Chapter 139 - Deserved ending
Following the arrival of the crown prince, celebrations swept through the castle and spread throughout the kingdom. The people rejoiced at the birth of Christian Mortimer, heir to the throne.
Within the royal chambers, however, life was quieter. Christian remained close to his parents, tended only by trusted maids, and already guards had been chosen to watch over him.
His safety was the most important matter for the castle.
Lilith stayed in bed for the first week, but by the end of it she began to return slowly to her duties.
Time seemed to race past her eyes as days turned into weeks, and weeks into months.
Christian grew quickly, not allowing his parents to savour his young days. His laughter filled the halls, and his mischief was already apparent, though he could not keep himself balanced for long without help.
One afternoon, Lilith carried Christian to the garden that had been turned into a memorial for her mother. No one was permitted to enter without her order, for it was sacred ground.
She lifted her son, holding him close as though to show him to the spirit of the woman she had loved. Though she never discovered where her mother’s body had been laid, Lilith believed it was for the best. To know would only reopen wounds and stir old anger she no longer wished to carry.
She set Christian down gently when they reached the garden. Behind her stood Solomon and Alexander, while Mary was occupied with other duties.
Lilith opened the gates Cassian had placed there and clasped Christian’s tiny hand, guiding him inside. His balance was not the best as his steps wobbled, but he wished to explore. He pointed at flowers and butterflies, then always glanced back to ensure his mother saw them too.
"The garden is beautiful," Lilith murmured, lowering herself onto the grass. She released his hand, letting him wander, watching with pride as he fell and rose again, determined to keep moving.
"I will bring you here often," Lilith promised, wanting Christian to be more familiar with the garden. "I will tell you stories of your grandmother. She was a wonderful woman, trapped in an unfortunate place, but she smiled every day. I imagine she would have smiled every second for you."
Lilith’s gaze drifted to the place where her mother had once been hanged. The rope was gone as Lilith had ordered it removed, unwilling to let such a sight spoil the peace of the garden.
"If you have been watching over me, you mustn’t do so anymore," Lilith spoke softly to her mother’s ghost she believed was always close "I haven’t completely healed, but I have found love, and now I have my own family. You can rest now."
She hoped her mother’s soul had moved on, free from lingering pain.
"Go torment those bastards," Lilith said with a smile, though she knew her mother had never been a violent woman. "But don’t be so forgiving in your next life."
"Ma," Christian called suddenly, pointing to the sky at a flock of birds flying above.
Lilith looked up and smiled. "They are beautiful. I should take you to the highest tower to feel the wind in your hair, but your father would lose his mind," she teased, smoothing down his unruly locks.
"Why does your hair never sit still? You cannot walk far yet, but already your hair is a mess. I dread the days when you’ll be running through the castle. How will your attire be then?"
Christian blew air against his tongue, making a funny noise that made Lilith laugh. "You do it to tease me, don’t you?" she said, surrendering to his mischief.
She sat still, letting him climb over her as though she were his favourite toy.
"You should have brought a blanket," Cassian’s voice came from the entrance.
Lilith and Christian turned, both faces lighting up at his arrival. Cassian wore his decorated uniform with his medals as he had just returned from meeting envoys.
Christian reached for his father, and with Lilith holding him, he stepped forward. Cassian closed the distance, scooping him into his arms.
Christian motioned with his tiny hands for Lilith to join them.
Lilith rose gracefully. "Do you think your father should hold us both? I am tempted to see him try, but I fear you would get hurt. He is quick on his feet," she teased, pinching Christian’s cheek.
Cassian chuckled. "He is. He will keep us on our toes. Are you finished here?"
"No," Lilith replied. "We just arrived. He was exploring. The grass is soft, so when he falls he isn’t hurt. He hasn’t cried once here," she said, picking grass from Christian’s pants. "I was speaking to my mother, telling her how well I am, how I don’t want her to linger if she is still watching."
Cassian listened quietly as she continued. "I thought I should bring Christian here more often. It isn’t as awful as it once was to be here. He can come whenever he wishes, to be closer to his grandmother."
Together they walked deeper into the garden. Lilith’s gaze fell upon the stone engraved with her mother’s name. She guided Christian’s hand to trace the letters.
"This is your grandmother’s name," Lilith said softly. "Aliza."
Christian laughed suddenly, as though something unseen had delighted him. Lilith looked up at Cassian, who had come to stand beside her.
’I am well, Mother,’ Lilith thought, her eyes resting on the stone. ’I have found my happiness. So go, and be happy too.’
Cassian placed his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. Christian clutched both their hands, his laughter echoing through the garden.
The three of them stood together beneath the sunlight as a family bound by love. The past no longer held Lilith captive, and the future seemed to hold love for her. There was a chance for Lilith to have a true loving family in the castle.
In that moment, Lilith knew she had won. Not only a son and loving husband, but the life she had longed for. The life she needed to set her free and move on from old trauma.