She arrived so swiftly like a wind. Lily almost thought she disappeared there all of a sudden. Lily recognized her at once. She was the one she met at Kayden's study that night who wanted to be the lordess and asked the alpha to choose her( Envy) over her, his mate.
Ignoring Lily she greeted"Good morning royal mother". Royal mother felt a little uncomfortable with Envy's approach but didn't put it to heart.
"You are here so early, Envy. How are you doing?" Royal mother replied. But Envy was staring at Lily with utmost contempt and the latter spared her no good glance at all.
"I am fine, royal mother" she answered arrogantly. Royal mother squinted at how unpleasant Envy stared at the lordess.
Before the royal mother could say jack, Envy spoke "this is the human, your daughter in-law right?". Royal mother was unhappy with how Envy spoke. She didn't even pay any respect to Lily as the lordess nor did she even greet her. Lily is not totally human but Envy categorized her completely to be human.
"She's the lordess of our clan. Her name is Lily. She's your sister in-law, "the royal mother replied with a lot of dissatisfaction with Envy's mannerless approach. She's indirectly telling her to accord Lily the respect she deserves.
"I'll never accept her as our lordess and I can't refer to her as lordess either," Envy replied. Royal mother became furious. Looks like this girl has grown thick skin and has been granted too much space in the Royal Court.
"It's Ok Envy. If you find it so hard to call me lordess, how about you call me sister-in-law" Lily demanded with a grin. She wants to hold Envy in place too hard for her to slip off. If she referred to her as sister in-law, it would be difficult to nurse unfilial thoughts to the alpha which is presumed to be her brother.
Furiously Envy replied "Don't pretend to be polite before the royal mother" she blurted out. This bloody human wants to appear as being nice before the Royal mother and gain more approval. Wasn't she the one whose eyes were shooting daggers at her that night?
"Have we met before, Envy? How can you say I am pretending to be polite before the royal mother? Manner is what makes a lady elegant and not just beauty"Lily responded with her lips slightly raised in mockery. If she wants to be hostile towards her, she will play along with her.
Royal mother was more than impressed with Lily's speech. She's really born to be a lord's mate. She never would have believed that a quiet and head bent looking lady that arrived with her Son a few days ago had such enviable characteristics.
Truly Envy was the most beautiful woman in their werewolf clan. She surpasses the other women of her age and she's the best swordsman or rather swordswoman. Her brilliant achievement as a warrior had paved a way for her as a member of the Royal Court.
She had always been welcome as a member of the Royal family and taken in as Kay's sister. She was actually a friend to Kayden's sister before she died. Hence the royal mother took her as her own daughter. But it seemed those privileges had sunk into her making her behave so arrogant.
Envy was shocked at Lily's words. "You!!" Envy thundered. She can't possibly say they had met before . That would lead to further questions and I can't imagine how pissed off the royal mother would feel if she gets to know that she visited Kay at such odd hours.
How dare this damn human place her between the rock and a hard place? Nor teach her manners. She's indirectly implying that she's not an elegant lady and she's mannerless.
"I will never accept you as my lordess" Envy announced with contempt in her voice. This half human can not lord over her. For the few days ahead, she had to plan very well on how to execute her plans and silence this mouth witted so called lordess.
With a chuckle, Lily answered "Who cares" in a flippant manner. Unable to endure the humiliation from Lily, Envy stormed off and went towards Kayden Diego's study.
Royal mother was more than pleased. Lily had acted as expected of her status. As a lordess, she's not to Walk about with her head bent or allow any of her subjects to intimidate or make her look inferior.
If she can handle the likes of Envy very well, then she has little work left for her to do. Lily was also wondering, why does she feel this Envy of a woman hates her? Why does she feel like she wishes to strangulate her?
If her expectations of becoming a future lordess was shattered by her coming into Kayden Diego's life, then she had to accept the reality before her and learn to live with it.
"Lily, I must say I applaud you for the way you handled Envy. I never thought she had such an unhealthy manner. Though she's arrogant and many people in the clan complain about her, today, you have proven yourself to be a worthy lordess and my heart is at peace, "the royal mother complimented.
"Thank you, royal mother" Lily bowed. She had thought the Royal mother would reprimand her for upsetting Envy but didn't know it would earn her royal mother's praise.
"You are welcome, my daughter. In this clan there are many women who spied on your position and would do anything possible to pull you down. You have to be very watchful and always Walk with your shoulders high. You must protect your husband as well. Some women would only wish to be lain by the alpha just to upgrade their status. Be protective of your husband. Do you understand me Lily?" Royal mother tutored her.
Lily is sweet and wise. She knew she would understand what she said with deep understanding. There are many more things to tutored her on but she would wait. They have a lot of time to spend together and there will always be something new to learn.
"Yes mother," Lily replied. She quite understood the message that the royal mother was passing across.
"Come with me Lily. I have a present for you" royal mother announced and started walking towards the Royal quarters. Lily hurriedly followed after her.
In Kay's study, the door was suddenly yanked open and Envy walked in. Kayden sighed and didn't know what to do or say that would stop her from pestering him. Lily had walked in on them the other day and today, she could still do the same.
"Have you lost your manners? Why do you enter your lord's study without being permitted?" Kayden inquired.
Ignoring his questions, Envy said " Just look at me lord Diego. See how devastated l look. See how miserable I am becoming just because I chose to love you. A feeling I've carried in my heart for years, I showed it in my words, actions and my eyes. But you didn't see it or perhaps, you pretended not to see"
Pinching the bridge between his eyes, Kayden replied "You loved the wrong person. You love someone who doesn't or never sees you with the eyes of a mate. I've always regarded you as my sister. I couldn't have possibly seen anything unusual in your eyes"
"I've always loved you and you alone. You even choose to marry her within such a short period of time? Your sudden decision to marry her sent me crazy"Envy complained.
No one knew what she endured that night after Kayden Diego's wedding. She had weird thoughts occupying her heart. She should have been the one spending the night with him but no, he prefers another woman, an inferior one to her for that matter. The torture of knowing the man you love is holding another woman in his arms can be suicidal. Not a minute of sleep passed through her eyes, her eyes were wide open till dawn.
"I've never loved you. I don't want to hear anything about love from you anymore!" Kayden Diego declared. He's married and doesn't sound ethical to allow another woman other than his wife, profess love shamelessly to him. If these words were coming from Lily, then fine he would be more than glad to accept it but not from someone else.
"You accepted to marry a half human, what difference is your decision from your sister's? Have you suddenly forgotten about your sister Xena.."Envy was going to continue but Kayden Diego scowled at her.
"Enough Envy!!!" Kayden howled.
She had reminded him of the past he had always wanted to put away. A past that hurts his soul, a past about his own sister. How dare she punch his wounded heart.
"It was her fault, she fell for a human. She shouldn't have sneaked away from home and tried to run away with him. It was my fault for..." Envy placed her hand on her mouth. She shouldn't have talked so much.
She almost spilled the beans and exposed her part in the scheme. She became quiet and said no more.
Kayden Diego looked like someone that is momentarily paralyzed. He looked like a grieving man. In a low tone, he ordered "Leave!"
"I am sor.." Envy tried to apologize. She shouldn't have said anything about her own friend. She shouldn't have reminded him about the death of his sister.
" I said leave!!!" Kayden commanded authoritatively. Envy had no option than to walk out. She regretted saying those words.
Kayden Diego felt like a knife poked into his heart. His heart bleeds for the death of his sister. Envy had reminded him of the pains he had tried to hide all these years.
He stood up and went to stand by the window. Looking at the distance, he wished he could see his sister from afar, and wished she could appear to him all of a sudden. He wished he could see her running towards him for a hug like she does when they were younger. But wishes will remain what they are.
Despite being a lord, he failed, he failed in protecting his own sister. He couldn't save her, she went through such a horrible death and he finds it difficult to forgive himself.
"I love you Xena. I have no one to argue with me, to tuck me, to force me into pleasing her. No one Xena.
You Left so suddenly, so unannounced.
Mum, dad and I missed you so much.
You have no idea how difficult we sailed on without you all these years.
You should have listened to me.
You should have waited for me to give my verdict. But you were afraid that it wasn't going to be in your favor.
You left that day and you never returned. Never.
I have forgiven you. Come back to us Xena!!"
Kayden Diego felt overwhelmed and he went back and sank into his chair.
Meanwhile, the Royal mother took Lily into her bedroom. She stood before her locker and opened it. She brought out a golden coloured box and handed it to Lily.
She had kept this box like a treasure for years. She didn't find a suitable candidate qualified to own it after her daughter's death. She had kept it all these years but that day, she would give it to her daughter in-law.
"Open it dear" , the Royal mother instructed. Lily lingered and looked at the Royal mother who gave her nod of approval. Slowly Lily opened the box and saw a blue heart shaped diamond pendant.
It was beautiful and Lily liked it immediately. " How do you see it?" Royal mother asked. "It's such a beautiful present" Lily replied, completely carried away by its sparkles.
"Do you like it?" Royal mother asked, seeing the admiration in Lily's eyes she was pleased. " Yes mother,"Lily replied honestly.
"Then you can have it as a gift from me," the Royal mother declared. Lily suddenly paused, such a beautiful pendant, a gift from her mother in law?
"Thank you so much Mother, thank you a million times. I really like it"Lily was super excited. She embraced her mother in law and said like a whisper "you are the best mum"
"You are an ideal daughter Lily,"the royal mother said when Lily finally let her go from the embrace. "But there's something I want from you," the royal mother stated.