Chapter 13: Michaels Confession

The grandeur of the royal throne room felt oppressive as Michael stepped inside, his boots echoing against the polished marble floor. Towering stained glass windows cast colorful patterns across the room, but the beauty of the place did nothing to ease the storm in his chest. The king sat upon his gilded throne, his piercing eyes locked onto Michael with an expression that was both curious and severe.

Michael knelt, bowing his head as he took a deep breath. He had spent years avoiding this moment, protecting Ember in secret, but now, with her safety in jeopardy and the kingdom’s future at stake, he had no choice but to reveal the truth.

“Rise, Advisor Michael,” the king commanded, his voice carrying the weight of his authority.

Michael stood, his hands clasped tightly behind his back to conceal their trembling. “Your Majesty,” he began, his tone steady despite the turmoil within him. “There is something I must confess.”

The king’s brow furrowed, his gaze sharpening. “A confession, Michael? From you? This must be serious indeed.”

Michael swallowed hard, his mind racing as he searched for the right words. “It is… I fear I have wronged both you and the queen, though my intentions were never to betray your trust.”

“Speak plainly,” the king said, leaning forward. “What have you done?”

Michael hesitated, the weight of his secret pressing heavily on his chest. Finally, he met the king’s gaze, his voice steady but filled with sorrow. “Ember,” he said. “The girl you ordered me to kill all those years ago… I did not carry out your command.”

The king’s eyes widened, his expression unreadable as silence fell over the room. Michael continued, his words spilling out like a dam breaking. “I couldn’t do it, Your Majesty. She was just a child—innocent, unaware of her lineage or her powers. I couldn’t bring myself to end her life. Instead, I raised her as my own, hidden away from the world.”

The king rose from his throne, his hands gripping the armrests as his face darkened with anger. “You disobeyed a direct order? Do you have any idea the risk you’ve placed this kingdom in?”

“I do,” Michael said, his voice firm. “And I have spent every moment since then ensuring her safety and the safety of this realm. She does not know who she is, nor does she know the truth of her heritage. I have kept her powers hidden, trained her to control them, all to protect her and the kingdom.”

The king’s fury simmered, his gaze piercing as he stepped closer to Michael. “Why now? Why tell me this after all these years?”

Michael took a deep breath, his shoulders squared despite the tension in the room. “Because she is gone,” he admitted, his voice breaking slightly. “She ran away, and I fear for her safety. She is powerful, but she is vulnerable. If anyone discovers who she truly is…” He trailed off, the unspoken dangers hanging heavily in the air.

The king studied Michael, his expression unreadable. “You betrayed my trust, Michael,” he said finally, his voice low and dangerous. “You lied to me, defied me, and kept a secret that could have destroyed us all. Why should I not have you executed for treason?”

Michael dropped to his knees, bowing his head as he spoke with conviction. “Because I am loyal to this kingdom and to you, Your Majesty. I did what I believed was right, even if it meant disobeying you. Ember is not a threat—she is a child who wants to belong, to be loved. I have protected her all these years, and I would give my life to protect her still.”

The king’s sharp gaze lingered on Michael, weighing the confession heavily. Silence filled the throne room, thick and suffocating. Michael’s chest tightened as he awaited the king’s final judgment, bracing himself for what was to come. Finally, the king spoke, his tone measured but with an edge that betrayed his inner turmoil.

“You disobeyed a direct command,” the king began, his voice cold. “You kept from me the existence of a child I deemed a threat. Yet you ensured her survival, her concealment… and perhaps the safety of this kingdom. For that, I cannot ignore your loyalty and foresight, however misguided it may have been.”

Michael exhaled slowly, daring to feel a flicker of relief. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I—”

The king raised a hand, silencing him mid-sentence. His expression hardened, his eyes piercing as he leaned closer. “But hear me, Michael. Under no circumstances are you to speak of this to the queen.”

Michael’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Your Majesty?”

The king’s voice dropped to a grave tone, one filled with command and finality. “The queen knows nothing of Ember’s existence. When she and I made our decisions—painful as they were—it was decided that she would only ever know of one daughter: Eira. I never told her of the other, of the fireborn twin.” His jaw tightened as he spoke, his own memories clearly dredging up buried pain. “I swore to protect her from the truth, to spare her the agony of what was done that day. She has lived believing that Eira is her only child. That will not change.”

Michael’s breath caught, the implications of the king’s words crashing over him. “You mean she doesn’t—she’s never known?”

The king nodded, his face etched with the weight of years spent guarding the secret. “The queen’s heart could not bear such a truth. She is a gentle soul, Michael, not built for the shadows of our decisions. You will not burden her with this knowledge.”

Michael bowed his head, his mind racing. He had spent years raising Ember, keeping her hidden, and now he realized just how deep the secret ran. To bring the truth to light could unravel far more than his own life—it could tear apart the queen’s world.

“I understand, Your Majesty,” Michael said solemnly. “I will say nothing to the queen.”

The king studied him for a long moment before nodding. “See that you don’t. For the queen’s sake—and for your own.”

The air in the throne room felt colder, heavier, as the weight of the king’s command settled over Michael. He bowed deeply, his resolve firm. He would honor the king’s wishes, but his mission had not changed. He would find Ember, protect her, and ensure that the fragile balance of this kingdom remained intact.

As he turned to leave, the king’s voice called out once more. “Michael.”

Michael stopped, glancing over his shoulder. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

The king’s eyes softened, just slightly. “Bring her back safely. And pray that I never have to make the decision I made all those years ago… again.”

Michael nodded, his throat tightening with unspoken emotion. Without another word, he strode from the throne room, his mind set on the path ahead. The stakes had grown even higher, but he was determined to see it through—no matter the cost.