Chapter 82: Chapter 82 - Guidance
Diana continued to walk, taking in the scenery. "I do consider you family now, Lilith. I truly hope we can become so close that we can talk once in a while. All I have left is my son, so I am protective of him. I hope you can understand."
"I understand it, but that doesn’t mean it won’t bother me. Cassian and I are in a good place, so we don’t need anyone stepping in, worrying about either side. Well, I don’t have anyone worrying about me, so it always feels like I am the one under attack," Lilith expressed her concerns.
"I didn’t think of how you must feel to be without a parent. I’ll consider it going forward. Fortunately for you, Cassian is sending me away. Life should be better with me now that Richard is gone. I shall get to watch his son become the duke in peace," Diana said, already feeling the peace.
Lilith found it amusing how Diana was comfortably opening up about Richard. She made it even more obvious that Richard had feelings for her.
"You are always welcome to the castle for special gatherings. I will not count you out because you are his mother. I won’t be the reason you two are at odds. That shall be between you," Lilith promised Diana. "Well, only if you don’t cause any trouble."
"Trust me, I am quite certain that you would plot against me. I am starting to believe that you could succeed in turning my son against me. We are two very different women, but I respect the woman you are. You are not an easy opponent," Diana said, offering a compliment.
"That is why I am not as worried as before about you being his wife. Too many ladies marry into these positions and show no growth. No interest in protecting themselves or putting effort into their duties. They only seek the title, but you seek the power," Diana added, her words filled with admiration.
"I will die if I don’t do better. I was not raised in an environment where I could simply relax and enjoy the title. There is some help I need that would show you truly are moving on. I must meet with the prominent ladies around the town," Lilith said, turning to Diana for guidance.
"Their husbands shall become Cassian’s allies, and I need a hold over these women. You have met them before and know how they are, while I have not. I like to know what I am walking into," Lilith said, seeking Diana’s knowledge.
"I can help you with the ladies. Unfortunately, even though you are the queen, they shall view you as weak because you have always been cast aside. To the kingdom, you are more of a prisoner than a queen who holds power. You will face disrespect," Diana warned Lilith.
Lilith smiled, almost relishing the thought. "I don’t mind the disrespect. It means I get to have a little spar with words and prove them wrong. Please arrange a gathering for the ladies around the town, but don’t waste too much food on these guests."
"I have learned my lesson, Your Majesty. It will be a simple gathering for the ladies to introduce themselves to you. I will do my best to have it go well," Diana promised, though she knew drama was inevitable.
It would take time for Lilith to be properly welcomed by the wives around the town.
Diana looked over her shoulder to glimpse Lilith’s maid and guards. "Do you like your new guards? I heard the one you had before poisoned you. It must have been devastating to face such betrayal."
"I haven’t made up my mind about my new guards as yet, and I don’t dwell on what Solomon did. I am used to such betrayals. Do you know my current guards?" Lilith asked, studying Diana’s expression. She still believed Diana had a spy.
"I have seen them many times before and know that they are very loyal to my son. You don’t need to worry about his soldiers. No matter how they felt about the Beauforts, they will protect you with their lives because they are loyal to my son. Speaking of him," Diana said, spotting Cassian ahead.
Lilith looked forward at Cassian speaking to young gentlemen she recognised as his cousins. Seeing that the three were speaking casually, she assumed her plan had worked, and the cousins held no ill feelings toward Cassian.
"Has Cassian always been close to his cousins?" Lilith asked.
"Not as close as they should be because of Richard, but they are close enough. It could either get better or worse now that Richard is gone. You never know," Diana said, worried the family might still be divided. "If you would excuse me. There is someone I must speak to."
Lilith let Diana go and approached Cassian.
Cassian held his hand out to Lilith, inviting her to come to him.
Lilith accepted his hand and stood by his side. "I offer my condolences to you both. Your father has been taken from this world so soon."
Hayden Mortimer, the oldest of the two sons, bowed his head. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m sorry this has spoiled your celebrations."
"It has not, so do not think that it has. What matters most is ensuring that you two are well. I didn’t know your father well, but I suspect he must have been a good father to you. You can both make him proud by becoming a good duke and helping your brother," said Lilith, her tone warm yet commanding.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Hayden said, bowing his head slightly. "Thank you for your kind words. It pleases us that you have come to see us. If you don’t mind, I would like to introduce my mother to you when she arrives."
"I just spoke of wanting to see your mother, so this is wonderful. It seems that someone is trying to get your attention," Lilith said, motioning to one of the relatives standing near a door. "Don’t let me keep you."
"Then, excuse us," Hayden replied.
Lilith forced a smile and thought of how unusual it was that Richard’s sons seemed so normal. ’They might one day surprise me,’ she mused.
