"Must you always be this way, Luke? It is not in your blood to be a fool so why do you act like one? You are single-handedly spoiling the lineage of Castro kings," Scarlet said, refusing to hold her tongue after Luke spoke out loud.

They were having a conversation amongst themselves. An unwanted one but still one that didn’t need the entire room to know what was said.

"You!" Luke started.

"Why? I cannot respond when I like but you can speak of him as you like. You’re always throwing a fit because I told you that you aren’t the one with real power? If you believe you are the one with power, why are you acting like a child?" Scarlet asked.

For years, Scarlet had witnessed the Castros need the Collins by their side. There was a marriage union between the families so the Collins helped more when needed. The Collins and the Callahans were practically the Castro’s blades. When there was trouble, these were the first two families called to the palace.

"I am your king!" Luke said, wanting Scarlet to understand it tonight.

"You are a fool and your father must be so ashamed that he doesn’t come to the palace. No wait, he’s just a terrible father to not help his children. Be careful how high your hand goes Luke. Should it come anywhere near my face I shall rid you of that very hand," Scarlet warned.

It was frustrating that they had to bear with a king who acted like a child when their toy was taken away.

"Scarlet," Madilyn stepped in to help Luke. "There is always a bit of disrespect when you speak to us. I do not understand it when we have been nothing but kind to you. You must properly address the king and me."

Scarlet placed her hand in front of Ian to stop him before he spoke. She could deal with these two alone.

"Madilyn, I hope what is affecting Luke hasn’t moved to you to mess up your memories. I have addressed the two of you as you should have, attended all the parties you needed me to, and helped when you faced a crisis. I will not stand by and be disrespected over your pettiness," Scarlet replied.

Scarlet was not going to be silent when Luke was acting like a fool. He was the one who asked that they remain close and act as a family but when he didn’t get his way he became a pain in the ass. One of the most mature people in the room should be the king.

"You announced out loud that he didn’t inherit the title because you wanted to embarrass him and me. You must be thinking in your head that I wanted him for a title. I have my own. I might not use it as often as others but I still have it," Scarlet reminded Luke.

Since when did Luke ever know her to be someone who had to marry anyone for a title? If she was someone who cared about a title, she would flaunt her very own.

Luke did a glance at the crowd watching them. It was the perfect chance to have Scarlet get back in line. "Bow to me, Scarlet."

Scarlet laughed as his order was absurd. "You idiot, when you act this way for no reason, the kingdom will fear what is wrong with the king. I am not going to bow to you and if you don’t like it then throw me out of the kingdom."

Alana turned to face Scarlet, not liking the suggestion she made. Luke was so crazy that he would do it.

"But wait, I love my estate so I would have to fight back to get my home. Then the Collins army wouldn’t be so bored and unfortunately, most of your allies love me more," said Scarlet.

"Are you trying to start a war?" Madilyn asked, finding Scarlet to be foolish.

"No, war is the last thing I want for this kingdom. I am merely remembering what should happen if you keep trying to pick a fight with me. You might be clueless to many things but you aren’t when it comes to knowing that the Collins are your biggest ally and the others will follow our lead," Scarlet explained.

The Callahans would follow her lead and so would their close friends.

"I urge you not to pick a fight with the border, Luke. You have a brother so there is no reason for anyone to hesitate killing you when there is a spare. The princess will stay with me unless you want to challenge taking her from me," Scarlet said and then waited.

Luke looked at Alana who was close to putting on a good act like she wasn’t afraid. Scarlet must be filling her head with stories of how she had power. Alana needed to return to the palace not only because he wanted her out of Scarlet’s hands but because their father was not pleased with how long she was away.

"The princess has an arranged marriage set up for her-"

"And she is well within her right to deny it. Shall we take it to the court to question why you skipped your other sister who is not yet wed and went to the younger one? It would not be pretty for you if there is something wrong with the man you have picked when it is evident you want to punish Alana for something she didn’t do," said Scarlet.

Ian smiled as he got to witness Scarlet school Luke. If there was a way to have her replace Luke and become queen, she would have his vote.

"Your father promised your mother he wouldn’t remarry but then he did. Get over it or be upset with him. Not your sister who didn’t have a hand in coming into this world. He is going to remarry again. Frankly, I doubt he can have another child. Who will you blame then?" Scarlet asked as he couldn’t blame Alana.

"There is more to why I despise her," Luke said, glaring at Alana.

Scarlet shook her head. "Then name them now so I can take back all that I said and apologise to you."

"He doesn’t need to explain," Madilyn defended her husband. She thought that the only reason Luke hated Alana was because she came from a marriage that shouldn’t have existed but if there was more or he was lying, she was going to stand beside him. "I would rather focus on why you have not obeyed to return the queen’s heart."

Scarlet chuckled as she knew it was Madilyn’s greedy eyes requesting it. "Don’t ask me to hand over something you can’t afford to buy back from me."