THE MASTER’S THIRD WIFE Episode 65

(Heart of ice…)

By: Faith Lucky

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Lord Xander felt bored and exhausted.
For someone like him, it was extremely hard to feel this way and he wondered if it was as a result of the encounter he has with Prince Berlin earlier that day.

His mother’s words wouldn’t stop ringing in his ears:
*Someday, you’ll become a father and I’m so sure you’ll never want to watch anyone hurt your child* he couldn’t get rid of those lines.

Become a father? But how?.
How, when he was under a curse? How, when he had lost his previous wives in the process of giving him a child?

He was cursed; was never going to have an heir; a successor. When he dies, his legacy would be gone; and rulership passed onto another.

He dropped the feather he was writing with and covered his face with his palms, taking a deep breath. Over the years, he’s never felt so torn, so broken.

He was nearly diving into the dark quiet side of him when he heard his door opening. His eyes were still covered but he could tell it was his door.
Footsteps followed until he heard that familiar voice:

“Greetings, My Lord”.

It was Axel.

But Lord Xander wasn’t in the mood to talk as he remained still with his palms over his face.
. Axel decided to proceed.

“King Ephraim sent a messenger to know if you’ve considered his request and …”

“Tell him to get lost with his daughter” Xander brought his hands down from his face and said.
His eyes were so red – they frightened Axel.
“I don’t want anything to do with her”.

“As you wish My Lord” Axel said with a gulp and left, not wanting to be the unfortunate victim.

******************
LATE IN THE NIGHT
**************

Poor Kaylan was so uncomfortable.
She kept turning and turning uncomfortably as she laid on the bed with Jaden.

“Kaylan, will you just stay still? I’m trying to get some sleep here” Jaden grumbled.

“You’re the worst kind of friend, Jaden. I’m so restless, and all you can think about is getting some sleep?” Kaylan hissed.

“Well, you should learn not to bring others down to your depression. So, keep quiet, Kaylan”.

Kaylan rolled her eyes and left the bed afterwards, going out of the room.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Jaden turned dizzily.
“Don’t be too serious. I was only joking….”

She fisted her hands angrily and left the bed, going after the annoying princess who was already at the balcony.

“Tell me, Kaylan. Just tell me what the problem is. What is wrong with you?” Jaden asked with an eye roll.

“Just let me be, Jaden. You can go back in and continue sleeping. I’ll just go for a walk” Kaylan replied as she started walking down the balcony.
But, of course, Jaden had to follow.

“You’re such a pain in the neck, Kaylan. You know it’s impossible letting you walk on your own” Jaden grouse, but Kaylan said nothing.

“Fine! So, where are you going?” She asked but got no reply still.
“Seriously??? You really want to give me the cold shoulders?”

Kaylan couldn’t tell what was wrong with her as she just felt…. uncomfortable.
Although, it wasn’t deeply late as some guards and maids could still be seen, moving around. But Kaylan and Jaden had decided to sleep on time and unfortunately, Kaylan couldn’t do it.

She just couldn’t explain why she felt so uneasy and uncomfortable; like something was bothering her.

She was silent, and Jaden decided to go quiet as well. So, the two ladies just walked side by side, in serenity.

“Do you ever think of leaving me, Jaden?” Kaylan suddenly asked, breaking the brooding silence. And Jaden turned to look at her in surprise.

” I mean….You can’t just stay here with me for ever m, right? You’ll need to go around, find your own man and get married…”

“Kaylan, come on” Jaden scoffed.
“You can’t be serious. Why bringing this up?”

“Well, nothing. I just….” She paused and sighed.
“I just feel like you shouldn’t be here with me because….. I wouldn’t want to hold you down in anyway, Jaden. My life is certain now. I’m married to this man and I don’t even know what’s going to happen later on. But you; you still have a life to live”.

“Oh, please! Just stop it, Kaylan” Jaden rolled her eyes.
“Yes, I might leave someday, but nobody’s talking about now”.
She wrapped her hand around her shoulder.

“Don’t tell me that’s the reason you’ve been acting like a spoilt kid. Oh, honey.” She laughed.
“Don’t worry, I’ll always be here for you”.

Kaylan only stared down and fiddled with her nails. And for a long time, they continued walking until finally, they got to the field.

“Wait…” Jaden muttered, slowing her steps with Kaylan.

There was someone in the field.

“Isn’t that Lord Xander?” She asked.

Kaylan also strained her sight to see and confirmed it was indeed, Lord Xander. Right there, in the middle of the dark field and he could be seen, practicing alone.

“Why do you think he’s fighting alone?” Jaden asked.

“He’s not fighting alone, Jaden. He’s just practicing. Can’t you see?” Kaylan replied.

He was using his sword against a human-shape staff in front of him. But one thing was sure – he looked really angry.

The two ladies stood at the entrance of the field and watched keenly.

“Don’t you think something’s bothering him?” Jaden suddenly asked.
“I mean…. why didn’t he practice at day time? Why doing it at night and alone?”

Kaylan said nothing.

“I heard… when people like him are angry, they tend to express their emotions through what they know how to do best. And I guess in Lord Xander’s case, fighting was his own escape route”. Jaden added.

Kaylan was more interested in watching him as he vent his anger on the staff. Tho, it was dark and hits face could barely be seen, his attractive statue couldn’t be hidden anyway.

He looked so manly, huge and a bit frightening, but handsome. At some point, Kaylan wondered how a person could manage to have all rare qualities in him.
*
*
Lord Xander was trying so hard to get rid of his fears, and the frustrating voices in his head.

As he struck his sword against the staff, he felt so much anger and tried releasing it all on the staff. He could barely have control of the physical world any more.

Trying to fight the voices in his head, he could hear other voices from around. Yes; he could sense another presence.

Unconsciously feeling it was one of his fears, he dropped his sword and reached for his bow and arrow beside him. He fixed the arrow into the bow within the twinkle of an eye and turned towards the direction of the perceived presence.

And with a muddled head, he released the arrow.

“Arghhhh!!!” A female’s scream was heard.
*
*
TBC.