Chapter 757: Chapter 757: Do Not Woo The Princess

Lucien was summoned to the throne room early that morning.

The hour was chosen on purpose, just before the pale light filtered through the tall windows, and announced the dawn of a new day. That way, she had time for her daughter’s training.

Queen Seraphira had not attended to Lucien the night before because her meeting with Annequin had run long and tense, but that did not mean the matter had been forgotten.

Now Lucien stood before the dais.

Queen Seraphira sat upon her throne, her posture composed, and her expression unreadable. At the far end of the dais, Lila and Rhara stood watch, silent as statues.

Seraphira regarded him. "You know why you are here, prince Lucien."

Lucien inclined his head politely. "I have a suspicion, Your Majesty, but I may be mistaken and would rather hear it from you."

The queen’s fingers tightened slightly around the armrest of her throne. "You have shown interest in my daughter."

Lucien did not hesitate. "Yes."

The bluntness of his answer made her brow lift in surprise. At least he was honest. But that confidence was also a problem.

Lucien said to her. "I admire Princess Violet. Her power, her will, and her presence. I would be a fool to deny it."

Seraphira’s gaze narrowed. "Even knowing she is already mated? Three bonds confirmed, and if the goddess wills it, a fourth soon to follow?"

Lucien’s expression remained calm. "I do not mind."

The words landed heavily.

"You do not mind," the queen repeated.

"No," Lucien said. "If Princess Violet welcomes me into her harem, I would consider it an honor."

Seraphira studied him closely.

"And if she does not want you?" she asked. "Why would you subject yourself—and her—to such a fate?"

Lucien lifted his chin. "Because I am the last of the peryton."

The queen frowned.

He continued. "My kind is dying. But Violet is powerful and strong beyond measure. A union such as ours would produce heirs capable of reviving my people."

Seraphira’s eyes hardened. "So you seek my daughter for the children she can give you."

Lucien met her gaze. "It is a profitable union. And more than that—Princess Violet was not raised among the Free Fae. She does not yet belong fully to our people. If she were joined to me, I could help her rule, guide her, and teach her our ways. She would be better positioned among her own."

As Lucien spoke, calm and articulate, Queen Seraphira felt a familiar chill creep through her bones. This was a repeat of her own fate. Except it was her own mother seated here and sealing her own fate.

"Those were the same promises Baron spoke to my mother, before she bound my life to his." Seraphira said, her mind far away.

Lucien stiffened. "I am not Baron."

"No," the queen agreed. "You are not."

She leaned forward then, her presence filling the room. "But one thing remains constant, Prince Lucien. Change. Time changes people. And power corrodes intent."

She rose from her throne.

"Have you considered what Violet choosing you would do to her bonded mates?" Seraphira demanded. "You claim to respect the bonds of the Free Fae, yet you would disregard one between the were-kind—as if it were lesser."

Her voice rose, thunderous now.

"It is an abomination to interfere with a blessed bond. No matter the reason."

Lucien’s jaw clenched.

"I am not my mother," Seraphira continued, fire blazing in her eyes. "And I will not subject my daughter to the same fate. I will not trade her freedom for promises that would lead to her doom."

She pointed at him.

"You may court any powerful Fae in this realm, Prince Lucien, but not my daughter.

Should I catch even a whisper of you wooing Princess Violet again," Seraphira said, her voice deadly cold, "the consequences will be dire."

Lucien’s face flushed red with restrained fury, but he bowed deeply. "As you command, Your Majesty."

"You may leave."

Lucien straightened, his eyes briefly locking with Rhara’s in a scowl before he turned and strode from the throne room.

Queen Seraphira watched Lucien until the heavy doors closed behind him, only then did she allow the tension in her shoulders to ease just slightly.

The throne room felt colder now, but Seraphira returned to her throne, and sat with grace. For a long moment, she said nothing. Then her gaze shifted to her right.

"Tell me, Rhara," Seraphira asked. "What do you think of Prince Lucien’s proposal?"

Rhara stiffened. The question was innocent but it carried weight.

She swallowed before answering.

"Lucien was rude," she said carefully. "Trying to interfere with a matebond is disrespectful."

Seraphira nodded once, encouraging her to continue.

Rhara hesitated, then added, "However, he is not entirely wrong. Princess Violet is still a stranger in this land. The Free Fae do not know her yet. It would help for her to have someone from this realm by her side. Someone to hold things together politically."

The queen remained silent.

Rhara took that as permission to continue. "She doesn’t even need to marry him. She could simply keep him close and produce an heir that would be raised among the Free Fae. It would secure her future and that of our people."

Seraphira inclined her head. "Nice words."

Relief flickered across Rhara’s face—only for it to vanish when the queen spoke again.

"Is that why you tried to convince Prince Lucien to pursue my daughter?"

The air went still.

Rhara’s mouth opened. "Your Majesty, I—"

"You may answer truthfully," Seraphira said. "Or not at all."

Rhara’s shoulders sagged. She stepped forward, then dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead to the floor.

"Yes, I did," she whispered. "But I swear it was never for personal gain."

Seraphira rose slowly from her throne.

"I warned you," she said, her voice cold. "I told you not to interfere in my daughter’s love life."

Rhara lifted her head, tears streaking her face. "Please, Your Majesty. Everything I did was for the Free Fae. For the kingdom."

"I am your kingdom," Seraphira said sharply, standing in front of her. "And so is my daughter."

Rhara trembled. "Please—"

"Enough," Seraphira said.

She turned away. "From this moment on, you are stripped of your position at my side. You will no longer serve as my attendant or adviser."

Rhara gasped. "Your Majesty, please reconsider—"

"It is done," Seraphira said with a tone of finality.