Chapter 23

QUEEN HATIA'S CHAMBER

Hatia furiously walks across her room before pausing to lift a glass filled with liquid to throw across the room.

She screams in anger heaving before the door opens to reveal Maverick.

"Mother… what happened here?" Maverick asks.

She seethes as she turns to face him, "I didn't ask of you to throw me questions. What's the update currently?"

Maverick rubs his face as he walks to the couch by corner and sits.

"My brother seems to have the upper hand currently at the court rulings." He says angrily.

"What about Sir James?" Hatia asks.

"He's trying his best to convince and bribe the other council members but it's close to nothing.

He's also doing his best not to displease Aidan as he's still hung on the hope of matchmaking him with his daughter." Maverick says picking up a bottle of alcohol and gulping it's content directly.

"It makes the situation worse that father won't even put into consideration the fact that I'm his son and talk to Aidan to put off the accusation and trials!

He puts his opinion first in all things, doesn't even spare me a glance when Aidan is there. I'm his first legitimate son for crying out loud!" Maverick screams in anger.

Hatia scoffs and walks over to the couch, sits and while crossing her legs, picks another glass and pours some drink into it.

"He has always loved that son of a whore. It was his mother at first… I did my best trying to impress him as his queen but he always chose her. It went on till I conceived a plan to get her out of the picture, but it was late as she has already conceived. Edward was so happy as he'll have his own child and probably heir soon.

He didn't even put into consideration my feelings about the whole situation but rather devoted his whole time and attention to her." She chuckles dryly and takes a large gulp of her drink.

"Why then didn't you go ahead with your plan during her pregnancy?" Maverick asks.

She chuckles again as she pours another drink into her cup. She holds it staring into empty space and continues.

"Along the line of my plan to be put into motion, I discovered that I was pregnant already. I was happy and thought that just… that just the news of my pregnancy would make him love me and spend time with me like he has never done before…. but how deluded I was." She laughs hysterically.

"It was then that I found out that he has always loved her. He even confessed once that he would've legally taken her as a wife should she have fit in an acceptable societal status. He loved her so much that her name was always on his lips even in our most intimate moments and he never felt sorry for it.

He always made me understand that I was there just for the ceremonial function and our marriage was merely out of status fitting and societal acceptance not love.

It was then that I found out that it wasn't her being pregnant but rather her having him wrapped around her fingers.

I tried entertaining the thought of eliminating her and her unborn child but couldn't since I was expecting myself. My conscience never let me."

She stands and walks to the window to let down the drape which covers the source of lightning in the room.

"Nevertheless, I got the job done when I realised that she being in the picture will make you end up neglected like I was or even worse." She says and walks towards Maverick ominously.

"Now, you have to find a way to sort this mess you've got yourself entangled in and get yourself that crown. I didn't do all these to end up a future step-mother to a King." She says.

"I'd rather die than bow to Aidan, mother!" Maverick spits.

"Words… words.. words.. and no action! You have to sit up and get into action, Maverick!

Don't stay tied and let Sir James act as he wants, manipulate him into doing more and quit pleasing Aidan! Bring him onto our side, go to other council members, dig up dirts about them and blackmail them to do your bidding. Give them false promises of what'll be when you clear this mess and get that crown.

Then for Aidan, we'll twist a nice little scheme and put it into play." She says whispering the last part.

With bloodshot eyes, Maverick gulps the remaining content of the bottle and stands.

"Whereto, son?" Hatia asks.

"To take care of the little problems first." He says.

Hatia nods as he bows swiftly then leaves.

******

AIDAN'S CHAMBER

Zelda stands beside the window with folded arms with an angry expression while Aidan leans on his table staring at her with an icy look.

"What were you thinking meeting up with Kayden and his kind?" He asks in a cold tone.

Zelda doesn't reply but shifts her gaze to the windows.

Aidan chuckles. "Please do tell me. Were you plotting your escape or rather… an usurp to the Balcroft throne?"

"Oh trust me! If I had my ways, I would surely do that." Zelda replies returning his stare.

"Do which? The first or the second, mistress?" He asks irking her.

Zelda smiles, walks closer to him and whispers, "both."

The smile on Aidan's face is immediately replaced with an angry scowl.

"You wish to escape, then what? Trace your roots back to Gilmorsh and have your brain filled with the stupid ideologies and belief they enshrine!

You have no idea the fate that awaits you once you're termed one of them." Aidan says walking closer to her.

"Fate? One you or your father will carry out? It shouldn't have been that way if you creatures were that confident of your powers." She seethes.

Aidan laughs dryly and grabs her arms, "Is that what you think?" He asks.

"Think? That's the truth, my prince." She says to him.

Aidan holding her firmly harshly draws her closer, "What was that meeting all about? It started first with your lies, then this!"

"What makes you think I'll divulge the tiniest bit of information to you seeing what just happened back there?" She asks staring at him intently.

Aidan chuckles and let's go of her as she rubs her arm while still staring at him.

"Below in the dungeon are two Gilmorsh Creatures, a Venine priest inclusive if my assumptions are correct based on his dressing.

What do you think would happen should this news get to the king or even the council? Would they be beheaded, burnt or even tortured for information? Hmmm?" He asks while walking to his desk to pick some papers and begins sorting them ignoring her.

Zelda shocked by his words slowly walks over to the bed and sits. Tears cascade down her cheeks as she starts sobbing in heartfelt pain.

Aidan pauses at his actions and stares at her, squinting.

He moves to continue his actions but couldn't as his heart gently tugs at her silent sobs which fills the room.

He crosses his arms before walking over to sit beside her. He gently lifts her face which is all red now, "I'm sorry for saying that."

Zelda ignores him and lifting the blankets on the bed, lies pulling back the blanket to cover herself.

Aidan rubs his brows shortly before being startled by her voice.

"They came to get me. They.. they seem to be instructed to do so. The maid who served me some days ago was the one you had her head burnt." She says and turns to the other side.

Aidan gently pulls back her hair kissing her neck.

Immediately, a knock is heard. With a "come in" from Aidan, the door opens to reveal a guard who bows.

"My Prince, there's a matter of urgency, the king requests your presence at the dungeon." Aidan quickly stands before leaning to peck Zelda.

He swiftly walks over to pick his coat and leaves the room locking the door.