I try my best to fulfill my duties as a royal wife, but Cassian acts like I irritate him just by breathing. He hasn't left the palace again, which should be a good thing, but instead of behaving like a prince, he isolates himself in his chambers. Fine by me. The less I see him, the better.
As I sit by my vanity, Esther enters with my evening tea, setting it down with a small smile. I know she has her ears on the ground in the palace, so I decide to test her a little.
"Esther," I say casually, sipping my tea. "Do you happen to know what exactly Cassian is supposed to do before his coronation?"
She stiffens slightly before letting out a giggle. "You don't know, My Queen?"
I arch a brow. "If I did, I wouldn't be asking, would I?"
She leans in, voice dropping to a whisper. "The number one requirement is an heir."
I nearly choke on my tea. "What?"
She nods eagerly. "The council expects you to be pregnant as soon as possible."
I scoff, setting my cup down with more force than necessary. "Me? Pregnant for him?" I shake my head. "In their dreams."
Esther tilts her head, studying me. "You don't want a child with the king?"
"It isn't part of the bargain." My voice is cold, final.
She presses her lips together as if holding back another question. I don't give her a chance to continue.
"I need to speak to the Queen."
I rise swiftly, not bothering to finish my tea. If they think they can dictate my future like this, they are sorely mistaken.
I enter the Queen's private chambers with measured steps, my heart pounding in my chest. She sits by the window, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, her gown flowing like a pool of deep crimson. A maid stands behind her, brushing her hair in slow, practiced strokes.
She doesn't turn when I step closer, but I know she has already sensed my presence.
"Your Majesty," I say carefully, bowing slightly.
"Celeste," she replies, her voice smooth as silk. She gestures for the maid to leave, and the woman bows before slipping out.
I waste no time. "I have come to discuss our agreement."
At that, she finally turns, her sharp gaze meeting mine. "Agreement?" she echoes, tilting her head.
I refuse to play this game. "My parents' debts," I clarify. "I have held up my end of the deal. I married Cassian. You promised…"
She raises a hand, stopping me mid-sentence. "And why all the urgency, my dear?"
My lips press into a thin line. "Because that was the condition. I agreed to this marriage on the basis that my family would be taken care of."
The Queen watches me for a long moment before standing, gliding toward a nearby table where a silver tray holds a glass of dark wine. She pours herself a drink, her movements unhurried, graceful.
"Celeste, you speak as though marriages are completed with mere vows." She lifts the glass to her lips, sipping lightly. "Getting wedded is only the first step of the marriage process."
A cold sensation spreads through my chest. "What do you mean?"
She turns fully to face me, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Marriage, my dear, is not sealed in ceremonies or contracts. It is sealed in duty, in legacy." Her gaze sharpens. "An heir. That is the true mark of a complete union."
I go rigid. "That was not part of our agreement."
She sighs, swirling her wine lazily. "I didn't know you were so clueless, Celeste. Your family's debts will be settled… in due course."
"That is not what you promised," I grit out, my fingers curling into my gown.
"And yet," she says, stepping closer, "you seem to believe you hold all the power here. Tell me, Celeste, what would happen if the council begins to question this marriage? If they suspect that their new queen has no intention of producing an heir?"
I know what she's doing. Manipulating. Cornering me. But the weight of her words settles heavily in my stomach.
She takes another slow sip of wine before setting the glass down. "You are young. You will learn that everything in this world has a price. Your family's salvation is no different."
I lift my chin. "And what if I refuse?"
A smile creeps onto her lips. "You won't."
I hate how certain she sounds. How confident.
"Give Cassian a reason to see you as more than an inconvenience," she says, her voice soft but firm. "Make this marriage real, Celeste. Then we will talk about your family."
I swallow the bitter taste rising in my throat.
I came here to secure my family's freedom. Instead, I leave with invisible shackles tightening around my wrists.
***
Sleep evades me tonight as I replay my conversation with the Queen over and over again. I hiss in frustration.
What a conniving old witch! So this is who you truly are?
Flashes of our first encounter in my office come rushing back. Back then, I was just a secretary at the law firm, struggling to make ends meet. She had come in to discuss a legal matter, but the moment she saw me, she smiled warmly and struck up a conversation. I thought she was kind. I thought she was human.
The next time she visited, she asked about my family; where I came from, my upbringing, my education. I had been honest. I told her I dreamed of studying law, that working at the firm was my way of gathering knowledge while saving up for my education. But saving had been nearly impossible with the financial burden weighing on my family. She had seemed sympathetic. She had promised to help.
The third time, she took me to a lounge, bought me lunch, and presented me with a life-altering proposal. Marriage to her son. A future as the Queen of Matica. In exchange, all my family's debts would be erased. My parents would be safe. My future is secured. I had thought long and hard about it. Even discussed it with my mother. I didn't care about the throne or the crown. I only wanted my family to be free from suffering.
But now, I see the truth. The debts remain. The Queen has no intention of settling them anytime soon.
I sigh and roll over in bed, my mind racing. I've been played. Used. And I refuse to sit still and accept it.
But as I stare at the ceiling, lost in thought, a soft knock echoes at my door.
I sit up, heart pounding. No one visits me at this hour.
Another knock, firmer this time.
I swallow hard and rise to my feet.
Because whoever is on the other side of that door... might just hold the key to my problems.