Chapter 57

Riley’s words rang in my ear for the last two days and when I woke up, it was one of the first things I thought about. I know that Riley can be very protective of her brother but I would never have expected that kind of response from her at any time. If someone had told me before yesterday that she would speak to me like that then I would have laughed in their faces.

Christine seemed to pick up on my absent minded mood because she asked me at least twice if I was doing okay and I lied to her those two times because I didn’t even know how to explain what was going on in my head. If it were anyone else, I would have called them out there and then and they would have never tried it again in their lives but it was Riley, she had a right to be pi ssed even though I had a bigger right though.

“Camilla,” Christine whispered harshly in my ear snapping me back to reality and I realized where I was.

I was in the council room talking with mother and the other elders on how the ceremony would go and I must have zoned out because all the elders were staring at me in anticipation as if they were waiting for my input or something. I turned to Christine and shot her a slightly panicked look and she rolled her eyes.

“They asked what your plans are for Audrey,” she whispered and I muttered a quick thanks.

“I want her in and out as quickly as possible,” I told them. “She should never be unprotected at any moment and I want no less than two or three guards on her. She is my topmost priority at any given moment. I can handle myself.””

“You’re going to be the crowned princess,” one of the elders told me. I can’t remember his name and if I’m being honest, I don’t care to know his name, he always pi sses me off. “You’re more likely to be a target than she is. She is just a child, no one truly cares about her.”

“It is a good thing I was not asking your opinion then,” I shot back and I saw his face contort into a frown before he quickly schooled it. “Audrey is the most important person in a room at any given time. Before anyone is taken to safety- even me- my daughter must be safe, is that clear?”

“What about the queen?”

“I believe the queen is right in front of you and able to make her own decisions. You can ask her for details about her protection but I have told you about mine and my daughter’s. If anything happens to her during those ceremonies I will make sure that each and every one of you suffers terribly for it.”

“The palace is the most protected place in the world,” one of them said, “There is no way that anyone will be able to harm your daughter.”

“In case it sk ipped your attention gentlemen, I was taken from this very palace and I lived eighteen years of my life not knowing who I was. How is that for the most protected place in the world?”

They fell silent mainly because they knew I was right but I could see that the first elder was not happy with my decisions. I couldn’t bring myself to care because at the end of the day it is my ceremony and it is my choice on what I want to happen. If they think I will prioritize mine or anyone else’s life over my daughter then they must be thoroughly mistaken.

The meeting ended within ten minutes after that and I was the first person up and out of my seat. I could feel my mother’s curious gaze on me but I couldn’t bring myself to meet it as I walked out of the room. I heard footsteps rushing behind me but I didn’t stop to see who it might be. I already knew it was probably Christine and when she came to a stop beside me, I knew I was right.

“What’s going on with you today?” she asked. “It is not that I didn’t love how you put Evan in his place today but you seem weird. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I lied but from the way her lips tilted down it was obvious that she didn’t believe me.

“That’s a lie and you know it,” she scoffed. “Is it about Audrey? She’s safe with Ryker and Steven is watching over her just like you asked. Nobody is going to try anything funny especially now that we are so close to the ceremony. Surely you know that.copy right hot novel pub