Chapter 13 Alex Returns

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Athena was about to lift her bucket up on her head after filling it with water when someone stood near her,she didn't have the luxury to look at whoever it was face and she just wanted to focus on lifting her bucket.

"Let me help you with that"she heard a deep masculine voice speak.

"It's fine,I can handle it"she said,her mood was already ruined so she refused to add politeness in her tone.

"It's a shame,you always helped me when we were younger"he said and she creased her brows,looked up and stared at the stranger's face for a while then her eyes widen in realization.

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

''Ahhhhhhhh!"

"Heavens,no way!"she yelled and people came rushing over.

"What's wrong,did something happen"

"Are you okay Athena?"

"It's Alex!!!"she said in delight, everyone groaned and went their seperate ways as if they already knew about Alex's arrival way before her.

"Surprise"He said all smiles,she couldn't contain her joy and jumped on him for a tight hug, embracing him as he spinned her.he put her down and she felt his arms underneath her palm "Wow,muscles"she said squeezing it and he chuckled.

"You've changed a lot,why didn't you write"she said and hit him playfully on his shoulders.her ruined mood drastically changed as soon as she recognized her long lost friend.

"You've grown quite beautiful Athena."Alex said tucking her hair behind her ear.

"And I can't believe how handsome you have become,it's like you traded your chubby body for this amazing muscles"Athena said complimenting Alex.His blonde hair was well styled to the right and around it was shaved carefully.he had those forest green pupils she had always admire and his pale pink lips looked more paler than the last time she saw him.she still couldn't believe how muscular he had became,he was wearing a black shirt but his body and muscles could still be seen through his shirt.he had grown very huge the same height with Xavier maybe a little bit taller. Alex was looking at her intently, his hands were on her cheek and her's was around his waist. Xavier,who had been watching didn't like that position at all."Who's that guy hugging Athena?"Xavier

asked a maid who was walking in his direction.

" That's Alex my prince,he was the guy that accident happened to six years ago your highness "

"The fat kid six years ago?"Xavier asked.

"Yes,your highness"She replied with a bow and he dismissed her.Xavier expression changed into a surprise one, obviously he was still more handsome and well built but Alex change was unexpected I might be a threat to him for Athena's heart.he suddenly facepalmed himself when he realized what he was thinking'A threat for Athena's heart'I must have really gone crazy.'he said inwardly and turned to leave.

"How long have you been here?"Athena asked.

"I came here a night before,but was told you were in the prince's room,was everything all right?"Alex asked and her face turned red in embarrassment.

"Who...who told you I was in the prince's room?"Athena asked.

"Sarah"Alex said and Athena creased her brows.

'That snitching bitch,I am gonna make sure she gets stiches'I said inwardly with a smile still playing on my lips.

"Why didn't they tell me about your arrival and why didn't I see you?"she asked again.

"I was with at the general's camp,guess who is a swordsmans in the army?"Alex said with a smirk.

"Hell,no way...you are in the kingdom's army"Athena asked with wide eyes and he nodded,she excitedly hugged him again and congratulated him."Am so happy for you"She said again.

They both walked to the maids quarters and then into the dining hall,dinner was served at the table and even during dinner Tiff and her cohears couldn't stop talking about the prince which made me hate the fact we all had to eat together.Rose and Sarah sat opposite me while Alex sat beside me.

Xavier came in and went straight to Madam Lisa who sat at the head of the table and who was also surprised at his sudden actions of hugging her from behind and giving her a peck on her cheek. "Madam lisa,my favorite woman"he said then pecked her again while everyone stared at him.

"Prince Xavier are you okay."Madam Lisa asked touching his forehead.

"Of course am fine,or is it wrong to pay a visit to my favorite person?"Prince Xavier said with a smile revealing his cute dimples.

"Are you perhaps drunk your highness"Sarah asked.

"Your highness."Alex said standing up and bowing to the prince slightly.

"Hmmm,Alex welcome back."Xavier said and eyed him from head to toe.

'Attitude' Athena said inwardly after seeing how Xavier looked at Alex."Let's eat before it gets cold"Athena said opening the dishes placed Infront of them.Xavier walked to where Athena was,there was a girl seating beside her and with a nod of his head indicating that she should find somewhere else to seat,she instantly stood up and went further ahead where the empty seats were.Now Alex sat at Athena's right while Xavier sat at her left.Athena didn't bother to look at him and continued serving the first plate which she gave to Alex and the second and third plate to Sarah and Rose and the fourth to herself,she sat down after serving herself.

"What about me?"Xavier asked and she turned her gaze to him.

"What about you?"She asked.

"You didn't serve me"Xavier said.

"Oh am sorry Prince Xavier am not the only 'maid' here so you can tell anyone to serve you,or better still you are not short of hands."She said emphasizing the word maid.

"Finally,I was so hungry."Alex said rubbing his palms together.

"I see you are still the chubby little kid inside"She said poking his muscle and they both laughed.everyone at the table noticed something was definitely wrong with those three as they watched what was unfolding before their eyes.

Xavier angrily stood up slamming his hands on the table and looked at her for a while and then left for the door.

"Xavier dear,come on and eat"Madam Lisa said.

"It's fine Madam Lisa,it's obvious someone doesn't want me here."Xavier said and left after glancing at Athena one last time but she didn't even pay attention to him and ate her meal or fed Alex.When he left she sighed and dropped the spoon too.

"Athena,he might be your friend but he is still the prince,you shouldn't hurt his feelings"Madam Lisa said.

"Mmm,friendship,that was what I thought it was also but now that I know I am 'just a maid'its better I give him space,don't you think so Madam Lisa?"

Athena said sarcastically.

"So Alex,how did you get so fit?"Rose asked obviously trying to divert the topic to Alex.

"It took three months for my treatment and within those months I was restricted from eating solid food and that made me look like this ,a year later I was training with other kids to become a soldier at the cranes empire"Alex said.

"Wow Alex you look so hot"Amelia said and winked at him and the other girls laughed.Alex took a glance at Athena and saw the disgusted look on her face which almost made him burst out in laughter.

When they were done eating,Athena and Rose helped Madam Lisa to pack the dishes,then Athena went into the kitchen to wash them when Rose came in."What are you doing?"she asked.

"Washing the dishes obviously"Athena answered.

"Your long lost friend just returned and you are here doing the dishes,come on girl,go bond with him unless you want Sarah to have all the fun."Rose said.

"What about the dishes?"She asked.

"I'll take care of it,just go"Rose said pushing her sister.She came out of the maids quarters expecting to see Alex but unfortunately sheet with the Prince who stood there looking at her with his back resting against the wall.

"The general called him, he will soon be back"Xavier said and she nodded,she turned to leave but Xavier walked towards her and grabbed her and hugged her from behind.She stiffen in shock and said."Your highness?!"

"Your highness?"Xavier repeated her words raising a brow.

"Yes your highness,How should I refer to a Prince?"She said and he could hear the hurt in her voice. He released her and look down at the ground.

"We talked about this,you are my friend and I won't tolerate my friend referring to me by my status as a prince"Xavier said running his fingers through his long black hair.

"Friend, how nice does that word sound... your highness,like you said I am nothing but a maid and maids don't befriend your masters"She said with a disappointed gaze,also angryly running her fingers through her hair.

"Athena you know I didn't mea..."

"I have to go your highness,I have work to do"Athena said turning to leave but he grabbed her and embraced her hugging her so tight she couldn't pull away, something he always does when he offended her, he would hug her until she forgives him.

"Let me go your highness." Athena said trying to pull away from his grip.

"Not until you forgive me"Xavier said and she suddenly stopped struggling and just remained in this embrace.

"Did you do it...did you do something with Tiffany and Amelia"She asked in a low tone but made sure he heard every word.He froze and his hand fell limp releasing Athena from his embrace.He bit his lips harshly.

"Wh...where did you..."

"You did, didn't you?"She asked again and this time Xavier stuttered before he answered.

"They were...they were willing,they made the ap... approach, besides I...I didn't sleep with them."Xavier said and Athena closed her eyes and opened them.

"You could have refused,I never thought of you like someone who goes around sleeping with his servants,what makes you different from the people who harass slaves all you care about is your pleasure just like your brothers"She said with tears gleaming in her eyes and then she wiped it away,the weather turned dark and rain began to fall heavily on them.

"I swear to you Athena,I didn't sleep with them"Xavier said holding her hands but she pulled away and turned to leave after giving a slight bow.

'You,it's all you Athena,you caused all this and now you are blaming me,if it wasn't for you,I would not have done that,if it wasn't for how you looked last night I might be sane and reject them right away.'He said inwardly and punched the wall so hard that his knuckles bled.

"Fuck!!!!"He yelled in anger.

"Athena!"he called but she was running and ignored him.