Chapter 240 - Gutard's Last Wish

Alexa swallowed, feeling all the hate of Cordelia emanating in her direction.

"I really wanted to like you, Alexa. But you decided to steal my husband as soon as you laid eyes on him, didn't you?"

"It wasn't exactly like that. If you remember, he was quite unpleasant toward us…" Alexa tried to defend herself, but she was aware that she was being ridiculous and hypocritical.

"Cordelia, at the very least these are past and unimportant issues close to what I'm asking you to do! You just need to meet with the Hansa leaders and say you are not a hostage. Or, if you think so, tell me! I help you get back to your home! Isn't that what I wanted to do as soon as we arrived? When were we still friends? I didn't want you to get hurt. I don't want anyone to get hurt! If you want to come home, I'll help you, huh? I promise! You just need to…"

"Let the Hansa leaders know it was all a sad misunderstanding? That Holstein was just battling witches, and that my father's claims are lies, isn't that?"

Alexa nodded. Cordelia leaned over, touching her face with a cold, bony hand, in a parody of affection that Alexa endured, trying to suppress a shiver of disgust,

"Alexa… So are you telling me that Holstein's fate is in my hands? That I can prevent this kingdom from being expelled from the Hansa League, losing its only use? That I could help free the man who humiliated me so many times; the man who tossed me aside for you? That I would save the kingdom, in two different ways?"

Alexa tried to pull her face away, but Cordelia grabbed it with both hands,

"Are you begging for the life of the man you once said you despised? The man who humiliated you? The man you seduced...?

Alexa's fists tightened in defense, but she stopped herself. Princess Consort had all these things choked in her throat and had waited a long time to vomit it in her face.

"Cordelia. I don't know how long your mother had this idea of ​​marrying you to Letitia's son. And whatever purposes she had with that. It would undoubtedly be easier if you wanted it, and you were deceived by all kinds of fantasies... But Cordelia! This marriage had a nasty purpose! Now you are no longer a pawn in your mother's plans... You are free!"

"Now am I a part in the plans of that murderer of women? Or Duke Kurt's plans? Or the di Borghesi's? And how shameless you are… I am a pawn even in your plans, Alexa… You want me to help free Magnus so he comes back and you become his lover! Not me, his savior! You!"

Alexa pushed Cordelia's hands and stood up.

"I came here willing to beg for your help. And I even accept that many of the things you said to me are just and deserved. About your marriage ... I interfered, with no intention of harming you, but maybe I was one factor making Magnus beg his father not to marry you. Or maybe it was his pride, or the instinct that something was not going well ... But I was wrong in several ways. For many of these things, I regretted it. And for others, I don't regret it. So, I'm not here to ask for forgiveness. I'm here to ask: please do something! If you say you can't, or you don't want to ... I'll look for another way. But I won't waste my time, nor yours, in this unproductive conversation."

"I don't believe in your shamelessness!" Cordelia opened her mouth wide, showing her irritated shock.

"Do you have any reason to not interfere? Or do you just not want to? Do you think you can't? Do you think they won't allow you? Or will you simply not do it because you want to take revenge on those who offended you? That's your choice tonight, Cordelia," Alexa winced, trying not to let any tears fall.

Tears streamed down the other princess's face, however,

"DAMN YOU! I HATE YOU!"

"We are past that moment, Cordelia. I don't hate you. I want your help. I want to help you do that. And if nothing else interests you in that matter, I can only promise what I have. I owe you a favor for that, a favor as big as my life. Help free the prisoners quickly, without shame on either side."

Cordelia looked at her, and wiped her face with the back of her hand, abruptly.

"Get out of here. I will do what I can. But now, I don't want to see your face."

ººº

Both Duke Kurt and Father Agnello were in favor of Alexa's idea. Gutard was weakened that night and just waved his disapproval with a gesture. But they all came together in arguments about why it was important for the Hansa League to accept the legitimacy of the marriage between Cordelia and Gutard, and that she wasn't a hostage.

Gutard just snarled, seeking strength,

"Cordelia! If you want to go ... Take everything that is yours, the sh.i.p.s, the gold and every hairpin and ribbon you brought to this house... But my son doesn't need you. We don't need Hansa, if they act like wolves... Your father should not be feared. He must be killed." His breath was faulty and his voice, trembling, but he managed to keep his commanding stance even bedridden.

In her bones Alexa felt ashamed for doubting Magnus for an instant.

Cordelia shivered in a corner.

The room was filled with the man's frustration at being disabled and tied to a bed. Alexa could practically feel him choke with anger and pain.

"Egon is having difficulties in the east, and we suspect that our enemies are receiving secret support from the Danes, my brother. Things have become more difficult than we imagined. Magnus needs to return and we must be patient with Hansa right now," Kurt spoke appropriately, and Gutard howled, cursing everyone around him, sending everyone away. 

Kurt turned and left the room, followed by the others. 

Alexa was going to do the same when Gutard ordered her to stay.

"Alexa ... Get closer."

The Princess obeyed, realizing that Ceridom, who had just entered again afterwards, stayed away near the open door.

"Your Highness, are you feeling bad? Ceridom is here ..." This time, however, she had a strange feeling.

"I feel like a child who cannot decide his own destiny. Lying, useless..."

She understood what he meant. One day, a man so strong and powerful, even juggling death, conquering supernatural enemies, making strange pacts and not paying them… The next day, his strength is pulled out in one of his most noble gestures. Alexa felt a lump in her throat, and held the Prince's hand.

Death took everything of human's hands.

"I think there must be some reason for that, dear father-in-law. I was afraid of your plans and your decisions, but now I understand better..."

"Do you understand? Pretty little thing… I see, you understand. I also see I won't have much more time ... I listened to the prophecy, and I chose the weaker one... But can you save them both?"

Alexa also knew that. He chose Alexander because he believed his youngest was the weakest under a curse. He was a father, and he knew there was something wrong with Alexander. Deluded by Sigrid, as he was by 'Gigi', his love and Orcaius worshipper, he never imagined that his son was Orcaius himself. But Alexa remembered how Gutard loved Alexander.

She wiped the tears from her eyes with her free hand, saying in a choked voice,

"So is it Magnus's turn? What can I do for him?"

"Get the monster out of him..."

Gutard wheezed with great difficulty. Alexa ran her hand over her forehead in filial affection, trying to ease her suffering.

"I can't wait any longer..." His eyes turned to Alexa, letting her see he was at the limit of his strength. 

"Oh Your Highness, I'm sorry!" 

"I just wanted to hug my kids..."

Alexa leaned over, trying to give him some last comfort, and whispered in his ear, tenderly,

"Your first grandchild will be born soon… Life always wins, big man."

Gutard squeezed her hand slightly, and his eyes gleamed.

The light in them went off, then, and Alexa saw his Shade, briefly.

Gutard went to the Path toward his Trial without looking back once, with courage and conviction. Perhaps comforted by her words. She wouldn't ever know.

A hideous scream echoed from behind the walls, a crescendo as if coming in that direction at great speed. 

The candles flickered and extinguished at once, and the great chandelier quaked and fell from the bedroom ceiling with a loud crash.

Alexa still held Gutard's hand, and cringed, waiting for the Shades' fury to pass. In terrifying flashes, the room was filled with them, including the Queens.

Their wailings and cries became loud and Alexa covered her ears with her hands, feeling her palms sting and bleed, but no Light came out of them.

"AHHH! Back off, back off!"

What did they want? His body?! Why so furious?! Were they furious because he escaped the fate of being chained to the castle? Alexa didn't know.

She heard Blue Eyes' authoritative voice, proclaiming exorcism rites. She also heard Duke Kurt shouting, but she didn't understand what he was saying, only the cacophony of wailing and howling, interrupted by Father Agnelo's effort to banish the spirits.

When everything was over, the room was in darkness, and the only light came from the door through which some people had entered. 

Alexa was grabbed by the arm, and abruptly pushed away from the bed. She realized that Father Agnelo was the first to reach the body of the Sovereign Prince, and concluded that Duke Kurt was the one who gripped her wrist. 

She didn't react, she had no reason to fear him.

People rushed into the room, opening the windows and bringing candles.

"He's gone," said Blue Eyes, looking at Gutard's brother with a respectful and sad countenance. 

Kurt left Alexa and went to the bed, looking at his brother's body with respect. Alexa's hands dripped blood. But now it was over.

Then the Duke turned to Alexa, with a bitter and accusing look,

"You killed the Bishop, didn't you? The Bishop, and now, my brother..."

"No…" Alexa didn't like to see Kurt von Wuttenfal glaring at her with absolute disdain, his lips quivering,

"GUARDS! ARREST THE WITCH!"