Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 126

On their way back, Alexandra was curious about the place the other women are staying. She found out that the rooms near her room were not occupied. But she was pleased that Maximus let Flavia and Pricilla stay around her. She didn’t have many friends.

“This pathway leads to the harem,” Flavia told her. At times Alexandra does wonder if Flavia could read her mind.

“Can we… visit there..?” Alexandra questioned with doubts.

Flavia was stunned as she didn’t know what to answer. The harem is a very cruel place. She was not scared for Alexandra, but she didn’t think it would be wise for Alexandra to go there without support.

“Let’s…” Alexandra with a shrug walked towards the harem, but Flavia stopped her.

“Let’s go there when Julius is with us,” Flavia said.

Alexandra could see that Flavia is not comfortable going there and she decided to give up on that idea.

They returned to their quarters. Alexandra decided to go to the library. She did know how to learn the old Alash language and she thought she would check her language skills.

She got some books on magic and souls before returning. She needed to know what is happening to her. The other soul in her body should be expelled. She wanted to know more.

Also, the experience she had with her mother was in the back of her head giving her headaches. She didn’t know why her mother and sister are not allowed to talk to her. Her father is isolating her from everyone.

She got some snacks and found a cozy corner in the room to sit. She was about to summon Kefir to inquire about her weird circumstances, but she heard a knock at the room.

“Enter!” Alexandra said and it was Julius.

He was out of the city to gather intelligence about the people the Dowager is meeting with. The Dowager is not going to the countryside as she is making everyone believe. She is staying in a secret house inside the city. She never left the city. It appears that she is planning on something and no one could find out what it is.

With the hunt for the monsters fast approaching, he didn’t know why these things are happening now. Not to mention the prophesy of the destroyer and the arrival of…

Sigh!

“It is rather presumptuous of me to ask this, but will you join us for the hunt, Your Royal Highness?” Julius bowed his head.

He had a feeling that having her presence would ease up a lot of tension between her and the ministers. There is no way the ministers are going to understand her. And the only way is to use this hunt as a means to let them meet Alexandra.

Julius felt that rather than Maximus, Alexandra would be better to negotiate with the ministers for peace in the Empire. He didn’t think that sending away the women in the harem abruptly is going to be the way and she has to know the nuances in this. He knew Maximus is doing this for Alexandra. He couldn’t blame Maximus but sadly he is the Emperor and he has certain duties he has to accept.

“Hunt?” Alexandra questioned. This is the first she is hearing of this.

“Yes, each year we would go to the forests surrounding the Royal City to hunt for monsters before the mating season. The aim is to curb the spread of the monsters and-”

“I will go.” Alexandra was intrigued. She needed to be there. She had a hand in the creation of the monsters and she has to stop these monsters.

“The Emperor will have to be consulted regarding this because women aren’t usually allowed in this hunt,” Julius gulped.

Alexandra could sense something weird in Julius’ tone. She could say that he is hiding something. His heartbeat is very erratic, she could hear it.

“Speak openly, Sir Julius,” she didn’t want to think deeply and asked Julius hoping that he would be straightforward with her.

Julius took in a deep breath. “It is like this, Your Royal Highness…” he wetted his dry lips and knelt in front of her. “His Majesty wants to send away the women in the harem away. But there are nuances to this. It cannot be achieved in just a day just as he wants. The ministers are not happy with the Emperor’s decision. And the Coronation is fast approaching. A lot of money is getting spent. The Emperor asked the ministers to spend for it from their pockets but they are taxing the serfs for the money. The Kingdoms of the North are trying to rebel and there is him – Arioch…”

Julius looked at Alexandra. “Nothing is well, Your Royal Highness. And everything has to be handled delicately. Not just… I plead with you to listen to the ministers and hear their side. His Majesty, brave as he may, still needs to learn administration.”

Alexandra was in deep thoughts. She didn’t think that Julius is lying or he is blaming. He is speaking the truth as it is. As someone who has seen a lot of things, she could see that Maximus needs to change his ways.

“The women have to go, Julius,” Alexandra spoke in an assertive voice. “Are you proud to say that the Kingdom’s peace could only be maintained by keeping women in this place you call ‘Harem’?” she asked. “They should be given their choice to marry whomever they want or to pursue their passion. They cannot be held hostages here for the sake of… anything!”

Julius said nothing. He didn’t agree with her and bowed his head. Alexandra got that. But she is not going to change her mind about that.

“Do you know Arioch’s hiding spot, Julius?” she asked. Julius looked at her and shook his head. Alexandra let out a sigh seeing his unwillingness to speak about it to her. But he is here to ask for her help. She is not going to help them for free. Maybe Julius got that, he spoke after deliberating for some time.

“We’ve heard that he is living in the tunnels of the plains, but we weren’t able to locate him. We’ve never been able to decipher the tunnels. Even our mages couldn’t find anything as they…” he paused for a moment. But then his face lit up as he suddenly got this realization.

“Your Highness, if it is possible, will you help us locate him? He is the biggest threat we are facing and you already were taken there. Surely you must know the way…”

“Me?” Alexandra raised her brows. “What made you think that I am capable of that?”

“I apologize,” Julius bowed his head hearing her defensive tone. He could see that she is not pleased.

But why? Could she be having some soft feelings for Arioch? He did keep her for some days…

He started to doubt her.

Alexandra on the other hand, was contemplating deeply. She knew Julius hated her from the beginning and his opinion of her changed after she saved Flavia. But did it? It is easy to hate someone.

“What will you do to Arioch after you locate him? What was the plan?” she asked.

She remembered the poor people stuck there and her heart went out for them. If they could get back into Lethusia, or if they are given a second chance at life, they could lead a life they deserve.

Arioch does not care for them and is using them as pawns in his game and she wished Maximus has plans to rescue them.

“We were planning on killing them,” Julius said.

That truly was the plan. And he wanted to tell it to her so that she should know that if she is willing to help Arioch, she would make an enemy out of Maximus.

And thinking about that made his hands tremble.

But who is more powerful? If she goes against the Emperor, will he have a chance?

“Kill them? Did Maximus truly ask you to kill those people along with Arioch?” Alexandra asked. Her back straightened up and her heart started to pound.

[Oh, Tubby… What happened to you? How could you…]

“Yes, Your Royal Highness. They are traitors. And traitors should be-”

“They are people, Julius,” Alexandra stood up and walked to the window. The blowing breeze didn’t stop the storm brewing in her heart. “They are people who had to decide that way due to their situation.”

“But they are rebelling, Your highness,” Julius said. “Anyone helping the rebel and disturbing the peace of Lethusia is a traitor,” Julius’ tone was deep.

He wanted to tell her that she would be a traitor too if she wants to help Arioch. He truly didn’t want that to happen.

Alexandra stared at the distant cloud as memories of her past flooded her memory.

“Traitor, is that it?” she let out a scoff.

But then she took in a deep breath. “And there are signs of another war?” she asked and Julius stood there with his head bowed.

Alexandra was anxious. She could sense that nothing is fine around her. It has always been that way. Whenever she lives in this realm, there would be troubles. Maybe it is her fault. Maybe she should leave this…

[Wait..]

“Julius, how did the consort die? The one who had tea with Maximus?” she asked.