Claimed By The Tyrant King

As the wedding came to an end and the well-wishers offered their blessings to the newly married couple, Rosalind turned to Cedric and Rebecca. "Where will you go to stay now?" she asked.

Cedric answered without hesitation. "I have already made arrangements for Rebecca and Julian at my home, so we’ll be living together there," he said.

Beside him, Rebecca remained the picture of a blushing bride, her cheeks still warm with color whenever anyone spoke of their future together.

Rosalind nodded thoughtfully before glancing at Rowan. "Well... about that," she began, and her voice trailed off just enough to draw both Cedric’s and Rebecca’s attention. They looked at her with quiet curiosity, neither of them knowing what she was about to say.

Rowan took over before Rosalind could continue. "I have decided that you should take charge of Silverkeep, Cedric," he said, his voice steady and composed. "As your wedding gift, you and your family can make your home there. Everything has already been prepared, and I hope it will meet your expectations, that is, if you’re willing to accept it."

For a brief moment, neither Cedric nor Rebecca could find their voices.

"You mean..." Rebecca asked at last, her eyes widening with disbelief as she looked from Rowan to Rosalind. "The castle will become our home?"

"Yes," Rowan answered without the slightest hesitation.

The single word struck them both speechless. The castle was magnificent, far grander than anything Rebecca had ever imagined calling home, and for Rowan to entrust it to them as a wedding gift was something neither of them had expected. Cedric felt a lump rise in his throat as he looked at the king, while Rebecca stood frozen beside him, still trying to take it all in.

Together they lowered their heads. "Thank you, Your Majesty," they said in unison.

Rowan merely shook his head as though it were nothing extraordinary. Cedric lifted his gaze again and met Rowan’s eyes. "It is a wonderful gift, and I would never turn it down," he said sincerely.

A faint smile touched Rowan’s lips. "You and your family deserve it. I hope it becomes a place where the three of you can begin a new Chapter of your lives, and I hope the only thing that fills its halls is happiness."

"Thank you... truly," Cedric said, while Rebecca bowed once more beside him, both of them unable to hide their gratitude. Rosalind watched the exchange with a smile that reflected her own happiness for them, and Rowan gave a quiet nod in return.

****

"Son."

Cedric turned at the familiar voice, and his mother approached him with a smile that reached her eyes before wrapping him in a warm embrace. "I am so happy for you," she whispered.

As soon as she stepped back, his younger sister hurried forward with a grin. "Brother," she said excitedly as she hugged him, "it’s about time, really."

Cedric laughed quietly before his gaze drifted to Rebecca. Without a word, he reached for her hand and gently intertwined his fingers with hers before guiding her to his side.

"I haven’t properly introduced her to you yet," he said. "Mother, Liana... this is Rebecca, my wife."

Rebecca stepped forward beside him, her heart beating so loudly she was certain everyone could hear it. Even now, hearing Cedric call her his wife sent warmth rushing to her cheeks, yet she steadied herself and offered them a respectful bow.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both," she said softly. "Cedric has told me so much about you."

Her eyes first settled on his mother, whose age had done nothing to diminish the quiet elegance she carried herself with. Then she looked at Liana, who was unmistakably Cedric’s sister. They shared the same dark hair, similar features, and the same gentle warmth in their expressions.

"Did he now?" Cedric’s mother chuckled. "I certainly hope they were all good things."

"They were," Rebecca answered with a smile as she remembered all the wonderful things Cedric had told her about his mother and sister.

They were the only family he had left, and from the way he always spoke about them, she knew how deeply he loved them.

"And this is Julian... mine and Rebecca’s son," Cedric said as he reached out to the little boy, who immediately walked over and slipped his hand into Cedric’s free one.

"Son?" Cedric’s mother repeated, her gaze settling on Julian.

The little boy bore no resemblance to Cedric whatsoever, and the surprise on her face was impossible to hide.

Cedric simply smiled before looking down at Julian. "Julian... this is your grandmother and your aunt. Say hello."

Julian nodded enthusiastically before turning back to them. He bowed his head politely and said, "I am happy to meet you, Grandmother... and you too, Aunt."

His gaze shifted to Cedric’s sister as he finished speaking.

Cedric’s mother, Cecilia, smiled gently at the boy’s respectful greeting. Beside her, Liana stepped forward with a warmth that immediately put Julian at ease."You can call me Aunt Liana," she said sweetly.

Julian nodded once again. "Alright, Aunt Liana," he answered, making her chuckle softly.

"How lovely he is," Liana said with a smile as she glanced at her mother.

Although Cecilia returned the smile, Rebecca could tell there were countless questions hidden behind it. The older woman was clearly trying to understand how Julian fit into everything, yet she wisely chose not to ask anything on such a joyful day. Rebecca noticed the expression on her face, but she simply maintained her own gentle smile, silently grateful that Cecilia had chosen to let the moment remain peaceful.

****

When it was finally time to leave, everyone gathered outside to see them off. Farewells were exchanged, hands waved one after another, and warm wishes followed the newlyweds as Cedric helped Rebecca into the waiting carriage. Julian climbed in after them, settling comfortably beside his parents, and before long the horses began to move. The carriage rolled away from the palace gates, carrying the three of them toward the home that awaited them, while the people they had left behind continued waving until the carriage disappeared from sight.

Silence settled inside the carriage as it made its way along the road, broken only by the steady rumble of the wheels against the ground and the gentle rush of the wind as they passed rows of trees, open fields, and the occasional villagers who paused to watch them ride by. Julian remained by the window with an excited smile on his face, eagerly taking in every bit of the scenery outside as though he didn’t want to miss a single thing.

Across from him, Cedric and Rebecca found themselves stealing quiet glances at one another, only to look away each time their eyes met, almost as though they were a pair of young lovers experiencing their first flutter of romance.

Rebecca kept both hands folded neatly in her lap, her lashes lowered as countless thoughts filled her mind. They were husband and wife now, and she couldn’t help wondering what awaited them after this day.

Every thought of the life they were about to begin together made her heartbeat quicken, while a soft warmth slowly spread across her cheeks without her even realizing it.

Cedric was the first to break the silence. "Julian," he called softly, and the little boy turned away from the window to look at him. "What do you think of Grandmother and Aunt?" he asked.

At the mention of them, Julian’s face brightened immediately. "They’re nice, especially Aunt Liana," he said, already excited by the thought that he had more family now and that it was no longer just him and his mother against the world. "Will they come and visit us?" he asked innocently.

"Of course they will," Cedric answered without hesitation, and the reassurance immediately eased Julian’s heart. He didn’t know exactly when they would come, but knowing that they would visit and spend time together as a family was enough to make him happy.

Julian nodded to himself before a yawn escaped his lips. His eyelids gradually grew heavier, and his head began to droop to one side as sleep slowly overtook him. Rebecca instinctively reached out when she noticed him drifting, afraid he might fall over, but his head landed gently against the cushion beside him instead. Within moments, he had already fallen asleep.

She let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"It’s alright," Cedric said softly as he noticed the concern on her face. "He’s probably tired."

Rebecca nodded quietly before turning her shy gaze toward him.

"Are you tired too?" he asked gently. "Would you like to get a little rest?"

Rebecca considered it for a brief moment before giving a small nod. "I think so," she admitted softly.

The next moment, she felt his arm slip carefully around her waist as he gently drew her closer. They had been sitting with a polite distance between them ever since they entered the carriage, and the sudden closeness made warmth rush to Rebecca’s cheeks. Cedric said nothing as he closed the space between them, and thankfully Julian was already fast asleep and blissfully unaware of everything unfolding.

"You can rest on my shoulder," Cedric said softly, a faint smile touching his lips. "It’s quite sturdy."

Rebecca nodded, her cheeks turning even warmer as she slowly rested her head against his shoulder, and just as he had promised, it was firm and comforting.

Without realizing it, she snuggled a little closer, and Cedric naturally wrapped his arm around her shoulders to keep her comfortably against him.

Rebecca closed her eyes as the gentle rocking of the carriage lulled her into a peaceful nap, while Cedric remained awake, holding his wife quietly in his arms as the carriage carried their little family toward the new life waiting for them.

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