"Leave me alone, Richard. I am not in the mood for whatever you have to say, and I didn’t welcome you into my chamber," Diana said, her eyes fixed on her chair as Richard strolled into the bedchamber. "Don’t you have a coronation to get dressed for? You are going to the coronation, right?"

"Would my presence be missed if I don’t-"

"No," Diana flatly replied. "It wouldn’t be missed. You are not the one who is going to be crowned king. If you are here to cause trouble, I advise you to stop now. This is a big moment for the family, and no one will take too kindly to you spoiling it."

"Trust me, Diana. No one is more excited about the Mortimers becoming royals than I am. I would like it if we had the queen present so we could kill her and not be concerned about her starting a war. All the Beauforts should die. Don’t you agree?" Richard asked, his gaze lingering on Diana’s beauty as he spoke.

"If you are speaking about Lilith, I suggest that you be careful unless you want to lose your tongue. While it would be good to never have to hear you utter a word, today is not the day for blood to spill. My son will have a peaceful coronation," Diana said, giving Richard a look that left no room for argument.

"Diana, I would not spoil the day and anger you. It delights me to see that my brother’s precious son is now becoming the king. I spoke to my boys a moment ago, and they shared that Cassian intends to place one of them as the duke," Richard shared.

Diana stared at Richard, not believing a word he spoke. "You are a liar."

"Why would I lie about this? I knew this moment had to come with Cassian leaving his land to be king, but I didn’t think he would agree to it so soon. It had to be done, Diana," Richard said, thrilled by the news. "Which brings me to an important question."

"With Cassian away from the land and in the castle, where shall you go? I’m told you have been ordered to return to the land, which means you’ll return to the estate. My son shall soon take on a wife to become a duchess, so there won’t be a place there for you," Richard said, feigning sadness.

"I’m sure it pleases you to think that I would be alone with nowhere to go, so I am happy to remind you that I have a house to my name with servants and a monthly allowance. I will not be at the mercy of your son or you," Diana said, unafraid of what was to come.

"Oh, yes. I wonder if the future duke would uphold that home and allow you to stay there. Wouldn’t there be more security in becoming my wife-"

"Silence!" Diana exclaimed, abruptly standing, her chair scraping harshly against the stone floor. "I have asked that you not disrespect my marriage. If you had any love for your brother, you would not be trying to court me. Especially when you still have a wife."

"It is quite easy to dispose of a wife. She could have the home and servants you are intending to turn to. You are far better suited to my side than to be alone, harassed by other men. It is time you come to me," Richard said, offering his hand to Diana.

Diana scoffed, angered by Richard’s nerve. "I had the option to pick between brothers in my younger days. You seem to think I only chose your brother because he was the young heir. That was hardly the case. There was a potential wonderful husband and a coward. I did not leave with the coward."

Richard lowered his hand and clenched it tightly. "I loved you from the beginning, unlike my brother, who had to take time to be smitten with you. The brother who entertained those women and left his young fiancée alone."

"Get out of my chamber before I have my son kill you!" Diana yelled, pointing to the door. She was not going to be fooled by Richard’s lies.

Diana had met with her husband in secret many times before they wed. It was during those times that Richard claimed his brother had been seeing women, unaware that it was Diana he met with.

"You seem to forget that my son is about to become the king. He has slain a king, so I assure you that he will not hesitate to slay you if you disrespect his father. I don’t know which relatives fill your head, but you shouldn’t mind them," Diana warned Richard.

Richard smiled, pleased to see Diana so annoyed with him. It meant he had her attention, which was all he sought.

"You’re pathetic, Richard. You don’t deserve your wife either. Any man who courts his late brother’s wife is a pathetic, disgusting bastard," Diana spat.

"I don’t see myself as any of those things, since I loved you first. Seeing that I am alive, I am the one who loved you last. Do consider my offer, Diana. I will treat you just like a queen, if not better. You never know what awaits you in the future, so choose what will keep you safe," Richard advised.

"I spoke to your daughter-in-law earlier, and she doesn’t know when to hold her tongue. You won’t be able to control her alone. She’s so disrespectful that it is the first time I’ve thought of wringing a lady’s neck. Think of your son," Richard said, knowing Diana wasn’t pleased.

"Lilith will do just fine. Perhaps you should take your own advice and go speak to your sons. If what you say is true, one of them is about to become a duke. Then again, since you were never raised to be a duke, what advice could you offer?" Diana asked as she took her seat once more.

Richard ran his tongue along his teeth. "You women should be careful."

"No, Richard. It is you who needs to be careful," Diana replied, her anger with Richard reaching its limit. She couldn’t bear his proposals anymore and wouldn’t be sad to see him die.