Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 82

Maximus gritted his teeth realizing that Arioch is doing the same thing that he did his last life. He is still seeking the Dark Lord.

«But this time, I will be careful»

He composed his heart and waved his hand asking his men to back off.

Julius, Elrich, and others watched Arioch disappearing in the dark mist as if he got dissolved into the night. They have watched a lot of supernatural stuff as they are following Maximus, but this is the first time they are seeing the darkness encompassing so much vile, deceit, and maliciousness.

And they were vowed to see the popular resistance leader disappearing in that darkness. They expected their Emperor to fight against it since he is the strongest person they know. But seeing him not moving, they were confused.

Well…

Maximus let out a sigh. He didn’t have the strength to fight Morfan but if Arioch is leaving, he is trying to escape.

«Ah… Are you and Morfan scared of Alexandra and her powers? Run, little coward…»

Maximus’ mood got better. He should he fearing her. He should fear her and wonder when he would die in her hands. He deserves to live in fear.

Closing his eyes, Maximus took in a deep breath.

“Your Majesty!” Elrich knelt in front of Maximus to ask for forgiveness for not getting Arioch as he sensed that Maximus is angry.

Or he might not be, but he still decided to put forward his apology for whatever reason. Getting lashed was not a particularly good feeling, and he knew parting with his head would be a much more terrible feeling.

Maximus waved his hand and asked him to sit beside him. He was a little annoyed by Elrich’s behavior. But he got pretty used to this kind of behavior from others.

Elrich looked at Julius getting down from the horse to get his permission. He didn’t have to ask for his permission, but Elrich was confused. He is rarely asked to sit beside the Emperor. Julius nodded and Elrich sat leaving a good five feet between him and Maximus.

Maximus doesn’t act like someone superior at most times but that doesn’t mean they treat him as one of them.

He is their Emperor!

There was silence for a while and Maximus stared at the big wall of water in front of him. He didn’t know if he should call for his wife at the other end of the wall. He wanted to shout and make sure that she is safe. Every time he thinks that she is safe, she is not and gets into trouble.

«Is this one such time?»

But he remembered that his wife is the one who is holding the wall. He could see the butterflies fluttering around through the wall of water and knew that she is still active and is still manipulating the waters around. So there is assurance that she is fine.

«But should I still call out and check? She wanted me to talk to Arioch but he ran away. I want to be with her… But does she not want me there? Does she want to be alone with that dragon who likes to mock me? I still want to be there with her. But… I don’t want to anger her! What should I do?»

He didn’t know what to do. And he wondered what married men do when their wives stay away. He wanted to be very sad, but his pride stopped him from getting too sad about it.

«How many men can actually say that their wife hid from them behind a wall of water she raised, right? I married a powerful one!»

“So, how is your married life going?” Maximus asked Elrich.

He had marital troubles and he wanted to talk to other married men. He knew Julius wouldn’t be of much help in this area. He has a pretty fine marriage with Flavia as he has seen. He knew Elrich’s marriage is not very normal as Julius’ marriage is. And so he asked him.

He was told that Elrich married Pricilla for the sole purpose of protecting her. Being the only woman in the legion of men following him for years, she faced certain harassment. Before he was informed and did something, Elrich took it upon himself to protect her honor and married her. Julius informed that their marriage must be the protection Elrich put on Pricilla, although Maximus isn’t sure. Pricilla wouldn’t have agreed to be in such an “arrangement”. She is too proud to do such a thing.

But the reason matters not to him. There is no woman like Alexandra, but her pride could be compared to an extent to Pricilla’s. Locking and hiding somewhere out of anger is something he would expect Pricilla to do.

“Uh…” Elrich found his throat going dry.

Is the Emperor engaging in small talk with me? That too about my marriage? What should I do?

Julius walked closer as he heard what Maximus said. He could understand that Maximus is acting weird. He’s acting weird a lot these days.

Julius looked to the front and there was a wall of water in front of them and the place that seemed to be filled with mystery as long as he lived is not even visible. He saw something fluttering through the translucent wall of water and he was sure that a divine serenade that would be sung to put the gods to rest was echoing around shadowing the raging seas at the distance.

He has heard all sorts of fearful things about this place and that a great evil resides here. But he does not feel danger here.

In fact, this place looks bewitching and enticing. Maybe that is the danger – the beauty and the serenity it brings.

Julius shook his head not to fall for the vanity in front of him. This place is filled with danger and they should not be sitting here, having heart-to-heart conversations. They will have to up and leave.

“Sire, the Princess…” he asked Maximus.

If he is here for her, they should be getting her and leaving. Although he isn’t sure that she would be leaving with them. He also wanted to confirm that she is the one who took the sword. But he hoped in his heart that it would be Arioch.

He truly hoped that the woman was able to summon a beast because she is connected to Maximus through that stone and that she is a nobody without him. He truly wanted that woman to be just the wife of Maximus.

Maximus loves that woman and it would hurt him if she truly is the enemy. He didn’t want Flavia to get her heart broken either. She loves that girl so much.  If it is Arioch, they can fight him with all their heart and mind.

He wanted to know if he should be fighting her.

Maximus turned to look at Julius. Just like Julius knows him, he knows Julius too. He could understand the thoughts going in Julius’ mind.

«Should I tell him the truth? Or should I keep it a secret for now?»