*Nemesia's POV*
"Your Majesty," I greeted coldly with a nod, maintaining a careful distance. "To what do I owe the honour?" I tried not to let venom into my speech.
The Queen's lips twitched in a semblance of a smile, though it did not reach her eyes. No... she never smiled with her eyes. When I was younger I used to be a bit scared of her, because she looked like someone who didn't find joy in life.
"Please, let us dispense with formalities tonight, Nemesia. I believe we can be of use to each other."
Taking a seat opposite her, I asked Athena to pay attention to what the Queen's wolf was doing. Although I was still part of the royal pack, we blocked the connection and tried to mask our presence well. Normal wolves weren't able to do it, but lycans had more power and possibilities.
"I'm listening," I said, my voice steady despite the racing of my heart.
"I want an end to the tyrannical lineage that has plagued this kingdom," the Queen began, her voice gaining strength as she spoke. "My son, Marco, is not fit to rule, and I fear for the future if he ascends the throne."
This revelation stunned me, not just the content but the candidness of her admission.
"And you want my help to stop him? If I remember correctly, you used to hate me..." I asked, gauging her sincerity.
"Yes... and no," she said, leaning forward. "Nemesia... What do you think was me trying to protect my son from a lycan warrior... was in truth me trying to protect you from this cursed lineage of royal monsters" Her words were cold and serious.
"So why did you accept me in the end?"
She sighed. "At one moment I started hoping that your strength would be enough to break it all... that you'd become a Queen above the King..."
"Me?"
"Yes. I know of your... capabilities, Nemesia. I used to watch your every move in the castle. I saw your strength, strategic thinking, intelligence and cunningness."
I looked at her a bit surprised.
"Ok but... you still have other children, and they are what I just said - your children... I... Forgive me but it's hard for me to comprehend..."
Silence had fallen around us after my words. The Queen sighed and looked to her side as if she was trying to gather some courage.
"I had a fated mate..." she started, and I already knew, the story I'd hear wouldn't be a nice one.
"I will hear you out" My voice was suddenly gentle, trying to help her go through it.
She nodded, took a steadying breath and continued.
"I've never told about it to anyone. All this year I was keeping it in my heart... those events of the past. My fated mate was a very simple man. He was a lycan but of lower birth - a merchant but not from any grand families. But he was all I ever wanted. We were often thinking of how great it would be if we could travel the world together. But my family didn't agree. After all... I was from a noble family with lots of traditions... and the prince was interested in me. He decided I'd become his wife and future queen. I didn't want to... I tried to fight it back, to run away with my love. But they caught me. I was fed lies - how my love ran away alone with money... they even gave me a letter from him where he wrote that my life would be better this way. Something inside me died... I became the wife of the prince, and since the King was already old, we took the throne soon after. My husband was rough and cruel while marking me and taking my first time. But I come from a family that is known for high fertility... so I became pregnant almost instantly. And then... when I gave birth to my first son... I was taken to the balcony... to see a prisoner who was brought from the Tower. It was him... my fated mate... my love... my only friend. And he saw me... mated to the king... with his child in his arms. And although I knew he had to feel and know when I became marked, as we didn't reject each other... I think that was when he finally gave up on life... his wolf died. And the scream of grief and pain that left his mouth was cut short by the executioner... While I sat there... holding a crying newborn child... feeling my world shatter yet again..." tears fell on the table.
I could feel the rage inside of me starting up as I saw this powerful, strong and always stoic woman shed tears like a little girl. Silence fell upon us as I tried to let her this moment of grief until she was ready to speak again.
"They are rotten Nemesia... and cruel... and what they do to us - those who aren't of their lineage directly, as well to other citizens... it must end..."
"Even your children...?"
"All of them are like the King... all of them were raised this way. Don't think I had anything to say about their upbringing. I was barely allowed to see them. And maybe it's better. When I see them I can only feel disgust... So, please... Help me ensure Marco and I will ensure that the crown falls to you."
Her proposal was as shocking as it was tempting. It was everything I could have hoped for—a chance to ascend legitimately, to exact my revenge by getting the position of power. Yet, caution held my tongue.
"And what of your other children, the princesses and princes? Where do they stand in this?" I inquired, wary of potential traps. I knew she called them rotten but... I was wondering.
"They are of no concern to me," the Queen dismissed with a wave of her hand. "Just make sure... none of this lineage is passed on... I don't care what means will you take. But you... you are a queen in the making, Nemesia. With your help, we can reshape this kingdom and change the ways... embrace the new and end this cruelty."
The room grew silent as I considered her words. The offer was enticing, dangerously so. But could I trust the Queen? Her own betrayal of her children painted a stark picture of palace intrigues. Not to mention what she's been through... Compared to her... was I really hurt so badly?
"Those are different kinds of hurt" Athena said in my head.
"I will accept your proposal," I finally said, standing up. "But if you change your mind suddenly or betray me... there would be no forgiveness or stopping."
The Queen nodded a calculated gleam in her eye.
"I understand. And... forgive me for not reaching you in the Tower. I was trying hard but my possibilities were limited until you called for the trial."
"How will we keep in contact?" I asked.
"There is no need as I will accept anything you decide, but if you need it, this is all you need how to code the messages for me." She gave me a nicely folded paper.
I nodded and without any further pleasantries, we parted our ways with me, leaving the room in silence.