Lady Thea smiled, revealing her deep dimples. She had short, blond hair with light hazel  eyes. Compared to Zander's black hair and deep blue eyes, they look like polar opposites. "Good morning to you too, Zander," she sat down in the chair across from him. "Care for some  tea?"

The two sat in tranquility; the only sound was the low whistle of the nearby tea kettle. Thea soon broke the silence. "You must be wondering why I called you."

Zander nodded. "It's been a long time since we've talked to each other, hasn't it?" Zander said softly. In truth, Lady Thea scared him. Maybe it was the intensity of her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever it was, Zander knew that Thea was dangerous, and many others thought the same way. 

"I don't have time for small talk," Thea said sharply. Her frown transitioned into a warm  smile. "I believe you know him," she placed a photo on the table, "am I correct?"

Zander's gaze fell on the photo. It was a young man with dirty blond hair and Thea's  intense eyes. "I believe that's your son?" Zander asked Thea, waiting for her response. 

Thea nodded in confirmation. "Yes, that would be correct," she said. "That's my eldest son, Julian." She sighed as she stared at the photograph. "He passed away a few days ago. The cause of his death, unfortunately, was murder."

Zander sat up straight, his eyes now focused on Lady Thea. "Murdered?" he asked. "What did he do to deserve this? Did he have enemies?"

"In a way, yes," Thea said, although she didn't elaborate further. She messed with the button on her dress. It was strange, really, to see her wear such a fancy outfit. Her usual garments were far more casual. 

Zander raised an eyebrow. He was suspicious, but he didn't pry any further. He looked  down at his hands and frowned. "So," he said, "why did you call me?"

"Because I want to protect my youngest, Rome," Thea said quietly. 

 He looked at her; there was a hint of shock on his face. "I didn't know," he said softly,"  that you had another son."

"I tried to keep it a secret," Thea explained. She looked around as if she were afraid of another hearing their conversation. "Nobody must know of him; nobody must know of my remaining heir." 

The more he pondered, the more he began to pry against Thea's tough shell. Zander didn't see the fearsome noble others saw in her. Instead, he saw a grieving mother; a mother who was desperately trying to protect her remaining son.