Chapter 109: Chapter 109 - Control
Eve’s gaze fell upon the cup of tea Lilith had spoken of. Her hands trembled at the thought that something more might be hidden within the brew.
Diana stared at Lilith in shock, unable to believe she would go so far. Yet it was true that the child, if there had been one, would have posed a threat, a rival to Cassian’s future son and his place upon the throne.
"I was going to kill you, but I decided to spare you and rid you of any child if there were one. If I did not get to you, the former queen would, and she would have beaten the child out of you. Understand that I do not think you were ever pregnant," Lilith said, her voice cold.
"I am not saying this for my own conscience, but because after meeting you, I can tell. With Arthur gone, you thought this would be the perfect moment to come here, because no one would know the truth besides you and Arthur," Lilith continued, revealing Eve’s plot.
"Were you truly pregnant with the crown prince’s child, Miss Eve? If you were able to notice it, then the castle doctors can tell us. They are the most skilled doctors in the town," Diana said, her suspicion plain.
Eve nervously turned to Diana, her lips parting but no words escaping.
"Very well, we can send her to the doctor. If I were wrong, I would admit it. However, if the doctor proves that you were never with child, I will have you placed in the dungeon for lying. If I find out it is the child of another man, I will personally kill you," Lilith threatened.
Eve looked down at the cup, her mind racing. Her father had not accounted for this in his plans. She was to claim she carried a child, then find a man to make the lie true.
All Eve wanted was to get ahead of the other ladies who might also claim to be pregnant. The first one would always be the most believable.
"I," Eve began, but the words caught in her throat, strangled by fear.
"Well, seeing as nothing is happening to you, there was never a child. How awful of you to lie about carrying the child of a dead man to get ahead. I care for all of my people, so if you needed help, I would have offered it," Lilith said, shaking her head.
"So this awkwardness does not persist. If you were lying about the child, simply push the cup forward. If you want to continue the act and go to the castle doctor, so be it. I am willing to admit that I was wrong. Or not," Lilith added, her gaze lowering as Eve hesitantly pushed the cup forward.
"Well, that settles that," Lilith said, ready to move on.
Eve placed her hands in her lap, her fingers twisting together.
Lilith’s sudden laughter rang out, making Eve flinch and long to flee.
’I should have truly put it,’ Lilith thought, her mind lingering on the tea. She did not want to hear Cassian grumble about the possibility of killing a child.
"We shall forget about that moment and move on with the gathering. Does anyone else have something they want to confess now? Or shall I care for it later? Any mistresses of my husband?" Lilith asked, her eyes sweeping the table, daring anyone to speak.
Diana, curious to know if any woman had been with her son in secret, watched the ladies. After Lilith’s ruthless display, no one dared to speak up.
"Your Majesty," Diana spoke at last, seeking to ease the tension. "Your cup is empty. Would you allow me to pour your tea for you?"
"My tea has not arrived yet. Mary is going to bring it," Lilith said, unwilling to drink from tea that had been sitting unattended before her arrival. "But thank you for being so kind as to offer."
"You all must not be so tense now. When I entered the garden, you appeared so bold, ready to fight against me, and now you are sitting like statues. Would you be better off standing?" Lilith asked, ready to give the order.
"No, Your Majesty. I was wrong for not standing when you entered. What happened recently has been a shock for us, and yes, we do not know you well, but you are the queen. We should put our feelings aside to greet you," a young woman, whom Lilith recognised as the daughter of the count, spoke up. Her voice trembled with sincerity.
"You must, for the sake of your families. The former queen and princess are not here. There is no one in the castle to support your bad behaviour. I am not going to hold your past antics against you. I am willing to start anew," Lilith offered.
"That does not mean I will completely forget what you did before. Forget what you might have heard about me from Thalia or the former queen. I am not someone you can walk over and face no consequences. I do not care who your father is," Lilith said, her authority undeniable.
Lilith noticed Eve’s eyes remained fixed upon her lap. She looked away, uninterested in soothing Eve’s fears about what might become of her.
Lilith was almost certain Eve’s plan was not her own. There was always a relative lurking behind, pushing women forward for their own greed.
"You may eat the food and drink the tea. There is nothing more placed inside the food. Relax," Lilith encouraged, though her eyes remained watchful.
Diana looked around the table. "Perhaps we should start the entertainment. Her Majesty prepared for the best musicians in the town to play while we eat."
"Yes, you may also walk around the gardens. If you go too far, a guard will direct you back to your chair. I am sure that, after Eve’s little display, you will want a moment to sigh and be thankful you did not also make a fool of yourself. Stand and go," Lilith ordered, her voice commanding.
With second thoughts, the women rose from the table, their movements stiff as they hurried for somewhere quiet to relax from the tension.
"You certainly know how to silence a group of women," Diana commented, impressed.
"I try my best," Lilith answered, her lips rising to a satisfied smile.
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