Chương 78: Grant Me This Journey

Teresa was in her chamber, carefully packing a few dresses into a wooden chest when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned abruptly. Oscar stood in the doorway. His gaze swept across the room before settling on her.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Nothing. I'm just putting away a few dresses". Oscar gave her a cold smile.

"Oh. I thought you were getting ready to leave without telling me". Teresa froze, staring at him.

"That bastard Declan…"

"Don't blame him", Oscar interrupted.

"He was only doing his duty. In fact, he was the one who warned me about you. He said you had a certain degree of control over me". He took a step forward.

"You wanted to manipulate me like a pawn, didn't you? Use me as your puppet". Teresa walked toward him, her expression hard.

"That's a lie. I wanted us to rule together". Oscar shook his head.

"We both know that's not true. You've always wanted to rule. You've always believed you were superior…to my father, to Oliver, and to me". His voice remained calm, but every word cut like a blade.

"You couldn't inherit the crown, so you decided to control your sons instead. But you failed with both of them". Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Teresa remained silent.

"It doesn't matter anymore what my intentions were", she said at last.

"There's nothing left for me at court. I'm leaving. No matter the cost". Oscar stared at her in disbelief.

"To search for the green dragon from some ridiculous legend?"

"It's not a legend", Teresa replied.

"Hundreds of explorers have claimed to have seen it".

"You're not going on this journey. You're the Queen Mother. You can't wander across the kingdom like some common traveler". Teresa raised her voice.

"Yes, you will let me". Oscar arched an eyebrow.

"Are you giving me an order?"

"Yes". She stepped even closer, lowering her voice.

"Because if it weren't for me, if I hadn't poisoned Oliver, you'd still be the prince everyone overlooked". Her eyes grew misty.

"I was the one who found the courage to kill my own son. I sacrificed my motherhood…my humanity…for you. For the kingdom. The very least you can do is grant me this journey". Oscar looked at her for a long moment. Then he gently placed a hand on her cheek.

"Very well", he said at last.

"But you'll travel with ten soldiers".

"No. That's too many. Five at most. And at least three of them must be women".

"Women?" he asked, puzzled.

"Don't tell me you really don't understand why", Teresa replied. Oscar let out a sigh.

"Very well. Five soldiers, at least three of them women. Give me some time to make the arrangements".

"One week", she pressed.

"Not a day longer". Oscar nodded, offered her a faint smile, and left the room. The week passed quickly. The day before her departure, Teresa knocked on Matilda's bedroom door.

"Come in", a bored voice answered. Teresa entered. Matilda was lying on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Have you come to call me a drunken slut again?" she asked sarcastically.

"No", Teresa replied.

"I've come to say goodbye. I'm leaving tomorrow". Matilda sat up.

"Oscar told me. Are you really going to search for that dragon? What if it's just a waste of time?"

"It would be a greater waste of time to stay here doing nothing", Teresa answered.

"Searching for something, even if it might not exist, is always worth it". Matilda nodded slowly.

"Then I hope you find it. And I hope you come back alive". To Matilda's surprise, Teresa embraced her.

"Are you…hugging me?" Matilda said in disbelief.

"Am I dreaming?"

"Good luck, Matilda", Teresa said as she pulled away.

"And be careful. Life at court can be terribly dull". Matilda gave a bitter smile.

"I'm starting to realize that". The two sisters exchanged one last look. Then Teresa walked out without looking back.