Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 140

The Eirene Garden of Lethusia

Alexandra looked around the lush growth of various flora around her. There were green and beautiful colors as far as the eyes can reach. And although the sun was shining, the watered garden gave a cool effect making it suitable for a good talk.

Alexandra smiled at the maid pouring a cup of tea for her. The maid who looked young, blinked her eyes faster not knowing what she should do.

“One cup for Marcus too,” she told the maid. She then turned to Marcus. “Why don’t you sit with us, Sir Marcus?” she said observing Theodora’s reaction.

She was not pleased.

Alexandra had written a letter to meet Theodora without Maximus’ knowledge. Ever since they returned from the forest, Maximus has been a little distant from her. He was not willing to talk to her about that day and what happened to him there. She decided not to prod since she didn’t want the darkness in him to spread.

As for the request she sent Theodora, she didn’t know her request would be accepted immediately. She wanted to visit Theodora alone considering the issues she is going to raise, but Marcus insisted that he would go with her.

Alexandra brought him with her. Although she treats him as her little brother, he is officially her Paladin and it is his duty to follow her after all.

“If you insist, Your Royal Highness,” Marcus took the seat.

He resisted his urge to sit on the same level as her, but the child in him made his resolve waver seeing the beautiful snacks on the table.

The maid visibly jerked seeing Marcus sitting with Alexandra. Alexandra thought it might be because it is uncommon for Knights to sit at the same table as their Mistress. But considering that she is sitting with Theodora, she decided to be careful.

She was told by Flavia that poison flows like wine in this wretched place.

“Set another set of snacks for Young Lord Marcus, Lydia,” Theodora asked Lydia, and Alexandra’s lips curved to a smirk.

[So, there is poison!]

Marcus looked at Alexandra and he gulped. He regretted his decision to sit and now he is being treated as the Heir of the Zoros family when he is here as the Paladin of  Princess Alexandra.

Then his eyes got sharp as he reached a decision.

“Thank you for showing me my place, Your Royal Highness,” Marcus stood up placing his hand on his chest. “I am not here as the Young Lord of the Zoros family, but as Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra’s Paladin. I will stand behind her, guarding her as it is my post.” He stepped behind.

Alexandra didn’t force him anymore. He should avoid eating anything from here. She didn’t understand how Theodora didn’t predict that she would be here with Marcus.

Or it could be that Marcus is here against her wishes!

Alexandra saw Marcus talking with one of the Zoros’ men and it looked like he was not pleased with what he had to say. It could be that Marcus’ father sent him word not to go with her, but Marcus—the thinker—didn’t want to follow his father’s orders and insisted on going with her.

Whatever the case is, being together is good for both of them.

“This is the best tea we procured from the Eastern Kingdom, Alexandra. Have a taste,” Theodora said. “I don’t share my tea with anyone. You are the exception.”

“Oh, well. I am deeply honored to be sharing your tea, mother,” Alexandra said with a grin. Theodora didn’t even flinch as she

Alexandra picked the fine porcelain cup and took a sniff. It had a faint smell of a certain type of medicine. She did want to have a taste to see what it is but she held her urge back. It smelled familiar and she couldn’t pinpoint if it was a medicine or a poison. Most poisons can be used as medicine if used at the right proportions, but she didn’t want to take a chance. She figured it would come to her one way or another.

“It smells good. So what else did you add to it? It’s not just tea, right?” Alexandra placed the cup back. “It smells like there is something else.”

Theodora said nothing and took a sip of her tea. Maid Lydia stood by Theodora’s side with her head bowed and her hands clasped to her front.

“Maximus is back. I am waiting for the day this garden is filled with the noises of children running around…” Thoedora said in a somber tone.

Her eyes glistened with a layer of water and she looked the part of an old lady wanting to become a grandmother—so filled with love.

“Aren’t you too young to become a grandmother, mother?” Alexandra asked, trying to indulge more in this intriguing topic.

Alexandra had no intention of getting pregnant any time soon. She has a lot of time to think about that. Plus, her interest now is to take care of the darkness in Maximus’ soul.

But for Theodora to talk about it to her… is suspicious.

That woman hates her to the bones and for her to open the topic to her, cannot be for asking her to bear Maximus’ children to have the next heirs of the Lukyan family.

Theodora smiled ever so sweetly making Alexandra’s heart waver. There is a certain quality to the beauty that can pull wool over someone’s eyes.

“So…” Theodora’s eyes ended up on Marcus for a second before the corner of her lips twitched. Controlling her smirk, she asked, “How many more women are you going to let Maximus kill for you to establish your place here as the Empress?”

That question was like a hammer to her head and Alexandra leaned back on the chair, crossing her arms on her chest, almost in a defensive pose.

She was told a lot in that, alright? A lot about Maximus.

She heard that a woman died yesterday in an accident. A handful of women have already left to their parent’s home and the rest who had nowhere to go are still staying here.

Should she believe that Maximus is the one killing the women in the harem? And Theodora reasons that he is doing that to ensure her role as the Empress? For real?

She observed Theodora. Theodora was sitting with her back straight and blew on the tea. A swirl of vapor clouded her eyes for a moment and Alexandra didn’t fail to notice the smile Theodora was trying to hide.

[Oh, she must be enjoying this… But how does she know that I hate Maximus doing this? She is so sure about it…]

Alexandra took a deep breath and closed her eyes, she tried to sense everything around her. She is very sensitive spiritually and so she always keeps it under check. But now… she realized that other presence lurking in there.

The presence of the dark mage.

He must be very angry that she killed Morfan. He should try and get back at her. Maximus is well protected and he must be lurking here to find a chance to get to him.

But alas! Maximus is destroying himself! And it is partly her fault. She is not going to blame Maximus for anything. She will try and help him.

“Why would I need the women gone for me to become the Empress?” Alexandra asked.

Theodora might be lying. But with the darkness ruling Maximus’ soul, she wasn’t even confident enough to believe that Maximus wouldn’t have done it. And with Julius hiding the details from her, she could safely assume that Maximus has a hand in the death of those women.

Tubby… would never do it. But Maximus…

But why would he do that?

“Oh, you wouldn’t need them gone? If you are that confident… it should be jealousy?” Theodora asked.

“Jealousy?” Alexandra snorted. She wanted to laugh out loud.

Theodora is not all wrong. She does not like that there are other women who call themselves Maximus’ wives, but she does not want them dead. That’s all Maximus.

But it did give her an idea of why Maximus resorted to killing them. He knew she doesn’t want them here and he tried to send them away. But Theodora pulled a stunt forcing him to resort to killing.

Was he wrong? Yes. She will never condone his behavior. What is wrong is wrong. Taking lives unnecessarily is wrong.

But she understood him.

“Can I ask you something?” Alexandra leaned on the table with her eyebrows drawn together. “Where are the consorts of the previous Emperor?” she asked. “Were they victims of your jealousy?”

She learned that there were no consorts in Maximus’ father’s court. But for Maximus, Theodora did her best to make sure he has a mansion full of women.

Theodora’s calm reaction cracked and the vein in her forehead popped out. Her nose flared and her chest heaved. Her fingers clutched the tablecloth and Alexandra wondered when she would pull out the table cloth spilling everything on the table.

But nothing happened as Alexandra expected.

“It is rude not to drink the tea I offered you,” Theodora said softly and leaned back on her chair.

Alexandra was impressed by the amazing control Theodora has over her emotions. Her will to have her way was so great, she could actually pretend to be getting along with the person she hates.

“Ah, Hloima leaves…”