Chapter 49: A Walk Among Thorns
Lirian couldn’t sleep at all...
What was Gabriel’s worry, it was difficult for her to understand his real intentions.
He pretended to care, but his actions in the North were different.
Gabriel also refused to grant Lirian divorce...
She had no support from her family, father, no allies, real friends...she was left alone to deal with the fire that Gabriel kept causing.
"Why is my life so difficult here...why must I suffer?"
The heavy drapes had been drawn back just enough to allow the morning sun to spill into the room.
For once, she didn’t feel the crushing exhaustion, though her body was still weak, and her inner thoughts were a battlefield of conflicting emotions.
After stretching slowly, she decided she needed air.
The castle gardens called to her...it was like a peaceful escape from the suffocating walls and the memories that haunted them.
She dressed simply in a light gown, draping a shawl over her shoulders for warmth.
It wasn’t as chilly in the capital as it had been in the North, but the early morning still carried a crispness that made her skin prickle.
The gardens were beautiful, even in the muted colors of late autumn.
The air was cool and fragrant, filled with the earthy scent of damp soil and the faint aroma of the last blooming roses.
Lirian let her fingers brush against the petals of a white rose as she walked, "beautiful...this is really calming..." She muttered under her breath.
But her peace was short-lived.
"Lirian," a demanding, familiar voice ruined the quiet.
Lirian turned to see Daria approaching, accompanied by one of Gabriel’s maids.
Daria was dressed, as always, in a gown of deep crimson that clung to her body, her blond hair styled to perfection.
The maid at her side looked nervous, clutching a small bundle of linens as if she hoped to remain invisible.
Lirian straightened, her eyes narrowed slightly. "Daria."
Daria offered a smile, thoigh her eyes showed her normal malice.
"Out for a walk, are we? I wasn’t sure you were capable of standing, let alone strolling through the gardens."
"I didn’t realise I needed your permission to walk," Lirian replied coolly, folding her arms.
Daria’s smile tightened.
"Oh, of course not. I was just surprised to see you looking so... put together. After everything you’ve been through, I would’ve thought you’d prefer to hide away."
Lirian’s lips curved into a small smile.
"Hiding isn’t really my style. I’ll leave that to those who scheme from the shadows."
The barb landed, and Daria’s eyes flashed with fire.
"Scheming? Is that what you think of me, dear Lirian? I’m simply doing my duty to the crown."
"Duty?" Lirian raised an eyebrow, her tone changed to sarcasm. "Forgive me if I don’t see how poisoning Gabriel fits into your royal duties."
The maid gasped softly, her eyes darting between the two women.
Daria’s face darkened, though she quickly recovered, letting out a cold laugh.
"Ah, the poor little martyr, always jumping to conclusions. Tell me, Lirian, do you think you’re clever? Throwing around accusations without proof?"
"I don’t need proof when the evidence is written all over your face," Lirian replied back. "Your smugness gives you away every time."
Daria stepped closer, her smile turned icy.
"And what gives you away, Lirian? Your glowing little butterflies? Your sob stories? Do you think Gabriel keeps you around because he cares? You’re a liability, nothing more. A pretty little problem he can’t solve."
Lirian held her ground.
"Better to be a problem than a parasite, Daria. At least I’m not leeching off someone else’s power to stay relevant."
Daria’s eyes widened briefly before narrowing into slits.
"You have quite the sharp tongue for someone who barely survived their own stupidity. Don’t you ever get tired of playing the victim?"
Lirian’s smile was razor-sharp.
"Victim? No, I prefer to think of myself as the survivor of other people’s inadequacies. It’s amazing how often I end up cleaning up messes made by women like you."
The maid’s mouth dropped open, her shock could barely be contained as she tried to blend into the background.
Daria’s composure slipped, her cheeks turned red with anger.
"You really think you’re above me, don’t you? Let me remind you—Gabriel wouldn’t even look at you if it weren’t for your magic. Without it, you’re nothing."
Lirian tilted her head, her voice sounded soft but cutting enough.
"Funny. I was going to say the same about you and your tricks. Tell me, how does it feel to be nothing more than a footnote in someone else’s story?"
Daria’s lips parted, but no words came out. She stared at Lirian, fury started radiating off her in waves.
Satisfied, Lirian turned her back on her, addressing the maid as she walked past.
"You can go now. I’m sure Daria has nothing important to say anyway."
The maid nodded quickly, clutching her bundle of linens as she hurried away.
Daria stayed rooted in place, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"You’ll regret this," she hissed under her breath.
Lirian glanced over her shoulder, keeping a serene expression on her face.
"Perhaps. But at least I’ll regret it on my terms."
As Lirian disappeared down the garden path, Daria’s rage simmered, racing with ways to regain control.
Back in the castle, Lirian’s composure disappeared.
She leaned against the wall of the hallway, her heart raced as she replayed the confrontation in her mind.
She hadn’t meant to let Daria get under her skin, but the woman’s venomous words had struck too close to home.
She let out a shaky breath, pushing off the wall and continuing toward her chamber.
Gabriel would undoubtedly hear about this, and she wasn’t sure she had the energy to deal with him.
Still, a small, vindicated smile tugged at her lips.
She had stood her ground, and for now, that was enough.
"I should’ve beaten her up again..." Lirian laughed, "next time, I will make her face collide with the wall again...hehehehe."
"Lirian?"
"That voice..." Her body is paralysed immediately..."wh-what is he doing here?"
Lirian slowly turned around to face him.
"Hello, Lirian."
"You?"