Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 220: Monster (1)

In the palace, Freya placed a dress before her and studied it in the mirror. Finally, she would be granted the chance to roam the palace as she liked without being worried about Althea.

Edward’s declining health meant that Althea was losing power while Sebastian gained more as the days for him to be crowned king inched closer.

Freya spun around, imagining herself wearing the dress. It was far better than anything her father ever had made for her.

"I will be the most beautiful woman in all the land," Freya said, thinking of the way she would outshine the queen. "I will have the future king," she said, determined.

Freya wasted far too many days wishing for her father to return for her. While she might not be the queen, it wouldn’t be so bad to be the mother of a prince.

Should Sebastian’s bride not be so fortunate to provide him with an heir, then it would be Freya’s son to take the crown and hopefully be chosen to become his queen.

"I must get dressed," Freya said, eager to leave her chamber.

Freya looked forward most to seeing Althea, so she would get the chance to rub her new status and power in Althea’s face.

As Freya walked to the bed to set her dress down, the door opened.

She expected it to be the maid meant to dress her, but Freya was taken by surprise to see Lilith Grave, Sebastian’s future queen.

Lilith entered the bedchamber and examined what had been given to Freya.

"I expected it to be grander and filled with gifts. You’ve shattered what I thought a mistress would be bestowed. How disappointing," Lilith said, shifting her gaze to Freya. "We are both the king’s women, but I am to be his wife. Curtsy."

"You have become a little daring. You weren’t this talkative before," Freya said, a little surprised by Lilith’s behaviour. She wouldn’t curtsy to someone who faded in the background all her life.

Lilith chuckled. "We weren’t friends for you to have the faintest clue about me. I happen to like mannerly people. I like that despite your feelings, you know when to curtsy. I am not here to fight with you, Freya. We must get along."

"Indeed, we must," Freya agreed. "It would only anger Sebastian if we fight."

"Sebastian," Lilith said, amused by how informal Freya was. "When I heard you became his mistress, I was quite surprised. The proud Freya, who spoke of becoming the kingdom’s queen, would limit herself to becoming his mistress? Why, the rumours were absurd."

Lilith enjoyed that the rumours were true. That Freya would no longer have the chance to marry the third prince.

It was more amusing to see Freya be nothing more than a mistress.

Lilith did one final look around the bedchamber. "I suppose the chamber is quite nice for you to make that decision."

"You won’t succeed in getting under my skin," Freya said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, Freya," Lilith shook her head. "The mere fact that I have stolen your dream to become queen is enough to get under your skin. I don’t need to go any further."

Lilith noticed the dress in Freya’s hands. "Were you going somewhere? I wasn’t told of a gathering for whores."

"I am not a whore!" Freya yelled, disgusted by the title.

"Hmm. I don’t know how else to speak of a woman who climbed into the bed of an engaged man whilst engaged to his brother," said Lilith.

Lilith walked towards Freya’s bed. "I suppose you would think I am unfair to not judge the crown prince, but we both know he is free from judgment. It is the way the palace works, so you will be unfortunate to receive the stones thrown."

"What I am trying to say is," Lilith said, touching the fabric of Freya’s dress before it was pulled away. "I wouldn’t parade myself around the palace so early. I would hide to let others think you have some sense to know your actions were wrong. Only when Sebastian is king, and you have his support, should you show yourself."

"I don’t need your advice. I come from a reputable family as well. You only want me out of the way so you can have him to yourself. I am not a lady you can fool or walk over," said Freya.

"You are different from your brother, which is good for me. I don’t intend to keep the prince to myself. You are not the first, and you won’t be the last. I have accepted this fate, but it appears you have not. I was hoping he would choose a sensible woman I could get along with," Lilith said, annoyed to be stuck with Freya.

Lilith looked down at her hands and slipped her glove back up. "I will have to give you proper guidance. As the future queen, it is my duty. You must understand."

"The crown prince adores me," Freya said, warning Lilith not to do something foolish.

Lilith’s laughter filled the bedchamber. "Oh, Freya. You believe a man’s words too easily. I see now that your actions are not entirely your fault. Your father didn’t teach you the ways of the world, and your brother didn’t properly warn you about men." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Lilith raised her hand to strike Freya. The first hit was exhilarating.

Freya palmed her cheek. She raised her hand, wanting to hit Lilith, but seeing Lilith tilt her head, almost as though awaiting the hit, she realised something was wrong.

"Go on. Do it," Lilith said, excited to feel it.

"What are you doing?" Freya asked, lowering her hand. "What is wrong with you? Did you do all of this so I would hit you?"

"How disappointing, Freya. All that just for you to hesitate," Lilith said, losing interest in Freya. "What did he see in you? You won’t be of any use to me. How can I amuse myself with your presence when you are so weak and childish?"

Lilith wanted a fight. She wanted a reason to keep raising her hand to beat Freya until she realised her place.

"He will need another lady. What family has a lady suitable for him? I wouldn’t like for him to have some whore from the street," Lilith said, stepping away from Freya as she weighed her options.

Freya stared at Lilith in disbelief. "How could you plot to hand him a woman?"

"I know what I am up against, Freya. Why try to change the man when all I want is the throne? I’m afraid you won’t be able to leave your bedchamber today. What a shame since the dress was pretty," said Lilith.