Chapter 4 Louise POV

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As days came to pass, the Changesite proved to be the best gift that my ancestors discovered and then placed in their current places. My family sometimes hid them from others who wished to use them for evil purposes. It has only been used in times of war. After all, they hold the power of all four clans, depending on their colors. Ours are white with gold, and once fully used, they turn gray, under which a new crystal is born. All of this came to be heard by Elder Cameo, who had stayed on neutral ground with my parents. I agreed to have them return as long as I would attend the royal hall on the neutral grounds alone, for after the ball, I would be back to remain in my castle forever. As I heard word from Lupe, she walked towards me to speak softly, "My Queen, I'm sorry to bother your time, but I have news from the neutral grounds." I was sitting on my furniture as I read the paper. The news of the union of the triplets and Enzo was a complete shock, and they made many moves to create their villages. Sadly, many leave one kingdom to join neutral grounds without being killed by rogues, in which case Leonidas has been mentioned a lot. It infuriated me that this man was being seen as a hero. As I heard Lupe, my attention finally changed to her. She had been terrified of me ever since she bit me. She has not said a word to my father, but today I knew I had to address it. Lupe, please take a seat." She did as I asked, to which I placed the newspaper on the coffee table. "I'm aware I have become more of a dictator than any other ruler. Yet I have my reasons for taking my actions. However, I fear arriving at this ball. I started to rumble on about my reasons when she never asked to learn the reason behind my actions until I felt her hands on mine. My Queen, I'm aware you're in pain, but perhaps we could take things one step at a time. I have faith we can overcome this, as you have done for me. I would appreciate you returning the favor. I let out a breath as I realized I had started to shake. Was I this fearful of letting anyone be by my side? Lupe let out a sigh as she spoke again: " I fear telling you something, my Queen, but I have to ask as I am of the same age as you." She took a moment to prepare herself better; I held on to her hands a bit to then speak: "It's alright to tell me; I won't be selfish to you, Camila; you have been everything I needed, and I'm sure you also need me." I replied to her in honesty, to which she moved to sit on the coffee table, "I met a man who spared me this week; he is older than us and acts so strange around me; he reminds me of Leonidas in his behavior; please don't become angry at me for speaking out of place." I shushed her calmly, using Queen's tone: "I'm alright; you can tell me. She let out her breath as she said, I believe our moon goddess has paired you with Leonidas as well; the elders believe it, and Leonidas believes it as well. I would appreciate it if we could learn if we are sensing our fated mates or if it's all wishful thinking," she explained, which had me thinking.

As I started to recall everything I feared, I realized that things had happened out of common sense. I knew from a woman-I don't remember who she is-that we were to be together, yet who was she? The two rings on our fingers have yet to one of them that's on my finger to be able to be removed. My wolf arrived sooner than expected. His wolf always loved me; his vows to me were acted upon, yet that last one had me doubting all the others. Why could he work on us and yet leave me? Was I not worth an explanation? I looked at Lupe as I asked myself these questions, to which she said with a hopeful smile, "My Queen, if he is your mate, then he will fight you because you will ask him too; once he allows his dignity to be thrown down on the ground, he will be delivered from his ignorance; when you go to the ball, you will do as such, and I will see to it!" She stood as she did small jumps in excitement while blinking her big, dopy eyes at me. I giggled at her excitement, as I knew she meant it. "I believe my birthday is sooner than yours, so once mine is done, I will assist you with your mate if he is," she squealed as she hugged me out of nowhere. Once she felt it needed to let go, she cleared her throat to add, "Well, I fear my next words, but the King is in the room in need of having an audience with you." I sighed as I got up; my Queen, the execution was placed in up, but the King and his concubine received a pouch of coins that held the twins' hearts." This news made me feel out of words; nothing could be brought to my attention. Blinking, I waited for more to be said, yet she gave me a worried look with her eyebrows united but a sad frown on her expression: "It looked as if it was an act of revenge from someone. I haven't had the chance to bite into the guards who brought them, but..." I nodded at her as I understood what she meant. As we walked out of my chamber and to the throne room, we saw an angry Irvan beside a frightened Isabella. "Explain who it could be to have sent this crap!" Irvan shouted at me, so I moved my finger to shock him. He steps back and then falls on his buttocks as I dare him, "You dare state your Queen is not fit to rule? After approving, they're placing their hands on my body to do as they please?"

I felt my shaking body take its toll on me, but Lupe kindly held on to my arm. Her kindness helped me continue my words. I let out a breath. "My husband might not care for me, but look where he is placed, under the confinement of his room till he is needed, and you both believe to be above a King? Ja!" Walking to my throne, I took my seat as I zapped them both from my throne to say then, "Your titles remain till a new Duke is trained correctly to be fit for my brother or my heir in the position it is needed, but for the time being you both will remain as you are and your children will hold no value for I will find a new family to replace yours as the marquess, my word is final!" I shouted, to which the guards arrived to stand beside the King and Isabella, "Take them away from my sigh; I see no reason to ruin my day in such a manner." I growled, and they took a now-yelling Irvan and a shocked Isabella away from my sight, as I knew there were things to correct. In the following hours came the daily reports of the nation and the contributions needed to resolve the issues left behind by the attacks from the war that was currently taking place.

Feeling this was all ridiculous, I stood from my seat. I said, "Have the people the assistance of a selected few of my maids, those who work on the outs of the castle, and the same with the rest of the staff; only one cook and four of his omegas are to be let out to assist in food preparations; have the main hall room ready to receive those who have been left without a home; have the carpenters prepared to work on the shelter next to the church; the orphanage alongside it; and finally, the homes of those who lost their I will be leaving within this time to prepare our defenses and have my husband brought here by the time I return for supper." As I walk out of the castle, Lupe follows me.