Chapter 107: Chapter 107 - Lesson
By morning, news of Virgil’s crimes and his punishment flooded the town. The reactions were mixed, with many demanding he be hanged before the town square, while others clung desperately to the belief that Virgil had been their saviour.
Only Cassian bore witness to Virgil’s hanging, his eyes cold as the rope tightened, followed swiftly by the deaths of the nobles who had joined Virgil in his evil deeds.
Lilith remained in the castle, her mind consumed with preparations for the gathering of women. It would be the first event she hosted, and though she longed for it to go well, she braced herself for sly comments and sharp-tongued remarks.
She looked forward to seeing how the ladies would act and to putting them in their places. She had deliberately invited some of those who had once been close to Thalia. Women, she now considered potentially useful.
As irritating as those ladies were, their families carried influence. Fortunately, they were always eager to follow someone, and Lilith was hellbent on ensuring that someone was her.
Much to her dismay, the two days leading up to the gathering dragged on slowly, each hour stretching with anticipation.
On the day itself, Lilith dressed in a gown gifted to her by Cassian. Jewels she had once only admired from a distance now rested against her skin.
"He did well," Lilith murmured, impressed by the lengths Cassian had gone to spoil her. A flicker of pride warmed her chest.
"He must be, because you have not stopped smiling since. You have not stopped smiling since yesterday, and I have been trying to understand why," Mary observed, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"It is the stories he tells me. They are quite funny, yet hard to believe. That is all," Lilith said, her smile fading as she caught Mary’s tone. "Do not misunderstand."
"I will not," Mary promised. "I would not shame you if you were to be smitten with him. He seems to be a bit trustworthy."
So far, Cassian had not harmed Lilith, which counted for something in Mary’s eyes.
"Please, do not go on and on about me being smitten with anyone. I was the same way with Michael, and look how that ended," Lilith pointed out.
"You used Michael, making him think you loved him. Not once did you act as you do with your husband. And, I am at your door at night. I hear the two of you. You make the men blush," Mary revealed, her lips twitching with amusement.
"Then you should move away from the door. Cassian is not just any man I am using. He is my husband, so my methods are different. I am going to be late with what you are distracting me with," Lilith said, moving away from Mary’s side, her patience thinning.
"I only want to know about your feelings so I can start being kind to your husband."
"When have you been rude?" Lilith inquired, her brow arching.
"Never, since there was no need for us to speak. But I would like to be in a good position with the man you love," Mary explained.
"I do not love him!" Lilith exclaimed. She sighed, gathering herself, and walked towards the door. "I have guests to meet. Someone might end up in the dungeon by the end of the day. Let us hope it will not be you."
Mary was not concerned about the dungeon. "You must send me for a day. I look forward to seeing who else is there and killing them for you."
Lilith smiled faintly as Mary truly would enjoy such a punishment. "You know I would never send you there. I would send Cassian there before I send you."
Mary opened the door for Lilith to walk out.
"Missing again," Lilith muttered, noticing only one of her guards.
"I sent the other to keep an eye on the ladies entering the castle. You know they will be foolish enough to openly speak of their plans to insult you. I also wanted to keep an eye on the woman known as Arthur’s former mistress," Mary explained.
"Well done. This is why I cannot get rid of you. I want you to keep an eye on Diana while I am busy. I do not fully trust her yet, but I am going to play nice for Cassian’s sake. Are you going to run and tell what I said?" Lilith asked, glancing over her shoulder at Alexander.
"No, Your Majesty. I do not report to anyone other than you," Alexander answered.
"I would have to put that to the test. I might put a knife to my husband’s neck while he sleeps. The only way he shall live is if you stop him," Lilith said, leaving Alexander with something to ponder.
Alexander was not concerned for Cassian, for the simple fact that Lilith would never be able to overpower him, even if he had just woken.
Lilith continued to the gardens where the women had been directed.
"I go alone from here," Lilith said, making her servants stop before the tables. She entered alone, her gaze sweeping over every face in attendance.
Many of the ladies she recognised from seeing them walk the castle halls during other events.
As she passed the tables, Lilith noticed the women did not rise to greet her or show respect. Instead, they sat watching her every move, waiting for what they could judge.
Rather than make a scene immediately, Lilith continued to her chair, where Diana and two other ladies stood for her.
"Your Majesty," Diana greeted with a curtsy. She did not attempt to order the others to stand, curious to see how Lilith would handle them.
Lilith faced a difficult task as these women were not going to respect her, even though she was now their queen.
Lilith sat down and first acknowledged the women who had already stood. "You may sit," she said.
"The others shall stand for the remainder of the gathering. We shall be here for an hour or two, so stand where you will be comfortable. If you do not stand, you will kneel. Then your husbands will kneel before the king. I leave your fate in your hands," Lilith declared, waiting for any lady to challenge her.
