Chapter 42: Chapter 42 - Opinions
Diana exited the chamber and faced Cassian.
"Done so soon? What did you make of her?" Cassian asked, looking down at his mother.
"I am only wondering why. You wanted nothing to do with the Beauforts, and for reasons of your own, you killed the king, which has now made you a free man, yet you are marrying his daughter. We both know Lilith is trouble. So why this princess?" Diana inquired, surprised Thalia wasn’t considered.
"I want her. It is as simple as that," Cassian replied, leaving no room for reconsideration. "There is no other woman for me besides Lilith, so don’t suggest otherwise."
"I didn’t know you were so taken with her. Had you told me, I would have understood. This is why you must speak to me," Diana said, reaching for his arm so he would walk with her. "If you care for her, then I shall try to understand, but still I worry."
"You must forget whatever the queen once told you about Lilith."
"I don’t care what that woman said. I am concerned about whether Lilith has any allies who might help you. The Beaufort name has crumbled, and since you killed a king, there will be many who want you dead. You need support, yet you chose Lilith," said Diana.
"I alone have the support we shall need. I know you worry with good reason, but it is settled that I will marry Lilith. You should get to know her," Cassian said, wanting the two to find their way to each other.
"I intend to. I suspect much of what I was told about her was never the full truth. A young woman who lost her mother too soon and never belonged within her own family," Diana said, piting Lilith. "Did you force her hand?"
"I didn’t have time to court her. Her father ordered her death, so I had to kill him, and the castle cannot be without a king and queen for long. Had I returned sooner, I would have courted her properly and taken her away from this place," Cassian said, the regret loud in his voice.
"This is unlike you, Cassian. It seems as though you did all of this for Princess Lilith. Is there something else behind why you chose her over anyone else? You could have married another lady. This isn’t to take your anger out on her, right?" Diana asked, her eyes studying his face.
"I have only ever hated her father, not her. Mother, you mustn’t worry. All is well," Cassian assured her. The back and forth with questions started to bore him.
"All might not be well. The others were surprised at first, but now that they have settled, they are eager to see you become king. Just not with Lilith as your queen. They are not fond of a Beaufort still sitting on the throne," Diana shared.
"I wonder if they are fond of their heads remaining attached to their necks."
"Cassian!" Diana gasped and tapped his arm. "They are your family."
"Lilith is about to become my family, and quite frankly, I care mostly about her. And you," Cassian said, leaning close. "I am not letting go of Lilith, regardless of who opposes the union. I suggest you warn the others that my sword is still sharp."
"I only have so much say, Cassian. I am no longer a duchess since your father passed. I will do what I can to help you, and for your sake, I will make the effort to know Lilith. Does that make you happy?" Diana asked, his contentment being her only real concern.
"It does," Cassian replied.
"I will have to spend time guiding her. Is she truly capable of being queen? She was never permitted to sit in on gatherings, nor did she receive the same tutoring as Princess Thalia. I fear she may not be prepared to face the kingdom," Diana said, fearing Lilith would fall short.
"Lilith is more than ready. She is sharp and unafraid of what lies ahead. You should have stayed a little longer to see it for yourself, but you will have time to learn," said Cassian.
Diana smiled only to give him some comfort. She would not object to the marriage, but her concerns remained unresolved beneath the surface.
Cassian would not be easily accepted now that he had become a king-slayer. He needed allies, and Lilith could not provide them.
"I will give you time to settle into your early married days, and then I shall come to help Her Highness prepare for meeting with other ladies. I still don’t understand how you came to be so taken with her, but I shall respect it," Diana promised.
"I am glad that you are finally going to wed. It is long overdue that you take a wife and make me a grandmother," Diana added, that last part carrying more weight than all the rest.
"You must be patient. There is much to be put right before an heir can even be considered."
"You know how much joy a child brings-"
"Mother," Cassian said, his tone closing the matter. "I shall decide when I have a child. Do not push it again, and do not speak of it to Lilith in private. I will not allow anyone to unsettle this union. Not even you."
"You would have me killed?" Diana asked, drawing back slightly. It was as though another man stood beside her, wearing her son’s face.
"No, but I would have to send you back to our land and banish you from the castle. I know how much you long to see me have a family, but this is my life. You had your marriage and lived it at your own pace. Stay out of mine," Cassian instructed Diana.
"Forgive me," Diana said, her voice softening as she recognised she had pushed too far. "You are right that I shouldn’t rush you. The kingdom will do that soon enough."
Diana tucked her hand back through his arm. "Take a small break and walk with me."
They moved together down the corridor.
"I always feared you would not come back from war, and now I must worry about George’s old allies hunting you. You must be careful," Diana said, an unsettling anxiety coming over her. "I must visit the church to pray for you."
"No," Cassian said flatly. "Stay away from the church."
