KINGSLAYER

♕ 7 | 7 ♕

Time and time again, Alexander poured poison into his own cup and drank it despite the consequences. He took her nervous hands in his own and kissed her.

It was soft at first, barely a brush of the lips. But Alexander underestimated Milyena's desire. In an uncharacteristically bold move, she slipped her arms around his neck to bring him closer. His hands at her waist, Alexander let himself think of nothing beyond the warmth of her skin, the softness of her lips.

With his eyes shut and nothing but her touch, she could have been anyone.

Alexander pulled away as gently as he could, thoroughly disgusted with himself for having the thought pop into his mind. Milyena was beautiful and kind, but she was just Milyena. He felt nothing.

Milyena unwrapped her arms from him with stunned eyes, looking as though Alexander had rearranged her entire world. At least he'd made her happy.

The overseer would be returning soon. Giving Milyena a smile that felt like wax on his face, he left. If he closed his eyes, he could still feel her touch.

♕ ♕ ♕ ♕ ♕

A house servant came to the barracks early the next morning to fetch Alexander before the others went to their respective places of labor for the day. Kyuwa leaned in before he left, whispering, "Escape those bastards the second you can." Milyena looked shyly away as she bid him good luck, the events of last night clearly at the forefront of her mind. They were present in Alexander's too, but for far different reasons.

Once Alexander was escorted to the house with his counterpart, Filipp, they were fitted with the same plain clothing the house slaves wore to appear respectable in front of guests. It was the first time Alexander felt relatively clean in more than two weeks. The remaining iron collar was stifling.

No one said a word when they joined the three ladies inside the carriage. Normally, Alexander would have been forced to sit on the coachman's bench, but Filipp already took the spot. Alexander sat across from them, the monster's two youngest daughters and their nanny. He was not allowed to look any of them in the eye. He felt their stares, the nanny visibly disgruntled about his presence so close to the young girls. As if he was something unsightly.

The whip cracked above the horses, making the carriage begin its journey to Naxaros. Having never been permitted to leave in such a manner, Alexander had no idea how long it would take, but the palace was at least two cities away. At least half an hour, maybe more.

They passed through the opened iron gates. The longer the silence drew on, the more Alexander wished the girls' father had chosen anyone else to go. The reason why he had was humiliatingly obvious. Philipp was sent very specifically too, physically imposing as he was. If anyone was to be a target for crime within the crowds today, it would be the helpless daughters of a man rich beyond belief. Plus, if anyone could keep Alexander under control, it was another man.

It was clear when they were close due to the growing buzzing of voices ahead. Shadows passed by the closed curtains over the carriage's windows as citizens flocked to the procession. Bits of their conversation floated through the walls. I wonder what she will wear? Oh, I do hope the Czarevich will be there. Wouldn't that be romantic?

Alexander's lip curled and the mood was made even more sour. If only they knew what their Queen truly was like. The Czarevich was barely better, having supported his father as he starved his people for years. He too was made rich by the tears of Navrikan peasants and did nothing to help. Despite Alexander's recent hopes otherwise, they were all the same.