Jealousy

Alexia kept watching with keen eyes as Daffany and Ivan interacted cheerfully. She sat stiffly waiting for Ivan to finally give her his attention. How could he ignore her like this? She was his wife for goodness sake.

Ivan noticed something off with Alexia. She wasn't talking at all and it was weird. His brow furrowed slightly and he turned his whole attention to her worriedly "Alexia, are you alright? Are you feeling sick? If you were not feeling well, you shouldn't have come here. I would understand".

Alexia smiled "I am alright, Your Highness. I am not just feeling like talking. ".

Ivan nodded satisfied "Okay then but if you aren't feeling alright tell me".

Daffany's face darkened significantly when she saw the affection between the two. It was supposed to be an arranged marriage, right? So why was it looking as if the both of them willingly agreed to it? She felt worse when she saw the love in Ivan's eyes. Alexia still looked as if she liked him just a little bit. She smirked when she thought of something. She would see if they had enough trust for each other.

Alexia smirked victoriously 'In your face witch' she thought wickedly 'Let's see how you try to gain my husband's attention now'. Daffany and Ivan kept talking with Ivan checking on Alexia from time to time. Alexia wanted to wait for Ivan and Daffany to finish speaking but they were taking too long. Her eyes had started to close from boredom.

She sighed defeatedly and stood up "Your Highness, I am sorry but I've to leave".

Ivan looked concerned "I will be right after you. Let me finish things up here".

Alexia nodded. She was barely listening to whatever he was saying. She headed for the door and walked out. She raised her hand to her face and realized that her bangle was not on her hand anymore. It must have removed when she was wriggling around on her seat. She walked back into the room and what she saw made her feel as if hundreds of daggers were piercing her heart. Daffany and Ivan were kissing. Her eyes became moist with tears. She didn't like this husband of hers, did she? It was too early to develop feelings for him even if it was little.

Ivan was shocked. He didn't expect Daffany to pull such a trick on him. He glared at her condescendingly "I will deal with you later" he warned.

Daffany teared up and she tried not to choke on her sobs "Ivan, you know I have always loved you and you got married to her. What does she have that I don't?" she grabbed onto his hand and inquired.

Ivan removed his hand from her grip "I have nothing to say to you. Leave by tomorrow morning". He rushed off after Alexia.

Daffany smirked. She had planned it meticulously. She saw Alexia's bangle on the table and prolonged her chat with Ivan. She knew Alexia would come back for her bangle anytime soon so she pulled Ivan in and kissed him suddenly. He wasn't guarded against her and that was why it was easy to do what she did. She smiled happily. What she did would cause a huge dent in their already blooming relationship.

......

Ivan rushed after Alexia. He walked into their room and saw her by the side of the bed sobbing. He walked over to her and heard her weak voice "Ivan..don't...don't come near me". He tried to touch her but she avoided his hand.

He begged " Alexia please listen to me" he tried to reason.

Alexia was infuriated "Listen?" she questioned "I should really listen? Ivan, you don't have to explain to me. We are in an arranged marriage. You don't have to explain to me. You can be with anyone you want, It's not in my place to ask. Whether it's Daffany or anyone else, I don't mind. You don't have to explain". she didn't realize that her words were very hurtful. Her anger had blinded her up to the extent that she said unreasonable things.

Ivan was hurt. Her words were endless knives stabbing into his heart. He was infuriated. So the care he showed her since they began this marriage was not sincere? That was what she was trying to say. He smiled mockingly "Fine. Think what you want. It's not as if I didn't try to explain. Is that what you think of me? A cheating husband? I can be with anyone I want right? Then deal with it". he stormed out of the room.

Alexia curled up on the bed. That night, Ivan didn't come back to the room. The bed felt cold and empty and she had difficulty sleeping. She had gotten too used to his presence.

The next morning, Alexia walked to the dining after taking a bath. She walked past Daffany's room and heard her speaking to someone.

Daffany's voice sounded scheming as she said "It was so easy to trick Ivan's wife into thinking he was cheating on her. Her jealousy at the beginning was very useful to me. I just had to pull Ivan a little. He wasn't guarded at all against me so it was easy. I knew that useless princess would fall for it and I happened to do it at such perfect timing".

Alexia gasped. She rushed back to her room and sat on the bed. She was very foolish indeed. She remembered Ivan saying she should let him explain and everything hit her like a wave. Daffany was right. Her jealousy got the best of her. She had to wait for Ivan to come back. She wanted to say she was sorry for misunderstanding him and she would trust him from now on. She felt sad and her eyes welled up with tears. She remembered the hurt in his eyes when she said she didn't care. It was true that the truth always makes one come to reality.

But that night, even though Alexia waited and waited, Ivan still didn't come back. She had to sleep on the cold and lonely bed again. She really regretted doubting him now. How angry was he that he didn't come back for two nights?