Chapter 5

Lillian retires to her room after dinner. Along with her ladies Alexander and his siblings had joined them as well. Because the nobles were family things like family dinners will be commonplace from now on.

Reflecting on the evening it reminds Lillian of when she first visited the castle when she was younger. Though the atmosphere this time was much more relaxed than then. A smile forms on Lillian’s lips.

“What has made you so happy?”, one of Lillian’s ladies asks.

“Obviously, it was because of the dinner, Francesca. I’ve never seen the dining hall so lively,” her other lady speaks. They sit across from her on a couch in her room.

“True, true, but if you would recall normally it would be just Vincent and Selena with us.”, Lillian reminds them as they enter her chambers. “Even you two don’t join that often,” she continues as she sits down.

“That’s because there doesn’t seem to be a real reason to, Lillian.”, Francesca admits. Lillian lets out air through her nose seeing her point.

“Well hopefully that will be changing,” Lillian says.

“So does this mean we can expect more ladies to join us.”, Lillian’s other lady asks.

“Hm, I actually thought about that, Anne, and yes hopefully we will have our own full court now. Honestly it was difficult trying to find ladies with everyone so distant.”, Lillian responds.

“Yes, I remember. We were the only ones to come once you started to bring in ladies.”, Francesca agrees.

“Actually, there is a deeper reason for the difficulty, and why court is only now being held appropriately.” Lillian and her ladies turn to the door to see Queen Grace standing there. Anne and Francesca get to their feet with bowed heads. “Forgive me for intruding.”, the queen mother says to them.

“Nonsense, welcome”, Lillian speaks, inviting her mother in law to join them. Queen Grace takes a seat by Lillian’s side. Francesca and Anne also sit back down.

“Your majesty, if I may, what did you mean by what you said?”, Anne asks tentatively.

“Well, the answer is connected to Lillian’s family history. Which is also Magide history.”, Queen Grace explains. A curious expression comes on Anne and Francesca’s faces.

“That’s right. You said you would explain that to me.”, Lillian remembers.

“That’s right.”

“But Lillian’s last name before marriage was Lackburd.”, Francesca points out.

“Correct, but is it not odd that her father was a lord despite not having the family name Magide?”, the queen mother replies. Francesca and Anne glance at each other unable to answer. Lillian faces Queen Grace fully.

“What do you know?” she says quietly. Queen Grace shifts in her seat.

“Let’s see, it goes back to your father’s side. He was the son of Regional Lackburd, your grandfather. He was married to your grandmother, Joan. Her last name was Magide and her mother was Marie-Helena. Marie-Helena was the daughter of Reamas who was the second eldest of William the first’s sons.”, Queen Grace tells Lillian.

Lillian’s eyes don’t leave the queen mother’s sight. Her mind works out the information she just received. “Wait, that means I’m related to Winston.”, Lillian surmises.

“Well yes, you are...fourth cousins.”, the queen mother responds thoughtfully. “However, as I said your grandmother married into another family so the blood line was weakened and Marie-Helena’s line makes up half of the Reamas branch the other half being her brother Harry, whose line is actually quite fruitful, but before I get to that I need to tell you why you play a critical role in this reunification of the family, and why it has taken this long to attempt it.”

“Right. Because you haven’t answered that.”, Lillian agrees.

“Well, for me to tell you I have to take you down the line of your grandmother Joan’s sister. Her name was Marie-Lillian, ironically.”

“Why is that ironic?”, Francesca questions.

“You’ll see.”, the queen mother answers frankly. “Now she had two sons and one daughter. The youngest son was named Varrick and he died at a young age. The other and eldest was named...Argon,” she pauses before revealing the name.

“What?”, Lillian breathes out in disbelief. There is only one Argon she knows. He was once a member of the Order of the Lords and the second most powerful behind Lillian’s own father. In his desire for power he orchestrated the murder of Lillian’s father and brother. Later, he raped her and killed her mother when they were trapped in his residence. Could it really be the same one though?

“I know what you are thinking, and yes he is the same Argon. His father, Lord Phillip, was made a lord under King Andreious. The lordship then passed on to him and since he was the son of Marie-Lillian he was your father’s first cousin and Winston’s second cousin twice removed. I believe what they call it.”, Queen Grace says with a sigh.

“Didn’t King Winston kill Argon?”, Anne asks in disbelief.

“And Argon killed Lord Grifford, his wife, and his son.”, Francesca responds.

“That is why the rest of the family has become so wary of each other. We are unique among other royal families. Because the way we interact with each other is grounded in tribal traditions going back to before the Agion kingdom was founded.

Now no one is quite sure who the next Argon will be, but closer to home Argon’s sister Sarah, who is still alive, and her children are unsure where they stand in Winston’s and Lillian’s eyes.

That is why they have never come here and kept their distance, for they think Lilian always knew of the family ties they share.”, the queen mother’s statement causes Lillian to jolt out of her thoughts.

“I-I would never blame them. Even if I did know.”, Lillian defends herself.

“They don’t know that and as a result that fear has contributed to the Reamas branch seeking back up from the rest of the family.”, Queen Grace replies.

“So when or if they come-”

“Lillian will have to be the one to foster good will between them and her as well as the James branch.”, Queen Grace finishes Anne’s statement. Lillian takes a breath as she straightens up the best she can as she rests a hand on her pregnant belly. The weight of the information she just received settling in.

“Winston really thought I knew that about my family?” she says half to herself.

“Maybe if he wasn’t worried about his mistress he could’ve had a conversion with you.”, Francesca responds.

“Francesca?!”, Anne replies instantly.

“What?”, Francesca defends until she remembers that Queen Grace is still present. “Oh, s-sorry, your majesty,” she apologizes, but the queen mother stops her.

“There is no need. You are right, but that hasn’t been the only thing on my son’s mind. He is actually busy trying to contend with a hostile pope,” she says getting to her feet and facing Lillian. “Don’t fret. I will help guide you when your cousins arrive, which will be soon, so tomorrow I will get you up to speed fully on family politics and the current situation.”

“Thank you. I’m confident together we can think of something to fix this rift, but...it will be for me and my cousins and for the realm, not for King Winston.”, Lillian replies, facing her mother in law squarely in the eyes. A moment of silence passes between them.

“As you see fit.”, Queen Grace responds, understanding. “However, before you go off and decide to shut yourself off; tell me, have you talked to him?”, Lillian’s eyes lowered to the ground at Queen Grace’s question. She inhales air through her nose as she prepares to answer.

“No. Although Selena and Jessica think that I should,” she answers.

“As do I.” the former queen replies immediately, causing Lillian’s eyes to flicker back up to her. “Men can be oblivious to a change in us women and its reason when it is nonverbal.

Add that to that fact that Winston has been occupied and it makes it look like you’re merely running away from your problems. You need to confront him and get your answers. Then make your decision on how to proceed,” she goes on to Lillian.

Lillian makes an unconvinced look on her face. “I don’t know. I mean I already know he’s been with this woman and she is most likely pregnant from him. I know I can’t do anything about it. Why bring it up when I’m just going to hear him say he doesn’t want me anymore instead of just distancing myself.”, Lillian retorts.

“That’s from your perspective. You think he doesn’t love you, but what if he’s just fallen weak and it’s something he needs to fix and you pray that he does so. In which case all you need to do is bring it up and show him that you know what he is doing and you won’t tolerate it. If he loves you whether you live in this castle or not he won’t want to lose you.

Should that be the case then that is when reconciliation is possible, but you can only know if you are willing to fight for your marriage. Which leads to my questions: do you love him and are you willing to be a woman that will fight for your marriage?”, Queen Grace tells her. The queen mother’s words strike Lillian like a bolt of lighting and she understands.

All this time she hadn’t even thought of fighting. She’s only been worrying and running thinking those were her only options, but now she knows better. Her eyes dart from left to right as if she just woke up and remembered where she was. Queen Grace stays in front of her quietly as Lillian remembers all she had done to get to this point and everything that Winston and Vincent had done for her to welcome her in and help her through her troubles. She recalls all the ways things could have gone wrong, but didn’t.

“I do. I do love Winston and this marriage is worth fighting for. I’m not going to lose him if I can help it.”, Lillian says eventually, growing more confident as she speaks.

“Well then, Now is as good a time as any.”, the queen mother replies simply. Understanding Lillian gets to her feet and walks past her towards the door; not even waiting for anyone to follow her.

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