"I am not an object of mockery neither am I your son's puppet that he can control and care for whenever he wants!"
Seraphina! The guardsmen declared her arrival as she walked in. Her voice was firm and echoed around. She shouldn't have come, I had everything under control.
"I'm sorry for barging into an ongoing session, your Highness," she said as she bowed to me.
I watched as my mother turned her head to look at her.
"Well, the 'queen' is finally here." The regent said sarcastically.
"Seraphina, you should be resting right now."
"I'm so sorry, Your Majesty, but I'm the victim, and I can't let the queen regent justify the crowned prince's actions."
"I'm not justifying any actions; it's the fact! You should have eloped with my son when you had the chance!"
"Elara!" I shouted angrily at her.
Everyone looked at me amazingly, it was normal to call parents by their names but this was the first time I'd done it. They all knew I was furious.
"Do not annoy the Alpha!" The speaker said and she bowed respectfully.
"I apologize for my uncouth words."
"Your son blended passion flower and made me inhale it but you justify his actions?" Seraphina said.
"He must…..
"If I was your daughter, would you say that? You'd say it's because the Alpha did not accept me so another man can kidnap me?" Seraphina interrupted and Elera became silent.
This was the first time someone would win her in an argument and I was pleased.
"You should understand that my son cared for you, he wanted to take you out of this castle and create a better life for you. You came between him and his brother, but he did not let that get to him; all he wanted was a life with....
"Can you hear yourself? Cared for me? He did all that for his interest, he never cared for me because if he cared for me, he wouldn't use that love spell on me!"
Seraphina was enraged but kept calm.
"Moreover, I'm the Alpha's mate; we have our affair in private to avoid despicable scuttlebutts. We are honestly in love with each other but the Alpha doesn't show it so the enemies like your son won't think I'm his flaw! Instead, I'm his strength and a human with my brains and will, not your son's toy!" She added.
I smiled on my throne, covering my face with my hand stylishly. In love? Did Seraphina say that to win the argument? Nevertheless, I was proud of her.
"That's enough, Seraphina. The queen regent understands you well now," I said and watched as Elara put on her veil back, accepting defeat.
"I apologize once again for barging into the courtroom, Your Majesty, I'll take my leave," she announced, and I nodded in accord.
"You've successfully destroyed the affinity between two brothers," Elara said calmly.
"Your beloved son destroyed it," Seraphina answered back and walked out, her maids went after her.
"Are you going to kill your brother for a woman, Alpha?" she asked and I rested my chin on my hands.
"I serve justice, queen regent. You're also a woman so imagine if someone uses a love spell on you and kidnaps you. I'm sure you'd slaughter that person yourself if you're eventually back to your senses." I replied sternly.
She fumed and attempted to leave.
"You are also part of the judging council; you should take your seat and join us as we address other matters," I commanded and she obeyed, taking her secluded seat.
Elara won't stop here, she is not the one to stop so easily.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Seraphina's POV
I heaved a heavy sigh as I closed the distance between the court and me.
That was a suicide attempt! Talking back at the Alpha's Mother.
My maids caught up with me and they all gasped for breath.
"Your majesty, you should not be running like that. It's…. it's not suitable for your position."
"Well, I could not use my legs in my other body." They gave me a perplexed look and I giggled.
"That was a joke. Anyways, the queen regent seems strict."
"She is more brutal than the Alpha, Your Majesty. We were trembling when you stood up to me." one of them whispered to me.
"She seemed strict but not strict to her son. I wonder what kind of mother she is; she must be giving Lorien a hard time." I said to myself and they nodded.
"Well, I hope she doesn't come for me later. It's time to see Alistair."
"No, Your Majesty! The Alpha will get furious if he learns that you want to see the crowned prince."
"I already asked for his permission and he said I can go." I lied and watched as their expression changed.
We proceeded the the dungeon. It brought memories back to me; this was the area where I met when I entered Seraphina's body.
The cold weather and stony ground.
It was heavily guarded with two hefty warriors on the outside, they had spears in their hands.
"Why are you here, your majesty?" One of them asked in his deep voice.
"The Alpha has given me permission to see the Prince, I want to talk to him," I responded confidently.
"Only you can go in and see the prince; your maids will have to stay outside." He said calmly and I nodded.
"Be careful, Your Highness!"
I could hear my maid's concerned voice as I entered.
It was in the morning but this dungeon seemed like it was in the midnight.
I saw Alistair sitter on the stony floor. He looked disoriented and pitiful. I summoned the courage and opened my mouth to speak.
"What are you doing here?" He asked as he raised his head to look at me.
"Well… I came to ask why you did it. I've always been nice to you but you used a love spell on me? Why?" I asked painfully and he smiled.
The smile was wicked.
"You don't even know your purpose on this earth, you don't know how significant you are!" He yelled.
"What…..what are you saying?" I asked keenly.
"I know what you are, you're not a soul from this era."
I became frightened and stunned, how did he know? Was he saying that to scare me? I burst out laughing.
"Are you serious? You're joking right?" I asked acting clueless.
"Stop lying Seraphina! You told me yourself!"
"I did not tell you shit! You're making up stories in your head and feeding them to me but trust me, I'm not stupid." I answered back, hoping he did not see through my lies.
He stood up and walked up to me, I shifted back as he held the strong bars.
"How did you change? Why are you so different if you're not from another era? The old Seraphina never had confidence, she was not as bold as you are. What changed?" He asked gently.
"So many things changed me, Alistair. The lies you told about me that made me a traitor before the king, how all of you treated me, and finally, my death. That death was not my end, it was rather an opportunity given to me by God to teach you a lesson and make Duskbane a better place." I explained sternly.
He was silent for a while.
"You're rare, Seraphina, do not let anyone use you, not even the Alpha."
"Coming from a cruel man who used a love spell on me." I retorted and turned to leave.
"I'll take my leave now, crowned prince."
"I killed Aurelia and her mother."
I stopped in my tracks. My body became rigid with fear and shock. I turned to him silently.
"You did what!"
"You heard me right, although it's a shame that I did not get to kill Aurelia…..
"Where is she, you evil man!" I screamed angrily.
"It was a shadow. Caelum sent a shadow to protect you, he must have seen some potential in you."
"And her mother…I mean, my maid?"
"Her lifeless body must be outside the kingdom. In the deep forest, rotting away."
"You do not deserve a brother like Lorien! You're too horrible to live among humans, and I'll behead you myself!"
"We will see about that, Seraphina." He said and cracked up uncontrollably.
He was insane.
I ran out of the happiness-depriving dungeon and got out. My maids came up to me.
"Are you okay, your highness?" They asked curiously.
"Aurelia is…is.
I should not tell them about Caelum, it only involved me.
"Talk to us, your majesty."
"I think she needs water." one of them said and strolled off.
"Aurelia's mother is dead and her daughter had been sold to a faraway farmer."
They began grieving and I wondered why Caelum would send a shadow to protect them from Alistair. He must close, watching me and my every move! I was not safe!
I looked around frantically but suspected nothing.
"I should inform the Alpha about this; we must bury her mother properly," I said, and they nodded quietly.