“What?”
“You don’t have to apologize if you don’t mean it.”
“But I do.”
“That’s not true.”
Alessandro took Abril by the shoulders, forcing her to turn around and said, “Why are you so stubborn? I am apologizing.”
“But your apology isn’t sincere.”
“How do you want me to apologize so you’ll forgive me?”
“Keep your promise.”
“What?”
“I just want His Majesty to keep the promise he made to me.”
“I can’t.”
“Then your apology is a lie,” Abril replied, turning her back to him and lying down on the bed. Alessandro sighed heavily and said, “Fine. I’ll do what I promised.”
Abril sat up, looked him straight in the eye, and asked, “Really? You’re not lying this time, Your Majesty?”
“Yes.”
Abril hugged him excitedly and said, “Thank you so much! Does that mean I don’t have to take any more magic lessons or wife’s education classes?”
“Wait, I didn’t say that.”
Abril pulled away, frowned and said, “So you are lying.”
“You can have your lessons with Lady Elizabeth once a week, and you’ll continue with your magic lessons. It’s the most I can do.”
It was better than nothing. Abril nodded.
“Okay.”
“Then from now on, I want you to pay attention to your magic lessons.”
Abril looked away. Alessandro took her chin, forcing her to look at him and said, “Sirius told me you’re not paying attention. If you don’t correct your attitude, I’ll make you live in the main palace again. You’ll never return to that little house.”
“Okay, I’ll pay attention from now on.”
“Is that a promise?”
“Yes, I promise.”
Abril was very happy to have a little freedom again. That night, she slept soundly, so soundly that the next day she overslept. One of the maids woke her up rudely by pulling back the sheet and speaking to her in a scornful voice.
“Wake up! How long do you plan to keep sleeping?”
Opening her eyes, Abril found herself facing a maid who looked at her with hatred.
“Get up,” the maid said.
Abril got up, not wanting to argue with the maid.
“Where’s the other maid?” She asked.
“She’s sick. I’ll be attending to you.”
“That’s not necessary. You can go.”
The maid threw Abril’s clothes on the bed and said, “Fine! I didn’t want to serve you anyway.”
The maid left the room. Abril took her dress and got changed, wishing never to see that maid again.
During breakfast, Abril saw the same maid again. She behaved politely, but her gaze was still full of hatred. As Abril got up to go to her classes and passed by the maid, she stuck her foot out and Abril fell.
Falling to the floor, Abril looked at the maid, but she acted as if she hadn’t done anything. Other maids helped her up and asked if she was alright.
Abril’s knees ached, but otherwise, she was fine.
“Are you okay?” Sirius walked in on her and asked, seeing her. “What are you doing? It’s late.”
“I’m sorry, I overslept.” Abril replied.
“Let’s go.”
Abril followed Sirius to the room where she received her magic lessons. He handed her a book and said, “I hope the princess will pay attention to me today.”
“From now on, I will.”
Sirius thought it strange that the princess was so cooperative and asked, “Did something happen to make the princess change her mind?”
“His Majesty promised me he would reduce my lessons if I paid attention.”
“I see.”
Sirius continued her lesson. When it was over, Abril went home and devoted herself to tending her garden. That night, in the king’s chambers, Abril waited for Alessandro to arrive. He arrived late, as usual. Seeing that she was awake, he greeted her and asked,
“Hello princess, what are you still doing awake?”
“I was waiting for Your Majesty.”
“What for?”
“I haven’t forgotten that I must give Your Majesty an heir.”
“A few days ago, you seemed to have forgotten.”
“I was upset then with Your Majesty.”
“And now you’re not?”
“No. Your Majesty has kept his promise, well, halfway.”
Alessandro approached Abril and asked, “So, do you intend to fulfill your wifely duties tonight?”
“Yes, unless Your Majesty is tired, in which case we could just sleep.”
“I’m not.” He replied with a smile.
Alessandro leaned in to kiss her and said, “I suppose the time has come to fulfill our obligation as husband and wife.”
Alessandro continued kissing her, his hands circling her waist. Abril stood still, her arms at her sides. Alessandro said, “If you stay so still, it will be boring.”
“But Lady Elizabeth told me I should just stay still, and Your Majesty would do the rest.”
“Did she really tell you that?”
“Yes,” Abri replied.
Alessandro took her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down gently, settled on top of her, and took her lips again. As he devoured her mouth, he said, “You can touch me too, if you want.”
Abril raised her hand, sinking her fingers into his hair, feeling its softness. Alessandro was surprised that she could do that and asked, “Why do you only touch my hair?”
An evil maid
“I don’t know. I just wanted to touch it. Does Your Majesty not like it?”
“It’s not that, it’s just…”
Alessandro sighed deeply and said, “It doesn’t really matter.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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