Chapter 71: Right of Severance

Chapter 71: Right of Severance
Maya sat on the edge of a fur-lined stool, casually inspecting one of Misarya’s silver hand mirrors. For the past hour, her "companionship" had consisted entirely of asking deeply intrusive questions, her voice perfectly polite but her eyes gleaming with sharp, predatory curiosity.
"The women of the camp gossip endlessly, of course," Maya said, not looking up from her reflection. "They say the Dragon King is as ruthless in bed as he is on the battlefield. Tell me, my Queen... Is it true? Is his cock as huge as they say? I think he could break you in half! You’re so small, and he is..."
Misarya stiffened, a hot flush of deep discomfort creeping up her neck. She folded the linen tunic in her lap with entirely unnecessary force. "He is my husband, Maya. As you can see, I’m whole."
Maya lowered the mirror, offering a pitying, overly sympathetic smile. "Oh, forgive me, my Queen. I completely forgot. The women in the valleys are very shy when it comes to sex, aren't they? I suppose the passions of the plains must be quite frightening for someone with such a... Delicate upbringing, like you."
Misarya opened her mouth, the sharp reprimand already burning on her tongue, but a voice cut through the room before she could speak.
"Maya."
Taya stepped out from the washroom, her dark Askari eyes locked onto the merchant's sister with absolute, unfiltered disdain. "Go ask the servants to fetch water for the Queen's bath."
Maya blinked, clearly thrown by being ordered around by another companion. She looked toward the open washroom door. "But her bathtub is already full."
"It was filled hours ago," Taya replied smoothly, crossing her arms over her chest. "The Queen only bathes in fresh, moving water. The stagnant water must be replaced."
Maya let out a short, breathy laugh, looking around the room as if waiting for someone to tell her this was a joke. When neither Misarya nor Taya smiled, the amusement drained from Maya's face. Her jaw tightened, but she had no choice. She was, officially, here to serve.
"I will be right back," Maya said tightly, standing up and sweeping out of the cabin, the heavy door thudding shut behind her.
Misarya let out a long, heavy sigh, dropping the folded linen. "Thank you, Taya. Getting rid of her, even for a moment, is a blessing."
Taya marched over to the table, her hands on her hips. "I am going to kill Jarek-Kai for this stupid idea. You are the Queen, Misarya-Lir. You should tell this bitch to fuck off back to her brother's tent."
Misarya rubbed her temples. "I was planning to do exactly that... but Jarek is the King's closest ally, and his oldest friend. I do not want to insult his family and cause a rift in Ikarion's command."
Taya narrowed her eyes, leaning in slightly. "She does not know the surrounding woods very well, my Queen. I can easily make it look like an accident... Just saying."
Misarya let out a startled, genuine laugh. "Thank you, Taya. Truly. But I think I will just do my best to ignore her until Rhea returns to her duties."
As if summoned by her name, the heavy door opened again. Rhea stepped into the cabin, looking paler than the moon.
Misarya stood up instantly, her face lighting up with relief as she crossed the room and pulled the older woman into a tight hug. "Rhea! By the gods, I haven't seen you in days."
"I'm sorry, my Queen," Rhea groaned, leaning heavily into the embrace before pulling back to press a hand to her stomach. "I think this baby is trying to kill me. It actively rejects everything I try to eat, and the moment I wake up, all I want to do is go back to sleep."
Misarya laughed softly, guiding Rhea to a comfortable chair. "I am pretty sure that is entirely normal."
"Well, I hate it," Rhea muttered, sinking into the cushions with a sigh. "Not the baby, of course. Just the sickness." She paused, her dark eyes shifting to Taya. "Taya... can you leave us for a moment? I need to have a private word with the Queen."
Taya nodded immediately. "Of course. I will stand guard outside and make sure Maya doesn’t come back."
Once the door clicked shut, the warmth faded from Rhea's face, leaving a heavy, exhausted seriousness behind.
"What is it, Rhea?" Misarya asked, taking the seat opposite her, suddenly anxious.
"My Queen," Rhea began, her voice low and steady. "I am sure you have already noticed that my husband's insistence on placing his sister as your companion... Is because he plans on marrying her to the Dragon King."
Misarya looked down at her hands, a bitter sigh escaping her lips. "I figured as much."
"I need you to know that I opposed him," Rhea said fiercely, leaning forward. "We fought bitterly over this. He placed me in an impossible, agonizing position."
"It is alright, Rhea," Misarya assured her gently, reaching out to squeeze her friend's hand. "I understand. He is your husband..."
"No, listen to me," Rhea insisted, her grip tightening. "Jarek doesn't just want the King to take a second wife. He wants you replaced entirely. A King's first wife is the Queen, and the only way to change that hierarchy is if the Queen willingly yields her title. Which, of course, never happens. But Jarek thought... He thought that because of our friendship, I could convince you to step down and return to Halen-dar."
Misarya’s breath hitched. A cold spike of betrayal pierced her chest, but she forced herself to look at Rhea. "And... Do you think I should do that?"
"My Queen? Of course not!" Rhea recoiled, genuinely horrified by the question. "You are our Queen! You are my friend. I would never ask you or advise you to do such a thing. Which is exactly why I told him I will use my Right of Severance to end my marriage if he continues with this stupid, treacherous plan. I absolutely refuse to be used as a weapon against you."
Misarya stared at her in utter confusion. "What? Right of what? What are you talking about?"
"It’s the Askari law," Rhea explained. "If a wife gives her husband a living male child, she has officially fulfilled her highest duty to his bloodline. Once a boy is born, she can ask the elders for the end of the marriage without any reprimands or shame… And is free to leave."