Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 41 ==Death Trap==

"Congratulations on yesterday's win, Lady Silverton."

I turned to see Queen Lilith behind me, a wide smile gracing her face. "Ah, Your Majesty," I greeted, and she simply smiled in return.

"Though it was a shame that the prize you were given isn't as valuable as your performance yesterday," she remarked, settling into the seat opposite me. I could feel everyone's eyes on us, hoping they weren't concocting any absurd ideas.

"If we're talking about value, Your Majesty, I believe my life is far more precious than the necklace the Imperial Emperor gave me," I stated honestly, not caring if the Emperor's subordinates overheard my opinion of him. He was likely still scared of me, or perhaps just confused.

"Hmm, I see. You deem yourself valuable, maybe because you're real? Not a fake?" she whispered, ensuring other nobles wouldn't hear. I looked at her, noting her smirk. Queen Lilith knew something.

"By the way, Lady Silverton, I noticed your exquisite anklet yesterday. I caught a glimpse of it, you see," she added, looking down as if she could X-ray my dress and see the jewelry. She knew the necklace was fake. She knew it wasn't the real amulet.

"Really? I must say you have quite an eye, Your Majesty," I flattered her, and she chuckled elegantly.

"But I'm curious, where did you have it made? I, too, want an anklet as exquisite as yours," she said, a sly smirk playing on her lips. She wasn't backing down. Did she suspect this was the real one?

"Hmm, well, my grandfather gave it to me a few weeks back as an early Christmas gift. He had it custom-made by the best craftsman in Moonlight," I explained, emphasizing the last word.

"I see, too bad. If it's the best craftsman in Moonlight, I believe I can't get hold of them. They wouldn't service me, you know, no matter how much I'm willing to pay," she said sadly. I continued to listen, knowing I didn't have time to associate with King Frederick's mother; people would get the wrong idea.

"Queen Lilith, a wonderful morning, eh?"
Both of our—well, all of our—heads turned to see Archduchess Rowena Priestly, who hadn't been present yesterday due to personal reasons.

"Archduchess! It's a delight to see you here, though it's a shame we didn't meet yesterday when I arrived. I was looking forward to it," Queen Lilith exclaimed as the two shook hands.

"Alyssa, I heard from Arlendo about your win yesterday. Congratulations," Archduchess Rowena said to me, and I smiled lightly as she took the empty seat beside us.

"May I join your chat, if you don't mind, Your Majesty?" the Archduchess asked Queen Lilith.

I saw Queen Lilith's displeased expression; she clearly hated being interrupted. I found it lucky, though. I didn't want to suffer through a meeting with her alone, feeling like all my sanity had been drained. Something felt off about this queen. Her youth was suspicious enough, though not entirely, as the Empress, Mother, and Archduchess were also young. But she gave off an ominous feeling, something weird.

"Yes, I don't mind at all, Archduchess," Queen Lilith said, burying her displeasure, knowing that the Archduchess held more power than she did. She might be royalty, but the Archduchess was also royalty, and she had become an Archduchess while Queen Lilith was a Dowager Queen, a position she would lose in the future when her son married and brought in his own queen.

I decided not to talk anymore and just listened to them. I picked up a cup of tea from the table and began to drink.

"But Lady Silverton, don't you have any plans of accepting my dear son's proposal?" Queen Lilith suddenly asked, causing me to immediately spit out my tea, almost choking. I quickly wiped my mouth with a napkin.

"Pardon?"

"I was just curious when you would be added to the family, of course, as everyone knows my son has been declaring his intentions for your hand throughout his stay here," she clarified, wanting to tie me into her family? Was she after the anklet? Was she after the amulet's powers? Or perhaps she was after something else... I thought, looking at her as she smiled brightly and oddly, as always.

"A proposal? From what I heard or saw, Queen Lilith, they only went on a date together as an apology for our Prince's impudent behavior. And as far as everyone knows, it's clear that the King wants Alyssa to be his Queen, but he has never once proposed to her," Archduchess explained to the Queen, who maintained her poker face.

"Archduchess, you seem quite overprotective of Lady Silverton, as if she is going to be your daughter-in-law?" Queen Lilith stated, hitting where it hurt. It would be a lie if Queen Lilith didn't know the infamous rumors regarding the Archduchess's son, who was killed by his own uncle. I could hear people whispering, but the Archduchess remained calm.

"Hmm... even if I don't have a son for Alyssa to marry, I treat her as my daughter... Is that enough of a reason?" Archduchess fought back, and Queen Lilith remained silent. It felt like two predators were fighting, and it felt super scary to be so close, witnessing them.

"If you want your son to marry Alyssa, you must ask permission from me! Since Grandduchess Joanna won't mind," she stated, glancing at my mother, who was socializing. With this attack, Queen Lilith was on edge. She suppressed her feeling of defeat and let out a small smile, standing up.

"I have plans, and I must go now. Thanks for your time, Lady Silverton, and Archduchess Priestly," she excused herself and walked away from us.

"Thanks for your help, Archduchess," I thanked her, and she smiled softly, patting my head. "It's a pleasure. I saw how uncomfortable you were in her presence," she responded.

"But it's best for you to never associate with the Queen, Alyssa... She's dangerous," she warned me, and I looked at her, confused.

"Did something happen?"

"She may appear innocent on the outside, but she killed the Late King's fiancée so she could secure herself on the throne and become Queen," she whispered, and my brows furrowed at the sudden news.

"It's still a mystery whether the story of her and the Late King falling in love is true, but it's a fact that she killed the Late King's fiancée," she told me.

"So be careful, Alyssa."