I have never seen such a displeased look on Father’s face before. Even his stone-cold deanor can be cracked.
"How dare you speak to your father that way? Have so respect!" Stepmother barked like the dog she was.
"We’re discussing politics, and Lord Ravemont here has made an error. It’s within my authority to speak on it."
I flickered my gaze back to Father, who didn’t look away from . I could sense a quiet anger rolling from him.
"Incomplete reports will not be tolerated. I suggest we get both the good and bad harvest, as well as every conflict. Are we in agreent, Lord Ravemont?"
"Beloria does not belong to the beasts!"
"That’s where you’re wrong, Lady Ravemont. This alliance was ant to combine forces. Beloria was a weak country, hiding away from the snowbloods, but with the help of the Lycans, they were able to step out into the world and reclaim their lost lands, not as an independent country."
Stepmother’s eyes trembled at my words, facing her husband, who had said nothing, proving my words right.
"I-I thought the alliance gave us power!"
"Your knowledge of politics is dull. Lord Ravemont is very much aware of the state of Beloria. Of course, you can expand as you wish and beco kings and queens, but... Beloria will always remain in Valkanor’s shadow."
"That’s nonsense!" Fiona yelled. "We have worked endlessly for this opportunity given to us. The human population has diminished, but we shall continue to grow! Shadow or not, we’re our own people!"
I honestly didn’t expect to hear Fiona speak with such fire. It seems she had matured; life as a Baroness does her well.
"An opportunity made possible because of ," I said. "None of this could have worked without . Beloria would still be cowering in its walls by now, or worse."
"If Father hadn’t given you to these beasts, then you would have been nothing but the pathetic thing you are. You should be down on your knees thanking him for making this luxury life you now live possible. Just look at you, all glittering from head to toe, it’s all because of Father!"
"What are you trying to say then?" I questioned, amused. "Bow for his kindness?"
"Yes!"
They are all delusional, and the more I spent with them, the more my insides burned.
"That’s enough, Fiona!" Father snapped at her. "I told you to leave out anything at the mont. We’re here for an official eting."
"Darling, how could you sit there and listen to her?"
"She is the queen, and she represents the monarch."
"If she’s queen, then it should only be about our favor." She glanced back at . "Fine, I’ll acknowledge that you sohow slept your way to the top and beca queen in this beast land. I’ll need to remind you not to forget your roots and how you can be a great asset to your people."
Now they are resorting to making their puppet. Gosh!
"Beloria will always be your ho. You exist only for your country."
I chuckled. "Beloria stopped being my ho the day I left. Haven’t that settled in yet?"
"Oh, please, don’t tell you feel yourself amongst these beasts? A life of luxury has tainted your mind because you have never had a taste," Fiona said. "Will you be a disappointnt to Father? Or prove your worth to him?"
"You’re queen," Father said, joining this madness. "That position will be an advantage to us. You’ve proven yourself..."
Proven myself to the likes of you?
I burned internally, hot rage coiling through like lava. I had tried to seal it ever since stepmother and Fiona kept ranting their absurdity in my face, but I was reaching a breaking point.
"I think there is so mistake here. You keep ntioning Father, country, and worth... It’s becoming annoying."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I’m queen of Valkanor." I opened my eyes, and it had an eerie glow. "And I’m currently having an official eting with the Archduke and Archduchess. Whatever else is said is highly nonsensical."
Stepmother slamd her palm against the table. "What are you trying to say?"
"Are my words too difficult to understand?"
"You’re saying you have cut all ties with us?" Father spoke, and I veered my gaze to him.
"Ties? Was there ever one? I’m not your daughter, nor am I a sister."
"You forget your place—"
"As you do, Baroness!" I bood, and Fiona stared at in shock. "Does Beloria not teach you how to be proper in the eyes of authority, or has your mother failed at that?"
"How dare you, Eloise—"
"Your Majesty." I corrected. "One more word of disrespect and there will be consequences. My leniency has gotten to your heads." I pushed to my feet. "Enjoy the rest of the dinner, and Lord Ravemont, you shall be summoned to give a more accurate report of everything going on in the lands. I’ll not tolerate your misaccount, do I make myself clear?"
For the first ti since I knew this man, a look of disbelief crossed his face.
"Now, if you’d all excuse ."
~•~
I was exhausted, mostly ntally. My shoes dragged down, and I had to stop to rest my shoulder against the wall and catch my breath.
All the emotions attempting to drown ca forth like a storm, seizing my entire body, and I had to clench my fist against my chest.
I had buried everything to face them. It may have been a success on my part, but it still got to .
This eting was the closure I needed, and now that I have it, I regret wanting one in the first place. Nothing has changed; I didn’t hope for one. However, I needed sothing fleeting from Father.
Pathetic girl, even now, you still yearn for sothing you can never have... A father’s love.
"Your Majesty," The knight said behind , snapping out of my reverie.
"I’m fine," I resud walking, but I was suddenly too heavy, just two steps, and I was already reaching for a vase and puking, emptying what I had for lunch.
"Your Majesty!"
It was a long process, and I don’t think my face was coming out of this vase anyti soon.
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