CHAPTER 26
The Queen's First Duty
Tonight was Keira's first night working officially as Queen Aelirra at the Evermont residence.
Her first task was hosting the annual fundraising event for the Evermont orphanage. Every year, nobles from the northern region attended the charity gathering. But this year was different.
For the first time since the rumors about the "accident… that caused her memory loss," the Queen had finally returned to her duties.
Keira stood near the doors of the main hall with Cassian, Daniel, Lucien, and Kael.
Several newly arrived guests immediately bowed their heads.
"Your Majesty."
Keira still wasn't fully used to that.
But what surprised her more than the respect wasn't the greetings.
It was the way Cassian managed the entire event with such seriousness.
He checked on the guests, spoke with the orphanage caretakers, and made sure the children were given the best seats.
There was none of the cold detachment of a noble protecting his reputation. Cassian genuinely cared about everything.
Keira watched him for a moment before quietly saying to Daniel, "…He really cares."
Daniel followed her gaze.
"He's Aelirra's older brother. Of course he wants the public to see his sister in a good light."
Keira nodded slightly.
She remembered the stories Cassian had told her about the Evermont family—about their parents who died during the plague, about Cassian becoming a duke at seventeen.
About little Aelirra who used to fall asleep every night outside her brother's study because she was afraid of losing the only family she had left.
Keira looked around the hall again.
Servants moved quietly.
The orphanage children sat in the front rows.
Cassian was speaking gently with one of the caretakers.
Without realizing it, Keira thought,
Aelirra grew up in an incredible family.
She was beginning to understand why the girl had been so gentle.
Lucien closed his guest ledger.
"All the guests have arrived."
Cassian nodded.
"Good. We can begin."
But before the event could start.. a servant hurried over, looking anxious.
"Your Grace, Duke…"
Cassian turned.
"Is there a problem?"
The servant lowered his head.
"The performers scheduled for tonight… cannot arrive."
Silence fell.
"Their carriage was stopped by a storm at the western border."
Daniel sighed.
"Of course."
Cassian rubbed his temple.
This charity event always had entertainment for the children.
Without it, the atmosphere would feel strange.
Some of the children in the front row had already started glancing toward the stage with disappointed expressions.
Daniel noticed.
Then he turned to Keira.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"I have an idea."
Keira immediately looked at him.
"No."
Daniel pointed at the stage.
"You."
Keira crossed her arms.
"Daniel."
Lucien, however, seemed to be considering it.
"This is actually quite a good solution."
Keira turned to him.
"You're serious?"
Lucien answered calmly.
"I've seen you sing before."
Daniel chuckled.
"Right. The entire arena was full, and everyone went silent."
Lucien added,
"If the Queen herself performs, this event will become far more memorable."
Cassian looked at Keira.
"You don't have to do it if you don't want to."
He truly didn't want to force her.
But Keira glanced toward the front row.
A small child was holding a cloth doll while staring at the empty stage.
The expression on the child's face was full of hope.
Keira let out a soft sigh.
"…Alright."
Daniel immediately grinned.
"I knew you wouldn't refuse."
Not long after, Cassian stepped onto the stage.
"Honored guests," he said.
"Due to the storm at the border, our scheduled performers cannot attend tonight."
Soft whispers spread among the guests.
But Cassian continued.
"However, tonight we have something far more special."
He turned toward Keira.
"Her Majesty Queen Aelirra will present a song."
Silence filled the hall.
Several nobles looked genuinely shocked.
A queen… singing?
Keira walked toward the stage.
At the center of the hall stood a black grand piano.
She sat gracefully on the bench.
Her fingers touched the keys.
The first note rang out.
Soft.
Several guests immediately stopped talking.
Then Keira began to sing.
I have a dream…
A dream that's hard… to reach…
I have high hopes…
Hopes beyond… my reach…
I carry dreams so big inside…
Dreams that seem so far away…
But one thing I truly know…
If I keep trying every day…
I believe someday…
I will find my way…
Her voice filled the hall clearly.
Clear.
Warm.
Full of conviction.
Her fingers moved lightly across the piano keys, playing the melody with elegant ease.
The guests who had initially only been curious were now completely captivated.
The children in the front row stared at the stage without blinking.
Some of them even began smiling widely.
Daniel whispered to Lucien,
"This isn't even a concert."
Lucien didn't answer.
His gaze remained fixed on the stage.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Cassian stood near the stage steps, watching Keira without blinking.
He could still see the shadow of his sister there.
When the song ended…
Keira lifted her hands from the piano keys.
Silence.
One second.
Two seconds.
Then the entire hall exploded into applause.
The children stood first.
Some of them clapped with all their strength.
Cassian smiled.
Not the smile of a duke.
But the smile of a proud older brother.
Daniel clapped while chuckling softly.
"I miss the atmosphere of concerts."
Lucien shook his head slightly.
"Valtherion has never had a queen like this."
But not everyone was inside the main hall.
On the second-floor balcony—
a man stood in the shadows.
The King.
Alaric.
He had arrived without announcement.
Without a crown.
Without royal guards.
He simply stood behind a stone pillar, observing the stage below.
He had no intention of interrupting the event.
He only wanted to see her.
Alaric had heard Keira sing before.
But now he understood even more why another world had loved her.
Why tens of thousands of people had been willing to stand for hours just to hear her voice.
Below, Keira stood beside the piano.
The guests were still applauding.
The orphanage children looked incredibly happy.
And Alaric realized something simple.
The woman standing on that stage was not only a queen.
She was someone who could make an entire room fall silent with nothing but her voice.
And suddenly, a strange feeling wrapped around him.
Alaric felt afraid.
Afraid that one day…
Keira might choose the world that once loved her.
Not this one.
And he would have to be ready… if he had to lose the woman he loved once again.