Chapter 80: Chapter 80 - Future heirs
An hour later, Mary arrived in the chamber to dress Lilith for the day. For the first time, Lilith would be sitting with the Mortimers in the morning, though not under pleasant circumstances. Richard’s death would need to be discussed, as well as arrangements for his funeral.
"Your Majesty, will you be going to visit the orphanage soon? I heard others say that it would be your first stop around the town," Mary shared, curious if Lilith had changed her mind about getting close to children.
"I do need to leave the castle at times to get close to the townspeople, but the days I am to leave will remain a secret. I will not allow my enemies to plot to harm me when I am out of the castle. It is too tight," Lilith said, hunching slightly, her hand pressed against her waist as the corset pinched her.
"My apologies," Mary murmured, loosening the corset. "Will it be safe to go to the orphanage? You always stay away from children to keep them safe."
"I cannot do that now. It is my duty to show my face at the orphanage. I might be seen just as the other Beauforts if I do not attend, and I want to see the state of the orphanages. I am in a better position to fight back," Lilith said, no longer seeking to hide. "I can protect those children."
Lilith wanted to keep the children safe from the church, as there were suspicious movements when she was sent to the church in her younger days.
Mary glanced to the side as a shadow flickered in the corner of her eye, only to find the cat slipping silently across the floor. She regretted letting it inside so soon.
"I must get stronger to protect the people I love and to bring this kingdom to be stronger. It won’t be long before other kingdoms send their envoys to see the state of the castle. The kingdom must be in order by then," Lilith declared.
The other kingdoms could not view them as weak.
Lilith straightened as the corset loosened and asked, "Mary, do I look healthy enough to have a child soon?"
Mary’s hands faltered. "Your Majesty?"
"Answer the question, Mary. Do I not look well?" Lilith pressed, her fingers brushing her cheek as though searching for signs of sickness.
"You look very well, Your Majesty. Other than when you were poisoned, I cannot think of the last time you were ill, and you used to fall ill quite often. Do you feel unwell? There was once a flu going around, and it claimed many lives," Mary said, worried Lilith would too become unwell.
"It was only a question. My father’s court no longer exists, but soon Cassian will have one. The first question to shake my position as queen will be about an heir. The sooner I have one to silence them, the better. Perhaps I should seduce him," Lilith considered aloud, calculating her next move.
"I see the king as smitten with you. I do not like it, but it is good for you. Since he has not touched you yet, you mustn’t worry about a child," Mary assured her.
"It is my duty as queen to provide heirs. I knew what I was getting myself into, and it isn’t that he doesn’t want to be intimate. I have been controlling what we do. With all that is going on, I am not in the mood for it," Lilith confessed, but there were times when she was intrigued.
"You mustn’t make the mistake of going too long without being intimate, as his eyes can lie on another woman. There are plenty of ladies around the town who would love to be noticed by the king. They would do anything to stay at his side," Mary warned, certain ladies would soon appear.
"I do not care if he looks elsewhere for love. What matters is that he doesn’t have a child outside of the marriage. I would not like to put any more children in my position," Lilith said.
Lilith tilted her head, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes as a thought struck her. "Maybe I should get as many children as I can out of him and cut off his penis."
Mary froze, wary that Lilith might be plotting something reckless. "Your Majesty, no man would go through with that request. Unless..." she hesitated, realising Lilith’s intent. "You cut it in his sleep."
"I cut it in his sleep," Lilith echoed at the same time, her lips curving into a sly smile. "You know me so well. We must be quick with getting dressed. Start with my gown," she ordered, eager to leave the castle.
"Your Majesty, might I suggest that instead of cutting off his penis in his sleep, you seduce him a little to keep his interest in you alive? To me, no other woman compares to you. You should pretend to act as though you have some interest in him," Mary suggested carefully.
Mary fully believed that Lilith could easily fool Cassian and have him hooked on her every word. So far, Lilith was the more menacing one in the marriage.
"I don’t need to pretend as of late. Our talks have been pleasant, and I allow him to touch me when he wants. I shall settle this matter tonight. Prepare a nightgown good enough to seduce him," Lilith said, her decision made.
"I’m afraid you don’t have any. We are fortunate that dresses were prepared for you for the wedding and the coronation. You need gowns and accessories to match. You are now the queen, but you have so little to wear," Mary said, annoyed that Lilith wasn’t presented with dresses yet.
Mary could hardly wait to doll Lilith up even more.
"I didn’t think about myself," Lilith admitted, only now realising the lack of dresses. "I will take care of this at another time. Fortunately, I have the best attire to seduce him. A blanket which will help to speed it up. Inform the guards in due time that we are not to be disturbed tonight."
