Married To A Traitor General

08

Live with my fiance. In normal circumstances, that thought may be fine.

But my circumstances are not considered normal.

My head was burning with rage as I remembered the 'generous request' the crown had asked for.

Lady Sier –in order to keep me in check– proposed to accompany me inside the carriage of the family Aqwin.

Back at the palace exit, I wanted to argue with the arrangements. Thankfully, she tried to stop me or else what I would have done might've cost me my head.

My head is still burning up from that unreasonable command so without bothering if whether the snacks placed in this carriage was laced with poison or not, I hurriedly grabbed a cup of tea and drank it in one go in the hopes of making me calm.

"What's the use of beating yourself up? It won't change a thing."

I was shocked when Lady Sier suddenly spoke. She has been keeping silent for a while. I thought that this journey would be a silent one. I guess it won't be.

But her words…

"You're not wrong. But I prefer to vent my frustrations if I have one." I commented. "The more I keep mum about it, the heavier my heart will become."

She raised her eyebrows with what I said. Seemingly not too convinced with my argument.

"What would you get if you did that? Nothing right–."

"Piece of mind," I cut her off. "In my situation right now, I can't afford to lose it."

I don't know if she's satisfied or she did not find a way to retort but she kept silent after that. I, too, did not bother to explain myself. I can't see the reason why I have to.

After a while, we arrived at the general's residence. It took a while. Their home is quite far. Or should I call it my home now? I mentally laughed with that thought.

I stepped out of the carriage first. I'm not a hypocrite to think that Lady Sier would stay to accompany me for a while and besides the sky is lit with various shades now. The sun is about to fall asleep.

"Lady Asteria, "Para sa hilom." Do your best. Your way of thinking is not bad. Maybe you can… save your people," the last words were not spoken. I managed to turn around, that's why I caught the final words she mouthed.

But before I had the chance to react, all I could hear was the sound of the horse's neighs along with the dust the carriage managed to disturb.

My gaze lingered at the vanishing carriage. Save my people? What does that mean? Isn't my marriage the only way to save my people?

My eyes narrowed as I thought of numerous possibilities. Are there things that we do not know of? If so then, why does she know?

"Lady Asteria,"

I absentmindedly shifted my attention towards the person who called me.

What welcomed me was that afternoon-sky colored eye who was staring right at me filled with seriousness. It sent me into a trance. That beautiful hue would never fail to capture my attention and lock it up every time I set my eyes on it.

I blinked my eyes numerous times before I realized that the man before me was my fiance, Kazimir Aqwin. Not nature's mysterious light that would kiss the sea everytime the day ends.

"Kazimir Aqwin, would you mind welcoming me into your residence?"

His brows shot up which made his eyes shine with color with the light hitting it. My breathing hitched at the sight. I don't know why he had that reaction, maybe because I did not cause a fuss even with my obvious rejection of this idea or maybe with a different reason. But nevertheless, I'm thankful for that reason cause I get to see another kind of beauty in that eye that he has always tried to hide.

"Aren't you too presumptuous? Staring right at a man's eye." He suddenly said, not minding the request I just made.

The corners of my lips quivered with his thought.

"No," I straightforwardly said. "What's bad with staring at my fiance?" I gave him back a question I'm sure he can't answer.

Because I was busy staring at his eyes even when he reprimanded me, I saw a flash of amusement dance through it. It was fast but I knew it was there.

With another set of emotions, I found that his eyes would become more beautiful with them. Looks like I've found a new toy.

If I'm spending the rest of my life with him. Might as well cherish the beauty I've found.

°°°

Even if I knew that this marriage was something the king arranged, meeting his parents still sent my system into haywire.

When he ushered me inside after a long staring contest at their home's entrance, I never thought that his family would receive me. Coupled with the fact that I'm a stranger carrying the name of a rebel, I thought that they would disdain me for marrying their son because that would only add more suspicions to their family when they too are carrying a heavy accusation.

"Lady Asteria, or can I call you Nesrin, sweetie? Your bed has been made. Kaz would take you there later. Was the journey too tiring, sit down and have some refreshments first. We'll be having our dinner in a little while " Lady Kei said, Kazimir's mother.

I was shocked by the warm welcome. I can't even insert an answer with her questions and requests with how fast she was speaking.

"Mom, speak slowly. You're scaring Nesrin." I turned to look at Kazimir's younger sister, Lady Kilimin, and gave her a thankful smile for noticing my uneasiness but my smile soon turned stiff when I noticed how familiar they are calling me.

"Nesrin dear, how is your grandpa? Haven't seen him ever since the two of you arrived. I've been meaning to ask for an audience with him but he's too busy. I was hoping he could introduce us to each other first so you could be more familiar with my family." Kazimir's dad, General Kaize, spoke warmly.

I smiled when he talked about my grandfather. "Indeed, he was too busy, General Kaize. I can't even see his shadow most of the time," The warm smile I sported went out when I remembered the words I said.

I haven't seen grandpa today, does he know?

Seems like the general noticed my anxiousness so he calmed me down with his words.

"Don't worry, I believe your grandfather knows. Nothing can escape the ears of that old man. Right, honey?" His wife smiled but then she suddenly glared at him. "Who are you calling old man? Mind your manners in front of the children," she reprimanded him. The general only replied with an innocent smile.

Her wife, still glaring at him, chose to turn her attention to me.

"Nesrin, we know that you can't set your heart at ease. Especially when your under our roof now, but I hope you can trust us–,"

"Right! Were both carrying accusations without evidence. We should stand side by side and fight for justice!" Lady Kilimin righteously said.

I grimaced when I heard her words. Isn't she suggesting rebellion with our family in alliance if anyone would hear this.

"Learn to shut your mouth when you speak unnecessary things. Think thoroughly or your mouth will be the death of you," her mother lectured her.

"Mom!" Lady Kimilin complained in pain as her mother twisted her ear.

Lady Kei gave me an apologetic smile. She might've seen my reaction just now.

Lady Kimilin's words frightened me for a second but I already calmed down. That was her emotions speaking, but she spoke too straightforwardly and like her mother said, might become the reason for her death someday.

I guess she learned this from her father. The ways of a soldier.

My hands reached for the teacup in front of me when I felt fatigue wash over me. The alertness of my body lessened when I felt the amiability of Kazimir's family. And after all the tension of this day, my body feels tired now but I find it too rude if I would ask them for a break when they are so jolly in welcoming me.

"Are you tired, Nesrin? You can have a rest first, there's still time before dinner. Kazimir, escort your fiance," Lady Kei commanded.

I was just placing my cup down when she suddenly spoke. I was about to refuse but the gentleness in her eyes reminded me of my mother's. So, I agreed.

"Thank you," I curtsied lightly before following Kazimir.

When she noticed my tiredness, I let all of my inhibitions free. Back at Islauth, even if I fail to keep my emotions in check, only my mother would always notice when exhaustion would assault me.

The observation of Lady Kei is the same as my mother. Their love for their children would raise their ability to notice every little thing about them.

Maybe my judgment with this family was wrong after all.

°°°

On our way to my room, Kazimir kept silent. I didn't speak too cause I'm too tired and all I would want to do at this moment is to lie down on a bed and take a rest.

"This is your room," he said.

I gave a hum in response and didn't bother to wait for him to leave before I entered the room. My hands reached for the door when I felt a sinister aura around. Chills started to crawl down my body when I realized I was the target of this person.

My hand reached for the scabbard Kazimir was wearing. I pulled out his sword and I pushed him aside. The aura came from behind him.

The blade flashed with it's sharpness as I flung it toward the person who suddenly appeared.

Without any second thoughts, my mouth moved and words spilled out from it. In a blink of an eye, the sword crisscrossed with mine suddenly broke.

My sword went straight for his body but he suddenly disappeared from my sight. I mumbled something under my breath and after receiving what I needed, my eyes settled for the tree across the house.

The location of my room is on the second floor at the left wing, leaving an open hallway.

I threw the sword towards a branch on the tree and my mouth moved again.

The person who vanished resurfaced but now, he could not move. The sword was rushing toward him and his eyes widened in panic.

But before it could pierce him, a dagger was flung towards the sword, making it's trajectory redirect, missing my target.

"Kazimir!" The person who stopped my sword was none other than my fiance, the traitor general.