A Red Queen AU

-Part Seven-

Maven's POV:

I expected Mother to drop in on our little "meeting" yesterday, if anyone comes in or out of the castle- I mean house, she knows. But I really didn't expect for her to make such a big deal over Mare being there.

As I was walking through the hall, a gnarled hand rested on my shoulder. I spun around to see my mother. Her lips curled up into what I guess she thinks is a smile.

So, first time for everything, I guess.

"Maven, honey." She began. "Please tell me what is going on with this girl. Your wretched brother has been no help, and I just want the honest truth."

I glared at her. "Then give me the same courtesy. Why do you want to know so much about Mare?"

She pursed her lips together in thought. Then did her weird smile thing. "You are so much like me. Okay, fine. I'll tell you. I really think that this girl could really help us with our plan."

"You mean Maven's Fantastic Plan for Cal's Demise? That plan?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, whatever ridiculous name you decided to call it. And, don't talk about the plan so openly like that!"

"Weren't you the one who started talking about it-"

"Don't talk back to me!" She snarled, then rolled her eyes. "Listen Maven, I just want the best for you, that's all. And I really believe that that girl can be used for our cause. Your brother seems to care for her."

I sighed. "But Mother, it's awful to use someone for your own greed-"

"Jesus Maven, you sound like that police officer when I tried to kill that homeless man last week. And it's not for me Maven, I'm doing all of this for you."

Sure you are, Mother.

"Trust me, Maven. If you go along, your brother and father will die. Then, once you graduate at the end of this year, you will be the richest man in the country. Instead all of his money being wasted on your worthless brother. He'll probably donate all of it to some charity. Ugh."

I knew I was never going to win this fight with my mother. I hadn't been able to for my whole life. You see, my mother is a very persuasive person, especially when I was younger. When I was younger, my mother filled my head with stories about my father, telling me that he was a horrible man, and would always favor Tiberias over me.

I soon grew not only to dislike my brother and father, but truly hate them.

She was the only one who had cared for me, after all. My mother told me that when I was little, she taught me how to walk by herself, and that my father wanted nothing to do with me as a blabbering baby.

So, my mother took it upon herself to raise me all alone. She taught me how to read and write. I never went to school since Mother decided to educate me at home. But Cal went to school. He made friends, had girlfriends, and went to parties. I remember him bringing home his fifth grade girlfriend, Jackie.

I fucking hated her guts.

Nonetheless, he still dated her. He dated a lot of girls, in fact. Like waaaaaay too many girls. Like, an unhealthy amount of girls-

I'm getting off topic.

But Cal was the chosen one. Year after year, my father turned his nose up at me for my brother. And I came to accept it-

Until my mother came to me with a plan.

A plan that would overthrow my brother, as well as my father, with me coming out on top. I trusted my mother more than anyone in the world, so I accepted her offer.

But I did change the name of our plan, though. She didn't have one, so I decided to do her a solid and go ahead and add one.

I looked in my mother's eyes. Crystal blue, so much like my own. I am reminded of our similarities, both of us were second to Father.

Because of Cal.

I nodded solemnly. "Okay Mother, what can I do?"

She giggled like a four-year-old and clapped her hands in excitement. "Thank you, Maven." She tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder. "You can start by telling me why she was over here in the first place."

I explained Cal's plan in as much detail as I could.

Mother smirked. "I should have guessed that Volo's daughter has something to do with this. She's a troublemaker, that one."

"What do I need to do?" I asked. She thought for a moment, and I couldn't imagine what horrible thoughts were going through her mind.

"I think you should do what Cal wants. I think you should continue to date this Mare Barrow. Your brother obviously likes her. Make him jealous. And you said she is friends with the lowlifes at your school, yes?"

"Um- I didn't really say it like- uh yeah, sure." I nodded, flustered.

"Find out of her friends carry any weapons, and if they can be easily bribed." She laughed. I rolled my eyes. Mother thinks she's funny.

*whispers* But she's really not.

Her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID before picking up the call. "Hello, Jean Luc. No! The curtains mustn't ever be teal! Navy, Jean, na-vy. Must I spell it out for you? It's very simple, n-a-v-y. Navy. No, blue will not be 'just fine'! Have you ever been in this house, Jean? Yes? Well it doesn't seem like it. Shut up, I'll be right there." 

She hung up the phone and shook her head sadly. "Can't even trust the help these days." I cringed and nodded. Mother stared at me with apologetic eyes, and put her hand on my shoulder. "I love you, Maven. Don't let anyone tell you different."

I smiled back. "I love you too, Mother." And I really did mean it. She grinned and pulled me in for a kiss on the cheek, before strutting away.

Alright, I have work to do. Start practicing your clarinet, Mavey. It's time for sexy Maven to show what he can do.

CHAPTER OVER WOOOOOO!! So if you can't tell, I love Mavey. Suck it up. Anyways, this is what I mean about posting more, it's probably going to be a week or two before I post again, just because of my access to Wattpad, so YeAh. Also, I apologize for the God awful start to this chapter, but I really did not know what else to do. 😂 and i MIGHT change up the name of this story, and the cover. Because- well you've seen it. So any ideas are welcome!!
WORD COUNT: 1102 words.