"Master, we should leave now or we'll be late." Bira reminded. I nod and stand up. "Remind the children that I will be back after lunch, and I'll see all of their progress." I say to the two before walking out of the room.
On the way to the front gate, we ran into Kai. He bowed. "Mother." I nod. He looked like he wanted to talk. "I'm going to be late if I don't leave now, so walk with me." He nodded and walked alongside me as Bira fell a few steps behind.
"Will you really teach me? I mean, can I also show you my progress after lunch?" He asked. "I will and you can." I answered. He hesitated. "Then will I become a mid-level martial artist like my mother?" He asked.
"Why become mid-level when you can strive for high-level?" I stop walking and turn to him. "Also, there's no need to call me mother if you feel uncomfortable. I won't die if I don't hear you call me that." I smile and caress his cheek gently.
"Having three more children is no issue to me but gaining a mother is a very big thing for you. So, don't force yourself. Call me aunty until you feel comfortable is fine with me. Even if you never feel comfortable, that's also fine." I pull back. "Alright. I have to leave now. I'll see you when I return."
I turn and walk away. "Your highness, eldest young master is crying." I glanced back to see him wiping his face with his sleeves and his personal servant, comforting him silently. I sigh.
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Serving tea to the husband's parents the day after the marriage was a new tradition for the Regila Kingdom. It was adopted when Kasian's grandfather married a woman, a commoner, from Heln Kingdom. He was the Crown prince at the time, and she asked for the tradition to be added. He obliged and everyone started to follow the tradition.
This caused a deeper bond between the two kingdoms. The only person that didn't follow this tradition was the current woman sitting in front of me. The Queen Mother. I take the teacup from the maid, stepped forward and bowed. "Queen Mother, please accept my tea."
She smiled and took the cup from me. I stepped back and looked at her as she took a small sip and placed the cup down. "You met the children this morning? I'm sorry I made Kasian skip the introduction. Something urgent came up that needed his attention." She said with a smile.
"They introduced themselves to me just fine, Queen Mother." I replied simply. "Kai, although the eldest, lacks a mother's love and the other two are spoiled beyond belief. Those two didn't make things difficult for you, did they?" Thankfully I changed to a full-face mask, or she would've seen the condescending smirk on my face.
"The children and I already made plans for my return, so I won't be able to stay after lunch today. As for the concubines, they have no power and no right to make things difficult for me." She nodded. "That's good. That good for nothing son of mine doesn't like it when I meddle in his family affairs or things would've been straightened out already."
"For good reason, Mother." The doors opened and Kasian walked in. "You talk about me like this behind my back to my wife and wonder why I don't allow you to meddle in my house." Kasian wrapped a hand around my waist and kissed my head.
"Older brother and sister-in-law are so in love already. Don't tell me that you haven't seen each other's faces and had a wedding night full of mystery." Dmitri Relia walked in, also wearing a mask.
Their physique was similar and their eyes were exact. If I didn't know any better, I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. I glance at the Queen Mother discreetly and she was looking at me with interest. Oh. So, this is her scheme.
"No. I was rather tired from travel, so I haven't seen your brother's face let alone him seeing mine." Kasian didn't refute my words. "However, whether we consummated our marriage or not has nothing to do you, younger brother. Instead, you should be focusing on your own marriage since Kasian is already married. Especially since with a mask similar to his, you look as though you're trying to imitate him."
I turn to the Queen Mother and the smile on her face was long gone. "I'll go to the small kitchen and check on lunch." I pull away from Kasian and walk out of the room.
The Queen mother's personal maid escorted me to the kitchen. I enter and look around. "How is it?" I ask her. "Our own people." I nod. "What have you found?" She shook her head. "She and the King are definitely planning something, but it seems like the King wanted to wait until he met with you today before making any decisions." I chuckle.
"How interesting. What is she going to put into Kasian's food?" The maid took out a brown folded paper and gave it to me. I opened it and sniffed it. "A drug to stop him from using his martial arts. Looks like they'll make a move tonight." I gave it back to her.
"Continue with it." She nodded. "Yes, your highness." I smile. "Let's put on a fantastic show for all ages."
I didn't eat at lunch, and the mother-son duo was especially happy about that. Looks like they want me to consciously mistake my husband for someone else. How ridiculous.
"Can't you stay the rest of the day? Your mother and I were friends for so many years before we got married and then we drifted apart. Now I have her daughter as my own. I really want to spend more time with you." I smiled. Really laying it on thick. This is going to be easier than I thought.
"No." I said. "They are very excited to spend time with their mother as well. I might as well strike while the iron is hot and spend more time with them."
Her smile became strained. "You speak as though you will be leaving. I know that you were roaming around the Continent for a few years, but you're married so it's best to stay in one place. Don't you think?"
I scoffed. "You wanted this marriage. Didn't you?" The smile on her face dropped completely. "What?" I leaned forward. "I have businesses that need my attention, so I will be leaving from time to time. You wanted this marriage and I did to. My children have somewhere permanent to call home and I have a steady husband who isn't going anywhere."
I leaned back. "Isn't that the best of both worlds." She laughed. "Oh! That's what you meant! You scared me for a moment. I thought you were going to threaten me with divorce if I meddled. That's something I really don't want." I chuckle.
"Of course not. I'm not such a casual person. Since I said yes to the marriage. I'll keep my word until death." She nodded. "That's good. Then since you already made plans with the children, you can go back." I stand up and bow my head to her.