“You two must be fated. She always comes when you are here,”

“She is the daughter of Blood Tyrant Jin Ke, thereby related to the Ligrel clan? Why is she a direct descendant wasting away in a first-rate kingdom as a widowed duchess, instead of taking her place as a descendant of one of the Ancients?” Lady Raine asked; this bothered her. Many people forget who she is because she goes by the title, Lady Steinhouse. But she, who knows the importance of the Ancients, understands they would never let their descendant marry that low.

“There are some secrets I cannot tell,” the king said with a sigh.

“Do not call for the cabinet meeting today. Tomorrow at noon is best to do so,” she said, ignoring his answer. The king went this far to make people forget who she is, it must be big. Besides, the Ligrel clan is one of the Ancients. Some knowledge is bad.

“Why midday?” he asked.

“You must take care of all scenarios. If there are Northern Lan spies; more than the ones we are aware of, you must make preparations for it. I have that covered. The Jade Hand will arrive tomorrow before noon,” she said.

“Since when did you call them? How will they enter the capital without a pass? They could enter as merchants or travellers, but that would take time. Though it's faster as martial artists, they will alert the protectors of the kingdom,” the king asked.

“I have the queen's token,” she said and the king paused.

“She had it sent out for preparation of the entrance of some assassins. As I know, most are inside already and more are coming. My information is that the first group inside have an easier target, the others are coming for a bigger fish. Who they are, I have no idea. I stole her token a while back. Don't worry, she does not know it is gone,” she said with a smile.

“Okay, tomorrow, midday,” the king agreed.

“Will you tell me why the queen? What did she do to offend you?” he asked, “As much as I would like to think you stayed I'm my royal palace all these years for a chance in my bed, I know it is not so,”

“Have you heard the story of King Vioj of Kallor?” she asked and he frowned.

“Kallor is no more than ruins,” he said.

“Before it became so, it was a great empire on the verge of conquering Thriegor. One of its kings of old, Vioj, saved a priestess while on a hunt. When he discovered who she was, he locked her up in his tower and insisted that she use her power to help Kallor rule the west lands. She was powerful, yes; but vengeful too. A woman of her standing, slave to a little king? She told him that before he goes to war, he must pour ciere for his ancestors. He took five kegs of ciere and descended into the royal tombs. She flicked her wrist and sealed him in. He did not understand; how can you pour wine for the dead unless you are dead? I will not be that merciful” Lady Raine said, a vicious look in her eyes.

“Who is King Vioj in this story? My wife?” he asked.

“Her? No. The king of Northern Lan and all those on his side. They will not only pour ciere for their ancestors, they will kowtow, before I'm satisfied,” she said and walked away.

***

News of Lady Steinhouse imprisoning her mother-in-law and sister-in-law had already taken the capital by storm. Everyone was having a filled day with this news.

News of the Mclears' only daughter Miss Leah, who married in tears, had long quaked the capital. Word is, she cried so hard, that her mother started to say her vows in her place during the ceremony. But, this was now a story of the past. People were now talking of Lady Steinhouse's actions; anticipating what the queen would do. A good show was brewing and they were all keeping their eyes and ears sharp, so as not to miss it.

Mr Mclears, on the other hand, was panicking in his study. His wife and two sons had vanished for two days now. After the wedding of Leah a few days ago, his wife and sons went out and never returned. Where were they? Already the wedding was very suspicious, as he had not heard of it till he was in the carriage going to the ceremony. He remembered his wife's response to his shock that his twelve-year-old daughter was getting married off to a sick heir. “Remember I said you should let me handle this? Relax. You will soon see results,” she had said. Thinking of the fact that she was out there solving his problem made him relax. Yes, he had made a good choice to marry her all those years ago.