"Why hasn’t he returned as yet? Did he go sowhere else to have his bath, or did he find news about Virgil? I don’t like that I no longer know much of what occurs in the castle. His people are all around," Lilith said, annoyed that gossip no longer road freely.
"I can sneak around and listen to what the maids are saying. Perhaps it is ti you let the others return to their stations while they wait for your next orders. The more ears you have around the castle, the better," Mary advised, her tone hushed as the door slowly closed.
"That is true. When you are no longer at my side, then you may pass on the order to return to stations. I must see what is keeping that man from returning," Lilith said as she proceeded to walk out of the chamber.
Mary followed closely behind, her steps quick, only moving in front to open the heavy oak doors for Lilith. "Will you go down to et his relatives without him?"
"No. I am not in the mood to go against so many Mortirs at once. Diana is already against when she doesn’t need to be. I imagine the others are waiting for their chance to strike. Another one is making his move," Lilith said, her gaze narrowing on a man approaching. "Who is he?"
"Your husband’s uncle. He is Richard Mortir, and he has two sons. I recall he clashed with your father once before and was sent away from the castle," Mary quickly whispered.
"Your Highness," Richard greeted, placing his hands on his chest as he bowed. "What pleasure it is to be in your humble presence."
"You may rise," Lilith answered.
Richard raised his head, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "You’re already sounding like a queen. Perhaps it was written in the stars for you to be a queen. Though I wonder how long it will last."
"I have noticed that the Mortir family tends to be a bit rude. I have not been married for one full day, nor have I sat on the throne, but you would approach with a rude question. No wonder you were banned from the castle," Lilith said, her eyes filled with disdain.
Richard chuckled and placed his arms behind his back. "And it is no wonder your father sentenced you to death. Had my nephew waited a little longer, your head would have been right beside your father and half-brother."
Lilith stared at Richard, trying to decide whether he was lacking sense or simply searching for a death wish. She concluded that it was both.
Lilith smiled, having already decided Richard’s fate. "You were hoping to find without your nephew at my side, weren’t you? Were you hoping to sprout your opinions about not being suited for queen in hopes I would run away?"
"I hate to disappoint you, but I’m all out of tears for the day. I can try to fake it so you don’t feel too much of a failure, but I’m lousy at pretending to care. I’ll let you decide," said Lilith, her voice dripping with mockery.
"You are an interesting Beaufort. What a sha we didn’t get to et under other circumstances. The Mortirs are yet to fully accept you, and in ti, the kingdom will not accept you as well. You are a princess without support," Richard insulted, noticing a flicker of anger.
"You shouldn’t speak on behalf of others unless you can get inside their heads. How cowardly of you to try to run off your nephew’s wife just because you can’t control him. Take your battles elsewhere," Lilith said, her chin lifting as she readied herself to walk past Richard.
"Queens are carefully selected. It is never a maid the king bedded, or a bastard daughter. No matter how good you think you are, you will never be accepted as our queen," Richard said, itching to get a rise out of her.
Lilith ca to a stop to the right of Richard. "Pointing out my mother was a maid or stating that I am a bastard is quite old. I’ve heard it one too many tis to be affected. If you want to see cry and leave his side, you’ll have to try a little harder."
"You’re the second son in your family. Your father likely ignored you in your youth since he had his precious older son who beca the duke. It must have been awful to see your nephew take what you thought belonged to you," Lilith said, her words ant to sting.
"You see, Richard. You’re not the only one who can poke at sore spots. I can do it when pushed to the limits. Now, why don’t you run along like a good puppy chasing after your nephew?" Lilith asked, shooing him with a flick of her wrist.
"Your Highness, you are playing a dangerous ga," Richard said through gritted teeth, his jaw tight.
"You started this ga of trying to make feel worried about my place next to Cassian. You misjudged , but I am grateful, as it allowed to see who you are. A man who might smile before his nephew, but then plot behind his back," Lilith said, her eyes unwavering.
Lilith smiled, amused by Richard’s reaction. "Oh, don’t tell that you thought I would keep this interaction from my husband? You all must stop thinking all princesses are alike. I will be forced to ask my husband if he thinks my position is secured."
Richard bit his tongue. What he had been told about Lilith was a lie.
"Now, I am going to ignore you until we sit with the others to get to know each other. I do hope you can swallow your pride and start anew with . It can get a bit deadly when family fights in the castle. Excuse ," Lilith said, parting ways from Richard.
Already, Lilith was bored with the Mortirs she ca across. Each one was out to put her in her place while she had been considering getting to know them.
Lilith waited until she was out of earshot to murmur, "I don’t like that man. He has a greediness in his eyes that can never be satisfied. He must go."
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