Sania stared at Tehila with her eyes wide open. Her once composed expression was replaced with astonishment . Her jaws dropped and her once relaxed brows were raised.
Judging by how Taffi had treated Tehila when they arrived, and the absence of the royal ring on her finger, Sania wondered,
"Was she his wife or was she supposed to be?"
"I had no idea that, his Majesty, had a first Mistress." Her tone was caustic with a hint of disrespect. If Tehila was going to be unmannered, then Sania had no choice but to match her energy and she did so, effortlessly.
"Haha," Tehila chuckled, she witnessed Sania's sudden change in attitude and rolled her eyes back in disdain.
"King Taffi huh? You are being so respectful, Princess."
Without batting an eye at Tehila, Sania interjected,
"Queen, you mean?"
Sania couldn't understand why she reacted that way, but for some reason, she was pleased with it.
"Listen." Tehila pointed her finger at Sania's face with a frown, the young lady got on her nerves and her attitude became unbearable.
"You are no match for my stature and might, Sania. Should you dare to test me, I will crush your bones and make you weep for your foolishness," Tehila mumbled. She paused and stared at Sania in the eyes for what seemed like eternity.
"Really?" Sania thought to herself,
"I followed a man I just met today, and now I have to fight with another woman? Why did I fool myself into thinking that I was the only one?"
While Tehila blabbed, Sania's mind was occupied by the options of either opposing or letting Taffi fight for her. Besides, he had asked her to report anyone who made her feel unwelcome.
But at the same time, Sania didn't want to be a pushover, because when she left Cyris, Sania braced herself to be more confident.
She reminded herself that she was an adult capable of making her own decisions and fighting her battles. Furthermore, being married to a King, Sania believed the power she possessed was sufficient to intimidate any potential threats.
"Let me make this clear to you," Tehila's voice snapped her out of those train of thoughts.
"There's only room for one Queen in this castle, and it's not you. Let's just be clear about that, okay?"
"Perhaps, is there anything else that I should be aware of?" Sania asked her and proceeded to take her seat. Her indifference ignited Tehila's rage like a powder keg, and the young lady did not contain her fury.
She grabbed Sania's arm before she could sit, and out of reflex, or rather an attempt to defend herself, Sania pushed her away.
The guards in the throne room were afraid to intervene. Each of these ladies had powerful background support from the royal family, so an attempt to separate them might lead to an unpredictable demise.
"You dare to push me?" With a disdainful glare, Tehila yelled, it was an action that she never anticipated.
"Don't grab me by the arm, I am not your slave!" Sania snapped,
"I may have tolerated every word, but do not test my patience beyond boundaries that you might regret."
"You dare to intimidate me?" Tehila was yet to finish her statement when Taffi's voice cut her off.
"Who let Tehila back into this place?" Taffi's asked in a fit of rage. He walked into the throne room at what seemed to be the right moment, and the sight ignited flames inside of him.
"Who gave permission for her to leave?" This voice made Sania turn, and just as she suspected, it was Taffi's mother. She walked past Taffi and towards Sania with a straight face.
Batting an eye at Sania, she mumbled,
"Know your place, and stay there."
"Mother, please I'd prefer you hold your tongue, than speak to the her in such manner," With a sigh Taffi uttered.
Sania didn't know how to react, she thought of greeting Taffi's mother, but at the same time, she was nervous because already, she didn't feel welcomed.
Lila, Taffi's mother embraced Tehila, who had tears in the corner of her eyes, an act capable of fooling anyone who was yet to know her.
"I'm going to pretend like we walked into the throneroom, and did not just see Tehila threaten my wife."
"Oh please Taffi," Lila cut him off,
"You and I know that I will not sympathize with a stranger, regardless of who they are."
These words made Sania feel like she had been struck with a two-edged sword. Not only did her mother-in-law hate her, but also insulted her to her face. Her throat ran dry and she did nothing but look at Taffi for intervention.
"Mother!" Taffi snapped, and approached her hastily, as though he wanted to beat her up.
"My lord!" Sania uttered in a loud voice, she also assumed that Taffi was going to hit his mother, which would only make matters worse. These sequences of events weren't included in her plot, and she couldn't wrap her head around them.
The least Sania wanted was to add fuel to the flames, or she might end up burning herself and everyone else to ashes.
"My Lord!" Lila mimicked in a funny tone,
"Very respectful, I see?" She shot a deadly glare at Sania, and the young Queen couldn't help but avert her gaze.
Lila hid Tehila behind her back and turned to Taffi.
"Hit your mother!" She yelled.
"I wouldn't hesitate to exorcise the demon that possessed you to do so," she glanced at Sania for further emphasis.
The throneroom went silent and everyone stared at each other with rather impassive expressions.
As for Sania, she never imagined such a toxic royal welcome, and began to question the reasons why she allowed herself into it.
After two minutes of awkward silence, Taffi walked away from his mother, took Sania by the hand, and led her out of the throneroom, he did not see the need for a celebration, especially with such apathy from his mother.