Chapter Twenty-Eight

It had been a few years since the grand royal triple wedding that united our family in a celebration of love and unity. The memories of that day still lingered in my mind, vivid and joyous. My daughter, Princess Aurora, had married Prince Cedric, and our niece and nephew, Athena and Orion, had also found their soulmates. The kingdom had rejoiced, and the bonds between our families had grown stronger.

Now, as I stood in the grand hall of the palace, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much had changed since that fateful day. My youngest son, Prince Gibson, was now sixteen years old. He had grown into a handsome and spirited young man, full of life and curiosity. His laughter echoed through the halls, a constant reminder of the joy he brought to our lives.

But today, that laughter was absent. Instead, a heavy silence hung in the air, and I could feel the weight of an impending storm. The scandal had emerged like a dark cloud, threatening to cast a shadow over our family.

I paced the length of the hall, my mind racing with thoughts of what had transpired. Gibson had been caught kissing one of the palace servants, Jenna, the seventeen-year-old daughter of Neesha. The news had spread like wildfire, and the court was abuzz with whispers and speculation.

As a queen and a mother, I felt a mix of emotions. Anger, disappointment, and concern battled within me. I knew I had to address the situation swiftly and decisively, but my heart ached for my son. He was still so young, and I feared the consequences this scandal might bring.

I took a deep breath and made my way to Gibson’s chambers. The door was slightly ajar, and I could hear his muffled sobs from within. My heart clenched at the sound, and I hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open.

Gibson sat on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. His shoulders shook with each sob, and I could see the anguish etched on his face. I approached him slowly, my footsteps soft on the plush carpet.

“Gibson,” I said gently, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looked up, his eyes red and swollen from crying. “Mother,” he choked out, his voice trembling.

I sat down beside him and pulled him into my arms. He clung to me, his tears soaking into my gown. I held him tightly, offering him the comfort he so desperately needed.

“Tell me what happened,” I said softly, stroking his hair.

He took a shuddering breath and began to speak. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. Jenna and I… we’ve been friends for a long time. She’s always been there for me, and I… I care about her, Mother. I care about her a lot.”

I listened patiently, my heart aching for him. “But why did you kiss her, Gibson? You know the rules. You know the expectations placed upon you as a prince.”

He nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I know, Mother. I know. But I couldn’t help it. I love her.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. I sighed, my mind racing with thoughts of how to handle this delicate situation. Love was a powerful force, but it could also be dangerous, especially for someone in Gibson’s position.

“We need to address this, Gibson,” I said gently. “We need to find a way to resolve this without causing further harm to Jenna or our family.”

He nodded, his expression filled with determination. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Mother. I don’t want to hurt Jenna, and I don’t want to bring shame to our family.”

I smiled softly, proud of his resolve. “We’ll figure this out together, my son. But first, we need to speak with Jenna and Neesha. We need to understand their perspective and find a solution that is fair to everyone involved.”

Gibson nodded, and I could see a glimmer of hope in his eyes. We stood up together, and I led him to the servants’ quarters where Jenna and Neesha resided. The walk was silent, but I could feel the tension in the air.

When we arrived, Neesha greeted us with a worried expression. Jenna stood beside her, her eyes downcast and filled with fear. I could see the resemblance between mother and daughter, and my heart went out to them.

“Neesha, Jenna,” I began, my voice calm and steady. “We need to talk.”

Neesha nodded, her eyes filled with concern. “Of course, Your Majesty. Please, come in.”

We entered their modest quarters, and I could see the anxiety etched on Jenna’s face. She looked up at me, her eyes pleading for understanding.

“Jenna,” I said softly, “I understand that this situation is difficult for you. But we need to find a way to resolve this without causing further harm.”

She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Your Majesty. I never meant for any of this to happen. I care about Gibson, but I know our relationship is forbidden.”

I sighed, my heart heavy with the weight of the situation. “Love is a powerful force, Jenna. But as a prince, Gibson has certain responsibilities and expectations placed upon him. We need to find a way to navigate this without causing further scandal.”

Neesha stepped forward, her expression filled with determination. “Your Majesty, I understand the gravity of the situation. But please, don’t punish Jenna for this. She is a good girl, and she has always been loyal to the palace.”

I nodded, appreciating her loyalty and concern for her daughter. “I understand, Neesha. And I promise you, we will find a solution that is fair to everyone involved.”

We spent the next few hours discussing the situation, exploring different options and possibilities. It was a difficult conversation, but I could see the determination in Gibson’s eyes. He was willing to do whatever it took to protect Jenna and our family.

In the end, we decided to keep the situation discreet and handle it within the confines of the palace. Gibson and Jenna would be allowed to continue their friendship, but they would need to be careful and mindful of their actions. We would also work on finding a suitable match for Gibson, someone who could understand and support his position as a prince.

As we left the servants’ quarters, I felt a sense of relief. The scandal had been averted, and we had found a way to navigate the situation without causing further harm. But I knew that this was just the beginning. There would be more challenges ahead, and we would need to face them together as a family.

I looked at Gibson, my heart filled with love and pride. He had shown maturity and resolve in the face of adversity, and I knew that he would grow into a wise and compassionate leader. As we walked back to the palace, I couldn’t help but feel hopeful for the future. Together, we would overcome any obstacle that came our way.