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Chapter 16
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The King's Bride Chapter 17
In the flurry of celebrating two sets of new marital bonds, no one noticed a hooded stranger arriving uninvited at the wedding feast until she stood abruptly to interrupt Viktor's toast. "Pardon the intrusion upon such festive occasion." The mysterious woman's biting voice belied any courtesies as she threw back her hood to reveal none other than Anastasia - aged but still glaring haughtily. "I suppose certain prodigal figures assume bygones dismissed in conveniently pairing our offspring. But do not fancy I personally endorse this farce of a truce!" Eyes fiery, she raised a defiant toast of her own.A shocked hush fell for several beats before Alexei strode forward, blue gaze clear and commanding. "You may hold old grudges still, but they are yours alone now. This union represents a new era - one seeking understanding, not blame over matters past changing." Bending to kiss Katrina's hand, he added gently "I love your daughter on her merits, not spitefulness."Anastasia opened her
The King's Bride Chapter 18
Alexei also shrewdly suggested including emissaries to minority tribal groups in these territories who often felt neglected by rulers focused inward. If shown respect, they could prove valuable allies exposing militant infiltrators.Before departing to temper fears and fortify support beyond Viktor's immediate reach, Alexei bid his family fond farewells, promising victory against renewal of old conflicts.Katrina smiled bravely, offering her husband a ceremonial sword and new armor. "Stay mindful of those counting on their prince's grit and compassion," she entreated at his stirrup.Viktor warmly embraced his son, pride and concern warring behind his eyes. As Alexei rode off purposefully, Viktor prayed this promising heir could knit strong enough alliances to bring swift, decisive peace.Alexei rode swiftly to the border regions, determined to unify the people against his uncle's violent militia bands stirring chaos. In remote villages, he listened as elders described recent raids on p
The King's Bride Chapter 19
Alexei raised his sword, the etched blade catching the first faint glow on the horizon. Then he swept it downwards and battle cries shattered the morning stillness as his men charged from all sides.Grapples and ladders flung upward, the first attackers clambering swiftly to gain the ramparts while archers covered them with a hail of arrows. Caught off guard, the startled sentries' alarm shouts came too late. Alexei was first to surge over the wall, blade carving a path through the scrambling defenders."To the hall!" Alexei shouted, rallying his men as they cleared the gatehouses. If they could capture the inner keep, the day was won. Side by side they advanced against strengthening resistance, steel singing on all sides. A roar from above signaled the counterattack as a troop of enemy horsemen circled from the rear barracks. Alexei braced himself, parrying a vicious blow from a mailed knight. The momentum was shifting, their push for the hall slowed."Press forward!" Alexei yelled
The King's Bride Chapter 20
Katrina wavered, on the verge of speech, but seemed to falter. Alexei crouched before her, troubled blue gaze searching hers. "Please, let me help bear this burden."Her composure shattered then. Covering her face, Katrina wept with abandon, leaving Alexei baffled. He gathered her shaking form into his arms."Shhh....whatever haunts you, we will face together," he murmured tenderly, stroking her hair.At last she looked up at him, eyes raw and swollen. "I was with child when you left. But I lost it. Our child is gone..." Her voice broke on the words.Shock and sorrow knifed through Alexei. He held her close, voice husky with shared grief. "Oh my heart, I am so sorry..." They clung to one another as the moon traversed the night sky.In the days after Katrina's devastating revelation, Alexei wrestled with churning emotions. Though he maintained a strong front before the court, inwardly he reeled from the loss revealed to him. Their child, a piece of himself and his beloved, gone without
The King's Bride Chapter 21
"For treason, kidnapping, and murder most foul, the sentence is death."A murmur passed through the crowd. Two guards stepped forward to bind Nikolai to the execution block. The prisoner made neither protest nor resistance. Defeated, he simply closed his eyes as the glinting axe was raised.Alexei forced himself to watch impassively as it fell. The heavy blade cleaved flesh and bone in one clean stroke. The crowd roared approval, thirsty for vengeance slaked at last.Alexei turned away, feeling only ahollow sense of grim necessity fulfilled. There could be no satisfaction or closure from this ritual of violence and pain. The hole left by his loss would ever gnaw silently within him. But with Nikolai gone, no one else need be sacrificed to this bloody feud between their families. Alexei would rule with wisdom and temperance, honoring those his uncle's cruelty had cut down too soon.As Alexei rode from the silent fortress, the first winter snowflakes swirled around him, pristine and fo
The King's Bride Chapter 22
Though Alexei had secured stability after Stefan's exile, there were still isolated pockets of resentment towards his rule. Rebellion simmered in the northern mountain villages, far from the capital's oversight.When Alexei heard rumors of attacks on royal supply wagons, he decided to ride there swiftly with a small escort, hoping his direct intervention could calm the tensions before violence escalated. The mountain folk glared with sullen mistrust as Alexei first arrived in their rough-hewn villages. But he persevered, listening to grievances about tax burdens and scarce winter rations. He investigated shortfalls himself, rooting out corruption and relieving overzealous tax collectors.Gradually, wary hostility thawed into cautious welcome, especially when Alexei personally helped shovel snowbound roads and repair storm-damaged roofs. Word spread that this new young king possessed not just honeyed speeches but willingness to work alongside commoners.On the eve of his departure, th
The King's Bride Chapter 23
Alexei leveled his blade at Stefan's throat. "Who are you truly, and who sent you against me?" he demanded.The imposter bowed his head bitterly as murmurs rippled through the crowd. The kingdom had almost fallen to this elaborate ruse. But Alexei's loyal allies and cunning had saved it, for now. With Stefan once more imprisoned, Alexei felt hope cautiously rekindle that order could be restored.The false Stefan was hauled away in chains, still refusing to reveal his true identity or purpose. Alexei knew powerful forces were behind this nearly successful coup, and he had to act swiftly to solidify control before the next strike fell.After hastily gathering reinforcements from nearby estates, Alexei addressed his warily gathered court. "My friends, we have weathered a great deceit intended to topple all we have built. But we did not yield. Remember this in the coming days."Privately, he conferred with his inner circle of advisers to root out any remaining dissenters hiding behind f
The King's Bride Chapter 24
The return journey from the bloody valley felt different to Alexei. Where before he had been energized by righteous purpose, now an uneasy weight settled on his heart. His enemies were vanquished, yet he took no joy in it.He had led his people to a swift, decisive victory. But the brutality required left a bitter aftertaste, and concerns gnawed at him. Had he allowed vengeance to twist justice too far in the heat of conflict?Brooding, he gazed at the road ahead winding through sleepy villages and sun-kissed fields, so unlike the bleak valley he left behind. These people knew only peace, not the burdens of conscience now troubling their king.Katrina's worried face as Alexei had bid her farewell rose in his mind. He wondered if she would still recognize the man returning home to her - hardened, wary, glimpsing darkness in his own soul. But he resolved anew to be the honorable ruler she deserved.Upon arriving home, Alexei found no celebrating crowds or feasts arranged, only a somber
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