After crying on the floor for a few hours, Lily stands up, straightening her back extra this time and making a petrified expression on her face, and walks down to the window where Snake is also standing.
Snake turns a cold gaze towards Lily, but as soon as he notices the tears glistening in Lily's eyes, he asks, "Who made you cry?"
Lily swallows quietly and says, "We need to return to Wendel and reassess the state of our empire."
"Lily..." Snake starts to say.
"All of us!" Lily says sternly glaring at Snake.
"Yes, my queen." Snake replies awkwardly and rushes towards Shadow and Than's room.
Lily turns back to the window when Alina suddenly appears beside Lily and says, "Take me with you."
"Fine," Lily replies as she walks away, until Alina suddenly exclaims, "Wait!"
Lily turns to Alina and asks, "Yes?"
"You... don't ask me... why I want to do this?" Alina asks, swallowing.
A faint smile tugs at Lily's lips as she says, "I don't see much need for it. Unless you want me to refuse your decision."
"Yes,.. I have already understood that... but why?" Alina asks, frowning.
"Because it was your will? Nobody forced you to do this?" Lily offers with a shrug.
"So you'll take me with you?" Alina asks hopefully.
"If you wish so. Every reinforcement is always wasted," says Lily as she walks away.
Alina nods quietly and rushes towards her room.
--------------------
Kro and Than sit quietly in front of the Snakovs' summer estate, and Than mutters, "Lily wants you back, you know that?"
"For political reasons," says Kro, frowning.
Than shakes his head to himself and mutters, "Black bird, you're the worst liar I've ever met in my life."
Kro gives Than an extravagant roll of his eyes and then asks, "So how's Shadow?"
Than sighs to himself and says, "She's... you know, sometimes I feel like I don't recognize her anymore."
"What do you mean?" Kro asks, frowning.
Than bites his lip and says, "Have you ever felt like you're living next to someone you've known all your life, and then one moment you don't recognize them anymore."
Kro sighs to himself and glances up at the cloud ships sailing in the sky.
The answer was self-evident. Simple. But Kro just couldn't say them.
"You know, Lily herself loves you," Than mutters thoughtfully.
"Don't put words in her mouth," says Kro in a slightly sharp undertone.
"Lily understands what you would like to do with her. The concern is that neither of you is ready to admit it to each other," says Than, leaning against a tree trunk.
"Than, how do I tell her this?" Kro asks, massaging his temple.
"Why would you tell her that?" Than Krod asks with a quizzical look.
"How else would you tell a person that, well... he likes you?" Kro asks rhetorically.
"Lily can turn your words against you. No, don't use words," says Than with a serious expression.
"So what would you do?" asks Kro demandingly.
"Show her," Than replies.
"What?" Kro asks, spreading his arms.
Than gives Kro a sour look and asks, "You're just trying to squeeze it out of me, aren't you?"
Kro shakes his head and says, "Believe me, I've had encounters with women in my life, but...none of them have been like....Lily."
"Then show it to her. Show Lily how much she means to you. Be loyal to her, supportive, caring, kind, gentle....passionate and all that shit." Than whispers quietly.
"And that should help?" asks the crotch, raising an eyebrow.
"Just stay with her," Than replies, rolling his eyes.
"In that case, I need your help," says Kro, standing up.
"What kind of help?" Than asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Snake. He has become very close to Lily lately," Kro says almost silently.
"People are thirsty for someone who has power. And who are creative to each other," answers Than.
"What do you mean?"
"Stormy and Scaly aren't as strong as they dare admit," Than whispers in Krole's ear.
"What are you trying to say?" Kro asks, shaking his head.
"There are rumors that the stormy one has started looking for a supporting shoulder from the Frenchman," says Than, looking around with a dark look.
"So is there any truth behind them?" Kro asks, leaning closer to Than.
"I'm not sure," Than murmurs worriedly and says, "I guess we'll find out when Storm gets back. For now, I would advise you to stay as close to Lily as possible. Not only for her political stability, but also for her own sake."
Kro gives Than a grumpy look and asks, "Haven't you realized that it's the queen's own decision as to how her empire is run?"
"True. But it's also the future king's decision, black bird." Than answers looking towards the Snakov castle and then standing up.
"Where are you going?" Kro asks, looking at Thani.
"To where I belong. Next to Shadow and Lily." Than answers, eyeing Kro for a moment, and takes a few more heavy steps until Kro says, "Wait!"
Than turns around and Kro says, "I'm coming with you, Than."
Than smirks softly and waits for Kro to reach his side, then starts walking with him towards the manor.
YOU ARE READING
Queen of Wendel: Warlike
Mystery / Thriller"Why shouldn't he take care of you?" Shadow sighs quietly. There were many reasons. Secrets, past, weapons, girl's personal ethics. Not to mention her wounds. Her body was covered with knife wounds that always reminded her of her angry battles with...
