra moving toward the eastern wing. And Kessa?" Viora’s smile took on a slightly sharper edge. "I do hope you understand how important discretion is in royal service. Gossip can be... damaging to one’s career prospects."

The subtle threat wasn’t lost on the young servant, who nodded vigorously. "I understand completely, Your Highness."

As Viora walked away, the servant couldn’t help but smile. ’Wow, she’s so kind. Nothing like Aphrodite, who’s rude all the time,’ she thought.

Viora paused outside her chambers, the echoes of her aunt’s alarm still ringing in her mind. It was decided, Calyra knew more than she was letting on. A secret child, a hidden male heir.

Meanwhile, far away from the palace. Zaeryn, the secret child of princess Athea, had a reality that was a very different kind of pressure. He leaned back in his chair, after finishing the gaming session with his online friends, or rather his only friends. Because apart from Ryan he didn’t have any.

And honestly, he would love to have friends, but since all he came across was women and it was hard to see another male, he didn’t have a chance. Him and Ryan were the only male he knew in this sector. And Ryan was dead.

He looked at the time and noticed that it was almost morning. ’Hmm? I stayed up that long?’ he thought to himself as he stood up from the chair. On the bed, he noticed that Sage was asleep. ’I totally forgot she came over.’ he realized.

He watched her as she slept, wearing nothing but her underwear. She must have been waiting for him to get off the game so they could have some fun time together. But Zaeryn had completely forgotten.

Walking to the bed, Zaeryn laid down next to his girlfriend. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. Sage stirred, waking up to Zaeryn’s presence.

"You finally decided to come to bed?" she teased sleepily, pushing gently into his chest.

Zaeryn chuckled softly. "I totally forgot, I was having so much fun," he admitted as his hands began to roam her body, cupping her massive breasts through the thin fabric of her bra.

Sage let out a breathy moan as she arched into his touch. "I could see that," she murmured, grinding her ass back against his growing erection.

Zaeryn groaned his fingers skillfully unclasping her bra and tossing it aside. He rolled her onto her back and leaned down, capturing one nipple in his mouth. Sage gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair as he sucked and nibbled at the sensitive bud.

He kissed his way down her stomach, hooking his fingers into her panties and sliding them off. Settling between her thighs, Zaeryn ran his tongue along her slick folds, circling her clit. Sage cried out, rocking her hips shamelessly against his mouth desperately needing more.

He gave her what she wanted, sliding two fingers deep inside her dripping heat as he continued to lash her clit with his tongue. Sage was writhing beneath him, mewling cries escaping her as her climax built.

With a few more curling strokes of his fingers, Sage came undone with a silent scream, her pussy clamping down around him. Zaeryn gentled her through it before crawling back up her body, kissing her deeply.

Sage could taste herself on his lips and tongue, and it only reignited her desire. She reached between them and palmed his hard cock through his pants, rubbing himfirmly. "I need you," she whispered hotly against his mouth.

She sat up on her knees. "Just sit back. It’s my turn." She purred. And then she slowly and gently shed his clothes, his erection springing free.

Zaeryn laid back, watching her.

Sage wrapped her hand around his impressive length, stroking him slowly. She removed a strand of hair from her face and leaned down, maintaining eye contact with him. She gave him a coy smile before taking him into her mouth.

Sage swirled her tongue around the head of his cock, tasting the precum that had already leaked out. Zaeryn groaned, his fingers tangling in her hair as she took him deeper into her mouth. She relaxed her throat, taking him in until her nose was pressed against his pelvis.

Sage began bobbing her head up and down, her hand following the movements of her mouth. She moaned around his cock, the vibrations causing Zaeryn to buck his hips. His grip tightened in her hair as he began to thrust into her mouth.

Tears streamed down Sage’s face, but she didn’t stop. She took him deep into her throat, her nose pressing against his skin with each thrust. Saliva dripped down her chin, making a mess of his cock and her hand.

"Fuck, Sage," Zaeryn groaned. "I’m gonna come."

Sage hummed in response, encouraging him. She could feel his cock swell in her mouth, warning her of his impending release. She braced herself, ready to swallow every last drop.

With a final thrust, Zaeryn groaned as he released, his seed spilling deep into Sage’s throat. She swallowed eagerly, taking in every drop he gave her. Even as he softened, Sage’s lips lingered, her gentle sucking coaxing out the last of his release until he was completely spent.

Zaeryn finally eased her off him, chest rising and falling in ragged breaths. "That was incredible," he murmured, a wicked smile tugging at his lips. "But we’re far from finished."