Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 221: Monster (2)
"Would you be so kind as to tell me what convinced you to enter his bedchamber? I have thought about it again and again, yet nothing seems to come to mind," Lilith said, failing to understand Freya.
"I know that you yearned to be queen, but surely, that couldn’t have been all that drove you to this decision. Why would you come to his chamber when you are so gullible and childish? Did you think your father would hold your hand every step of the way?"
"I am not gullible," Freya responded. She hated all that Lilith said, but she was wise enough to know she shouldn’t strike Lilith even though she so desperately wanted to.
Sebastian would be angry with Freya, though Lilith was the one to start it. Freya hoped that because she had been quiet and had taken the hit, Sebastian would turn his anger to Lilith.
"See, you don’t see it. I have a feeling that you are not going to last very long in the palace. It is only so long you can warm his bed or amuse him. Sure, you may give him children, but should I tell you what he thinks of bastards?" Lilith asked, eager to give Freya the answer.
"My children would be royals-"
"Royal bastards," Lilith corrected Freya. "And you would be the mother of bastards. Oh, how the Valthorn family is falling. Hopefully, your brother can do something to make the name grand again."
"The Valthorns have not fallen. You nor anyone else has the right to use my decision against my family," Freya argued.
Lilith shook her head, finding it boring to spar with Freya. "Your father let you into the palace too soon. You think only of your desires and don’t let common sense lead you. Your family is a unit. When one of you acts foolishly, it reflects on all of you. Why do you think your father abandoned you?"
"He did not abandon me," Freya responded, frustrated with Lilith’s attempts to bother her.
Freya walked around Lilith since she had an outing to prepare for.
"Oh, silly me. I know nothing. Your father must be writing to you daily and making plans to come see you. What a thoughtful father you have. I only get to see my father every other day because he is busy helping with the preparations for the wedding. I envy you," said Lilith.
Freya fumed with anger that Lilith was not wrong. She hadn’t received any letters from her father, nor had he answered what she sent.
Joel had turned his back on his once beloved daughter, but Freya knew that if she did well in the palace, Joel would return to her side to use her.
"Your silence tells me that what I said at first was right. Your father did abandon you because you shamed the family name," Lilith said, turning around to face Freya.
"If I were you, I wouldn’t be so sad about it. Our fathers can only hold our hands for so long. It’s time for you to decide your fate and act without him," Lilith advised Freya.
"Why are you telling me this? Why are you trying to help me?" Freya asked, puzzled by Lilith.
One moment, it seemed like Lilith hated her, then she was toying with her, and now she was offering advice.
"Are you trying to be my friend?" Freya inquired.
Lilith’s laughter filled the chamber. "You truly are clueless. Why would I want to be your friend? I don’t like you, Freya."
"I know that, like many others, you wanted me dead. If your father were so foolish as to follow your plans, I would have been dead right now. Luckily for me, you were so wise to come to Sebastian’s bed and become his mistress. Don’t look so surprised," Lilith said, enjoying how Freya reacted to her news.
"Surely you didn’t think I wouldn’t find out you wanted me dead. If you were chosen to be queen, and I were in your position, I would want you dead as well. Unfortunately for you, since I know what you wanted, I’m going to have to torture you a bit," said Lilith.
"Sebastian wants us to get along-"
"And we shall. There is no reason why our troubles should reach his ears. I won’t complain to him about you, and I suggest you do the same. As the future queen, I will have control over you, and I shall make sure you do your duty of mistress very well," Lilith said.
Freya clenched her fist. "You mustn’t act too boldly. All this power can slip from your hands before you know it."
"Freya, can’t you see that I am acting as you once did? We were never friends, but I have seen you before. You had this awful attitude, and you still do. Please know your place. Life will be awful for you if you don’t," Lilith said with a smile.
The chamber doors opened, and this time, Sebastian walked inside.
Freya found relief in Sebastian’s presence. She ran to his side and clung to his arm. "Thank goodness you are here. Lilith was picking on me."
Sebastian removed Freya’s hand from his arm. "Picking on you? Are you children? You said you wanted to introduce yourself to her."
"And I did. I told Freya of my plans for the future, for us to get along, but I don’t think Freya wants to accept them. I also don’t think it is the best time for her to walk around the palace before you are king and we are married. We don’t need any mistakes," Lilith said, staring at a very dejected Freya.
"I agree," Sebastian answered. "Stay in your chamber for now, Freya. When your brother comes to visit me, I shall allow you to leave to be with him."
Freya couldn’t believe Sebastian listened to Lilith so easily. "But-"
"It won’t be for long," Lilith promised. "Just until the palace settles down. His path to the throne should be one without any mistakes or drama. Surely, you understand."
"I have been in this chamber since my family left me. After I dealt with Althea, I thought you would allow me to leave," Freya said, puzzled by why Sebastian was going back on his word now.
"You will have your chance to toy with her, but right now, I am not in the mood for your antics. Lilith will guide you. You are to listen to her since she is doing you a favour. I am awaiting news from your brother about your father’s death. Surely, you don’t want anyone to see you mourning," said Sebastian.
Freya frowned as an ache in her chest started. She wanted it to be that she misheard Sebastian. "What did you say?"
