Chapter 9: Surrender?

"We'll go meet your parents today," he remarked, causing Inara's joyful mood to alter quickly."Does Young Master believe my parents will accept? I mean, I'm not someone whose opinion are appreciate by her parents; I'm not sure if they'd approve of the marriage," she whispered bitterly."You don't have to worry; I'll take care of it," Alexander said. Inara offered a delicate nod, "Thank you, Young Master!" she murmured, bowing gently.—------When they arrived at Moonlight Kingdom, they were welcomed graciously, but Alexander only wanted to hit the nail on the head."I'm here to make your daughter my wife, what does the marriage rites entice?" Alexander queried, and Inara's parents furrowed their eyebrows in perplexity and dismay at his words. For a few minutes, they were unable to speak, and Inara prayed frantically in her head that she would not be rejected."Marriage rites? Our daughter is already in love with someone else, and I hope you take this into consideration, "Do you believe you're talking to a fool here? Someone you forced her to interact with, not her adored. However, I would let this go. Are you ready to tell me the option I choose, or will you continue to hide in the shadows?"Hearing his lethal statements, they became completely fearful of what to say that wouldn't elicit his rage."First, the bride has to give her dowries to you. Second, you two have to stay together as an act of creating togetherness. Finally, the bride has to be pre…., "Not needed; we will do what you asked for. And the dowries? I'd prefer not take them from her. Other things would be done correspondingly," Alexander remarked, cutting King Theodore off harshly. He quickly bowed his head in agreement."The second rite will take place here, Young Master. I'm sorry, but that is one of our kingdom's established traditions," King Theodore explained calmly, and Alexander nodded slightly in satisfaction."We would stay here for today, and any extra tasks that needed to be completed before we departed should be communicated; I wouldn't want you to stress her out because of her low status here. Lead us to our room," Alexander replied coldly. Five servants walked in instantly to lead them to their room."Surely the Young Master has a genuine cause for marrying her, my King. Aren't you happy for our daughter?" Inara's mother spoke gently, eliciting King Theodore's rage, which he had been attempting to contain since discovering his daughter's marriage to someone else."Happy? This isn't what I want; have you forgotten that I was able to get my kingship because I provided her as something in return?" He yelled at her, and Inara's mother immediately bowed in embarrassment."Just because I accepted my daughter's hand in marriage to another man does not mean I can't trash it! I would have her provide to the man I desired in a short period of time!" Inara's mother couldn't believe what King Theodore said, so she remained silent, essentially agreeing with her husband's selfish intentions.-------The couples entered their room, and Inara had been dressed in a royal bridal gown; as soon as the servants left them alone, Inara had lost her voice."Young Master?" She muttered gently, despite her veil, she could see him narrowing his brow at her, "Thank you for accepting me as your bride, I promise to try my best to be a good wife to you, and…,""There's no need for that; you must be tired; go to bed," Alexander interrupted her briefly, as they both sat on the bed. Inara didn't budge an inch, despite what he stated; she was extremely terrified."Are we going to sleep on the same bed, tonight?" Inara sluttered, exposing her innermost concerns, "If you want to follow the marriage rites, surely we have to," Inara wanted to say something objectionable, but she was temporarily unable to do so due to a malfunctioning mouth."Alright," After some time of worry, she removed her veil and looked at Alexander, trying to persuade him she should be given some privacy, "Undress yourself; you're wearing some inner garments," Alexander mocked, his tone more commanding.Inara reluctantly obeyed him and reclined at the edge of the bed, when she observed another figure lying next to her, her heart skipped a beat."Just marriage rites, I won't take advantage of you," Alexander reassured her, softly. Inara just nodded and shifted closer to him."Goodnight, Young Master," she whispered, and fell asleep.—------The next day, they returned to Duke Empire, however, Yivanne was eager to learn more after seeing her adorned royal bridal robe."Your Highness, you look stunning this morning, could you please tell me…, "What happened?" Inara smiled, and Yivanne nodded gently in affirmation."Young Master and I got married yesterday," Inara dropped the bombshell, leaving Yivanne utterly silent for a moment, trying to digest whether her ears weren't malfunctioning."Are you serious? Your Highness, are you married to the Young Master?""Yes. I didn't…," Yivanne hugged her and said, "I'm so happy for you, though it came as a surprise. Congratulations, Your Highness,"Thank you. But I'd prefer you to address me as something else; since I'm already married, "Congratulations, my lady," Yivanne said, shouting her lungs out as she grabbed Inara firmly in joy.—-------Inara came into the garden and found Alexander sitting in a corner. She spotted two chairs instead of one, as well as a table in the center with various delicacies on it."Take a seat," Alexander's voice brought her back to reality, and she promptly sat down, "You should eat,"Inara raised her eyebrows at him and anxiously clutched her fingers together, "Can I ask you a question, Young Master?""It's Alexander, "But you're not calling me by name? It turns out that Young Master has no idea what my name is," she said sadly."You want me to be addressing you by your name, Inara?" he scoffed, and Inara was stunned beyond words when she heard him call her name. So he knew her name?"You wanted to ask me a question earlier, what's it, wifey?" Alexander inquired, and his abrupt moniker turned Inara's face scarlet."Young, sorry; I mean Alexander, why did you choose to marry me while you have been given a woman to marry?" Inara sluttered; mentioning him by his name feels so awkward to her.Alexander went closer to her, as if he wanting to say something awful, and with their eyes fixed totally in each other, "I'll tell you whenever your heart is ready to take it, wait until that time comes. Exercise a little more patient, wifey," he whispered silent to her ear."I'm going to wait then," Inara ended with a cheeky smile, "Hmm; anything else, wifey?""Nothing," she stressed, and watched him simply nod in acceptance before sitting with his face distant from hers, "I'll be departing for the palace soon, but I won't be able to stay here much longer. Since you have no more questions, may I leave you alone to consume your meals during my absence?""Sure, Alexander," she answered reluctantly, "I'll be back soon; your maid would be of help if you need anything," —-----Meanwhile, Alexander was on his way to the King's palace after being commanded by the King to battle with his brother.The fight began shortly after his arrival, but only the creams were permitted to see it.Inara went back and forth in her room after instructing Yivanne to check the situation at the palace. Yivanne walked in, and Inara raced towards her in panic."Turns out it's true; the duel between Young Master and his brother, "But why would they fight each other?""Young Master lost the previous war, and as a punishment, the King threw him the duel, "What? Simply because he lost the war for the first time, he should not be judged! I have to stop this," Inara murmured, her wrath boiling inside, intending to walk away, but Yivanne stopped her."Women are prohibited to be there, my lady," Yivanne said, "I don't care; I'm his wife, and I have every right to make him quit!""But, Young Master wouldn't want to quit, "I'll do it my way!" Inara shrieked and walked out of the room, with Yivanne following her.—-----Alexander never allows for effective attacks, while Basil continues to hurl at him. Their swords collided as they began to fight viciously.Inara walked inside and was not stopped by the guards after it was revealed that she was his wife, they specifically thought she was the well-known princess Suzyo.When Alexander fights his brother, he shows no mercy, which exemplifies the King's terrible mindset."You can't intervene, my lady," Forest remarked as Inara tried to terminate the fight, "Either one of them would live, or one would die to gain the leadership position. Quitting is the worst of it, hence none of them are prepared to quit,"Inara's eyes welled up with tears as she observed the horrifying scenario; even though she knew nothing about fighting, she knew Alexander's attacks would be insufficient to defeat him.Her eyes widened as Alexander was stabbed deeply in the stomach, Basil's sword flying out to the other side, "Fuck you!" he cried in triumph, withdrawing his bloodied sword from his stomach.Alexander flowed out blood and was about to fall, but he held on fast to his sword. He was preparing to launch again when a shrill voice resonated across the atmosphere."No; don't do it, and please quit," Inara said shakily. Alexander glanced at her for a moment before shaking his head negatively."Stop battling, let him take the lead, and submit. I beg of you, Alexander," she murmured angrily, dropping to her knees as tears streamed down her cheeks.Alexander was unsure what to do when he saw her cry. Should he truly surrender?"Make a decision; do you want to surrender and I will take your place as the future King? Or, continue battling till my sword slides down your throat?" When Basil made his awful declaration, Alexander coldly turned away from his wife.