Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 73

"How do I not know this?" Mia asked, climbing down the stairs of the balcony along with Edward. She lifted her long blue gown with her hands to help keep her graceful step while racing down. "You should know by now that your husband is just as secretive as the listeners he confines in, or worse, the cave shamans," Edward replies.

Edward had barged into her study a few minutes ago while she read throug the records or the maidens' council. He asked her if she knew what today was and she told him it was the third day of the week and the fifteenth day of March. He then asked if she knew today was Xavier's birthday, to which she replied no. Then he told her it was. Mia didn't believe it at first. She had woken up in the alpha king's bed today, but he didn't inform her about his special day. If he did, she would have remembered instead of staring at Edward like an idiot when he broke the news to her.

Edward spent most of his days with his father, the alpha of alphas, and went with him on most of his visits and his restoration tours around the kingdom. Robb's duties lay with the kingdom as expected of every alpha of alphas, but Xavier believed he was up to no good. She couldn't fault him. He didn't have the healthiest relationship with his father. She hoped that would change someday but someday wasn't close by yet. She missed Edward's presence in the kingdom, but the crowned prince had his life to live and whenever he could, he made plans and visited.

His visit today wasn't expected, yet welcomed and appreciated until he dropped the news on her. Edward had times he'd joke around, but this time wasn't it.

He was right Xavier was as secretive as they came and was the man that would happily suffer and die in silence before asking for help. He was learning to share now, which was good, but just like every road to recovery, it was slow.

"The last birthday he celebrated was his nineteenth birthday. Mother always threw his parties. She died a few months after that and he stopped celebrating altogether."

"He misses her," Mia said sadly, as they strolled towards the garden.

He nodded. "She understood him more than anyone, his pain, his anger. The queen believed all he needed was someone who would believe in him. I guess that's why he clung to Zara after meeting her. She understood him the way his mother did and expected nothing from him in return."

Mia stayed quiet. She wasn't sure she'd ever understand the alpha king the way his mother and his lover once did. Even if she could, there was no guarantee she would want to. The man had already affected her. Learning that he wasn't as bad as he portrayed himself to be softened her heart towards him. He was a sad man that would cling to anything that brought him a little joy even if it was a lie.

She couldn't lie. As affected as she was, she wasn't sure she would be the best for him.

Was she affected by him? Yes. Was she attracted to him? Also yes. Did she care about him? Yes, she did. Did she think he had genuinely changed? Also, yes, but that wasn't enough for her anymore. The freedom she'd always yearned for awaited her on her departure, and she didn't want to let that go. She had waited for so long to get distracted now. That won't be fair.

She pulled out of her thoughts. "What's the plan, then?"

"Something simple. Xavier is already used to the extra type of life, so something simple would do for his birthday."

"I learnt Xavier likes horse riding. Took the classes when he was ten but hasn't ridden in a few years. Is that true?"

He nodded, looking impressed that she knew this about him. "Yes."

She had her sources just like the alpha king had his, and she also listened to the cooks and servants' gossip once in a while. She shouldn't, but they had helped her in gathering information about the palace, the royal and past king and queen and her husband, the alpha king.

"Do you think I could take him out to ride one just for today?"

He nodded vigorously, then his lips paused with scepticism. "He would say no, but deep down, he would love it."

She giggled. "Then I'll make preparations. It'll be a surprise."

"My work here is done," he said with a relieved tone, rubbing his palms together mischievously.

"Why?"

"Why?" he echoed, his blue eyes narrowing a little at her question.

"You've always rooted for your brother and me for the longest of time? Why?"

"Because I think you two deserve happiness, and just like you already know, Xavier has been through a lot. I always felt like I did little when we were younger and now I want to do everything to make up for it." he took hold of her hands, "I think you have affected my brother positively, just like he has also affected you. Being royal means choosing what's best for the kingdom over one's happiness. That had made him unstable, and to this point, he battles with it. Knowing Xavier can do what is best for the kingdom and still be happy is a blessing. It's only natural to root for the both of you."

One year was one thing, but forever was another. She wasn't ready for the burden of being royal for the rest of her life, was she?

Her eyes grew glassy, but she blinked them back. "You're an amazing brother to the king and equally an amazing brother-in-law to me."

He grinned and bowed his head. "Thank you, but don't tell Xavier, he'll never accept it."