Alexa stood up in fury as Betty relayed what she had witness. Alexa was married to a womanizer and she was not aware at all. Jared had informed her that Mona was nothing but a friend and a maid but apparently, he was also a chronic liar. She did not know why she did not go with her guts, especially since Mona talked to her flippantly when they went for hunt the first time that she was with Jared without issues between them. “Are you sure?” Alexa croaked out, Yes she was angry but she certainly felt broken, knowing she was tied to a womanizer was bound to do that to her. Her kingdom might have illegitimate children before a rightful heir and she has to make an heir soon because she cannot allow a child whose blood was not even related to Asteria to be on Asteria throne, that would only happen after her death and she was not planning on dying unless her child was already old enough to succeed the throne. “I am so sorry, my princess.” Betty replied as Alexa choked on her sound of cry. “Alexa…” Her maid said as she approached Alexa, if Alexa had anything close to a friend, it was Betty but right now, she did not want a friend or a maid and certainly not the person who brought the news to her, she just wanted to be alone. “I need to be Alone.” Alexa commanded just as Betty arms circled her, she froze before she let go of the princess and bowed. “Of course, your highness, anything that you want.” Betty replied and then turned to leave. As soon as the door closed behind Betty, Alexa broke down. Scared for her kingdom wondering why she placed someone in a position over hers, both in terms of her kingdom and her heart. Why did he had such power in so little time? She hated the reason even though she refused to admit it. If she really was not, Jared actions would not have broken her, it was have made her spitting mad. She also hated being ruled by her emotions. ***************** When Alexa did not come down for dinner despite the threats of her mother, Jared sighed as he let go of his cutlery, losing his appetite, he would love nothing more than to have a screaming match with Alexa which was going to happen if he just pushed her too much and then he would know the reason why she was acting this way but because of their unplanned guests who refused to leave, he could not get to the bottom of the problem. “Jared.” The king called and when Jared jerked his eyes to his father in-law, The king continued. “Do you know what is wrong with your wife?” “I really wish that I did but I am in the dark just as much as you are too.” Jared answered as the king sighed. “Moments like this, I regret the fact that I raised her to be so willful.” The king said as the door closed and when everybody turned to look at it, they saw Alexa. “Alexa…” The king whispered. “I think, I changed my mind when I should not have.” Alexa said as she turned to leave and Jared had just had enough, this little anger scheme of hers was too much. Jared slammed his hand on the table and he rose and followed her outside, his face was a storm and he was uncaring who saw his argument with his wife. “You.” He said as he griped her hand. “You need to come with me, we need to have a conversation about this attitude of yours.” “You are hurting me.” Alexa grimaced and at if a shock went through Jared system, he let go of her hand immediately and that just made Alexa angry, why was he not callous, why was he not a bastard, the type of man that would tighten his hold on her instead of letting go, why was he still making her think of him as a good person even though he is not one. Jared used his hands to pass through his face in swift movement. “I am sorry about that, I usually do not hurt women.” “Of course.” Alexa rolled her eyes. “Alexa, you have to tell me what I did wrong, I cannot continue to have this plague me especially since you have started to let it affect your parents too. It was okay when this was between us but now, it isn’t okay at all.” “That was why I came to dinner to tell them that although I threw a rage in my room today, I really am not feeling well enough to put on a smile in front of you as we sit on the same table as Arianna, I wanted to say that I am sick of not trying to carve out your heart as you smile at me pretending everything is fine. I am so tired and bone weary of everything you do since you infringed on my home and made yourself welcome.” Alexa spat out as Jared sighed. This issue was bigger than he expected and he could not stop thinking that it was his fault for not treating the issue when it came up but letting it fester. “Tell me what I did wrong…” Jared started as Alexa groaned. “Not this again. Look! You cannot fix it, I wish you could but even if you do go back in time, I am not sure that you can fix it.” Alexa snapped. “Then tell me!” Jared yelled at her as Alexa froze in shock. “Tell me so that I will not make the same mistake again, tell me so that even if I cannot fix it, I can try to correct it so that it will not be an issue and if it is still an issue, it will be one that will not touch nor affect you.” Jared replied as he laid his forehead on hers while closing his eyes and breathing loudly, he did not remember the last time he ever felt this out of control desperation. “Please tell me so I can fix us.” “Can you stop loving Arianna even though you are married to me?” Alexa asked in a small voice. Jared body tensed as he raised his head. “Where did you hear that from? I swear, if it was from Arianna…” Jared started but Alexa continued. “Or can you tell me the secret you and Mona are keeping, the one that made you come here even though you did not want to, the ulterior motive behind marrying me?” Jared sighed. Alexa already started nodded as she removed Jared hands from her shoulders. “Of course, you cannot even tell me that…” “I think only your parents can tell you the second answer and the reason why I cannot say anything is because it is not my place, it is their answer to give not mine, I am not in love with Arianna, Alexa. I just love her like I do, you…” Jared started but Alexa shook her head. “You are lying to me.” “What would I gain from that, you will be angrier with me if you discovered that I lied to you…” Jared sighed. “What is the difference… you love your ex-lover the way you love your wife…” “It is not the same way or degree. I am not in love with Arianna but I once felt something strong enough for her that she has a special place in my heart, one of those few persons that no matter what happens I will always not, I do not love her as a man love a woman. I love you that way, and there is a chance, more than probability that you will be the most important person to me before our children comes because you are my wife. Arianna own will diminish, yours can only increase so please stop this cold war you have going on.” Jared explained as Alexa shook her head. “How can I trust you…?” She whispered as she lifted her eyes to look at Jared, Jared saw the blaze in her eyes, they were back when she stare at him and he felt grateful for seeing the emotions back in them even though the first one he could see was anguish. “Give me a chance, just this chance to prove myself to you Alexa please. Do not shut down our future because of what people who should have no power.” “You might hurt me…” Alexa whimpered as Jared shook his head. “I will never do that to you purposely.” Jared vowed and then he watched her muted silence as Alexa closed her eyes. He waited for her reply and when she opened her eyes, without her saying a word, he knew that she was willing to give this a trial and so he kissed her for the first time in more than a week and as usual she melted against him. “Wow, I never expected to see this show on my way to my room.” Flynn said and Alexa quickly separated from Jared but Jared refused to let her out of his hold. “Would have said sorry but I am not sorry.” Jared replied as he turned to face Flynn to see Arianna with Flynn, Alexa watched along with Jared as Arianna eyes filled with betrayal and then tears then Alexa turned to see her husband reaction but Jared looked on dispassionately like he was not affected the slightest. “I guess, Arianna really did not mean much to you.” Flynn questioned. “She did.” Jared replied. “But now, she does not.” Jared replied as he held Alexa’s hands and led her back towards the direction which Flynn came from, hoping that he could get to feed Alexa and unwilling to explore what he really had just said to get Alexa back. “Jared.” Arianna called as Jared passed. Jared paused. “For what it is worth, I really am sorry that I did that to you.” “Too late.” Jared responded as he continued on his way. Flynn glared at Jared back, apparently Arianna would not be able to work for much longer in separating the couple, he needed a new tactics and way for getting information about them. “I am sorry that I could not help…” Arianna started. “Relax.” Flynn told her as he continued walking. “You are going nowhere just yet, you still have a lot to do, this just means that I need another person’s help to kick it up a notch.” Flynn responded and then a question flashed into his mind that made him smile. Betty. Alexa’s maid was single, was she not? People always do crazy things when they were in love.