Chapter 132 - Alexa's Funeral

The news that Cordelia was organizing the funeral of Princess Alexa, that is, Lex, was like a poisonous sting right in the chest.

"Is she doing this?"

"Yes, listen to the cathedral chimes," Balbo signaled to the air, and Lex could hear, now that he was paying attention, the cathedral chime playing funeral announcements.

"His Majesty will not be returning tonight, and yet is she doing that?" Lex knew that the trip to Konrad's lands took almost all day.

The warrior just said, "I couldn't say, Your Highness, but I think it is unlikely. Border attack issues are often too important to be overlooked by a military leader like His Majesty."

"And where is Father Agnello?"

"I think he left a message for you. I haven't seen him since the morning," replied Balbo promptly.

"Your Highness, please eat. Your recovery has only been possible because of your effort to eat well," Helga asked nicely, offering a cup of milk, and Lex almost squeezed Alexander's maid's cheeks for it. Her caring and concerned look was the most maternal thing he had received since the death of his own mother, when he was four years old. And the nanny thought Alexander's sudden appetite was an effect of his sudden and weird disease!

"Helga, how can I eat when my ... Stepmother, organized a funeral for Alexa?"

"Rumors have been running for a few days, Your Highness. Some say your wife was a spy who tried to send a signal across the lighthouse to her allies in a flotilla. That Prince Magnus wiped out the entire operation to invade our capital and killed your wife. Another rumor is that she went to meet her real fiance, a Knight of the Crusades, to flee to England. But then Prince Magnus intercepted them before they entered the ship, dueled with the knight and killed them both for their audacity," informed Helga.

"Crusades? Do people here still believe there are Crusades? I am sorry to report, but Christians have lost much more than Jerusalem in recent years. I don't doubt that they will ever lose Constantinople…" Lex exclaimed, surprised at the creativity of Holstein's rumors. It wasn't hard to conclude that the clinking of gold in the right hands had created all of this. "And what a ridiculous thing! The person who created these rumors certainly wants to make my brother a hero, and… my wife, a vile woman!"

"Your Highness, since your wife arrived at this court, as a destitute but very fascinating Lady, she has extinguished the shine of any other woman who lived here or had arrived, like a comet crossing the skies! No wonder it caused so many rumors and so much envy," said the woman, from the height of her wisdom. "If only the Princess could return ..."

"Yes, I will have dinner! And then I'll take a closer look at what my stepmother is doing!" Lex interrupted her, so as not to have to explain his 'wife'. His resolute expression caused concern in both his maid and his faithful warrior.

"Your Highness, don't expose yourself, it can be a decoy ..." warned Balbo.

Lex took a deep breath. Yes, maybe she hasn't been as smart lately as she thought she was. 

"What would you do in my place, Balbo?"

The Castilian looked at the horizon, thoughtful for a brief moment, before saying,

"Just take the necessary precautions to be in control tonight. In addition, I recommend positioning yourself in agreement with Your Majesty. As he cannot be found in Holstein tonight ... Let me prepare everything for us to meet Prince Gutard secretly."

Lex smiled. The idea was excellent, indeed. 

ººº

Following the main hall where the court met, Lex was led by Balbo and Bastien to the upper balcony. Even at a distance from the center of the hall, where the flower-adorned coffin was exposed, it was possible to feel the suffocating mixture of daffodils, lilies and incense, masking the odor of decay. 

They had found, or worse, produced, a corpse to represent Alexa.

Lex closed his eyes for a moment, trying to control his anger.

Her mother and her little court made company to Princess Cordelia, near the bier, with rosaries in hand. The courtiers were around, in groups chatting softly, and only the sound of whispers and rosaries beads hitting each other was heard. Lex didn't see Father Agnello anywhere, and that worried her.

With a signal from Lex, the two bodyguards went downstairs, and they sent a messenger to Princess Cordelia. Lex watched as the page reached the princess with deference, and handed over the note.

Cordelia discreetly turned her head towards the gallery, and although the 'Prince' could not see her eyes under the veil of mourning, he knew that she sought to identify the figure that summoned her, in the darkness. After whispering to his mother and nun Ludovica, Cordelia walked away discreetly, as the note asked, and came to the balcony.

"My congratulations on your marriage to my father," said Lex, trying to be as 'von Wuttenfal' as possible when Cordelia approached him.

The only lighting in the gallery was on the stairs and only the light coming from the large candle chandeliers in the hall illuminated the place. Cordelia had trouble walking there, but Lex was used to it.

"Thank you, Alexander. It is a pity to meet again in such a situation," Cordelia's voice was not steady. She was scared, Lex thought.

"Indeed. I wonder why you made such a decision as your first act as the sovereign's wife," Lex asked, impressing cynicism on his speech as soon as she reached his side on the gallery's bal.u.s.trade.

"W-what? Are you talking about the funeral of Lady… Princess Alexa?"

"What else would you be talking about, dear stepmother?"

"Is that ... They found the princess's body near the lighthouse and ..."

"Who says you can do the public ritual and announce the death of a princess, in the absence of my father?" Lex was being harsh and threatening, as he could barely contain his anger at the situation. But more than that, he needed to prevent Cordelia from starting to take irreversible action later.

"But…! Please be understanding, Prince Alexander. Although I don't understand the reasons you can't go public, I couldn't leave the person who saved my life, unburied!" Cordelia defended herself, whimpering. "I am surprised, in fact. That person also saved your life! Please be grateful, regardless of your reasons for so much indifference, allow others to express the pain of losing such a generous person!"

Lex was always surprised how, when pressed, Cordelia managed to be so eloquent. And if she didn't know, how Cordelia's mother treated her on her own wedding day, she would almost believe the de Wits really had some gratitude in their hearts. Lex had given up hope on that,

"I don't believe in this pathetic act, so spare your voice and my ears."

"...!"

Lex ignored the startled look and turned to look again at the people around the coffin that contained a poor girl with no identity. He felt his face against the candlelight being scrutinized for answers.

"Alexander, your coldness surprises me. Everyone told me you were the sweetest, kindest and most lovable of the von Wuttenfal. I am disappointed with the reality and that you turn your back on a person who only tried to do good," insisted Cordelia, like an older sister talking to an annoying little brother.

"Dear Cordelia, you should already know that the von Wuttenfal differ greatly from what portraits paint, and sing the bards."

"In fact, it's something I am learning," said the princess, with a bitter tone in her voice.

"If you want to do any good for my wife, listen to me carefully: go back and say that you have doubts about the identity of the body. And more than that, work actively to silence all the bullshit about her death. Stop the slandering. It's what I expect."

"I have no power ..."

"Get it. You must help this house, and you can start by undoing this farce. Accept this as a wedding gift. I'm helping you not to be a laughingstock for the next few days… If that wasn't your idea, be wary of those who put you in such an embarrassing situation."

"Do you mean that Alexa is alive?"

"Even if she were dead, she wouldn't be forgotten in the wilderness to feed the wild beasts..." Lex said that and his mind wandered against his will to the current situation of a certain body in a distant place, and he shivered. "My stepmother, your role is to help my father and this kingdom. If you can do that, I will be your ally and protector… You just have to decide which side you are on now that you are a von Wuttenfal," those were just empty words, of course. And they reminded Lex of all the falsehood of Prince Gutard who only thought of using a Greek girl as a pawn for his purposes. Nothing could sound more like von Wuttenfal than that promise.

Lex left Cordelia and the balcony, and in a few minutes, he was riding out of Holstein towards Würtz. He needed to meet Prince Gutard.