58 Chapter 58

[Third Person's PoV]

"Since we're being honest and upfront, let me be forthright as well... We all hate you and wish you dead."

Alexia's expression froze in shock, managing only a faint "Huh?"

Despite the harshness of Kalandra's words, her expression remained unchanged, her smile as radiant as ever, capable of illuminating the entire room.

Alexia was left speechless and unsure of what to say. She couldn't comprehend why they held such animosity toward her when she didn't even know them personally.

'Is it because I admitted my feelings for him? Do they fear I'll steal him away? I don't consider myself as beautiful as she is, so why is she so concerned?' Alexia's mind raced, desperately seeking a reason behind their hostility.

As Alexia's mind raced, attempting to understand the cause of their hostility, Kalandra spoke up sharply, addressing her unspoken thoughts.

"Don't pretend you're oblivious. If it were anyone else, we would have embraced them as a sister, albeit after getting to know them. But it just had to be you. There are two reasons why we refrain from eliminating you or sending others to hunt you down.

Firstly, our husband harbors a certain fondness for you, even if it's minuscule. Whatever he takes a liking to is what we strive to secure. And secondly, our husband isn't keen on making a pointless massacre against a kingdom or engaging in a pointless conflict unless necessary.

"So, count your blessings for whatever fortuitous star shines upon you," Kalandra concluded calmly, her expression unchanged as she intermittently sipped her tea.

"Firstly, I'm completely clueless about what I might have done to earn such hatred from all of you. We haven't had any conflicts or issues with you or Cid. Even my sister confirmed that we don't have any grievances so why—"

Alexia's words were abruptly cut short as Alpha's magical manifestation intensified, exerting immense pressure on her. It became suffocating, constricting her throat and impeding her breathing. Desperately struggling for air, she looked toward Kalandra for assistance, only to find an enraged expression replacing the previous smile on Kalandra's face.

In a chillingly cold tone that replaced her earlier serene demeanor, Kalandra's voice sent shivers down Alexia's spine. "What? What does that bitch mean by 'we don't have any grievances'? It might have been your fault that it occurred, but she was the one who ordered it. And she has the audacity to claim no grievances...

I swear I'll tear that filthy bitch apart. She hasn't even apologized or shown an ounce of remorse for her actions, and yet she dares to say there are no grievances."

Struggling and gasping for air, Alexia's outstretched arm accidentally knocked over the tea set before her, an action that caught Alpha's attention, abruptly halting her enraged state. Witnessing the spilled tea, Alpha took a deep breath, regaining her composure.

Gradually reducing her magical pressure, Alpha allowed Alexia to breathe freely once more. Still clutching her throat, Alexia gulped mouthfuls of air, trying to replenish her lungs after the suffocating experience.

Finally catching her breath, Alexia's voice trembled with anguish as she pleaded, "What in the world did I do to deserve this treatment from you? Please, just tell me already!"

"It's because of your self-centered actions, using him as a shield against a suitor instead of handling it maturely. He endured pain and torment all because of your need for someone to do it.

As your supposed fake boyfriend, he was the primary suspect in your abduction. He was the first and only suspect—no other possibility was considered besides him."

"And what does your sister do? At the first opportunity, she sends guards after him, locks him up, and subjects him to interrogation," Alpha's voice trembled, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Do you even know how they interrogated him?" Kalandra's question pierced Alexia, her eyes also filling with tears.

Shocked and unaware of Cid's imprisonment, Alexia shook her head, confessing her ignorance of the situation. Kalandra's eyes lost their emotion, appearing hollow as if she had repressed all of her feelings to an extreme.

"They whipped him for days, over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.

"His back was nearly stripped of skin, covered in large, bleeding gashes; some of his bones were even visible," Alpha recounted. "He presented his case and said he innocent, claiming he didn't kidnap you. He responded once, refusing to speak further to people who wouldn't listen."

Alexia, attempting to stifle her scream, covered her mouth with both shaky hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. She broke down, weeping uncontrollably. "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault. I didn't question it because he appeared fine."

Kalandra wiped both eyes as she said "Of course he's fine, our husband is strong, he's the strongest there is, so the marks didn't last but that didn't mean he didn't fell the pain. I can't even begin to imagine the anguish he went through"

Alexia like a broke record kept repeating herself over and over again "I'm sorry, it's all my fault"

"So as you can see we don't have the highest opinion of you at the moment. Our sister in law went and talked with your sister. But even after all that Iris being the smart bitch she is decided to keep Cid for a few more days

Just so you know, the sole reason she even agreed to release him was because of Claire. If she hadn't gone there and threatened to go to war for her brother, he would have remained captive until your situation was resolved, continuing to endure torture," Kalandra mentioned, her expression slightly less burdened.

She had been suppressing her emotions since Cid was kidnapped. When she asked Cid why he allowed it all, he simply replied that killing everyone and going to war was foolish, an answer she didn't appreciate but understood.

The only reason she became aware of and witnessed what happened to Cid was because Beru couldn't contain his emotions and revealed his disdain for the situation. He transmitted what he observed through the connection they have with Cid.

"I'll fix this. I truly had no idea about what happened to Cid. He never mentioned anything, and he didn't seem like something was wrong, so I was unaware. Regarding my sister, I'll personally and genuinely make apologies. If necessary, I'll even forcefully drag her by the hair come and meet Cid."

Alexia's emotions boiled with an urge to confront her sister. The man she deeply cared for, the one who selflessly helped her, was brutalized, and she blamed herself entirely for it.

Addressing Kalandra, Alexia asked, "What can I do to make things right? I'm ready to do whatever it takes."

Kalandra calmly responded, "We don't want anything from you. No matter how much we say we dislike you, ultimately, it's not up to us whether you and Cid become a couple. It's his decision. We'll respect his choice, even if it means he chooses someone like you. All we want is his happiness and love."

Alexia didn't reply and remained bowed down, clenching her lip until it bled.