Free Web NovelChapter 294: Chapter 294
Circe met the queen’s gaze evenly. Her fingers tightened briefly in her lap before she forced them to relax, smoothing her skirts like nothing happened. "No, actually," she said calmly. "I have always been known to adapt quickly, no matter the situation."
The queen studied her for a moment, then laughed softly. "How optimistic." She turned slightly toward the others. "Isn’t she charming? Confident as well."
"It takes a great deal to become properly settled here as a foreigner," one of the noblewomen remarked. She was older, her dark hair styled into an elegant updo, sharp eyes assessing Circe with open distaste.
"Don’t be cynical, Lady Agatha," Irah said lightly, humor lacing her words. "You will frighten the girl."
Nheera lifted a hand, the gesture gentle, almost maternal, as though she was correcting an errant child.
"Now, now. We should be kind. After all, Circe has had to adjust so quickly." She tilted her head. "A new land, new people and a husband who is always so busy that he spends very little time at home." Her gaze returned to Circe. "It cannot be easy."
Circe kept her face blank, and her spine straight despite the disdain that churned in her gut the longer she was forced to listen to those women.
"Ragnar serves the interests of this kingdom," she said evenly. "As do all who hunt today."
"Of course," Nheera replied smoothly. "But while some men are born to lead at the frontlines, others are better suited to be at the helm of a kingdom. That is simply the way of things." She smiled faintly. "Wouldn’t you agree?"
Nheera wasn’t even trying to be subtle this time.
Circe did not allow her disdain to show. "I do," she said. "I believe a kingdom should be ruled by those who have what it takes."
Nheera’s smile widened slightly. "Then we are in agreement."
"I suppose we are."Circe expected the conversation to end there. She was terribly mistaken.
"You have been in Lamora for some time now," Nheera said, her voice smooth as polished marble. "Married for months, if I recall correctly."
Circe lifted her chin but remained silent. frёeωebɳovel.com
"I expected you to be with child by now," the queen continued, unhurried. "After all, what is marriage without children?"
A ripple of restrained laughter passed through the group.
Circe schooled her expression carefully. Anyone looking at her now would see only the blank mask she presented to the world.
"Is that the reason you arranged our marriage, Your Majesty?" Circe asked evenly. "If children were the sole concern, I am certain there were other women you could have chosen." She paused, then added, "And I always imagined you would want your son to produce heirs first."
"I do not trouble myself with such distinctions," Nheera replied. "Ragnar is like a son to me so it would not matter either way." She paused as she turned something over in her mind. "I am simply doing the best I can for him. It would be tragic for a man like him to die without an heir to carry on his legacy." She sighed softly. "A true shame indeed."
The concern in her tone rang hollow. Circe saw it clearly now. The queen was pushing her, prodding for a reaction that she could weaponize. Each remark had been a carefully placed barb, meant to knock her off kilter and humiliate her, to remind Circe of her place.
It was a subtler kind of warfare, one that seldom called for violence, and rarely required one to lift a finger.
Circe refused to mention the fact that she had been taking special herbs to prevent pregnancy. The choice was hers and hers alone, and the matter was, quite frankly, none of Nheera’s business.
"I appreciate your concern for my husband, Your Majesty. Truly," Circe said cordially. "But I am told patience is a virtue. Though I can see why someone like you might feel a sense of urgency towards such matters. Don’t worry, you will be the first to know when there is a new heir for you to worry about."
The words were barely out of her mouth before Circe turned away, refusing to linger and witness the queen’s reaction. She shifted in her seat and redirected her attention toward Irah, her posture relaxed, almost casual.
"Since we are on the topic of marriages," Circe said lightly, "which of the men out there is your husband, Lady Irah?" A sweet smile curved her lips, one that would have fooled anyone who wasn’t looking closely. "I don’t believe we’ve ever been properly introduced. We should remedy that soon, especially since you were such a great help to me during my first days at the palace."
Irah’s lips curled into a sneer as her gaze swept over her, the same way one might regard filth stuck to the sole of their shoe. Self-importance clung to her like perfume, and she made no effort to conceal her distaste. She clearly did not understand why Circe would dare address her so directly, much less in front of others.
"Lady Irah never married," Agatha interjected when Irah took just a moment too long to respond.
Irah smoothed the sneer away, though the imperious gleam in her eyes remained unchanged.
"The queen’s comfort is my highest priority," Irah said coolly. "I take my place in Her Majesty’s life very seriously, and marriage would have only hindered my ability to carry out my duties efficiently." There was no mistaking the pride in her voice as she spoke of her role as the queen’s lady-in-waiting.
Circe, however, was far from impressed. She had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. Staring at the woman who had caused Ragnar so much pain made maintaining her calm composure feel like balancing on a knife’s edge. Since the moment she sat beside the queen, they had done nothing but remind her, through subtle barbs and carefully veiled insults, that she did not belong among the likes of them.
