Her grace, lady Aelira's lips thinned. "A sharp tongue," she said. "I had hoped you'd at least try to be humble."
"Oh, I am," Aurelia replied evenly. "But humility loses its virtue when it's mistaken for weakness."
A faint chuckle rose from the far end..Daeron, leaning back lazily. "Well said, my queen," he murmured, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Though I wonder if it's bravery or foolishness to spar with your new mother-in-law on your first night."
Daeron stressing on the word mother-in-law to irritate the dowager queen, and when he saw that his taunt worked, he had a devilish smile on his face like someone who got his favorite candy.
Aurelia's gaze flicked to him. "Neither both prince Daeron. I just don't take kindly to insult.
Lady Rhaelynn raised her cup with a smirk. "Oh, she has spirit, I'll grant her that. Let's hope her children inherit something better than her face."
"You overstep lady Dayne," Valerian said, his tone warning.
But Aurelia waved a hand lightly. "No, my lord. Let her speak." She turned her head, meeting Rhaelynn's mocking stare.
"I imagine the consort must find it difficult to live with a memory so easily replaced. Perhaps that's why her words bite so much....they're the only thing left of her that still matters."
The room collectively exhaled. Gwen, standing silently behind Aurelia's chair, nearly dropped the pitcher she held.
Rhaelynn's smile vanished. "You dare..."
"I dare nothing," Aurelia interrupted softly. "I simply answer."
Then Aelira, unshaken, spoke again. "You shame this house with your presence, Aurelia of Ashmere. I had a perfect match for my son," she said. "A girl beautiful, accomplished, and noble."
Across from her, the Grand Prince Daeron...Valerian's half-brother...smirked into his cup. "Beautiful indeed," he murmured, loud enough to be heard.
But Aelira wasn't finished. "Lady Cynthia Raventhorn, daughter of the Marquess ser Cornelius Raventhorn. A union that would have strengthened this kingdom's alliances."
Aurelia turned her gaze calmly toward her. "And yet he married me."
Aelira's nostrils flared. "A mistake born of pity."
Valerian's fingers drummed against the table once,And he replied his mother." I married Aurelia by my will, and that will stands."
But before he could continue, Lady Selara...the Dowager's niece...leaned forward with a polite, venomous smile.
"Her Majesty is right. The people whisper already. The curse upon Lady Aurelia...surely it's not fit for the throne. Lady Cynthia still holds the heart of the people, my lord. And she would have been a far better choice for you, my lord. She still would be, if the throne..."
"Perhaps you should learn when to still your tongue," Valerian cut in. His voice carried a dangerous quiet. "You are neither my advisor nor my blood. Speak again without permission and you'll find yourself escorted out."
Selara paled and withdrew, lowering her head and muttering an apology.
The king's words echoed, and for a moment, silence returned..thick and heavy.
Aurelia's voice came softly after a pause. "It's all right, my lord. Let them speak. It helps me know whom I'm dining with."
Daeron chuckled lowly. "A queen with claws. I like her."
Aurelia turned to him, meeting his green eyes without flinching. "And what about you, prince Daeron? Do you speak with malice too, or are you just observing the entertainment?"
"I merely admire courage," Daeron said, smiling. "You've walked into a nest of serpents and wolves and dared to speak as if you were the sword that could cut them. Admirable, if not wise."
She tilted her head. "Serpents and wolves may bite, but they die quickly when the sword is steady."
That earned a murmur from the table. Even Valerian's mouth twitched slightly...approval, faint but real.
But Aelira had reached her limit. "You talk of steadiness, cursed girl, but you are still a stain upon my family. You should be grateful we tolerate you at all."
Aurelia's eyes lifted to her slowly, her tone turning quiet, cool, and cutting. "Grateful? My lady, I have been called many things in my life...cursed, unwanted, unworthy. Gratitude, however, is not something I owe to those who spit upon me."
Gasps whispered around the room.
Aelira slammed her goblet onto the table. "You forget yourself!"
"No," Aurelia said calmly. "I think I've finally remembered who I am.
Aurelia spoke. Her tone was calm, almost gentle, but every word carried weight. "Your Majesty," she said, still addressing Aelira. "If you disapprove of my presence so deeply, tell me plainly. What would you have me do?"
The Dowager Queen's lips curled. "What I would have you do, Lady Aurelia, is what any dutiful wife should do when she is unfit to serve her husband properly. You are… limited, as we can all see. Therefore, it is your obligation to choose concubines for the king...to fulfill the duties you cannot."
A collective murmur rippled through the hall.
Aurelia turned her gaze to Valerian. Her voice was quiet, steady. "And what does my lord wish? Do you wish me to do as your mother demands?"
Valerian's expression shifted...cold fury flashing in his eyes.
"I've heard enough," he said, standing abruptly. The scrape of his chair filled the hall. "I called this dinner so that my family might know the woman who is now my wife. Not to hear petty bickering and insults thrown like bones at her feet."
Aelira stiffened. "Valerian..."
"No," he said sharply. "I will speak now." His eyes swept the table. "Aurelia Stormborne is my queen. Her coronation will take place in two days' time. And those who have trouble accepting that may find the palace doors closed to them for a very long time."
A stunned silence followed. Even Aelira looked momentarily struck, her hands tightening over her goblet.
Aelira rose, fury flashing in her eyes. "You defy your blood, your house..."
"I defy cruelty," Valerian snapped. "And I will defy anyone who brings it under my roof."
A heavy silence followed. No one dared move.
Then Daeron laughed softly, leaning back in his chair. "Brother," he said, the word tinged with mockery. "You always did have courage. Marrying a cursed woman, naming her queen...it's bold. I almost admire it."
Valerian's gaze turned to him, sharp as lightning. "Careful, Daeron."
"Oh, I mean it," Daeron said easily. "You've done what no other man in your position would dare do. Defy your council, marry a woman who was once cast out by the gods themselves." He tilted his head toward Aurelia. "Tell me, my queen....what spell did you use to snare him? Surely not beauty."
A murmur of laughter rippled among a few of the younger nobles.
Valerian's hand clenched around his goblet until the metal groaned. "Watch your tongue, brother" he warned.
Daeron smiled lazily. "Or what? You'll strike me? You forget, dear brother..I'm not one of your soldiers to command. I am your blood."
"And yet," Valerian said softly, dangerously, "you speak like an enemy."
Their eyes locked...storm-grey and serpent-green.
The hall seemed to hold its breath.
Then Aurelia rose quietly, her chair sliding back. "That's enough," she said. "This dinner was meant to unite, not divide. Let it not be said that I caused discord in your house, my lord."
Valerian's anger flickered, then softened as he looked at her. "You caused nothing," he said. "They chose to make enemies where there were none."
He turned toward the rest. "This banquet is over. Leave us."
The family obeyed, some grumbling, others in shocked silence. Even the Dowager Queen rose, her expression carved from ice.
When the hall finally emptied, only Aurelia, Valerian and his man servant remained, along with Gwen, who lingered quietly by the wall.
Valerian exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry," he said. "You shouldn't have had to hear any of that."
Aurelia looked at him, calm but tired. "I've heard worse," she said. "But thank you… for standing beside me."
He turned toward her, his eyes softer now. "Always," he said quietly.
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "You didn't have to answer them all."
"I did," Aurelia said quietly. "If I don't, they'll think I'm the frightened creature they believe me to be. I won't give them that satisfaction."
Valerian studied her, a faint glimmer of something unreadable...respect, perhaps...touching his eyes. "You're braver than most in this castle, Aurelia."
"Not brave," she said, rising slowly. "Just tired of bowing."