Chapter 80 The Reason Why It All Happened
“When I heard the news that you were… actively coming to the palace willingly, I found it hard to believe it.”
Maeve wasn’t sure when the tension between them had suddenly become so… intense. But it was probably because Eldoria had returned from her travels, and her stare had worsened.
Maeve had come to see Cassian with the letters she had for the Pillars. And to see how his plans were going. This time, he was fully aware that she was coming but only minutes after her arrival, it had been announced that the Queen was back from her trip and wanted to see her.
And now, Eldoria Esperanza sat on her throne, covered in blood and wearing her battle armor with a dead look in her eyes. “But after the sight of you and my son in the garden, I can be rest assured in the fact that you do not love him. How worrying. I thought you might. Would have had to cancel all of this.”
Maeve would have made a funny joke now. If things weren’t funny. If she didn’t feel like there was something pushing her face down to the ground. “This is a business after all. Your Majesty.”
There was silence for a few minutes before the sound of a chair scraping across the floor, her voice sounding like it was moving away. “Look at me. I would like to believe after my days of disappearance, you would miss me enough to keep pretending that we are friends, Isabella.”
She’s pissed.
Maeve wasn’t stupid not to take note of that. It meant she had to be careful. Very careful.
She rose from the position she was in, her steps following behind Eldoria who was leading somewhere else— and after a few journeys down, they appeared in a room… Eldoria’s bedroom.
How did Maeve know?
Maybe it was the fact that the entire ceiling was made of glass, showing the sky in all of its glory though it seemed no light rays passed through it. Or the arrays of paintings of Eldoria in very… strange positions.
Or the presence of potted plants almost everywhere with a table and chair in its center but no bed.
“Do not tell me Cassian has curved away your wildness already? I quite enjoy it.”
Maeve’s eyes brought her focus now to Eldoria who was taking off her clothes— not facing her anyway. Maids hurried in to help before she took a robe and wore it over her body then received a pipe from one of the maids and faced her. “I am certain he’s told you about his snake form— you all may leave.”
The maids left. Maeve spoke again. “He told me all that he could understand. Cassian… he’s not sure what he is. He’s terrified of the damage—”
“No. He is not. He is anything but,” She cut in fast. Quick. Like a file she was setting aside. “How far have you gone in your wedding preparations? I had hoped you two would be wed by now but I hear you have not presented yourself out publicly to your nobles that share the same age with you and a royal public event even after your announcement. Do I need to tell you the way it works?”
“I didn't think their opinions mattered. Not when you are the one I’m concerned with.”
“You asked for his hand while I was gone. I doubt you are concerned with any opinion I have.” Eldoria sat on the chair at the table, her hand stretched out. “The papers you wish to share with me. Let me see.”
Maeve didn’t know how she knew she had papers but she presented the ones in her hands, pulling it from behind her. Eldoria received it, settling her pipe down as smoke poured out of her mouth, her eyes scanning the paper. “Adrian has been missing for a while now. Do you know where he might be? He did not welcome me when I returned yesterday.”
“I saw him once. At night. But I made him leave. I have not seen him since then.”
“Hmm.” Her eyes scanned through the papers. “This is quite extensive work. Request for the permits of new buildings. Request for workers. Invitation for the Pillars— you are aware that they are reclusive towards your family for staying here close to the capital after the war. They believe you… abandoned them when they needed you the most. They would not share nice sentiments of you now… wedding my son.”
“It would be best if I was able to sort out all of this before the wedding happens. Don’t you think so?”
“Who says you will?”
“You.” Maeve said. “This is what you wanted at the beginning, isn’t it? Change within the Pillars and the royal family. It is why you wanted me with Cassian. You needed to bridge the gap. To consolidate powers within our family.”
“It seems you have me all figured out, Lady Montague.” Eldoria let out a small chuckle. “Was you having a vision of me killing Lir all that it took for you to take pity on me and protect my lineage?"
“What?”
“Think a little, Montague.” Elforia’s eyes crinkled slightly. “You must know how time will loop itself. You made yourself available to me when your present self showed you a vision after you joined the Life Bond. I will remember it. I remembered it. Isn’t that why you’re… choosing Cassian? Because I asked that you take care of him?”
She knew her.
It put everything into perspective.
If Eldoria had seen Isabella Montague then, it now made sense why she had singled her out. Why she kept singling her out.
Because she knew that she would be important somehow.
And Maeve knew her biggest secret. “You… why have you not said anything?”
“Then it won’t happen, see?” Eldoria tilted her head. “And you do owe me, Isabella Montague. You run illegal auctions, you take my people’s attention from me which can be seen as a threat of usurpation. You make deals with people. I let it all happen. Even your statement with Amir. And even this. Why do you think I agreed to do so?”
Maeve’s head was spinning. This was not what they were supposed to be speaking about. But she could not help how the word fell off her lips. “Because of Cassian?”
“No.” She said that word like she was disappointed. Like she was upset that Maeve could think that lowly of her. “Why would I send you to Satyr? Why would I let you do all of this? Why? Think.”
Maeve’s head spun faster. Her thoughts burning. It seemed like she couldn’t breathe. Like this was all leading to one thing. And the fact that she couldn’t put it all together until now… “Lir.”
The name fell out of her lips like a gasp. “Your curse… it bound him to Satyr. He could not cross over. He is… still here.”
Eldoria’s eyes didn’t show a significant difference. If anything, all they did was lose their light even more. “And? Is he resting now, Montague?”
“Eldoria—”
“Yes or no, Montague.” She cut in. “It is all I ask. You… you brought the Elves here. And the Orcs. So they survived the Curse. You found a way around it. You have… figured out how to set him free, yes?”