Episode 17

"Father, this is terrible."

"You don't know what we've overheard."

Simone and Colette hurried to their father's study, eager to report their alarming discovery. In whispered conversation, they learned how the queen's family had been exploiting him, draining his monthly earnings, even pilfering the subsidy meant for the villages' donations. The Fiore family, long teetering on the brink of collapse; the Duke slammed his fist onto the desk, never before had he felt such humiliation.

"Where did you hear this?"

"We attended a tea party, and one of the Duchesses laughed at us, spilling all the rumors about our family."

"It must have been that despicable omega who spread the lies. Father, you must teach him a lesson."

"Indeed, I will, Livia will pay for this. Send a letter to her mother; I need her back in the duchy."

Meanwhile, in the palace, Livia was diligently training with some guards, increasingly mastering her weapon's magic, nearing perfection. She engaged in a duel with a guard; initially reluctant, they now trusted her. Livia conjured her chains, launching at her opponent who, using magic, conjured a shield. The training's focus was for Livia to break through the magical shield. She tried various approaches but had yet to succeed.

Just as she was about to strike again, a woman's scream distracted her. The woman had grabbed her hair from the side of her head.

"What do you think you're doing? Not content with humiliating your father, now you wish to demonstrate your lack of breeding."

Before Livia could retort, the guards had their weapons trained on the Duchess's throat.

"By the royal guard's authority, you are under arrest for assaulting the queen."

"What idiocy, get your weapons out of my sight…"

"If you resist, we will be forced to use force."

The woman reluctantly released Livia, seething with rage.

"Didn't you hear me? I am Duchess Fiore, the queen's mother. Livia, tell these fools to lower their weapons."

Livia smirked cunningly. The Fiore had sent the one person who could access the palace, the one they thought had sway over her.

"Being my mother doesn't give you the right to treat me as you did. Take her to a room, bind her hands for caution, and guard the door. I'll be there shortly."

"What? Livia! Do you grasp what this means? This is an affront to your mother!"

"A mother who regards me as merchandise is no mother worth honoring. Let the record show -- she assaulted me -- take her away."

The guards dragged the resistant Duchess away, her shouting was futile. Livia headed to her chamber, deciding to bathe before confronting her mother. An hour later, Livia entered the room where her mother was confined.

"You foolish child, unbind me immediately while I'm still calm."

"Silence! Here, the queen commands -- and guess what? That's me."

Livia sat opposite her mother, who grew even angrier.

"Do not provoke me. I am here for the check and some extra, see to calming your father who insists you are behind the rumors about our family."

"Yes, I am, so all might know what parasites you are," Livia said, smirking mockingly.

"You fool! Do you realize what you've done? Our family will be ruined; you fail to appreciate our sacrifices."

"You never did anything for my sake, you left me in this palace for your benefit. Unfortunately for you, I am now free."

"You will regret this. Release me at once!"

"No, everyone saw how you nearly attacked me, the queen. If I don't punish you, what would be said of me?"

Fury consumed the Duchess as Livia signaled the guards to lock her away, explaining the reason for her confinement. They dragged her out as she spewed threats at Livia.

The Duke, panicked, sought an audience with the king the following day, demanding the release of his wife, foreshadowing turmoil once the truth surfaced.

"My wife is innocent; she merely wished to visit her dear son. What has gotten into Livia to mistreat her mother?"

"Don't you know? Or should I expose all you and your wife have done?"

The Duke, catching the king's incensed gaze, felt a rush of realization; atrocious was their treatment of their own child, all because he was an omega.

"Your Majesty, my son sometimes speaks out of turn…"

"Are you suggesting that all who witnessed the Duchess strike at my queen lie?"

"Um... that's... I..."

Words failed the Duke, his plan to control the scandal through his wife only deepened the debacle.

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