Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 33

Mia had woken up early this morning and readied herself for the day ahead. She would have to meet Robb Ainsworth at the tenth hour at the site and didn't want to go later than the time given. When Toni came into her room, it was to ready her bath and after that; she helped made her up. She didn't want to put too much into her looks. There was nothing to put anything to, but she wanted to look presentable.

She had stepped out from behind Xavier's shadow a few times, especially with her duties at the maidens' court, but this was different. She would stand before the alpha and alphas alone, and sell him a lie.

Xavier had his doubts and fears, as he should. She didn't expect him to trust her; she didn't trust herself.

The face that stared back at her in the mirror looked bold. It almost looked in control and capable of doing anything.

It was the ninth hour, and she was already dressed and ready. She received information about the arrival of the carriage and she arose and made her way out of her room and into the palace hall. She saw Xavier already standing in an emerald robe, matching his eyes, which now had a dark line underneath it. None of his guards was beside him, and she figured he wanted to talk with her and didn't want them to hear. He had an unreadable look on his face as he stared at her, but Mia had become accustomed to it and hence learned to fear it less.

"My king," she bowed when she came before him.

He took her in from head to toe, his eyes not failing to trail over her full curves and fine lines. Her hair held in a messy bun with only a few dangling at the side of her face made her look exquisite. The open-shoulder grey gown brought out her toned neck and refined shoulders. He wanted to run his fingertips over them.

If he didn't know the type of maiden she was, he'd say she was dressing to impress his father. She wouldn't be interested in his father, she wasn't interested in him either. The only fondness she had was for his brother, Edward. Good thing he sent him away. "You have a steady heartbeat for someone who's going to meet the alpha of alphas." he pointed out instead.

She smiled a little, and her eyes dimmed. "I'm not afraid." Confidence oozed off her voice as she spoke.

"Good."

She noticed the dimmed and tired look on his face and she immediately felt concerned for him.

"You look like someone who barely slept an hour last night." She said, her gaze narrowed on his. "What kept you up?"

"You did." despite their tiredness, his eyes darkened with lust as they stayed on hers, a smirk appearing on his broad face.

Her breath cut midway in her throat, and her lips parted to drag more air in. She tore her gaze away from him to look elsewhere, terrified that he might just see the need in them. She hated the response her body gave him, and she didn't want him to see it. Xavier liked that she was affected by him. He was growing fond of that needy look on her face. She could play her games, but he could play her, and make her knees grow weak. He loved seeing her body betray her. That told him she wasn't always in control. Another time, he'd want to take advantage of the opportunity and t*****e her, but not now.

He stepped forward and her heart picked up in its beat. For fear or precaution, he didn't know. He didn't stop coming closer despite what he heard, not until he stood face to face with her. Her heart was hammering loudly. It made his ears hurt. "Listen, if..."

"If I betray you, you'll have my father killed. Then you will hunt me down and make sure I suffer a cruel fate."

He glared down at her, upset that she cut him off. Yet he spoke. "If you feel you can't replace the answers to his questions, then don't answer them."

That wasn't what she expected him to say, and it surprised her.

She pursed her lips and nodded. "Okay. I won't."

His hand lifted to the side of her face, and he slowly caressed it, sending shivers down her spine. He leaned in and his soft lips pressed against her forehead to leave a tender kiss thereon.

Mia's heart fluttered in her chest, even though it shouldn't. She was longing for something she shouldn't, something that wasn't there.

He dragged himself away from her and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Be safe."

Since Robb had sent the carriage that picked her up, she didn't fret about not knowing the location and simply got in. After an hour of moving, the carriage came to a stop standstill at the farmer's institution site where a massive building had been erected. She could tell by her calculations it would be over a five-storey building. It would be the biggest she'd ever seen, and it'll be a beautiful sight to see.

She got down and the guard, already waiting for her arrival, led her towards the front gate of the construction.

The sun shone brighter today than most days, yet she felt cold. At first, she didn't feel sceptical about meeting the Alpha of alphas, but now she did. Xavier's lack of faith in her had gotten to her, or maybe it was her sudden lack of faith in herself.

As they drew closer, she saw a man standing with his back turned to her and his eyes fixated on the ongoing construction. Even without seeing his face, Mia knew he was Robb Ainsworth. His height and build and even the texture of his grey hair resembled that of his son and made it obvious.

Her hands became sweaty.

"Sometimes I wonder what Xavier was thinking when he embarked on the Capital 3," Robb spoke as soon as Mia came to stand beside him. Still, his concentration stayed on the gigantic building.

The building was in progress and with the amount of human resources invested, Mia knew its completion won't be long. It still surprised her that Xavier had given the go-ahead of this. Lately, surprising her had become a habit of his. It made it hard to keep him out of her head and thoughts.

"I think he hoped this would give some kind of reassurance to everyone."

"How do you mean?"

"This construction since it began has had people talking and fascinated. I know I've been. You might not already know this, your grace, but I love books and when I heard about the library and scholars' institution, it gladdened my heart."

"When this project is completed, it will put a stop to a lot of things. Our warriors, farmers and scholars would no longer have to migrate from our kingdom onto others to learn skills, gain knowledge and gain resources. They will be grateful they lived to see this achievement in Wahala."

"You're young for the wisdom you possess. If Xavier was as wise, perhaps I wouldn't be so worried about the future of this kingdom." he sighed.

"You're right, your grace, the alpha king isn't the wisest." She agreed, and this made him turn his attention to her.

She hesitated. She felt she had said too much, but he nodded for her to speak. "Well, you see, the alpha king has made a few mistakes in his life, but he's wise to learn from them. The Capital 3 would never have been thought of by a foolish king. Not with a thousand wise counsel. But, the king saw it necessary for the kingdom to have this, even if its failure might bring him shame and disgrace. He's risking it, with a hope of giving his people the best."

A smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "You're right, and you're smart, perhaps too smart for my son to handle. I have to ask what's going on?"

She let out a nervous laugh. "What do you mean, your grace?"

"I know my son, and I know how rebellious he can be. I also know you're not the type of maiden he normally goes for."

She took Xavier's suggestion and remained quiet.

"Did your king tell you to say all this to gain some sort of favourable remark?" he fully turned to her, the ray of the setting sun illuminating his face and causing a few flickers thereon.

She shook her head. "No, your grace. The alpha king doesn't tell me what to do. He trusts my decision and judgement despite knowing I'm so young."

His eyes narrowed at her as if he saw something else, but he maintained silence.

They met with a few of the workers on the site. They were all eager to meet Robb and Mia, and they shook hands. Robb asked them if they were enthusiastic about the project and the smiles on their faces said they were.

Mia and Robb made their way towards the carriage waiting for her after the third hour of them being here and Robb spoke.

"The information I received in the last week that your marriage to the alpha king was a last-minute one."

"It was, your grace."

"Has he been tender and kind towards you?" he asked, with a tender voice.

This was his second attempt to get the truth from her. Was there something that gave their perfect cover away? Or did he read through her like Xavier predicted?

She hesitated, and Robb continued.

"Xavier can't be forced into doing anything, if he is, he lashes out and not in a good way, so if he's hurting you in any way, or making you do anything you don't want to do," his warm hands took hold of her cold ones and squeezed down in reassurance. "You can tell me, and I'll do my best to keep you away from him."

She contemplated telling him the truth here and now. She could tell him about her marriage and her escape and the deal she made with the alpha king. He could have a way to help her and set her free, but she stopped herself.

There was a lot she'd put at stake by doing this. The alpha of alphas might have the utmost authority, but the alpha king still had the utmost power. The Royal army would carry Xavier's command out faster than that of his father. "I'll make sure your father never sees the light of day again." Xavier's threat rang in her head.

She didn't want to put the alpha king to the test. It would be foolish. She couldn't risk the life of her father on a probability and so she held her peace.

She pulled her hands from him and rubbed them together. "Not at first, your grace. We both didn't know each other before getting married and so understanding was not something easy. He also believed the council of alphas betrayed him. They didn't. Fate played us both. Our union has been at a slow pace, but we worked through it every day to replace common ground. We understand each other more, and he surprises me every day."

He smiled down at her, his emerald eyes holding tenderness. "You're smitten by him. I see it now. I hope my son is worthy of your affections, queen Mia."

She remained silent, once again not knowing how to respond to him.

She wasn't smitten by the Alpha king, not really. Yes, her emotions were heightened, and she felt edgy in his presence. She had a weakness whenever he smiled as well and tingled at his touch, but that was it. These were nothing more than carnal reactions. She didn't harbour affection towards the alpha king.

If Robb saw such, it was just a part of the act and nothing more.

The gates to the Palace Estate opened, and Xavier heard. He rose from his throne and hurried out of the Palace.

He stood at the pavement and watch the white carriage come to a stop. The guard who sat beside the ride got down and opened the door to her. He offered her his hand, and she took and descended from the carriage with grace.

Xavier's heart pounded so hard he was certain those from miles away could hear it as he awaited his queen.

Mia climbed up the few steps that led to the entrance where her husband stood and soon came before him.

Robb's words echoed in her head as she beheld Xavier's relief filled face, and she told herself his father was mistaken with his claims. He had to be.

There were a few things different about her husband now as compared to before. She feared him less, and he didn't silence her as much as he used to. He had also shown her a few sides of him, which were nice and tender, but that was it. A part of her still hated him and wanted him to suffer, but another part just wanted to know more and everything there was to know about him.

She felt trapped.

There was something about seeing Mia that made Xavier's heart swell. He didn't think she would return. This was her opportunity to leave. She could have and no one would have blamed her, yet she returned. This made him happy. Xavier offered her his hand and, smiling slightly, she took it.