Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 102

She looked different at times, but he knew it is her. Who else can it be? But he couldn’t figure out why she is acting this way. He rared for that spark in her eyes return. Although she used to get scared at times, back then she would just step closer and closer to him. She loved to touch him.

And now…

He was talking to her today in the woods, to give a rough idea of what she might be facing once they reach Lethusia in the hands of his mother. He was telling her that she doesn’t have to worry about anything and be herself and that he will take care of his mother. But she was staring blankly at a patch of ground.

When he waited for her to speak, she said that this soil won’t be suitable for cultivating carrots. He didn’t mind if she likes gardening. But to be this detached from everything around her is not good for her. This is worse than the love-struck stare she would give Luke in their previous life.

At least she knew what she is capable of then. But now…

She’s like a husk of who she was. It’s like her soul has left her body.

«Could it be possible? Her soul… No!»

He buried his nose in her hair. She smelled the same as usual. He refused to believe that she is not in here. Where else would she be?

This is her!

But he would prefer her with the spark in her eyes. He felt something is wrong with him for not liking a part of her when he should love her as a whole. But he just preferred her with the spark. That spark makes her more daring and alluring.

Maybe that’s why he could swear that he saw the sparkle in her eye return for a moment before she fell unconscious. Maybe he is yearning for it more… Or what is truly happening?

But he remembered her hands pushing him away. She would have no reason to do that, right?

«I must have imagined it…»

Through the window of the carriage, he looked at the sky. The path to the borders was covered with dark clouds. He expected monsters to stop them on their way, but it seems like both Arioch and his mother are keeping silent.

And he knew they should be planning something bigger; especially, his mother.

«Ah… mother… How despondent would you be to know that you are colluding with Arioch’s comrade? I can’t wait to execute you for treason!»

But his eyes turned sad as he looked at Alexandra. By some chance, he was able to meet her again after her untimely death theor previous life. But this time by some luck, he has found her and she is his wife. He cannot watch her getting hurt again.

«I will do everything to protect you, my love!»

He kissed her forehead.

—–

Alexandra on her knees started thinking about everything that went there sometime before. She was able to have at least a little control of her body as she could remember. She remembered without engaging with Max, she engaged with Wispy and was able to control her body.

[So the key is to talk to Wispy!]

It was then she realized the most important thing.

[It is my body! If I am going to expel someone else, I have to engage with the one occupying my body!]

She doesn’t have to struggle to get to the top, she could command Wispy to leave the surface. And she will have to go to the surface once Wispy is not in control.

She laughed.

All this while, she was wandering around trying to find a way up, but it was always there. She just didn’t see it till now.

She focused her thoughts once more and looked at the surface.

[Get back!]

She commanded Wispy and the next moment, she felt the same current that is pulling her up. She turned to see the chain glowing and the links loosening.

[Well, isn’t this easy?]

She raised her hands and she started to get light as she entered the current.

[Max, here I come…]

Her heart started to pound out of excitement. After days of not meeting him, she has found a way to meet him.

[I can see him… I can hug him and I can…]

But her excitement was short-lived as she saw a bright light pressing down from the surface binding her to the bottom once more.

[Why..?]

Desolation filled her soul, but she was not willing to give up. She tried it again and again, but she failed each time. Each time that bright light got the better of her, making the current raising her to the surface, dissolve.

But it wouldn’t be a spell by her father if it is that easy to break. She could see that her father is trying to tell her something by this particular spell. She wouldn’t have figured out that she still has the full right to her body if not for this spell, but there is more for her to find out.

[This is not a punishment, but a learning exercise! But what does father wants me to learn?]

She sat at the bottom of the pond, closing her eyes and sinking into deep meditation. If there is something for her to learn, she should be finding out what it is.

—–

“We’ll be right around there…” Flavia pointed at an area behind the big rocks at the river bed.

They’ve reached the Yerakrak river and they are almost at the borders of Lethusia. In just half a day’s travel, they would be reaching Lethusia.

They’ve set camp in this place because the water here is pretty warm, and said to contain magical properties.

The Yerakrak river originates from the Holy Mount, which is a big volcano that is always active. But it hasn’t exploded in ages. The last time it exploded was when Lethusia was formed by the Great King. It was said that the grievances of the Great King for the betrayal of his trusted Knights caused the Volcano to erupt. These days there is just a temple there for the god of fire and yearly prayers are held.

Since the water from the Yerakrak river flows very near to the fire inside the Holy Mountain, it would be scalding hot as it descends the mountain. But gradually it cools down and it is the biggest river that offers fertility to the continent.

“Be careful. And keep an eye on her,” Maximus warned Flavia.

“I know you are only worried about her,” Flavia hit his arm playfully and he held her shoulders.

“Of course, I am worried about you too, albeit a little,” he chuckled.

Flavia laughed at him and walked towards the rock, carrying the bath essentials for Alexandra.

“Don’t go deep,” Julius blocked her on the way. “Don’t go over ten feet inside the river. You’d get burnt. And push her inside if you get a chance,” he mumbled in her ears.

“It would be a favor to our Empire,” he added only for his wife to glare at him. “Be safe,” he said with his face full of regret. Or he pretended to be regretful. He truly wanted Alexandra dead.

“Okay, husband,” Flavia smiled with her eyes turning to a slit. “I know. Remember, I grew up around here?”

“How can I forget?” Julius smiled slyly. “This was where I first saw a naked-”

Before he finished Flavia covered his mouth. “Would It kill you to not say-” she let out a sigh and walked away from him.

Julius watched her as she walked away. both of them grew up in the village near this river. This river is not open to the general public as it is considered holy. And hence only the royal family has access to this place.

But Maximus has changed everything. When he let his soldiers take a bath here, it became a big scandal. But Maximus didn’t care.

Flavia, even when she was very young, would sneak here for a bath. ‘I don’t want to boil water on the stove for my bath’, she complained when he caught her first. He was just a trainee then, and he would say he’d “guard” her and one fine day… It was an accident. He saw her as she got out from the river without even a bit of cloth covering her.

And he married her. Well, she forced him to marry her because he’s seen her naked.

His face lit up with a bright smile remembering those days.

Alexandra looked up at the surface of the pool. It was bright. She could hear the sound of the gushing river and the giggles of Pricilla. She couldn’t hear many men’s voices probably because they left them alone to bathe in peace.

She has figured out a way to tap into her eyes and ears. She can see and hear what her body does. But she cannot hold her connection for long. Since this seemed like a fun time around, she decided to keep her connection.

She looked around and the scenery was amazing. Flavia was scrubbing her off and the towel she tied around her waist loosened and by the flow of the water, got washed away.

Without thinking, Flavia held out to grab the towel. But she slipped on the rock.

[Flavia!]

Alexandra tried to grab her, but she couldn’t move.. In front of her eyes, Flavia got pulled into the current.