Herald of Steel-Chapter 1554: Seelima And Ptolomy (Part-4)

The ladies in the room were all impressed by how quick, almost prescient Alexander was with regard to the events that had unfolded in the royal court prior to his arrival.

The Queen Mother and Lady Inayah were less affected because they were already used to the man's sharp mind, but his three brand new maids were a different story.

Hearing him speak that way, they all had impressed looks on their faces, with the eldest Lady Ezaya being especially affected.

She took after her mother a lot in the political department and thus could not help but covertly look at Alexander in a different light.

She of course had heard the stories but hearing and seeing were completely different things. Thus with the proof right in front of her, the tiny bit reluctance she had about serving a former slave quickly dissolves away.

So suddenly Alexander felt the massage of his shoulder get a lot stronger and tender.

While on the opposite side, in response to Alexander's query about Lord Assazd's actions, Lady Inayah's lips twitched perceptibly and for a bit, she wished that the man was a tad bit duller- it would have made slipping at least some of the small things much easier.

For instance, now, Lady Inayah really wished Alexander would let go of the topic about the Queen Mother's family. This was one of her greatest weaknesses and Seelima knew it better than anybody.

It was also why she really hated talking about it…as a member of the royal family, to have no father or mother to call upon… or to be even called the child of a beggar or peasant… it was natural she would suffer from a great inferiority complex here.

In fact, during the time of Alozmer, there were two nobles who opposed the mad king's decision to kill his main wife and put Seelima on the top. They called her lineage into question and stated a divine being like him should not sully his blood with such dirty, low blood….

Needless to say, things did not end up well for them.

They were spared the crucifixion courtesy of a few powerful lords stepping up in their defense, but they could not escape being beheaded, as well as having their peerage lowered and parts of their lands seized.

They got restored to their full self only upon Ptolomy taking the throne.

Thus it was easy to see the kind of landmine this topic was, and given the kind of furious state the Queen Mother was current in, it was out of the goodness of her heart that Lady Inayah advised Alexander to move elsewhere,

"I think my lord is overstating Lord Assazd's role here. He might have said a lot of things…who really remembers it all, but I do not believe for a second that His Majesty would take insulting the love of his life lying down."

"He is currently simply distracted because neither Seelima or Hellma can attend to him. The concerns of lineage… is garbage, there is no need to put any thought into it. Remember, Seelima literally brought him up. What stronger connection can you want?"

"So I believe all we have to do is trust in the 'Father' and all our worries will melt away in just a few weeks."

Lady Inayah was very animated in her speech, energetically waving her hands and sending Alexander glances of reassurance, as if asking him to be a tad more patient and let it go for now.

Seelima was due in any time, and since Alexander was not going anywhere any time soon, Lady Inayah wanted to postpone this until the Queen Mother was in a better mental state- i.e.- not enraged and wretched with frequent hormones outburst.

"...." However if the Pasha of Zanan was so such an easy man to please through words alone, his retainers would not have so much headache working under him. Alexander was famously known to be a very generous boss, but at the same time, very demanding.

A trait that also manifested here, as, eschewing all of Lady Inayah's warning, Alexander deepened his brows and gave his own analysis,

"I am afraid I do not share your view, my lady. From what I have seen, Ptolomy is a very fickle man. In fact, if I remember correctly, he was chosen by you because he was weak and malleable. Unfortunately the same quality that was once a boon is turning to be a curse."

"He now listens to anyone and everyone who whispers to him, doing whatever his heart desires at that moment. This is indeed a problem."

Alexander repeated that phrase from before with a deep sigh, emphasizing its importance. He was particularly worried about this because he had yet to come up with an effective counter to this.

And then, still not finished, further added in a grave, heavy voice,

"Also, about his love for the Queen Mother and Her Highness- Hellma… well it is an undeniable fact that he once loved them. No one is questioning that. However….now that he has gotten what he wanted…the question is… does he still feel the same way? Men are truly fickle creatures. They are prone to becoming easily distracted."

Crack!

As soon as Alexander said, this, he thought he heard Queen Mother break a tooth, so hard did she clench her teeth, absolute rage masking her face.

"Ahhh..." This was enough to even make Lady Inayah give a very alarmed cry, and she quickly rushed to the Queen Mother's side, rubbing her hands as a way to try and calm her down.

Then quickly whirled her head to send Alexander a very big scowl, her face cloudy as a raincast sky.

She could not believe he was saying all these even when she sent him so many signs. It was not even like Alexander was ignorant of these messages. He clearly understood but was simply ignoring them by choice.

"....." This terrible reaction from both his close allies finally forced the man to step on the breaks a bit.

So, softening his voice, he justified himself in a soft, soothing tone,

"Please do not get angry, my ladies. I am a true ally to you…whatever I say is for the good of all us. It was also never my intention to antagonize anyone. I simply believe we should be honest with each other, at least when we are alone.

"I know we say a lot of things out there… beyond the door… in order to just please others. However sometimes, a lie, when spoken too many times, risks becoming the truth even to ourselves. This is very dangerous…. when we start believing in our own falsehood."

"Ptolomy has created a lot of problems. This is a fact. And if we cannot even frankly discuss those problems and the roots that lead to it even among ourselves… inside securely closed doors … how can we hope to fix it? We need to take this medicine… no matter how bitter."

"...." Once again, Alexander's logical and contemplative way of speech caught the ladies in its net, and the man could visibly see the two starting to simmer down.

Hence, he finished with the tart chime,

"Let me remind us all that our necks are literally on the line here. We cannot afford to make mistakes. Please let us be more worried about that more than anything else."

"....*Sigh*..." From the end of Alexander's speech to this sigh by the Queen Mother, there was a long ruminative pause, as Seelima slowly took the time to digest it all then.

Then breaking away from her fierce countenance, she mused in a sort of helpless tone, frёewebηovel.cѳm

"Alexander is right. He is indeed getting away from me. His eyes… no longer glow as they used to when he sees me. Perhaps they are right…*sniff*... I really am getting too old."

The Queen Mother's eyes rapidly dimmed, watering up in a way that Alexander had never seen. And this rapid change, from fierce anger to near sobs, really showed the mental state of the poor lady.

It might not be readily apparent from outside, but Seelima was also under immense pressure.

In fact, it could even be said she was under the most pressure as if she failed to deliver a boy…well the lady only saw darkness after that 'if'.

Her fear had reached such a point by now that she did not even want to think about this- their plan almost hinged solely on the sex of the child inside her and her daughter and so, whenever she thought about it, it made her feel like a sword was constantly hanging over her neck, ready to snap any time.

That was why as the date of her delivery approached, she, instead of becoming greatly expectant, only became more and more afraid, and her behaviour more and more erratic.

"Lady Seelima, there is no need to put your ears to what those sheeps say. You are still plenty young enough." Alexander's light voice was like a ray of salvation for the blind lady, and thus, as she lifted her head, for the first time, the man saw the vulnerable part of the regal, proud lady- afraid, wounded, and all alone.

"Given the extent of your pregnancy, the sex of the child in your and Highness Hellma's belly has already been decided. So, why worry about something that has already been decided? Do you worry if the sun will come out tomorrow? Let it go... the gods have spoken and what will happen, will happen."

"I will protect you all regardless."