Chapter 194: The Guests From Beloria [Part 2]
I scoffed at her words. Did she honestly think that was true? Valkanor was already thriving in agriculture. The only reason Drevon accepted supplies was to try new ingredients, and as a bonus for the long winter, so that the farmers would be on break until the spring season.
They are so full of themselves, even in Lycan’s land, they dare say such.
"Your Majesty. They are being disrespectful," Ravyn said with bloodlust screaming in her eyes.
"Calm yourself, Ravyn."
She sighed, closing her eyes briefly. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, I know they are your family and my words may have—"
"Family?" I questioned with a frown. "Don’t ever say that to my face again."
"Apologies."
"They are simply guests from Beloria, nothing more." I glanced back at the window. "And we shall treat them as they are."
Ravyn smiled. "Certainly."
"Father, Mother is right. They owe us too much now; they are the ones who benefit most from this alliance," Fiona reasoned. "If it weren’t for us, who knows how they could have fared in their harsh winter."
"That is true." Father agreed. "But do not forget they are beasts, and you must watch what you say or do. We must avoid any conflict because one misstep will trigger their rage."
Fiona looked frightened now. "Y-Yes, Father."
"What’s this? We have been here for almost a minute now, and no one has come to receive us?" Stepmother said, eyes scanning the lonely compound. "Are they not aware we have arrived? Or are we insignificant?"
"The monarch will be here soon. Let us wait," Father said, more patient than they were.
"It’s cold out here!" Fiona whined like the spoiled brat she is. I see, even though married, she hasn’t changed a bit.
"We picked the attire suitable for this harsh weather, but I never imagined it’d be this cold."
It’s time.
"Ravyn, I want only you next to me, as well as you lot," I said over my shoulder.
"As you wish, Your Majesty!" The knights said in unison.
"I wasn’t considerate before, but allow me to be now. Are you ready for this, Your Majesty?" Ravyn asked with clenched teeth. "After all they have done to you. Perhaps let the monarch deal with this. You shouldn’t pressure yourself."
"I told Drevon I can handle it, even though he strongly protests against it. Your feelings as well as his reach me, but this is something I need to do myself. It’s the closure I need."
"Closure?" Then her eyes trembled. "You don’t mean..."
I smirked devilishly. "Don’t be shocked, Ravyn."
She cleared her throat. "Right... I suspect that after the truth has been handled, certain actions will be taken quickly."
My lips pressed into a thin line as I steeled myself for what was to come. "Open the doors, time to greet our guests from Beloria."
The large doors spread open, and I stepped out, walking down the stairs. This caught their attention.
I took my time walking gracefully, my hands tucked in my sleeves, loud clangs filled the air from the knights marching behind me.
The wind yowled through, swirling snow into the air, flapping our clothes, and my long earrings dangled.
I observed each of their expressions, noting shock from Stepmother and perplexity from Fiona. Father, on the other hand, had an unreadable expression.
I wasn’t sure I had seen him invoke any emotion before, but there was a flicker in his gaze I couldn’t define. Maybe seeing me affected him in some way, but I don’t care about his thoughts or feelings.
Today, I’m not here as a daughter or stepsister but as queen of Valkanor, and they were nothing more than human guests from Beloria.
I halted, momentarily setting my gaze on the ground before I raised it, burying every emotion until I appeared as a dignified personality.
A smile spread on my red painted lips as I uttered. "Welcome to Valkanor, guests from Beloria. I greet the Archduke and Archduchess of Beloria and Baroness."
"E-Eloise?" Stepmother stuttered, eyes quivering. Almost as if she had confirmed it was me when she heard my voice.
Her wide eyes scrutinized me from head to toe, taking in my royal attire that outshone theirs combined. "How—"
"Eloise?" Fiona challenged with a scornful look. "T-That can’t be right, she just looks like her, there is no way that is her!"
My smile only broadened, and she got nervous by it. Probably recognizing me completely.
"Impossible!" She barked in disbelief. "There’s no way she looks like this. She was always so scrawny and unattractive!"
"The queen of Valkanor has personally come to greet you. I suggest you give your respect," Ravyn uttered in a deadly tone.
"Q-Queen?" Stepmother murmured, taking a step back, hand on her chest like she was about to have a heart attack.
"M-Mother, this must be some joke, right? Maybe their titles are different here. How can she be queen?"
I was amused by their reaction. It was truly rousing to watch them grapple with the revelation, and also quite sad about them being this simple-minded.
Well, I don’t blame them; if I stood in their place, I wouldn’t believe either. I wasn’t the same girl from a year ago, the one who grew up sheltered by abuse.
"Y-Yes, you’re right, their titles must be different here. There’s no way..." Stepmother murmured her last words in a chant as if she were convincing herself.
Ravyn stepped forward and waved her hand. "How insolent!"
"I greet the queen of Valkanor." Father bowed.
"Darling!" she barked at him. "What are you doing?!"
I must admit I’m surprised he did this. He didn’t look as shocked as the other two were. I wonder.
"This is impossible!" Fiona hissed. "How could she be queen?" she pointed at me.
The knights responded by circling them, the intent to kill rolling off them, triggered by their disrespect. I had no intention of stopping them; the urge to see blood spill was suddenly thrilling.