Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 160

Alexandra bowed her head in shame. So, it is apparent that Theodus had a family when he was exiled. For the boy to not remember his father… He must have been very young when Theodu left him.

How was the boy raised? What was he told when he asked about his father? Is the boy resenting his father for breaking the rules? Did the boy think that his father didn’t care for him? Was he told the truth or was it hidden from the boy?

All those questions and many more hacked her heart. She clenched her fists and held back the tears forming in her eyes. What right does she have to cry when the ones who suffered are Theodus and his family?

“Theodus, raise your head!” She said, holding back her tears. She then looked at the boy. “Ailwyn, meet your father Theodus. It was my fault your father got exiled.”

She took in a deep breath as the boy turned his bow at her. His hands were shaking and yet the tip of the arrow was pointed at her sharply.

“It was you?” Ailwyn said, his voice trembling.

Alexandra was relieved. At least, the boy knows the truth. She saw a woman, beautiful as a gazelle running at them. Theodus who was on the ground till then, stood up seeing that woman galloping towards him. He didn’t even bother with his son holding the bow and arrow.

[She must be his wife…]

Her attention then turned towards Marcus. By now that little boy would have stepped forward to protect her.

But this time, he didn’t. He looked detached and was in deep contemplation.

[So, there is something wrong. I must talk to him.]

“It was I,” Alexandra said to Ailwyn. She looked at the boy unwaveringly. She must tell the truth and face the consequences. Although she had no plans to die in the hands of Theodus’ boy, she decided to let him vent.

“Theodus, my love!” the woman wrapped her hands around Theodus’ neck and started crying. “Oh, I missed you… I missed you…”

“Freda…” Theodus’ voice shook. Placing his big hand at the back of her head, he kissed her hair and buried his face in the nook of her neck. His tears didn’t dry up.

Glarald cleared his throat and got the bow from his grandson’s hand. Ailwyn didn’t mind that and he turned his attention towards his father. Although he couldn’t see Theodus’ face, he stared at him. Alexandra notice his fingers trembling as they reached for Theodus. Theodus pulled Ailwyn to his hug and kissed his cheek.

“Son…You were just a wee child when I left you… barely reached my knees…” Theodus could not speak further and he held him tighter. Ailwyn returned the hug.

Alexandra wiped the corner of her eyes that were wet with tears. She could see the little smile hanging on the sides of Glarald’s lips. He should be happy to see his son’s family becoming whole again. He would definitely accept Theodus back.

“Your Majesty, I would like to thank you for taking notice of us and helping us in our times of need. We indeed needed a place to stay for we are weary with our travels.”Arioch tried to converse with Glarald, but he was treating Arioch as air.

“I am pleased!” Alexandra stretched herself. She did what she promised to Theodus. “Aren’t you going to invite us in, Your Majesty?” she questioned him.

“You are always welcome, Arimelda,” Glarald’s hand glided and pointed at the pathway. “Come, and take rest. You must be weary.”

Alexandra took a step forward, prompting Marcus to walk with her. Arioch tried to step to the front as always. As Theodus was not stepping forward, Alexandra stopped to ask him to join her.

“Freda, Ailwyn, get inside,” Glarald gestured them to walk to the front. He then turned at Alexandra. “Only you, Arimelda. Humans and traitors are not permitted to enter my Kingdom.”

His voice was unempathetic and plain, and he tried to appear to be speaking strongly. Alexandra couldn’t even get mad at him because she could see that it is hurting Glarald too.

[What is stopping him from letting his son in? Pride?]

She wondered.

“Father, I did a mistake. Please, forgive me,” Theodus kneeled, although his father had turned his back on him.

“Your Majesty…” Freda pleaded, holding Glarald’s sleeve. “Please let my husband in. Don’t you think he has suffered enough? Should he-”

“That’s enough,” Glarald yanked his hands out of Freda’s grip. “If you want to be with him, you can do so in exile with him. Get out!!” he shouted.

The birds and the insects in the trees around all flew away and a heavy silence ruled the forest for some moments.

Alexandra could not believe this is happening. She begged him. “Forgive him, Glarald, please. It was my fault. I beg for your forgiveness. So please~”

“What are you thinking, Arimelda? What do you want?” Glarald turned at Alexandra, pointing his finger at her. “It was his fault. Even after knowing his intentions, he was willing to give up the…” he gritted his teeth and glared at Arioch.

“What are you doing now?” he asked, his hand pointed at Arioch. “I won’t allow humans inside my Kingdom. Not him. And who is this..?” Glarald looked at Marcus. His grey eyes focused on Marcus for a moment.

“Alright, he can get in, along with that cursed being you are holding in your bag. Other than that no one is allowed to enter.”

Arioch’s face went red out of embarrassment. But he started to wonder if the Elven King could see who he is really. He wondered if Alexandra would be privileged to that knowledge by Glarald.

Theodus was talking to his wife and son and asked them to return with his father. He didn’t want them to face the cruel outside world. In a world ruled by humans, elves are outcasts and treated as lesser individuals. He didn’t want to put his wife and son through that discrimination. They should be living happily in this safe place.

But his wife and son wanted to be with him. “We want to be where you are, THeodus,” Freda said, tears dripping down her cheeks. She was already happy that she got to meet her husband and her father-in-law is not executing Theodus as he said he would if he sees Theodus again.

And she didn’t want to lose this happiness. She thought it would be better to leave this place before Glarald’s mind changes and he executes him.

“Why can’t he?” Alexandra asked pointing at Arioch. “He is my friend!”

Glarald let out a snort and said nothing else.

“And Theodus too. He is going to be accepted back. Otherwise, I am not stepping inside.” Alexandra folded her hands over her chest.

“You don’t have to decide how I am running my Kingdom, Arimelda,”  Glarald said not facing Alexandra. He was holding his hands behind his back and shifting his legs.

“Who will you leave your throne to, Glarald? What is your pride worth? Is it worth the end of your line?”Alexandra glared at Glarald. “What will you do after Theodus’ family leaves with him? Haven’t you separated them enough?”

Glarald laughed maniacally and turned at her. “Are you really…”

“Never mind, Alexandra,” Theodus said and turned at his father. “I am sorry, Father, but I will leave.”

“No,” Freda said clinging to his shirt. “Take me with you.”

“I am going with you,” Ailwyn joined.

“Life is not going to be pleasant there. It would be filled with troubles and you will have a  hard time adjusting to the differences~”

“We only want to be with you, THeodus,” Freda said.

Theodus let out a sigh and wiped the tears rolling down her cheek. “Oh, what will I do?”

“Take us with you, father,” Ailwyn said.

Theodus stood there with his eyes closed for a moment and then he opened his eyes. His eyes were clear as he has reached a decision.

“You’ve already kept your promise and brought me here. I got to meet my family which I thought was impossible. Thank you for all your help,” He bowed to her.

He did hear his father calling her ‘Arimelda’. He didn’t understand what he meant by that. ‘Arimelda’ means the dearest one in their language. And he had heard that Arimelda is also the name of the eldest daughter of the Dragon King.

Whatever meaning his father is using to call Alexandra using that name, he didn’t want to know either. But it should be connected to why his father is treating Alexandra with respect.

He turned to his family to tell them his last goodbye. They need not suffer with him.

But before he could even speak, Glarald started to shout for guards.

“Capture Freda and Ailwyn and throw them in the dungeons!” He shouted. “I will not take disobedience.”

Ailwyn pulled out the little dagger he had in his armband and pointed at Glarald. Glarald drew his sword. Arioch seemed bored with the commotion around and Marcus looked at Alexandra wondering what he should do.

Alexandra sighed. Situation is escalating dangerously.

“That’s enough!” She shouted.. Her voice echoed like a boom in the forest making dry branches break and fall.