The Lord ✔️

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Queen Cora's Return

Queen Coraline was not happy. Not at all. She had wanted to go to Reylend, talk to King Polar and Queen Antarctica about expanding her territory and hunting grounds around Reyland, and then head back. However, nothing had gone as planned. Well, she had gone to Reyland, and talked to the Queen and King, but they had not agreed.
Queen Antarctica had said something along the lines of, "we cannot afford to lose more territory. Perhaps you should talk to Queen Cobra of Drecton about expanding around her territory. We are terribly sorry, and wish you luck on your expansion quest." Cora growled at the thought of the mere words.
But she knew better than to throw a tantrum like she wished to do, so she had simply nodded, trying her best to not look too annoyed, and walked out. She hoped that neither Polar Nor Antarctica had noticed how her brows had furrowed, her eyes had narrowed, and a how a soft growl had escaped from her mouth.
So, with her many bodyguards, she headed back to Findrut where Andromeda, Carol, and Hunter were waiting for her. She also had to discuss some things with Stella, and check on that mental wolf in that tower... but, she didn't have to worry about all of her duties for the whole journey. That would be much to stressful for her, especially thinking about the mental wolf in the tower.
"Your majesty, we are approaching Findrut," said Daydream, her helper. There were three Guards with her, alongside Daydream, and another helper, Daydream's sister, Dancer. Cora regarded her with a stern expression, which made Daydream noticeably scared, but she settled into a smile.
"Wonderful. I'm sure Kai and the kids will be longing to see me," she told everyone. The guards didn't say anything. Nor did Dancer, or Daydream. It annoyed Cora slightly, but she did not comment. They walked in silence for a bit.
"This way," said a guard, who Cora had never bothered to learn the name of. She had never even tried learning her private advisors names. She had just called them "sir."
Cora followed everyone towards the borders that marked the beginning and end of Findrut. She had missed the place she had, had as a home. If only that stupid seer hadn't shown up and ruined her big chance, she would probably be controlling Antarctica and Polar's land, possibly forever, and ever... but no. Of course not. Of course that seer had to show up.
She sighed, placing her paw on the snow. She took steps forward, edging towards Findrut, until she saw three wolves, running towards her in the distance. As she looked closer, she could see one of those wolves' faces held a very eager expression, however, the other two's faces looked grudging. Was it... them?
"Mum!" cried one of them, whom Cora knew to be Carol. "You're back, you're really back!" Cora gave her a forced smile, knowing how good her acting skills were. Yes, she knew she looked genuine. She really hadn't missed Carol's snotty behaviour and childish temper-tantrums. She hadn't even missed her allure to the male wolves—but she thought that was more of the males being forced to like her.
And sadly, she had not missed Andromeda or Hunter much more. Sure, they were lovely children, but Andromeda was getting too independent, and rebellious for her own good, and surely Hunter, her little brother, was bound to follow her role? Already Hunter did not look that much happier to see her...
"Yes, sweetheart," she said, smiling in a very forced way. Carol nuzzled her affectionately. Hunter came forward and bowed his head as she had taught him to, and said, "welcome back, mother," before nuzzling her quite grudgingly. She looked at Andromeda. Andromeda looked at her, her gaze penetrating into the depths of her mind. "Mother," she said, and nodded curtly.
Cora frowned. Andromeda hadn't even brushed her head against hers, like she used to when Cora went on trips to see other queens. Was Andromeda being... hostile? She had never seen a pup, or daughter, or son, behave that way towards their mother. But Andromeda was a different story.
I'll just have to figure her out, Cora thought, her brows furrowing for the second time that day. She watched Andromeda walk of silently, not even saying a word to her. Andromeda's story is yet to be read.