~Chapter Eight ~ Something Strange

Alexander's eyes furrowed at the scene that welcomed him, Ana was laying on the cold floor drenched in her own sweat. The carpet was getting soaked and it appeared like she was shivering.

'I guess people from her century enjoy the floor more than the bed'

His comments were always sarcastic, even when the situation was grave, he didn't give a shit about anything. Alexander wasn't always this way, everyone had a story to their changes in life, no?🙂

On his attempt to pick her up from the floor, he sensed the heat coming from her body, she was burning up and shivering like a duckling who was born in the winter.

He wasn't going to risk anything because no one knew what her other half was except that she was human. Alexander levitated her and kept her on the bed, and called some maids to come attend to her fever.

He was not the caring type, as he had much more important matters to attend, he wasn't going to change for the halfling and for anyone else either, the latter didn't even know the reason he brought her to his world, just an instinct of danger he supposed.

The maids rushed into her room and helped with first aid, a wet towel was placed on her forehead and she was tucked in with a thick comforter, the light of the moon shone brightly into the veranda of Ana's room, and the lit candles made the atmosphere warmer for her to not get worse.

After the maids thought they had done the necessary, they went back to their rooms for rest. Alexander came back and sat in the arm chair in Ana's room, he sat there in the darkness contemplating and watching over her, at least until she'd notice someone was there.

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The next morning, Alexander had another council meeting and they had some unexpected news from the King of Hansville.

"Your majesty, the people are demanding a decrease in the tax collection, they even started a riot in the tiny villages nearby, the collectors were harassed and some of them were beaten because of the tax."

Minister Lucks was reporting, as he awaited for his ally to back him up.

"Yes your Majesty minister Lucks is correct, the villagers have gone wild because you did not sign the most important decree to them"

Seconded minister Belwick, the two were birds of a feather, always planning schemes against Alexander and his reign, to terminate him and replace him with one the baby princes.

But unluckily for them, Alexander was not the type of coward they thought he was. The latter was a strong and very cunning, and very smart matter of fact, smarter than all of the ministers sitting at the table.

Alexander smirked and said:

"I made a decrease in the tax collecting just last week to weigh off the burden of my people, and your here again in less than a month trying to tell me what to do?"

Minister Luck and Minister Belwick got offended by thus and were surprised at the prince's way of speaking.

"How dare we tell you what to do your majesty, please forgive our arrogant words and manners. We are just concerned about the people's...."

"Oh please stop with the drama, we know you don't give a damn about the people's thoughts or what they want, you rich oppress the poor and I am sure that the taxes were not reduced as I instructed, or am I wrong?"

Interrupted Alexander with an expressionless face, he wasn't the type to be messed with and he certainly knew that the ministers were trying to overthrown him and take over the kingdom through his puppet cousins.

"Your Majesty, I myself will consider the fact that Minister Belwick and Minister Lucks didn't reduce the price but I will do it, please your Majesty, forgive their insolence and spear their lives"

Minister Thomas, a fine man indeed and youngest of all the ministers present at the table, he always opposed the oldies in their evil ways and thought about the consequences that could surface because of actions.

"Of course, their nothing but confused men, I am sure their age has something to do with this"

Commented Alexander with a sarcastic grin, his comment made the members of the royal ministry assembly hold in their laughter, except Lucks and Belwick.

"What other appeals do I have to review and sign, I'm getting quite bored of this assembly and I'm not signing any of the nonsense that was submitted in the last meeting"

The ministers were quite offended, because some decrees were to be signed. They wanted it signed so desperately because it was going to benefit their corrupt ways and bring them more wealth. Those old geezers, who didn't know about them.😫

"Your majesty, e have news from the Hansville kingdom, it is an invitation to the royal engagement party of Princess Esmeralda and the commander of war Captain Jeri".

Reported minister Thomas with a wide smile plastered on his old wrinkled face. the man looked quite old, but too young to be a grandfather. He was not as selfish as the other ministers, but then they all have a sense of greed when it comes to money.

"hmmm, what a surprise, the werewolf king is finally marrying his daughter off. I'm afraid the marriage wont last"

everyone was shocked with the sort of words that escaped the prince's mouth, he was quite brutal with his words and didn't care if the ill things he said would happen.

"Sire, you shouldn't say such words, it will bring calamity to the land of Gilmore, as they might render it treason in Hansville and charge war against us"

Minister Lawrence was quite scared when it came to karma and getting the power of one's words, especially when it came from a powerful person like Alexander himself.

"Minister Lawrence, have you ever heard of a marriage between a wolf and a lamb?"

"N.....n.....no mi Lord"

minister Lawrence was already shaking in his seat and breaking cold sweat, no one liked getting metaphoric questions from the king, he could be off with your head in o time and for no reason.

"Well it is just like the one that is about to take place, you see a wolf cannot resist the urge to eat the lamb because they see it as prey, and Captain Jeri wont live long enough, because of war, and Hansville loves the trouble, or am I wrong?"

"No your majesty".

Everyone at the table answered terrified, even if it was not the case, the Princess' wedding was not going to last, I mean who else gets married to minister of war and their marriage lasts for more than 15 years. Unless you're "Married to the devil's son😏", that's when its possible.

"What should we reply to King Leon your majesty?"

Asked one of the ministers as alexander gave him a terrifying grin and responded.....

"Tell the king of Hansville that I am glad and delighted about his invitation, and I will be attending the engagement party. Maybe then I can convince him to join forces with us"

He smiled to himself and stood up from his seat, he was done for the day, he didn't have anything to say to the ministers, nor did the ministers plan to continue with other decrees as they were silent and speechless.

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Back in Alexander's study, the maids were taking away the papers that contained the royal decrees that Alexander disagreed on signing and were burning it outside, Alex asked one of the maids to send for Ana.

"Hey you there, go over to the other side of the castle and tell my guest that I am inviting her for lunch"

He instructed and the maid bowed and left. he dismissed the other maids and sat there in his study with Edward.

"There is something strange about this halfling girl Edward, but I just can't pinpoint it, yesterday I heard her voice in my head asking for help, at first I thought it was the dead souls, but then it wasn't it was clearly her. I got to her room and then I found her on the floor and a lot of heat was coming off from her, I couldn't touch her so I levitated her to her bed"

Edward squinted his eyes and tried to think about Alexanders explanation, he didn't seem to put the pieces of the puzzle together because a lot of pieces were still missing.

"That's very strange and awkward Alex, I don't know of such being that has that kind of powers or traits"

And that made him keep a closer eye on the human girl. At first she burned Alex and he felt the burns, and now he could hear her voice in his head, what more could happen?