"Mother, you're here," I replied softly, and she walked to Alistair, holding his shoulder.
Well, this is not the first time she chose him over me. He was her favorite any time of the day.
"Why is your brother treated like a slave!" she yelled angrily.
"You have no say in this mother. It's between a king and a betrayer."
She looked surprised and walked up to me then stared down at Seraphina.
"Don't tell me you held your brother captive because of this woman!"
"She is not just a woman, your 'righteous' son planned to abduct the queen of Duskbane away from the castle!"
She was not amazed.
"Queen? Abduct? When did you get married to her? Did I miss a chapter? And you claimed that he wanted to abduct her, what if she's the originator of all this? What if she wants to….
"Please, Mother, Seraphina needs rest. We will talk about this in the court." I interrupted her and I turned.
"You cannot walk away from me Lorien!"
"It's an order from the Alpha." I fired back angrily and she kept mute.
"Take the traitor to the dungeon and escort the regent to her chamber," I added and the guardsmen heeded. I could feel Mother's burning gaze on me, but I didn't care; her son would certainly get punished.
We got to my chambers and I placed Seraphina down on the bed gently.
"Whatever happened outside there meant trouble, Lorien," she whispered weakly, and I smiled, shuffling her hair to the back.
"I am the sovereign ruler. They might cause trouble, but I'll surely put them in their place."
"I felt like I have been set free from bondage when you gave me that portion to drink, did Alistair plot to kidnap me?" she inquired softly.
"Do not think about that Seraphina. We will talk in the morning so just rest your head." I replied pulling the blanket over her.
"Alright, goodnight," she said and closed her eyes.
I heaved a sigh, walked over to a chair close to the bed,, and sat down.
Whatever happened tonight was insane. Alistair just proved how untrustworthy he could be and our mother? She seemed angry that I took her favorite son captive but it was not surprising. Ever since we were little, our father chose me over Alistair, and our mother chose him.
My father saw the potential of a true monarch in me and made sure I trained every day but Alistair wanted to enjoy life. He'd sneak out of the palace most times and spend time with different girls while I'd train my life out as there was no tomorrow.
I'd always stay in the castle, reading history and judging cases. Maybe that's why I became a brutal and reserved king meanwhile my brother wanted none of this, he just was wanted to live his life extravagantly with women.
But our mother disagreed and started teaching him methods of a king but it was too late, the crowning day came and I became the ruler before father passed away. Alistair seemed happy then but mother was apparently infuriated.
She wanted her favored son to be king but Alistair wasn't interested until lately. I noticed some changes in him and realized I was not at vigilant enough.
He wanted to make Seraphina his to control what prophecy? What prophecy was he talking about?
Tomorrow is going to be a long day as the mother has returned from her worship and she'd do anything to release her son from confinement but I won't allow it.
I wondered throughout the night and drifted away into sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had woken up and gotten ready for the day as the court activities would start early this morning.
The maids were currently adorning me with jewelry when Seraphina yawned. I looked at her as she sat up slowly glancing around the room.
"You're awake."
"Good morning your majesty." The maids acknowledged and went out.
I strolled over to her admiring her sleepy eyes.
"It seemed like I had a very threatening yesterday." She said gently and I grinned.
"You have nothing to worry about…..
"What did Alistair do?" She interrupted staring intensely into my eyes.
I heaved a sigh.
"He used a love spell on you."
She widened her eyes in shock.
"Love spell? How? When?"
"You can't really remember but you'd get the feeling and adhere to his wishe anytime he blends the passion flower and sprinkle it on his body." I explained.
"Passionflower? I remember anytime he comes close to me recently, i just lost my senses and not recollect anything."
"That's its effect."
"But why? Why would he do that? I trusted him like my elder brother." Seraphina said bitterly.
"Don't think much about it Seraphina, I'll punish him personally."
"What about your mother? She showed up last night but I had no strength to welcome her." She said innocently.
"She understood the condition you were in, just dress up and stay in my chamber. My men are outside and watch over you, no harm will come to you." I replied comforting her.
She nodded gently. "But I want to see Alistair and ask him…..
"You won't ask him anything!" I snapped at her angrily.
"You should see the way he was controlling you like a puppet! Even if he use the flower for you again, you can't fall into his traps again so obey me." I added and she shook her head obediently.
"Good! I'll leave now and come back before evening."
I informed and kissed her forehead, she smiled and I headed out.
I got to the court in my new justice attire and they declared my arrival. I walked in with two warriors behind me. Most of the nobles had arrived and they all stood up as I walked in majestically but angrily.
I took my seat and they all sat down.
"The matter we'll first look into is the abduction of the Alpha's mate." The speaker declared loudly and the nobles present looked at each other surprisingly.
"The crowned prince made a desperate attempt to kidnap the Alpha's mate using passion flower." He added and I heard amazed whispers.
"Silence!" The executioner commanded and they obeyed instantly.
"This evil act is punishable by death but as he's the Alpha's biological brother we let him make the decision himself." The speaker said.
All eyes turned to me and I cleared my throat.
"Alistair is truly my brother but also betrayed not only me but the entire duskbane. I'll let him remain in the dungeon for ten days before I'll behead him myself." I announced and the guardsmen outside declared the regent queen's arrival.
She was here to defend her son but I was prepared for her.
The huge door opened and she walked in. She was clad in a long white gown and a short veil over her head.
She walked in quite confidently and her maids followed her. The nobles all acknowledged her as she stood in the distance before me.
"I'm here to defend the crowned prince." She announced as she removed her veil.
"And you could not acknowledge the Alpha?" I asked amusingly and she smiled then bowed before me, the tension was rising.
"Forgive me for my sharpness, your majesty. I must have spent so much time in the worship of Magnus that I forgot the ways of the royalty."
"Youre here to defend a traitor queen rengent, do you know the consequences?" I asked ignoring her crafty remarks.
"I know the consequences but my son is not a traitor."
"Prove it to us then, make it known to us that your son did not abduct the queen…..
She laughed out loud interrupting my statement.
"Queen? You're so humorous, your magnificence. This woman in question was a traitor and unwanted by everyone including you so what changed?" she asked.
"Seraphins has proved herself to be worthy of my and duskbane's trust. She has gone through trials and emerged successfully. She is now a role model to everyone so unwanted and whatever you said does not count." I explained and saw series of heads nodding in acceptance of what I said.
"I understand your majesty but she is not a queen. She's your forbidden mate and I agree Alistair must have made some silly mistakes but what I see is a clear chemistry between them."
I raised my eyebrow amusingly, she had something up her sleeves.
"Since you're not interested in this woman, my son took it upon himself to care for her and show her affection since she has been an object of mockery in the castle among other women. You've not been making plans to marry or mark her but you've been claiming that she's your mate, how?"
So that was where she was headed.
I heard murmurs knowing she was gaining the upper hand.
"If I get married to my mate or not is not anyone's business…..
"It's the kingdom business, Your Majesty. Duskbane has been expecting an heir from you so I don't think the queen regent is wrong."
I became furious and watched as a smile formed on my mother's lips.