Chapter 256 - The True Plague Doctor is a Handsome Upir

"I am the one who can really understand you, accept you as you are. And you can understand me too. I know you hold a grudge right now ... but take my words into consideration," he stroked her fingers for a moment and then withdrew his, looking at her deeply.

They were eyes with an overwhelming, frightening depth. Eyes of someone who had seen too much in this world and beyond. Alexander had no innocence, as the voice Alexa heard in her mind in the past made her believe.

Alexander's gaze trapped Alexa for a moment and then blinked, lowering hers.

"II ... I have some questions to ask ... about you."

"About me?" He showed his surprise. "Totally about me?"

"Yes. Who are you? What do you remember? Are the legends real?"

"We will have all winter for these questions," he smiled showing the dimples. "I'm awestruck because you ask more questions now than you ever have before!"

Alexa blushed. "I did not have time…!" she tried to justify herself.

"I wouldn't have those answers either, but the Alexander I once was would have been thrilled to know. I mean, that you were interested in the person he was... And maybe you could have had interesting answers from him too. We won't ever know, though..."

"Yes… I realize my mistakes now. I always thought I would have time to do things later. As if there was always tomorrow ..."

"There is always tomorrow _ for immortals ... But not everything can be postponed."

°°°

Alexander-Orcaius was really deep, and being close to him made Alexa feel like a foolish child. Even hours after she spoke to him in the garden, his words still echoed in her mind. 

She was getting ready for dinner, and in a way, feeling small, empty, and useless. 

Alexa looked at herself in the mirror, while Maria rummaged through the princess' jewelry boxes to choose a piece of jewelry consistent with mourning, but that showed the power of the von Wuttenfal family.

The courtiers and ministers were doing their best to transform the transition of power after Gutard's death, and to cover up all internal problems while they were not resolved. 

Delegations from other kingdoms arrived for the coronation of Holstein's new Sovereign Prince, and this could be vital to the kingdom's recovery. The war to the east was becoming an even bigger problem than the Duke of Burgundy's advance from the west had been. 

Burgundy's claims to power were crushed in consecutive defeats, but the kingdom was facing problems from the Poles' attack. Alexa had heard that the Danes secretly financed the Poles ventures against Holstein. It had all started because of Baron Florian. But now, Alexa wondered if the Baron had come intending to create hostility, since the beginning, also financed by Cordelia's father.

Alexa even wondered if her presence was not controversial, but Countess Godiva had explained that they would have to test the reactions to find out. The Countess had decided to stay to help Magnus in these dire times. And Alexa was grateful to have advice from a person as sensible and smart as Godiva.

"These beautiful earrings… I don't remember seeing them before! And ... Oh! What a beautiful tiara, Your Highness!" Maria exclaimed, looking in fascinated amazement at the new objects. Alexa bit her lip, worried. At that moment, she couldn't even say that she had been gifted by Magnus!

"Ah… These are jewels that have been kept for some reason. Maybe I should just wear small earrings and this swan-shaped brooch?"

Maria nodded and began to carefully guard the other jewels, when Bertha announced that Iacintho wanted to see the Princess, with a confused and restless expression.

Alexa imagined that the head of the maids was like that because of her brother's singular countenance. She wondered if it could cause problems in the future, and hoped it wouldn't.

Iacintho was dressed in the western way, and it was an impressive sight indeed!

Alexa got up when she saw him. Even in the lair of the Volos lich, he had a neat and composed appearance, as if maintaining hygiene was a way of maintaining sanity and routine. Considering the nature of the living dead, of course.

But with new clothes and a _ almost unheard of _ slight smile on his face, she would say that he really was a man of singular beauty and an erudite l.u.s.ter. Iacintho's beautiful long dark hair gleamed with a l.u.s.trous shine, and his eyes, resembling Alexa's, had the color of a spring night, crowned by long and well-shaped brows. "Brother, your presence makes me so happy!"

"I was told that maybe I could see her before dinner, Alexa," he looked around, noticing the people in the room. Alexa turned around, to dismiss everyone, but stopped when she saw Maria gaping at Iacintho, as if she no longer could blink! 

'How fickle! Two days ago she was all excited because of Konrad!' Looking back at her brother, the princess saw that he too followed Alexa's gaze to Maria. 

"Why, I see that they don't know each other. Maria, this is my older brother. He arrived with Prince Magnus, a few days ago. Brother, meet my friend Maria Wemmel, one of the kindest people I know."

He looked away at Alexa, with what his sister thought was 'a funny face' and which left her apprehensive at the same time.

"Kindness is clearly not the only attribute of Lady Wemmel," he commented elegantly. 

Alexa gaped. Iacintho never seemed to care about civilities or courtesy, because he only cared about books and occults. He didn't even care about people much, as far as she remembered. And suddenly... She found out he knew how to get elegant words out of his mouth. Courteous words capable of making Maria even more agitated and unable to hide a fat -dimpled smile!

"Ah, I'm not witnessing this! No, please!" she exclaimed, placing her hand over her mouth afterward. Iacintho put his hands behind his back, averting his gaze, and Maria grabbed her skirts with her fists closed, her face as red as an apple!

"Alexa! There's nothing to witness! If you just forgot all the education you should have received at the convent, I remember my father's teaching! Don't be rude! I just ... I can't help praising Lady Wemmel. You told me she's a kind noblewoman with solid principles, who ignores the baseless backbiting against you!"

"Ah! Lord Dallassenos? I'm a little confused, I'm sorry. I was told that the Princess's other brother is called Narses Dallassenos, even though I met the princess as Lady Saskia ..." Maria had not yet recovered. "I appreciate the undeserved praise. But I may leave you alone..." 

"It's not necessary, Lady Wemmel. My affair with my sister is not private... It's a favor that I ask." 

"Uhn?"

"Alexa ..." this time Iacintho looked only at her, and returned to his usual professorial tone. "I visited some places in the city and heard from Doctor Rosencrantz about the disease that spread through the capital. Although the most serious outbreak is over, some parts of the city still need care, so that it doesn't happen again..."

"And something can be done about it?"

"Yes, or I wouldn't be talking to you, airhead!" he crossed his arms and frowned. 

Not even a pretty girl could take Iacintho out of his usual concentration with enigmas involving death and illness, apparently. Alexa took a deep breath, relieved.

"And what can I do about it?"

"Put me in touch with the chief physician of the kingdom. I have a plan, and Doctor Rosencrantz can help, too."

"Can you solve the plague problem?" The two women asked, in unison, and with hopeful smiles. 

"If nothing else escapes where it should keep locked, yes, I can," he spoke with confidence.

Alexa was not sure about that, since there was still a door to be opened.