The moment Darcien was gone, the queen's lips curved into a faint, calculating smile.
She left the king's side without a word, her steps measured, but there was a softness in her voice when she spoke—deceptively gentle, almost warm.
"Perhaps she will go to the king…" she murmured lightly, eyes glinting. "Or perhaps she will not know which way to turn."
The guards outside her eldest son's chamber stiffened, but they did not block her. She pushed the doors open and stepped inside.
Her son was near the bed, a maid fussing quietly beside him. He straightened immediately when he saw her. The queen's gaze shifted to the maid, lingering with thinly veiled disgust at the girl's nervous posture.
"Step aside," the queen said softly, almost like a suggestion. The maid bowed quickly and hurried from the room.
The queen's attention returned to her son. "For a princess of such a vast kingdom," she said lightly, "she is remarkably… unrefined. Bold… curious… unguarded."
Her son's eyes flicked to her, frowning slightly. "You seem pleased," he said, cautious.
The queen gave him a slow, deliberate look. "Pleased? Perhaps," she said smoothly, her tone polished, her smile faintly hostile. "Or perhaps intrigued. It will be… interesting to see how far her audacity carries her. And how much she will stumble along the way."
Her son's jaw tightened. "And what of them? The prince and the princess?"
She let her gaze drift to the window for a moment, then back to him, voice lowering slightly, elegant but with an unmistakable edge. "Bandits will be waiting along the road to his palace," she said, letting the words hang. "A gentle reminder that the path to power is never without… obstacles. I want the crown to belong to you, my son. No one should interfere with that."
Her son's eyes darkened, and he nodded, understanding the intent.
The queen turned slightly, but did not leave the room. She moved closer to the table, letting her presence fill the space. "Observe," she continued softly, "but do not overreach. Let them make their mistakes. They always do."
Her lips curved faintly. "And when they do… we will be ready."
The room fell silent, the weight of her words lingering.