"Because I have heard it said that people accuse me of killing my father, and then coming to your bed as a bridegroom."

➶⌒➴

Raymond's birth caused his mother's death, which made him hated by his father.

A prophet told the old king that this child would one day cut off his head and plunge the country into chaos.

So the old king did not hesitate to order the execution of this ill-omened child.

However, the executioner tasked with killing the child took pity and instead delivered the infant to a hunter's cabin in the forest to be raised.

Thus, twenty years later, Raymond returned to the palace with his sword, cut off his father's head, and ascended the throne as the new king.

It was at that moment he saw the terrified figure.

He knew her. He had heard that after he was "executed," the old king, under pressure from the court, had taken a new queen.

Strictly speaking, she was his stepmother.

Yet he insisted on taking her as his bride. Any minister who opposed him became a victim of his sword.

On their wedding night, he knelt before her.

"Hate me all you want, Mother," he said, a smile of absolute certainty on his lips. "You will still be my wife."

➶⌒➴

I'm a non-native English speaker, so if there are any issues with the robot, please leave a message, and I will edit it.