Alexa knew that there was something going on that she was not privy enough to know about but apparently, Jasmine could know about it. She was angry and although she wanted to be cold to Jared, she could not find it in her to be angry because she knew it must be on the orders of her mother and she also could not help but think that it was somehow in relation to Flynn. “We need to get back to the Castle soon enough, I should leave you to get dressed.” Jared sighed and Alexa smiled. Marriage life was surprisingly easy and lovely and although she tried her best not to sound like a weak woman most times, she could not deny the fact that having someone who worshipped her and get on her nreves was indeed very nice. “Yeah you should.” She replied, Jared kissed her and left the room, he was the only make there before and so when he left, Alexa focused on getting her trousers’ off so she could try out the gown that was going to be for the ball which she specifically was planning for Jared as he was part of the family and the fact was not lost on her that Jared was right when he said that marriage had domesticated her but Alexa refuse to dwell on those thoughts. “I thought she was a male, what is she doing in male clothing?” Alexa heard someone whisper behind her. “I blame the princess for this, soon many women will follow in her footsteps thinking that it should be fashion, what they do not realize is that there is nothing fashionable about it. She will just seem loose.” Another voice reply and before Alexa could say anything, Jared voice sounded. “Are you trying to say the princess or this lady is loose?” Alexa turned to see Jared eyes sparking with anger, never had she seen him, this upset over anything. “Of course not, My lord.” The two women tittered but Jared refused to listen. “You should be grateful that the princess is kind and not bigots like the two of you because if she was, your tongues would be pulled out. Asteria is more tamed than Kythia where I come from. Princess, you should work more on keeping your subjects in line, I would not be kind like you.” Jared stated staring at her. Alexa kept her gaze on Jared even though she notice through the side of her eyesight that one of the women swooned and they looked more fearful. “Not everybody can own this kind of dressing like I do, husband. They are just jealous.” Alexa stated and Jared shook his head. “Does not excuse them of the vile things they said.” Jared replied and then turned to the women but before he could say anything, the women stumbled over themselves as they apologized for their words. They were falling over themselves, apologizing to Jared but he frowned. “Your apology is directed to the wrong person.” And when they turned to Alexa, she commanded then to leave. “You should have gotten their apology.” “And watch them eye you like a piece of meat, no thanks, they can eat their apology.” Alexa stated, waiting for Jared to make a joke about her possessiveness but he did not. “I would be waiting outside for you when you are done, next time, we send for the dressmaker.” “No comments about my words?” Alexa asked surprised. “It would be insensitive of me and I will not be that way to you. Besides I am very sure that we have something more interesting to talk about?” Jared offered and Alexa’s eyebrows dropped in confusion. “Really, I do not know anything...” “We should talk about the fact that you are in a gown, a festive gown.” Jared replied and Alexa could not hide the flare of panic in her eyes quickly enough. Jared grinned at Alexa. “Keeping secrets from me already wife. Start talking.” And just because she could and it has been a long time since Jared was upset with her and also the embarrassment she would feel by admitting what she has plans. She responded with one word. “No.” and she watched with satisfaction as the grin faded from Jared’s face and was replaced with a scowl. That was better and now, things are back to perfect in her world. **************** It was dinner that day when Jared scowled again and this time it was not because of his infuriating wife but rather it was their annoying house guest who he would like nothing better than to kill. “This stew is not rich enough, I demand another bowl.” Flynn said for the third time and this time, Jared slammed his hand on the table. “You might be a guest here but you will not make my in-laws feel uncomfortable.” Jared started. “A woman has no place ruling a kingdom, if the queen instead of playing ruler with her husband had attended to the kitchen when she realized she had an important guest around, this would not have happened.” Flynn replied calmly, although he was very furious at the queen, because of her, he really could not arrange the trade negotiations the way he wanted and so they would continue the next day and normally trade negotiations only took about two hours with the king, now he had spent five and apparently, he was going to spend more later on. Jasmine released a derisive snort. “Someone is thinking he is important, he should know better.” Her mutterings were loud enough for the servants to hear. “I tolerate no back talks.” Flynn said. “And that is my sister you are trying to talk down to.” Jared responded, looking like he was about to fly off the handle and Flynn watched at Alexa place a hand on top of Jared’s own and he watched the tension in Jared’s body decrease. Flynn hated the sight that was before him at that moment. “Please, let’s try to have dinner in peace.” The queen tried to intervene. “I am not eating something that is less fit for my servants…” Flynn replied and this time, Alexa was angry enough that she removed her hands from Jared’s arm, where she was trying to sooth him and was ready to fly off the handle herself when Jared stood up. “Flynn, I do not know what game you are trying to play but if you continue with this part, you will hate me.” Jared rage filled tone said and Alexa sighed, she was hearing this new Jared too much since Flynn arrived. She wanted her laid back husband but she was glad that Jared was protecting her family honour and taking offense for them. “I already hate you.” Flynn retorted. He knew that this would only lead to Jared getting angry and although he needed to make peace, Jared made his blood boil, him being around made Flynn think of his sister and the way she was killed. He watched as she was hanged and he was helpless to do anything. He refused to remain helpless even now. “And you might want me to like you because if I do not, your new kingdom will suffer…” And that was when Jared decided that he had had enough. When Jared let out a quiet sigh, Jasmine winced and looked away knowing what her brother was about to do. Jared stood up and within seconds he was at Flynn’s said and within the blink of an eye, he raised Flynn from his seat and punched him while letting him go, making Flynn to collapse on the floor. “I do not know about you but I do not allow insults, especially to people other than me, if you will not control your mouth and act graciously then I do not think you should be at this table. Now you either sit down and eat only opening your mouth to put food inside or you go to your designated room and stay out of my way for the rest of your short stay here so I will not be tempted to do something that will make your kingdom suffer another loss.” Jared stated. “Is that a threat?” Flynn asked, touching his lips which were split and bleeding badly. “Take it whatever way you want to as long as you proceed with caution where I am concerned.” Jared stated before he turned to face the king and queen who were staring at him. “Thank you for the meal but I would like to retire now.” And with those words, Jared bowed to the king and queen and left the room. “I do not know who you think you are but do not ever try to insult my parents. Jared might be respectful in their presence but trust me when I say that the last thing which I will be will be respectful when you insult me.” Alexa said and with that she stormed off, probably to go after her husband. Flynn caught the slight smile that tugged at the lips of the queen and he could not help his chuckles. Apparently, he was going to remain behind until he get to the bottom of this whole marriage and whatever was giving Asteria the mind to go up against Corthin. ********** Flynn watched as the woman dress in a dirty brown dress walked slowly to his seat at the closest pub to the castle. “Your highness, you said I should meet you if any information…” The woman stuttered out and Flynn did not allow the woman to finish before throwing a bag of coins on the table. “That is hundred golden coins, depending on the information you have, I might add to it or take from it.” Flynn clipped out. The woman sat down. “I was preparing breakfast for the royal family on the day of departure of the wedding guest from Kythia when I overheard a conversation between Crown Prince Ken and Prince Jared.” The woman said and Flynn’s teeth clenched when the woman referred to Jared as a prince and although that was what Jared was, Flynn hated that being pointed out. “They were talking about hoe Prince Jared would never love Alexa, not because of any fault of hers but because his heart was already with someone else.” At those words. Flynn reached into the bag close to him and dropped another bag of coin on the table close to himself. “If you know the name of the lady, this coins will be yours, and you will be richer tonight by Two hundred golden coins.” The woman eyes rounded at the coins before she looked at Flynn. “Her name is Lady Arianna, she broke Prince Jared Heart and then left him to Marry an old noble, I do not know if the noble is dead yet but that was what was discussed and that is the only information I have.” The woman ended and Flynn smiled as he pushed the coin towards her. “Spread the word, if there is anybody who has something to share with me and comes from you, I will give you a certain percentage of the coin the person receives, based on the quality of information coming from the person.” Flynn said and when the woman eyes widened, he knew that he had offered the right bait. “Did you see Prince Flynn this evening?” “Never, I think I only sighted him once in my life, about two years ago when he came to the castle with his brother as an exchange of the ambassador from the kingdom of Corthin.” The woman replied after shaking her head. “Good answer.” Flynn chuckled as the woman snatched the bags of coins and ran out of the pub, looking over her shoulders as if Flynn would come after her because of the money. He would get her back later on but not now. Not yet, he still had uses for a kitchen Maid and although he did not know the reason why, he suspected that the woman will be useful to him in the future. And also it seemed like it was time for him to get in contact with Hillary, his dead twin sister friend who was in Kythia. The only person who would probably want to see the kingdom monarch fail just as much as he does. She needed to look for Arianna for him because if there would be someone who is his ally then the person should have a hold over Jared and now, it was like the news of this person has fallen perfectly into his laps. An opportunity that he was not going to misuse.