Chapter 25

"I am not going to disappoint you, grandmother."

"Good. You are the only thing bringing me back to this awful place. I hope you have brought my favorite tea," Margaret switched the conversation for a moment when her maids returned with tea and snacks.

"The chef has sent quite a lot today. He might have a crush on you, grandmother," Amelia teased taking a cup of tea from the maid. She inhaled the wonderful scent of her green tea, blowing on the steam before taking a sip. "It is wonderful."

"Surround the area to make sure no one is listening to what we have to say. This is when conversation must become a secret. You two have to go too," Margaret shooed away Gina and Cyrus. Amelia might trust them to know everything but she did not.

"Go ahead," Amelia told Cyrus as he didn't move. She liked that he would only listen to her orders. In a place where there were countless bribes being offered, she needed someone who wouldn't listen to anyone else.

"I'm surprised you have managed to tame someone like him without beating him. Thanks to the war, the slave trade started with the northerners being captured. There are also some unfortunate souls from our kingdom being wrapped up in it. We have not had a slave trade for over two hundred years but your father has allowed it to come back," Margaret sighed.

"There isn't a doubt in my mind either my father or one of his close friends is making money from this trade so nothing will be done about it. As you said, grandmother, words are my weapons. My father has his army but I have a special way with words. The kingdom's love for my mother showed how much they would go against the king."

"You are the precious daughter of Anne in many eyes. Your father can not control the way the people love you and your mother. Her death nearly led to the castle being set on fire. Her death is still a mystery and the people wish to know the truth. I admire how your mother easily captivated the kingdom," Margaret smiled, remembering how people would light up when Anne walked by.

"She was certainly a true queen. Something that a pregnant wrench could never be."

"I am conflicted. If I reveal my father used me for bait and I almost died, the kingdom would be on my side. Unfortunately, they would know Killian is in the kingdom and there would be panic. It'd be easier for him to hide if there is panic since people won't be thinking straight. It's unfortunate I have to let what happened yesterday disappear," said Amelia.

"When one door closes another one will open but you must move quickly. You are not the only one eyeing the throne. It's time you step your game up to make sure it is within your reach. Marriage in the castle is not about love but stepping your way up. Find a husband who can help you rise up. It is the only way for you to gain power."

Amelia knew eventually she would have to find a husband powerful enough to shield her from her father's schemes but still keep her in the castle. She didn't want to marry the prince of another kingdom since she would have to leave. She didn't want to marry a duke or a lord who had no connections to the castle either.

"I am thinking carefully of my husband. I will share the lists with you once it is final. Forgive me but I will kill myself if I end up with a man like my father or grandfather," Amelia sipped her tea once more.

"And what will become of the throne if you die?"

"I will set it on fire if I cannot have it. Do you think I will simply allow Fraser or Annabelle's child to have it? You raised me much better than that grandmother." It showed how much she wanted it.

From a young age, the throne was the only thing she ever wanted but the one thing she was told she could never have. To many, it looked like she was being spoiled but she was taking what rightfully belonged to her.

"For years I showed how much of a good ruler I could be but it means nothing. I would have to magically wield a penis for my father to make me his heir. Do you think there is a way for that to happen, grandmother?" Amelia asked as a joke.

"Why would you wish for a penis? They are utterly useless except for helping to create life. Then again, it creates life with others who are not their partners. I rather you be a girl. Amelia. I might not have loved you if you were a boy," Margaret swirled the teacup around. "Maybe you would've been the one to break the cycle but it makes no sense dwelling on what could have been."

"Thank goodness I have you left, grandmother. I would lost my mind if not for a proper family member. Everyone else I have always felt like they are waiting for me to break so my guard must be up. Never leave me." Amelia didn't know what she would do without her grandmother.

"I would never willingly leave you alone with these wolves. I hope to play with my great-grandchild before I die. Promise me you will do that Amelia," Margaret looked at Amelia. Her life had become dull after leaving the castle. She banned many of her relatives from visiting her home but wished to see more of Amelia. She would die peacefully seeing with her eyes Amelia had created a family of her own.

"You are still young, grandmother. You will not be leaving me anytime soon," Amelia said to convince herself.

"Death does not care how young or old one is. When it is our time to go, we have no choice. Before it is my time, I wish to see you achieve all that you wanted, have a family, and that son of mine regretting how he has treated you. Those days will be filled with a lot of entertainment for me," Margaret smiled anticipating the future.