Chapter 43 Chapter 43

Chapter 43 Chapter 43
Liora’s POV
She was so angry. Her face was the complete opposite of the wreck that was beginning to unfold. The way the entire building shook felt way too familiar. It vibrated against the chairs and I gripped it tightly, as dust shook loose from the movement.

By now, the faces of everyone in the room had turned pale, as they looked around warily, most of them looking like they were very ready to flee.

My face was so calm, mostly because I saw it coming, but also because I had schooled my expression to be so cold and straight.

My eyes glanced to the man that was previously speaking. He looked scared out of his mind.
Poor thing.
I sighed before reaching for my mothers arm. It was funny, I wasn’t sure I had ever found myself in that situation before. Being the one to calm my mother down? That was the job of my brothers… I was always on the other end.

I wasn’t even sure of what I was doing, or if I would even make any difference.
“Mother,” I called softly, my hands wrapping lightly around her arms.
I felt as she stiffened against my hand, before turning to face me sharply, her face questioning what I was doing.

I forced a small smile, “I can handle it”
The hall quietened as she calmed herself. Maybe it was the shock she had from me touching her, or my words. Either way, the crisis was successfully averted.

I didn’t miss the relief that flashed through the room… the instant release of tension.

“This is about me, so you will address me properly” I said, addressing the man directly.
I knew most people hated me, but being rude was completely out of the question.
He swallowed, somehow managing to get past the shock of the building literally almost falling apart.
“Yes, Your Highness," he said and I nodded firmly, urging him to continue. Good.

“We received credible information that…” he trailed off, suddenly unable to complete the statement.
I almost laughed. If it was so hard to say, then why did they even send the letter in the first place?

“That I have been trying to entrance the Dravon heir?” I completed the statement for him.
He cleared his throat, before looking away.
I faced the heir in question. My eyes landed on him, my disdain as plain as day. I hated how annoyingly hot he looked at that moment. As much as he annoyed me, I couldn’t deny that.
I leaned forward slightly, “Did I ever try to charm you?”
I decided to ask him directly.
He scoffed lightly, “Even if you did, it could never work.”
“There, you all have your answer. I did not and would never try to charm…” I paused, turning to Kysen with a disgusted look on my face, before I continued, “him”
“It’s funny to think you could even charm a person, talk less of me,” Kysen said and I raised a solid brow.
“Didn’t you learn manners?” I asked and he scoffed.
“Oh my apologies, Your Royal ‘thorn in my side’” he said and audible gasps actually went through the room.
“Kysen!” Lord Albert said, his tone warning, and most of all shocked.
I rolled my eyes dramatically.
“I’m actually so surprised this was even a part of the letter. In addition to what the queen said, this is such a baseless meeting.”
“Liora.” My mother warned.
“What?! It's true. Everyone knows that we hate each other’s guts. Even the training feels like a punishment. And now what? I'm being suspected of entrancing him?” I stated, and everyone went quiet.
“I hate that I even have to agree with her, but this is such an embarrassing situation to even be in. I have a mind of my own. There is no way I will ever fall for her. Do we not all see the same person?” Kysen said and I scoffed.
“The only reason I will pretend you did not just say that is because I do not want them to suddenly escalate this and somehow think I am now bewitching you or some slander like that” I stated.
“Sure, but it still does not make you pretty,” he stated and I curled my hands into fists.
“Oh, save it. It’s clear that the whole ‘praising you’ thing from the people is going straight to your head. The only good thing about you aside from managing to have some petty fighting skills, is that you talk too much!” I retorted.
“I do not! But even if I did, how would that be a good thing? Dummy” he said and I scoffed again.
“It could be useful to talk our enemies' ears off!” I said and he narrowed his eyes at me.
He turned to Lord Albert, who looked beyond annoyed, “Father, you really think I would end up with someone like this? Lame, ugly, lousy fighter-”
“I’m going to stop you right there,” I cut him off, raising a hand to stop him, before I continued, “I am not a lousy fighter.”
Kysen leaned forward slightly, “Really? Cause I clearly remember subduing you several times during our last training”
“Wow, that’s funny. I have a very clear memory being way faster and smarter than you, and definitely knocking you down several times as well” I said.
It wasn’t a total lie. Maybe not several times, but definitely more than two times.
He raised his eyebrows “That's not even-”
“Enough!” My mother suddenly said, and the room fell silent.
I clenched my jaw in annoyance, as I leaned back in my seat, my eyes still trained on the backstabbing man seated across me.
He annoyed me to the core. How did I even allow such a person to…
Ugh, it sucks just thinking about it.
“I’m sure you all have your answer now. This is a total clown show, Lord Dravon. Do not invite me to such again. Ever.” she concluded, before getting on her feet.
“We will be taking our leave now” she announced, and everyone scrambled to their feet, paying their respects before we turned to leave.
Out of respect… Wait, erase that. We know the Dravon family does not respect us.
Out of obligation, Lord Albert and Kysen escorted us out in complete silence.
The doors of the carriage opened up for us, and Lord Albert finally spoke.
“Thank you for honoring our invite, Your Majesty” he said as he and Kysen bowed, but even I knew that those were just words. Words he probably hated more than anything.
My mother nodded, before turning and entering the carriage.
“My Lord,” I curtsied, before following suit. But definitely not before giving Kysen the stink eye.
Annoying, aggravating man.
He gracefully returned the gesture and I rolled my eyes.
The doors to the carriage closed, and just like that, the one thing that had scared me to no end was over.
But the consequences of my actions? Oh, those were just about to start.
And I was even more certain about that from the look on my mother’s face.
“Liora Zolani Altharos.”
She stated, in the most monotonous voice ever.
Uh oh.