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The Unofficial Empress - Chapter 11
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Agatha hardly adjusted with the life in the palace. Now she even gets to hold her breath whenever the third prince is around with her ladyship. Work is easier for her than what she expected. It was easier than her three-month training. She only assists the lady with her daily necessities and ensures that she eats and sleeps well. She would accompany her wherever she wanted to go.
Alexandra is reading a book when Marco barged into the library. Agatha was startled so she bowed and left. She went to wait outside the door and stay alert whenever she gets to be called.
Marco’s indifferent expression is no longer new to Alexandra. What made her anxious is the scary look on his face. It’s gloomier now than how he usually looks like after coming from morning sessions with the king, the crown prince, and the rest of the nobilities. “Something wrong?” she asked and helped her remove his coat.
“Everything,” he replied with a deep sigh.
“Can you elaborate for me to understand?” she asked as they sat down together on the couch. She glanced at the book on top of the coffee table before she covertly picked it up and hid it behind her back. Marco saw it and frowned.
“Are you hiding something?” he asked.
“No. I just don’t want to trouble you with the book I’m reading,” she casually said while praying that he won’t push her to take it out. She couldn’t imagine how he would look at her once he discovers her weird taste and genre.
“Majesty’s Love?” he shot an eyebrow as he grinned. She thought she hid it well but he caught a glimpse of the title.
“What the…? Did you…” Alexandra could not hide her blushing face. She had already turned like an apple. “Wait. It’s not what you think. Do you understand? I’m…”
“Princess, if you have other hobbies other than reading lewd novels or comic books, you better tell me earlier so I will know how to cover up for your sake,” Marco said nonchalantly. She could not fathom whether he is joking or he is serious the way he spoke. He is grinning yet it looks like smirking with disgust.
“Fine! You won! Now tell me what’s wrong!” she said throwing the comic book towards Marco. It hit his chest but it does not seem like he was hurt. How hard are his chest muscles? It was a puzzle for her even if she spent an intimate night with him. She could not recall everything except for the blurred images. She felt her cheeks blushing again once she remembered his hot ***** body.
“Come here,” he pulled her onto his lap. He grabbed her wrist and let her explore his chest as if he had fully read her mind. She wriggled even though she is so tempted to ran her fingers thoroughly on that covered pack of abs. She wanted to feel those chest muscles but she restrained herself. He let go but she wished he didn’t. Disappointed she may be, Alexandra cleared her throat to avoid further embarrassment.
“Third prince, kindly tell me what is going on?”
“Did you know anything about your servant’s village?”
“Luntian? What about it?” she asked and smoothed her skirt as she sat down beside him. A brief moment of silence filled the room before Marco began to relay the information he had.
Luntian, is a small faraway village. Supplies from the capital arrives late or sometimes never arrives. It is not surprising because bandits and thieves could have attacked the caravan. Several small towns like Luntian have been occupied by tyrant Angenas supporters but according to witnesses, people from the Hong family have been in constant communication with those ‘tyrants’.
“I never would have thought that there are issues as grave as this. I couldn’t tell whoever the enemy is. I must go there personally to confirm these rumors,” Marco said after a long explanation.
“I want to go with you,” Alexandra faced him and told him as she has decided.
“It’s dangerous. Even if no one can recognize you, people may recognize me and they could become violent. Going there unarmed and unannounced could get us killed. I’m not letting you go. You must stay here and wait for my news…”
“Don’t take this issue as if I am not involved. I’m a direct descendant of Marie Hong. We both are the grandchildren of the warring generation. You shouldn’t take me out of it,” Alexandra retorted. Marco was about to argue but she didn’t let him speak. “Let me do my part as you do yours.”
“I’ll be leaving tomorrow. Are you sure you can handle the journey?” Marco asked and she clasped his hand. She held his confused gaze.
“I’m a healthy child. Don’t look at me as if I’m weak because I’m pregnant. I can handle it well… although I may need some assistance,” Alexandra explained. Marco didn’t speak as they exchanged gazes. Marco sees a woman whose face is clearly stating her emotions. Alexandra sees a man who is unpredictable.
“Alright, we’ll leave tomorrow. You should bring Agatha along,” Marco said afterwards.
The next morning, Marco and Alexandra were dressed ready for a very long carriage ride. Agatha brought their luggage and rode with them in the back of the carriage. No one from the palace suspected their motive to go to Luntian and investigate about the said conspiracy. What they knew is that Marco and Alexandra are just going to have a stroll in the city for a few days so no one restrained them.
Cielo, who knows his youngest brother’s thoughts, sat frustrated on his chair as the carriage moved away. “You’re not sick, are you?” Marga inquired.
“I’m not. I’m just tired,” he replied as he rubbed his temples. A reckless child! Curse him! He clenched his fists as his teeth gritted. At times, he felt useless as the crown prince, letting the youngest prince do the harmful job.
He couldn’t help but worry about his brother’s well-being because so many bad rumors regarding their family are circulating around the faraway villages and towns. If the people recognized him, they could hurt him, or worst kill him accidentally.
“You look pale,” Marco spoke after a few hours of sitting on the carriage with Alexandra.
“Do I?” she asked after watching the scenery outside the window.
“Just tell me if you feel sick. We can stop by and get some rest.”
“If we did…”
“There’s no rush,” Marco said and told the coachman to stop the carriage. Agatha immediately came to assist Alexandra from getting off to resting under the tree. From a distance, one can see the green fields on the mountainside. The young and old trees are swaying with the breeze. September is about to end and the weather is getting colder.
Marco noticed Alexandra laughing and smiling with Agatha’s stories so he felt secure. Perhaps this journey is not meaningless after all. Rather than thinking too much, he decided to relax and sit beside his wife on the rock. He removed his coat and folded it. Without words, he pulled her up to sit on it. That way she would feel more comfortable. Agatha bowed with respect although she still avoids eye contact with him.
They stopped for a second time to rest in an inn for a night. The inn was almost fully occupied and they didn’t want so much attention so they didn’t force the innkeeper to free an extra room to accommodate them. Renting a more expensive one in the neighborhood would make them a target of public’s eye.
The coachman and Agatha felt awkward as they sat with the third prince during dinner inside the room they rented within the first inn.
Both servants feel uncomfortable to dine with them. “If you’re restless with me around, I’ll leave.”
“No! Your highness…” the two said in unison. They must not offend the prince.
“One more time and I’ll throw both of you out to get lost in the woods,” he warned so they bit their lower lips. The honorifics is prohibited while they are traveling. They began eating silently before Agatha volunteered to arrange the beds. They have two beds and the room is spacious enough to accommodate them.
Since Agatha and the coachman are lowly in status, they have no rights to choose where to sleep. Both were silent as they waited for their masters to lie down. “Tie this blanket to make a division between the beds. The women will share the bed together. The coachman shall occupy the other bed. I’ll stand guard,” Marco spoke and was about to leave the room when Alexandra asked him where he would stay. “The coachman needs more rest to drive the carriage tomorrow. I can sleep in during the ride,” he said and left the room.