Valeria didn't balk in front of the four women and held her head high during the whole conversation. She ignored Lara's words because she knew the king didn't have any reason to hold her locked in that damned room. Instead, she asked, "Now that we are talking about the king, I heard that a problem arose which is why he is currently away. Does one of you perhaps know what kind of problem?"
It wasn't that she asked out of curiosity or because she was interested in what the king did—if it were up to her, the king could stay away forever—but the information might be helpful. She could plan her escape better if she knew when he would return, or how much time she had left.
"That is none of your business, little girl," Athea hissed out, but Lara threw her a glare that made it clear she should behave. To Valeria's surprise, Athea backed down. At last, Lara said, "What Athea meant to say is that you shouldn't trouble yourself with such things. Just boring politics."
It was clear that Lara was evading the question, but Valeria could understand it. She, too, would not trust a woman forced into a marriage she loathed. If she could gather any sensitive information, she'd sell it to the highest bidder without a second thought, just to see the king fall.
But the next words from Lara made Valeria tense up. "But if you're so curious, you may ask the king yourself. Maybe he'll tell you. He'll be back soon, it's only a matter of time."
Valeria tried to hide the shakiness in her voice when she asked, "What does 'soon' exactly mean?" But as much as she tried to hide it, the women in front of her noticed her distress.
This time, Athea answered. "A letter came today that he departed from where he went and is on his way home. But why does it seem to bother you? Or is it because the rumor about you and the king is true?" Athea asked, raising a brow with a smirk on her lips.
"What rumors?" Valeria asked, brow furrowing. Lara shot a warning glare at Athea.
"Athea, that's enough—" Lara began, but Athea ignored her and continued with a mocking smirk. "That you and the king didn't consummate your marriage yet."
Valeria couldn't hide the emotions that surged within her at Athea's words. The memories of her wedding night three weeks ago, when it almost happened, flooded back—the touch of the king, his lips—no, she wouldn't think about that now. She needed to stay calm. But the question was whether she should lie or be honest. Could they use the truth against her? But maybe they could help her, tell her exactly what would happen when the king claimed her so she could better prepare for it. She hated being in the unknown.
Taking a small breath to steady herself, she nodded. "We didn't yet…"
Athea laughed loudly. "So the king didn't even want to touch you for once to make your marriage official?" she mocked. "But it's understandable." She looked Valeria up and down with disdain in her eyes.
"That's enough, Athea," Lara said sharply, sending a warning glance toward her. Athea reluctantly quieted.
"It wasn't like that… It was more the opposite. The king was very eager, but we were interrupted because of an urgent matter. Since then, the king has been away," Valeria tried to explain. She wished the king didn't want her, but she still didn't like how Athea spoke to her. She wouldn't let it slide.
"You don't need to explain yourself, Valeria. We understand," Lara said with a soft smile.
Valeria hesitated but, now that the topic was out in the open, she took courage and asked the question that had been burning inside her for weeks. At last, she could stop living in ignorance. "W-What… what exactly happens when husband and wife consummate the marriage?" she stammered, hating how weak and vulnerable she sounded.
Athea and Lydia erupted into loud laughter at her question, and Valeria blushed in embarrassment. Had she said something wrong? Was it a stupid question? Even Lara was trying to hide a smirk, but Aisha remained the only one to look at her with an unreadable expression. For a moment, her gaze was fierce, raw with emotion and hatred. Valeria was taken aback. She knew that hatred wasn't directed at her, but at the king. The contrast between the women in this room was stark—those who willingly married the king and those who were forced.
"So you don't know what will happen? Such an innocent little girl," Lydia sneered. She spoke as though she were merely parroting Athea's words, looking to her cousin for approval like a lapdog. Valeria bristled at the insult, unwilling to let it slide. Why did they have to be so cruel? What was their problem? Shouldn't women stand together as a united front, especially when men already held so much power over them? Valeria had encountered many women like this at balls—those who, out of jealousy or insecurity, tried to tear her down. But she couldn't understand why Athea would act this way. Athea had no reason to envy Valeria's appearance; she was a true beauty herself. And as for her position, it was far better than Valeria's. So what was their problem?
"And what if I don't know? A proper lady just doesn't talk about things like this," Valeria retorted, standing her ground.
Athea rolled her eyes but then, after a brief pause, said, "If you really want to know, the man's thing will go—"
Lara quickly intervened, deciding it would be better if Valeria didn't know the details just yet. "The king will teach you, Valeria. Don't think too much about it, okay?"
Valeria nodded but, inside, her mind started to race. The man's thing? What did Athea mean? Where would that thing go? She pushed those thoughts deep into the back of her mind as the women moved on to lighter topics, continuing to drink their tea.
The conversation mostly was only between Lara, Athea, and Valeria. Aisha didn't say anything and seemed like she didn't even want to, as if she could care less about all of this and just waited until she could leave this room and return to her chambers.
After a while, Aisha excused herself, and Valeria decided it was time to leave as well. She bowed to the women before making her way back to her chambers. It could have gone worse. She didn't like Athea and Lydia—those two were insufferable. Lara seemed kind, but Valeria knew better than to underestimate her. She could be more dangerous than Athea. As for Aisha, Valeria wasn't sure what to make of her yet, but so far, she found herself liking her the most.