Alpha's replacement bride is destined mate-Chapter 58 The Princess’s First Lesson

"Emily, you’re here," came a voice from behind Emily.

Emily turned her head to look, and her gaze landed on a woman dressed in a sleek black lace gown. The woman wore a gold mask that obscured half of her face.

"Her Royal Highness," Emily realized, recognizing the woman before her as none other than Queen Mary. She immediately saluted the queen with respect.

"It’s a gift for you," Emily said, handing the wine to Queen Mary, who accepted it and placed it on the table beside her.

"Oh, Emily, don’t be so reserved," Queen Mary said to her, smiling as her eyes peered through the slit in the mask, gauging Emily’s reaction. "Do you enjoy this party I’m hosting?"

"Honestly, Your Highness," Emily looked up, meeting Queen Mary’s gaze. She felt her cheeks flush slightly, but she summoned the courage to speak her mind. "I didn’t anticipate a party at this time. I thought I was here for afternoon tea with you and to listen to your wisdom."

"Afternoon tea and listen to my wisdom?" Queen Mary chuckled. "Ah, those are the usual rules, indeed."

Queen Mary regarded Emily with a playful yet discerning eye, and it became clear to Emily that the afternoon tea Queen Mary referred to was not the traditional affair Emily had envisioned.

"I see," Queen Mary said, taking Emily by the hand. "Perhaps this isn’t for you." With that, she led Emily out of the door.

"Orris, take Emily to the garden," Queen Mary instructed the butler standing outside the door, her voice carrying a subtle command. "Prepare black tea and snacks for her, no alcohol."

"Yes, Your Highness," the butler replied respectfully, then turned to Emily and said, "Please come with me, Miss Emily."

The butler escorted Emily into the garden, a serene and picturesque setting. A round table and two chairs were nestled beneath a sprawling tree, its dense foliage filtering the harsh sunlight, creating a cool and inviting corner. A gentle breeze swept through, alleviating the summer heat and bringing a breath of freshness.

The crisp chirping of birds filled the air, their melodies weaving through the woods, as if accompanying the tranquility of the moment. A white peacock ambled gracefully across the lawn.

Emily took a seat at the round table and waited. After approximately twenty minutes, she saw Queen Mary approaching, attired in a simple black and white ensemble.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting," Queen Mary said as she sat down, glancing briefly at the exquisite refreshments on the table before turning to Emily with a polite smile. "Please, drink some tea, dear."

Emily lifted her teacup and took a sip of the black tea, setting it down gently afterwards. She noticed Queen Mary observing her and, after a moment of silence, heard the queen speak.

"What advice would you like me to give you, my dear?"

Emily thought for a moment, her eyes betraying a touch of confusion. "Maybe you could tell me some of the rules of the court?"

"Those are the sorts of things the palace steward will inform you of," Queen Mary replied, placing her hand on the edge of her chair and gazing at the white peacock as it wandered away.

"Court life is not as glamorous as ordinary people imagine, and the crown, though magnificent, is also exceedingly heavy," Queen Mary said, her words tinged with a sense of helplessness and bitterness, as if she were recounting her own life experiences. A fleeting hint of melancholy flickered in her eyes. "Royal power is both supreme and ruthless."

Emily listened silently, her gaze fixed on Queen Mary, as if seeking an answer within her. Then Queen Mary continued, "Do you know why I’m hosting this party? Do you know who the women attending are?"

Emily shook her head. "I don’t know."

"Some of them are aristocrats, others are Luna of different packs, and the husbands of these women have significant ties to the royal family. It’s my duty to maintain those relationships, to nurture them, in a sense. I am the one who keeps them close." Queen Mary gradually revealed the truth behind it. "The king needs to understand what these alphas truly think, who is loyal to him, and who might secretly be betraying him. He requires someone to be his eyes and ears, and even a sharp sword when necessary."

"So, Emily," Queen Mary looked intently at Emily, her words carrying an unspoken pressure, "once you are queen, you will have to shoulder this burden."

Emily froze, a flash of alarm and uncertainty flickering in her eyes, as if she’d been blindsided by the sudden revelation. Klaus had never mentioned these things to her, and she was mentally unprepared for them. She took a deep breath, attempting to steady her emotions, but the turmoil within her refused to be tamed.

"I am the king’s second queen, and my marriage is solely based on interests," Queen Mary said, a trace of sadness creeping into her voice. "My father killed my mate in front of me to make me queen, and when he forced me to marry the king, I threatened to take my own life. But he merely shrugged and said that if I died, he would marry my sister to the king instead. He gave me a choice: be a dead woman or a noble queen, and in the end, I chose the latter."

Queen Mary smiled bitterly as she continued, "There is no love between my husband and me, only interests. Fortunately, as long as I do as he asks, he does not meddle in my personal life. That’s why my life isn’t overly dull."

Her gaze fell on Emily, who had remained silent, and she asked, "You don’t have a personal maid yet, do you?"

"I have a few maids who work in the palace," Emily replied in a hushed tone.

"I’m not referring to the usual maids who do odd jobs," Queen Mary clarified. "Once you become a princess, the nobles and alphas will find ways to send their daughters to the palace, ostensibly as your maids, but in reality, they are potential mistresses for the future king."

"Mistress?" Emily’s face went rigid, her heart chilled as if by icy water.

Queen Mary regarded her expression, then shook her head and smiled, almost mocking her naivety. "Sweetheart, you can’t believe those young ladies are genuinely here to serve as your maids."

"No one told me this. I had no idea I needed an extra maid," Emily whispered, unsure of what frightened her most.

"They’ll soon send a list to the palace for you to select from, and you won’t be able to decline. Whether you’re pregnant by your husband or not, these women will take your place in bed and receive the prince’s affections."

Emily’s heart sank to the very bottom, her mind going blank as she struggled for words.

"Let’s be honest, Emily. Your marriage to Klaus is also founded on interests. Without the bond of a mate, do you truly believe your husband will remain faithful to you?"

Queen Mary sighed, then spoke earnestly. "Emily, that’s my advice to you. The journey ahead is long, and you must be mentally prepared to confront all manner of challenges."

Then, Queen Mary rose slowly and addressed Emily. "I can’t keep my guests waiting any longer, Emily. Our tea time has ended. Goodbye."

As Emily listened to Queen Mary, her mind was in a daze. She couldn’t recall leaving the garden or the villa. It was only when she was in the car that her consciousness gradually returned to normal.

"Are you okay, Luna?" Marx sat in the driver’s seat, peering through the rearview mirror at Emily’s pale face.

"I’m fine." Emily gazed out the window, Queen Mary’s words echoing in her mind.

"Did the queen give you a hard time?" Marx asked with concern.

Emily shook her head. "She just told me about the Reserve Mistress."

"Reserve mistress?" Marx frowned, not grasping the term’s meaning.

"Marx, can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

"Does every prince need a mistress?" Emily’s voice quivered.

"To my knowledge, Alpha has never had a mistress," Marx replied honestly. "After his mate left, no other woman had ever come close to him until he met you."

Emily looked up, ready to press for more information, when the car, which had been moving smoothly, came to an abrupt stop. Emily’s body lurched forward as if something had hit the vehicle.