Chapter 68
PRIMUS ALEXANDER’S POV
Aquamarine shifted to leave, ready to excuse herself, as if this didn’t concern her, but I grabbed her wrist before she could take a step.
If she leaves now, she will crawl back to Katherine
Her eyes snapped to my hand, then to my face, but I didn’t say anything. I just pulled her with me.
She flinched but didn’t resist. Her pace was slower than mine as she limped slightly, and I hated that I noticed.
We followed Levi out of the Order Room. He didn’t speak as we moved down the corridor, his steps clipped, tense. The air outside hit us like something spoiled. Thick Dry.
Too hot for this time of the season.
I felt Aquamarine pause behind me.
He took us to the royal farm,
Then I saw it.
The earth was cracked.
Literally.
The crops that had been green just two days ago were now twisted, withered stalks, brittle and blackened around the edges. Some had collapsed entirely. The irrigation trench that ran along the field’s edge had dried to a muddy streak
Levi motioned to it all. “It started overnight. Yesterday it was dry, but still alive with yellow patches,” he pointed out. “But just now, after the meeting everything looked like this.”
I stepped forward and crouched, running my hand along a brittle leaf. But just that single touch made it tum to powder.
Aquamarine stood still behind me. Silent.
Levi added, “The herbalist and farmers have no logical explanation. Some of the elders think it’s the earth… rejecting something. Remember, it was Gaisa that kept this land alive.”
Hooked up at him, I know what he meant. Word has gone out, since that day.
Aquamarine shifted slightly, “You should start the coronation and crown her as your Luna, Primus Alexander.”
“What?” Levi muttered, his face twisting in disgust.
My eyebrow twitched and I glared at her.
What the hell did that earthworm tell her this time? And why does she always have to believe the words of her mouth!
“it’s fine,” she replied, still looking away. “Gala already told me everything, so please carry on”
She didn’t know but I wouldn’t tell her yet. I’d play along and let it eat her up instead.
Levi took a stop towards her, “Luna-” he started firmly
“Please don’t call me that, Kyrexeis Levi,” she said sharply. “I’m
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Chapter 68
She stopped herself. Her throat tightened like she wanted to say something else, but her eyes dropped to the ground again. I saw her fingers twitch near her waist, pulling at the sleeve of her gown like a child being scolded.
I waited. But she didn’t continue.
And something in me snapped.
“Gaia didn’t survive that fall, I growled at her.
I didn’t want to say it.
But the things she said and the ways she’s acting, made my blood boil and I don’t know why.
Aquamarine’s eyes and mouth widened in horror as her gaze drifted to Levi. As if she were waiting for confirmation.
I turned
She stared at the dry land, her arms wrapped around her stomach.
Her face had lost all colour.
Levi looked at her, uneasy
Aquamarine stammered, barely a
raudible. “D–Did I kill
I didn’t answer immediately.
I could’ve led. Maybe I should’ve
But her voice, small and broken, was asking for the kind of comfort I wasn’t willing to give..
“Yes,” I said. “In cold blood too.”
She looked at me now–just for a moment. Her white eyes were wide, full of something I couldn’t place.
Then she stared at her trembling hands. “That’s not possible, she croaked.
“You’re moving back to our chamber,” I said, rising to my full height.
She stiffened and a tear dropped on her cheek, “Why?”
“Because things are about to get worse. And I don’t have time to chase you across the castle when the pack starts panicking”
She opened her mouth like she wanted to argue. But then she shivered.
Levi looked between us but said nothing
I turned and started walking, but when i didn’t hear her steps, I turned back.
She was still staring at the dead field. Her body was shaking slightly, I didn’t know what she was saying to Levi, but he looked soo convinced.
“Aquamarine, don’t make me drag you myself,” I said sharply.
She startled and finally followed, her head low
We walked in silence back into the castle. Servants passed us, whispering under their breaths, Some didn’t even try to hide their states even when they bowed. Their eyes slid from me to her and Fcould feel the tension building
A few mulbered prayers. One crossed their chest
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Chapter 68
Others just stared at her.
Aquamarine heard it too. Her face drained again. Her steps slowed slightly, he she wanted to run but didn’t lower her gaze or shake anymore.
When we reached the door to our chambers, she turned,
“I want to go to Katherine first,” she said.
“No,” I spat. “You’ll return to our chambers. You won’t move. And you won’t speak to anyone”
She didn’t move.
“I wasn’t asking,” added.
She blinked away the tears in her eyes and choked on a sob.
“I’m not punishing you,” I said. “I’m keeping things controlled. If they think you caused this, and they’re allowed to spread it freely, there’ll be chaos.”
“I swear, I didn’t do it on purpose,” she whispered.
| know.
She reached out to grab my arm but she stopped halfway, “I thought she would use her vines since she didn’t have her bracelets on.”
“They were there, you just
ust didn’t see them,” I said flatly. “Now she’s dead, some people watched the fall and I can’t have the news spread out right now.”
She looked like she wanted to say something, but I cut her off and opened the door. “Get inside.”
She looked at me for a half–second. Just one. Like she wanted to ask something but I glared at her.
And she did, entering without looking back.
Levi lingered as she left.
“She’s not okay,” he said.
I didn’t answer.
“I mean it,” he added. “You can’t treat her like that after what she just went through. That poison did more than burn her skin. You treated her like an animal and you are acting like it’s a normal process. What if she died because you didn’t trust her?”
“She made a foolish choice. But it worked. And now she’s in one piece, which is all that matters, I said “I’m done being soft towards her or warming up to her like you advised, Levi,”
Levi’s jaw tightened, “I don’t know what’s wrong with you lately. Just weeks ago, aher Gala almost buried her alive, you were ready to rain hell upon har kingdom and ours.”
“That’s only because I can’t afford to lose her,” I replied. “Aquamarine is here to give me an heir and that’s all that matters. Love or care leads nowhere. It’s causes weakness and I hate weakness that refuses to change.” I growled.
“And that’s the reason why you’re still in this mess if this doesn’t work out for you, just know it’s your fault.”
