Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 147

“People call you “The Mad Duchess” behind your back, Lady Zoros,” Alexandra added seeing the unimpressed look on her face.

Her heart was filled with hatred, jealousy, and bitterness. Her eyes have lost their luster and the crow’s feet were more pronounced although she is younger than Theodora.

Hate ages people, so she understood.

“Do I look like I care?” Lady Zoros retorted, her lips curved mockingly.  But her failure to meet Alexandra in the eyes revealed her heart.

She does not want to live like this.

“Theodora acted very brashly with me today,” Alexandra said, leaning on the chair casually.

She wanted to convince Lady Zoros to accept Marcus as her son. That boy is yearning for mother’s love and for the devotion he shows to her, she wanted to give him what he wants. Just like she gave Flavia what she wanted, she wanted to give Marcus what he wants.

That is something she does for everyone she loves. It has been this way all her life. And she doesn’t expect much from them, except for their love and care.

But Tubby’s love was something that touched her so much. It is different than any love she had experienced before and it makes her feel many intense feelings that she was novel to. And with Maximus, she expects…

Alexandra let out a sigh and turned her attention towards lady Zoros. She didn’t want to think about Maximus now. She has more tasks at hand.

Lady Zoros was not believing Alexandra. Because all her life, she has tried to provoke Theodora, but Theodora was smart and never let her emotions get the better of her.

“She whispered something snarky to you and made you provoked? That woman is always like that to those she hates,” Lady Zoros said. It appeared that although she found some solace in finding someone who could say that about Theodora.

“She shattered the teacups in front of me and screamed her lungs off. You’ll hear about it in the next tea party you attend,” Alexandra said. She smiled seeing Lady Zoros’ eyes widen. The little curve of her lips told Alexandra that she is pleased to heard her. Lady Zoros is not wrong to hate Theodora. And Alexandra didn’t mind that.

“I can see why you hate her, Princess Alexandra. But you gain nothing by getting me on your side. My husband does not value me and I am just a decoration…” Her eyes looked away at the distance and her lips pressed to a line. A layer of mist soon formed in her eyes.

She looked pitiful.

“I have no power. I lost my husband and my babies… I am useless as a~”

“I don’t need to get your support for anything, Lady Zoros.” Alexandra interjected her. She doesn’t like that word–useless. No one in this world should think of themselves as useless.

“Hmpf!” Lady Zoros let out a snort. “You have your husband’s support?” She shook her head. “There is nothing volatile as that of a husband’s love…” Her voice trailed off and became soft. “When their first love returns… Myths, they say… Myth of the Dagwood Maiden, Myth of the all-powerful Great Father… I say what… Love is the biggest myth of all. And the love of a husband has lesser life than that of a mist on a summer morning…”

Lady Zoros let out a long sigh. Alexandra could see that she is an intelligent woman. She must be from an affluent family too if she was able to marry into the Zoros family. And Lord Zoros must have loved her in the past. Maybe he still does. Maybe his relationship with Theodora is not what she believes it to be. It could have ended and Lord Zoros just took responsibility for Marcus. Maybe it is Theodora who is evil and playing everyone.

“I know what your husband’s relationship with Theodora is, and who Marcus is, Lady Zoros. I am not willing to pry into it as it is your personal issue. But I want to ask you this. Why are you still with Lord Zoros after he hurt you?” Alexandra asked.

Lady Zoros looked at Alexandra keenly. Alexandra met with her eyes.

“You believe those rumors? You believe that Marcus is Theodora’s son with my husband?” Lady Zoros shouted at her. Her eyebrows furrowed and her lips trembled as she glared at Alexandra.

“I know for a fact that Marcus is Theodora’s son,” Alexandra spoke in a cam tone. For some reason these Ladies from affluent families think that their pride is the most important thing and try to conceal what their husbands do. Alexandra could see that Lady Zoros is fearful that those rumors would spread and she might even be thinking that she is threatening Lady Zoros now.

“I do not like what Lord Zoros did to you by bringing his lovechild into your household as your son. And I vehemently hate what Theodora did to your sons. They conspired together and made you a victim. Although you are in the right, how did your husband let you suffer all these? Weren’t the sons who died his sons? What made him act heartless? Is first love that special? He is not a good man. And I will help you leave him. You do not have to live here…”

Alexandra went on with her words against Lord Zoros. When Lady Zoros talked about her husband, she saw a flicker of love in those eyes. Her eyes softened and her hand ended up at her heart. Alexandra had a feeling that she is still in love with Lord Zoros and that is why she is still here.

And she confirmed her belief that Lady Zoros is a good person by heart. Even when her sons were killed by Theodora, she didn’t do that to Marcus. She could have had plenty of chances in all these years. Yet still she didn’t so such evil thing. She didn’t return evil with evil.

Although what she did to Marcus is extreme, she is way better than Theodora. Lady Zoros exploded without being able to control her feelings. She kept Marcus away from her and didn’t let her thoughts turn evil.

She is a decent person. She is a human with flaws, but she is still a good person. She still has hope.

Maybe she heard the thoughts she buried in her heart for years, or maybe because she thought that there is someone who understands her, Lady Zoros started to cry.

Alexandra let out a sigh, relieved. Her gamble has paid off. Lady Zoros is a good person. Now she has to talk to her to correct her path. And her new path will lead to happiness.

She walked to Lady Zoros and let her lean on her and cry.

“He’s not a bad man… he just… He said… it was not an affair… it was just one time… he… he doesn’t know… he does not… that witch must have swore that she is not responsible for my sons’ death… he… he loved them…”

Lady Zoros said a lot in between sobs and Alexandra listened to them. She had a feeling that Lord Zoros was not willing to leave his wife to be with Theodora. Theodora won’t be the Mistress and that must have been the end of their relationship. Or Lady Zoros must be wrong and is believing the lies of Lord Zoros.

Either way, there is one thing apparent. Lady Zoros still loves her husband and is willing to trust him. She loves him too much, she got affected by his betrayal. And that made her act like a madwoman.

Marcus is a by-product of Lord Zoros’ betrayal and there is no way Lady Zoros would accept him with her whole heart.  But Alexandra wanted to give a chance.

[He is here, Arimelda. Hurry!]

Sekwi whispered in her ear. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

“You love him, don’t you?” Alexandra chuckled and Lady Zoros wiped her face. She just now realized that she has been pouring her heart out to a literal stranger. Her face that was red with the crying turned crimson with embarrassment.

But this woman has a calming quality to her that made her open up. And her heart has become light after speaking to someone.

“And here I thought that you are still with your husband because you didn’t want to leave your place open for Theodora to take,” Alexandra spoke in a lighter tone, with a teasing smile.

“That too…” Lady Zoros said. “I won’t let her win.” She smiled shyly, fixing her hair.

“What do you think of Marcus?” Alexandra got to the next point. That is the reason she is here.

Lady Zoros’ smile vanished immediately and she bowed her head. Alexandra watched her fiddling with her fingers.

“He…” Lady Zoros bit her lips. “I tried to push him away but he… like a puppy…” her eyes watered. Her cheeks trembled with pain and she clutched her skirt with her hands.

[Ah, the heart of a mother…]

“You lost your sons, Lady Zoros. I understand your pain. But that boy… he never had a mother. He thinks of you as his mother, Lady Zoros. You ignore him and he… That boy just wants his mother…”

Alexandra’s heartfelt words touched Lady Zoros’ heart.

“Drink that tea, Lady Zoros. You’ll forget the fact that Marcus is not your son…” Alexandra placed her hand on her shoulder. “It is still your decision.. You can take back your life.”