Chapter 42 Chapter 42

Chapter 42 Chapter 42
Liora’s POV
“As previously summarized in the official letter sent to the Queen, this meeting is being held to clarify intentions. So without further ado, let us get this meeting started” A man from the Dravon family announced.
I resisted the urge to bite my lip, to avoid showing how nervous I really was. I wasn't going to give his family that satisfaction. I had an image to uphold in this meeting, and I intended to keep it that way.
Since they called for the meeting, and given the subject in question, they had to be the ones to start.
Lord Albert Dravon, Kysen’s father and the patriarch of the Dravon family, straightened in his seat, calling out attention.
One would have thought there was no way he could possibly sit straighter with how well positioned he already was.
“Your Majesty,” he started, looking like saying that title alone visibly hurt him.
“This question is for you,” he paused, as he stared at my mother, “It is no strange news that our families have been at each other’s necks for centuries. To attain peace, we avoid each other at all costs. Why would you order my son to train your daughter?”
I swallowed. He was flat out challenging my mother and he still somehow managed to make it sound polite.
I turned slightly to assess my mother’s reaction.
As usual, her face was straight, emotionless… No one could ever tell what the woman was actually thinking. But… there was one thing I knew of. As someone that has seen her get angry several times, there was this way her left eye twitched whenever she was extremely agitated.
But one really had to focus, or specifically look out for it to see it, because it was such a slight movement.
I held my breath subconsciously as I watched her.
Any time now…
My eyes were trained on her like a hawk.
Ah… there we go.
Just as I predicted, her left eye twitched ever so slightly, before she started to speak.
“Kysen Dravon is a warrior of Mythgaard, an excellent one at that,” My mother started, as she trained her eyes on Lord Albert, and I almost smirked.
Complimenting the enemy is one skill she knew all too well how to use, and it always managed to impress me every single time.
“Why can’t I order my warrior?” she asked calmly, throwing a question back at Lord Albert.
The meeting had just begun and the air was already so tense, I was almost so sure it could be sliced.
“Given our family history, I call foul play.” He retorted, equally calmly.
My mother scoffed. “You’re threatened”

Every single person seated around the table froze.
My eyes darted to her. I knew she was going to bring the heat on, but I did not expect her to be so forward about it. I thought they were playing the ‘indirect Manning's game, but she just took it a whole notch higher.
Uh oh.
My eyes darted to Kysen, whose eyes were already trained on his father.

I slowly turned to the man in question. He was dangerously silent, his face way too calm as he stared at my mother.
“What do you mean?” He asked, and I almost rolled my eyes.
Oh you know exactly what she means Albert.

“You are threatened,” she said again, spelling it out for him to hear like he was a kid.
He scowled.

“You are threatened by something so little, so baseless… How disappointing. Anyway, that does not matter. This is getting boring,” she said, before looking around the room.

“I do not think I need to remind any of you of the position I hold. Being here doesn’t make me stupid or gullible. I could have easily ignored your letter, because this is a baseless meeting.” The entire room was quiet.

She leaned forward slightly, “Tell me Lord Dravon, if I wanted to make this political, do you really think it'd do it so plainly? Or even worse, go through our kids? You might use such underhanded means but I would never stoop so low”

Dear Green.
Was it just me or was it suddenly hot in here?
“I never said you were making it political,” he said, his previously calm face now looking slightly disturbed.

“Then what did that statement mean? Foul play?” She asked and he stayed quiet.

“I’d humor you though. In case you forgot, I am the queen, and I can request for the services of my people. Therefore, if I call on the services of one of my finest warriors, then I do not see the issue, or why I have to clarify my intentions whatsoever. Unless someone here is questioning my orders?”

Oh, she was definitely so mad.
The entire room grew silent. No one dared to speak. Not even Lord Albert who previously seemed audacious. One could see he hated the entire situation but he had no choice but to stay quiet.

“Anyone?” she asked again, staring down every single person.
No one spoke, they dared not.
She had completely turned the table on them. A whole 360 really.
It was quite the sight, really. Where was the energy they had when they boldly sent that letter?

“Good, then let us move on to the next order of agenda” she said and I finally let out the breath I did not know I was holding.

“Right,” the man from earlier said, “Now, this is about the successors of both houses.”
Every eye in the room turned to us, and I swallowed as my body straightened reflexively.
Great. Now, it was our turn.

Green help me.

“Well, we received credible information that your daughter, Liora, has been trying to entrance Kysen,” Lord Albert spoke again.
“That is Princess Liora to you,” my mother's now audibly angry voice radiated through the entire room as the building trembled slightly.
Oh no.