Lahat ng Kabanata ng HATING HER KING: Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

The bustling and loud noise was not restricted to the port alone. The air around him vibrated with life, created from a symphony of sounds and sights. Vendors called out their wares, the smell of fresh bread and roasting meat mingling with the stale odour of rotting items consumed him. Children darted from corners, running past him and laughing as they played their games. He smiled at them. In their stalls, merchants and buyers haggled over prices, their exchanges adding to the noise.It was quite easy for him to move through the crowd; his tall frame provided a natural immunity to the jostling throng. Still, he would have preferred to walk the streets without the incessant noise.The cobblestones beneath his boots had been worn smooth by years of use, and the stalls looked as old as the market itself, their weathered facades bearing silent witness to countless transactions over the years. It hadn't been long since he was on land, so not much had changed. In truth, nothing had changed

The sun struggled against the clouds and won, casting a fleeting brightness across the burial place. Alexander took another sweep of his whiskey, his gaze drifting towards the headstone of his mother, Elodie. She had fulfilled her duty to the nation by producing an heir and forging alliances through marriage, thereby enhancing the royal lineage. That was all she had achieved. She had failed as a mother. His mother.She had let go of herself and her son because of the infidelity of her husband. He had lost both of his parents at the same time."Brand celebrates another birthday tomorrow," Alexander murmured to her headstone. He took a small sip of his whiskey, his eyes staying on the engraved letters on the stone. "He wants to have a small dinner, and I shall join in the celebration.""I cannot hate him as you did; he bears no fault in this. But as I swore on your deathbed, Lady Wilmot never took your place as queen." He paused. "Why did you choose to end your own life and leave me at

Gwen's hand was perfectly caught in Alexander's as they ran up the stairs. Her hair, disordered, with mud coating her boots.He had fallen asleep on her shoulder, and since she could not carry him back, Gwen had laid him down on the grass and lain beside him. They remained there until the rain forced them to return to the castle."Your Majesty?!" Edmund exclaimed, rushing out to meet them, bringing an umbrella with him. "I would have fetched you before the rain, but I had no knowledge where you were."Alexander ran past the kingman, pulling her with him. "You are generously lucky for the lack of that knowledge." He said to Edmund. As soon as they got under cover, he stopped. "You are lucky indeed." Though he spoke still to Edmund, his eyes were on Gwen. She flushed.The drunken haze from when she first found him had vanished, and the serene expression he wore while asleep was lost. In its place was the arrogant and commanding look she knew so well."I love it when the colours come ali

Alexander's humour faded. He felt Brand's eyes on him but did not turn, keeping his gaze on Featings. The man must have lost his head to speak of Guinevere in court. He leaned forward, resting his elbow on the armrest. "Speak on, Featings. I am beyond curious about the tales of these servants."The ignorant man continued. "They speak of how she is your mistress, and to my thought, I find it shameful and improper for a mistress to flaunt herself so openly in the castle. Mistresses belong in secret places."A shadow fell further over Alexander countenance. His stare did not waver nor did Lord Featings earn any iota of sense. He exhaled slowly, determined to remain mannered."Featings," Brand called. "I would advise you to properly check your words."Alexander caught the slight exchange between Lord Featings and Lord Denney. The subtle nod propelled the former to continue on the path of destruction.Lord Featings once again turned to Brand. "If the king has granted me an audience, it is

Lady Fitzgerald was the daughter of a land baron with humble means of living, whose sister had married Carlisle only the year before. How had she managed to captivate his brother, to cause a turmoil to a man who had never cared for anything else except him and the kingdom? He was not jealous of Alexander's growing affection for the lady. After all, Alexander was king and needed to produce heirs, and it would be all the better if it was with a woman he shared affection with, but he was confounded nonetheless.When they had visited the castle, Brand had noticed Alexander's behaviour toward the lady to be more than mere teasing. He was almost certain that, for her sake, he had convinced Carlisle to marry the elder sister after compromising her.He watched him now, seated across from him. His brother had never been known to hesitate when he wanted something. He was like an unrelenting greyhound. Why hesitate now?"I hold you in the highest regard, but I will not stand for you to be spoken