Drayce would be turning five years old that year, and he didn’t know it then, but it would mark an important change in his life.

It would be the time for Esther to leave.

For the remaining months, she spent as much time as she could spend with her son. She played the zither for him often, and the little prince enjoyed those afternoons when he didn’t have to attend lessons and simply relax while listening to his mother play her favourite instrument. During her free time, they would either tend to the greenhouse that was attached to her study or train in basic swordsmanship together.

On the rare times she needed to leave the capital, she would bring Drayce to educate him about more practical lessons, such as herb gathering or relevant knowledge on surviving in the wild. They would go to the forests where Esther would teach him how to find rare herbs with medicinal properties, and they also collected wild berries which Drayce liked to eat.

She used all these ways to spend time with him and create many memories for both of them, which she believed could last for a lifetime. Deep in her heart, she wished for her son, Drayce, to never forget her. It was such a contradictory feeling because she also wanted him to forget her. She knew that the more fond memories they shared, the more painful it would be for him once she was gone.

‘I guess this is me being selfish.’

In addition to spending time with her son, Esther would also often visit the Crystal Palace to have tea with Great Lady Theodora. Once every two or three weeks, the Queen would also be seen dropping by the King’s study or accompanying him during his trips outside the palace, causing people to praise the royal couple once more.

Though King Theron felt his first wife’s change unusual, he welcomed it without showing any outward change, causing his guardian knight to tease him about his stubbornness.

Soon, the day of the Second Prince’s fifth birthday arrived.

Despite it being a special day, the gates of the royal palace weren’t opened to guests. Drayce never liked fancy celebrations, as other than his family members and nanny, he was close to no one and neither did he have friends.

As soon as he opened his eyes, the best sight ever welcomed him. His mother was sitting at the edge of the bed, waiting for him to wake up.

“Mother!” he cheered.

“Happy birthday, Dray,” she said with a smile as the little guy sat up and crawled to get into his mother’s embrace. He hugged her with his small arms encircling her neck.

“Thank you, Mother.” He then looked back at her. “And my gift?”

She patted his head. “I have kept it in my study.”

“What is it?” he asked curiously.

“Several ancient books for you to read. Make sure to study them all carefully. In the future, they will help you.”

“I will, Mother. Thank you so much!” He hugged her once more.

She then pulled out a wooden box. “This one as well.”

“What is it, Mother?” he asked, looking at the box.

She opened it and showed him what’s inside. There was jewelry on the velvet cushion, a blue gemstone shining in the middle of a delicate gold frame.

Drayce recognized the necklace. “Isn’t this what Mother loves to wear?” he asked.

Esther hummed in acknowledgement.  “But I am giving this to you. When you grow up, give it to a lady who really deserves it.”

“Like Saira?”

“Someone more important.” His mother chuckled while shaking her head. “You will understand when you grow up.”

Drayce didn’t know what was so funny, but since that’s what his mother said, he just nodded and accepted the gift.

“Don’t ever lose it,” she said.

“I will never lose what belongs to Mother,” he assured.

A small family gathering was arranged in the Crystal Palace for Drayce’s birthday where other than the King and the Queen, only the two concubines and the First Prince were invited.

The king was waiting at the lake for his wife and sons to arrive so they would go together to the crystal palace.

Drayce and Esther arrived at the gazebo where he ran towards his father and Theron picked the little guy in his arms.

The king who rarely smiled, curved his lips in a light smile as he looked at his son who clung in his arms happily.

“Happy birthday, Drayce,” he wished.

Other than his mother, this is the only thing that made Drayce happy and that was to be close to his father like this. It was rare to happen so it was more precious for him.

“Thank you, Father,” he replied smiling ear to ear and hugged his father while circling his hands around his neck and Theron patted his head.

“Your gift has been sent to your chamber,” Theron informed.

Drayce looked back at his father, “What is it?”

“Maps of the continent from the old ones to the current one. You will know how this continent was in the old times and how it developed to the current state,” Theron replied.

Though King Theron didn’t spend much time with his sons, he was aware of everything about them. He was aware of what they liked and did not. Drayce always enjoyed looking into the maps and learning about the kingdom. So as a father, he thought it was the best gift for his son who could now understand the maps.

“Thank you so much, father. I can not wait to read them,” he said, smiling happily.

“Father,” Keiren arrived there with his mother and ran to his father.

Theron patted his head and Keiren looked at Drayce who was in King Theron’s arms, “Happy birthday, Dray.”

“Thank you, brother.”

They walked towards the dock to sit in the boats.

The king, the Queen and the two princes’ sat in KIng’s boat where both princes sat next to their father and Esther sat opposite them. The two concubines followed in the other boat.

Even after so many years, things didn’t change. Theron, Esther and the two princes’ looked like one family while two concubines were always there for the sake of having Ivanov after their names. The two were used to it and could not care and feel bad about it as they knew things would never change. Their husband had eyes only for his first wife.

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