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The Unofficial Empress - Chapter 13
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The conversation took a great diversion until such time that Agatha and Arnold’s daughter came looking for them in the storage room. “Be careful with the Hongs. They may seem united but they are a divided group merely brought together with one common goal. And that is to take control over the empire,” Arnold said in a low tone while maintaining a respectful distance from the prince.
“The carriage is as good as new,” Agatha told Alexandra as Marco and Arnold came out from the storage room.
“You should continue your journey. I won’t send you then,” Arnold smiled brightly as if they didn’t have any serious conversation.
The road became more bumpy as they advanced and the inn they could find is a lot smaller and noisier than the first. They do not have any other choices as no other inns are present. People fear to reside in Luntian so establishments that were blooming before had closed down and the people migrated to other places.
Alexandra washed up and after changing into her clothes, she went out but didn’t find Marco in the room. It turns out he is having a glass of whiskey in the bar so she dragged him away into their room. He was too heavy and she just pushed him on the bed but she was dragged down with him as he caught her waist. “Marco, can you get up first? You need to sober up,” Alexandra got up and tapped his cheek. Marco groaned but didn’t open his eyes.
He rarely shows emotions and if he did, no one could guess what he really is thinking. But right now, she can see a vulnerable helpless look on his frowning face. According to the bartender, Marco only had a glass before she came. She wondered how he ended up so drunk and why he would get drunk in the middle of their journey. Anyhow, he needs to sober up so she can confront him of what is bothering her.
During their stay in Arnold’s place, she discovered their hostility against both families. Arnold’s daughter, Neda, told her about their family’s bitter past with the Hongs which resulted for them to cut their ties. Then when Alexandra asked a question regarding the current emperor, she didn’t expect that Neda would take the bait. With gritting teeth, Neda said that she would take down anyone who is on the throne regardless of who they are once they set foot on her territory.
Meanwhile, in Arnold’s house while having late supper, Neda expressed her disgust with the two families. “I hate them! They are heartless and selfish people!” she said as she stroke the table. Earlier, she could not forget what Alexa asked her.
Arnold nonchalantly clasped his hands on top of the table. There are only five of them in the house including the servants so they all dine together and everyone has the same feelings regarding both families. Only Arnold seems to have placed hope in the current emperor. “Cruelty is necessary to sit on the throne,” he said.
“But papa! They are exceeding the limits!”
“Commoners like us won’t ever be able to express our thoughts in front of the emperor. But if we make our voice clear together with other people who have the same thoughts as we do, we could get a chance to be heard,” Arnold spoke.
“Sir, are you planning a rebellion?”
“Rebellion?” he smirked. “If we rebel, won’t we lose our lives for nothing?”
“Sir, maybe we can…”
“No. Rebellion is not he only solution. Even if we succeed, whoever we place in the throne may get greedy and could swallow us all just to maintain the position.”
“Then what you’re saying sir is…”
“To support an individual who has potential rather than a group or a family,” Arnold ended the conversation with a slight grin which made everyone gape in awe.
‘How long has it been since we saw the master smile?’
‘Did papa really smile?’
‘I wish it wasn’t just a dream.’
‘So was he referring to an Angenas or a Hong?’
“Maybe Angenas. Hongs have long betrayed us.’
Distinct whispers among the servants and Neda can be heard from the hallways but Arnold didn’t care. Everyone became close like a real family so it doesn’t matter whether they talk behind his back or whether they speak their minds around him.
Marco stroke Alexandra’s face. He looked at her with smoky eyes as if he is dreaming. He cupped her face with his warm and slender hand. He grinned when she was speechless so he hovered on top of her. She felt nervous the way his expression changed and he even harshly held her shoulder. “Marco…Ah!” she screamed as he tore her sleeves effortlessly using his unharmed hand.
“Say,” he leaned closer as his fingers bury deeper on her pillow with a few strands of hair getting pulled from her scalp. It hurt but more than that, she felt scared. “Have you been planning to use me from the beginning? Did Vicente send you to my room that night?” he whispered tenderly but those words were like daggers cutting her chest open while piercing her heart. She trembled but did not get time to react when he pulled her collar and the buttons scattered on the sheets and on the floor.
“No! Please stop!” Alexandra could not contain her tears as she covered her chest.
Marco frowned to see someone trying to get his sympathy. He smirked as he moved her hands away from her chest, pinning each on her side. “Did the Hongs teach you to cry whenever you get in danger?”
“Marco you’re scaring me. Please stop,” she said helplessly beneath Marco. She is not used to this drunk and violent Marco in front of her. He just tightened his grip on her wrists and she whimpered while biting her lower lip. She turned her head on the side to avoid looking at his irritated expression. He grinned with disgust as she turned away. “You better just kill me now than humiliate me,” she said as she slowly succumbed. She no longer wants to resist him as long as he fulfills her death wish.
Marco was startled. He sobered up instantly upon realizing what he has done. He blinked several times to see the vulnerable woman his wife has become. He surveyed the dimly lit room as the lamp is burning low. Buttons on the bed. Torn sleeve hanging on Alexandra’s shoulder. The undone ribbon from his wounded hand. His blood trickling from his opened wound. A depressing air suddenly covered him as he pulled the sheets to cover his frightened wife.
Alexandra bit her lower lip deeper than earlier as she felt Marco leaving the bed. She heard rustles but she didn’t dare to move until she was suddenly picked up and was wrapped in the blanket. “I’m sorry,” Marco whispered as he hugged her from behind. She felt his strong arms wrapping her tighter than earlier. “I’m really sorry.”
“Why did you suddenly…”
“We better stay away from each other for now,” he suggested and kissed the top of her head before heading out of the room. Alexandra stared blankly at the door even though no one is coming in or going out. Marco is not an unreasonable man. He must have something going on in his mind. I must stay beside him no matter what.
The rooster just began crowing and Alexandra woke up with sore eyes. Agatha knocked by the door early so she let her in but her eyes are still sensitive to light so she covered them. Agatha saw that her lady’s eyes are puffy. “My lady, did you cry?” she asked worriedly.
“Yeah. I just had a nightmare,” Alexandra replied and didn’t want to elaborate more. “Wait for me, I’ll take a bath.”
“But I haven’t boiled the water yet…”
“It’s alright,” she said and went to the bathroom. The water is as cold as ice but she managed to pour it on herself. She did take a bath last night but she needs to freshen up and strengthen her resolve. She told Marco that he is not a damsel in distress but what happened last night made her look so weak.
While applying moisturizer on Alexandra’s face, Agatha could not help but feel anxious. “The prince…” Agatha hasn’t finished her sentence and she stiffened as soon as the prince entered the room. Alexandra stiffened as well and waited if Marco would say something. He is drenched in sweat with his spear in hand.