The Bride He Hates-Chapter 122: Cold Queen

Over the next three days, Azrael recovered quickly. The wounds that should have taken weeks to heal were healing within days.

Lyanna stayed by his side, looking perfectly fine on the outside, but inside she felt completely different.

She has to remind herself to smile, to show concern, to fake the empathy that once come naturally. It was exhausting.

"You seem different these days." Azrael told her on the third day.

"Different how?"

"Calmer." He replied.

"I’m just tired." She replied. "I think I’m just... numb from everything that happened."

"I’m sorry. This has been so traumatic for you."

"It’s okay. What matters is you’re alive." She replied with a smile.

A week after the attack, Azrael was strong enough to travel. Lyanna rode beside him, watching him while showing the appropriate concern a wife should.

The old Lyanna would have been anxious about his recovery. But the new Lyanna felt only satisfaction that he was okay.

"You’re very quiet." Azrael observed. "Are you alright?"

"Just thinking." She replied.

"About the attack?"

"About who ordered it and why they targeted me. It will affect the future cooperation alliances."

Her response was strategic and logical.

"Very practical." Azrael noted. "I’m glad you’re thinking strategically about this."

"Someone has to."

"Your Majesty, we should discuss security arrangements when we return to Thornfield. The attack showed significant gaps in our protection." Naomi said.

"Agreed." Lyanna replied. "We need better scouting, more guards on remote travel routes, and intelligence networks in borderland territories to identify threats before they strike."

Azrael looked at her curiously.

"You seem very focused on security."

"Someone tried to kill me. You almost died. Of course, we need to focus."

"Of course." Azrael said. "I just mean... before, you would have been more concerned about not looking paranoid and maintaining trust with the territories.

"Almost dying changes your priorities."

Azrael didn’t know how to respond to that, so he just smiled as they rode.

When they returned to Thornfield two days later, Clara rushed to Lyanna as soon as she reached her chambers while Azrael went to meet the council.

"Your Majesty!" She exclaimed, hugging Lyanna. "Thank goodness you’re safe. I heard about the attack. I was so worried..."

She stopped mid-sentence and pulled back to look at Lyanna’s face.

"Your Majesty? Are you alright?"

"I’m fine."

"That’s not what I meant." Clara said. "You seem... different.

Lyanna immediately forced a smile.

"I’m just tired from the journey."

But Clara’s expression didn’t change.

"Your Majesty, what happened out there? Besides the attack? You don’t seem like yourself."

"Seeing Azreal dying broke me." Lyanna replied.

"It’s more than that." Clara said. "You feel...colder."

"I’m still processing the trauma. Give me time. I’ll be fine."

Clara looked unconvinced but nodded.

"If you say so. But Your Majesty, please talk to someone."

"I’ll be fine. Trust me, okay?" Lyanna repeated with a smile.

After Clara left, Lyanna slumped onto the bed.

This is going to be harder.

That evening, alone with Azrael in their chambers, Lyanna tried to be warm like before.

"I’m glad we’re home." She said, sitting beside him on the bed.

"So am I." Azrael said, pulling her into his arms. "I’m glad you’re safe. When those attackers came for you, when I saw those blades aimed at you..." He couldn’t finish.

The old Lyanna would have been crying already. But now she only felt relieved that he had chosen to protect her.

"But you almost died saving me."

"I’d do it again." Azrael said. "Every time."

Lyanna kissed him. She tried to pour emotion into it that she wasn’t feeling.

"I love you." She said.

"I love you too."

"Are we okay? You and me? You seem distant since the attack." Azrael asked after they broke the kiss.

"I’m just processing everything." Lyanna smiled. "Give me some time. I’ll be myself again soon." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Take all the time you need. I’m here. Whatever you’re dealing with, we’ll get through it together."

Lyanna rested her head on his shoulder, letting him hold her, trying to feel his warmth to compensate for the coldness inside her.

Two days later, the council convened. Azrael was still recovering but insisted on attending. Lyanna sat in the observation gallery since she still wasn’t officially allowed in council meetings. Cassius stood up to address the council.

"Your Majesty, esteemed council members. I have a proposal regarding the eastern territories alliance."

"Proceed." Azrael said.

"The negotiations were interrupted by the attack on Their Majesties." Cassius said. "But the eastern territories still want to expand the cooperation programs."

"We should send Lady Naomi." Lady Morgana said.

"Actually...I suggest Queen Lyanna." Cassius said.

The council members murmured in shock.

"Lord Cassius, you were the one who removed Queen Lyanna from alliance leadership. So why this now?" Victor asked.

"Because I respect competence over consistency." Cassius replied. "Queen Lyanna’s removal was due to her poor judgment and security failures. However, I’ve observed significant changes in her thinking since the attack. She has become more strategic. If she has evolved past her previous weaknesses, we should use her expertise."

"How convenient." Lady Morgana said.

"I propose we reinstate Queen Lyanna to alliance work on a probationary basis. Let her lead the eastern territories negotiations. If she shows improved judgment, we can consider her reinstatement." Cassius said.

Azrael looked up at the observation gallery where Lyanna sat.

"Do you want this? Are you ready?"

Lyanna nodded.

"I support the proposal." Azrael said. "Queen Lyanna designed these frameworks. She should lead their expansion."

"I object." Another council member said. "Queen Lyanna was deemed unsuitable for political work. One attack doesn’t erase her failures."

"Let’s vote then." Azrael said. "All in favour of reinstating Queen Lyanna?"

Hands rose across the chamber. Lyanna won by fourteen to nine.

"The motion passes." Azrael announced. "Queen Lyanna will lead the eastern territories negotiations."

After the meeting, Lyanna met with Azrael and Cassius to discuss logistics.

"The eastern territories expect us in two weeks." Cassius said. "I’ll give you all the intelligence about their political situation."

"I’ll need more than intelligence." Lyanna said. "I need leverage. What do they want that we can offer? What do we want that they’re reluctant to provide? What are the true stakes beyond official positions?

Cassius smiled.

"See? This is exactly the kind of strategic thinking you lacked before. Don’t worry. I’ll provide a full analysis including leverage points."

After Cassius left, Azrael looked at Lyanna in surprise.

"Are you sure you’re ready for this?"

"I’m ready." She replied. "I need to prove I can still do meaningful work."

"You don’t have to prove anything to anyone."

"I’m not doing it for others. I’m doing it for myself."

It was true. She needed to use her mind for something beyond pretending to feel emotions she no longer had.

In the evening, Naomi went to meet Lyanna in the library.

"Your Majesty." Naomi said. "I wanted to congratulate you on your reinstatement. I’m glad you’ll be leading the negotiations. You’re the best person for it."

"Thank you." Lyanna replied.

"I also wanted to ask..." Naomi hesitated. "Are you alright? You seem different since you came back from the forest on the night of the attack. I never got the chance to ask you but did Elder Mara help you?"

"No. She didn’t." Lyanna replied immediately. "As you said, she doesn’t meet with outsiders. She didn’t even open the door."

"Oh! When His Majesty woke up, I thought it was because of blood magic."

"No. I couldn’t do anything." Lyanna lied. "What happened to Azrael is a miracle."

"Definitely." Naomi smiled. "I was worried since you seem so different since then."

"I’m still recovering from everything that has happened." Lyanna replied.

"Take your time. I just hope you don’t lose yourself in all this." Naomi said amd left.

If only she knew, I’ve already lost myself .