Chapter 152
**The first full day after Rowan and many of the men going into battle, I had spent the whole day sequestered in my chambers, scared of what would happen if I went out.**
Fortunately, I had not been disturbed. But the second day, I knew I had to come out, especially since there would be a council meeting that day, where all the chiefs and the council members and Lords will be meeting.
So I dressed up in my finest. A luxurious dark blue gown that showed off my baby bump and I pinned my hair back, there was no need to hide my otsayak mark anymore so I left it alone.
I expected the hostility, but I hadn't expected to be completely dismissed when I arrived.
The moment I stepped into the council chamber, a heavy silence fell over the room. The men gathered at the long wooden table barely looked up. Some exchanged glances, others outright ignored me.
I strode forward, keeping my head high. "I assume you all received word of my attendance. Since the Alpha King is away in battle, I will be attending in his stead,” I said, my voice steady despite the nervousness bubbling beneath the surface.
One of the councilmen, Lord Fenwick, leaned back in his chair. He was an older man, with sharp eyes and an air of superiority that had always irritated me. "Your Majesty," he said smoothly, though the title sounded forced on his tongue. "This is a war council. There is no need for your presence. You can go back and continue resting in your chambers.”
I narrowed my eyes. "I am the queen of Zaire, I have a right to be here and to hear what is being decided about the people of Zaire.”
"Yes," he said with a polite smile. "But war and politics, they are all men's business. You shouldn’t worry yourself with that.”
A few of the other council members nodded in agreement, their expressions unreadable. My fists clenched. "I insist. Rowan is not here. I am his wife. His equal. If he were here, would he not be leading this council? If I am not fit to sit here in his absence, then who is?"
A heavy pause followed.
Then Lord Carrick, a stocky man with graying hair, scoffed. "You cannot possibly think that we would take orders from you.”
"I am not asking," I bit out. "I am telling you."
Lord Fenwick sighed dramatically. "We do not have time for this." He nodded at the guards standing by the door. "Escort the queen back to her chambers. Let her go back there and rest.”
The guards hesitated, shifting uncomfortably.
I straightened, refusing to move. "Don't you dare. You won’t send me out of here.”
"This is not a request, Your Majesty," Lord Fenwick said, his patience thinning. "The Alpha King may tolerate your presence, but we do not. You are not one of us, and you never will be. Learn your place now.”
I felt something crack inside me.
The guards stepped forward, and though they did not grab me, their silent message was clear.
I had been dismissed. They were sending me out of the council room.
Shame and fury burned through me as I turned on my heel and stormed out of the council chamber.
I walked through the castle, my hands trembling. How had I let this happen? How had I let Rowan leave me alone with these people?
I told him. I told him I didn’t want to stay with them, but he had dismissed my concerns, gone away to battle.
I wondered if I would be able to survive with his absence.
By the time I reached my chambers, the weight of it all collapsed on me.
I barely made it to my bed before the first sob escaped. I hated this—I hated crying, hated feeling powerless, hated the way my heart ached knowing that if Rowan were here, none of this would be happening.
I cried until exhaustion overtook me, dragging me into a restless sleep.
—————-
By the time the sun had set, my hunger gnawed at me. I sat up, rubbing my eyes. No one had come to check on me. No handmaidens had brought dinner. There was nothing. It felt like the entire wing had been deserted with how silent it was.
I frowned. Normally, a tray would have been left on the table, some juice and someone would have arrived to clean the place up.
I rose, wrapped my robe around myself, and stepped into the hallway.
Down the corridor, a group of handmaidens sat on a bench, giggling among themselves. Their laughter died the moment they saw me. Their happy faces turned to one of insolence.
I crossed my arms. "Where is my dinner?"
No one answered. They glanced at each other, shifting uncomfortably.
I took a step closer. "Did you not hear me?"
One of the girls, a blonde named Elisa I think, finally spoke. "We...we didn't think you'd want it."
I tilted my head. "And why is that?"
More silence.
My jaw tightened. "Let me make something clear. I may not be your favorite person, but I am still your queen. You do not get to decide whether I eat or not."
“No, one of you should go get me my dinner. Right away!”
Still, no one moved. They looked at each other and pretended like I didn’t exist. Like I wasn’t talking to them.
A cold, sharp rage twisted in my chest.
"If I have to ask again," I said slowly, my voice dangerously soft, "I promise you, the moment the Alpha King returns, your jobs in the castle will be the last thing you will worry about.”
Their faces paled.
"We'll bring it right away, Your Majesty," Eliza stammered, rising to her feet. The others scrambled to follow her, rushing toward the kitchens.
I exhaled, pressing a hand to my stomach.
It was a small victory, but it didn't feel like one. I didn’t have to go to such lengths just to fight for myself. At all.
Minutes later, they returned with a tray of food. I eyed it warily.
The thought hit me suddenly—what if they had done something to it?
It would be easy for anyone to poison my food. Rowan could come back and they would lie that I had died in my sleep or something. With how much they all hated me, I wouldn’t put it past them.
Slowly, I lifted my gaze to them. "Taste it."
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