The Tyrant King Is Obsessed With Me

"Why kill the king only to turn around and marry his bastard daughter? Princess Lilith serves no purpose marrying into our family, and she holds no power," said Richard Mortimer, Cassian’s uncle.

"If Cassian wanted her, he could have taken her as a mistress," said Richard, his voice low and filled with disapproval. He could not hide his disdain for the Beauforts now that George was dead.

They could kill the last remaining Beauforts and make the Mortimer name the most powerful. They didn’t need a bastard princess.

Diana kept her gaze forward, her posture perfect. "You’ve been warned. If you want to keep your head, silence yourself about the marriage. I wouldn’t test Cassian’s patience on his wedding day. He would not hesitate to kill you."

Richard leaned closer until his breath tickled Diana’s warm flesh. "So, you’re all for the marriage, I see."

"My concern has always been to see Cassian wed and produce an heir. Now, we shall have a royal heir. Lilith may be a bastard, but she carries George’s blood. Our family will one day carry the blood of a king," Diana said, seeing it as a joyous occasion.

"She’ll become our queen, commanding us like her kin," Richard pressed, his voice dripping with scorn. "Cassian will be the king shortly, so he holds the blood of a king. We don’t need that woman. I will not be ordered around by a woman who lacked power amongst her family."

"Cassian controls the castle. Lilith is a puppet on the throne, nothing more than a distraction for my son. She will never hold the power to command any of us. Since when do you concern yourself with queens?" Diana finally turned her gaze on him, her stare cold as his presence disturbed her.

Richard’s smile was almost predatory as he stared at Diana. "I have always cared for him like my own son. We had a suitable lady chosen for Cassian. Even now, it would not be difficult to turn Lilith into his mistress and place the young lady as his wife."

"Both could serve their purpose," Richard whispered to not spoil his plans to nearby relatives. "A queen for appearances, and a mistress to breed royal half-bloods. Convince your son."

Diana’s lips curved into a smile that held no warmth. "A few weeks ago, you doubted Cassian would return from war. Now you meddle too deeply in his life. Think only of your own sons."

The mention of sons sparked the memory of a deal he offered Diana. "Had you played your cards differently, you could have been with the brother who survived. My offer still stands. Accept it, and I will think of Cassian as my son," Richard said, his intent unmistakable.

Diana’s smiled, unwilling to feed his delusion. "It is a wedding, Richard. Do not spoil it with your fantasies. Where are the priests?" Her gaze swept the hall, noting the absence of the high priest.

"The church does not support this union. That means trouble for your son. We must rid ourselves of the princess or lower her title to mistress," Richard said, plotting to erase every Beaufort. "Without the church, Cassian cannot stand."

Diana had had enough of hearing Richard speak. "Be silent before I pray you join my husband in the afterlife, so you may give him my greetings. I am not your wife, and Cassian is not your son. Hold your tongue before you rile up the others," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Richard leaned back, amused by her fury. He always liked this side of her. He was certain Diana would one day see Lilith as a threat too great to keep.

Diana’s gaze swept the guests again, unsettled by the empty seats where nobles should have been. The absence of the high priest bothered her, as the silence of the church was a warning. She kept still, refusing to let Richard see her doubt.

Moments later, the church doors opened. Lilith and Cassian stepped out as husband and wife, soon to be crowned the future queen and king. Diana rose and was the first one to clap. "Rise to your feet, Richard. Clap for your nephew. Clap for your future king."

Richard remained seated, his applause slow as he was yet to be thrilled about the union. One day, they would all have to listen to him, or the king might need to be changed again.

Lilith walked with her arms linked with Cassian’s and said, "The downside of a wedding so late is that I must prepare for our wedding night, while you drink with the men. I want to drink too, but I will not entertain these pests. Tend to them in my stead."

Cassian tightened his hold, unwilling to let her go. "Eager to undress for me? We can send the guests away and be alone. Your presence is all I need."

"How romantic," Lilith said, uninterested in Cassian’s ideas. She welcomed a moment alone from everyone, including Cassian. "Entertain the nobles and settle them. Do not come to our chamber until you have done so. I wish you well, dear husband," she said with her sweet tone laced with mockery.

Cassian’s heart stirred at the word husband. The memories of their married days flooded back to him all at once.

Lilith slipped her hand free and walked away with swift steps as her plan for the night was already forming.

Surrounded by Cassian’s soldiers, Lilith returned to the bedchamber, her fingers brushing the rings on her hand.

’I am married,’ she thought in disbelief. She had escaped all the marriage proposals her father brought to her and married a man no one ever considered.

"Your Highness," Virgil’s voice echoed in the corridor.

Lilith froze, her eyes scanning the shadows around her. She tensed up, ready to command the soldiers, but no figure appeared. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Is the High Priest somewhere in the castle?" Lilith demanded to know, her gaze fixed on the empty path ahead.

"No. His Grace banned the priest from entering without permission," a soldier replied.

"Then it was nothing," Lilith said, giving one last look before moving. "Continue."