157 The end

My Queen signed the abdication that same day.

We buried our son together during a rare spring rain.

«That man was so kind to me. So much that I lowered my guard and paid the price for my mistake,» Theodora said while clinging to my arm. Her frail body couldn't resist too much effort, and every day was worse.

I would help her walk and ask her to stop working every time I noticed the blood dripping on the maps.

«I wish I could help you,» I whispered, still looking at my son's grave. «If only I didn't let him drink. If only I was the one dying...»

«You can go back to Kyre and forget about all of this,» she stated, straightening her back and biting her lower lip.

«He was wrong, Thea. About being allowed to cry when alone. You don't have to hide or feel shame. It's your right to cry, when and for what you want.»