Chapter 78: My Parents

As I stood in the hallway, hidden behind a tall vase, the weight of the conversation I had just overheard pressed down on my shoulders. Adopted? The word echoed in my mind, filling me with confusion and disbelief. How could this be true? My dad, King Ferb, and his wife, Queen Estrella, were the only parents I knew. My heart thumped loudly as I strained to hear my dad's booming voice again. He discussed possibly telling me the truth with his sister, Aunt Roseann. The realisation hit me like a ton of bricks. Was Aunt Roseann my biological mother? No, she was too old to have children her age. Her sons had children already, so that possibility did not exist.

Just as I was about to gather the courage to confront my parents, I heard Brian's voice, filled with an emotion I had never heard before. "If you don't tell him, I will," he said, his words tinged with anger and sadness. My cousin's wife softly sobbed, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of their shared secret.

Confusion swirled in my mind as I began to piece together the puzzle. I had always known that I looked different from my immediate family. I should have resembled Aunt Roseann, as she is my dad's sister, not her husband and his son, to whom my features held a strong resemblance; something felt off. There was a missing puzzle piece, and I was determined to find it. I waited in the hallway as my dad's footsteps grew closer. With each passing second, my anticipation mounted. Finally, the door swung open, and my father emerged. His face was etched with worry. "Dad," I started, my voice shaking, "can we talk?" My dad hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Of course, Leo. Let's go to your room."

As we entered my room, a mix of emotions swirled inside me - fear, longing, and the undeniable desire to uncover the truth. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I looked into my dad's eyes, searching for answers. "Dad, is it true? Am I adopted?" A pained expression crossed his face, and for a moment, he seemed lost for words. Finally, he took a deep breath and began to speak, his voice filled with regret. "Leo, your mother and I wanted to tell you when the time was right before she died; and with her loss, I concentrated on getting each day over. We didn't want this secret to define you, but you've discovered it alone."

Tears filled my eyes as I struggled to comprehend what I had just learned. "Why didn't you tell me, Dad?" My voice trembled as he tried to explain. "We wanted you to have a normal life, Leo. We thought it was best to let you grow up without the weight of this knowledge. But now, it seems the truth has caught up with us." I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Who are my biological parents?"

My dad's eyes softened, filled with love and regret. "Your biological mother is Aunt Roseann's daughter-in-law. And your father is- "But before my dad could finish, the door swung open, and Aunt Roseann stood there, her eyes red from crying. "Leo, I'm so sorry," she said, her voice filled with remorse. "Please, let me explain." We lost you at sea when you were five years old. My brother said he found you at an orphanage and adopted you. You are one of a twin.

Now, this explains why I always had three voices in my head. My wolf and hers and her voice were constantly interjecting in my thoughts. That was why I could hear Bea's voice in the theatre in London.

I looked at my aunt, searching for answers in her tear-filled eyes. At that moment, the world as I knew it seemed to shift, opening up a new chapter of my life that I couldn't have possibly imagined.

I stood there, my mind reeling from the shocking revelation. My cousin Brian was my handsome dad, and Cousin-in-law the beautiful Bonnie, was my biological mother. Everything I knew about my family was turned upside down instantly. As the truth sank in, my emotions swirled, mixed with confusion, disbelief, and a twinge of betrayal.

With the weight of this newfound knowledge, my thoughts drifted to my twin sister, Beatrice. The realisation hit me like a tidal wave - Bea was my sister, and I treated her disrespectfully. I will apologise and ask her forgiveness. I needed to make things right with my twin and hoped she was generous enough to forgive my hastiness. In our former years, we shared a womb and wonderful beginnings as we shared the same upbringing, trials, and triumphs, but we had been kept in the dark for so many years.

I gathered my thoughts and discovered I had three more siblings - Barbara, Bruce and Brandon, the triplets. It was a lot to process, but I felt a newfound connection to every one of my family members. They were my blood, my family, and it felt like the missing pieces of his life were finally falling into place. I made peace with my sister, and she forgave me. She was such a joy to be around. She hugged me and told me how much she missed me each day. She wouldn't have known I was alive if it was not for the voices she heard. She was thankful that I was alive and well. She told me my birth name was Brady, and we were born in the Cayman Islands, where we spent our formative years with our two uncles, Callum and Cadian. I took her and Tanner to my room, and we lay on the bed. Our heads suddenly touched, and I suppose this was how we hung out from birth. We laughed a lot, and I rubbed her head, which upset her and said, "Brady, stop it!" That, too, seemed familiar to me.

The days leading up to the Coronation were a whirlwind of activity. Relatives and friends from around the world descended upon the palace, filling every corner with laughter, joy, and a sense of celebration. Amidst the bustling atmosphere, my mind remained fixated on the truth that had been uncovered. Yet, another event demanded my attention - My Coronation as the king of Poland.

As the day of the Coronation dawned, I, Leo, could hardly contain my anticipation. Dressed in regal attire, I stood in the centre of the grand church, surrounded by the scent of incense and hushed reverence. The priest led me through the solemn ceremony, guiding me as I received the Scepter and the Globule, symbols of his power and responsibility.

Pin by pin and staff by staff, I felt the weight of my new role settle upon my shoulders. The Coronation was a momentous occasion and a turning point in my life. With each change of clothing, I shed the insecurities of the past and embraced the mantle of leadership placed upon me.

Finally, the moment arrived. I stepped forward, my voice resonating through the grand hall as I was announced the king of Poland. The crowd erupted in applause, their cheers echoing in my ears. In that instant, I knew my journey towards an everyday life had taken an unexpected turn. I wasn't just Prince Leo, the pop star idolised by millions; I was now King Leo, tasked with the immense responsibility of ruling a nation.

As I sat on the throne, my heart swelled with gratitude and determination. The truth about my family may have rocked my world, but it also brought me closer to my true identity. With newfound purpose, I was ready to face the challenges and mysteries that lay ahead, determined to forge my path towards everyday life, defying societal expectations and embracing the love and support of my family.

My Beloved Readers,

I do hope you are enjoying this book as I unveil events a little at a time and give you a glimpse of this new king's world. My wish is that you continue to read to the end,

Love always,

Your author.