Chapter 260 - Innocence

"Here!"

Alexander promptly grabbed the peach Alexa threw at him, rising from the lawn when he saw her.

Birds sang and the scent of camellias and roses filled the air. The bright afternoon was conducive to being outside the castle, and Alexa regretted not having done this before.

"Thank you!"

"I thought you might like some company from the living ones, for a change ..." she said, looking at the papers scattered where he had been sitting. Alexander looked over his shoulder, too.

"I was drawing. I like to do this while I'm thinking… "

Alexa didn't know much about Alexander. But she recollected some facts and tried to start a light conversation.

"Your father once said that you have beautiful handwriting ..."

The new Duke's gaze wandered for a moment in memory, and turned to her with a smile. Alexa had her teeth stuck in her own peach, and for the first time she noticed Alexander was becoming different from her. Manlier, yet still youthful.

"I miss that man… Ahh Alexa…" He sighed "Yes, I'm glad you came to see me. I miss you too. "

"Hm ... If you didn't cheat on us..."

"Don't be unfair. You are no saint either, remember? You missed your chance to be beatified recently."

"Uggh!" Alexa shrugged at the memory. They tried to kill her to produce a saint. 

Alexander took a small dagger from his clothes and methodically began to peel the fruit. Alexa immediately remembered Magnus' narrative and shivered, but Alexander just looked up from the fruit for a moment and smiled again, knowing he was observed.

"Do you miss the wind hitting your face, the feeling of movement, and the joy and surprise when looking into the only bowl of food…? Rather than sending untouched dishes back to the kitchen? " He started eating thin slices of the fruit, looking at her and waiting a reaction.

"Hm ..." she pondered for a moment, knowing that yes, she really wasn't adapting so well to live the life of a noblewoman without much to do but wait for a baby for nine months. Magnus still hadn't made up his mind about letting her be part of the Intelligence Elite. He hadn't said either yes or no.

Finally, without finding a way to lie about it to someone who knew her so well, she nodded.

"Through you, I remembered what living was like." Alexander's simple, clear sentence impressed her.

She didn't know exactly what he meant by that, but before she could ask, he gestured with his hand,

"Come. The tank is full of fish, and the fountain has been cleaned up. You'll like to see it."

She followed him, still amazed that he was in a good mood. Alexander was saying,

"You can use my horses and most of my things. If you prefer to go to Ashgraufelsen and enjoy spring in the mountains, where you can stay away from the court, just do it as you wish... I think it would be a good idea. Your baby must be born in a von Wuttenfal home ... The royal midwife is very experienced and there is no one more impartial in the whole kingdom ... You know, it doesn't even matter that you are the son of a commoner AND witch ... If you are given birth in her hands and born to live, you will live! " Another disconcerting smile, and Alexa got dizzy thinking about that future, and all the court intrigues about the birth of her baby, just waiting to happen. 

She didn't know what to say or what to think about this matter with Alexander. Why did he seem to accept everything with such patience and understanding?

Suddenly, a thought fell on his head like a turtle from the sky.

'Of course! He cannot possibly have heirs! It's the only explanation!'

They passed through part of the labyrinth and reached the gazebo with the statue. A little further on, there was a fish tank and a small fountain with a newt, spouting water. 

"Did you notice that the water flows smoothly through the tank? It comes from the aqueduct and then goes to some chores in the castle," he informed, pointing to the crystal clear water where the fish swam.

The pleasant sound of the water was soothing and she watched the fish evolve in silence, next to Alexander.

Alexa had many questions, but that was not what she had come for.

"Again, thank you for coming, Alexa," the sudden comment startled her. Was he able to read minds? She had no way of knowing, and it made her uneasy.

"I figured it must be a little boring to be alone for so long."

"I find it annoying not to have many people to share this radiant day with. Ephemeral things that are seen and felt only once," he got rid of his shoes in an instant, plunging his feet into the tank with an expression of ecstasy. Alexa was jealous.

"What are you waiting for? This delicious water running through your fingers will not pass twice here! Most experiences of a lifetime cannot be experienced in the same way in another, can they? Knowing this, humans cling to their lives with nails and teeth ... Without knowing that the beauty of living is to experience, not to keep. Poor fool, he who speaks to you! "

'Is this something aimed at me?' she wondered. "Also… Isn't he clinging to life?"

But she took off her shoes and raised her dress a little, joined Alexander, walking on the rocks at the bottom of the tank and feeling the running water reach her knees.

At first she squealed with satisfaction, the water was colder than she imagined.

Alexander laughed.

"Of all the people, I wouldn't have imagined you silly squealing because of some cold water."

"Don't be rude, I am a girl after all! I am a fragile flower, too!"

He laughed again, and in an unexpected movement, hit his hand in the water, making a bow of water that hit Alexa in full. She had tried to swerve, but she didn't have time.

"What?!"

"Haha ha!" he just laughed at Alexa's outraged and surprised expression. The princess narrowed her eyes, and loosening the hem of her dress, she did the same and splashed Alexander with water, with a feeling of enormous satisfaction to wet him by surprise too.

They engaged in a silly chase, spreading water as they tried to wet each other, amid laughter and silly threats.

Alexander stopped first, making a truce signal and looking in one direction.

Magnus let himself be seen. 

Alexa noticed immediately that Magnus was furious. She let her hands fall to her sides, still standing in the fish pond beside Alexander.

This day was the last day she saw Alexander, on this side of life.