Chapter 105 - The Bird Charmer

"L-lover?" Alexa has never felt so red in her life. Alexander's harsh intonation made it clear that it was not an assumption, but a certainty.

The door opened behind her and Magnus went out alone, looking around. The maiden lowered her head, even more nervous, feeling unprepared to have this conversation, especially with the very reason for the discussion in front of her. It was clear Alexander would have noticed.

"We will have to proceed immediately, Zand. So say goodbye to Konrad and tell him we'll be back soon. Get ready Princess, to roll your eyes as you witness the tender moments of these soul mates. These two together often have a lot of business. We're leaving at any time, so don't drag it on."

Alexander however, remained silent. If his brother noticed something, he didn't comment, Magnus just walked away down the hall, without other words. The maiden took a deep breath, wanting more than everything to escape what they were talking about earlier. She commented cheerfully, as she started walking taking the cage with her,

"Your cousin is a wonderful friend. Someone else might have been horrified!"

"Well, I used to tell Kontze about my dreams, and he is able to put two and two together. When you arrived, he must have concluded that you were the person I used to see in my dreams. And he must also have been able to understand that, in Holstein, strange things happen all the time," now Alexander also seemed calmer. Or maybe also like her, he was avoiding talking about the subject that bothered them. But the maiden was sure that this matter would come up somehow, at another time.

"Konrad is a great person. For someone who so young had to take responsibility for becoming a Duke! He remains very kind and cheerful," she really sympathized with the Duke, who seemed incapable of being cruel and never looked sulky.

~ Sometimes I wonder what I would have been like if I had had his life ... ~ Alexander whispered almost as if speaking to himself, and it was undeniable that his voice sounded sad and depressing. The maiden thought for a moment about what it must have been like to grow up in that strange castle full of human and invisible enemies. Even though he survived, there was a dispute over the position of Holstein's next Regent. There was the fact that he was the witch's son. Even his androgynous beauty could be a problem. And even if Magnus and his father protected him ... How would that protection be? But Alexa decided that she would not keep the sad tone of the conversation. She didn't want Alexander to spiral into despair. They needed him to stay strong and hopeful.

"I can't say. You know more about me than I know about you, Alexander. But I have no doubt that Konrad would have become a bird too! You are so similar!"

That got a laugh out of him, after all,

~ We can ask him that. But I bet he will say he wouldn't be so stupid! ~

Alexa went to look for the Duke and he received her as soon as he finished an important matter. Being so young, he was not alone in this process, but his playful attitude had changed to a more serious and contained expression. Although still kind.

They walked into a room side by side, calmly, and he carried Romeo's cage this time.

"I suppose my cousin Magnus changed the route," he commented, looking at her and then at Romeo.

"Yes, Konrad, the first part of the journey will be by sea. So, we will leave soon, and we come to say goodbye," Alexa gave a hopeful smile. "I'm sure we will be back soon, maybe even before the summer. And these skirmishes among your neighbors will not really disturb our kingdoms, I'm hopeful about it."

~ Yes, tell him it won't be this time that he will debut his new armor, ~ Alexander asked, and Alexa did that. The comment made the Duke grin,

"I hope so! And it reminds me of something. Come on, Blue Chest, let's see something I wanted to show you a long time ago! Come on, Princess!" opening the cage and waiting for Romeo to climb on his finger, he turned and the Princess followed him, curious.

They entered a room next to the Duke's room, and she soon realized it was her private armory. It wasn't exaggerated like Magnus', but Konrad went over to a sheet covering a mannequin, and disclosed it with pomp,

"Voilá!"

Alexa looked with fascination at the armor with the von Wuttenfal coat of arms. Not resisting, she touched the pieces, observing the exotic manufacture. She found the chain mail very light, as well as the outer armor plates. The silver tone of the metal was slightly pink, and the ornaments had an intricate but unknown pattern to the maiden. Beside Konrad's armor, bigger and with the coat of arms of his father's family, it was clear that it was a gift for Alexander.

"Did you like it, Alexander?" Konrad did not hide the pride that he had surprised and impressed his cousin.

~ Was it your Danish blacksmith who did this? ~ Alexander asked and Alexa tried to quickly interpret the question. Konrad nodded,

"Yes, with the same secret league that he brought from his land. While nobody cares about the ballasts of the sh.i.p.s," explained the duke, turning to Alexa, "my smith comes from a family that discovered a type of metal extracted from the 'granite' that the Danes normally use as a counterweight in their boats. The process is secret and time consuming, but it produces this light and resistant metal when added to ordinary steel."

~ Reserved for the Duke's family only! ~ Alexander completed, but was thrilled, trilling loudly.

"But now you have one of those too, Zand," Konrad spoke with a big smile and bright eyes. The Princess perceived the genuine joy of giving and all the effort, not to mention the value of such armor. Alexander was effusive in thanking, and she literally delivered all of his messages.

~ I will be back soon to use it. Keep it safe, Kontze old man. ~ After flying around his best friend, the nightingale flew out of the room's window, in daring acrobatics. Konrad went to the window to observe, and Alexa in turn, observed the Duke.

She had no doubt that, at least unilaterally, that was love.

°°°

After quick goodbyes and lots of advice from the oldest of the Von Wuttenfal, the group left for the port. They were supposed to arrive about two hours before dark, and if they were lucky, they would embark on the Lake or another ship heading west.

Alexa for the first time was so aware of how short the time was between day and night. She did not yearn to return to the tower or Holstein at dusk, but she was doomed to it. They left at full speed, and the maiden was sure that the only reason they were doing so was because Prince Magnus knew she would lose consciousness at the end of the blue hour.

The poor nightingale suffered during the ride, hidden among her clothes. While the Prince's men negotiated what was necessary, Alexa and Magnus were in a tavern, waiting.

The little bird looked dizzy, and Alexander did not respond to calls. Alexa gave him water and small pieces of bread, but it was no use. The Princess exchanged concerned looks at the First Prince, not knowing what to do.

At this moment, a woman stopped beside them, placing the beer mug and water jug ​​in front of the Prince, leaning respectfully. But the Prince's eyes followed the movement and Alexa did the same, facing the generous neckline where the girl's b.r.e.a.s.ts, like two plump mounds, firm and provocative, stood out with a thin layer of sweat and a wooden crucifix. Looking up, the Princess saw that the plebeian was a sensual and opulent woman with black hair and green eyes, a little older than she was, perhaps.

Alexa narrowed her eyes, that tavern maid had everything she thought was beautiful and didn't have: she was tall and with wide h.i.p.s, and her body looked like an hourglass. It did not escape him that the Prince, that lecherous dog, sat up straighter and turned his face to look at Romeo, leaving his beautiful, arrogant profile to be admired. But the tavern-keeper stopped beside Alexa,

"Your bird! This poor guy needs help! Milady, he will die if he doesn't get help!"

"D-do you know what to do?" The maiden asked in astonishment, and the innkeeper nodded. She took a sip of the water and, waiting no longer, she reclined on the table, holding the nightingale more carefully. Opening her mouth, she breathed close to Romeo's spout, steadily. Alexa noticed that the bird seemed to be more alert. Or was it because of the sight of the lips curved towards him?

Then, the strange tavern-keeper placed the enchanted nightingale between her b.r.e.a.s.ts, again taking a deep breath, while explaining,

"I have many birds. This nightingale is dizzy and bewildered. But he can calm down if he has a guide, like your heart beating calmly. He'll be fine soon. He needs moisture and peace for his little head to work. Are you okay, pretty bird? Aw, you pretty boy! Cute cute boy!" she stroked Romeo's head as she cradled him between her b.r.e.a.s.ts. Apparently the remedy was doing the bird a lot of good, and it still gave the excuse for Magnus to stare at the scene and the prominent mounds that the girl highlighted with a tight bodice.

When Alexa looked sideways, the First Prince was hiding his laughter with his fist close to his mouth, pretending to be distracted, but looking closely at Romeo's "cure".

Alexa leaned forward, angry,

"I bet you wanted to be there too, right, Prince Magnus?!"