Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 112

With Kefir flying over the legions, the victorious army walked back to the castle. Throughout the way, people were cheering and Alexandra was brought to tears seeing families reuniting after the war.

As they reached the castle, there was a special barricade created for some people to stand in.

“Those are the families of the people who lost their lives in the war. I’ve asked them here to give them the honor they…” Maximus told her.

Alexandra nodded. “That is a good plan, Tubby…” she said.

[But it would have been a much better plan if there was no war and no deaths…]

“Let’s get on the balcony,” Maximus said and Alexandra directed Kefir to land them on the balcony.

The entire congregation of people was shouting and the image of Kefir standing on the tiled roof of the castle with his big wings shielding the emperor, made them feel euphoric. They all knew that with their Emperor’s return, there is going to be prosperity.

Seeing the happy people here, Alexandra didn’t forget the fragile and hopeless people living in the caves under the earth whom she met with Arioch.

Those people need to be liberated too.

[Yeah, I should talk to Tubby about it afterward. For now, let him revel in his victory.]

Alexandra with a smile took a couple of steps back. Maximus waved his hands at the people and tried to calm down the shouts but the people were not stopping the chants.

Alexandra heard the sound of footsteps dashing at them. She looked to her side to see Marcus dashing towards her with a big smile on his face. He looked like a child who has gotten his wish. She truly adored this boy. He had a pure heart one she rarely comes across among humans. There are a few others too, like Flavia, but even she has some darkness.

But Marcus is truly pure, probably because he is still a child.

“How did you get here this fast?” she asked. Maximus turned to look at Marcus and then turned to the front with a scoff.

“The horse… the horse…” he panted and then he pointed at the distance. “He left me at the wall. There is a tunnel that…” he panted some more and Alexandra patted his back with a smile.

“Calm down, Marcus. You can tell me later…”

He nodded and stood with his hands on his knees taking deep breaths to calm himself.

“So you liked the ride on Ithildin?” she asked and Marcus looked at him with a bright smile.

“Yes, Your Highness! I was scared at first… but it became so amazing!” he wanted to speak more but he lacked the vocabulary to express it as he was so bewildered by his novel experience.

Alexandra looked to the side to see Theodora and her ladies in waiting dashing in through a pathway. She figured that there might be a secret tunnel connecting the bastion to the castle which they all took.

Alexandra checked herself after seeing the odd look on Theodora’s face. For a moment, she thought that there was something on her face but she knew that was not the reason. Theodora’s face had expressions of hatred and fear. The look Alexandra doesn’t like people to give her.

Maybe Marcus felt that immense threatening aura from the Queen Dowager, he stood in front of Alexandra to block her from the dowager’s view. But he still had to grow a lot to cover her.

Theodora didn’t fail to notice the protective stance Marcus took. And her expression turned to that of surprise. Her mouth widened and she wanted to say something to Marcus but her attention turned towards Alexandra and her murderous aura intensified.

Alexandra pressed her lips and her lips curved to a smirk without her knowledge. For one, she imagined this kind of reaction from Theodora the moment she accepted Marcus as her Paladin. And for another, it always amuses her when weak people liked to think they can hurt her with their stares.

Like, why?

[But she is very beautiful… I’ve never seen such a beauty among humans… Wow!]

Theodora was more stunned seeing Alexandra’s smirk. She didn’t expect such a reaction from her probably.

“What makes the little Lord Zoros take that stance against me?” Theodora directly engaged with Marcus as he held the hilt of his sword.

“Oh, Theodora…” Maximus turned after failing to try and pretend to not see the drama going on behind him.

“My Son!” Theodora’s attention turned at Maximus immediately and she walked towards him.  “You’re back, finally!  Look what the harsh travel has done to your body! You look so…” she tried to touch his shoulder.

“Stop pretending, mother!” Maximus slapped her hands off. He scoffed seeing Theodora’s eyes reddening as she controlled her tears. Her lips trembled and her hands still tried to reach him.

“Did mother not expect me back? Did I fail your expectation? Is that why you’re crying? Sorry for not dying on the battlefield, mother! Now off you go!” he waved. “Cry in solitude that I live!”

He spoke in a dismissive tone and as he turned to walk at the edge of the balcony, his eyes ended up on Alexandra. He averted his eyes from her face and looked at the floor.

Alexandra found his words to be cruel. Theodora was honest. Alexandra could see it in Theodora’s eyes that she missed her son. And hearing those words had hacked her heart as evident from the tears rolling down on her pink cheeks.

She looked at Maximus still with a stiff expression, unwilling to look at anyone and not the least bit apologetic.

This is Tubby. He is not someone who uses this tone and these types of words on anyone much less his mother.

[Ah, Tubby has changed, huh!]

Her heart hurt.

“Join me,” he extended his hand, still looking at her feet. “You are to stand beside me.”

Alexandra looked at his hands. They were shaking. And she knew he is in pain and he needed support. And she will support him. She held his hand and he looked up at her. And his lips curved up in relief. It was as if he was saying that all he needed was her support right now.

“She is not to stand beside you! She is an outsider, the destroyer!” Theodora shouted and tried to grab Alexandra’s hand.

Maximus pulled Alexandra to his chest and with his left hand slapped Theodora in the cheek. Alexandra banged on Maximus’ chest and she didn’t see it happen but she heard the loud slap.

[Oh, no, he did not!]

She let out a sigh and buried her face in his chest. She didn’t want to look at the face of a mother who got slapped by her son. It is going to be heartbreaking.

[What happened to you, Tubby? I get that your mother ignored you and she is not the perfect human, but… You are Tubby! How can you raise your hand to hit a woman?]

She doesn’t hold humans in a very high moral status. She knew humans are inherently evil. They have to strive hard to be good. She can accept that.

Except when it comes to humans who are close to her heart.

They should be good.

And Tubby… He should be perfect! He was perfect! But what happened to him?

She looked back at Theodora as she heard her walking away. With her hand on her cheek, she was shaking. As she turned Alexandra noticed the streak of tears running through Theodora’s face.

She looked pitiful.

Maximus was caring about none of that. He walked to the edge of the balcony with Alexandra’s hand in his. He raised his hands and by now the guards had controlled the crowd and asked them to be silent.

“I left this city promising to bring glory back to Lethusia. I promised prosperity and I promised the respect of other vermins!”

As he was speaking the crowd started to shout once more.

“I did what I promised!” Maximus raised his voice. “I brought back the Pride of  Lethusia – I brought back your true leader!” he raised Alexandra’s hand and the people all started shouting.

They threw pieces of clothes, flowers, leaves, and whatever they had in hand at them. Alexandra didn’t know if they heard what he said or not.

[The true leader… by that did he mean me? I am no leader!]

Alexandra looked at Maximus and he looked at her with a grin on his face.

“I will make you sit on the throne, Lexa… Everyone deserves to know who you are!”

Alexandra’s heart sank. For a moment Luke’s face merged with Maximus’. Both of htem said they wanted her to sit on the throne. Well, the reasonings are different and their plans are different.

But she didn’t like it nonetheless.

“I never wanted the throne, Maximus…” she looked at him. Her heart felt like a blade had lodged inside.

“But you deserve it!”

He said holding her shoulders. His eyes filled with determination, his heart filled with love, and his words filled with conviction.

“Don’t worry… You will have some time to get adjusted to this life… You will get used to it…” he kissed her forehead.

“But I don’t want the throne, Tubby… I only want you…”

She said. And like that day when he walked away showing his back, he showed his back to her once more.. This time to wave to the cheering crowd.