Chapter 113: step mother

He heard Killian laughing, and only then did he come to his senses.

"It was a very funny joke, I must say." He gave a stiff laugh, but no one joined him. Everyone was looking at him with full seriousness. 

"I apologise, my lady, i didn't mean it that way, i mean sick people mostly feel weak, but i should have known that a strong woman like you can never feel weak." he said with a courteous bow and i nodded. Since he had already apologised then there was nothing good in continuing.

"So, are the preparations of tomorrow's party done, Marianne?" he asked with some seriousness, finally talking something useful.

"Yes, my lord, we are almost done, you will get your invitation card by evening." i said and he nodded with a smile.

"I was wondering Cassius, you were going to meet his majesty's father tomorrow. Right?" he asked and my eyes furrowed, everyone knew that the previous emperor only met with Charles and Cassius after his retirement. And no one knows why he took retirement when his reign was so prosperous.

Why was he suddenly going to meet him, it could not be because he was not invited to the party, right?

"Yes, I am. Do you want to come?" he asked and I sighed, one less worry to handle.

"Why would i do that, when the party is here?" he said and we all looked at him.

"I mean, my sister would come here to attend the party, then why would i go to palace it had been a week, since i had seen her'' he added and i nodded, i wonder how she was handling things there, her last life was not less tragic, she was also trapped in a loveless marriage like me. She spent her whole life working as the empress, yet in the end Rosamund had all the power because she was the mother of the next emperor, and all the power was held by them.

If you did not get physical affection and give birth to a child then the title of empress would only be nominal soon.

"I was just asking because I wonder, who would be the partner of the duchess in the absence of the duke?" he asked, but before I could reply, Killian spoke.

"In the absence of a father, only a son can take his place, your highness. And I am always here with my mother." he said in a cold tone and for a moment, I remembered the Killian from the past, whom I had forgotten a long time ago.

His eyes were cold and so as his tone, I felt my hands turned sweaty, he still had that effect on me. But why, what turned him so angry, I thought I had turned him into a cute little child in this life.

"Oh, is that so. You are a very filial son, Killian, your mother must be very proud of you when she would see you from the sky.'' The proud smile that was forming on my face turned stiff when I realised he was not talking about me.

What was i even thinking, Killian was nurtured by his mother, i had just held his hand a month ago, i had no right to claim the credit of his upbringing

"I wonder what you are talking about Philip," said Cassius and I closed my eyes. I didn't even want to listen to how he was going to insult me this time.

"Because as far as I could see, Killian's mother was sitting right beside him." he added. 

I snapped my eyes open and looked at him with utter shock.. Did he just introduce me as Killian's  mother?

Wasn't I a greedy selfish woman in his views, just two days ago. Or was he taking sides to protect his reputation. But things still did not add well.

"Oh, you are taking me wrong. I was just saying that his upbringing is done well by his first mother." he again added.

"I have no doubt that she had done a good job, Philip. In fact, I am grateful to her that she had gifted me such a kind, brave, and sweet boy. He never let me feel that i am not his mother, so for a moment i forgot what you are talking about, so don't mind my lack of response, because there is none to begin with." i said proudly and he was surprised, this made me think what his aim was, what was he trying to do.

Sometimes he talked so sweetly and other times he just poured spices on my wounds. 

Now look at his stunned face which he was trying to cover,

"Oh, I had never looked at it that way. i must say you are doing your job as a mother way better than normally a step mother would do. You are a kind and beautiful lady Marianne, inside and out." he said and I did not feel like smiling anymore. He had used the word which I had made sure no one would use for me.

I moved back at my chair, putting my one leg over another and bringing a haughty smile on my face. I gave a once over to him blatantly.

"I wish i could say that for you too," i started gaining his attention, "my apologies, Philip but  i had stopped lying" i added, and his face turned red. 

It was enough of the respect now, he was crossing his limit. If he wanted to talk about Elizabeth, I was not against it, but he was trying to create rifts which I did not like at all.

"It's enough, could we not have lunch peacefully too, I wonder why are you so interested in our family matters Philip, and have you forgotten the way to talk with guests Marianne? I must say only my son is the sensible one here."

"But I think mother is right here, father," said Killian, looking at Cassius and then at Philip.