Fifteen Years later
Queen Aria flashed back to the moment she almost killed her daughter after childbirth until her personal maid suggested she raise her baby as a boy.
She always pretended her baby was sick and killed anyone who found out her acclaimed son was a female.
That was how she was able to protect her daughters and position as the queen.
"My Queen, Eldie is at it again," Adeline's voice snapped Queen Aria out of her thoughts.
"He is playing with his stepbrother again?" Her brow drew together as she asked.
The son of King Romanus's mistress was supposed to be Eldie's mortal enemy, especially when Eldie's birth was a few hours after his.
"He isn't just playing with Prince Augustin, but playing soccer with the other boys," Adeline revealed, her gaze fixed on the ground.
Queen Aria, who was fuming with anger, stormed out of her room to the garden in Eldie's chamber.
She walked up to Eldie, who had his concentration on the game he was playing, screaming words the queen isn't familiar with.
"Haven't I warned you not to hang around Augustine and his peers?" Queen Aria asked before dragging Eldie away.
Even though he was trying hard to get
away from Queen Aria's grip, his strength couldn't overpower hers.
"Mother... Your Highness, why are you always against me playing with Augustine and the other boys?" He asked after his mother let go of him.
"Do you think this is the time you are supposed to be playing with Augustine?" She sneered, anger evident in her voice.
Only if Eldie knew the lives depending on him, he wouldn't act this way!
"Augustine can play and do whatever he wants even though his mother is a mistress, but I can't? Just why?" Elsie asked sadly, tears flowing down his chubby cheeks.
Even though he is fifteen years old, his body was totally different. Many call him the feminine man because he doesn't associate with any boys or do things they are known to do at his age.
He isn't even yet crowned the crown prince!
"He is the son of a mistress, but you are my son— the future crown prince of the Heart kingdom," she yelled out, always repeating the same words which now seem like music to Eldie's ears.
"You always treat me differently! My sisters play with other girls and do whatever they want, but I can't," Eldie revealed sadly. "Is that how much you hate me?"
His question made a lump form in her throat. She doesn't know the exact way she felt about her child.
She felt disappointed that she is a girl and feel grateful that she was able to live as a boy, not just saving her but saving her three daughters.
"No mother hates the child she carries in her womb for nine months and watches under her care for fifteen years," she said, sounding like a total different person.
Eldie had always known her to be a cold and strict woman who hates him.
"Your Highness, it is time for you to let him know about the secret so as for him not to act recklessly," Adeline suggested after making the bed, her head lowered, hoping Queen Aria doesn't see her suggestion as crossing the line.
"Your highness, what secret?" Eldie asked curiously.
Queen Aria ignored Eldie, turning to face Adeline. "Adeline, excuse us," she instructed. She returned her gaze to Eldie after Adeline walked out. "Eldie, before I begin, I want you to strip."
Her request made Eldie gasp, his eyes widened. "Moth... Your highness... Are you saying you want me to stand naked before you?" Eldie asked anxiously.
"Do it, now!"
Eldie bit his lips before taking off his dress. Starting from his royal shirt to shoes.
Now standing naked in front of his mother, he asked, "Now that I have to strip, what next?"
Queen Aria walked up to Eldie before calling the names of her parts, which Eldie knew to be features of females body.
He'd heard Augustine and his friends talk about ladies they like; their sizes of butt and boobs.
"Isn't everything—"
Queen Aria interrupted him before he could complete his statement. "Yes, you are a girl. I have to make sure you live as a man. That way, I and your sisters are still alive and in this palace."
"Mother, make it make sense, please," Eldie demanded, using the word 'mother' without feeling anxious for the first time.
"The king is tired of having girl children from me; he wanted an heir to his throne. I have no choice but to raise you as a boy even if I have to stain my hands with blood and become a monster," Queen Aria voiced out sincerely, showing no sign of guilt or remorse. "I want you to always be careful on how you expose yourself, especially now that you are slowly close to entering womanhood."
"Mother, tell me you are joking because there is no way the king would address me as his son without confirming my gender," Eldie objected firmly, recalling how the King confirmed the mistress's children's gender before hosting a feast.
Queen Aria smiled faintly at Eldie's naivety. "I don't care if you believe I am joking or not. Just know no one must find out you are a female. Never," her smile was replaced with a stern look as she gave Eldie a serious warning.
"What would happen if the king finds out I am a girl? Or isn't it better to inform the king since he already has—"
"Never in history has the son of a mistress ascended the throne," she interrupted. "For the mistress's son to get crowned as the crown prince, I have to be banished or probably killed. That is the only way she can become the queen and have her son ascend your father," she emphasized, making Eldie realize his mother and sisters' lives depend on him.
Queen Aira studied Eldie's facial expression for a while before she continued. "You must never get caught! Even if you have to kill thousands, or even run away, make sure not to get caught!"