Forgotten Wife

CHAPTER 23: A SINCERE APOLOGY

After eating Rebecca ran to her little house, she did that every day to feed the baby fox she had as a pet, when she arrived at the house she opened the door and there was Romano feeding the little fox, when he saw her so agitated he asked her.

-What's the matter?

-I was coming to feed this little guy- answered Rebecca.

-I think it would be better if you took him to the palace, it must be very tiring to come here every day, I heard that you are very busy with your classes.

-That's right, but I don't think his majesty would like me to take him.

Romano remembered that Setherian didn't like animals very much.

-I suppose you're right- he replied.

-If I could I would let him free but whenever I leave him in the forest he always ends up coming back.

-He's been living like a pet, I think this little guy has no survival instinct, that's why he prefers to be with you.

-But there will be a day when I won't be able to come back to this house, and then what will become of him, who will feed him?

-If you want, I will take care of him, if he is in the palace you will be able to see him every day and you won't have to worry about him starving to death.

-I would be very grateful if you would do that.

Rebecca stayed a while caressing the little fox with a sad expression on her face, while she was doing it, Romano asked her.

-You seem sad lately, what's the matter?

-Nothing, I just realized that...- Rebecca cut his words and said -I have to go, I will see you later.

Rebecca walked towards the door, before leaving she said to him.

-Take good care of him.

-I will.

Setherian was in his office, Romano looked out and asked.

-Are you busy?

-You know I'm never busy for you brother, come in.

Romano sat down on the chair in front of his brother's desk and said.

-The princess is strange, has something happened between you?

-Why do you think so, Roman?

-It's just that normally she is always happy, but lately she seems sad, she spends the nights with you, that's why I'm asking.

-She doesn't want to take magic lessons, she's upset because she has to spend all her time at the palace.

-She has never liked the palace, I understand why she feels that way.

-She is a real nuisance.

-Brother she is alone in a country where everyone feels hatred for her, where everyone blames her for the deaths of her relatives on the battlefield, don't be so hard on her, be that as it may, you are her husband, try to be softer and kinder to her.

-I don't know what's wrong with everyone today asking me to be kind and loving to her.

-Did anyone else ask you?

-Fergal.

-Then you should do it.

The king's attendant knocked on the door, then leaned out and said.

-I'm sorry to interrupt your majesty, but your meeting will begin shortly.

Setherian stood up and said to him.

-I will see you at suppertime, brother.

-See you then.

That night when Setherian went to his chambers once again the princess was already in bed pretending to sleep, he took off his jacket and loosened his shirt, sat down on the edge of the bed and said.

-Stop pretending to sleep, I know you're awake.

Rebecca continued to squeeze her eyes shut, Setherian told her.

-If you don't open your eyes I think I should make you wake up and you may not like the way I'm going to do it.

Rebecca opened her eyes and sat up, she was afraid of what the king was going to do to her.

-At last you open your eyes- he said to her.

-What do you wish, your majesty?

-I don't like to be on bad terms with the woman I sleep with, I wouldn't like it if you wanted to kill me in the middle of the night because you were angry.

-I would never do such a thing- Rebecca replied.

-I know I broke my word, I apologize for that, I was very rude," said Setherian.

Rebecca stared at him and couldn't believe he was apologizing and asked him.

-What exactly are you apologizing for?

-For everything- he replied.

Rebecca settled her head back on the pillow, turned around and said.

-His Majesty's apology is not for real.

-What?

-You don't have to apologize.

-But I do.

-That's not true.

Setherian grabbed Rebecca's shoulders, forcing her to turn around.

-Why are you so foolish? I'm apologizing.

-But your apology is not sincere.

-How do you want me to apologize so you'll forgive me?

-Keep your promise.

-What?

-I just want his majesty to keep his promise to me.

-I can't.

-Then your apology is a lie- Rebecca replied as she turned her back on him and lay back down on the bed.

Setherian sighed heavily and told her.

-All right, I'll keep my promise to you.

Rebecca stood up, looked him straight in the eyes and asked.

-Did you mean it?

-Yes.

Rebecca hugged him with emotion and said.

-Thank you very much, that means I don't have to receive any more magic classes, nor wife education.

-Wait, I didn't say that.

Rebecca broke off, frowned and told him.

-Then he's lying.

-You can have lessons with Lady Patricia once a week and continue with the magic classes, that's the most I can do.

-Rebecca nodded, that's better than nothing.

-Then from now on I want you to pay attention to your magic classes.

Rebecca looked away, Setherian grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him.

-Fergal told me that you don't pay attention to his classes, if you don't correct your attitude I'll make you go back to living in the main palace all day, you're not going back to that little house.

-All right, from now on I will pay attention.

-Is it a promise?

-Yes, I promise.