Chapter 202: Chapter 202: Queen Swan''s Edict (II)


    Anastasia lifted her head and looked at the Beast King with her eyes wide open, as she couldn''t believe what she heard just now, "Y-Your Majesty, that can''t be. I am the de facto Queen of Holy Achate. I''m also a popr royal for the people! It''s not possible to force me to abdicate, because everyone will riot!"


    "You''re not fooling anyone here. My wife already told me that you are far less popr than that bastard dead king. The Holy Achate is in turmoil once you ascend as the Queen, and the church keeps on gaining in poprity," Gale scoffed, and Anastasia red at Swan instantly.


    She didn''t expect this bitch to be a backstabbing type, telling Gale all of this. It was true, but it shouldn''t be talked about, because it made her look ipetent as the Queen.


    Swan''s heartbeat quickened as she remembered all the pain that she had to experience whenever her stepmother red at her like that.


    Usually, she would be pped or beaten by the guards, or she would be locked in her room and starved until she could barely lift her head.


    Her body started shaking as she recalled all of her trauma, and Gale noticed it.


    He frowned, before saying, "Lower your gaze. You''re not allowed to stare at the Queen."


    Anastasia gritted her teeth but obeyed as she slowly lowered her gaze. Her heart was burning with fury as she didn''t expect that crippled bitch to be the one who dethroned her.


    Meanwhile, Swan was taking a deep breath as she tried to calm herself down.


    She knew that she was the one in power right now, but the psychological fear lingered, probably permanently as she grew up under their constant bullying.


    "Do you want to say something, Sweetheart?" Gale signaled. "If you want to punish them or anything else, this is the right time."


    After spending more time with his wife, Gale realized that Swan''s body would shake, especially her hands when she was afraid. She would usually join her hands to lessen her trembling, but it was still fairly obvious.


    Gale could tell that Anastasia must''ve done something to Swan before to make her react like this. As much as he wanted to kill her right here, right now, he knew that Swan still had some familial feelings towards Anastasia.


    Hence, he wanted Swan to toughen up and face her fear while he supported her from behind, "Don''t worry about anything. I—your husband-is by your side."


    Swan took another deep breath. She felt a lot calmer after getting encouragement from her husband.


    Gale was right.


    This was the right moment to tell Anastasia about something-something that Swan would never dare to say in other scenarios.


    1.n


    "My husband is right, you are not allowed to re at me. You are not the Queen of Holy Achate anymore Swan stated firmly despite her shaking hands. "You cannot fool me and say that you are popr with themon folks. The Holy Achate is very much in a power struggle between the pce and the church because nobody likes you. It would be better if Aria is the one in charge instead because she is quite well-loved."


    Swan wasn''t making up any of this. She learned through rumors circting the pce, from the gossip of the maids, guards, and the others.


    She also knew that her stepmother was much less poprpared to Aria, who often bragged that she was much more loved.


    "Aria told me herself, that you are unpopr. You are nothing but a ceholder until Aria bes the new Queen."


    What Swan said was correct.


    Even her advisors told her to step down as soon as Aria reached twenty because it would be far more honorable that way.


    However, Anastasia refused to do that. She had been waiting her whole life to be a Queen. She was meant to be one!


    Anastasia gritted her teeth, as much as she wanted to jump and w that bitch''s face, she decided to be civil, "But what am I going to do if I''m not a Queen? Who will be the new Queen? Is it my daughter, Aria?"


    "You will be reduced to a baroness in


    a small plot ofnd in the far south


    of Holy Achate. You''re free to govern thend and if anyone in Holy Achate is loyal enough to follow you to thatnd, they are allowed toe with you. However, you are not allowed to return to the Pce ever again," Swan said decisively. Her words were an edict at the same level as the Beast King, so nobody in this throne room dared to say anything against it, not even Aria and Anastasia. "As for the Queen of Holy Achate..."


    Aria was holding her breath.


    She didn''t care if her mother had been reduced to being a mere baroness. She thought this could be a good opportunity instead since it would be easier for her to sacrifice her mother if she wasn''t so tightly guarded by the secret guards as usual.


    Aria also still needed human sacrifices to meet with Madam Harsetti in her dream


    again.


    ''If I be the new Queen to rece my mother, that would be even better. Killing as many children as possible would be even easier because the secret guards would be in my control.''


    Swan knew what was in Aria''s mind.


    She thought about making Aria the new Queen to rece Anastasia, simply because Aria was very popr amongst the people.


    She was called the People''s Princess, though it was merely a facade.


    Swan took a deep breath as she was preparing herself for thest edict that would change the fate of Holy Achate forever.


    "Since Queen Anastasia will abdicate from her position, the one who will rule Holy Achate is..." Swan paused for a moment as she stared at Aria and continued, "Nobody."


    "What?!" Aria lifted her head in disbelief. She had the same bewildered expression on her face just like her mother before. "Are you insane!?"