16: Claim

Two weeks had passed since Katrina and Ezra were sent back to the village where they'll be staying and my schedule's getting more packed every passing day, noble ladies from different noble families had been setting up appointments to have tea and meals with me. I feel like tea's the only liquid flowing through my veins these past several days.

"Thank you for this opportunity, Queen Avery." I didn't bother correcting Lady Denzel of what she called me as I've already did twice, before we started our tea time and during our tea time, that I prefer being called as 'Queen Patrice'.

"It's an honor to have tea time with you." She added and I smiled

"Likewise, Lady Denzel, take care on your way home." I told her and signaled one of the knights to escort her out

When she's no longer in my line of sight, I sat on the chair and looked at the half-finished tea in front of me uninterestedly

If it weren't for the connections I'll gain, I wouldn't bother negotiating with those noble ladies who looks like they're merely after my fame as queen.

I stood up and ordered the lady in waiting to clean up the table before I turned my back and went back to the throne room. I saw my other guards, Knight Maia and Knight Therese and they seem too absorbed of what they're discussing as they did not notice my arrival. Sir Charles cleared his throat to take their attention and they immediately bowed their head in front of me.

"What is it that made you two so absorbed that you did not notice the Queen's arrival?" Sir Charles asked them

"The lady Trinity and the former Queen arrived, your highness." They said and I immediately masked my dark expression with a cold one

"Where are they heading?" I asked

"They're headed to the Council Room, your highness." The said and I immediately went to the Council room with them walking behind me

The knights immediately opened the door for me as they have recognized my authority.

"What is the purpose of your presence here, Lady Katrina, Lady Trinity?" I asked and my eyes darkened when I saw a familiar, a very familiar necklace on the table of the highest council, I walked up to his table and took it.

I saw how Katrina and Ezra flinched when I referred to Katrina as 'lady' and not as 'mother'.

"Your highness, that is – my father's necklace." I cut them off with a cold expression

"What is the purpose of this and why is this in your possession?" I asked coldly

"That's… that's my father's – Your father?!" I cut her off in disbelief

"Queen Avery, let the Lady Trinity finish her statement." Mr. Marco said

"Continue, Lady Trinity." Mr. De Vega told her

"I… never knew my birth father… then my mother… said it was from my father." She said and I looked coldly at Katrina

"You're lying." I hissed

"But you yourself had confirmed it, Queen Avery, that it is indeed King Aristotle's necklace." I looked at Mr. Horai coldly because of what he said

"But that does not mean that Lady Trinity is my father's child." I said coldly

"How sure are you, Avery? You don't know anything." Katrina said

"Of course, I admit, I don't know anything about our family. I didn't even know that you had given my father's things, the things he had left for me to Ezra, so tell me, how can I be sure that you did not give this to Ezra when it was meant for me?" I asked her and I saw how she flinched

I may have spilled that I know about what she did.

"Your majesty, this is unacceptable." Lord Valdez exclaimed

"King Aristotle clearly stated in his will that the former Princess Avery will inherit all his belongings." Lord Mares, my father's former royal advisor said

"He stated to give it to his only daughter… why do you think he said that?" I asked

"I know about Father's last will now, after all, you kept all the documents inside the king's study room." I said

"Avery… I know you hate us…" I looked at Ezra in disbelief when she suddenly started crying

"But don't deny my rights…" she sobbed

"When you asked me that you want us to go back to the way it was before, I thought you were only referring to us sharing one mother, Lady Trinity, I didn't know you could be this greedy and even want to claim yourself as my father's child." I said in repugnance

"But she is King Aristotle's daughter." I looked at Katrina because of what she said

"I know my children more than you do, Avery, I know everything that you don't." She said

"I know. That's probably why you never told me that Ezra is your daughter, right? So that when you tell everyone that, I wouldn't be able to react and admit defeat." I said and looked at her blankly

"You made a mistake, Mother." I said emphasizing each word

"We cannot prove that your claim is true," Lord Mares said

"But I was King Aristotle's wife, the former Queen of Astrae." Katrina said

"You managed to trick anyone by making Duchess Elizabeth adopt your illegitimate child, how can we believe that she's my sister if she was adopted by my aunt?" I pointed out

"This council meeting has turned into a mess, silence." Lord Valdez said and I walked up and sat on the King's throne

"We did that because she was born out of wedlock." Katrina insisted

I scoffed and smirked when she still held unto her claim.

"Lady Trinity, are you certain that King Aristotle is your father?" Lord Valdez asked

"N…no. I never knew he's my father until now." She answered

"Until now that he's no longer here to deny your claim." I scoffed

"Queen Avery has a point, former queen Katrina, your advisor had been the one to deny before that Lady Trinity is illegible as she is your illegitimate child, why are you claiming that she's also King Aristotle's daughter now?" Lord Valdez asked

"Because it was risky, I didn't want to risk her life." Katrina said

"And it's alright to risk my life? Aren't I your child too, Mother?" I mocked her

"You were rebellious and strong, Avery, I knew you could handle yourself." She said calmly

"And Lady Trinity isn't?" I asked

"She's not as strong and tough as you – Why make her the queen? Why let her take the throne if she's not even strong and tough enough to handle simple threats?" I cut her off, I saw the council member nodding, and I saw how Katrina glared at me before sighing.

"That's not what – that's what you're implying, Mother." I cut her off again

"The queen Avery has a point." One of the council members said

"If Lady Trinity isn't fit before, then she probably isn't now." The other council member agreed

"But I'm not after the throne…" Ezra suddenly said

"Then why claim that you're my father's child?" I asked

"I just wanted to get my rightful place…" She mumbled

"Lady Trinity, you are aware that you are two years older than Queen Avery, are you not?" one of the council members asked and she nodded

"Being recognized as King Aristotle's child means that you're the rightful heir to the throne." The other council member said

"Then… I'd do my best." She said and I chuckled earning the attention of the council members and representatives

"You are aware that your words are contradicting, right, Lady Trinity?" I asked her

"You're not after the throne but you'd do your best for the throne?" I asked sarcastically and she looked at me with her pitiful eyes

"Why are you being like this, Avery?" she asked

"Why am I being like this? I am only returning the favor." I said and smirked

"We don't recognize you as King Aristotle's child, nor the heir to the throne." Lord Valdez said

"But…" Ezra wanted to object

"Or do you want us to bring this to the inter-kingdom council? I'm sure they'll be thrilled to uncover your roots." I asked her and their eyes widened

"That is a good suggestion, Queen Avery." One of the representatives said and I smiled

"There… there's no need for that." Katrina said

"Then, you're not certain she's my father's child?" I asked and I saw how she glared at me before bowing her head

"I am certain but I do not wish to bring this to the inter-kingdom council." Katrina said and I smiled sweetly as I looked at everyone then looked at Katrina and Ezra seriously before speaking, "Then, this meeting is adjourned." I said blankly and everyone stood up

We went out of the council room and my guards immediately surrounded me to protect me. I saw Ezra and Katrina going out with dark faces.

"Escort my mother and the Lady Ezra back to the village." I told the knights before approaching Katrina and Ezra

"I don't understand why you're doing this, Mother." I looked at her pitifully

"I am still your mother, Avery, learn some respect." She said and I smiled

"That's why I don't understand the purpose of this show you tried to pull off." I said and looked at her blankly

"See, Mother? You should have not tried to oust me." I mocked her and walked pass them