Jessica Robinson
Stories
9
Chapters
2,697
Words
1.2 M
Comments
0
Reading
4 d, 6 h
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When I woke up, I felt a light touch on my hair. Someone was playing with my locks, so delicate that I almost didn't notice. That touch soon disappeared, and I decided to open my eyes. I turned to my wife, and I saw the hand she had just used to reach my hair clenching the sheets. She was looking at me, her eyes open as if she's been up awhile. Knowing her, it might have actually been the case. ?Good morning,? I said, smiling at her. It felt so familiar to wake up next to Theodora that I forgot…-
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I was a stranger. And an enemy at that. When Theodora clenched her fists, I realised that she must have misinterpreted my reaction. ?Here in Ethiro, we use your grace for dukes and duchesses. It's a bit different from the rest of the continent, right?? Not that I cared about the title, I just didn't want her to call me like that. However, I couldn't find a way to tell her that. She was still too scared. Her hair was braided, probably wet from the bath, and the fire hadn't been lit, so the room was…
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272 •
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I cut the second drumstick and placed it on my wife's plate. Theodora widened her eyes, and I could swear there was a trace of goodwill in her expression. Mhm, I shouldn't have eaten the other drumstick. ?This is the best part,? I explained. I was trying to lure her to the table by pressing her. She wouldn't have settled if her favourite part wasn't included, so eating one of the drumsticks stole her some time to think. However, it was better not to let her realise how much of a calculative…
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272 •
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I couldn't imagine that the maiden bathing in my room was a whole other person. The woman from my dreams was a winning Queen; the one in my reach was only a girl that thought of herself as a war prisoner. And the worst part of all: it was my fault. I had killed my Queen when I decided to conquer Polis and bring her to the capital. I didn't know that yet; I needed time to understand it. I wasn't ready to face my mistakes, not when Thea was so close to me. So, I just read that book... Or I pretended…
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272 •
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When a chuckle reached my throat, I realised what had happened. The secret technique to reach a woman's heart wasn't working at all. It was something else that made Thea undress. First of all, she didn't do it willingly. She was simply following an order I didn't give. There was a cloak on a chair, I had left it there before going out, but I hadn't worn it. It was clean and usable. I grabbed it, wrapped Thea, and pulled her towards the table. ?This is not what I meant,? I explained. She…
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272 •
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?Since the Archduchess is now married to the Archduke, she's his responsibility. Am I right?? he started. Oh, good. His majesty wasn't targeting my wife. I was the only one that would have paid the price for any disrespect. She didn't need to show respect after the way they treated her. We treated her. After all, I was the one that caused the most pain to her. It wasn't such a big deal, losing lands. It was nothing in comparison to Thea's pain. After being deprived of a part of my territories…
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272 •
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I was summoned to court early in the morning and sent to greet an ambassador from a far land. I couldn't refuse the order, and his majesty knew very well that I was looking forward to meeting my Queen. I wanted to be by her side when she was brought to court, to reassure her that everything would have turned out fine. Yet, I had to have lunch with a foreign delegation. When I came back, it was already late. Thea was already in the throne hall. Her wrists were tied with heavy chains, and she was…
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272 •
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I brought the gowns from Polis to a tailor and ordered a few new dresses. I reminded them a few times that everything had to be ready in a couple of days. Then, I talked with the maids to prepare a room. I sent Pericle to the kitchens to make sure they cooked chicken for Thea the evening when she was supposed to be presented at court. Also, I bought a set of bath salts for her. She liked bathing, so it could have been a good idea to make her relax before the official debut. I inquired with Bertha…
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272 •
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I left my most skilled knights to protect Theodora, ordering to cut off any hand that approached the cage except for the soldier that brought her food. Then, I walked away, reaching a corner, and I observed the situation from afar. Thea didn't complain. She just observed the cage in silence, and then she stepped in. She sat in the centre, far from the bars, and hugged her legs with a lost expression. I folded one of my clean capes and made the guard deliver it with lunch. She didn't touch any…
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272 •
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?Your lodgings are almost ready, your majesty,? the general said. I tilted my head, surprised. He was calling her your majesty. I had already noticed the well-hidden respect he had towards my wife. He had been sad for a while after the surrender, and he worried about her well-being after it. Yet, I couldn't understand the glance he threw at me after the final negotiations. Did he realise that I was aiming at Thea? Was he... worried? It was weird. Those two were war opponents. Yet, they seemed…
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