Chapter 182: Concept of Marriage
"I didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t allow
to leave if you knew. Besides, I was worried about Vivian. He instructed
not to tell anyone, so I thought it was for the best—"
"When did you ever include
in your decisions?" Alec snapped before Lauren could finish her explanation. "Have you ever thought of leaning on
for once? You never did. You always think you could do things all by yourself. You think I couldn’t help you!"
She got on her feet; her jaw locked. Her lips parted an inch, but all she could give him was silence. She couldn’t find the right words for a retort because a part of her knew he was right. She used to be independent; she used to do things without having to consult a person first, and she guessed that’s the reason why she was having a hard ti leaning on Alec. It wasn’t that she was underestimating him. It was the belief that she didn’t need him to do things. She also thought he had a lot on his plate already, and by working on her own, she was saving him the burden.
She had never understood the concept of marriage... until now. She wasn’t sure if it was because they started off on the wrong foot, or perhaps her lack of first-hand knowledge of relationships.
But now she understood what marriage entails. It wasn’t about two people working on their own to achieve the sa goal. It was about working with each other, sharing each other’s burdens, and leaning on each other’s strengths. It was an intimate partnership, a union with no lies, no pretensions, no walls.
That’s what she failed to give Alec. She failed to give him transparency and trust. She should have told him about the missive the mont she received it. She should have trusted that he was capable enough to give her a solution. She should have worked with him.
"Did you think I wouldn’t be able to help?" he scoffed. The bitterness in his voice was dripping like acid, it hurt her. "What an irony. You chose to marry
because you thought I was capable enough to shield you against your family, but here you are, doubting my capabilities."
"I am not doubting you. I just thought it was better to deal with it myself because your hands are full with state affairs."
"You think I’d care about the damn state affairs while you are risking your life alone? You forget so easily, Lauren." He shook his head once, his face marred with disappointnt.
She knew what he ant. He had been telling her that there was nothing more important to him than her.
He moved closer, eating up her breathing space and leaving her breathless. His dark, unforgiving gaze held hers like molten iron, blazing with wrath.
"Haven’t I told you the world is your responsibility now? Risk your life once again. Hide things from
again... you’d see how I turn this kingdom you cherish so much into hell."
His threat made her shiver.
"I don’t have plans to hide anything from you from now on," she said in a small voice.
It wasn’t because of his threat. It was because she knew it was the right thing to do. If she wanted this marriage to work, she had to be more considerate of his feelings.
He smirked cruelly. "Aren’t you just saying that because I threatened to ruin this kingdom?"
She cleared her throat, readying herself for the words she was about to say.
"I admit it was my fault. I made a mistake. I thought I was doing the right thing because it was convenient, so I apologize for not telling you... for hiding things we were supposed to solve together. You see, I have no history of relationships. What I know about marriage was only from the materials I read and from what I saw in other people. I didn’t know any better, and I am still trying to get used to this..."
She sighed, relieved that she was finally able to show him that flaw of hers. She tried to shift her gaze away from his, but he held her neck, his thumb on her jaw and the rest of his fingers on her nape. His expression remained grim, but his eyes softened a bit at the vulnerability she showed.
"I know you have been independent your whole life, Lauren, but please rember that you have
now. You cannot just walk down a dangerous path while leaving
in the dark. You are a capable woman and I admire your strengths, but you should allow yourself to be dependent sotis. There is no harm in that," he said so seriously, his voice velvety soft. There was firmness in every word.
She nodded. "I understand now. Marriage is a partnership, an intimate one. I’m sorry for lying and for putting myself in danger without your knowledge."
Alec released a heavy sigh. He pressed his lips on Lauren’s temple, and she closed her eyes for a mont. His scent and warmth put her clouded mind at ease.
"I haven’t told you the whole story yet," she said after a minute of silence between them.
He moved an inch away to find her eyes. "Tell , then."
"I was surprised when I saw who the person was... he’s soone you know from the council."
His forehead creased. "Who?"
"Lord Simon Lancelot."
Alec’s eyes held no shock. His face had only gotten darker. Even though the man never showed him hostility, he had a feeling that he’d beco his enemy at so point, and ti proved him right.
"What did he do to you?"
Alec’s sinister tone told Lauren that one wrong word from her and he’d cross oceans just to kill the man.
"He did nothing. We just talked. He knows about my illness and he said he would help
cure it. Of course, I don’t care whether it’s true that he knows the cure or not. I was only curious why he knows... and I also fear that the rebels might use it against us."
"Why would he offer to cure your illness? At what cost?" If there was sothing Alec knew the most, it was how evil minds worked. The majority don’t give a free ride for nothing. Most things co with a price.
"An alliance against you. He said their party is planning to stage a coup d’etat. He wants to be the king, and it would be easier if he marries ."
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