Chapter 96 - Queening

Jumping from one buttress to another, about 10 meters high, Alexa ran towards the window of the real office, fitting on her parapet. That hadn't even been her biggest stunt challenge, since she was already inside the castle. Of course, if the maiden fell she'd kiss the rocks on the cliff and probably bounce her way to the sea. And if they caught her spying, they might kill her. But the Princess knew that Magnus was questioning his father about his decisions, and it was very important to know what the reasons were.

The heavy, closed curtains drowned out the conversation a little, but she was sure she could hear something. Concentrating, Alexa managed to capture,

"... damn bastard plans to leave soon, saying that the city is not safe. No doubt he had offers from the Polish court. In fact, he hinted at that. What he wants is to escape while he can. But the women seem to have parallel plans."

"Is he going to escape this after all he did? And do they? Isn't that really connected? I just don't know who's drawing the strings here."

"I won't be surprised if it's connected and they're his puppets, but they know that we don't have any evidence as of yet. But all in good time. I will resolve this before you return."

"Is that really the best way?" Magnus spoke in a low voice.

"Go, and come back quickly. That's why the maiden is going."

"I don't want her to go. She must be next to…"

"Magnus!" Gutard interrupted sternly, implying that he didn't want to be opposed,

"She knows that her life will be of no importance to us, nor will she be a princess, if Alexander dies. This will rush her to give us what we need. I promised her power at court. This is an extra motivator for her to reveal and take you to the alchemist as soon as possible. I know this man exists. Some Jewish traders have already heard this name, I was informed."

"I don't think she ..."

If she tries to escape, kill her. She'll do it if she lied all the time and doesn't know where he is, "said Magnus's father.

Alexa felt her heart freeze.

"I can find him alone, I insist. I prefer that she is taking care of him."

"But you're going to take her either way, and she doesn't even have to come back. What are you afraid of?" Gutard laughed, "Are you in love, by any chance? Were you seduced? Did you stop seeing her as a boy you had kissed once, and wanted to marry to escape the ugly lady?"

Magnus hissed angrily, and Gutard continued,

"You know my decision was strategic."

"I didn't understand it that way, my father."

"You were always canny, what's going on? I couldn't give it to you while it was precious to me. But your brother will definitely be widowed soon. He will marry a lady from Novgorod. Alexa just has to get the elixir with this 'Master Petrus'."

"My father… She's not a witch."

"You mean she's a saint, then? Should I send her to the convent for good? Or maybe train her to hunt witches?"

After a moment of silence, Magnus replied,

"Perhaps the second thing is more useful, don't you think? There is no need to kill her, my father. The Church would undoubtedly approve if Princess Alexa Von Wuttenfal finished cleaning up Holstein's heretics. And the rest of the region as well. She's useful. And she can become more useful in the future."

"I'll think about it, if she comes back. I will leave it up to you how to handle her during the trip. It will probably be a great way to find out if she really is a Christian or a heretic."

"Yes, my father, I will do as you wish."

"That is all?"

"Yes, my father."

Alexa was heartbroken and hurting so much that it looked like she would die. That horrible conversation was not what she expected to hear. She sat for a moment on the buttress, needing a little breath. In addition, tears blurred her vision. There would always be someone to treat the Dalassenos as hounds, useful pawns for their purposes.

When would it end?

Alexa felt the heavy weight of death looming and looked at the sky again. There was no moon, covered by clouds. This was very significant. She wondered if the Diana's Cult, somewhere, conducted rituals that suspended the appearance of the moon, so she could decide.

It was time to go back inside the castle, and definitely, make all her decisions.

°°°

That evening, there was a family dinner.

Alexa sat in her husband's chair, while the other members took their places. But she noticed that they would have guests, as there were reserved seats. She was about to ask the butler when Magnus came in, with Romeo on his shoulder.

Seeing the nightingale lifted her spirit. The First Prince sat beside her, with a brief deference. Alexa looked at the bird, to know if her spouse was still mad at her, but of course, she still wasn't able to fully understand the facial expressions of a nightingale. Then, extending her hand sheepishly, she stroked the bird's head,

"Why don't you forgive me for being mean?"

Of course, the First Prince turned to her, and muttered,

"So was that it? How can you be mad at her, Romeo? Don't run from her anymore."

"Can I take him with me, Magnus?" she asked Magnus, trying to attract Romeo by scratching the bird's head. Romeo accepted her affection, while the First Prince agreed,

"Won't that be a problem? He will be in danger."

~ What is he talking about?! Hmpf! ~ Alexander snorted.

"At least I'll know where he is at all times."

"Alexander would be happy to see that you take such good care of Romeo," Duke Konrad joined the conversation. The bird then puffed out his chest, looking happy to see his cousin and aunt.

Everyone was pampering the nightingale at the table, impressed that he seemed to accept all meals. Only Magnus was more reserved.

Then the guests of honor's arrival, the De Wit family, was announced. That is, the Cordelia family. At first, she could imagine that Lady Cordelia would be honored tonight for having 'saved' Alexander. Although Alexa had her suspicions about it.

They got into their best clothes and jewelry, and Alexa soon noticed a visible change in Cordelia's father. The same man who had dared to challenge Gutard with words in his own court. He had a satisfied smile, this time.

Then the Princess heard her husband's voice, alarmed,

~ Didn't you want to know who might have killed the red-haired girl? That woman with the blue headdress, next to Lady Cordelia. She was in your room before you, the night the redhead maid was drowned. ~

Was he talking about Lady Cordelia's mother? The matron who slapped Alexa in the face?

She was still trying to find some logic on that when Prince Gutard announced,

"My dear ones, I asked for Lady Cordelia's hand this morning, and Master Jürg accepted. Let's toast the alliance of our families, which finally rearranges itself satisfactorily."

Except Magnus, the rest of Von Wuttenfal family, including Alexa, was agape.