.
"I-It was the crown prince" the man bobbed his eyes, fear dancing in his eyes
"Lock him up in the dungeon. We need you as a witness to support my claim, if it comes in handy"
"N-no, don't lock me up...stop, your highness. Please, no!"
.
Unhappily, Brenda had dinner with the family. Feeling weird as she was the only lady in the midst of the royals. And unhappy, finding out about her husband's illicit affairs
"You're not eating much, are you alright?" Leon asked, staring at her with concern
Concern? Was he worried about her? She doubts it
"I don't have an appetite" she answered
"Are you feeling well, dear?" King Eli questioned and she smiled
"I am, your majesty. I am just not hungry"
"You should at least have something, eat something light" Leon suggested
"No, your highness. Thanks for your concern"
"Are you sure you're-" Leon reached out to place his hand on her forehead but she moved her head backward
Leon felt annoyed. She had bluntly refused his offer to eat something and now she was rejecting his touch
The king and the younger prince didn't seem to notice this as they had moved their attention over to their meal. But the second prince caught every moment of it, a slight smirk etched at the corner of his lips
"You've been quiet throughout the meal, dear. I doubt you're feeling okay" King Eli stated "Are we perhaps expecting..."
"Definitely not!" Brenda cut in and all eyes went to her "I-I mean it can't be so soon-"
"Oh, right" the King chuckled. Leon's eyes flared in anger as they exited the dining. They hadn't gone far when Leon grasped her arm
"What was that about?" Leon questioned, trying not to raise his voice to alert his family
"What did I do? You're hurting me, Leon!"
"You dare call me by my name after humiliating me in the presence of my father" he yanked her arm harder and she winced, his nails would definitely leave a mark on her arm
"Leon-"
"What? Is it so bad to have my child? You sounded like you don't even want one"
"Well, do you? If you so desperately want a child. Why don't you go to your mistress? You find ease there, don't you?"
"What are you yammering about? What mistress? We're talking about you not wanting a baby. Does it disgust you so much?"
"It does!" she yanked her hand from his "It does! I don't want you touching me with the same hands you use on your women. I don't care, just stay away from me" And she stormed off
"Damn it, how did she find out?" he ruffled his hand into his hair and hit the wall "What are you doing here?" he angrily asked Alexander who stepped out from behind the wall
"Oh? Is this a no-walking zone? It is the hallway, anyone can walk through" Alexander said with a smirk "Or do you mean to ask if I overheard the little mishap between you and your...the princess?"
"It's a tiny argument between married couples. It happens all the time" Leon responded
"It does? I guess it does. You should take care, Leon. Don't let your stupid affairs hurt her"
"What does that have to do with you? Brenda is my wife" Leon snapped and walked away
"Not for long" Alexander muttered and kept on walking.
His eyes scanned through the hallway, walking down the stairs and heading towards the garden. There he saw her, sitting on a bench, her face sad and pitiful, her eyes dim and almost lacking vitality, her lips curved downward into a deep frown
He went to sit by her and sensing the company of another, Brenda's eyes went to his. Her eyes misty and tears threatening to fall out. A tear slipped down, glistening in the sunlight
"Do not spill your tears for someone who doesn't worth it" Alexander said, slipping his hand into his pocket and bringing out a white handkerchief. He held her hand and placed it on her palm
Brenda blinked her eyes, fighting back the tears that was about to flood out
"I'm not crying...because of him" she replied, sniffing
"I never said you were. Don't waste your precious tears, that's all I'm saying" Brenda went to look at the handkerchief and then stood up "Be sure to treat your wound, otherwise it might leave a scar" she didn't say anything and walked away
"If only you had waited a while..." he muttered, his eyes glued to her back as her silhouette disappeared