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The Unofficial Empress - Chapter 20
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Alexandra and Marco specially woke up earlier than usual. Both thinking of returning to the inn and preparing their things for departure. They wore their hoods before writing a ‘thank you and goodbye’ letter to the doctor who is still snoring in his room. They placed a handsome amount of silver on top of the desk together with the letter and a note to use the money for developing useful medicines.
“You’re too slow,” Marco spoke as they walked on the dark streets with only a small oil lamp lighting the way. The town is far from the capital and very few people stay awake at night unlike in the capital. Lights won’t go off on the streets.
“Can’t you tell I’m doing this for you?” Alexandra retorted.
“You will do me a favor if we walk faster and return to the inn quickly,” Marco pulled her hand with his free hand. Alexandra felt like being dragged because he is taking longer strides than her. Her little feet and short legs could not keep up. The lamp is swaying as well and she has to keep it stable.
Thankfully, they arrived when she was about to complain. She knocked the door and the innkeeper opened it for them. They took their things and paid the stable boy to feed and prepare the horse. Then they ordered pancakes for breakfast served by the inn.
Marco volunteered to take the horse from the stables after breakfast. Alexandra stayed to pay for the unused room before returning the key. Before stepping out, Alexandra accidentally held her bulging pocket and remembered what the doctor gave her when she woke up. She got up earlier than Marco and the doctor is already awake that time but returned to his room after just giving her a bottle of medicine for Marco.
She saw how often Marco flinches due to his injury during their walk. Now that he is waiting for her to come down from the inn, he is also suppressing the pain by holding his chest. “No wonder the doctor insisted on giving me this pain relieving medicine,” she shook her head as she took out the small bottle from her pocket.
The stable boy is petting the horse ready for another long ride. When Marco turned to her, she grinned and waved at him so he walked towards her with knitted eyebrows. Surely he does not want to be dragged by the nose like a carabao but he needs to stay quiet so they won’t attract attention. “I want you to be honest with me LINO,” Alexandra emphasized the name for the others not to be suspicious.
“What is it, AGATHA?” Marco did the same so she took a step down the stairs. “Come here and ask me,” Marco offered a hand.
“But I’m already here.”
“I want you to get closer,” he said so she took another step down, only one step higher from his footing. He really is tall. She is just about the height of his nose even if she is standing on higher ground than him. “Now, what is it?”
“Do you need anything from me?”
“What kind of question is that? Of course, if I need anything from you I’ll be asking you to give me. Now shall we go?”
“Not yet. I’ve another question. Do you WANT anything from me?”
Marco squinted his eyes, suspicious of her actions. “Of course you are mine from head to toe. Whatever I want from you, I can get it if I want to. But without your permission, as a gentleman I won’t force it. Get to the point, my wife,” he nudged her chin and she looked up to him willingly.
“In exchange for drinking this concoction, I’ll give you anything you want. If not, then I’ll be staying here.”
Marco’s face turned sour. Clearly, he dislikes the concoction. Not because it is from Dr. Aragon but he really hates medicinal herbs. “Are you threatening me?”
“If you call that a threat, then yes I do. We still have time before the sun rises…” Alexandra was dumbfounded when Marco grabbed the bottle from her hand and glugged the content in one go.
“I’ll ask for something when the time comes,” Marco said and turned away from her, not knowing that he is frowning due to the bitter and funny aftertaste. “How cunning,” he giggled soundlessly. Alexandra interpreted his shaking shoulders as him planning something against her. She had goose bumps but she set it aside and went to mount the horse.
As a trained soldier, Marco mounted the horse with ease. “The medicine works so fast,” he said as he settled behind her. “I may not even need this sling,” he said while moving his left arm and not feeling any pain from the movement.
“That would be temporary. You’ll need the sling when the effect wears out.”
“Rest will suffice my recovery even without medicine,” he said as he slowly took the reins from Alexandra’s hands and kicked the horse to start running. “Hold on tight until the medicine wears off!” he exclaimed as the horse keep getting faster.
“Don’t overexert yourself!” Alexandra scolded as she held the saddle. With that, the horse galloped and neighed as Marco maneuvered it. They only took one break near a creak to let the horse rest and drink water before heading out again until they reached the dock where two ferry boats are waiting for passengers. One boat is more extravagant than the other as it looks very well maintained. It has a cleaner and newer look than the other.
They rested under a tree while still on the horse. Alexandra noticed that very few are getting on that luxury boat and they are all wearing expensive clothes. On the other hand, the commoners in the boat are almost pressing each other while others are standing. “So even in transportation there is discrimination,” she commented.
“It seems like it but do you see that?” Marco pointed at a commoner who can afford the finer boat’s fee but was not admitted. Even though they could not hear what the people are saying from a distance, the nobles who are on the boat are mocking the man. “No matter how much we fight for equality rights, people will always set an unspoken rule. Although the law states that no one is lower or higher in public…”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve seen much while I was abroad. Not only in the empire but also in other countries, discrimination sets unspoken rules,” Alexandra sighed. “Wait,” Alexandra jolted from the saddle slightly frightening the horse. If Marco hadn’t reacted quickly to calm it down, they could be on the ground now. “We didn’t take a boat when we came. Are we going somewhere rather than returning to the capital?”
“What? Do you want to go back already? It’s alright. I told Lino to prepare a carriage in advance to take you and Agatha back to the capital if you don’t want to go with me,” Marco explained before hopping down.
“I’d rather stay with you than go back to the palace.”
“You just don’t want your cover to be blown away.”
“I’m not hiding anything except for the fact that I am originally a Hong,” she said catching up to him who is leading the horse towards a carriage. Lino came drown followed by Agatha so she run to meet them.
“My lady! I was so worried about you,” Agatha immediately assessed her leaving Lino in a daze.
“What a boyish woman,” the latter grumbled but Agatha did not seem to hear him because she is too busy with her. Agatha bombarded her with so many questions as Marco arrived with the horse.
“I’m fine,” Alexandra just smiled but Agatha is still speaking nonstop.
“I’ll pay for the other,” Marco spoke to Lino from behind Agatha and the latter froze. She immediately hushed and hid behind Alexandra.
“Wait,” Lino frowned upon seeing the scratches on Marco’s face. “Are you alright?” he asked as he brushed Marco’s cloak and opened his shirt. He uncovered a bloodstained bandage and immediately turned to Alexandra. Agatha stepped in front of her with a protective stance.
Just what on earth happened between these two? Alexandra faked a laughter as she met Lino’s judging gaze. “Let’s get into the boat,” Marco buttoned back his shirt and returned the horse to Lino who in turn gave it to the man in formal attire standing near the carriage. He is Lino’s loyal assistant who grew up with him, Max.
“Take care of it Max. I’ll come back after some time,” Lino told Max and the latter signaled the other servants to carry the luggage from the carriage into the approaching catamaran boat. Four of them settled down in the cabin as the captain began sailing them into the sea. Lino replaced the bandage on Marco’s chest when the boat became stable. It’s about 5pm and the sun is still bright in the western sky. The medicine is also wearing off because Marco can already feel slight pain while changing his shirt.
There are two berths in each hull, a small kitchen, two separate rooms enough for two people each
“The west region has the arising issue of banning businesses who helped and may even help me in the future. Now, the eastern people from the commoners’ faction are planning a revolt. The emperor is sending me to appease those people,” Marco spoke as they gathered in the saloon.
“It might become dangerous once it gets out of hand,” Agatha spoke her mind. Then she was horrified when everyone paused and gazed at her, especially with the third prince’s indifference.
“I…I’m just worried for my lady,” she stuttered and lowered her head.
“That’s why the emperor chose the third prince and commander of the entire imperial army,” Lino negated Agatha’s worries.
“No, I think we should send them back for safety…”
“Marco Angenas,” Alexandra scolded as she gently brought down her teacup. Lino was petrified both due to her informal way of talking to the third prince and the latter’s unpredictable silence. Don’t make me do additional work! Lino silently prayed. “I told you I’d stay with you,” Alexandra added.
“Right,” Marco brought his teacup down and uncrossed his legs. He looked at Lino who understood his gaze. Lino cleared his throat and stood up as he smiled and took Agatha with him to have a fresh air on the deck.