Chapter 95 - The Treasured Prince

Prince Gutard seemed to be waiting for that moment,

"Alexa, my son was lucky twice. First with your arrival. Then with Lady Cordelia's timely intervention. But I can't count on luck anymore. Unfortunately, as you already know, our house and our kingdom are constantly battling evil forces. So Alexander will be better off in a place unknown to most people. I'm being extremely discretionary about who I'm picking to have access to, and take care of Alexander. Father Agnello di Borghesi, your tutor, is the only name I picked already. I know you will feel at ease because of that."

"This is great, Your Majesty," Alexa agreed, even though she sensed that his speech didn't include her. She probed, "I want to provide several things for Alexander's comfort while we wait for the antidote."

"I'll provide everything, you won't have to worry about any of this."

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed some reactions from courtiers in the room, including Cordelia. They were tense, but at the same time, they seemed to expect it.

"I don't understand, Your Majesty. Why shouldn't I have to worry about my husband?" Alexa knew that everything had changed from the moment she was able to open the tower door. Would he throw her into the dungeon? 'Locked up', as the Black Queen had said?

She looked at a window, but couldn't tell if the moon had already risen, because of the heavy curtains.

In that little moment of tension, Alexa figured out that, for some reason, the Black Queen was trying to save her, and for that reason, in the Shade's scary way, tried to warn her. Looking up sweetly and with an overwhelming smile, she said,

"Well, my father-in-law, your decision is enough for me, whatever it is. Just grant me that little request. Let me go with Duke Konrad to see Alexander before you take him to the place where he's meant to remain. Everyone told me that the Duke is Alexander's best friend. I think he'd like to see Alexander again and be at ease, like myself," she thought it would be a good strategy to not have her request refused. Then she'd take Romeo with her, and Alexander himself would later tell her where his body had been taken to.

The corner of the Prince's lips twitched and almost formed a smile,

"You quickly became attached to my son, Alexa."

"Having a family is important to me, Your Majesty. Countess Godiva told me that the Von Wuttenfal take care of each other. I am here to help. In the last few days, when I had so many revelations, I finally understood my vocation and my role," she used the most virginal and smooth expression in her repertoire. Despite this, she was distressed to smile at a man who hated women, witches or not.

The Sovereign Prince stared at her enigmatically, but then he laughed out loud,

"You are always so cute! Of course, you can accompany my nephew and see Alexander tonight. Take the time to say goodbye,"

"Say goodbye, Your Majesty?" his words alarmed the Princess, but before she could ask any more, the herald announced that Prince Magnus was requesting entrance.

Alexa turned, and saw Magnus cross the room in quick steps and look stern, bending a knee as usual in the presence of the Sovereign Prince.

"What's so urgent, Magnus?" asked his father.

"Several matters are urgent, but I will start with the simplest. The Polish retinue refuses to leave without the body of Baron Florian. But no one can find the body. They even came to talk to me. I sent for a search, but there is no sign. There is even a rumor that he may have been burned as one of the bodies found after the flood ... Although that doesn't make much sense. In short, your diplomats need to send these people home. I won't have time to resolve this tonight."

Alexa could see that this was a serious diplomatic incident, considering that Florian had died at the hands of Prince Magnus. But she saw harbingers of something more sinister than that outlining in the future.

Gutard signaled to one of the ministers, who nodded and said he would solve the problem.

"The other subject…" the First Prince looked sideways at Alexa, but for him, it was as if the other people were drawings on the wall, "It's just that I was told that my brother will be taken to a maximum-security secret place. And I've been told that I won't be able to see him before I leave, because no one is allowed to. I figure it was a misunderstanding. Not even me? Not even his wife?" the questioning and angry tone permeated the Prince's words.

"Hmm, maybe I'm being questioned in my decisions," replied the ruler acidly.

"I'm not opposing it, I just wanted to make sure everyone understood," the First Prince lowered his head, although he looked somber and barely controlled his irritation.

"The excess of freedom that existed before almost caused Alexander's abduction. Don't even deny that you had an influence on the relaxation of the guard, Magnus. But use the opportunity tonight, and go with Alexa and Konrad to say goodbye to your brother, before your trip."

The Prince kept an impassive face at his father's words,

"I will, my father. Finally: I heard that there are orders that…" Magnus hesitated a little after the otherwise firm start, "Princess Alexa must leave with me for Languedoc. I object to that, Your Majesty. The Princess must stand beside her husband."

'Uh?!' This was unexpected. What would have caused the change of plans? Worse, Magnus was right! If both traveled, who would give the 'elixir' that kept Alexander's body intact and healthy while he could not feed himself? She knew that Magnus had reasons for concern, as herself.

"It's a pity that you oppose to it, as you'll have her company during this trip. I'm sure the result will be more accurate and faster if Alexa is part of this mission. It's decided," the definitive tone didn't intimidate the First Prince, who raised an eyebrow at Alexa,

"Did you suggest that?"

"No, Your Highness, I am surprised too."

"MY FATHER, can we please talk privately?"

"Leave us alone," said Gutard, in an aggrieved tone. Alexa left the room before everyone else, avoiding being intercepted by any courtier, especially Cordelia.

She needed to hear this conversation, and she would find a way to do that.