Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 125

“So, have the women left yet?” Maximus asked.

He still had the intense glow around him. No one could look at his face as he was so bright. And no one could see his expression to know whether he is happy or mad. But with the bright aura around him, they assumed that he is very happy.

And they told them the truth without an ounce of hesitation. For they all knew that no man could resist the offer for a harem. Not to mention, the harem is necessary for the empire for the women there influence peace and trades with the various regions of the empire. He just cannot throw them out one day and expect it to happen as he wants it to.

He has a duty to the empire.

“No, Your Majesty. Without the Dowager’s seal, no decision can be finalized in the harem as per the laws of Lethusia,” Lord Zoros replied.

“Oh?” Maximus smirked.

He got mad. His mother thought that the woman cannot leave without getting the order from his mother because she is in charge of the harem. For some reason, the ministers are all relieved too. He couldn’t understand how the death of one woman just the day before haven’t affected them even a little bit.

They must be wanting for every woman to leave the harem as corpses.

He decided to let it go for now. He just has to find creative ways to make corpses out of the women who are daring to stay in this place when he has stated his wish.

His wife doesn’t like other women! And so they won’t be here!

Maximus didn’t even think of anything else. He just wanted to give what Alexandra wants. But in his tunnel vision, he didn’t see the broader picture of what he wanted to achieve and how he wanted to achieve it.

Yes, Alexandra is getting jealous and is not happy with him having other women here. But would she appreciate it if he just kills them off? And this place has women from various defeated countries. Some kingdoms have surrendered and offered their women as a peace offering. If he is not ensuring their safety, wouldn’t that lead to another war? How long will the men from other kingdoms stay silent against his brutish ways? Won’t they get fed up with his lack of sympathy towards other humans? Won’t they rebel against him?

“Send letters to the Dowager to inform her that I want her here immediately,” he said and his eyes scouted around while they all trembled. The glow around him has started to reduce, or their eyes got adjusted to it, and they could see Maximus’ expression.

This is not good.

“Lord Zoros,” Maximus’ glance turned on the man he hated the second most in this life. “Which house is on duty this year to protect the Temple vault?” he asked.

The vassal houses that serve the Lukyan family take turns to protect the Royal Temple of the Dragon King. No one knows the real reason the vault needs special protection in addition to the protection of the magic circles and mages of the Temple. Many rumors surround it. Rumors of the royal family’s secret treasure kept in the vault are very popular and there are some heist attempts each year. But only the Royal family knew the reason the vaults are protected.

The Choshech Orb!

Luke had transferred it to the temple after he couldn’t keep it in his residence. And for three centuries it has stayed there under the protection of the mages of the temple.

But Maximus had a feeling that the Orb won’t stay safe for long. He saw Arioch using the darkness and he knew Arioch will come for the Orb. He tried to use it on Alexandra the last life, but she is powerful than the Orb.

Arioch won’t try to use it on Alexandra anymore. He would try to unleash it to cause catastrophes in the world. He didn’t want that to happen. Once the darkness is out, it must be hard for Alexandra to control it.

“It is this humble one’s duty,” Lord Zoros bowed his head in reverence.

Maximus’ heart skipped a beat. “And Theodora…” he said and Lord Zoros looked at him with his eyes wide.

“Has she asked anything of you, Lord Zoros? And secret meetings I should be concerned about?” Maximus asked.

He had a feeling that the dark mage hanging around Theodora would convince her to give up the Orb. That woman hates Alexandra too much and she might give up the Orb to bring down Alexandra. By now the rumors among the soldiers that Alexandra miraculously saved Flavia has spead to the people in the city. He should have kept the secret from passing, but he didn’t want to do that either and now everything is getting out of control.

“No, Your Majesty,” Lord Zoros bowed his head.

He felt humiliated that he was asked about his personal relationship with Theodora in a public way, but what else can he do? He was also mad that Maximus is not thinking twice about ruining the honor of his mother in front of others. He should be a better son than this.

“Is your son pleased with the accommodations provided? My wife appointed him as her Paladin now. I don’t see his qualifications. Do you?” Maximus asked. “Eh, Let’s not dwell on it… It seems like the Zoros family has driven their roots deep inside this palace,” he said in a somber tone. “Do your duty, Lord Zoros. And be happy. I know not everyone would be happy for you.” he said and walked away.

Lord Zoros’ knees went weak and he was helped to stand up straight. Just now the Emperor insinuated that he is having some illicit connection with his mother and he also implied that his wife’s affection towards his son is not welcomed by the Emperor either.

And for him to bring up the Temple patrol now… Lord Zoros was not born yesterday. He knew that the Emperor is threateninghim his family. But what can he do other than be cautious? Even when his only son’s life is in danger, what else can he do?

He decided to let a personal letter to Theodora. She did ask a weird request of him. She never wondered about the shift changes and the inner workings of their patrol in the Temple. But she did before she left. He wanted to know if Maximus knows something more than him. He wanted to let Theodora know that Marcus’ life might be in danger.

She surely would listen. She must.

Alexandra decided to take a stroll and Flavia was following her closely along with Marcus. She wanted to meet the blacksmith to secure a proper sword for Marcus. She looked at Flavia and she was not willing to bring up the incident in the morning and she decided to bring it up again at night.

She wanted to apologize if she had unknowingly offended Flavia.

They reached the barracks and there was a big warehouse that was dedicated for making weapons for the soldiers of the Brute emperor. He is hailed as a warlord, after all. The sheer size of the warehouse and the number of burning furnaces and the hundreds of blacksmiths working made her a little surprised though.

“I thought that the war has ended. What’s the need for the busy forging for more weapons?” she asked.

Flavia and Marcus both had no reply for her. Alexandra’s heart became a little restless. Maximus is not the Tubby she once knew. He has changed. His soul had corrupted with darkness and he soughs vengeance more than his happiness.

[Did I hurt his soul by making the Aion Stone?]

She wondered. Because it is possible. Rather than sending his soul to rest and decide on his next life, she forced his soul to continue the next life with her. And his soul could not find rst in this life.

After all,  there must be some consequences to altering the natural order.

This is the responsibility she holds. She has too much power to change anything and everything as she wishes, but changing does have consequences. And she must face them.

Flavia brought Alexandra to the best of the blacksmiths. Marcus was very excited. His boyish face was holding a perpetual grin and he couldn’t close his mouth.

“What do you think of this sword, Marcus?” Alexandra picked out a short, double-edged blade. She knew Marcus wants to use the longsword, but she wanted to train him with a short sword first. He just needs to learn defense. She just hoped that there is a day when the longswords are no longer used because there are no wars.

“I love-” Marcus sucked in a deep breath and hen kneeled on the dirty floor.

“I’ll accept this honor with the utmost reverence, Your Highness,” he bowed his head.

Alexandra placed the tip of the sword on his shoulder. If he doesn’t mind this place, she didn’t think that she should too. She can initiate him as her knight.

“Marcus, are you willing to serve me with your heart?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Marcus, will you protect me with this sword?”

“Till my last breathe, Your Highness,” he answered.

“Then, accept this sword from me, Sir Marcus,” she said and Marcus held out both of his hands out.

Alexandra placed the sword on his hands with a smile.. All the blacksmiths and their apprentices clapped.