Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 118

“It looks like a Talisman, Your Majesty. We got it from Captain Lupus,” the captain of the black surcoats stepped forward with a careful gait. “I cannot read what’s inscribed, but… We can ask the Royal Mage to have a look~”

Before he finished, Maximus got the talisman from the hands of the captain much to the panic of the captain. The Emperor cannot lay his hands on odd objects like these without second thoughts. What if they contain spells that hurt him?

“It appears to be a curse…” Maximus smirked looking at the little plate of metal. He walked towards Captain Lupus who now kneeled on the floor well aware of his failure. “Who does this belong to, Captain?” Maximus asked.

He knew that his mother’s hand is in this and he wanted a solid witness to his mother’s hideous crimes. He has other plans but his mother has graciously offered him a bountiful chance. He wanted to get the confession of the Captain and use his testimony against his mother.

The captain on the other hand has gone mad with fright. All he could see is the looming man in front of him walking with the grin of a grim reaper and all he saw was death.

He had to follow through the orders of the Dowager, and now he is going to lose his head in the hands of the Emperor. Although it is told that the relationship between the mother and son is not good, he knew that the Emperor would not let the misdeeds of his mother be known to others and will hide them. He is a dead man if he confesses; the Dowager will have him killed and his family too will pay the price, and he is a dead man if he does not for the Emperor’s sword will be raised against his neck.

There is only one way left to protect his family now.

He opened the trap in the ring he wore. The emperor had noticed his little act and his men all shouted and tried to stop him. But dodging their attacks, Captain Lupus willingly slurped the poison he had stored in it.

When he first started to work for the Dowager, she gave him this present and as she told him, it has come in handy.

Within a moment, he curled up and died. His body turned purple and Maximus let out a sigh.

“Take him out!” he waved his hand. He was disappointed that he has lost a chance against his mother. He crushed the talisman in his hands. Without any direct witness, he cannot prove anything against his mother.

“Sire,” Julius bowed after taking a casual glance around. He had guessed where His Majesty would have gone and has sprinted here. And it seems like no one had entered the missus’ bedroom. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn’t be looking forlorn now. Half of this castle would have been destroyed by his rage-filled bolts of lightning and fire alarms would be ringing on the watchtowers.

“From now on, no one can enter my residence without my permission. The Dowager has no authority over the West Wing. Inform her to swiftly turn over her responsibilities. She is too busy and in dire need of rest…” Maximus told Julius and walked towards Alexandra’s room

“Maybe she needs rest… permanently…” Maximus mumbled as he opened the door. He knew his little wife would be mad and wondered how he can pacify her.

Alexandra heard Maximus’ voice in the hallways and she didn’t want to get out to welcome him. With her hands crossed over her chest, she was pouting when Maximus opened the door.

“I hate this place!” she shouted, not able to control herself.

She really did. She didn’t have anything here that she would enjoy.

Maximus being sad that he couldn’t see the bright countenance of his beautiful bride, waved his hand to send off the two people who seem to have enjoyed a nice time with his wife.

“Flavia, have dinner with me tonight. And being your husband,” Alexandra said as Flavia stood up to leave. Her husband can send them away but she can still anger him. “And Marcus, you dine with me from now on.”

“Marcus,” The snarky voice of Maximus rang in the room ringing warning bells in everyone’s mind. Marcus’ knees trembled to see the danger dancing on Maximus’ ruddy face.

“You shall have dinner with the other guards,” Maximus said.

Marcus readily agreed. Even he knew it won’t be wise to come between the Emperor and his wife.

Maximus watched as the intruders in the room left. They tactfully closed the door behind them. He looked at his wife still unwilling to look at him.  He could only see a part of her cheek. It looked puffed and her lips were pouting.

“My adorable wife!” he walked to her and massaged her shoulder.

“Get off, Maximus,” Alexandra shrugged.

“My lovely wife…” he didn’t let go and kissed the top of her head.

He figured that she shouldn’t be that angry. If she were, his head would be rolling on the ground. But then again, she never will hurt him. It has been this way always.

He leaned closer to her cheek to kiss her more. Cajoling her shouldn’t be that hard.

“I am taking a bath,” Alexandra stood up and walked in a random direction. She didn’t know where anything was.

Maximus saw her walking around the room like a headless chicken and started laughing. Whenever he is with his wife, she would never let him yearn for laughter for she is filled with humor. He has already forgotten about what his mother tried to do. He just wanted to indulge his wife.

He rang the bell and Flavia entered the room.

“Please find the bathroom for my wife, Flavia…” he said controlling his laughter. “She is getting lost.”

“Maximus!” Flavia saw the flustered Alexandra and turned her glare at Maximus. “This is her first day here!” she complained about him as he expected.

His wife is very lovable, alright? Flavia is wise to have seen it.

Flavia led her to the bath area and he saw servants bringing in hot water and other necessary stuff for the bath. They were surprised to see him watching their movements.

It is the culture of the aristocrats in Lethusia for a husband to not wait for his wife. So it was traditional for a husband to inform his wife if he wants to stay the night if it is not the day they are to share a bed. The wife would be ready for him before he arrives and they proceed to do what they want to do.

Well, he was not planning on following that antiquated rules. Peasants are not following such traditions since they don’t have two rooms to spare between a husband and wife. And they have more children on average and healthier marriage. Shouldn’t the aristocrats learn from it? Fools!

Him? Sleeping in a different room than his wife? No way!

The musings of the servants have died down and he heard only a soft sound from the bath area. So he walked there removing his cloak and belt. He felt like having a bath too.

Alexandra sat inside the water that was at the perfect temperature for soaking. Her long hair was hanging outside the tub because she didn’t want to wash her hair now. She closed her eyes and went back through the events that happened today. A pleasant shade of red could be seen through her eyes as the bath area was well-lit.

[Ah… I hate this place…]

As she was thinking of the woman she met at the garden some time ago, she wondered how that woman died. Kefir said that she died and people tried to frame her for it.

[But who killed her?]

She wanted to question Kefir but before that, she felt the same sinking feeling that would make her tremble in fear each time.

Her heart started to beat fast, her chest tightened and her breathing became labored. Her hands clenched the edge of the tub and she tried to open her eyes to have control of her body back.

But she failed.

Her soul was pulled back into a whirlpool of darkness from which she couldn’t escape. Darkness seeped into her eyes and she opened her mouth to suck in a breath of air. She couldn’t catch a single breath as the pain in her chest doubled. She could feel getting dragged deeper into her consciousness.

[Nooo! This cannot be happening!]

Her despaired voice echoed in the void and panic filled her heart.

*Flash*

There was a sudden flash of brightness and Alexandra opened her eyes. She couldn’t see a thing for some time as her eyes haven’t adjusted to the light yet. She blinked her eyes and slowly she could see.

She was in a great hall with a lot of pillars and the garden beside was lined with jasmine shrubs. The flowers were in full bloom spreading a strong, aphrodisiac fragrance around.

She knew what this place is. And she ran to the end of the hall and took a right turn.. She found the person who had summoned her there as she expected.