The Lycan King's Puppet-Chapter 53: Council Meeting

She slept in the early hours of the morning.

Overthinking was not doing her any good - she wished she could share her burdens with someone, preferably her sister. But, Aurora was too young.

She threw the covers off and went to the window. The sun was shining brightly.

"My gods!"

She would be late. The knock on her door confirmed her thoughts.

"Hold on! Just a minute."

She rushed into the dresser and tugged on one of her green dresses without paying it any heed.

Then, she ran to the vanity table to brush her hair. A few strands came loose painfully in her haste. Stuffing a hair pin to hold it in place, she slid on her slippers and stood before the looking glass.

She looked like someone that had just run a marathon. Her cheeks were puffed and red, her eyes wide, sweat beading on her forehead.

Taking a breath, she walked to the door and opened it.

Andon was leaning against a wall, whistling to himself.

She lowered herself to a brief curtsey, her eyes never meeting his. More colour stained her cheeks.

His gaze surveyed her quietly, a small grin curving his lips.

"I was afraid you were going to jump out the window."

"Why do you say that, Lord Andon?"

His grin widened and his eyes flashed.

"You had quite an... unsettling night, if I dare to remember correctly."

She gulped.

"I slept like an angel, thank you for the concern."

He wiggled his brows at her, quietly asking, ’Did you?’

She made to walk away but he held her back in place.

"Forget it all happened, dear. It would help you live a long, and happy life."

Her face went pale. "Are you threatening me, Lord Andon? Despite what you obviously think, I did not invite the King to have his way with me. My intentions were pure when I walked into his room, and they still are."

His eyes softened somewhat.

"I know that - that’s why I’m warning you. The news seems to have spread far and wide, and many people have taken an active interest in your relationship with the King - not just your beloved uncle."

Then, as if he hadn’t just dropped a bomb on her, he offered her his arm and said, "Shall we?"

They walked down the steps quietly. She had paused briefly in front of her sister’s door but quickly left when she noticed Andon’s observant gaze.

When they had almost reached the bottom of the stairs, he said, "I see you’re at odds with your little sister. What could have caused such a thing?"

"With all due respect, Lord Andon, it is not of your business."

He touched a hand to his chest.

"It isn’t, but it is."

Her whole body tensed.

’Her business was now everyone’s business’, she reminded herself.

Maids passed by them, skirting curties to only Lord Andon, she was sure, and casting curious glances at her.

"There is something you need to know, Miss Stenly."

Her head shot up.

"As the King’s Cupbearer, you ought to be waiting on him - not the other way around."

Could they fault her? She had never been a servant before in her life.

"It will never happen again." She said instead.

The council room was a fairly large room with several interior decorations molded into the stone walls. A large table stood to one side. On it were meticulously placed objects. When she looked closer, she realized it was a map of Reden. She had seen the map quite often in her father’s study to not recognize it.

The King was not in the room yet, but his council members were.

And they were shamelessly looking at her.

The room was bright, highlighting the gleam of the polished furniture.

She was aware of their eyes on her back as she moved to carry the jug on the table by the wall.

When she returned to the table, she bowed to all of them.

"My lords." She said, taking her stand beside the King’s high backed chair.

Andon slung into one of the chairs, eliciting a gasp from the three men seated.

One of them was the man who had ridiculed her with his monstrous voice and song, another was the one who kept offering snide remarks about her relationship with the King.

The last one hadn’t been at the picnic table, to her surprise.

Or perhaps, he had arrived late?

The double doors bounced open and two men in long leather coats walked in.

She blinked at the sight of the younger one.

She knew him. Aldrich?

His father had been close to him while he was alive. But after his sudden death, all connection between their families was immediately cut off.

And he was seeing her as a servant...

He took one of the empty seats beside the murky old man and drummed the table with his fingers.

His eyes were slightly red, his hands trembling.

Grief. She recognized it all too well. Despite their class differences, she knew exactly how he felt.

"Have you no respect for us? Stop tapping the table." The one with the matted red beard said.

Aldrich looked up, his eyes hard.

"Respect?" He spat the words out.

Red beard was about to say something when the doors swung open.

Her stupid stomach fluttered as she watched him walk down.

He took in the size of his council quietly, nodding to their greetings with the patience of a god, not a man.

His eyes met hers briefly, just before he took his seat.

Her throat worked.

He didn’t do anything - he just had to look at her.

What was wrong with her?

There was an empty seat that was conspicuously left unoccupied.

The man that had come in with Aldrich still stood, glaring at Andon.

Yeren glanced at Andon.

"I will like my chair, Lord Andon." The man’s face twisted into an ugly scowl.

Andon crossed his legs, saying nothing.

"You don’t belong on this table, if I may be so bold to say it. If servants can sit on this esteemed table, then perhaps your Cupbearer should take Lord Moonstone’s place."

"Enough, Rodick. Fetch a stool and join us - I don’t remember your name being engraved on that seat."

Aldrich was looking at the King now.

"Pour me some wine." Yeren murmured.

Claire fumbled with the jug, spilling a few droplets on the floor.

When she filled it up to the half mark, she moved to full Andon’s cup as well.

"My condolences, Aldrich."

Aldrich pressed his hands to his eyes.

"I’m honoured, Your Grace. My father served you well."

"Aye, and my father before me. He left a memorable legacy behind. Would you care for some wine?"

Aldrich shook his head. "Not everything can be solved with wine, Your Grace."

Yeren nodded.

Claire returned to his side and stood there. Her ankles were beginning to complain from all standing - and the meeting had not actually begun.

"Pour me wine, lass."

She looked down at the King, her lips thinning.

Yeren said nothing.

The man held his cup higher.

She looked helplessly at Andon, who in turn looked at the King.

"I serve the King only."

The man tilted his head, cracking a grin like he had

been waiting for her to say exactly that.

"We know, in body and service."

Her eyes hardened.