His beloved witch

Chapter 30: The illusion of control – Part I

-Marcela-

The mirror does not lie.

The female in front of me is beautiful by any standard.

I see my perfect skin, rosy cheeks, baby blue eyes and I think I am stunning.

I was finishing my makeup when my parents summoned me downstairs. The meeting must be over by now.

               “What is that you are wearing?” My big brother asked instead of greeting me properly.

I have just walked into my father’s office, and he should stand up as a gentleman.

“Good night to you, dear brother.” I curtsied, as a good, noble lady does.

“No wonder that b***h is in the place you should have!” He huffed angrily.

There is nothing wrong with me or what I wear. It was him! Andre has no eyes or taste! Otherwise, I would be Queen already, and Blanche would have not existed in our lives.

However, I do not answer him. I stayed silent.

“My sister is a good lady! This is not her fault!” My mother defended me.

“Fabrizio is right.” My father said calmly, crossing his leg over the other from his seat.

No wonder! He never takes my mother’s side or mine. Fabrizio is the apple of his eyes. The son of his first beloved mate... That Lady died giving birth to this asshole. No wonder why with that enormous head of his.

               "I have done everything I was told," I said serenely.

I am naturally blond, and I love the color of my curls. But I had to dye my hair brown when someone told my brother the King does not like blonds. So, I changed, and it was for nothing. Andre did not even look at me when appeared with that witch by his arm… Now that I think about it, he has never done it.

               “You dress like a prude!”

I have amazing curves and perfect measures, whatever I wear... I am beautiful!

The witch is shorter than me. Her boobs are smaller than mine and her short legs are ridiculous. Alright, she has a pretty face. I cannot deny Blanche is pretty… for someone with that taste, but I am a smoking hot female Lycan!

               “Show your assets, female!”

               “I am a Lycan Lady!” I burst out, but I regretted it immediately.

I am a Lady Lycan, the precious daughter of the Duque Alban, and I fought Lydia physically at Andre's coronation party. She started it, but I was not proper. That b***h gets the worst out of me.

It was so embarrassing, so undignified for someone of my status and beauty. It does not matter if Andre was a King, that was going too far.

 To fight for a male!

My parents told me while growing up I would be Queen. They taught me to admire the prince, to do whatever it takes to make him mine. And I did my best! I looked for the moment to approach him every time, visited the palace, went to all parties. I even danced with him once or twice at some events. Yet, nothing! He never invited me on a date!

Males admire Andre, females desire him, and I used to do both, but how long can someone hold a torch for a male who does not like you?

I find it personally offensive that someone could look at me and still prefer another female, even more, a witch! Only the mate bond can explain that poor choice!

"That f*****g witch is…"

Our next Queen, I wanted to say.

Blanche won. The entire Lycan population felt the bond she and Andre share when that intruder attempted against her life. The pain our King suffered was unbearable. She is Andre's fated mate. The game is over.

“She is a w***e! Do not compare my girl with that witch.” My mother stood up and took my side, but she interrupted Fabrizio and his glare intimidated her.

I stood in front of her, shielding her. My mother would not dare, but she knows I am tired of this charade. Why do I have to pursue Andre? He is not into me and never was.

Besides, the message was loud and clear at Andre's coronation party. He did not want Lydia or me.

Oh, Goddess, at least the next Queen is not Lydia! That b***h!

“They are fated mates, Fabrizio. I have wasted my life for nothing… Please, find someone suitable for me while there is still time.”

I do not want to be a Lady in waiting following around that witch my whole life. I need a mate!

Many noble males were in line for my hand at my prime. But now, they prefer younger versions of me… I have grown old waiting for my chance with Andre. If I do not change my path sooner, I will end up alone!

I beautiful, I can still take as a mate a rich and handsome Lycan; preferably someone truly interested in me. And my mother supports me, although the males of the house have other plans.

“Are you crazy?” Fabrizio spat out. “The recent events turned things in our favor.”

"What are you talking about?" I asked. "Andre has the agrarian bonds, so he owes nothing. The population loves him since he was born. His ministers are loyal to him, and more noble families are taking his side to earn business deals we are losing!" 

“What do you know?” My brother yelled.

“Fabrizio, it is true the new system can be improved, but honestly, it is not a bad deal!” There are incentive packages and a three-step program to implement the new mandatory regulation within the following three years. It is doable! “Fair p*****t to commoners' hard work is…”

A hard slap on my face shut me up and almost knocked me down.

“Fabrizio!” my mother chided at him and supported my weight to keep me from falling.

My lower lip is cut, and my cheek stings under my cold hand. I guess I will need more makeup to cover the bruise tomorrow.

Involuntary tears formed in my eyes, but I lifted my chin up, swallowing the knot in my throat. I will not let him see me cry.

I breathed in and out, calming down my Lycan. I am a proper, noble lady, and always will be, as my mother taught me. She looked at me sheepishly.

I know my Lycan will not heal this; she is pissed at me as I am, but I am Lady. I will not make a fuss over this.

“Females have no saying in business! Learn your place, Marcela!”

I looked at my father, but he diverted his eyes to another spot on the wall.

               “Let me explain, so your little brain can grasp your role in this plan. You must stay in the palace to catch his attention and bed him. Remember, you must get pregnant immediately for the crown to be yours.”

I am not Cousin Cara! I have dignity!

“That witch has Andre in her palm. They are sleeping together since day one. What can I do? Even if I dress like a w***e, what can I accomplish when all I do is follow her around?” I do not have to say Andre does not even acknowledge my presence or anyone else!

               “See!" He mocked me. "You have no brains! The witch can fall in disgraced, be rejected, or disappear…” His smile is psychotic. “So many options, little sister. Andre will do what we need him to do.”

I think it is pointless. No one will get their hands on Blanche, not without falling in the attempt.

Andre has guards around his mate all the time, and he knows what we are up to. That is why there are three more ladies following our tails. And I am do not mention the three large dogs that act like puppies with Blanche but can bite off a good chunk of someone's flesh.

“Once Blanche is out of the picture, just like Cara did… you jump in!”

Cara did not wait for the late Queen to be gone... Tricia will be sixteen soon. Yes, mirrors and numbers cannot lie.

Even if Blanche disappears, does my brother not remember Lydia or Lorenza?

Lydia is crazy; she might even attack me before I get anywhere close to Andre. And I will not fight her again. Probably, Lorenza has a higher possibility of being the new Queen.

Damn, I hate to be in this position.

If I had a choice at all, I would leave the capital and move to Gerais, one of the biggest cities of our Kingdom to start everything new. I would start my master's in business and look for a potential Lycan mate there. But I cannot leave my mother. I do not trust my father to protect her from Fabrizio if I dare to leave.

I kept my ideas for myself. The males of my family do not listen.

“Now, report!”

“The warlocks have not left the palace yet. Charles Reyes is Blanche’s father. I have only heard that Francisco is a friend.” Fabrizio was focused. "Lydia might not come back to the palace. She tried to pick some white pills from the floor when we walked into Andre's office after the incident. But a guard stopped her. She made a fuss and was sent home by Adela."

“Next time, help her.”

“What? Why?”

“We are allies now.”

I cannot believe it! Our families have hated each other for generations!

               “Do not look at your brother like that.” My father intervened with a big smile. “Our Fabrizio has done the impossible.” Why does father never talk about me like that? “Our families will work together to take down the witch.”

We cannot trust any of that family! I wonder who came with that idea and how is that father trusted them? They are nasty Lycans! This is the dumbest idea!

Shut up, Marcela! I told myself.

“I am not even sure Lydia will be allowed back.”

“Cara will help her.”

“But…” I covered my mouth. My face still hurts, and he might slap me again.

“Andre will have to choose a Queen, and the family in power will support the other two in business.” My brother continued with a smirk. “We will take them down, too.”

My poor mother is smiling, without measuring the risk of this plan. Lydia’s family will betray us before we can betray them! I see flaws in his stupid plan everywhere!

I need to think of a way to save my mother from what is coming.

They have not seen the way Andre looks at Blanche. He will never take someone else, even if Blanche leaves, which might never happen!

Besides, what if something goes wrong? I am sure each one will be on their own if so. The weakest link will pay the consequences for everything. And I am afraid that one will be me and my mother.

If Cara is helping Lydia is because she is betting on whoever wins. She does not care who, Cara just needs someone to back her up. Stupid brother!

Our cousin does not have a firm hold on Eleazar. He does not love her, he never did. He is just nice enough to her because of respect for their daughters.

“We all will have our chance to take the witch out.” Fabrizio smiled.

“How?” I asked.

“I have told you. There is no need for you to know because I do not need you to think.” I hated his tone. “Just obey our orders. Help Lydia and Lorenza as required, and do not come back home. Stay in the palace all the time. And improve your closet. Learn from the witch since that is Andre’s taste.”

“But how will I report back or receive orders?”

"You will be informed. Rest assured, little sister. We will make you Queen. You will be useful after all.”

“What if Andre does not choose me or any of the other ladies?”

An evil smirk appeared on Fabrizio’s face.

“He better does it, for his own good.”

“But…”

“A King is forged with blood, Marcela. It can be his blood spilled on the ground or mixed with ours thru marriage. But our lineage will prevail in the end."

Is he talking about treason? That is what that meeting earlier was about?

My face should say more than my lips, because Fabrizio grabbed my face with one hand and pressed hard, hurting me.

               “Do not look so spooked, little sister.”

"May I leave now?" I asked when he released me.

"Get ready, Marce." My father ordered me, allowing me to leave.

I closed my bedroom door, but long after, my mother came to see me.

"This is very dangerous, mother. It will blow on our faces!” I hugged her.

“Marce, we must trust in the males of our family.”

“Why? Why does it have to be like this, mother?”

“We are noble ladies.” She shrugged her shoulders, without giving more importance to what was happening. "We follow the destiny of our mates."

“What if we run away?”

“Darling…”

“Leave him, mother.”

“There is no such thing as divorce. We are Lycans, sweetie, not vulgar humans. Our bond after marking is until death.”

“Mom, please… Just leave with me. We will be caught up in something dangerous... If Andre finds out, we all can be executed!”

“Your father will make sure nothing happens to us.”

"Why do you trust him? Father will sacrifice us both to save his son if something goes wrong." He does not love her, as he does not love us.

“Marce, you are overreacting." She brushed it off. "Things will not go to that extreme. We just must do as told."

I want to cry.

“Now, be a good girl and smile.”

It is pointless. She will not listen to me.

"You do not need to take all your dresses. I opened an account in the boutique that Blanche purchases and guess what! The main designer herself will go to the palace and take your measurements!"

“Mom…”

“And more jewelry! Your father is giving me a new diamond necklace tomorrow.” She clapped her hands as if she were a teenager. “I will get you a bracelet! The Duque knows you deserve it.”

I do not need more dresses or jewelry… Neither does she.

"Why are you so calm, mother?"

"I am working on something." She whispered close to me. "Cara's mother is my sister, and she said a good witch gave her a potion."

A good witch?

"Mother, Andre has his destined mate. How can I do that?" It feels wrong... immoral.

"Just a few drops in his beverage, and Andre will think you are her. She will reject him, and you will be in her place as his new Queen. Do not forget, they are not officially mated. He has not marked her yet. Everything is possible!"

"Mother, even if I am successful, he will hate me."

"Andre is a gentleman like his father. You will be fine." She patted my back in one last hug.

"Before you go to the palace, come to my room. I have an excellent concealer for that bruise. No one will notice."

My heart broke for what I understood from her words.

“This is our destiny as females, darling." She stood at the door frame but did not turn to face me. "I will help you to be Queen, Marce. You will be happy."