It was some weeks later, as Flynn entered the kingdom of Asteria, he started hearing a news which he was not happy with, still nobody knew the full story to tell him but the bits and pieces he was hearing was enough to make him angry and Flynn was not the twin who dealt with bout of rage. That was his sister then, all he did was when angry was to go cold and plan with a deadly precision that his parents are proud of. Now, it was like that Precision escaped him as he heard news like the princess is now married to a foreigner. Alexa cannot be married to someone else other than him. He needed the kingdom of Asteria to be on his side so that Corthin could crush Kythia with relative ease and justice will finally be done in the name of his sister who the kingdom of Kythia had killed in the name of treason. He would fill the streets with the blood of the royal house of Kythia, he would make Ken watch as he defiled his wife over and over again. He would cause the same untold mourning which Ken caused on him and his family upon Ken too and when Ken finally kneels to beg him, only then would he kill Ken. His parents had told him to be calm, revenge was a dish best served cold they had said and he really cannot have someone spoiling his plans after waiting for three years for the dish to be completely cold. No, that was something he was not really willing to sit and watch. He needed to get to the castle as soon as possible to assess the situation there. On getting to the castle of the royals of Asteria. He knew that things were direr than he thought, especially as he watched Alexa spar in the courtyard and the queen watching with a smile. Alexa was a great swords woman which most men have difficulty in besting but the person she was sparing with was toying with her. “Damn you Jared.” Alexa spat out angrily, the woman was always angry, he really fantasized about hearing Alexa being meek to him. Flynn’s heart stumbled in his chest as he grasp the name she had just called. He stepped down from his horse and the next thing he saw was Jared reaching for Alexa and kissing her. At least she stopped struggling and melted into his embrace. Flynn did not need some divine intervention to realize that Jared, the best friend of Prince Ken. The person who brought Annabel back in their lives was here, claiming a spot he wanted. That made Flynn to be furious. “Oh, Prince Flynn, did not see you there.” The queen said as she stood up, Flynn did not believe the queen for a second. She was sickly but if there was anybody who controlled the king and the kingdom by an extension, it was this woman. She probably knew that he was coming long before his horse and people stepped through the Castle gates. Flynn did not reply the queen, just kept his eyes on the queen’s daughter who sprang away from Jared with red staining her cheeks and Jared who continued to gaze at Alexa with a ridiculous look on his face. Flynn felt a shiver of fear as he recognize the look, it was almost identical to the one Ken wore on his face, anytime he was with Annabel and the look on both of them, makes Flynn angry. Alexa hits Jared with her hand as she walked towards Flynn to welcome him but Jared sneaked his arms around her waist and as one unit, they walked towards Flynn. “Welcome back Prince Flynn, it seems like it is time for your quarterly visits.” Alexa said, stretching her hand to Flynn. “Pleasure is all mine.” Flynn responded and tried kissing the hand Alexa offered but Jared placed a hand on top of Alexa’s own, preventing it from going further. “The lady offered a handshake and I believe that is all that was offered. Please do not try to take liberties with my wife.” Jared clipped out. “Jared?” Alexa complained. “What princess? You are now a married woman, I would get intensely jealous and attack anybody who tries something funny with you.” Jared retorted and Alexa rolled her eyes. “Wow, so much can happen within four months, last time I left here, Alexa was single and I returned, she is married with an overgrown lovesick puppy in tow.” Flynn looked down purposely at Jared arm which was still around Alexa’s waist. Jared did not take offense because if Flynn believed he was love sick then it meant that what he hoped to achieve with his act was working. “I am her lovesick puppy.” “Gosh, your mind gets worse each day but your fighting skills stays the same?” “You still have a long way to go before you beat me in a spar, I do think it might never happen though.” Jared snickered and as a result for his efforts, Alexa peeled his arms away from her body. “You should continue practicing and remain at the top while I escort Prince Flynn to my father. I think that you have grossed him out to the same extent that you have grossed me out with your antics.” Alexa offered and before Flynn could accept her offer, Jared cuts in again. This time, his tone was serious and the playful light in his eyes had left. “No, you are a princess not a maid.” Jared raised his voice. “Someone should escort Prince Flynn to my father in-law study.” And at his words, three people approached the trio and it took Flynn all his consciousness to keep the smile on his face and act like he was not bothered by Jared bossy attitude. “Do not worry about that, I will escort Prince Flynn. Come along.” The queen ordered as she turned and left, Flynn had no choice but to follow her. “I wonder what is wrong with him?” Alexa mused as she watched Flynn who moved stiffly. This was not the Flynn that visited them before. “You should not be worried about other men, focus on me, your husband.” Jared complained even though he was happy within, Yes. The first impression to Flynn was perfect. Alexa levelled a glare on Jared. “You are acting clingy.” “You are my wife, it is allowed.” Jared returned and Alexa sighed. “I have to get new clothes made and I think you do too. Should we invite the dressmaker today?” Alexa asked. Jared could not help but tease Alexa. “Would you look at that, some weeks after marriage and I have you domesticated already.” When Alexa just stared at him, he was glad that her sword was not in her hands. “Forget I said anything.” Alexa moved to go inside but Jared stopped her. “I love it when you get angry.” He whispered in her ears. “I know you do.” Alexa responded and so she flung her head back hoping to catch Jared unaware but Jared saw her smirk and quickly moved out of the way. “What is wrong with you woman, you almost broke my nose.” Jared complained. “Such a shame it is not broken then.” Alexa shot back and then for no reason, Jared smiled at his wife. He was going to get her back for this stunt, she just did not know it yet. “So dressmaker…” Jared dragged his wife attention back to the former discussion at hand. “I will send a messenger for him.” Alexa offered but Jared shook his head. “Let us go to him instead.” He wanted to get Alexa away from the castle when Flynn’s exploded because the queen told Jared that she still did not want Alexa to know the true situation. “Why?” Alexa questioned. She wanted new trousers and although she had the dressmaker come to the Castle because she never did liked the side talks it generated whenever she went to his shop to get her clothes, she did not fear for those right now because Jared was with her and everything concerning her interest, Jared had always protected fiercely even against her own parents. Jared shrugged. “I have been feeling cooped up, besides, I have not really seen much of your kingdom.” Jared offered and Alexa nodded. “I need to change. I will be down in twenty minutes and be ready to go, get the horses ready.” Alexa ordered and when Jared raised an eyebrow at her, she smiled sheepishly. “I am sorry, get the horses ready please.” Alexa corrected and Jared nodded and after swiftly kissing Alexa on the lips, he moved off to the stables, hopefully, he would get to warn his sister about Flynn before she saw him. Jared knew that trouble was just starting. ********** “Your husband threw me for a lurch, Queen Mirabelle.” Were Flynn’s first words once he caught up to the queen who moved so fast for a woman who was always sitting or weak, it made Flynn think of what untruths he knew about the royals. Apparently Jared and Alexa must have been in contact because he knew Alexa and there was no way, she would have warmed up to Jared within the space of four months, not when he has been trying since forever. “I am sorry but what do you mean?” The queen asked Flynn although she already knew, it was better to keep him talking about his anger at the situation he found than for her to speak her true feelings. She needed to hide her feelings for a little more time. “I expected to woo Alexa and to my greatest surprise, I came here to see her already Married and not just married, married to someone from the kingdom of Kythia, a kingdom which your husband promised me that he had not affiliation with.” Flynn responded. The queen hid her smirk as she played dumb. “But indeed we do not have any affiliation with Kythia. Sweet Jared is one of us.” Flynn paused and would have said more if he did not notice Jasmine standing directly on his path. “No affiliation huh?” Flynn glared at the queen who shrugged like it made no difference. “How have you being Jasmine?” Flynn started. “Better before having seen your face.” Jasmine scowl deepened, she had envisioned it multiple times with relish and happiness, her running a sword through Flynn’s stomach but sadly, Flynn has more protection in Asteria than her. She would have to keep her senses with her when interacting with him. “You hurt me with those words…” Flynn continued but Jasmine bowed to the queen and left Flynn. “Where are you going?” Flynn asked. “Somewhere, where I do not have to listen to your voice and imagine how good I would feel hearing you try to talk as blood bubble out of your mouth as you die a slow and painful death.” Jasmine said over her shoulder refusing to turn back to him, after all it does not matter where she goes, she knew that she would still imagine it until it became a reality. Flynn was dumb enough to try stunts just like the way his sister did and eventually, he would get himself killed just like her too. “I need to see your husband.” Flynn said and the queen nodded as she continued walking. Flynn was taken to a new location, different from where the king sorted his business before and when he entered, he saw the king looking at some paper in front of him. “Welcome, Prince Flynn. Just in time too.” The king said as he clapped Flynn’s shoulder and went for a bottle of wine which was on a shelf in his new study. “Have a seat while I pour.” “What happened to your former office?” Flynn asked. “It was not big enough for two.” The queen replied and that was when Flynn noticed a small table beside the king’s own and that fact that the queen was still in the room. “I would like to conduct matters of the kingdom my queen, you cannot be here.” Flynn stated but Queen Contessa smiled. “I am sorry but our laws have been amended, the king and queen rules together now and make the decisions together, it is my duty to be here.” Flynn brows pulled up in shock at the words. He was not expecting to hear that. “Wait, are you trying to tell me that you have to take part in this trade negotiations?” “Yes. Decisions together.” The queen reminded Flynn. “Jared brought about the idea so that Alexa would rule with him and since we have no issues with it, we thought it was better to start with us so that our nobles will be used to the idea by the time Jared takes over the throne. So Prince Flynn, what is on the table for the next quarter of the year?” Flynn was speechless as he stared at the queen. He should have known better, he threatened the wrong member of the royal family. In Asteria, the women rules, he had heard that phrase so many times that he discarded it but it seem like it was true. Before the queen hid behind her husband but now, she is showing herself. He would be making negotiations, not with the king and not for Alexa, rather it will be with the queen and for secrets, if he could get any out. A lot of things has apparently changed in just four months.