"It's complicated." She chose an answer that was vague because she did not know the motives of the beast queen.
In many historical dramas she watched, saying too much around the royal family was dangerous. Such information could either be used against you, or used to make you do something.
Besides, she still had two years to divorce. It was best to keep peace with the Veythar's while she was still a part of the family. Complaining to the queen would not benefit anyone.
Queen Serenya sighed. "I respect you for the choice you have made. Most beast women are eager to sing their troubles in my presence and use my hand to show off how powerful they are. You don't care much for that."
"Because I would rather have you as ordinary friend than a tool." Sienna replied boldly. "And all friendships start slow."
Queen Serenya was surprised. She smiled gently and said softly, "Oh my, you are actually kind and sweet. What a delightful surprise!" Ever since she became queen, her friendships had become transactions, even the old ones. So, who was the brain child of this idea, Lady Cadelaria or Elias?
An ordinary no beat woman would not be brave enough to suggest this.
****
In the royal hall, meanwhile, the air smelled faintly of incense and a battle for dominance. At the far, on his throne, sat King Leon Star-Mane, mane gleaming like molten sunlight. He was the embodiment of majestic beast royalty, strength, commanding and intolerant of defiance.
Before him stood Lord Elias Veythar, his expression was carved from ice. His gaze was cool and unreadable. He bowed, but only slightly--just enough to acknowledge the king's station, but not enough to suggest submission.
Leon scoffed. "You do know that I am your king Elias, don't you?"
Elias' voice was low, even. "Respect is given, but submission is earned. When last we fought, there was no declared victor. Before your mane starts to fly, I am not interested in your throne. I am happy in my role as the Lord of the Fox tribe. In fact, if someone tries to pull you down from that throne, I will be the first to say no."
The king chuckled, a rumble that echoed through the hall. "Foxes. Always slippery. You've never been one to lie flat like a rug, have you?"
"I am not furniture," Elias replied coldly. "Nor will I ever be."
King Leon leaned forward, claws scratching the armrest. "And yet you sent an entire fox household to prison without a heads up. Broke the younger ones, stripped them of their beast mature, made them non-beast men. Those are not the actions of a rug. They are the actions of a tyrant."
Elias' eyes narrowed. "They broke the law and sold our secrets to our enemies. I handled the matter according to fox tribe law. If I showed them mercy, I would have had a rebellion among the ranks. I am more pained than you because I had to break young fox beast men, they were my kind. But, discipline breeds survival."
The King's mane shimmered as her tilted his his head. "Discipline, you call it. Others are going to call it cruelty. You are not helping your reputation Elias. It is like you want to be known as a villain."
"Cruelty and villain are words used by the weak when there are no justifying circumstances." Elias said. "I do what is necessary to protect my tribe."
King Leon studied him for long moment, then grinned. "Necessity, perhaps. But cold. You are colder than the void between stars. Do you ever smile Elias? When will you learn to thaw, fox?"
Elias' lips twitched, almost a smile but not quite. "Never."
The king laughed, shaking his mane. "Ah, but I think you will soon smile and soften. I saw you earlier, With the non beast woman, your wife, Sienna. She is the first one I have seen in such close contact with you. That is thawing, fox."
Elias' expression did not change. "It was nothing."
"Nothing?" The King's eyes gleamed with mischief. "She was blushing. She called you horrible and she is still standing with her head on her shoulders. You gave her a public apology. I never thought I would see you frisking a woman in public."
Elias' jaw tightened. "It was not frisking."
"Oh, but it looked like it," The king teased.
Elias replied dryly, "Can we leave now? Thirty minutes are enough for my wife to drink and digest a cup of tea. We have a sick cub back at home that is crying for her mother."
King Leon raised his bushy eyebrows. He knew it was a lie, but Elias had the same face all the time, so it was hard to catch him in his lies. Anyway, he had personally witnessed some drama between the man and his wife. That was enough for today.
"You are dismissed Lord Fox, please send in Lord Crane on your way out. His wife was in a fight outside a restaurant with a young non beast woman rumored to his mistress." King Leon sniggered. Then he sighed pitifully but dramatically, "I have so many things to watch over. Why do you...my lords, insist on involving me in your personal lives?"
Elias lips twitched slightly. He wondered whether the king could hear himself. Nobody insisted on pulling him into their personal affairs, the king inserted himself there. His wife would invite the other wives over for tea and the men would be dragged along.
In the end, these trips just provided entertainment value for the king and queen. Only a few knew that it was just the king actually.
Elias gave one tiny bow, turned and walked out.
King Leon scoffed. "I am surprised he doesn't leave frost every step he takes."
The royal aide, his faithful assistant Bushwik replied, "No matter, you got to see him frisking his wife and you have the pictures to prove it. Do you need me to leak them on BeastNet, your highness?"
King Leon smiled deviously. "Wait. Something like this must be shared at the right moment."
Or, it could be used for blackmail. It was hard to decide which he wanted to use it for at the moment.