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The Unofficial Empress - Chapter 21
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“What’s the deal?”
“Use me to your advantage,” Alexandra faced Marco beside her. Then he propped his chin on his hand and crossed his legs again. “I told you that matters regarding the country does not only include you. I have a part in it…not because I am a Hong,” she disrupted him when he was about to open his mouth. “I have a part in it as your wife and a citizen of my beloved empire.”
Marco slightly grinned and secured the loose strands of her hair behind her ear. She felt her heart flutter and her cheeks grew hot. Her palms are also sweating. “Yes of course. I’m not taking that away from you. I just don’t want you to be in danger.”
“I’d be in more danger if I stayed in the palace while I am useless. It’s better to die fighting, isn’t it?” she asked with conviction. His hand froze in midair before landing on her cheek. “This is not fair,” she said because her heart has not yet calmed down.
“What is not fair?”
She caught his hand and squeezed it. “This,” she said making him more confused.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about but you’re making my heart pound heavily,” he spoke so she raised her brows.
“I do?”
“Yes, here,” he said guiding her hand towards his chest but a sudden pain struck him on the chest. “Darn it,” he cussed as he was about to let her hand go. Then she pressed a finger on his lips. “Cursing and cussing is not allowed, your highness,” Alexandra smiled. Marco grinned and his brows relaxed. “Are you going to punish me too? Go ahead. I don’t mind,” Marco said with arms wide open and he is leaning comfortably on the couch. Alexandra stood up shaking her head.
“Sorry but I’m not like you. Just rest here and…OH!” she exclaimed when the boat suddenly shook. One teacup fell and the others hit each other while the teapot spilled the remaining drops when it rolled on the table only to stop at the edge. Alexandra was supported on the waist by Marco’s right hand. But how? She then suddenly realized she was hovering over him, both palms on the headrest and a knee on the couch in between his thighs.
“Your highness!” “My lady!” Lino’s and Agatha’s panicked voices echoed from the deck. Then the two froze upon seeing their awkward position. Marco didn’t seem to be embarrassed though. Lino cleared his throat, Agatha said her apologies, then both turned around. “I should be cheering on for your highness to conceive a baby but now is not the right time,” Lino said briefly so she immediately moved away from Marco and the latter stood up like nothing happened. He grabbed a black cloak from the hanging stand beside the staircase.
“Is something wrong?” he asked coldly as he stepped out. Alexandra followed and was shocked to see how the people on the dock are angrily driving the boat away. “What a way to welcome me,” Marco smirked and blocked a raw egg directly moving towards her face. The egg cracked and its yolk and white spilled on the wooden floor. Marco shoved the cloak to Alexandra without properly draping it around her shoulders. Alexandra immediately wore it properly and covered her head and buttoned the mask-like cover across her face, exposing only her eyes. People gasped at the sight of the third prince.
They began to chatter. Most of the talks are about a mistake regarding who among the princes were tasked to visit the region. Everyone trembled when Marco continued to walk flawlessly and coldly towards the dock. Everyone was expecting that it would either the crown prince or the second prince. Nobody thought it would be the third prince. Alas! It was a mistake for them to welcome a coldblooded tyrant with such treatment. Those who were up close didn’t have time to turn their faces away in case the third prince memorized their faces. Those who were further managed to run away as quickly as possible.
A five-year old child even cried out of fear upon gazing up to the rumored tyrant. One has wetted his pants. The elderly who were left petrified and trembling only managed to shelter their children with their weak bodies. Marco can easily kill them if he only wanted to. But what is the use of killing other people’s supporters? It won’t do any good for either parties. “News travel fast. So are gossips,” Marco said and looked at the approaching horsemen.
“We’re very sorry to arrive late, your highness. Please give us the order and we will summon everyone who dared to harm you,” the captain of the guards who is wearing the same brooch as Lino spoke with sincerity and high reverence to the third prince’s presence. The people cowered in fear but could not say anything otherwise.
“No need for that,” he said with a bored expression but it still looked frightening from other people’s perspective.
“Then punish me, Captain Luis Fajardo, for neglecting his duties!” he said loudly while kneeling, with his fist on his left chest.
“Did you not plan to come or you forgot to come?” Marco asked.
“Huh? Pardon?” Luis was fazed so as the others under his command.
“Are you permitting people to riot?”
“What? No…” Luis was shocked and his words faded. Does the prince think that I purposely let this happen?
While the captain is still thinking how to answer, the people who created a ruckus knelt down and pleaded for the captain’s innocence. They told him how he perfectly conducted his duties, even to the point of gaining nobles as enemies. Even his underlings spoke on his behalf, explaining that they got stuck in the mountains while helping fix a broken bridge. They were on patrol at night and when they headed to town before the sunrise, the old bridge collapsed. Those people who were walking on that bridge either got injured or almost drowned due to the water’s strong current and depth. Instead of three hours early, they arrived thirty minutes late after a nonstop ride.
Marco let out a frustrated sigh. “Ha! Then what negligence is there to punish?” he asked before pulling Alexandra to his side. “You all go home,” he said to the commoners but they were too stunned to act immediately.
When everyone dispersed, he stepped down with Alexandra and Agatha behind him. Lino and the captain followed afterwards. Marco looked at the guards who were unable to meet his gaze. “Have your men rest, captain. It would be a long journey to the town. We’ll be staying in an inn tonight so go and reserve rooms,” he said.
“As you wish your highness!” Captain Fajardo replied and got up from his knees.
“Where are you going?” he asked making the others shrug as if he was talking about something absurd. “Ah, I didn’t make it clear. Captain Casino, please go and reserve rooms for the night,” he clarified and Lino replied as a captain should. “I have something to talk about with Captain Fajardo while we wait for your return,” Marco added before Lino left to find a suitable nearby inn to stay.
While the other guards are carrying down the luggage from their previous journey, Captain Fajardo reported to the third prince. He told everything he knew about the recent incident which is why the prince was sent there. Marco also informed him about the content of the letter sent to him in advance through Lino when they met in the county.
“I have idea that such false reports have been spreading outside the region when everything inside is peaceful,” Captain Fajardo shook his head. “It was thanks to your highness’ calmness that we avoided unnecessary bloodshed. If you had summoned an army and sent letters in advance to subdue commoners, more misunderstandings may arise and create an enmity between the palace and the people.”
“I should be thanking you, captain. Your loyalty and commitment to your duty is commendable. I may have to rely on you and your men during our first few weeks to get to know the east region,” Marco said and faced the captain.
Captain Luis Fajardo gazed at the third prince with awe. Such benevolence is emanating from the prince who is portrayed as a wild beast. It’s true that people may fear a tiger thinking it is selfish to hunt and devour a prey. Its violence is fearsome but its silence during the hunt is something to be watched out for.
“Your highness…” Luis was about to speak out his thoughts but Lino came rushing as soon as he booked an entire inn to house everyone and feed them. Marco’s eyes reflected the sea’s radiance under the bright moonlight and the breeze blew gently making him appear like a handsome water god by the seaside.
Everyone partied all night in the inn not knowing that a spy is among them. No one knew who it is. Not even the person itself realized it.