Chapter 54 - Common Sense Ruling (or Modern Day Ruling)

Nora was the last person that Lilith expected to visit her and yet, she was also the first person she expected. Knowing her personality and how she thought, it was evident that she would have cornered Lilith at some point. If she had gotten injured but there was no news about Lilith dating Raymond, she would not have even glanced in her direction, but that wasn’t the case.

It was just the both of them in the room, she decided to get Lilith when Raymond was not around to help her so it made the situation a lot worse. She was on her own for this one.

“What are your intentions with my son?” Nora sneered at Lilith, keeping a considerable distance from her.

“I haven’t the faintest clue what you are referring to.” Lilith smiled at her. Of course, acting snarky was not going to really help her case but Lilith did not have that much respect for the Queen. Yes, she was a caring mother, but no one should get a price for something you are supposed to do. And besides, deep in her heart, she was a cheater and a murderer, even if she didn’t get the chance to do it.

“Listen here,” She took a small step towards her bed. “I will have you removed from the castle and from this country if you think that you can take advantage of my son-”

“Queen Mother,” Lilith interrupted her. “I had nothing to do with the progression of the relationship between the King and me. He arrested me. He held me captive. Yeah, sure I decided to become his servant but he chose to keep me. And most importantly, he confessed to me first. The King told me his feelings before I could even properly decide if I liked him or not. I am not the only one in this relationship. His Majesty also has a part to play in this and as a grown adult, he is more than capable of making his own decisions and thinking things through.”

Nora’s face contorted into one of pure rage and offense, causing her to match up to the bed. Although Lilith was injured she would not hesitate to defend herself if Nora tried to do anything to her. Who cares if she was the previous Queen. Lilith would put her in her place if need be. And she seriously needed to be.

“You are a servant to this court and of this country! How dare you think that you can speak to me like that?!”

Lilith was sitting with her back to the head of the bed, her hands folded on her lap and her gaze on Nora. “It should not matter if I am of noble blood or not. Your son and I share affection for each other. He is happy. That should be what you concern yourself with, not reputation. If the King is happy then that is what should matter the most.”

“Do not talk to me about such nonsense when you don’t even know the first thing about the country we are in. You weren't even born here and yet you think that you can become the Queen. You should just go back to Martease and live out your life there as you were before.”

Lilith was sure that the guards and servants outside could very well hear their conversation. The room was not particularly large and Nora did have a knack for screeching when she was emotional.

“That’s right,” Lilith murmured. “I was born in Martease. Forgot about that.”

The Queen Mother scoffed. “And now that you’ve remembered, you can go back to where you came from.”

“Yes, but I can tell you that I have extensive knowledge of Creona and its current economic and political problems.”

“Oh please.”

Lilith shrugged. Never feeling more grateful for her choice is studies. “I do. I was the one who came up with the forty-hour workweek and which is expected to do great to improve the lives of workers around the country. I can also tell you that because of my studies, the current state of the country is something that is always looking to be improved. Like how the major supply of basically anything comes from Boreon and officials are working to create effective routes to distribute produce around the country more efficiently. I can also tell you that the small islands off the coast of Naulis and Boreon would be perfect places to expand farming and storage. Since Boreon is the only state that had steam-powered trains. It would make sense to establish train lines that run throughout the country. Certain lines would be only for transporting goods and others would be for transporting people.”

Lilith was basically regurgitating everything that the historians said should have happened. If Landon was never in power and someone else with common sense was, then this is what they should have done. So, Lilith was taking that information to make herself look knowledgeable. But, in a sense, she was, because she remembered all of that stuff.

Nora had come from a highly respected family of nobles and that was about it for her. She was aware of all the situations that happened but she was never one to try and solve anything or even to help. The previous King did all the thinking.

“What- what are you talking about.” she snapped.

“I’m talking about ways to improve the country. You may not see me as fit to rule the country and you know what, neither do it. But I do see myself as someone fit for Raymond. I have more than enough knowledge to help him, as I have previously done in the past. There is nothing you can say to me that will make me want to leave your son and there is nothing that you can do.”

Because when it comes down to it, I know this country a million times better than you do.

Nora was not very pleased with Lilith’s tone and what she said but she left her nonetheless. Hopefully to go and rethink all that she knew about life. Reflect, and become much less overbearing.

When she spoke with Raymond the previous day, he told her that the reaction to her being his girlfriend was not a nice one but he would do whatever it took to protect her and make sure that she was safe. He felt guilty for what happened and Lilith hated that. But no matter how much she reassured him, he still found it hard to forgive himself.

Not long after Nora left, her son came bursting through the room.

“What did she say to you?” he demanded as he closed the door. “Did she bother you? If she threatened you then I will go and make sure that-”

“Come on, Your Highness. It’s not a big deal. She is just doing what she thinks is best.”

“No, she’s being overbearing.” He huffed and sat next to her bed.

Lilith smiled at his actions. Seeing him worked up was something she secretly took pleasure in viewing. Especially when it was about her. Taking his hand and she placed it against her cheek and sighed. The conversation with his mother really drained her. But being in his presence was soothing. “I missed you.”

Raymond was definitely not prepared for that, and neither was his heart. It lurched in his chest and caused him to stutter a bit. The King had to clear his throat to gather himself again.

“I missed you as well. It is hard to be in my office and not have you there.” The heat from her face was emanating from his hand and made his skin boil. “I know that you hate being stuck here and I promise to make it to you.”

“You don’t need to.”

“I want to. I need to make it up to you. You went through a lot because of me. The least I could do is something to make you happy.”

Raymond spent his entire morning thinking about things that would make Lilith happy. Eventually, he settled on one thing. Going to Martease and finding the author of her favorite books and getting them signed.