Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Liora’s POV

The castle was quieter than usual when I returned. Almost too quiet.

At first, I thought maybe I had been imagining it but the goosebumps that sprouted across my skin told me otherwise.

The usual early morning whispers of guards and workers preparing for the day were missing, as my boots echoed against the stone floors, each step sounding far too loud.

The silence that settled over the corridors made the hair on my skin stand in warning. Something felt wrong, the air was thick with tension. I was on high alert as I rounded the corner.

I felt her before I saw her. Everything in my body froze.

My mother. Standing at the top of the grand staircase, her hands clasped behind her back, lips pressed into that thin, terrifying line. Her blue eyes gleamed sharply. Green knows they could cut through stone faster than any power could. Or a stubborn daughter. Which I clearly had become.

Memories of the things I had said before storming out of her study flooded through my head and I grew nervous by the second.

“You’re home.” Her voice was flat, and calm. Too calm. That was always worse than yelling.

I-” I started, but my throat went dry. I had nothing to say.

She didn’t move to wait for me to finish. Her robes brushed the polished floor as she glided down the stairs with that predator-like grace the Altharos women had mastered, each step deliberate, each motion a reminder that she owned the castle, the rules, and apparently me. Her presence always demanded attention without a word.

“I’ve been informed,” she began, eyes narrowing as she reached the bottom of the stairs, “that you’ve begun training with Dravon. Without explicit approval.”

I paused. Without explicit approval? Technically, she had ordered it, but the way she said it made it sound like she did not. Did Kysen lie about this? My heart skipped a beat as I considered the possibility.

“I… I just started this morning,” I began cautiously, “as you asked.”

Her eyes narrowed sharply. “Do you take me for a fool, Liora?”

I bowed my head immediately, “No ma’am”

“Did I give you orders to train with Dravon?” she asked.

I hesitated, as I bit my bottom lip. This was such an annoying situation to be stuck in. Did she order Kysen to train me or not? He wouldn't dare lie like that, would he? Lying in the name of the queen? That would be audacious. Kysen did whatever he wanted but would he go that far?. Would he do that to me?

“Are you suddenly mute?” She asked and I sucked a sharp breath in.

If there was anything my mother hated, it was slow people or people who weren't quick on their feet.

“No ma'am. You did not give me any orders” I answered. Truly, she didn't give me orders.

“Then explain the reason for your sudden act of defiance” she asked and I swallowed past the nerves that gripped my throat.

“I wasn't being defiant, mother. Kysen told me-” I started but she cut me off.

“Kysen. I see you're on a first name basis with him now” she stated and I visibly had to fight back a nasty look.

“Dravon told me that you ordered him to train me, I was just trying to follow your orders.” I explained, laying emphasis on ‘Dravon’, and somehow managing to keep my voice steady.

My mother’s lips pressed into a thinner line, and she tilted her head slowly, almost calculatingly.

“And you didn't even question it at all? You just believed him?” She questioned and I swallowed hard. It was a test. Now, I was sure of it. She always did this. Tested me randomly just to judge my competence, or my loyalty.

She gave him the order to train me, just so she could watch how I would handle it. Why would anyone even test their own child? Bitterness filled my mouth.

I hated this so much.

“This is how I know you're still not fit to take over the throne,” she said, with a sharp edge in her voice that made me step back involuntarily. “Your reckless actions put the entire family at risk, and our entire legacy as well.”

I bit my tongue to avoid talking back again.

“You don’t decide when or how royal duties are carried out. I do. You follow my orders, or you fail your family. It's as simple as that.” She said, like it was really that simple. Like I did not have a mind of my own.

“Mother, you dug this pit with your own hands,” I said, finally letting my slowly growing anger, not to mention, Vyrmoth's irritation, take over my tongue.

She raised a brow, as if amused by my audacity. I pretended not to notice.

“You didn't have to test me in the first place, but you decided to, and now that I'm going through with it, you're disappointed? And you're blaming me? Well, that doesn't even matter because I'm going to keep on training with Dravon, no matter what you say. And I'm not endangering the family legacy, because I believe he really can help me.” A frown had settled between my brows by the time I was done talking.

"Training with the Dravon heir? That is what can help you? Letting your guard down to someone whose family-”

“I know,” I interrupted, the words slipping out faster than I meant them to, “Someone whose family my family hates, whose family is mine's rival, whose family will do anything to get us off the throne. I know all of that.”

A pause. Then she spoke, now more quiet. “And yet, you went anyway.”

I swallowed hard. “Yes.”

“Mother, I am a part of this family, yes. But we do not necessarily have to share the same view. I'm tired of pretending to hate him, simply because that’s what you want me to do. Have you ever even asked me what I want? Or even wondered?” My chest ached as I spoke.

She rolled her eyes. “Enough. Enough of the dramatics. The throne you will eventually sit on does not allow room for tantrums or useless emotions.”

“My emotions aren’t-” My voice rose slightly, before I controlled myself, “You know what? Have it your way. But I will not stop training with Kysen, no matter what you say”

She studied me for a second, her eyes trained on mine. I didn’t break eye contact, and neither did she, neither of us willing to back down. I clenched my jaw stubbornly until she spoke again.

“You think I do not know you but I do. After all, I am still your mother. And you are way too similar to your father. I see everything, Liora. I see every single one of your flaws, and one of your most recent developments, your recklessness, considering the tantrum you are throwing now, and the one you threw yesterday. Talking back at me. Really?” I stiffened as her words hit me, my head reflexively bowing again.

If she really wanted to, she could have my head for talking back at her and storming out without being dismissed. No one, and I mean, no one, had the right to talk back to the queen.

“Yes,” I admitted, even as my chest constricted. “I did. I… I’m not a child anymore. I won’t pretend to be obedient when I need to do something that matters.” I said.

Another quiet moment passed, before she finally spoke.

“I could easily have him executed-” she said, and my eyes widened in fear as horror set in.