The Princess's Dangerous Vampire Mate-Chapter 99: Breakfast with the Queen - II

However, at one point, the topic shifted unexpectedly. "And if that was not enough, my husband had to go forward and make himself a bastard with one of them," the queen exclaimed with a mixture of anger and sadness.

I involuntarily dropped my silverware, causing a loud clank that startled both of us. It seemed the queen had been caught up in the emotions of her past. This was not something no one had ever heard of before but matters like these, the personal kind which dealt solely with emotions, was conducted behind closed doors which the people that were close to her. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Given our relationship, I still refused to believe that we were close enough for this.

Realizing that her reaction was more extreme than the situation warranted, I spoke gently, trying to offer a broader perspective. "Even the king of Lethoris, my own father, had a bastard. It is not uncommon for kings to have mistresses and children outside of marriage. The legitimacy of your child as the queen’s heir is secure."

The queen seemed on the verge of hysteria, her emotions running high. I couldn’t help but wonder what had triggered such a strong reaction. She seethed, "He married me in a church, in front of a priest, with witnesses. Our bond was blessed by God and legally recognized. How could he commit such a sinful act? How could he have affairs while denying me the same freedom even in my dreams?"

I bit my lip, considering how to respond. "As the queen, you hold significant power and influence. You have the authority to shape the dynamics of the relationship. It is not uncommon for queens to have their own consorts or companions, should they desire."

The queen chuckled bitterly, her gaze shifting to my half-filled plate. "Oh, did I? Well, I was not aware of it." Her laughter held a tinge of bitterness. "You remind me of my younger self—naive yet ambitious."

Her words perplexed me. "Your Highness, do you find fault in my behavior? I would appreciate your guidance in correcting any mistakes I may make."

If I already had not made much. Giving my heart to someone else when I knew I was going to marry another had already landed me in very big troubles. It was going to take me a long time to separate my heart from my duty and as much as I wanted to discuss it with her, I refrained from doing so.

She glanced at me and then down at my plate. "Let us not waste and insult the food. Finish your meal, and then I will show you what I mean."

Show me? I nodded and resumed eating, aware of the queen’s gaze on me. The silence in the room was palpable, and I focused on savoring each bite while contemplating the situation.

Somehow, it felt like I was walking into something. She had already planned for me to say. All of this had been purposefully wrapped for me to unwrap one by one.

The Queen of Astria was one of the most intelligent rulers to rule in the history of kings and queens in the world I lived in and I refused to believe that she was just showing me something out of her generosity.

She was more cunning than she made it seem.

Also, the way she stared at me while I was eating made it clear that she was trying to intimidate me as much as possible.

As I finished my breakfast, the queen remained lost in her thoughts, her eyes fixed on her cup of tea. Breaking the silence, I announced, "I have finished my meal. Are we still going to discuss this matter?"

The queen looked at me, lips pursed, her aged skin revealing wrinkles that added to her regal aura. She nodded curtly. "Yes, we will. Come, follow me."

Curiosity piqued, I stood up and followed her. The official tour of the palace would have to wait. Whatever she wanted to show me seemed of utmost importance.

"Mistresses play with our minds, you know," she whispered, her voice low, intended only for me.

I tilted my head, curious to hear more. "In what way, Your Highness? Thankfully, I have no personal experience with such matters."

As the word slipped from my mind, I realised how shallow I sounded. I was not married, so how was I supposed to experience such a fate of someone being chosen instead of me?

Looking at the body language of the queen, I could tell with some certainty, but it was not the same with her. Perhaps it was not the same for any Queen.

My eyes burned slightly and I blinked them. It might be one of the reasons why she had brought up the topic.

She sighed softly. "When we are married, whether for love or arrangement, it is the mistresses who are desired. How sad it is when you choose to marry someone, only to see your heart being taken by another. How did I go from being enough to becoming a mere responsibility?"

"Mistresses toy with our minds," I repeated, contemplating her words. "But as queens, we hold power over their lives."

A wistful giggle escaped her lips, and she glanced at me. "You are a remarkable woman, my dear. I believe you will find your own way."

Because if that was not true, then what was?

As a queen, any command could be given, even taking the life of another or sending her away into a cold and discarded Palace never to be brought up again.

The power vested in a queen was far greater than what little a mistress had. She may be someone chosen by love, but the crown rested on someone else’s head, and that was more than enough of an explanation.

The crown gave the Queen the power over the Mistress’s life; enough to take it or to let it thrive.

She suddenly turned, her eyes chillingly cold, and gently nudged me toward the window overlooking the palace gardens. "Come, take a look."