The Crown's Entrapment

Chapter 735 [Bonus chapter]Not Abandoned

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"Look at how brazen she was!" Samari complained as her glare shot daggers directly at where Lady Bella was currently sitting. "She's being too unladylike!"

Lera, who was sitting beside her, chuckled at the outburst. "Why are you getting worked up about it? It's a refreshing sight," she mirthfully pointed out. "I like how carefree lady Bella is. Not all women can be as brave as her in being transparent with how she feels."

Lera simply chuckled as she watched Samari fume all by herself in her seat. She and the Queen Mother were already used to how childish the other woman was most of the time especially whenever Amon was involved.

Samari dreamed of becoming Queen, and she was very vocal about it. Right now, she felt threatened because of Lady Bella's unexpected arrival. Based on Lera's own observation, there was an undeniable tension between Lady Bella and her cousin Amon.

"That's true," Queen Mother Mona interrupted with her own observation. "Still, being proper and poised is still needed, especially if you'll be in a high position of power."

"See? The Queen Mother agrees with me," Samari gloated with a graceful smile. She then turned to the older woman and asked, "Is that woman really participating in the competition, Queen Mother?"

"She will, and I expect her to if she truly has genuine feelings for my son," the Queen Mother answered.

Shrugging, Lera decided to stare in Lady Bella's direction some more. Specifically, she looked at the woman beside her.

"She really looks familiar, Aunty," Lera couldn't help but notice. "That Lady Jayra… Didn't you notice how much she resembles Mother?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure since I honestly couldn't remember much of your mother, Lera," the Queen Mother casually replied before her eyes widened in realization. "Wait… are you thinking that…"

Lera nodded at the Queen Mother's thoughts. It was understandable that the older woman took this long to realize it. Her body was deteriorating, and she was starting to show symptoms that involved her memories as well. She wasn't as sharp as before...

But back to her thoughts, Lera knew she felt something when she saw Jayra for the first time when she arrived at their camp that night. It was like seeing their mother again through her. That curly blonde hair and blue eyes… She was pretty much a younger version of their mother.

Despite that observation, however, she didn't bother talking to her and asking her questions because of how chaotic the events were with them recognizing who Amon was. She didn't want to add more things to worry about when they were still getting their bearings from recognizing their king. Instead, Lera simply observed, but there was no way that she would ignore her gut feeling over this. After this Global Summit was over, she would have more opportunities to talk with Lady Jayra and get to the bottom of this mystery.

"Don't worry, Lera. Amon will make the announcements about the Purge later," the older woman reassured her. "And if your hunch is right, then I'm sure Lady Jayra will approach us as well."

Lera nodded as her gaze shifted to Amon who had just been signaled by the announcer to step forward instead of first taking his seat.

"I apologize for this sudden interruption, but I would like to have a quick word with all the kingdoms present here," Amon began as he took the stage. "Now that Helion is safe and back on its feet, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all Helonians that fled from their homes to come back and retrieve what is rightfully theirs."

There was a bit of a pause as the crowd listened to what he had to say. After a while, he continued. "I would also like to take this opportunity to announce that we are currently conducting a deep search for all the children that we lost twenty-nine years ago," he announced.

"Their families tried their best to save them during Devon's purge of all the children harboring the demon blood. To save them, their parents and families chose to send them away outside the Helion Kingdom, scattering them everywhere in every kingdom in hopes that they would live safer and normal lives away from Devon's hands."

On cue, Lera signaled their men to start giving away the copies of the list of the children that went missing during that time.

"We hope that they grew up well and safe… However, the families that survived Devon's tyranny are still hoping to see and meet them," Amon added. "They were not abandoned… but at the time, it was the only option for them to at least escape Devon's grasp. We are hoping to find them with the help and cooperation of each and everyone present in this gathering as a start…"

Amon let out a heavy sigh as silence permeated the open space after his speech. He then signaled the announcer to proceed with the rest of the program before walking back to his assigned seat.

*****

With that sudden announcement, Bella turned to Jayra. "Sis… They're looking for you."

Jayra held her breath as she read one of the copies of the list the Helion delegates disseminated to each of the kingdoms. Her hands were shaking, and before she knew it, Bartos had already pulled her close as she started sobbing.

"It turns out that they didn't abandon you, Sis," Bella gasped. "Your family only did that to save you."

Bella couldn't help the tears rolling down her cheeks as she tried to comfort Jayra. She was aware of her sister-in-law's past and how she felt dejected for being abandoned as a baby outside the walls of Ebodia Castle. She didn't want to know her past because she was too afraid to find out if her family didn't want her… that they just didn't care for her and chose to abandon her instead.

"We can find your family now, Sis." Bella beamed with a sniffle.

"Yes, Bella. I'm so happy right now," Jayra weakly smiled as she started scanning the list of the missing children, going through their names, ages when they were taken away, and their descriptions of when they were still young. "I just hope that they're still alive and survived Devon's tyranny…"

Jayra then smiled as a thought came to her. "It's a long list, but there's always a way to prove connections for those that have the same blood… the Blood Match Spell."

"Oh, that means you'll need to go to Helion's area later, right?" Bella excitedly asked. "Can I come with you?"

"Look at you…" Bartos scolded his sister. "I can't believe you still somehow managed to find an excuse to see him!"

Ignoring her husband, Jayra chuckled as she replied, "Yes, Bella. You can come with me later to visit Helion's encampment."

"Ah, thank you so much, Sis!" Bella beamed. "You're the best!"

Bella couldn't help but have a skip in her step as she bounced around. It looked like the heavens still favored her!