Herald of Steel

Mikaya very well understood the point Alexander was trying to make by asking such questions about Shahel and his wives. He wanted Mikaya to find out how he treated his other women.

Was he similarly obsessive? Abusive? Or was this treatment only reserved for her?

The latter would clearly prove her point.

Yet, as soon as she said this, the man suddenly changed his tune, “Ah…well, I am sure there is nothing to worry about. He is likely only looking out for you. Hahaha…”

Mikaya’s eyes glowed dangerously at this laid back display, even venomously cursing the man under her breath.

The difference between Alexander’s language and actions was far too obvious, it was clear as day he did not mean what he said in the slightest. He was simply using textbook reverse psychology.

In fact, thinking back on it now, the Matrak princess found that perhaps their entire talk was a trap by Alexander. For whatever reason, he wanted Shahel killed and when the straightforward method did not work, he got to work putting all sorts of suspicions into her.

Yet despite fully realizing this, Mikaya found herself falling for it hook, line and sinker. She knew she would not be able to look Shahel the same way even if she knew it was all a trick.

‘By the heavens…this man… is this what it feels like to be plotted?’ Thus the spoiled princess’s heart shook with palpable fear, but then grew alongside it an irresistible magnetic attraction.

There was something charming about Alexander that Mikaya found in no one else. He was the only one among her peers who could genuinely make Mikaya respect him in awe yet at the same time let her be wary of crossing him.

Thus even Mikaya did not notice when it happened, but her red panties became slightly wetter.

…..

“….” Mikaya ultimately did not confirm her decision about Shahel, still struggling to commit to the act.

And seeing her silence, Alexander moved onto the last topic he had, firming up his voice to propose,

“Lady Mikaya, your father has agreed to poison Lord Assazd. But for some reason I cannot get him to approve the same for Amen… your eldest brother in law. Do you think you can change that?”

Mikaya’s eyes instantly flickered and curved her lips in clear mockery, “Hehe, Lord Alexander, are you that eager to kill your father in law?”

She did not even bother to answer Alexander seriously because this was way above her pay grade. Even the favorite princess knew she had limits as to what she could and could not ask from her

father, and touching the divine lineage was one of them.

Furthermore, although the ‘father in law’ address were meant more as a light joke, the implications were without doubt all real. No matter what, Amenheraft was the twins’ fathers, so what would the girls feel about being married to the man who killed him?

Mikaya would be foolish to agree to this.

On the other hand, since Alexander said this, it always meant he was never going to back down so easily. So with a mirthful tone to his voice, he countered,

“Your Highness, what choice do I have, when he wants my head too? If father in law promises to live me in peace, of course I will never harm him. But… do you think you can convince him?”

“…..” Mikaya ruefully shook her head, knowing this was too hard. The bad blood between the two were simply too deep- Amenheraft was in this deep lurch almost solely because of Alexander. So the man probably hated him more than Pasha Farzah.

“Is this what you want in exchange? To convince father to let you go through… this?” Thus turning with a sharpened gaze and pursed lips, Mikaya asked for confirmation, voice laced with great caution and skepticism. If Alexander tried to take advantage of her in her time of great need like this, she would be quite offended.

And Alexander was able to easily sense this too, “Hahaha, no, no, when did I ever say that, my dear? I will help you regardless.”

Thus he only replied with a gentle chuckle, amusedly shaking his head.

The sight made Mikaya’s heart quickly soften, especially as she could tell his promise was genuine.

And indeed Alexander meant what he said.

He did not need Mikaya, he had already made up his mind and his bullet was Lady Ezaya.

So he added with a straight face, “I only want you to stop him from strangling me if I do it.”

“..Pfff…you,” And Mikaya’s heart almost immediately lost control, especially because he said it in such a calm and neutral tone.

“….”

“….”

Following this, the pair suddenly entered a weird staring contest, as if each was trying to determine whether the other was serious. And as the contest carried out, Mikaya’s breathing started to become heavier and heavier, her bountiful chest heaving up and down like it could bear this no longer.

She had not argued with Alexander regarding Amenheraft’s hit as a sign respect, but now…

The amplitude began to get even larger soon as the seemingly clueless Alexander nonchalantly broke the silence, repeating,

“If something happens… I want my lady to convince Pasha Farzah from acting too rashly. And if possible also soothe Azura and Azira.”

This was the best method Alexander could come up with to marry the grieving daughters with the plotter of their father’s death.

While deep inside, he was not really concerned about the morality of the act.

Alexander already had previous experience in this- if you will, recall what had happened to Aristolte- he was like a grandfather to Cambyses, yet he was killed by the girl herself.

Or even how Alexander had quite implicitly revealed to his main wife his preparations to poison her father should the opportunity present itself.

However he chose to hide all this from Mikaya for now, fearing she would find him too heartless and immoral.

As for what the girl thought about her defined job, well Mikaya could be seen quite heavily grinding her teeth for some time, anger and bewilderment filling her head, until she finally burst,

“Lord Alexander… hasn’t my father forbidden you to touch Amen… my brother in law? So why are you still trying to do this? Is this the act of a good ally?”

She gritted out these words with very clear objection.

“It is because I am a good ally that I am revealing this to you my lady.” But Alexander brushed off the accusation like raindrops, rather insisting, “I also believe Pasha Farzah is making a mistake here. This is without any doubt our best chance to get rid of Amenheraft- get rid of your most formidable opponent… in one swift go. Hence I am simply unable to understand why he is being so hesitant here.”

“Yes, there are risks. Of course there are. He has told me about them many times. But there will be risks in everything. Yet, here the potential rewards are so great that it would easily outweigh any peril even if it were to be multiplied by a thousand times.”

“We can end this foolish war within weeks once that piece falls!” At this point, Alexander fiercely clenched his fist and raised it into the air, giving Mikaya a fiery look she had never seen before.

Then suddenly dropping his tone low and slow, he finished temptingly,

“Think of all the lives we could save if we succeed. Thousands… Tens, if not hundreds of thousands, and even millions…. all based on one simple drink. We will be heroes in the sight of the gods.”

“But it was to be done soon. The ice technique, once I use it to kill Lord Assazd, I fear it would be almost impossible to invite Amenheraft for a one and one conversation.”

“…..” Mikaya’s heart had probably never beat as fast as it was doing now.

On one hand she was mesmerized by Alexander’s speech, the promise of becoming a hero especially sending a heated sensation right down her spine and all the way to her toes.

Adhania had yet to have a cannonised female hero and the free and rebellious Mikaya quickly began to dream of fulfilling that slot.

But on the other side lay her father and his instructions, and to betray them for the sake of herself and the plans of another man… her heart panged with sourness.

Mikaya actually loved and respected Pasha Farzah very much.

That might not seem like the case given her rebellious proclivities, but one of the reasons why she tried her damndest to hide all that from the man was out of love and respect. She feared her actions would break his heart.

Hence Mikaya found her heart currently to be swinging like a pendulum, balancing itself between obedience and her own judgment.

Ultimately, she was unable to make a decision, and pressured by the tough choices being asked of her, she started to even feel a migraine coming.

“… Goodnight, Lord Alexander. I will pray for your success.” So she decided to end the conversation for tonight here.

Promptly getting up with a leap, the stunningly gorgeous lady then quickly dressed herself, dressing herself in the complicated gown with surprising ease and efficiency.

It was an act the silent Alexander found surprisingly sexy, thus waited till the lady was fully ready to make his note,

“Mmm… it is indeed getting late. So take the night to think. But Lady Mikaya please come to me by tomorrow noon. I will be setting the ice then and I will need to know if you want poison or legummum.”