The Crown's Entrapment

At Keen Manor, Silver Crescent Pack

Clara groaned as she swatted away the light hitting against her eyes. She had woken up so late that the sun's rays were already seeping through Gilas's bedchamber, and it was more than enough of an annoyance for her to move. Immediately getting up, she realized that she was alone in the room.

"He probably already left," she thought aloud as she drank the water on the bedside table. There was also a note for him from Gilas, saying that he already left to head to the arena. He also told her to rest as much as she wanted in his room.

Just as she was finished reading the letter, the door slowly opened. Clara had a timid smile as she politely greeted Gilas's mother.

"You're finally awake, Dear," the older woman warmly greeted her. "Gilas asked me to take good care of you and to make sure that you're all better before letting you go. I'll just call the servants up to serve your meal here in your room."

Nodding, Clara got out of bed just as Gilas's mother walked towards the door to give out instructions to the servants outside.

Absently, her eyes darted to the couch, wondering if Gilas slept there sitting up. It had been a while since she last had a good, long sleep, and her body honestly felt so relaxed despite her head still hurting a bit because of the obvious hangover she got from drinking too much.

After a while, the servants entered and prepared her meal on the table. With a smile, Lady Shila signaled for her to sit on the opposite side of her. "Go ahead and dig in. That soup will help you with your hangover so that you'll feel better."

Still wincing from her migraine, Clara did what the older woman suggested. She ate comfortably in front of her, subtly watching how Gilas's mother seemed pleased with her efforts.

"Nasser had already left to go back to the castle as well," Shila commented. "You can stay here whenever you want, Clara. Feel free to make this place your second home..."

Clara simply gratefully nodded with a smile. Taking a breath, she then looked at the older woman and said, "Gilas told me everything."

"I know," Lady Shila neutrally replied. "My son has already talked to me, and I'm honestly worried with what he's doing. This is very dangerous... I would prefer for him to remain safe... That way, he'll be away from all harm..." She sighed, "He's been enduring too much already because of me, Clara. And..."

Seeing the older woman being distraught, Clara held Shila's hand on the table, gently squeezing it for reassurance. She then gave her a warm and reassuring smile as she declared, "Please don't worry, Mother. I'll make sure that nothing bad will happen. I'm with Gilas on this, and the three of us just need to stay strong and be optimistic. I won't let anything bad happen to you nor Gilas."

She genuinely meant it. Lady Shila was a kindhearted woman, and in the span of time that she spent with her, Clara genuinely felt the motherly love coming off her in spades.

She truly cared for her, and like Gilas wanted, Clara also wanted to ensure Shila's safety against Nasser. They would make sure that the man would no longer be able to use Shila as a threat to Gilas. On that, she was certain.

"I'll be going to the Hindman Manor later to personally thank Lady Jayra for treating my wounds," Clara whispered. "I'll also have to talk about what His Majesty has requested, and I'm sure that the protection spell will be ready in time for you to use, Mother."

Shila nodded, and Clara was just about to let the conversation fizzle when she noticed that the older woman still looked weary.

"What is it, Mother?" she asked

"Oh, it's just that despite everything that I feel about all the things that happened, it still feels like this is all my fault," Shila mumbled, her voice shaking with each breath. "If only I accepted Nasser from the start when he confessed his feelings to me... I wonder if things would end up like they are now... Maybe Roman would still be alive, and Nasser might not end up like what he is right now..."

Clara shook her head as she justified, "It's not your fault, Mother. This has all been Nasser's choice... Everything he has done has always been his choice." Taking a deep breath, she firmly insisted, "He chose to be who he is right now. We all have a choice on how we want to live our life no matter what the circumstances we're currently in... Knowing that, he's solely responsible for every single one of his actions. So please don't ever think that way."

Lady Shila gave her a faint smile as she weakly nodded. "I'm glad that Gilas has you, Clara. No matter what happens, I don't have to worry knowing that my son will be with the woman he long loved," she gratefully smiled. "Thank you, Clara, for accepting him."

Clara smiled at Shila's heartfelt thanks despite the guilt she was feeling deep inside her heart. Still, she meant it when she said that she would take care of Gilas. He was her mate, and she had already accepted that fact.

With a wistful smile on her face, Shila turned to the view out on the balcony and continued. "Nasser truly loves me, but his kind of love is something that's very dangerous and poisonous. To have me, he's willing to sacrifice everything," she sighed.

"I've lost the man I loved in the process, but I can't lose Gilas as well so I had to compromise. I did everything he wanted, Clara... Just to keep my son safe. I lied to save Gilas..."

Shila's eyes welled up as she turned to Clara, a kind smile on her face as she added, "If something happens to me in the process, please... Please promise me that you won't leave Gilas no matter what." She pleaded, "I'm afraid that he'll push everyone away once he loses me, but please promise me that you'll stay with my son no matter what. I know it's a selfish request, but please..."

Clara was taken aback. The request came so suddenly that she felt worried about Gilas's mother. "Please don't say that," Clara did her best to reassure the woman. "Nothing will happen to you, Mother. We'll make sure of it."

"I know you and Gilas will, but we still don't know how things will turn in the future..." Shila morosely remarked.

Clara held her hand tightly and said, "I promise you, Mother, that I won't leave Gilas. I won't let anything happen to you."

Shila chuckled. "Do you know that you're making me happy whenever I hear your voice calling me Mother?" she revealed with a content smile. "I also had a dream of having a daughter, and I can see that that dream finally came true. I've truly gained a daughter to love."

Clara returned the older woman's smile. It honestly felt good to call her Mother too. It would seem that aside from Darius's mother, she had gained another kind-hearted woman that she could call Mother...