Survive As The Brute's Wife-Chapter 61: A New Name

Felixa could see the man had lost half his weight in these few days he was not fed properly. He has aged a decade and his hair has greyed. She still didn’t feel any pity for him.

"I know she’s not your daughter!"

Before Felixa could say one more word, Maximus’ conceited voice echoed in the halls. Felixa looked at Maximus with her eyes wide open. She wanted to protect the honor of Wispy’s mother but now Maximus is reinforcing that worm’s accusation.

[Wispy is not his daughter? How can he say that?]

Felixa fisted her hands. As she was about to confront Maximus, he continued with his tone filled with pride and disgust.

"But a gardener’s daughter?" Maximus scoffed. "Who was the gardener? Icabod, son of Galarder?" he asked.

Felixa saw the kneeling man stumbling as he heard that name. She turned to look at Maximus and he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him.

"No... please..." Claude bowed his head in shame and he started to look around.

"Why? As I’ve heard, you are infertile and the Duchess adopted a baby girl they found in the abandoned farm. It was your other wife who gave birth to the children of the gardener named Icabod."

Felixa looked at Maximus and she was filled with shock. She learned from Flavia that her past home is colloquially known as the abandoned farm.

[So Wispy’s mother found her there..? There are monsters and suffering there. How did a baby get there? Wispy? Considering my past and my vow to find Tubby again... shouldn’t that be me?]

A chill passed through her spine. She was under the belief that she is sharing the body of someone else. But what if she is not the one sharing? What if the other person is the one occupying her body? But why would someone occupy someone else’s body to only suffer and get abused?

[Is that why Wispy decided to leave? Did she leave?]

*Sling*

The sound of a sword drawn out of a scabbard pulled her back. With his sword drawn, Maximus stepped forward and Felixa stayed right where she was. She sensed that Maximus is going to kill Claude Zemfir. She heard a gasp from behind and she looked at the door to see Lord Brayson standing frozen.

She didn’t care anymore. She was adopted and that means no one can talk bad about Wispy’s mother.

[Or was it MY mother? Why is my memory distorted? Who had a hand in it?]

She closed her eyes and she remembered the smiling face of that angelic woman. Her warmth and her the protective feeling she exuded. It was odd that she didn’t remember it all so well till now. And it came back just now. Not everything but just the feeling.

"My wife is not your daughter! She is the daughter of the Dragon King who is the creator of all!" Maximus proclaimed, his deep voice vibrating inside the hall making the porcelain vases shake.

Lord Brayson clenched his jaws as he saw everything transcribing here. He was sent here to properly welcome The Brute to the Ball, but he happened upon such a private thing. He took a look at the girl who is the center of this issue. She looked very different from that day. But her eyes were the same.

But how can she be the daughter of a god? He must have meant that all orphans are the children of god. Yes... That should be it. How can she be equated to the Drovarys?

Felixa felt another shiver passing through her spine. She remembered the chants on the battlefield. And Maximus is calling her the child of the Dragon King.

[Is he jesting? Or is there truth to it?]

Maximus’s sword sunk in the ribcage of Claude Zemfir directly piercing his heart. Blood oozed out as he fell on the floor on his face. Maximus extended his sword soaked in blood and Julius came from the back and wiped the blood off before Maximus shielded it back in his bejeweled scabbard.

"Let’s go, wife," he smiled as if he didn’t kill just a moment before.

Lord Brayson looked at Felixa hooking her hand in his arms mirroring his smile and gulped.

He’s lived long enough to see a lot and he thought he’s seen it all. But this is the first time he is seeing a lady so detached and uncaring towards a killing happening right in front of her. Not to mention the man who died was the one she called father.

Who is she?

Maximus held her hand wondering if he has angered her by killing her father in front of her but she was not minding anything. she used to be someone who cared for relationships but now he saw the changes in her.

But he cannot blame her considering all the abuses she went through.

Lord Brayson clenched his jaws seeing the Brute’s people dragging Claude away holding his ankles. His blood that was pooled on the floor was licked by dogs.

Closing his eyes he took in a deep breath. Whether he liked Claude or not, seeing a noble treated lowly as a traitor made his heart hurt. But who can say a word against the Brute? And who is he to air his grievances when the daughter he raised says nothing?

Felixa sat in the carriage in deep thoughts. With every returning memory, she feels stronger and confused at the same time.

And this dance ball... She had no idea what she is required to do there.

When it was time to get out, Maximus got down first and through the gap, she saw a long red carpet that led to a lavishly decorated door. On both sides of the red carpet, there stood performers performing music and celebratory dances.

Felixa saw a group of men wearing the finest silk apparel standing in front of the door and she saw one with a crown on his head.

[Is he the King of Deberia?]

"Lexa," Maximus held out his hand seeing her perplexed look. His lips curved as she is the same as always.

But he knew she’d act indifferent and aloof because she is awkward around people she doesn’t know. Others misinterpret it as arrogance but only he knows that she is awkward around strangers.

"I’ll be by your side all the time, Lexa. Don’t care about others," he said.

She doesn’t have to care for anyone’s opinion.

Felixa held his hand and walked through the band of performers. They threw flowers and confetti at them.

She remembered in the past when they returned victoriously after a long war. She was in her armor and she saw maidens giggling and pointing at her and Tubby beside her and whispering among themselves. They were greeted with flower petals and young women.

Her lips curved to a smile remembering those days.

The King of Deberia bowed in front of them and led them inside. There were a lot of people who got introduced but Felixa didn’t care. And she didn’t care that she was not introduced as the wife of Maximus but as the Young Lady of the Zemfir family.

Among those nobles she saw a familiar face. She didn’t now how she knew that woman but she was familiar.

They introduced her as the Countess of so and so and Felixa brushed it off. She noticed Lord Brayson saying something to the Countess and her eyes got red and she glared at Felixa.

[Why is she looking at me like I’ve stolen her everything?]

Sitting in the highest and the grandest of chairs, Felixa enjoyed the Morris dance of the performers. They used to dance it in the past to welcome the spring and she knew that dance. Her feet tapped to the beat of the song and she failed to notice Maximus’ lips curving to a smile seeing her so excited.

The festivities began and some ceremonies were held. And afterwards they said they are going to hold the ceremony for the induction of the Grand Princess of Deberia.

"It’s you..." Maximus whispered in her ear. "And they are going to give you a new name. Do you object?" he asked.

Felixa blinked. "Isn’t it too late to ask? Will you change the plans of I refuse?"

She honestly didn’t have any opinion about this. But she said this to tease him. She didn’t think he’d fall for her words but seeing panic dancing on his face, she was surprised.

"I’ll stop this," he said.

Julius was looking at the couple from the distance. The one who doesn’t like to attend balls or funerals is now smiling happily sitting as the guest of honor in a dance ball of a kingdom he didn’t bother to conquer.

All for that woman! And what are they talking? Please... Don’t mess up anything?

Felixa thought he was bluffing but he turned at Julius and raised his hand to say something.

"I don’t mind..." Felixa held his hand and stopped him.

At that time a dozen of well-dressed women walked to her with platters containing gifts and sweets and asked her to follow them.

Felixa turned at Maximus and he nodded at her.

They covered her with a red velvet cloak that was lined with some fur and as the priests and the vestal virgins said some prayer, they placed a coronet on her head. Some other ceremonies happened and Felixa went along with a shrug.

"Everyone rise for Princess Alexandra!"

The head priest announced and in the sound of the joyous trumpets, Felixa’s surprise was covered.

[Alexandra? My new name is Alexandra?]