A Name Left Unspoken, Among the Things We Buried

Valen was known for beautiful things.

Its white stone buildings stood along the river in long, graceful rows. The streets were kept clean, the gardens were carefully trimmed, and even the smallest houses were painted in soft colors. Travelers often said there was no kingdom like it. They spoke of the clear river that divided the city, the tall palace overlooking it, and the people who seemed to have been chosen from paintings. But beauty was not simply admired in Valen. It was valued. It was a religion for the people. From childhood, people were taught that a beautiful appearance was a sign of good blood, good fortune, and good character.

The royal family was considered the finest example.

King Edwin had pale skin, dark hair, and features that had been praised since his youth. Queen Mara was known for her fair complexion and calm green eyes. Even tho she came from a different kingdom, she was praised for the undefining beauty that led her to Valen. Their people loved them for it.

Or at least, they believed they did.

Every year, families gathered beside the river for the Festival of First Light. Children dressed in their finest clothes while the elders watched them carefully. A child with pale skin and fair hair was praised and admired. A child with features considered undesirable was often met with silence. No one called it cruel. It was simply the way things had always been. And in Valen, tradition was rarely questioned. Especially when it came from the palace.

On the morning of the festival, Queen Mara stood before the palace mirror while her attendants prepared her gown. She barely looked at her reflection. Her attention was fixed on the window.

Beyond it, the river moved quietly through the city. Beautiful like Christmas morning. Clear like the still water. Perfect as the firstborn of all families. That was what everyone said. Mara had never thought much about the river before. That morning, however, she could not stop looking at it.

“Your Majesty?” A soft and polite but firm voice

Mara turned.

An attendant stood behind her, holding a necklace.

“The king is waiting,” she said

Mara nodded. “Thank you,” she replied

She took the necklace herself and placed it on her neck. She admired it for a moment. The doors opened a moment later.

King Edwin entered. “You are late, my lady,” he said softly

“I know,” she replied, still looking out the window

He looked at her for a moment. “You look tired, my love”

“I did not sleep well,” she said with a hint of exhaustion

Edwin’s expression softened slightly. “Is it because of the child, my love?”

Mara’s hand stopped. She looked at him through the mirror. “Yes,” she said

Edwin sighed and walked towards her. “The physicians said everything is normal,” and continued, “They said the same thing yesterday. And the day before.”

Mara turned away from the mirror and met his eyes. “I know.”

He touched her bump and said softly, “The birth is still weeks away. You are worrying over nothing, my love”

“I hope you are right,” she said with a hint of uneasiness

“I am,” he said, trying to reassure her. He held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. For a moment, neither spoke. The queen was exhausted, and the King tried to hide his worry.

Then the bells of the city began to ring. Once. Twice. Three times. The festival was beginning.

Edwin glanced toward the window, where the entire kingdom awaited their arrival. “We should go, my love”

Mara nodded. But before leaving, she looked once more at the river. Something about it unsettled her. She did not know why.

The festival filled the city with music. Children ran through the streets carrying flowers. Merchants decorated their stalls with ribbons, and families gathered along the riverbank. At the center of the celebration stood the royal platform. Edwin and Mara took their places before the crowd. The queen looked like the most divine treasure of the land. A treasure that was bound to be protected by all means. Whereas the king was a perfect example of the protector of the land, the people, and his beloved queen. The people bowed in respect. After a little while, the music stopped.

An old priest stepped forward. He was one of the few people allowed to speak directly to the royal family without permission. He was the oldest person alive in the kingdom; his eyes reflected the good that everyone saw around them, hiding the darkness and the foulness beneath them. Still, he was known as one of the wisest men in the kingdom.

As he started to speak, “Another year has passed under the protection of Valen,” he announced.

The crowd cheered in glory.

“Another year of prosperity,” he continued. The cheers grew louder

“And another generation of children blessed with the blood of our ancestors.”

Mara’s expression tightened.

The priest smiled. “May they remain worthy of the kingdom they inherit.”

The crowd repeated the words like a mantra.

“Worthy of the kingdom.”

Mara looked at them. Hundreds of faces. All smiling, listening, believing. She wondered what happened to the children who were not considered worthy. She knew the answer. Everyone did. No one spoke about it.

That evening, after the festival ended, Mara returned to her chambers alone. She sat beside the open window. After the loud celebrations, the palace was quiet now. Below, the river reflected the moonlight. For months now, she had accepted Valen exactly as it was.

She hadn’t been born into it. But as she was wedded for the union of the kingdoms, it wasn’t something she was against; as she grew, she did hear about the prince (now king), and from what she heard, he wasn’t an unpleasant man, and fortunate for her, it wasn’t a rumor. He cherished and loved her more than she could have imagined. After her wedding, she was taught various traditions of the kingdom.

But now she carried a child. And for the first time, those traditions frightened her. Mara placed a hand over her stomach.

“Please,” she whispered.

She did not know whether she was speaking to the child or to herself. “Please be safe.”

Behind her, the door opened. Edwin entered.

“My love,” he spoke softly

She turned. “What is it?” she asked

He hesitated for a moment. “The physician sent word.”

Her face changed. “Is something wrong?”

“No, dear.” He stepped closer and sat with her.

“They believe the child may come earlier than expected.”

Mara’s eyes widened as she stood. “How early?” she asked, a bit tense

Edwin stood up, holding her hands, and did not answer immediately.

“Within the week.”

Silence filled the room. Mara looked toward the river. The same river. The same kingdom. The same traditions. But suddenly, none of it looked beautiful anymore.

“What if there is something wrong with the child?” she asked.

Edwin frowned. “Then the physicians will help.”

“You know that is not what I mean.”

He understood. His expression tightened.

“My Lady,” he said firmly

“What?” she asked, annoyed but with a hint of worry

“Do not say anything you will regret.”

She stared at him. “I am only asking a question.”

“I know, and I am telling you there is nothing to fear.”

Mara looked down at her hands. His expression softened as he held her.

I apologize, my love, but all I ask of you is that you not worry. Everything will be fine.

She wanted to believe him. She truly did. But somewhere beneath the palace, beneath the laws and traditions and beautiful streets of Valen, there was an old rule that everyone knew.

And soon, she would have to face it.

A child born beautiful belonged to the kingdom.

A child who was not... was another matter entirely.