Survive As The Brute's Wife

"Drovarys!"

Someone started to chant among the bewilderment of others.

"Drovarys!" "Drovarys!"

A couple of others joined the chant along with the sound of the bells and trumpets. The gloomy sky cleared up spilling the golden rays of sun over the one standing with the sword.

After the Principal's pronouncement and seeing the sword that was marble some time ago gleaming in an unsuspecting person's hand, little by little the chants got louder as more men joined. Even the boys who used to tease her and are responsible for  Tubby getting lashes just weeks ago were joining in the chants with wide grins.

She held the sword made with some metal that seemed like gold but was very lighter and stronger than gold with many white jewels embedded on the pommel that was structured as a rune.

She was overwhelmed as everything happened around her so unexpectantly. To her side, their Principal was getting excited and was already planning on conducting a ceremony to honor the Drovarys. And in front of the thirteen old her, men were chanting and praising her.

This was never in her plans. She wanted to lie low and learn some skills before returning to the farm. She understood that this is something very big and her life is going to change. But she couldn't fathom how. She certainly cannot be the one from the myth who is said to be the chid of the Dragon King.

Confused, she looked around.

The roses around the statue bloomed in bunches spreading the fragrance. Amidst the joyous chants from the Thanes, she could see the Aristocrats were the ones mumbling among themselves and openly showed their reproach for her.

Her eyes naturally looked for the Aristocratic boy who'd talk to her often these days. She wanted to know his reaction. And he was staring at her with his face pale and in shock. 

Her hands shook thinking that she did something wrong. She couldn't put a pin on that feeling in her heart but she didn't want to be there.  The sword suddenly got heavy and her hand started to tremble.

She almost dropped the sword when she felt a warmth enclosing her hand. 

"Drovarys!"

Tubby shouted and lifted her hand that was holding the sword above.

"Yeah!"

Everyone shouted back and the chants became chaotically loud.

Still in shock, she turned to look at Tubby. He was the same height as her back then and when his eyes met hers he smiled. And the expression in his eyes got imprinted in her mind forever.

It was as if he was saying that he is there for her and that she need not fear for anything. He was proud and happy for her and he wanted her to be happy too.

Looking at Tubby's eyes that were green like emeralds, Felixa closed her eyes. Tubby stood by his words right till the end. He was with her through thick and thin.

[Tubby… I am grateful to you…]

Suddenly the chants "Drovarys" were replaced with "Long live Princess Alexandra" and she opened her eyes.

When she opened them, the eyes that were red like molten gold had the same expression as that boy she once knew.

[Who are you, Max? And why do you know my name?]

She had a feeling that he chose this name to be given to her. And standing here in front of others… he wanted this to happen. And he is happy this is happening.

[Like Tubby was. But he is not Tubby… And that means he should be… Why is he hiding who he was before? Unless…]

She was then greeted by the King and Queen of Deberia. They announced her as their daughter and she saw their eyes. It was similar to the eyes of the Aristocrats when she lifted the Hashomer- unimpressed.

[So Max forced them to do this?]

She looked around and she saw many of them smiling without the mirth reaching their eyes. She wanted to bow her head, but she lifted her chin and looked at Maximus.

[His smile… Ah… What is he trying to do? I don't like this…]

The countess she saw before curtsied in front of her. She didn't even fake her smile and her eyes were red. It was then she remembered who that countess was.

[She's my sister! Or is she Wispy's sister? What is her name..?]

Felixa tried to think of her name but she couldn't and in the end, she decided not to try anymore. She didn't have any memory of that girl. She should be a couple of years younger than her and she was married to one of the richest nobles in the kingdom. She was refused permission to attend the wedding and she never interacted with her.

She took a step forward to try and talk to her, but she took a step back not willing to engage with her. And she saw women gathering and talking behind their fancy embroidered fans. Although she couldn't hear a lot, the eyes that looked at her were filled with contempt and hate.

[What did I do to them?]

She wondered.

"After killing the Princess, this guttersnipe has the nerves to take her title and walk around here like she owns the place with no shame."

"If it were me I'd have killed myself…"

"She killed Lord Zemfir just because she was jealous of Countess…"

Some of the women's voice was loud and she decided not to listen to them. She never had a good understanding of women. She didn't know why they tend to talk bad about someone they don't know without knowing the truth.

[But the Princess is dead? I don't remember killing her… And I didn't kill my father either…]

Her eyes ended up once again at Maximus.

[Did he kill the Princess? Why? He killed the Princess and asked the King to give the title of Princess to me? What was he trying to achieve by that?]

She didn't want to be there anymore and walked towards Maximus. She didn't want to be by his side either. She just wanted to leave. But she was led there and she had no other way.

Performance from various artists were the ones that followed and Felixa sat silently by Maximus' side and she found those performances enjoyable.

"Alexandra," she heard a smooth voice calling by her ear, and a chill passed through her spine. She turned to see Maximus smiling at her. "What do you think of your name?"

She tried to think of an answer because she found it all spooky. Others know more about everything and without knowing anything, she found herself to be very scared.

"Who are you, Max?" she asked. "What do you want from me?"

Maximus' eyes drooped and he bowed his head. She saw his adam's apple bobbing and he fell silent.

She let out a sigh and she leaned away from him naturally. His behavior was very confusing for her and what was more confusing for her was her lack of ill feelings towards him no matter what he did.

He held her hand and pulled her closer to him. She tried to pull her hand out of his hold but he held it forcefully. And slowly his hold got tightened.

"Psst…It hurts, Max," she spoke knitting her brows in pain.

But he seemed to be in deep pondering and her voice didn't reach her.

"Max!" She spoke in a louder voice.

"Forgive me," he loosened his hold, and she tried to retreat her hand, but he didn't let go. "Don't…" he looked at her with his eyes pleading and she felt a sharp pain in her heart.

"Are you in pain, Max?" she asked and he let out a sigh. 

"Lexa… I…"

As he was about to speak, she saw someone approaching them and it was Julius. He asked them to join the dance floor to mingle with others and Maximus readily stood up. She stood up with him.

"You'll join the dance?" Julius' tone held a surprise. But when Maximus looked at him, he just smiled placing his hand on his heart.

"The floor is polished the right amount for a dance."

Felixa blinked wondering if this is some sort of codeword they are sharing among themselves. Little did she know that Julius was properly surprised that Maximus is entertaining the notion of joining in a ball dance. But after the surprise, Julius was happy that Maximus is turning soft with his diplomacy.

Maximus didn't answer Julius. With her hand in his, he walked across the ballroom. She could hear the mumbles of others and she felt watched at and on the spot. She wasn't even sure of that but she didn't want to be there.

Some wanted to talk to Maximus and she tried to step back to allow him to converse with them. But he interlocked his fingers with hers. And then he took a glance around.

"It's filthy here," he was not whispering out of courtesy considering that he is talking about the nobles and the wealthy gathered there.

Julius covered his face with his hand. He blamed himself for getting happy early. Maximus is going to be a ruffian with no care for diplomacy. And his head is going to break.

"Let's breathe fresh air," Maximus said and without considering anything else, he brought her out to the balcony.

Felixa turned back to see everyone grumbling angrily. And the King of Deberia tried to contain the situation.

She looked at Maximus.

[What is he doing?]