Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 133: Powerless (2)

Althea left Freya in the care of the maids and the priest. She ignored Freya’s cries for the servants to leave and then for Althea to help her.

Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of Althea’s plans for Freya and the Valthorns. Not only had Freya insulted Althea, but Joel and Giselle did as well for not properly guiding Freya.

"All letters she tries to send out of the palace must come to me. Anyone who dares to go against my order will be hanged," Althea instructed her maid.

"Yes, Your Majesty." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"We must do our best to guide Miss Freya. She has gone so long without her mother and doesn’t know how to behave. I will control who she appears before. I cannot have her embarrass the royal family," Althea said, but her true plans were to make Freya grow mad from loneliness.

Althea walked away from Freya’s chamber until Sebastian blocked her path.

"Queen mother," Sebastian greeted Althea.

"That is not how I told you to address me, Crown Prince. I hope you have learned from your recent behaviour and you are reflecting. Your father doesn’t need to be told of your troubles anymore. Behave," Althea ordered Sebastian, but she knew he wouldn’t listen.

"Why do you always try to keep up this motherly act when you know no one is watching? I know you would like to see me dead and your son on the throne. I would prefer you show your true feelings," Sebastian said, uninterested in the act. "Tell me how much you hate me."

"How could I hate the future sun of this kingdom? You are our future and only hope. I adore you for you are my son," Althea said, her words sweet to the ear.

Sebastian smiled, amused by Althea’s act. "Of all the women he could have taken to his side, I like you the most. You are easy to predict and fun to bother. My brother is fortunate to have a mother like you. I hear rumours there might be another bastard. Are you the cause of it?"

"My children are not bastards since I am the queen. They are royal children just like you," Althea corrected Sebastian.

Sebastian placed his right hand on his chest. "You’ll have to forgive me. The ones not born of my mother look all the same to me. I suppose I shouldn’t apologise since that is what my father calls them. Your children included."

"How unfortunate for you that my mother gave my father two heirs before she passed. Your son has to wait in line," Sebastian said, his smile widening as Althea looked annoyed.

"My son doesn’t desire the throne. He knows that for him to become king, his two older brothers would have to fall, and he loves you too dearly to have such thoughts. Shouldn’t you be meeting with your future bride? You must spend more time with her and less with other ladies," said Althea.

"See, this is why you must keep out of my affairs. She was the one who said I may leave. My wife-to-be knows how to please me. That is why I cannot wait to get married," Sebastian revealed.

"It is good to hear you are eager about marriage. The sooner you get married, the better. We never know what tomorrow will bring concerning your father," Althea said, but she didn’t want to see Sebastian become king.

What would happen to Althea and her children then?

"Don’t celebrate just yet. I think it is best to let her get used to her duties before she is queen, and what better way than to let her take your duty? She should have some control over the women in the palace-"

"Your highness," Althea spoke over Sebastian. "There are better ways for her to learn, like shadowing me throughout the day. You cannot thrust so much responsibility on her. I will help her by letting her follow me."

"It is a kind offer, but I would not like to have my future wife be like you. She is already to my liking, and if she becomes a bother like you, I may have to get rid of her. I don’t need a wife who can’t hide her jealousy when it comes to other women. That is your only flaw," Sebastian said, hating women who didn’t know when to be quiet.

"Matters of my marriage to your father are not to concern you-"

"You went to see my mistress, didn’t you?" Sebastian asked, ignoring what Althea spoke of. "I know we have both upset you, but you are going a little bit too far. She is allowed to walk around the palace. She only has to stay out of sight from guests."

"If I allow her to roam the palace, then she will try to sneak out and run back to her father."

"Then, Lord Valthorn will bring her back here," Sebastian said, reaching for the necklace Althea wore. "It is pretty, but not suited for you. Are you trying to dress like the women my father adores? That behaviour doesn’t suit you."

"My father has mentioned Lord Hastings’ wife. A pity I didn’t get the chance to take a good look at her or introduce myself. What do you think of her?" Sebastian asked on purpose to upset Althea. He knew of his father’s wishes to take Ophelia as a mistress.

Sebastian loved how Althea tried to fight her anger. She never did well when there was competition.

"I wouldn’t say Lord Hastings’ wife is memorable. Your father is confused and in need of something better to do with his time," Althea said, hoping the interest in Ophelia would soon end."She wasn’t raised as a proper lady."

Sebastian didn’t care about upbringing. "Sometimes all a woman needs is her beauty. We have seen it time and time again in the palace. A queen is easy to replace. I suggest you do better at hiding your jealousy and go along with what my father wants."

"You are queen, so why do you bother yourself with women beneath you? You cannot teach my wife. Sometimes, I find the need to humble you a little. You only have power over the common women in the palace. Do not think you have power over my wife," Sebastian said as he walked in Althea’s direction.

Althea stepped to the side as Sebastian walked toward her. He always forced her to get out of the way. When it came to Sebastian, Althea was powerless.

"Are you going to visit Freya? She is in the middle of being seen to by the priest," Althea said, not wanting Sebastian to ruin her plans.

"Why would I be so cruel to disturb your fun? I’ll let you have your pleasure in breaking her into the palace ways since I can’t be bothered to hear her complaining. I want her to be obedient by the next time I see her, and no longer speak of her father. Can I trust you to do that?" Sebastian asked, coming to a stop beside Althea.

"You can. I will be having her attend an upcoming gathering. Do you mind?"

"Why should I care? She’s only good for warming my bed. Take care of it and make sure no noise comes my way. My focus cannot go to weeping women. Why do you think I avoid you at times, mother?" Sebastian asked, followed by laughter.

Althea remained silent as Sebastian walked away. It wouldn’t always be this way.