THE MASTER’S THIRD WIFE Episode 94

(Heart of ice…)

By: Faith Lucky

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Camilla sat on a chair in the small parlour, her eyes were staring down and she didn’t bother to stand up when Xander walked into the room.

Xander sat opposite her and crossed his legs. Her stared at her and sighed. “It’s been years now, bearing grudges against me isn’t gonna bring her back. ”

Camilla slowly looked up at him and the hatred in her eyes burned into his. “You wouldn’t be here if you know how much I hate you.”

Xander shrugged. ” I don’t like you very much too, do I?” He asked her with a mild tone.

Camilla shook her head and tears trickled down her cheeks. “She was only a child, a child who was only trying to help her family to get something to eat.”

Xander stared silently at her, his hands shoved into his pockets. “What do you want me to do in order for you to remove the curse you placed on me?” He suddenly asked after a long silence.

” I will never ever remove the curse I placed on you. Never.” Camilla replied with something powerful in her voice.

“Name your price. I will give you anything.” Xander replied.

Familiar smiled and shook her head. ” My price? Can you bring me back my daughter? Can you bring back my baby girl? That’s my price.”

“It’s been years now. It’s high time you let her go.” Xander said, moving forward in his seat.

Camilla shook her head. “No. She was too precious to be forgotten. I don’t care how many years it has been, I will never forget the way you slit her throat with your evil sword, I will never forget the way her body looked so cold and miserable!”

Xander stared at the floor, his eyes searching the floor. He thought about Kaylan, about the great love he has for her.

He thought about the fear of losing her forever and shook his head. He looked up at the woman and stood up. Slowly, he went down his knees. His two full knees.

Camilla’s eyes widened and she moved back at the sight.

Xander remained that way, saying nothing. He put both his hands on his laps, his head bowed.

“I’ve wronged you. I shouldn’t have taken the life of a young girl no matter what she’d done. I made a mistake, a very big one. I ask you once again to forgive me.” His voice was slow, soothing.

Tears rushed down the woman’s face, her hands trembling. She didn’t expect him to kneel, the sight was shocking.

“Why do you suddenly want to break the curse? The last time I checked, you never cared. You even wanted me dead.” Camilla said after some time.

Xander raised his head and a small smile touched the corner of his lips. “I would never have imagined myself doing this. This is what love does to one. I don’t want to lose her, I want to build a family with her. I want to be a father; father of her kids.” Xander said and two stared at each other in total silence.

*
*

“What do you think is happening there?” Kaylan asked as they sat under a big tree. Ayita sat with them, calming her down all these while.

“Do you think she’s gonna forgive him? I think I have to go in and see what’s going on. Xander will never beg, he doesn’t know how to. He might even be having a sword around the old woman’s throat right now. Oh my God…or has he killed her? I need to go in and make him see reasons why he should beg her, I need to go and teach him…”

” Calm down Kaylan!” Jaden exclaimed softly and chuckled. “Calm down, okay? Lord Xander isn’t gonna hurt the woman.”

Ayita was now worried. What if truly he hurts her? She thought within herself. She quickly stood up and bowed. “I’m sorry princess…I have to go in and see what is happening, I’m suddenly scared for my mother.” Ayita said and started walking away.

” No! Let me go with you…”

“No, you are not going anywhere.” Jaden cut in, holding her friend very close to herself.

Kaylan was restless as she moved about in hee seat. “Xander needs me in there…” She said with tears gathering in her eyes.

” Everything is gonna be fine. Calm down.” Jaden whispered as she held her close.

*
*

Ayita came into the house and gasped on seeing Xander on his knees. “My Lord…” Her voice trailed off when Xander looked at her.

She glanced at her mother and quickly dropped on her knees too. “Mother please. Please let this die down, don’t you think it’s time we let Serenity rest? I think it’s time we let her go, mother! Please!”

Camilla stared into space for a very long time without saying a word. Tears continued rushing down her face.

Xander remained on his knees, waiting for the woman to speak up.

“I will break the curse on one condition.” The woman finally spoke after what seemed like eternity.

” I will gladly do as you wish.” Xander replied.

“A befitting burial must be carried out in respect of my daughter, a three-day ritual must be held for her after the burial. After that, I will lift the curse.” Camilla said quietly.

Xander stood up on his feet, staring down at her. He was suddenly finding it hard to believe her. “Give me your word.”

“If I say I will lift the curse then I will.” Camilla replied.

” Thank you.” Xander said and glanced at Ayita as she also stood up on her feet.

“I will be going back to the palace today, the doors are open for you. Let me know what you will be needing for the burial. I shall provide everything you want. And for the ritual too.” With that, he turned and went out of the house.

Ayita breathed in with relieve and stared at her mother who was equally shocked. “I can’t believe he did that.

” He has changed. What changed him so much?” Camilla asked, staring at the door.

*
*

” Xander!” Kaylan screamed when Xander finally showed up. She ran straight into his arms.

Xander hugged her to himself, his hand on her hair. “I’m okay.”

“Did… Did you beg her? Please tell me you didn’t hurt her.” Kaylan said, searching his face with her large eyes.

“A befitting burial and a three-day ritual will be done before the curse will be lifted. These are her conditions.”

Kaylan sighed and looked relieved immediately. “We should do that immediately.”

“Let’s go back home. It’s been a tiring day.” Xander mumbled, taking her hand in his.

Kaylan smiled and placed her head on his shoulder as they started walking to the carriage.

Jaden joined and together, they journeyed back to home.

(A WEEK LATER)

The burial had taken place and the ritual was already done with.

Camilla fulfilled her promise and lifted the curse. She stayed in the palace and every night, she would stand in front of the palace, breaking everything she’d said.

On the third night, she washed Xander’s face with water and told him he was free again.

“The curse is over. You shall have a family.”

Xander nodded but his face was full of doubts. He was finding it so hard to believe the woman but he said nothing to her and after she’d left, he went back inside the room and met Kaylan roaming about the room.

“Is it over now? Please… Tell me the curse has been broken.”

Xander sighed and sat on the bed. ” She claims it’s broken but I don’t believe her. I don’t trust her.”

” She said she would keep her word after the burial and ritual. You did what she wanted, I’m sure she has lifted the curse.” Kaylan replied.

Xander shook his head. ” No. I don’t believe her, that woman still wants to revenge.” He turned and took kaylan’s hands, holding them up to his lips. He kissed her palm, staring intently at her. “I can’t lose you. No…I can’t lose you.”

Kaylan stared at him, wondering why he looked so frightened. “You won’t lose me, Xander. I’m here…I will always be here.”

“You can’t get pregnant, Kaylan. I’d rather stay without a child.” Xander said and kaylan’s eyes widened.

“I have always wanted to have a baby… How could you say that to me? What are you so afraid of when the curse has been broken already?”

” I can’t afford to lose you Kaylan. There will be no pregnancy.” Xander said again. This time, with more authority.
*
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TBC.