Chapter 51 - Beneath The Mask

"Richard, Susana, leave us," I said, my voice cold and my gaze not wavering from Lillians.

"But your majesty!"

"Just go," I commanded. "I shall explain everything later."

There was a long moment of silence before the sound of retreating footsteps could be heard, slowly growing fainter and fainter until only the dripping of mildew from the damp ceiling could be heard. It would be better if Richard or Susana weren't here as I had a feeling it would give Lillian more to work with and I didn't trust them to be able to keep quiet, though I could technically have ordered them to, but ordering them to leave was the safer option.

Instead of immediately asking her a question like I wanted to, I moved my gaze to Dugress and Matin, giving them both cold looks before turning my attention back to Lillian. The true Lillian, not the act she'd been putting on earlier. That feeling of wrongness had been my instincts trying to tell me what I was seeing was fake, though I had to give it to her, her performance was excellent and most people would believe it, Dugrees and Matin clearly had, since they both looked absolutely shocked at the change that had occurred in Lillian.

"Do they know anything you don't?" I asked Lillian.

"No, and both would not tell you either way. Dugress is a good liar and would make up information to tell you all the while begging for his life as he sold others out for crimes that have nothing to do with his. Matin is a fool who cares only about women and gold. The only reason he is in the position he had been in was because of connections that are no longer relevant as those nobles fled during the war of the three heirs. He kept his position after you took the throne by bribing the others. Both are useless to you. I will deal with you in truth for I am not a fool or stupid. I understand that my life lies in the palm of your hand."

"I see," I said, seeing the truth in her words. I already had an idea of what type of person Lillian was. She was the type that put herself above all others. She would do anything to ensure her own survival. She was clearly manipulative and good at what she did from the way she deduced Dugress and Matin. She could be useful, but she could also be a danger. I didn't have any summon who could deal with her. Well, I did have plenty who could just kill her, but I didn't have any who could keep a watch on her and truly understand her. I only barely understood her and for all, I knew this was just another act, and I was playing the fool.

"Let us deal then," I said, smiling coldly at her, and ignoring the muffled sounds that were coming out of Dugress and Matins mouths. They had realized too late the positions they were in, then again it's not like I'd given them a choice or a chance, nor would i. If Lillian could give me what I needed then I'd keep her enchained until I could safely make use of her talents.

"If you prove yourself useful then I will allow you to live," I said. "If you cooperate and give me useful information then I will put you in a nicer cell and see to it that you are fed and given water to clean yourself with and perhaps if you prove to be really useful I might just let you go under the condition that you work for me, but let me stop there as I'm getting ahead of myself. Tell me Lillian what was your true purpose here?"

She smiled coldly and arched her back slightly, putting her prominent assets on clear display for me to see. I only glanced down for a second before meeting her eyes once more. She frowned in clear confusion that I hadn't spent longer looking but it quickly faded and I smiled inwardly. Perhaps a normal person might have but I'd slept with three extremely beautiful women the previous night and would probably be doing so this night, so her assets while great weren't really effective against me.

"What I told you before was true, I do gather and relay information but that is secondary to my true goal," She said.

"Which is?" I prompted.

"To cause chaos and strife within the nobility," She said. "I was hired not tasked by the princess. The original agreement was simple. I would remain here until she took the throne, but when you killed her I moved my allegiance over to Biroth who told me to continue what I'd been doing. I have started many things and set many more into place. I have successfully turned over a dozen noble families against another and caused much turmoil without even being suspected once."

"And you're telling me so easily, why?"

"Because as you said, I must prove myself capable and useful," she said. "I can tell you everything I have done and how to fix it. In exchange, I only ask that you do what you said you would. A better cell, food, and water with which to clean myself. I would also ask that you not take my maidenhead from me."

"You will tell my advisors and help them," I said. "If your help does prove to be useful then I shall increase the benefits you receive, and do not fret I am no sexual abuser of women even those I hold prisoner, but if I believe even for a second that you aren't being truthful or are lying, then I will skin you and feed you to my wyvern. do you understand?"

She nodded, not looking the least bit scared or frightened. "I'm within your power and as I said, I am no fool. I do gamble but I know when to take a risk and when not to. You hold all the cards, and the dice."

I nodded in understanding, happy she realized the position she was in before I finally turned my attention to Dugress and Matin who both looked even more panicked than before.

I gave them both a cold smile. "It seems I have no need for the two of you. Biroth will soon be here and will be dealt with and with Lillian's supposed help, I shall clean any marks his hand has made on the court. I'd like to say I'm sorry that it had to come to this, but I'm not. Because I was there at the fort, Matin. I saw the men and women who lived there, the children who lived there. As for you Dugress, while I don't know your crimes I'm undoubtedly sure you're the worst of the nobility if your willing to side with the filth that is Biroth, although so is Lillian, but she is of use to me, you are not."

Without saying another word I sent a command to Migi to end them. It was quick and I didn't bother saying to see their blood pour from their throats or listen to their gurgles.

I kept my emotions in check and ofF my face as I left the room, Lilah trailing behind me and Migi turning my arm back to its regular form.

"I'll have my advisors visit you soon, Lillian, do not disappoint me, or the fate you'll get shall be far worse than theirs."