Chapter 10 The Kingdom's Fate

I roam the once-familiar corridors and grand halls of the palace. Gideon has sent me an assistant named Claire. She is mid-thirties and is supposed to help me acclimatize to the castle's inner workings. This castle, the same place where I felt both unimaginable happiness and pain, will be mine soon - or sold, or destroyed. Anything. As long as in the end, Gideon and his family will live like slaves amidst every piece of rock and stone of this castle.

As I pass through the different offices and rooms, Gideon's closest kin watch me as if I am some kind of apparition. Their glances are a mix of curiosity and disdain.

Claire then leads me into a room filled with luxurious furniture and paintings adorning the walls. "This is where the King and his Council members hold important meetings and negotiations," she explains, gesturing towards a large mahogany table in the center of the room.

I nod, taking it all in. "These paintings weren't here before," I say, pointing at one depicting a stern-faced man in royal garb.

"King Gideon commissioned a couple of painters the past few years. You will notice new artworks in the rooms that we'll be in."

We then move on to another area of the castle - the concubines' section. It's filled with lavish bedrooms, each one occupied by a young woman dressed in luxurious clothing.

"These are Gideon's concubines rooms," Claire explains as we walk through.

My jaw tightens at the sight of them, maintaining an expression that seems as if I am jealous of the concubines. "How many does he have?"

Claire clears her throat nervously before answering. "Five at the moment," she says. "But only three remains because of your return."

"Did they..." I start, trying to gauge Claire's reaction. "... agree to it?"

"They got compensation for it, but I don't know the exact situation," she answers cautiously.

As we continue our tour of the castle, my mind is working overtime, strategizing and planning my next moves.

Finally, we make our way to the prepared nursery for the future children of Gideon and his concubines. The room is filled with toys and pastel-colored furniture, ready for a little prince or princess to inhabit it.

"Everything looks lovely," I praise.

"Queen Marinella was the one who designed this," Claire informs me proudly. "She has always been very involved in the welfare of her son's concubines and their children."

I raise an eyebrow at this information, and seeing my reaction, she adds, "I hope I didn't offend you with that information?"

"It's fine. I am well-aware that kings need to procreate." I take a deep breath and add, "What about King Gideon? How did he treat his concubines these past few years?"

Claire hesitates before answering. "He is good to them..." she answers. "He treats them well and provides for their needs."

I scoff at this response, knowing that Gideon is far from being "good" in terms of treating his women.

And so, trying to read between the lines, I ask, "So, he never really spends time with them?"

Claire shifts uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. "Well...you know how he is. He's always busy with his duties as king."

"Hmmm..." I mutter.

"He never... really spends that much time with them," she adds. "The past year seems to be the most difficult for him."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Claire covering up for her king's neglectful behavior is laughable. It's the same thing I've done before, and see where it leads me.

"I see," I say calmly, though inside I am seething with anger.

We continued our tour of the offices including introductions, before making our way back to my chambers. By then, it was close to evening.

"Is there anything else you need, Mage Serra?" Claire asks politely. "Luna? Ahm, Your Highness Serra?" she asks, not knowing how to address me.

I shake my head, dismissing her for now and ignoring her confusion on how to address me. "That will be all for today, thank you."

She bows and leaves me alone. Once she was gone, I let out a frustrated sigh and pace around the room. I need another few days to understand all the changes and to re-insert myself into the political play of the castle.

So, I sit down at the desk and start writing down a list of magical devices I have created for Dunkerson before. I also need to know what happened to them. Those items might be due for some much needed maintenance... and a little tinkering. It will be a way to solidify my position as Luna and Queen and gain influence in the entire Dunkerson. Not to mention how far the military has fallen since I left.

Second on the list is getting to know the court members and familiarizing myself with their alliances and agendas.

Third, I need to start earning the trust and loyalty of the people in this kingdom. They are just as important as the courtiers and hold great influence over public opinion. They may see me as only a human mage, and thus, unfit to become the Ruler of a Lycan Kingdom, but that can change too.

Lastly, I need to figure out a way to gain control over Gideon himself, and then Queen Marinella will follow right after. He might seem in love with me now, but I know better than to think it will last. And when his affection ends, I must be ready.

My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door. It's Gideon, looking as ruggedly handsome as ever with his unruly hair and piercing eyes. As much as I loathe admitting it, seeing him still stirs something inside me.

"Serra..." he greets.

"Gideon," I greet back with a polite nod.

"I wanted to check if everything was... alright?"

"Everything is fine," I reply with a smile. "I'm just trying to get used to things here."

"It might be disconcerting, but don't push yourself too hard," he says, looking around the room like a lost puppy. He looks at me with those concerned eyes, as if he really thinks I'm here to mend old wounds. The thought almost makes me laugh.

"I will adjust," I assure him. "It's not the first time that I am new here."

"I remember," he reminisces. "You were overwhelmed at first, but got acclimatized to the grandeur soon."

And I remember too. I also remember when I told him that it's easier to get familiar because he was here, and his presence makes everything all the more easier.

Oh, my gullible, stupid, love-blind, past self.

And I know that I need to say the same words to him now, to make him feel a connection, and yet, I keep mum.

Silence stretches out between us before he finally speaks again. "Actually, Serra..." he starts.

I lean my head to the side, waiting.

"I actually got something for you..."

I watch as he pulls out a delicate flower from his coat. It's a beautiful white rose with a tinge of blue at the edges, reminding me of the sky just before it turns dark.

"For me?" I ask, my voice betraying my surprise.

"Yes," he nods, holding out the flower for me to take. "I know you like flowers."

I hesitantly reach out and take the flower from him. He is wrong, though. I have a platonic love for flowers. However, because he gave me flowers before, I start to love them. Later on, I learned that Marinella had been forcing him to give me flowers.

"It's beautiful," I say, hiding how I really feel about it. "I don't know what to say..."

"You don't have to say anything," he replies, stepping closer to me. "Just keep it in your room always."

I look up at him, and our eyes meet. He seems lost and is trying to find himself in my eyes. Unfortunately, it's not home that he will ever find in me, but hell.

"Serra..." he starts, but is interrupted by a knock on the door.

We both turn towards it as Queen Marinella enters the room with a bright smile on her face.

"Am I interrupting something?" she asks playfully, raising an eyebrow at us.

Gideon quickly steps away from me and clears his throat. "No, mother. I am just checking up on Serra. In case there's anything she needed."

"That's good to hear," she says as she walks over to us. "I hope everything is to your liking?"

"It's perfect," I reply.

"I'm glad." She then turns to Gideon. "Now, invite her for dinner, will you? I want to talk more with the two of you."

Gideon looks at me. I nod and give him a reassuring smile. "It sounds lovely," I say.

"Great!" Queen Marinella claps her hands together. "Gideon, take Serra to the dining hall and I'll join you both shortly."