"I don’t intend to keep up this spar with you for much longer, Lady Diana. I believe I have shown that you don’t need to be so concerned about me as your son’s wife or as the queen. I would rather there be peace and that you not ask to act as my mother," Lilith requested, bored of Diana as an enemy.

Diana lowered her head as, twice now, Lilith seemed to get the best of her. "I also don’t want to fight, Your Majesty. That is why I shall quietly step back and let you take the reins with the feast and all that concerns the castle."

"I didn’t know there was a threat of a famine," Diana confessed.

"Not many knew of it because it never left the castle walls. Besides, not too many ladies bother themselves with the troubles and politics. I happen to be interested in it. Not only as a royal, but as a person standing in this kingdom," Lilith explained.

Diana lifted her head. "I underestimated you. Though you weren’t raised by tutors or the finest governesses like your siblings, you are still quite wise. You managed to beat me without support. I do wonder how you will be when you gain power."

Though Lilith was still rough around the edges and needed guidance, Diana liked a good challenge and knew when to raise her white flag.

"I also look forward to when I shall have more power," Lilith agreed.

"As long as you don’t become an enemy to my son, I shall stay out of your way. No more will I enter your chamber without permission or plan gatherings without your permission. I wish you a long life of good health, Your Majesty," Diana said, bowing for the final time. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"I wish you a long life as well," Lilith said, accepting Diana’s offer.

Diana was a small issue in a vast castle. This petty fight didn’t need to go on for much longer.

"Well, I shall keep the relatives calm until the feast. I will stop them from coming to you with their questions now, but I do hope you offer them a good bit of your time. You were an outcast in your family, so we don’t know you. They are curious about you," said Diana.

"As am I about the notorious Mortimer family. I have only seen your family from a distance, so I do intend to get to know some of you," Lilith answered.

Diana didn’t bother to question why Lilith said some.

Lilith’s gaze flickered to Richard standing in the distance, watching them with a cup in his hands. It was evident that he was drunk long before the coronation started.

People like Richard, who didn’t know how to contain themselves, were the reason she didn’t want the drinking to start so soon.

Lilith followed Richard’s gaze more carefully and noticed that it landed on Diana, not her.

’Oh, ’ Lilith mused. ’Such an interesting family.’

There never seemed to be a dull moment with her new family.

"Lady Diana, it seems that Richard Mortimer might want to have a word with you. I hear his son will become the new Duke Mortimer, so he must be excited and want to share the news with you. He must be careful, as others would think his gaze means otherwise," Lilith said, certain Diana understood her hidden message.

Diana turned around to find where Richard stood. Already, he appeared to be drunk.

Diana gritted her teeth.

Why couldn’t Richard have been the one to die instead of her husband?

Why did she need to put up with a man who wouldn’t leave her alone?

"There is someone I must speak to," Lilith excused herself before Richard thought of approaching.

Lilith walked to join Cassian where he stood.

"You came in time," Cassian said, holding Lilith’s hand.

Lilith looked down at where Cassian held her hand as though it was common between them. She then looked up and noticed he was avoiding her gaze.

"They will be your new guards. Alexander and Gerald," Cassian introduced the two men before him. "They’ve fought beside me in every war I faced and were upfront with me."

Lilith studied the two men before her, trying to decide which one would be more of a challenge and which might later be exposed as a spy for another Mortimer.

She looked at them from head to toe, not hiding her judgement. "They are tall and appear to be muscular, but their skills will determine how long they stay by my side. If you two are going to defy my orders, then I suggest you decline the order to protect me."

"They are to obey your commands," said Cassian.

"But they are loyal to you," Lilith added. "I am bound to experience some resistance, but I am not in the mood for it. Are the carriages ready?"

"The carriages and all the soldiers await us," Cassian said, secretly enjoying his hold on Lilith’s hand. "We can move now to finish the trip before the sun goes down."

"Then, we should move now. Where has Mary gone?" Lilith muttered, glancing around for Mary once more.

Gerald stood back, watching as Lilith walked ahead first. He didn’t know what to make of the queen at first. He glanced across the courtyard to where Diana stood, speaking with the other Mortimers. Their gazes met for a moment before he lowered his.

"Follow my wife," Cassian ordered Gerald, noticing that he was distracted. "This is not a task where you can allow your eyes to wander. If you let her out of your sight and she disappears, I advise you to run away, as I will kill you after you have delivered the news. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Gerald answered, moving his gaze back to Lilith.

Gerald moved to follow Lilith.

A secret harboured on his chest. One that would make Cassian furious and either send him away or kill him for what he did.

Gerald watched the woman who was now to be respected as the queen, curious about her.

Why did Cassian keep a Beaufort alive and marry her?

Especially one who disrespected his mother?