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The Unofficial Empress - Chapter 15
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Alexandra got up early before the rooster crowed. Her body is aching. She has sore muscles and she even has a stiff neck. She glanced on the floor but found it empty. The sheets had been neatly folded. She didn’t care as she stretched her arms and massaged her own shoulders and neck. She stayed in bed for a few minutes before she heard a clashing sound on the ground floor.
Agatha is already preparing for breakfast while the boys are helping her. Alexandra watched them as they happily helped each other. It is still cold so she wrapped herself in the robe before greeting them. “Do you usually cook this early?” she asked.
The boys fell silent and didn’t know who will answer. “I do, your…my lady. These boys have learned to cook for themselves especially when I left to work in the palace,” Agatha replied.
“Oh. Can I help?” she asked with excitement. It has been almost a month since she wasn’t allowed to do anything but stay in the prince’s study or the garden to learn basic etiquette and palace affairs.
“But…”
“I’m fine. I was a kitchen maid before I was admitted to the prince’s chambers,” she said.
“What kind of prince are you serving? Is he a charming one like the fairy tales tell?” Nick asked with no harm intended.
“Is he an evil prince who was cursed? Does he treat you well?” Macky added.
“Does he turn into a vampire at night and sucks blood?” Kyanu asked while jumping to get the salt in the cupboard.
“I bet he is weak and will always hide behind her mama,” Brent muttered, his cheeks glowing pink as he chuckled.
Shane remained silent as he starts the fire. He was only listening to the other boys as they chattered endlessly. Alexandra washed the rice and filled the pot with equal amount of water as the rice. She smiled at Shane who was only watching her.
The boys are all excited around them. Agatha was worried that they might offend especially the prince who is always busy with something in the room or with the spear. After dinner, Nick was forcing Shane to drink the milk fast like the other boys. By doing so, Shane accidentally spilled his milk on Marco’s pants and everyone gasped. Agatha looked at Alexandra who in turn glanced at Marco. Then, Nick went to get a dry cloth to wipe the spilled milk. Suddenly, Shane burst out in tears.
Marco frowned. He does not know what to do and the others were still shocked to do something. “Stop crying, okay?” he spoke as he ruffled the boy’s hair.
“You are not charming and you’re weak. You are cursed. Won’t you suck my blood?”
“What?” Marco was puzzled. What is the boy thinking of me? “Am I scary? Do I look like a monster?”
The boy shook his head. “You’re handsome to be a monster.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“I’m scared.”
With that, Marco chuckled. “And why is that?” he asked gently. Then, Shane spilled what happened early in the morning. He blurted out what the other boys were talking about. “I wonder why, but weren’t you talking about a prince of the empire?”
“Yes and according to my papa who saw a prince before, he said that princes from the palace are handsome. You’re handsome so you must be a prince,” Shane said and wiped his tears. Marco smiled and continued to ruffle the boy’s hair.
Alexandra couldn’t help but feel mesmerized. Marco seemed to be glowing with that gentle smile she rarely sees. One by one, the boys surrounded Marco’s chair, each asking questions and telling stories about their parents. Macky said that his grandfather was tortured and his mother was captured during the late emperor’s reign. Then the first female emperor freed every captive including Macky’s mother. Only three years ago, Macky’s mother told him to give his best support whenever he encounters a prince.
Nick revealed that his family was also a victim during the late emperor’s reign but his father still told him to help a prince before he disappeared, leaving Nick alone in the forest where he met the other boys. Kyanu and Brent are cousins who were told to keep quiet about their identities not until they meet a prince. Their parents all disappeared and around that time, Agatha’s mother found them in the woods while she was gathering firewood. Until now, there is no news about their parents.
Alexandra and Marco exchanged gazes upon hearing the stories. Agatha looked horrified. “You didn’t tell me about that,” she said after the boys’ confession.
“We’re sorry, sis,” they spoke in guilt.
“What a revelation,” Marco spoke as he tossed from his beddings.
“What are you going to do with them?”
“I don’t know exactly. But I want to send them to school. The king plans to build schools in small towns and villages. But right now, this place is isolated and obviously needs reformation. It makes me reevaluate why I came here.”
“You want to meet your informant. But it won’t be so difficult if you plan to take down those corrupt officials. With just one word, you can reappoint them or strip them off their titles.”
“But with just one word, I can gain more enemies.”
“Yeah you’re right. Vicente is still around and he also has supporters from all parts of the empire.”
“Aren’t you one?”
“Maybe,” Alexandra shrugged. She loves her family but she was never on Vicente’s side. Even IF they sent her to be a spy.
The boys grew fond of them especially to Marco. They were eager to learn his spear techniques and they even made wooden spears for themselves. Their fourth day of stay in the village is the start of the festival. They have to fulfill their mission on the second day.
Agatha helped Alexandra dress up. Alexandra has slipped into a sky blue linen sari which is more often used in the Southern part of the empire and it includes the Luntian village. She has never worn one in a decade and until now. She never would have thought that a sari would befit her. When she was young, she would be forced to wear one even if she despised to do so especially if they would attend festivals in the southern imperial territory.
She always felt that a sari was uncomfortable and hot to wear. Most of her saris were made up of silk and it really irritated her delicate skin but she won’t complain knowing that she is doing it for the sake of culture and nationalism.
Agatha left after helping her wear a few pieces of golden necklace, bangles, and a headpiece. Alexandra can hear the children noisily running so she opened the window and saw them returning with assorted fruits in a basket carried by the biggest child among them. Then she heard a knock by the door. Marco came in fully clothed as well. He is wearing a sky blue slacks and a white barong with golden linings matching her outfit.
“Are you going to the festival?” Nick asked.
“Exactly,” Alexandra replied. According to the town’s new custom, children with no origin are not allowed to attend the festival or the territory’s reputation would be tarnished when nobles from the capital happen to visit. “Such discrimination is unacceptable,” she said gritting her teeth but Marco held her hand to calm her down.
“This should be our last day staying here,” Marco ruffled the boys’ hair one at a time. Then as he turned away, he heard sniffles so he looked back. “Eventually, we will see each other again,” he said and ushered Alexandra into the carriage. Agatha said her goodbye before heading out.
“You highness,” a young man about their age came to meet them in the streets while they were watching the parade. He led them into a quieter place before greeting them with utter respect. “As we expected, this area has been abandoned during the previous king’s reign. Here are the evidences pointing at those officials’ abuse of power. People here have slowly moved out giving way to a more corrupt society.”
“Aren’t you a bit partial?” Alexandra asked. Hello! I’m a direct descendant of the previous king.
“Who might you be?” the young man asked as he cast a glance toward her and Agatha.