Chapter 19: Chapter 19

His wife was one of the hardest persons to pin down in Asteria. Jared sighed as the kitchen Maid told him that his wife just walked out, less than five minutes ago, he did not know where else he was going to find his wife to and just as he was about giving up to go and check all her favorites places in her home, from top to bottom again in uncertainly while he wanted for another meal so he could catch her in the kitchen because she no longer eat in the Dining room with her parents because he could walk in anytime. Jared saw Betty, his wife maid that was just as elusive as her mistress and without letting her know that he was following her, he saw her walk into the barn where Alexa was sitting and eating her meal.

“Your highness, I brought back one of the finest wine from the newest crates your father just received.” Betty said proudly as Alexa looked up with a smile only for her smile to die when she realize that Jared was standing behind Betty.

“Alexa.”

“Get out.” She growled.

“I did not cheat on you, I only kissed her, believe me and that even happened because I thought she was you.” Jared rushed out as Alexa stood up from her small makeshift table where she was sitting.

“That is one of the dumbest things which I have heard.” Alexa yelled as Jared yelled back at her.

“Well it is the truth. I thought that kissing also classified as cheating but I did not want you to keep thinking that was how far I went with her because I did not okay. Even with her pretense, I knew something was odd and I knew she was not you, which was why I stopped her, you are the only one I want that with.” Jared explained, desperation filled his tone as he tried to convince Alexa that he was telling the truth, when Alexa shook her head, he knew that it was just going to be just like every other time when he managed to catch her but she still leaves after he pleads his case because she refused to listen to his reason.

“And you are still lying to me when I know better.”

“Tell me how you think I am lying to you, I have been nothing but completely honest, I never tried to act like I did not do what I was not supposed to do with another lady even before you asked.”

“As if I would have believe you then, a maid was not the one who found you Jared. I did and that is how I know you are still lying to me because I am not dumb and I was present. She moaned Jared. In your bed, tell me how she could moan when all you did was kiss her and if your lips were on hers, how did the sound escape?” Alexa asked and when Jared opened his mouth but could not defend himself, she nodded.

“I thought as much.” Alexa said as she left Jared and this time, Jared let her go, Betty bowed to Jared as she ran after her mistress while Jared sighed before leaving too.

What they were not aware of was that the king and the queen were at the other entrance and they listened to the fight.

“Our daughter certainly has her mother’s spirit, so strong headed.” The king complained as his wife elbowed his ribs and he winced. “And her bony elbows too.”

The queen shook her head at her husband. “They will never stop quarreling, she will never see reason.”

“Just like her mother.” The king stated.

“Alexander! Be serious.” The queen admonished.

“I think our daughter would need a push in the right direction.” The king replied, his tone serious and the queen sighed.

“And I know just what will provide that push even though she is hurt later on.” The queen sighed, being a mother and a queen was not easy. Once again, she would have to sacrifice her daughter present happiness for her future happiness.

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Alexa sat uncomfortably in her mother’s room, usually her mother entertains people in her solar which was why this place was so out of ordinary for her. It has been more than ten years since she came to her mother’s room, not because her mother was not so well but because she was invited.

“You do not have to look so defensive, you are the one who is in my private space and not the opposite way around.” The Queen stated as Alexa turned to look at her mother who was sitting in front of her mirror with a chest of jewelries close to her.

“Mother, you sent an invitation?” Alexa said in a question even though they both knew it was not one.

“Yes, I did. I needed to have a talk with you.” The queen responded and through the mirror she saw her daughter body grow taunt like she was waiting for the worse to happen. “I will not tell you to stop your baseless fight with Jared, that will be decided by you once I am done with what I want to tell you.” The queen stated as she patted the seat beside her for Alexa to sit.

“My marriage with your father was arranged and though we grew to love each other, after all he was a very dashing prince at that time, it did not change the fact that it was arranged. We certainly had our good and bad days but we promised to weather through the storms together. That is the only way in which we have managed together this long.” The queen stated and when Alexa did not say anything, the queen sighed. “Your father also know my love for expensive and beautiful jewelries, that also eased the process of when I was upset with him which was more often than not.” The queen trailed a finger through a pale blue diamond. “This was the first jewelry he got for me after he raised his hands on me…”

“You do not have to go through these stories to pass your message across to me, all you are succeeding in doing is making me hate my father and I do think that I have hated enough men this period to last a life time so please mother, get to the point.” Alexa said.

The queen nodded and closed her box of jewelries. “You do know that your marriage is an arranged one, what you do not know is that our kingdom is indebted to Kythia because of it. Even with us trapping our royalty and lineage, we are still indebted.”

“How did we become indebted?” Alexa asked.

“When we asked for their help and they rendered it.” The queen said and when Alexa raised an eyebrow, she continued. “Flynn threatened us, he wanted to get married to you and use you as a trade bargain and I just could not let that happen. I would never let that happen. The devil you know in this case was worse than the angel I do not know and I was prepared to take my chances with the angel I did not know and so Jared was chosen.”

“If Flynn is another option then why…” Alexa started but the queen shook her head.

“Flynn is never an option, I would rather die and let Asteria go to war before I put you under the thumb of a man who would break your spirit and just wanted to use you.” The Queen replied as Alexa looked at her mother in shock. “My darling girl, I chose Jared because I knew for a fact that he would not want to change you. I chose Jared because Flynn was just evil and I would not wish that on you. He beats the women who were just his mistresses, women he did not own, imagine what he would do with his wife.”

“I never knew of that.” Alexa whispered.

“Because you were sheltered.” The queen nodded. “No matter how wild you thought you were, we still made sure that you were protected.”

“But Jared…” Alexa said and the queen sighed.

“He is a man of honor and that is why I refuse to keep quiet when you refused to hear him out. What you do not understand that it is his right to have a mistress, to scorn you and do a lot of unimaginable things to you but he does not. He is one of those few good ones left, even your father is not as saintly as Jared is.”

“He does not have to run around acting like this is a love match and he does that because he sees it as right now, it is your turn to forgive him and act a little woman.”

“He should not have cheated on me.” Alexa grumbled.

“But he did and that is even beside the point, the point is that, you are treating this like a love marriage and while it is nice since it means you are growing feelings for your husband, it does not change the fact that it is not. I suggest that you stop this anger you have and focus on the good things and his feelings because even with the arranged marriage, Jared is not gaining anything so please my daughter. Think about your husband actions, the remorse he shows even though he is entitled on so many grounds not to show anything and also think about your feelings for him.”

“My feelings…” Alexa started.

“Yes, because whether you deny it or not, it does not change the fact that you are growing feelings for your husband.” The queen stated.

Alexa stood up and walked out of her mother’s room her actions were disrespectful but her mother did not call her back because she knew that Alexa’s mind would be busy with thoughts and truly it was.

Alexa came to a dead stop when she realized that there really was just one explanation for her tears, the reason why Jared actions hurt her and why she missed him greatly even though she was angry with him and why she acted in ways which she had acted with him.

These were signs that pointed to the fact that she loved Jared and she was not paying attention to them, she was in love with her husband. Oh crap!

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Jared looked down right miserable and it made Flynn smile as he watched as Jared was nicked by the sword of his opponent, an opponent which he would have bested within the first five minutes but Jared had been struggling with this same opponent for a while now.

“I am taking a break.” Jared growled as he dropped his sword and walked away from the fight, something which was strange to Flynn as that was really unlike Jared who never turned away from anything if he was not the victor not to talk about walking away.

Flynn leaned beside the pillar of the castle as he waited for Jared to pass, of course he could not resist the chance to taunt Jared about his bad losing but before Jared could reach him, he heard as Mona, that annoying maid servant from Kythia that would be better off dead stopped Jared.

“What Mona.” Jared asked.

“You need to stop this incessant fight you are having with Alexa. I think it would be better off if you let go of your pride and told her what really happened.” Mona stated. “You are losing fights and letting go of yourself. Your attention span has been reduced and you are not giving your best as you should.”

“Do you honestly think that I have not tried to tell Alexa the truth? Apparently she does not believe my truth and cheating is one of her hard limits.” Jared responded.

“But you did not cheat on her. Everybody is aware of that fact. You are disgustingly loyal that way.” Mona answered after a pause.

Flynn heard Jared sigh. “I know that, you know that, her parents know that and the whole fricking kingdom knows that but Alexa… that girl is as stubborn as a mule.”

“You wanted someone stubborn.” Mona said in reminder to Jared who shook his head. “I really never thought that I would see the day where the great lord Jared is tamed by a girl.”

Jared gave a false laugh. “That is a dangerous route you are going Mona, change direction.”

“You want me not to talk about how this girl has you eating out of her palm, then you get your head out of your ass and take charge of the things which you dropped, in case you forgot. Time is not on our side anymore.” Mona said as Flynn heard the steps of someone walking. Apparently Mona had been given a high position of power that enabled her to talk that way to Jared without the fear of any repercussion.

Jared continued walking and Flynn made sure Jared passed him before speaking. “The great swordsman Jared, not even able to defeat an ordinary warrior, how the mighty has fallen.”

Jared shoulders dropped. “Flynn, I am not in the mood to see your face or talk to you, move along and stay clear…”

“Was Arianna good as she claims to be?” Flynn asked as Jared turned to him in disbelief.

“You actually expect me to answer!” Jared astonishment was evident in his voice.

“Your honest thoughts, not what she asked after the act.” Flynn added with a smirk.

Jared raised his hand in exasperation. “What is today, annoy Jared day, did I somehow miss the memo that I will be the blunt of everybody’s joke today?”

“Not just today, your whole existence has been a joke.” Flynn answered and then he straightened from the pillar he was leaning on. “I do not know how you convinced Alexa to go for you but I will have you know that as a royal I have the power to rectify that. You are not worthy to be next in line for a kingdom.”

Before Jared to think of a comeback, Flynn had already walked away and Jared was left staring after Flynn wondering just what havoc this surviving twin was going to cause. Maybe it would have been better to kill this one too about three years ago but they lost their opportunity. Jared knew that if he had his chance this time around, Flynn was hanging before he could mention royalty.