CHAPTER 142: BAD MOOD, GOOD MOOD

• DREVON •

"Give her time, she will come around," Ravyn said, cutting through the silence.

"Not from this," I muttered with a heavy heart. "This was about her identity, and I kept it away from her."

"You did the right thing. How else would you’ve dropped that load? You needed to understand what you were dealing with so that when the time comes, she could handle it."

She didn’t handle it at all, and I didn’t get the chance to tell her myself in a way I had planned.

"You should have seen the look on her face when she told me to stay away."

I was afraid I was going to lose her, and I have never been more terrified in my entire life. I went to her chambers, but she didn’t let me in or speak to me.

I had to devise a new plan because I didn’t want her to shut herself out completely. I had Ravyn tell Osha everything. She was loyal to Eloise, and it was only right that she knew what was going on.

Eloise needed comfort, not from me. She had a special connection with Osha. I was thinking about telling Diana too, but I wasn’t sure I should go that far...yet.

"This is not your fault, it’s your brother’s. He’s the one who decided to play truth at the worst time possible."

I shook my head. "As much as I want to blame him, it was inevitable. She had powers she couldn’t control, and it was only a matter of time. I have isolated the entire wing, but if it gets out of control..."

The Fates would be here soon. And there was something else that burdened my mind.

"My liege, the Dowager is here to see you."

Ravyn looked at me, her silence speaking volumes. I nudged my head, and she walked to open the door.

My mother stepped through, elegant as always. I knew it was only a matter of time before she came out of confinement, and the Fates’ involvement was perfect for it because even I cannot question it.

"Your Majesty..." Ravyn greeted with a bow, and fist to her chest.

"Not for long," Mother said, smiling. "Soon that will be for our queen."

"I’m sure the Fates will make an excellent decision."

"They always do..." She looked at me briefly. "They always make the right choice, and I believe they won’t stop now."

"You’re as wise as always, Your Majesty."

"You should consider where your loyalty lies now."

"Pardon?"

"The Queen of our empire will be revealed when the Fates arrive. Shouldn’t you think about the future of your house?"

"The future of my house is in good hands, Your Majesty. I’m not sure what you’re trying to imply."

A faint smile crossed my lips.

Mother clicked her tongue. "Pity. I wish you all the best then. Leave, I’d like to speak with my son alone."

Ravyn bowed and walked out of my study.

Mother walked closer and up the stairs.

"Hello, son."

"Mother."

She signaled her handmaid behind to pull out the chair for her to sit.

"I have been in confinement for months, and you never thought to come visit me. It’s your decree that kept me away from my duties; the least you could’ve done was come see me."

"Ruling the empire, as you know, takes a lot, Mother," I said, crossing my legs. "And my decree was well deserved. It was meant to give you time to reflect."

"You don’t look like someone who is ruling. You look drained. Is the burden of the empire too much for you, my son?"

I haven’t had a wink of sleep for a week. Not that I cared, but it seemed my mother did, judging from the flash of worry on her face. But I couldn’t find the urge to welcome it. Everything about her affections wasn’t because she was a mother to me; she played it like an obligation, not to me but to her people.

"What troubles you, son?"

I didn’t reply.

She smiled. "You need not pressure yourself over this; it was given from the start. Your actions to merge the court were a trigger for all this. Can’t you see the balance has been shifted? The Fates cannot watch as you crown a human the mother of the empire."

"Did you come to gloat?" I questioned sharply. "I suggest you don’t. I’m already in a bad mood as it is."

"Forgive your mother..." she said sweetly. "For your bad mood will only increase. As your mother, I should be here to give you all the reassurance in the world, but I’ve come to give you an alternative."

I narrowed my eyes, wondering what she was suddenly going on about.

"Let us be straight with each other about what awaits the human—"

"Eloise, her name is Eloise."

She chuckled, raising her hand to signal her handmaid. The silence was loud as she poured tea and proceeded to do so for me.

Mother took a sip and hummed in delight.

This was not good. Mother was in a good mood. Nothing good ever comes from that.

"Hmm, a good warm tea, the castle has been strangely cold, winter must be coming."

She set the gold teacup on the saucer, using the small spoon to stir. "Your brother came to visit a few days ago..."

"Visit?"

"Yes... Imagine my surprise, but it was long overdue. His attempts to lobby the court, I took from you without violence, were impressive." She sounded proud of him, which was something that had never happened before.

When we were kids, she considered Damon the demon spawn. She couldn’t even bear to look at him, and now she was suddenly proud of him? What did Damon do?

"When Sloane becomes your queen, your human will be pushed aside even if you don’t want that. Sloane won’t accept keeping her close, and neither would the empire."

"What are you trying to say, mother?" I asked, trying to remain lucid.

"Damon has offered a better life for your human after Sloane takes her place by your side. Your marriage will be annulled, and Damon will take her as his wife."