Lady Shina's little sister pranked the couple and the pranking escalated quickly. She added a strong aphrodisiac to Albaer's drink when he was with Lady Shina and locked the door from outside. It was a childish thing to do, done by a child not knowing the consequences of her actions.

This prank resulted in Shirin being born nine months later. Lady Shina got pregnant way before the wedding but being afraid that it would cause a disaster if the truth is revealed, she did not tell anyone.

Albaer and others realized the fact during the journey back to the Atrana Kingdom when Lady Shina's stomach began bulging. But the rice was already cooked and in fact about to be served. Nothing could be done at that stage.

Nine months later as soon as they reached home, Lady Shina went into labor even before the wedding happened, so technically, Shirin was a bastard even without being one and an unwanted child on top of that.

"What a poor guy," Ethan thought in pity.

"Then what happened? How did she.." Ethan muttered as he already knew that his stepmother was long dead. He just didn't know why and how.

Selene sighed as she smiled bitterly with a sorrowful expression and continued to tell the events of the past.

"It was War. The Empire declared war upon the Kingdom of Sikkim right after Master Albaer left with Lady Shina. The news arrived in the middle of their wedding a few days after Young Master Shirin was born exactly one year after the war began." Selene recalled from her memories.

"Master Albaer and Lady Shina both left for the Kingdom immediately with the forces of the White Family and the Royal Family to honor the newly formed ties between the two nations. However, it took nearly two years for them to reach there. By that time the entire Kingdom of Sikkim was in shambles." Selene muttered with quivering lips.

"Just two years? And exactly what warranted for the Empire to declare war?" Ethan asked as the situation baffled him greatly. Something seemed to be a miss.

"They were attacked very suddenly amidst celebrations while the coalition army had been planning secretly for years. Without any warning, the army's coalition forces headed by the Empire along with internal rebelling forces were at the Kingdom's doorstep, and the Kingdom of Sikkim was outnumbered."

"The Empire did not pull any punches either as if they were hell-bent on the Kingdom's extinction. It was a large-scale assault that eradicated the Kingdom of Sikkim from the face of Akarxia."

"But why?" Ethan asked again, furrowing his brows. He knew that war between nations always needs justification even if the purpose is to conquer.

"Forgive me, I am but a lowly maid. I recounted everything that fell on my ears at that time through gossip. I don't know the reason for that war." Selene said apologetically.

"... Right.. Then what did my father do?" Ethan asked.

"There was nothing to be done, there was nothing left but an empty husk of the Kingdom that was so prosperous just years ago. Lady Shina, who loved her country and family from the bottom of her heart was devastated. Even her entire family was wiped out during the war and she had no home to come back to. Her.." Selene spoke but abruptly stopped.

"Go on!" Ethan commanded.

"... Even her sister was reportedly sold into slavery. To this date, we don't know where she is." Selene muttered sorrowfully.

A silence ensued as Ethan closed his eyes. Now he knew firsthand how cruel this world was. Ethan felt somewhat anxious.

"Go on.." He muttered softly once again.

"The both of them returned with empty hands, during the journey back, Lady Shina blamed herself for not being there to be and fight with her family and possibly perish with them. The guilt followed her like haunting evil spirits. She was plagued by self-loathing. During the one-and-a-half year, it took them to return home from the former Kingdom of Sikkim, her health had been greatly affected. In the end, she died after one day falling into a coma without even seeing her son who had grown up from an infant to a little boy.

Once again a long silence ensued as Ethan finally realized why Shirin was so mature and strong. For the first time after coming to the new world, Ethan began admiring someone.

He also understood now why the whole topic was such a taboo. The backstory was quite tragic and dark.

"And then did my father marry my mother for political reasons as well?" Ethan asked.

"No.. as far as I remember, Master Albaer was put off balanced by the tragic passing of Lady Shina and all that had happened. In a way, the marriage was finished even before it properly began. So to comfort and possibly distract him from the pain, your grandfather arranged a second marriage." Selene replied.

"And my uncle?"

"h-He had firmly refused to marry a second time," Selene answered, averting her gaze as usual at the mention of Alier.

Ethan, noticing her reaction, said with a smile, "Don't be afraid, I assure you that he will get nothing by harming you or your son. Alright then, Thanks, for telling me everything. You may now leave."

"C-can I ask something?" Selene asked with hesitation.

historical

"Yes?"

"Umm.. That.. Assassination attempt.. Was it him?" Selene muttered in a low voice as if afraid that someone listening in.

"It doesn't matter, God is my protector and that's why nothing happened to me. How do you think the arrow missed its mark?" Ethan spoke with confidence in an enigmatic tone not agreeing or denying anything as he swiftly changed the topic.

"Yes! yes!" Selene exclaimed enthusiastically as her eyes widened in enlightenment. She then shortly bowed and left Ethan's room.

Ethan slumped back into his chair as he heaved a deep, exasperated sigh of weariness. He was truly speechless after hearing everything from Selene as he simply stared into the distance in a daze contemplating everything.

In the end, he sighed deeply again in regret and muttered under his breath in a pitying and sympathetic tone, "What a fucking shitty tragedy.. I-i feel bad for them.. Guess.. I'm not as detached as I thought afterall."