Chapter 24

"My apologies. It was just meant to be a nice gesture. Richard recommended it," said Annabelle.

"You must learn that men have no idea what they are speaking of. My son can not advise you on anything concerning me. Come child, we will have tea in the garden," Margaret held out her hand for Amelia to hold.

Amelia smiled, happy to spend time with her grandmother. There was always entertainment whenever her grandmother came around. She never had a problem voicing her opinion and there weren't too many people to go against her.

Amelia entwined her hand with Margaret's and then set off to the garden followed by Cyrus, Gina, and Margaret's six guards.

Annabelle stomped her feet on the ground frustrated with Margaret shutting down her advances once again. It was clear Margaret did not like her but Annabelle refused to give up. Margaret would have no choice but to accept the child as her family in the future.

Richard promised if the baby is a boy, he would name it his heir and make her the queen. Annabelle's ultimate goal was to sit on the throne and rule the kingdom. She didn't love Richard enough to care if he would be sitting right next to her. The king was merely a pawn and her body distracted him from seeing what she truly was.

Meanwhile, Amelia enjoyed her walk with Margaret into the castle garden.

"It's a shame you don't plan to move back into the castle. It is extremely boring without you here grandmother," said Amelia.

"I heard the news that your fool of a father used you as bait all because you stood up to him. I've provided him with the best education but he refuses to use his head. What would we have done if our princess was killed yesterday? Thank you, dear," Margaret thanked Amelia when she pulled out her chair.

"Has news of what happened already traveled far outside the gate?"

"I may have left the castle but my eyes and ears remain here to keep me informed. There is nothing that I do not know. I have told you many times that one of our best weapons is words. Keep eyes around the castle to collect all the gossip and use it to your advantage. There wasn't anything your grandfather could do behind my back," Margaret chuckled remembering her past.

"He thought he was having the time of his life sneaking around with a maid but little did he know I placed her there. A little something to keep him out of my way while I have my own fun," Margaret whispered, insinuating something with her words.

"Don't tell me you were sneaking around with handsome men, grandmother?" Amelia cringed, imagining the sight of her grandmother fooling around with someone. 'Why did I just think of that?'

"Of course I did. My husband shouldn't be the only one having fun. I would never forget the day he walked in on me and was furious. Men are such stupid beings, Amelia. It takes women like us to know how to maneuver around these men and get what we want. Your father's newest consort thinks she has everything figured out."

"I prayed for her child to be a girl. Not that it seems to matter as my father might be looking to announce Fraser as his heir. I can't win no matter what I do. Fraser is happy to tell me he has seen the list of men my father is thinking of introducing me to. I can already picture what they are like," Amelia sighed.

"I raised my son to the best of my abilities but he turned out to be just like his whoring father."

"Grandmother, you cheated too," Amelia reminded her. "We just spoke about it."

"At that point, I had given up all hope on that marriage. If I could have gotten divorced I would have fled the castle a long time ago. He spent so much time with his women so I was petty and did it to spike him. He did not love me but wouldn't let me leave. Kings get to do as they please while the wives have to remain proper. That's why I strangled your grandfather."

"What? Why are you now telling me this? Spill the tea." Amelia wondered what could have pushed her grandmother over the edge to make her strangle her husband.

"Don't look so surprised. I did it every time I got the chance to. It's a shame I was never able to kill him. I'd lay awake thinking of how much I wanted to get away from the castle and the only thing I could do was to get rid of your grandfather. I'd lean over and start strangling him and wake him out of his sleep. I think he expected it and liked it when I did it."

"I have too many scars from living in this castle, Amelia. I wish that you would give up on wanting to become queen before the scars start to wound you too but I know you are stubborn. I believe there is no one better than you to sit on the throne. Your mother and I raised you to be a good ruler," Margaret smiled, complimenting Amelia.

"I admire your bravery to stand against your father. I wish I had gained that confidence when I was much younger. Then maybe, I would have held onto my youth a little longer," Margaret gazed out into the garden thinking of the times she spent here hiding.

Amelia placed her hand over Margaret's but didn't ask what her words meant. Sometimes, it is better to let others reveal everything on their own. She always knew her grandmother's life in the castle had not been easy but eventually, she took control and survived the internal wars in the castle.

"Life in the castle is a battlefield, Amelia. You need to plan your moves carefully to get what you want. Do not allow my son to control you. I'll be damned if Fraser or that whore's child sits on the throne."