Chapter 24: Chapter 24

The castle was too quiet for Flynn these days, and he was bored. Even him acting like John and decieving Betty was still not enough for him because Betty had nothing new to share. Alexa was not even interesting in playing with them even though he had a lot of opportunities. Jared was also scarced then, the only one whose spirits were still up in the place as if the queen predicament did not touch him.

And now Flynn felt like maybe he should try and cause problems between Alexa and Jared because for his next phrase to work, they need to be put out with each other for it to be more effective. Of Alexa was raped while she was angry with Jared, she would feel angrier with Jared and think that he was not needed, blaming him for what happened to her and Jared would feel enough guilt to give in to Alexa demands that he should leave and when he does, finally Flynn should control the kingdom to Asteria just as his parents had always wanted for him.

All he needed was to know Alexa moves and strategize to waylay Jared on a path that she would pass and have a certain conversation with Jared which he could not help but answer in a way that would give Alexa a wrong impression about Jared. Alexa after all tend to believe the worst in people rather than the best.

And Flynn got his opportunity one evening when Alexa was on her way to visit her mother horse, something that became part of her new daily movement since her mother new bedridden state and Jared was on his way to see and talked with the king.

Flynn was patiently waiting for Jared to pass and when Jared came closer to him. He spoke out. "I see Mona is not around anymore. Pity, her derriere was a fine beauty to watch."

Jared slowed down and shook his head. "Remember that unlike the women in your kingdom, if you dare touch Mona she will speak out and I will take pleasure in punishing you for your actions." Jared answered.

"I still need to see her to do anything. Where is she these days, I thought she was your home mistress that came to sate your needs."

"She went to search for a cure for the queen. She would feel disgusted that you asked about her but I will send your greetings." Jared smiled.

"And he did not say anything about Mona, I guess Arianna is right when she said that you would always compare every other woman to her. Tell me prince Jared, do you compare Alexa to Arianna?" Flynn asked as Jared growled. "Just a question. You do not have to answer if you do not feel like."

Jared calmed himself, when he saw Flynn he knew Flynn would say rubbish and he already planned not to take Flynn's bait but his last comment was just too much for Jared, he had to reply Flynn.

"As an answer I would love to reply you with my fists but I do not have the strength to explain myself to others and so I will give you the reply which you are definitely looking for. Yes, I did compare Alexa to Arianna." Jared stated and he heard a gasp but he could not be certain. "But as I got to spend time with Alexa even before falling in love with her, I realized just how young and absolutely silly I was. I had idolize Arianna to be the best female to ever exist when the truth was she was not even up to half of the way I protrayed her in my mind. Heck! She was not up to a quarter but Alexa, she is the type which would make you feel that she is not worth it at first but later on, you realize that you are not worth her. Just her smile alone is bright than Arianna whole future, her spirit shines so strong and even fiercer than warriors who had fought in war. I am lucky that she is mine and I will never be stupid enough to still compare someone not worthy of her with her. It is like comparing the scorching sun with the candle light. No match at all."

Flynn started at Jared. "You really are in love with Alexa."

"There was never a doubt about that and I am happy about that. But you Flynn, I do not know why you are trying to come between me and her but you already know that you will not succeed because I am willing to hold on to her." Jared answered.

"You sound like a lovesick fool."

"Better a fool than a raping bastard." Jared taunted. Flynn body went tensed as he regarded Jared coolly.

"What are you yapping about this time? Ready to give a long speech about something you cannot prove."

"No, I have no speech to give neither can I prove anything because you are such an ass that you have ways to ensure your innocence after all you have been raping women for close to a decade now. I cannot prove it but know that if you try it under this castle roof, I will be coming for you and I will end your life in a gruesome way and probably dance in your blood too." Jared answered as Flynn yawned.

"You said no speeches but you certainly do not keep to your promises." Flynn smirked. "I just cannot believe your words and do you know why? You say Alexa is better than Arianna and yet you still send out guards to search for Arianna."

"I could care less if Arianna dies where she is, not after the lies she told Alexa and the quarrel she cause between us and the reason why some of my guards are missing is because they were sent to protect Mona on her journey, I just have the feeling that a certain bastard might send people after her to end her life so they are security measures."

"Who is the bastard?" Flynn teeth clenched in anger.

"Come on Flynn, you should not be angry. Not when I clearly named no names." Jared stated as he hits Flynn back and moved on his merry way, happy to have the last say where Flynn for concerned for just once.

Meanwhile in the hallway leading to the one where Jared and Flynn had their conversation, Alexa stood with her hands over her mouth that was threatened to explode with a smile when at various times during the conversation she was not supposed to hear almost gasped and gave away her presence.

She had never heard or have someone declare his love fervently for her the way her husband did and the fact that he did that without knowing that someone was clearly listening made the act even more sweet.

Why was she preventing herself from loving fully when Jared already did? In fact she was so glad that for the first time she chose to listen until the end of the conversation because there were times in which she would have left out of anger and thus have a bad representation of Jared feelings on certain issues mainly pertaining to Arianna but she was glad that she stayed.

Now all that was left for her to do was to confess her own feelings for her husband.

******

The queen was getting better even though she was still weak and ironically, that was how the physicians diagnosis had started to change for the better. Jared wished physicians from Kythia would hurry up and come because he fear that the ones present in Asteria were slowly killing the queen under the directives of the royals of Corthin but he was unable to say anything about it unless of course he wanted to be know as a person who sparked the war in the end.

Jared walked to his room, hoping against hope that Alexa was in his bed because he did not want to be alone that night but then again things were back the way it was before the whole Arianna saga. Alexa chose to sleep in his bed sometimes and other times she sleeps in her or in the barn. The answer which he got whenever he asked Alexa why she slept at the barn was ludicrous. She always did say that she wanted to keep the horses company but Jared suspected that she did not want to stay in a confined place and that moment she just wanted to hear multiple breathing.

Jared walked into his room just to see candles lit around and a meal prepared. He sighed as he wondered who this time was trying to lure him into her bed. He would not out it past Flynn to send a lady after him because of his confession yesterday.

"Good, you are here already, I do not have to hunt you down." Alexa stated as she lit the candles on the table. "Come sit and eat, I am starving. I have been waiting for you to come so that we will eat together."

Jared frowned. This looks like Alexa and sounded like Alexa but Alexa would not do something like this. "Alexa?" He asked to confirmed.

Alexa rolled her eyes before she sat down on one side of the narrow table. "No Jasmine, your sister." Alexa quipped.

"I would certainly believe that more at this moment." Jared grumbled.

"Why?" Alexa asked.

Jared purposely look at the table and the room before facing Alexa again with an eyebrow raised. "You still want to ask that question?"

Alexa frowned. "I just wanted to share a meal with my husband that is not too much to ask for is it?"

"But this is more than a meal, you lit candles and seem extra nice which is scary." Jared commented.

"Without being interrogated by him." Alexa added to her earlier statement. Jared paused before he nodded.

"You can just as soon as you confirm something for me. Who was the person that was with us for our second meeting that went straight to hell?"

"My nursemaid. She left to the countryside to be with her children last week you know." Alexa replied and Jared nodded before picking his utensil.

"At least I know that it is you, just a strange version of you that I do not honestly think that I can get used to." Jared confessed.

"Am I that different?" Alexa asked.

"No, I am just that cautious, not after what happened the last time. I would hate if it repeat itself." Jared answered. "Because I know that my chances with you will be reduced to nothing."

Alexa smiled at Jared and they did not converse again until they were both stuffed.

"Wow, that was nice. Now that you are certain that I will not run away when you deliver what news you have prepped me up with the food because I am too heavy, you can start talking now." Jared said.

Alexa rolled her eyes. "I did nothing of such."

"You need to learn how to tell better lies my dear." Jared responded.

Alexa breathe out before he looked at Jared who sensed her staring but did not look at Alexa face still, he was just staring at her intricate designed nightgown.

"You had a conversation with Flynn yesterday and I was present when you guys talked. I heard everything you said." Alexa voice when soft as Jared body became tensed. "Including the fact that you loved me."

Jared raised his head to look at Alexa who nodded with tears in her eyes.

"I love you too Jared. I have been looking for ways to let you know and admit it out loud without my voice shaking. I even had to practice this entire thing but I need to let you know that I love you." She added.

Jared hugged Alexa as she sighed in relief. "I love you, even though you already heard in through eavesdropping." Jared kissed Alexa hair.

"Who knew you could have an inner romantic in you for you to set this scene." Jared teased and when Alexa cheek went red. He could not help but add. "And you rehearsed saying it. I would paying a lot of coins to see that happen."

Alexa moved to hit him but he anticipated her moves and so he could captured her hands and made her fall on him. Then he kissed her and this time. He did not stop at just kissing.