Chapter 388: Her eyes on the throne
After storming out of the chamber in anger, Juniper collided with Zilia.
"June, shall we go see Amelie?" Zilia asked with a gentle smile. "I’ve been thinking about what we could give her as a present. I even discussed it with Casaio earlier, but he was busy and told me to choose whatever I liked."
Juniper’s gaze hardened. "Zilia, can we talk?"
Zilia noticed the coldness in her tone and felt a flicker of unease. Nodding quickly, she replied, "Of course. Let’s go over there," gesturing toward the large balcony.
Juniper followed with brisk steps. Once outside, she rested her hand on the balustrade as she looked at the pleasant sky. She then began carefully, "So... how does it feel to be the next Queen?"
"What?" Zilia exclaimed sharply.
Juniper chuckled softly. "You got such a... big wedding gift," she continued, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "No one expected it would happen this way. Only a few months ago, you were arrested on charges of espionage."
Dominick, who had overheard her words, froze in shock.
"June, why bring that up now? I’ve repented, and everyone knows I acted only to save my brother," Zilia said softly, trying to calm the storm.
Dominick stepped forward quickly. "I apologize on June’s behalf," he said, looking at Zilia.
"No, you don’t have to," Zilia replied. "She has every right to question me."
Juniper’s voice sharpened even more. "You don’t deserve to be Queen. Think of Casaio before accepting such a position."
"June!" Dominick raised his voice in alarm.
"Lower your voice!" Juniper snapped at him. Turning back to Zilia, her words cut deep. "You all ruined my wedding day. And you—" she jabbed at Zilia, "—could have told Casaio yesterday that you couldn’t marry him. You’ve been doing this for ten years. Why agree to the altar now? You don’t even deserve a family because you were a spy, remember that."
Juniper’s glare flicked toward Dominick before she stormed away, fury radiating from her every step.
Dominick stood speechless. He turned quickly to Zilia and bowed his head. "Please forgive her. I—I will talk to her and make sure—"
Zilia remained calm despite how vulnerable she was feeling inside. "Nick, I don’t mind what she said to me, honestly. But you must make sure she doesn’t tell anyone else. If could bring a disaster to the name of the Sinclair Royal Family if my past is revealed to outsiders."
Dominick hummed softly, meeting Zilia’s gaze. "I don’t understand why she’s reacting like this since yesterday. From my perspective, the wedding was perfect."
Zilia’s lips curved into a faint smile. "It wasn’t perfect for June. I think I also forgot, in that moment, that I shouldn’t have shared the altar meant for you and her. Don’t say no, it was her big day, and that’s why she’s upset. But because she’s angry, her true self has come out."
Dominick furrowed his brows, swallowing hard. "I just... I don’t want her to think that—"
"No one else will believe it," Zilia interrupted gently. "But June is acting strangely. I won’t say anything to Casaio since a big fight could break out. I want to keep this between the three of us. I think she has her eyes on the throne. We need to stop her before she ruins the family."
"She... she—" Dominick stammered, unable to finish. A cold realization settled over him: everything he thought he had built with Juniper suddenly felt fragile, like it could crumble at any moment.
"She never talked about it with me before marriage," Dominick said.
"But she never expected Casaio will get the throne. The Queen is no longer managing the inner palace. That power vests in Juniper’s hands. We need to make sure the King gives this power back to the Queen. I can fight the world for what I have done when it comes to this family, but the trust the people have on this family can go and enemies may use it a chance to come against us. That’s the biggest worry for now."
Dominick nodded his head. "I will make sure Juniper doesn’t say a word to anyone." He lowered his eyes in regret and shame before walking away.
Flora, who was hiding behind a pillar with a stack of clothes in her hands. ’I think Prince Gabriel should know this. June is going to ruin them if any delay happens.’
She turned around and went back to see Amelie.
Meanwhile, Zilia leaned against the balustrade as her heart started pounding in worry against her chest. ’I won’t let anything happen to this family, especially Casaio. He has always been good to everyone. Nothing wrong should come his way.’
She stepped off the balcony and walked down the corridor. The lively chatter from the chamber where Amelie and Gabriel rested drifted into her ears. Wearing a gentle smile, she entered the room and saw most of the family gathered there.
"Noah has opened his eyes!" Katelyn exclaimed excitedly. She grabbed Zilia’s arm and led her to the cradle.
"Look at his eyes, they’re beautiful. Such a strange shade of blue," Katelyn added, her face lighting up.
"Yes, truly unique," Zilia admitted, smiling. "But where are Amelie and Gabriel?"
"Amelie is in the washroom, and my brother is learning from a maid how to put a diaper on him. It was a mess earlier," Katelyn replied with a giggle. "By the way, Noah isn’t crying anymore. He quiets instantly when Mom holds him. I want to carry him too, but he ends up crying."
Zilia chuckled softly, bending down to lift Noah into her arms. "Oh, my boy!" she whispered lovingly, and to everyone’s delight, Noah’s tiny face broke into a smile.
"Wow! He smiled!" Katelyn shouted, her own lips curving into a wide grin.
"Yes, he did. Noah, I’m your eldest aunt, Aunt Zilia," she whispered softly, holding him close.
Noah wriggled in her arms and giggled again.
"Gosh! He’s smiling again! And I’m your aunt too, little one," Katelyn added, her face lighting up with a bright, joyful smile.