THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 4

"Where were you today Charles ?" Therese asked her husband.
"Just sorting out some business of mine. Why ?" he replied in the most uninterested tone as he pulled his boots off preparing to go to bed.
" I haven't seen you the whole day," she replied with a sigh. He was never much around."Charles, why don't we sort of our problems instead of treating each other this way ? We're married and it doesn't feel like we are."
" Which problems Therese ? There is only one big problem here that won't go away and that is your damn father. He has always interfered in our relationship since the day I married you. He doesn't even respect me and my position as his grandchildren's father. All these years he has always humiliated me and looked down on me and with that I don't think that there's a need to have a relationship here."
" He has always been harsh but why can't we solve this and get past it together ? I have tried my best to be a good and loving wife to you but you only push me away."
" Were you a good wife when I kept telling you to leave this place with me so that we could have our peace ? Huh ? "he said and huffed angrily before sitting on their bed.
" Charles please. You know that I'm the Crown princess and I can't just leave. I have a duty to the kingdom and I have to stay here and help run the kingdom. You agreed to this before marriage. "
" I did Therese. I did but I didn't know that I would have such a man for a father in-law. "
" But that isn't reason for you to go ahead and be unfaithful to me, " she cried.
" I tried to be the best Therese but nothing I do was and is good enough to your father and as long as he pokes his nose into our business, I will keep my distance. Now I don't want to have this conversation with you, "he said and blew off the candles next to him and covered himself with the velvet sheets leaving her all alone in the dark.
    Outside Aretha's room, Luciana was pacing. She was nervous. Aretha's maid had told her that Aretha wasn't in her room yet so she had to wait outside. After a couple of minutes Aretha walked in with Astrid.
"What are you doing here ?" Aretha asked in her haughty tone.
" I uhm uhm," Luciana stammered as she looked between the two cousins. Astrid shouldn't find out about the reason she wanted to see Aretha.
"Speak up," Aretha hissed.
" Is everything alright Luciana ?" a clueless Astrid asked.
" I just need to talk to Lady Aretha about something in private if that's not too much to ask my lady."
" Uhm okay. Go ahead but hurry up. I need you to help me prepare for the night."
" Yes my lady. I will be there."
" Goodnight Aretha," Astrid said before walking to her room leaving the two women alone.
" You wanted to talk to me Luciana. Come with me inside my chambers," Aretha said as she walked inside her room followed by Luciana. "Well speak up!"she said after some moments of silence between them.
" I just wanted to beg you not to tell anybody about what you saw happen between me and Fabian."
" Fabian ?" she laughed." You even have the nerve to address him by his name ?You really are something Luciana."
" Pardon me my lady. I'm begging you not to disclose what you saw between me and Prince Fabian. It was wrong. I shouldn't have done that."
" You know what Luciana, Fabian already talked me out of it. I won't reveal what I saw but on one condition. You will stay away from him or else I won't hesitate to report this to the king. I won't let a maid get in the way of his glory. Think about what Astrid will think of you. She will despise you for it. Is that what you want ?"
" No my lady."
" Good. You know what you have to do. Now get out of my room now."
" Yes ma'am. Tha.... "
" I said get out, "Aretha interrupted. Luciana curtsied and left immediately as Aretha rolled her eyes at her. Aretha had always despised Luciana since they were young and used every chance she had to mistreat her. Whenever Astrid defended Luciana, Aretha was always enraged and it pushed her to hate Luciana even more. Now that she had found out Luciana's secret, she would use this chance to torture her.