The Crown's Entrapment

Shila blankly stared out the window as she let out a heavy sigh. She was already inside the bedchamber assigned for her in the Cordon Castle. It was located next to her son, Gilas's chamber, and while she would've liked to be by his side for longer, her son was still needed in the castle. As such, he decided to let her stay there for the night and rest before she resumed the journey back to Keen Manor in the Silver Crescent Pack tomorrow.

But as much as she tried, for some reason, she couldn't sleep just yet despite the tiredness in her body from their travels. And somewhere along the way, she had accidentally overheard how Pinra was desperately asking for Gilas to see her. She couldn't help but pity the young woman. She had seen how things unfolded in the arena back then, witnessing Nasser's past playing out in front of her along with everyone else.

It was there that she discovered that Pinra was Nasser's daughter from a servant in their manor. She wasn't aware that a servant bore him a child. All she knew was that Nasser had a female servant live outside of the manor and the rest was history.

Letting out another deep sigh, she helplessly murmured, "She's just a victim…"

As much as Pinra grew up evil, the woman simply had the wrong upbringing. Now that Nasser was gone, maybe she could start a new life?

"Maybe now that she's free from her father's influence, she can finally turn a new leaf…" she continued to ponder. She wanted Pinra to have a new life, a good one with them and their family.

Getting up from her chair, Shila headed towards the door to go out and see her son. But just as she opened the door, she was startled as she saw her son standing right in front of her.

"Son?"

"Mother, are you heading out?" Gilas asked with a frown. "I was about to knock and check on you."

Shila smiled as she fully opened her door, signaling to Gilas to come and follow her inside.

"I was about to look for you and have a word…" Shila started as she sat.

Gilas sat in front of her and asked, "What is it, Mother?"

"About Pinra. I happened to hear about her request to see you," she replied. "Are you going to see her?"

"I do, but Clara stopped me, Mother. She told me to wait until tomorrow and discuss it further with the King," Gilas answered with a soft smile. "She's also so worried that she doesn't want me to see Pinra alone. She wants to accompany me."

Shila had to blink just to make sure that she saw things clearly. Her son was glowing, and he even had a bright smile just from mentioning Clara's name.

"Look at you looking so giddy about Clara getting worried for you. Ah, I guess you two are really enjoying each other's company then," Shila warmly teased. "I'm really glad and grateful for how things are going between the two of you. At first, I was a bit worried about this Mate Pull and Mates, especially knowing of how Clara already had another man in her heart before. But as I expected, my son is doing good, and will definitely conquer the heart you longed for all these years."

She smiled as she added, "I'm rooting for you, Son. Please don't hesitate to ask me for any help…"

Her son chuckled and amusingly asked, "And how do you plan on helping me, Mother?"

"Why? Have I not been helping you all along by simply teasing the two of you?" Shila snorted. "I've been playing cupid for you two for a while now, you know."

Even as she let out a slight smirk, her heart was beaming with joy at having these kinds of interactions with her son. Why, she couldn't even help the tears now welling out of her eyes.

"Mother?" Gilas worriedly asked, having probably noticed the tears starting to roll down her cheeks.

Quickly, she wiped her tears with a chuckle and said, "Ah, it's been a while since we had some moments like this alone, Son. I really did miss you…"

Upon hearing her words, Gilas moved to kneel in front of her. Seeing his actions, Shila lovingly hugged him.

"I missed you too, Mother," Gilas whispered as he rested his head on her lap. "I'm really glad that I can freely be with you now like this."

So many years had been wasted… For so many years, she had to keep herself on her toes around Nasser just so she could have a little time with her son. Truly, she couldn't thank their Queen and King enough for the freedom she and her son were now enjoying.

She gently caressed and stroked Gilas's hair as she murmured, "Thank you for growing up to be a good man, Son. Despite the limited time the two of us had before…" She took in a breath before she continued, "I'm really so proud of you, Gilas. I'm so proud of you, my son. I love you so much."

The longer they stayed like that, the more she could feel the silent sobs coming from her son.

"Do you think Clara will think less of me if she ever sees me crying like this?" Gilas murmured in between sobs, making Shila chuckle.

"No, she won't. Seeing men cry is hot, Son…" Shila replied with a grin while wiping away the remaining teardrops left on her cheeks.

Gilas laughed at her quip. Lifting his head to look at her, the two of them shared a crispy wave of laughter as the unspoken tension between them lifted.

"Can you tell me more about my father?" Gilas suddenly asked. "I've only heard a little about him from you…"

She nodded with a smile. Ah, Roman… Just recalling about the man she truly loved already made her bring out her brightest smile. Before, she couldn't tell her son more about Roman for the fear of how Nasser would react if he ever found out. As a result, all Gilas have heard from her about Roman was how much of a nice and good man he was.

"Do you want to know how your father caught my attention and won my heart then?" she asked, a blush adorning her face.

Roman always had his ways, and maybe it would be good if she shared them with his son as well. Who knows? Gilas could maybe try and apply it to Clara. And like how Roman had easily won her over… this might help her son in his quest for Clara's heart. Already, she could see how eager he was with his eyes keenly waiting for her.

"Yes, Mother. Please tell me everything about it…"