The Mischievous Maiden & The Sleeping Prince - Chapter 268

“What are you doing?!” Alexa put her hand over Magnus’ hand, preventing him from taking Beatrix out of the rich cradle where the girl slept.

Not even she knew where she had found the courage to confront him. She just woke up to see the silhouette standing in the room, looking at the crib, and even though it was Magnus, she didn’t know what to expect.

“How many promises will I break from now on?” he replied gravely, shaking Alexa’s hand from his and taking Beatrix with just one hand. Magnus went over to the candle rack to watch the baby. Alexa held her breath and watched him closely.

“She doesn’t look like you,” he commented. His voice hinted at some disappointment.

“But it looks like you.”

“You think so?”

“I do,” Alexa held out her hands, for him to return Beatrix to her. He did this, with an ironic smile on his lips and an inscrutable look.

“Are you afraid of me, Alexa?”

She exhaled, worried about the consequences of her response.

“You are not going to hurt Beatrix as you didn’t, not even by accident. If you have that control, please tell me, Magnus, that we are going to make it…”

“I can’t say that, Alexa. My heart. This heart … is full of tar, on fire, which spills into me. If before, I felt it drop by drop, now it’s gushing… Every time I kill more powerful I get…”

“But you are aware of it! ”

“Haha ha. I was aware of that before. But justifications for my actions will always appear. On the one hand, it scares me, and I’m not afraid to tell you that. On the other hand, I feel a fool for being afraid, because nothing would stop me. Nothing would touch us … I just have to grow my power.”

“Stop it now, Magnus. That kind of thinking is dangerous!”

“After all that we’ve been through, do you think I haven’t seen anything? Ha, you’re awesome, Alexa.” He reached for a fur cape that was on the mannequin and came after Alexa to help her get dressed.

“What is it? Where are we going?” she asked, stunned.

“To do something necessary,” he replied, without giving details.

It was very cold outside, but he put his wife and daughter in a carriage. He rode on the front.

Alexa had realized that they were heading towards the cathedral, and when they got there, she was surprised to find Countess Godiva waiting for them by the front door, while rubbing her gloved hands.

Whatever Magnus was doing, he hadn’t told Alexa. And why did it have to be in the middle of the night?

One of the hors.e.m.e.n who had escorted the carriage used his cloak to protect the Duchess from the night dew and the wind. Alexa was going up the stairs in quick steps, looking only at the floor, when she felt the deadly look of the Sovereign Prince on the scene.

Even the knight hesitated, and Alexa practically ran into the building. Magnus seemed so furious at the kindness of the man that he protected Alexa and Beatrix while Magnus got off his horse!

The Countess hugged her, whispering for Alexa to calm down.

Alexa felt warmed by the radiant energy of that woman. She slightly removed the mantle over Beatrix to show her face to Magnus’ aunt. Her daughter slept as if nothing in the world could affect her.

“Aw!” Magnus’s aunt melted, giving a brief pat on Beatrix’s very fine hair. Alexa felt proud, and whispering blessings. At least in the middle of it all, she knew Beatrix would have her dose of love from Godiva.

“What is happening?” she whispered.

“It’s Beatrix’s christening!” replied the Countess. “Don’t argue, Alexa. Magnus arranged for it to go now.”

“Okay, but … why in the middle of the night?”

“The Emperor and his wife will be Beatrix’s godparents,” whispered the matron. Alexa was confused. She and Magnus had talked before, and decided that Narses and Mirna would be Beatrix’s godparents. Alexa wanted Beatrix to be with people who understood her and who knew all the secrets.

But now Magnus had decided on his own that the Emperor and Empress would be the godparents of their daughter?

She felt betrayed. As he said, he was already starting to break promises that they would decide everything that was relevant to them, together.

The nobles were taken to the V.i.r.g.i.n Mary’s niche, and there she met the Empress and some ladies in waiting, as well as imperial guards. Everyone was alert and at least the women were curious.

Alexa felt horrible. Except for the luxurious cloak, she was not dressed properly, and not even her hair was in good shape! Naturally the Duchess was judged from top to bottom, but the Countess took her directly to the Empress.

Alexa was happy to see no 14-year-old girl in the room.

Contrary to what I expected, the Empress broke the protocol, and came to meet her!

“My dear Duchess! We still have not met! What are men doing to us in the middle of the night?!”

She understood that the Empress had heard of the abduction of Beatrix by Gutard’s widow, although the woman was not direct in revealing this. Empress Anna seemed to want to make up for Alexa for her suffering, and she was grateful to find an empathetic person, who instantly fell in love with her little baby… Anna bore a boy to her husband.

Alexa then discovered that, investigating other things, Balbo and Narses, as the heads behind the intelligence network that was much bigger than Holstein, had recently discovered a plan to kill the Emperor. Magnus had ordered the traitors to be exposed. It was not yet over, but Magnus’ action had saved the life of the Emperor and his family.

Still, Magnus did not expect a reward, but questions about his actions. It was a surprise that after the events, the Emperor understood the situation of Magnus and Alexa.

In moments a small choir of sleepy boys was on hand to sing in the ceremony, and Magnus and the Emperor appeared with the Bishop.

The ceremony and records were done with the necessary details. All the while, Alexa was afraid that the Emperor would come to his senses, but he didn’t seem angry, although maybe he was a little worried.

When it was over, Beatrix was christened and blessed, and the imperial couple made Magnus promise that their daughter would go to court to visit the godparents when she was old enough.

As everyone walked to the exit of the church, Alexa saw that Balbo was near the door, and smiled at him, waving discreetly.

That was enough for Magnus to grab the waving hand tightly, squeezing Alexa”s fingers. It hurt.

Alexa looked up, scared, to him, but he was not looking. Only his haughty profile looked at Balbo, who looked away wisely.

“Don’t make me change my mind!” he murmured under his breath, and Alexa was confused. She had no idea what he was talking about. Only her heart was beating fast, with a bad feeling.

“Give Beatrix to my aunt.”

“No, it is not necessary.”

“Deliver Beatrix. And come with me. ”

Godiva, who was beside them, reached out to take the baby, and Alexa reluctantly handed her over.

“Don’t worry Alexa. I will take her straight to my room and the wet nurse will be there. If you need to talk, Beatrix can rest in a warm place. Nephew… have good sense. ”

“Mind your own business, my aunt.”

Both women were astonished, but before one of the two responded, Magnus took Alexa by the arm and took her to the carriage. This time, he went in together.

They faced each other. And Alexa found desperate eyes when looking into Magnus’ eyes.

“What are you doing? Why are things happening like this? We can’t decide everything together, how do we agree?”

“This is no longer possible Alexa. If I don’t have hope anymore.

“Don’t you trust me anymore, or don’t you trust yourself?”

“I can’t do this anymore, Alexa. I don’t want to talk about what goes on in my mind all the time. The wicked and insane things… I wanted to have one last moment with you before I went crazy.”

“What?”

“I have two options, Alexa. Die by my own hands, or kill everyone who tries to kill me. ”

“What?” she repeated foolishly as if doing so would deny having heard his words.