Chapter 120 - Matters Of Precedence (2)
?I hope my Lady will forgive ,? the maid whispers. Her apologising expression is rather believable.
?I should have figured,? I shrug. ?You won't follow my orders if the Lord said you not to. His influence is way more powerful than mine.?
?It's not like that, my Lady,? she continues. ?My duty is to protect my Lady right now. Unless it is revoked by the Lord, I can't follow orders that go against that goal. Even from the Lord.?
?So, you're not doing it because you were told not to leave alone.?
?No, my Lady.?
?What if I follow you, though??
?In that case, I'll gladly comply,? she nods, suddenly relieved.
She seems truly unhappy to be prevented from doing what I said.
It's funny to see how she's all worked up, while Patricia simply rejected my orders without too many comnts.
?I'm not as unreasonable as I look,? I chuckle, and the maid relaxes her shoulders.
?I wouldn't dare to imply anything, my Lady.?
?Well, we can go find the Lord together later. Now, I'll rest for a while. You can sit too, there's no need to stand in a corner in the middle of the night. Please, take a seat on the sofa...?
I settle on the armchair and close my eyes for a mont.
When I can't stay still anymore, I jump up. I collect my papers and so books from the shelf, and I reach the door.
?Let's go, then,? I voice.
In front of the Lord's office, the maid stops.
?What is it, now?? I inquire.
?You'll be safe in there, my Lady. Do you need to follow??
?Oh, no, it's fine. You can go rest,? I mutter, confused.
?Thank you, my Lady.?
She runs away with her short, fast steps, and I walk in the office, forgetting to knock.
?Oh, sorry!? I exclaim when I realise my mistake. I was so lost in my thoughts.
Alexander lifts his head from the papers and stares at .
?Thea,? he says while getting up. It's the first ti I see him working. It's so weird, seeing him actually sitting behind a desk.
I step in and close the door. Then, I lean the books on the couch and walk to Alexander with my tentative letters. I place them in front of him, in the corner of the desk, and I sit on a chair nearby.
?These are so ssages I'd like to send to my diplomatic contacts,? I explain.
?Are you asking to proofread?? he inquires. ?I'm sure my Duchess doesn't make mistakes, though.?
?It's not very urgent, but I'd appreciate it if you decide by the end of the day.?
?Wait, are you asking to approve your correspondence?? he mutters. ?Thea, co here.?
I circle around the desk and stop by his side.
?Yes??
?Thea,? he sighs, ?I don't need to read your letters. Even more, if they're private.?
?Oh, there's nothing too personal in there.?
?Aren't you at least a bit troubled by this, though??
?What do you an?? I ask, narrowing my eyes. ?I really didn't write anything amiss. There isn't any secret code, nor disappearing ink.?
?That's not what I was implying.?
?I'm not stupid, Alexander. I wouldn't risk being exposed by you. I an, you're proficient at deciphering...?
?Wait, what do you an by that? Also, you're assuming that I want to control you so much.?
?Isn't that the case??
?No,? he shrugs. ?You have the right to think, speak and write the way you want. I just can't grant you freedom because I don't want to exchange it with your safety.?
?Are you sure you don't want to read them?? I ask, just to be sure.
?Only if you want to.?
?It sounds like a trap.?
?There isn't any trap set for my wife,? he chuckles.
He signals to sit on his lap, and he leans his chin on my shoulder. I can read the stuff he was doing, like this, but he doesn't seem to care.
?I don't have anything to hide from you,? I voice.
?All right,? he sighs.
His bandaged hand is on the desk, while the other moves on my belly. His arm encircles , and his fingers grab my hip and rest there.
?I don't need to read your letters,? he starts. ?It's enough that you stay by my side and don't run away from the guards. Do not be alone, not even an instant, until we solve this matter for good.?
All right, that I can do.
?I'm not trying to protect myself from you, Thea. It's the opposite: you're the one in danger, here.?
?Then, you won't stop if I try sothing, right??
?What are you going to do??
?I'll ask lady Elisabeth to co to visit,? I whisper. ?Not just her, it would be too suspicious. I'll write to a bunch of ladies that attended the tea party at the court. I need them as witnesses.?
?No way,? he exclaims. ?You can't do that!?
?You just said that you don't want to control ,? I point out.
?Thea, there is so difference between control and protectiveness. I won't let you act as bait. You don't need to endanger yourself more than this.?
?Co on,? I whisper.
?No way.?
?Why are you so stern?? I ask, pouting my lips.
Seeing no reaction on Alexander's face, I try hugging him. It doesn't help.
After collecting all the strength and firmness I have, I clench my fists and straighten my back.
?Co on, hubby,? I try again. My cheeks turn red and hot, my breath becos difficult, and my back sweats out of embarrassnt.
Yet, Alexander's face becos surprised and secretly happy. He's trying to hide it, but he's content with my words.
Thank goodness, it took so much to voice those five letters.
?What have you just said?? he mutters, this fox.
?Hu-hu...? I try, but I can't finish the word. It's too much. I don't like calling people nas.
?You can do it,? he cheers on.
Now that he's looking at like this, I can't back away. I'm definitely dumb. I should have stayed quiet, or maybe found a way to make him accept with so wily technique.
?Hu... Hubby!? I breathe.
My voice is so low that I'm not sure it counts as said. However, Alexander doesn't ask to repeat. He just smirks and pecks my temple.
?You rarely called husband,? he chuckles. ?I thought I wouldn't hear you this informal.?
?I've never called you husband, actually,? I point out.
?Oh, right,? he nods. ?I must be confusing you with soone else.?
What? Who else?
He seems to be enjoying my frown very much.
?Hear this,? he whispers, and he presses my palm on his chest.
His heart is pounding fast, and I can't help but blush again.
?I'm so happy, Thea,? he reveals.
?So, will?you let do as I want?? I mutter fast.
?How can I say no to my wife?? he replies.
Aweso. A few words are enough to make an idiot out of a war commander.
Whatever, as long as I got my permission. I'm not sure my Duke realised what he just agreed to.
?Will you help , though?? I continue.
Alexander nods again. My hand is still on his chest.
I thought he was always calm and had everything under control. I couldn't imagine that his heart could race like this.
?I'm glad,? I voice. ?I have the best husband in the world.?
As an effect of my words, his heart skips a beat. The rhythm becos crazy once again, and I press my hand more. Without moving it away, I land my lips on his, and I close my eyes, focusing.
All of a sudden, I feel so powerful. My presence can influence my husband. I can make his body react to , and I can change his mood and emotions.
?Alexander, I feel weird,? I whisper.
?Weird like what?? he inquires. I can sense a trace of worry, but he doesn't want to annoy with his attention.
?Like when you asked to undress,? I confess. ?I feel wrong and right at the sa ti.?
?There's nothing wrong with you, Thea. You don't have to do anything you don't want to, and I'll help you with all the rest.?
?But I want to pay you back. I'm always on the receiving end,? I realise. ?Let settle this matter with the assassin. I'll bring you at least one of the Grahm's heads on a silver platter.?
?My vengeful Duchess turns on so much,? he whispers to my ear.
?Then, I'll be vengeful more often.?
?Mhm, that would be too dangerous...?
?Don't be this fussy, hubby,? I voice.
His heart returns to its acrobatics under my hand, and I smile cunningly. I've just discovered a powerful weapon, and I can't afford to overuse it now.
It might co in handy in the future.
However, I can't resist and peck his happy grin.
?You can do better than just telling , though,? I explain.
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