Protect Me, Alpha King - Chapter 172: Chapter 172

Back Hug
War because of the alpha king? Kingdom against kingdom? Could Maxxwell's face launch a thousand warriors to a fight?
Images of blood, no matter where I looked, resurfaced in my mind, making me nearly puke.
I balled my fist, and my knuckles turned white.
Calixtro yanked his sister to sit down.
"You will declare war to have the alpha king?" I asked once again, disbelief in my ears. "All because of a man?"
The princess lifted her chin. "Our kingdom had been declaring war on anyone who wished to defy our wishes-especially my wishes. That is no big deal, actually. That is how my family showed they love me."
Bullshit.
That was stupidity. But I had to keep it to myself, or they would really wage war against the kingdom.
No one had continued eating. Who would eat enthusiasm, especially if the topic was war?
The princess was becoming more interested in the flow of conversation.
"War is unnecessary, Princess Leonora," the alpha king interjected.
The woman's face brightened. "You mean to say you will marry me, Your Highness?"
"No."
Her face fell.
"Stop mentioning the war as if it is an easy thing to do because our kingdom will always be prepared. We will fight to the death."
"We will also do our best, Your Highness," the prince responded.
"Brother. I want His Highness safe!" Princess Leonora said, pouting. "I don't care if the others will die. But not His Highness. I will marry him first, and we will have many children who will inherit the kingdom." "I will inherit the throne, Sister because I am the eldest."
Princess Leonora chuckled. "Sorry for the misunderstanding. I am referring to this kingdom."
I raised my eyebrows at her. "My child is the only one who will inherit this throne, Princess Leonora."
The princess glared at me while flipping her hair to the side.
Oh, Maxxwell. What kind of twisted people have you invited?
"This visit to my palace is ending tomorrow, Princess Leonora," the alpha king added. He was acting calm, but deep down, he was not. Who would if someone threatened the peace of your own kingdom? "I never thought I would be disrespected in my palace. Tomorrow, I will be helping you return to your palace."
The princess's eyes bulged. "I don't want to, Your Highness! I want to stay here with you!" She looked at her brother and slapped his arms. "Brother! It's your fault why His Highness is angry! Apologize to His Highness this instant!"
Sipping his wine, Prince Calixtro answered, "I won't."
"No one is allowed to jeopardize the palace's safety, Princess Leonora and Prince Calixtro. "I also did not want any war to take place. Not if I was staying here. "This kingdom doesn't want war." "The Queen is right. I appreciate you all coming here, but this was not the ending I expected. Princess Leonora. I thought this was some sort of friendly visit, but why did it lead to this?"
The princess stood and went to the alpha king's seat and looked at him with sad eyes. "Your Highness. Please don't get mad. My apologies for talking about war. Our kingdom will not declare war. Right, brother? It will not happen-"
"War will happen if the queen does not give the alpha king to us. Allow the alpha king to marry my sister, and we will all be done. As easy as that," Prince Calixtro announced, cutting off his sister's words.
I straightened myself and faced him head-on. "Do you think His Highness, my mate, is some object which can be given to your beloved sister as easily as that? Whenever you please, Prince Calixtro? You are greatly mistaken, Prince Calixtro. We accept you wholeheartedly. We were hospitable at your arrival, but when you arrived, it seemed the demon went with you. How dare you threaten us in our own land?" The atmosphere around the room was getting intense, and none of us wanted to back down.
I still hated the alpha king. It won't change. But I was the only one allowed to make his life miserable-no one else.
"If my sister wants it, we, her family, will give it to her. No matter how difficult it is. That has been the tradition of our family."
"And I love you for that, Brother. But, brother. I take back my words. I don't want to wage war against His Highness's kingdom."
"I love you, too, sister."
The two smiled at each other.
I did not want to think of some twisted ideas, but the way Calixtro looked at Leonora, it was more than a sibling's love. Still...I may be wrong about it.
"I guess we will be breaking that tradition now. His Highness will stay here, and he will never marry the princess," I said with conviction.
"You will change your mind, Your Grace. Later. For now, we will be enjoying our stay here."
"You will leave tomorrow," the alpha king insisted.
"Your Highness. I don't want to!"
"That's not for you to decide, Princess Leonora."
The conversation at the banquet must have taken a toll on the alpha king's mind because I saw him smoking on his balcony inside his chamber.
I stopped in my tracks and was about to return when he caught me. He killed the smoke and faced me as if I did not catch him. The reason why I entered his chamber alone, without any servant jumping out of the balcony.
"Since when did you smoke, Maxxwell?"
He smiled sadly. "I appreciate your concern, my Queen."
"I am not. I don't care if you die because of that or not."
The alpha king puffed an air.
"I started smoking when you were gone, and the former queen died."
"Why do you have to blame us for what you did? Did we force you to smoke? Did we tell you to ruin your life?" I snapped.
The alpha king heaved a sigh. "River. Smoking makes me relax."
"It will get you sick."
"If you are worried about me getting sick, it will not happen. I am strong as a cow."
"I am not worried about that. Don't be delusional." 2
He stepped inside his chamber.
There were no changes, as far as I remember. Everything was the same. This place had so many memories back when I was his personal attendant. He was sad back then when Zenith was gone from his side and would constantly come home late.
Those were the days.
If Zenith did not return, I wonder what would happen to us. Will I allow him to love me? Will I accept him as my mate? Will we get married? Too many possible scenarios in my mind that will no longer happen. Our child was the only thing that was our link-no one else.
"Why are you here, My Queen? Did you change your mind? Do you want to sleep beside me?" he inquired, smiling at me. "You are most welcome here. It will make you serve you more."
I scoffed. "Don't be delusional."
His smile was gone. "Why came here, then?"
What was the reason again?
Maxxwell gave me a hopeful look, and I wouldn't say I liked any of it.
"I want to know your plans about the princess, Maxxwell."
His expression turned serious. "Ah. That woman. I am happy she will be gone tomorrow. I have been trying to understand her, but my patience is already wearing thin. She is the most difficult woman I ever
know." 1
"I did not ask about your idea of her but of your plan, Maxxwell," I reminded. "She's giving me concerns."
Maxxwell sat on the bed and motioned for me to sit on the vacant chair beside the vanity table. It was not there when I was still sleeping in his quarter. It was from my sister. Despite what happened, he never burned it down? Why? Did he still love Zenith? Despite her betrayal?
No.
I doubted he was still in love with her.
"She will return tomorrow. And when that happens, I will make sure I will give her all the reasons I could think of so that she will never come here again."
"And if she will come back again? Will you allow her to be the reason why bloodbaths will occur again in the palace? I have already seen a lot of deaths, Maxxwell. I hope you will not allow it to happen again. Think of your people."
"What do you want me to do, then, my Queen? I am now confused about whether you want me to marry her or not. Your words are contradicting enough. Enlighten me, please."
"What if the only way to stop the war is your marriage to the princess? You did not tell me that their kingdom was famous for winning wars. They are excellent and superior in their war tactics. Another reason why they were not scared of declaring war on your kingdom."
"If worse comes to worst, we will fight. I will die fighting for what I want. It is you whom I will marry, River."
My heart jumped at his declaration, and my cheeks flushed.
Damn him.
I never allowed him to make me feel like this!
"You sound sure. Can you fight them with all the warriors you have right now? Their kingdom was the biggest of all, Maxxwell."
"I am now certain of my feelings, River. It is only you for whom I am waiting. I'm not forcing you to forgive me. No matter how long it will take for you to do that, I will patiently wait. As a consequence of killing your sister."
There was something in my throat that I did not understand. "You can wait forever."
"Until my death. I hope you will not bring the baby far away, River. I know you cannot forgive me right now. But please, don't make the baby hate me. He is not involved with our disagreement." He stood and touched my hands. His hands felt warm against mine. "Allow me to become the best father I could be."
"I-I told you before. T-the child is not yours, Maxxwell."
Pain crossed his eyes, and I bit my lower lip to stop myself from taking back my words. Maxxwell deserved to be in pain, just like what I felt whenever I stayed in the palace and remembered Zenith. He must suffer!
"But you said to the princess, the child is mine," he whispered. His voice cracked at the end while tears simmered in his eyes. "You gave me hope back then, River."
Dammit!
My chest felt so heavy looking at Maxxwell and the urge to hug him was overpowering me.
I pulled my hands away.
My insides were shaking.
"This is not yours." Looking for fresh air, I stepped into the balcony, and the cold air welcomed me. "Nothing is no longer yours, Maxxwell." And even if it was yours, to begin with, I will not give it to you, I muttered inside my head while looking at the flicking lights down below. 1
Two guards were patrolling the area. And they were gone.
I heard footsteps coming in my direction.
Tilting my head to the side, I saw it was Maxxwell coming in my direction.
I returned my gaze outside. What was he trying to do now?
A gasp escaped my lips when he suddenly gave me a back hug.