Forgotten Wife Let the traitors kneel Down (by Patricia Maradiaga) novel Chapter 105

A Night’s Conversation

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Cassian was about to go to sleep when someone knocked on his room door. When he opened it,

he found Maya with a bottle of wine. She raised it high and said to him, “Fancy a drink?”

“You should be sleeping.”

Maya entered the room without being invited and said, “I’m not sleepy. Do you have something to

pour this into?”

“No.”

Maya opened the bottle and drank directly from it. “Then it’ll have to be like this.”

Maya headed to the balcony, and Cassian followed her, saying, “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Why not? Does it bother you?”

“It’s not that, but it’s frowned upon for a lady to enter a man’s room.”

Maya laughed, took another swig from the wine bottle, and said, “I suppose it’s some stupid

custom the nobles have.”

“Why do you despise the customs of the nobles so much?”

“Because I find them silly, having to hold back just because of what others might think of you. I

think that’s foolish.”

“Have you always done whatever you wanted?”

“Yes, I’ve always gone where I wanted and been with whoever I pleased; no one has ever shackled

me.”

“How old are you, Maya?”

“Why do you ask that now?”

“Out of curiosity.”

“I turned 22 this year.”

Because Maya was slim and somewhat short, he had thought she was much younger, but she was actually only a year younger than him.

She asked, “How old are you, little prince?”

“I’m 23 years old.”

“And you’re not married yet? I thought nobility married young and royalty even younger.”

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“Not necessarily. It’s the women who are usually betrothed and married before the age of 20.”

“How horrible to be forced to marry at such a young age.”

“Don’t commoners marry at that age?”

“Most commoners don’t even get married; I mentioned that before.”

“That’s true.”

“I’m glad to be a commoner; that way I can be free.”

“You talk as if being noble is a bad thing.”

“In my opinion, it is. I would hate to have my freedom taken away, to be tied to one place.”

Maya took another swig of wine and, while looking at the moon, shining high in the sky, asked, “Are

you happy being a prince?”

Cassian took the bottle from Maya, took a swig, and replied, “It’s not that bad.”

“I guess it’s different if you’re a man. You’re free to do as you please.”

“Don’t be fooled, as a prince, I have obligations to fulfill. Although until now I’ve been ignoring them, when I return, that will end, and I won’t be able to keep running away.”

“What do you mean?”

“Upon returning, I’ll leave the royal palace, take a territory, and become a duke.”

“Why would you do that?”

“There are many nobles who are not very happy with the decision my brother made by marrying Abril; she is the daughter of the enemy. With the injury to my leg, the nobles disqualified me as a possible king, but now that my injury has healed, many will want to unseat my brother and crown

me king.”

“And I suppose you don’t want that.”

“Honestly, I’ve never been interested in the throne; it’s just a hassle. Besides, I would never betray my brother. That’s why I must renounce my title of prince, take the title of duke, and swear loyalty to my brother.”

“I guess I’ll have to stop calling you little prince and start calling you duke.”

“That’s right.”

“Tomorrow we’re going back to the royal palace, what are you going to do?”

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“I’ll go with you.”

“Honestly, I still don’t know why you’re here.”

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“I came out of curiosity, and since I’m not satisfied yet, you’ll have to put up with me a bit longer.”

Maya moved closer to Cassian, placed her hand on his chest, and said.

“So we might as well have fun, while we’re still together.”

Maya tugged on Cassian’s shirt, making him lean in, they were so close that, they could feel each other’s breath, Cassian felt captivated by her gaze, those beautiful red eyes that seemed like two rubies, she kissed him, her lips were warm and soft, he remained completely still, as their lips parted Maya took the wine bottle from him, took another sip, and said.

“You’re so stiff.”

“What?”

“I thought you’d be more passionate, but I guess I was wrong.”

Cassian didn’t have much experience with women, he had always spent his time training and on the battlefield, and when the war ended he didn’t want anyone to see him that way, so he started avoiding everyone, that’s why he didn’t really know how to respond to her kiss. With his face red with embarrassment he replied.

“I’m not very experienced with that sort of thing.”

Maya smiled and said.

“Then maybe with some practice, it’ll get better.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“I usually like guys with initiative, but I have to admit, you’re adorable and you caught my attention.”

“You really don’t hold back, do you?”

“Like I said, I always speak my mind.”

Cassian took the bottle from Maya and took a long drink, Maya said.

“Hey, take it easy, I don’t want you getting drunk too fast.”

“I don’t get drunk that easily.”

“We’ll see about that.”

They both kept drinking for a while, Maya was perfectly fine, but Cassian ended up completely

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drunk, Maya had to help him to bed, she covered him with a sheet, looked at him for a moment,

and said.

“I figured you couldn’t handle much alcohol; you got drunk on just half a bottle of wine.”

Maya returned to her room, the next day when she left her room she ran into Cassian, he looked

unwell, she asked.

“How are you feeling this morning?”

“I feel like my head is going to explode and my stomach feels like it’s melting like hot iron.”

“I guess that means you’re not doing okay.”

Cassian looked at Maya, she seamed fine, too alright, he asked.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Unlike you, I don’t get drunk easily; I can handle my alcohol.”

“I don’t know why, but that bothers me.”

Alessandro and Abril came out of their room, seeing Cassian pale and looking sickly, Alessandro

asked.

“Cassian, are you alright?”

“Yeah, or I will be soon.”

“It doesn’t seem like it.”

“When will we leave?”

“After breakfast.”

Abril stepped forward and said.

“I’ll go grab the kids, see you later.”

As she passed Cassian, she asked.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t look so great.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be as good as new after breakfast.”

Abril went to the room where the children were staying, they were already awake, one of the maids

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was helping them get dressed, Oto, who was already ready, ran to Abril, hugged her, and asked.

“Will we play in the garden today?”

“No, today we’re leaving.”

Oto was saddened to hear that they would be leaving that place because he had really liked the duchess. Abril understood the child’s feelings; she felt the same way and wished to stay a little longer. However, that was not possible, so she asked him, “What’s wrong, Oto? Don’t you want to

leave?”

“It’s just that I like the duchess a lot. If we leave, she’ll be alone again.”

The duchess entered the room at that moment and said, “Your majesty, I would like to speak with you for a moment.”

“Of course.”

The children were already prepared, and the duchess ordered the maid to take them to the dining room for breakfast. When they were alone, Abril asked, “What would you like to discuss, duchess?”

“I heard you’re leaving today.”

“That’s right.”

“I don’t want to be insolent by saying this, but I would like you to leave the children in my care.”

“What?”

“I know Your Majesty took in those two children, and they are commoners. If you take them to the palace, they will not be welcomed by the nobles.”

Abril knew that perfectly well. She knew that the nobles in the capital hated her for being the enemy’s daughter and that, despite being the king’s wife, she wasn’t even respected by the servants because she had no power. She couldn’t help the children. She knew that if she left them with the duchess, they would grow up without difficulties and without knowing the malice of the

nobles.

“I promised I would take care of them.”

“I will take care of them. My husband and son died, and if you leave them with me, I will adopt them as my children, they will be my family.”

“And if they don’t want to stay?”

“If they don’t want to stay, I won’t force them to stay.”

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