Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 17

Mia went into the adulation hall to offer incense and prayers to the moon goddess for the journey ahead of her. In the last six days, she had made preparations for her leaving and had prayed every day since then. This would be the last time she'd offer prayer at the adulation hall and her heart leapt at the thought.

She made all her plans to escape in secrecy and didn't even let Lydia, her maid, know of it. She feared that would leave Lydia vulnerable because knowledge of such could be used against her. The only two people aware of her escape were Edward and herself. "Moon Goddess, I pray for your guide, I pray for your counsel, I pray for your wisdom. And I pray for your light to shine and show me the way." She finished and rose to her feet, heading out of the temple and back to her chambers. She passed by the King's Court on her way back in and saw the king seated discussing with a few counsels.

She hurried her feet past the door because the affairs of the king weren't her concern. The alpha king had made it clear she wasn't to intrude unless beckoned upon and so she had done in the last few weeks.

Her foot barely touched down on the first stairs that led up to her chambers when she heard her name being called. "Queen Mia."

She halted and turned around to see Valerio, the King's army commander and wondered what she had done this time.

"The king requests your presence in the council Court," he informed and ushered her path with his hand.

She couldn't take the time to analyse the words he just said because if she knew one thing the alpha king hated, it was a delay. She stepped into the council court where he sat on a chair and standing before him were five older men with grey hairs and three younger men standing before the king. After seeing Alpha Chike, she figured they were the council of alphas here to deliberate on pressing issues.

"My queen," they bow in reverence to her presence. The alpha king beckon to her to move closer to him with his hand and she did as he said, taking his hand when she got close enough. He brought her hand to his lips and placed a fleeting kiss that made butterflies fly around in her stomach despite how much she hated it.

He smiled up at her, and she tried to return the smile but failed miserably.

He ignored her failure, made her sit on the empty chair beside his, and he spoke. "My queen, pardon my intrusion, the elders of the kingdom and these scholars came with a few questions regarding the separation of the Capital 3. I thought as queen, you'd want to give your counsel on it."

Mia almost stuttered, taken aback by his sudden request. He had never asked to even taken much to her opinions on issues before, so it felt weird. She wondered what games he was up to this time, but the look on his face gave nothing away.

The capital 3 was an institution comprising the farmers' institutions, the warriors and the scholars. The project started a few years ago after the crowning of the alpha king. People speculated the King's father, Robb Ainsworth, started the project before his sleep, while others insisted Xavier Ainsworth made the plans. The construction was still in progress and according to news around could either be the best thing thought of by any king or the worse.

Mia wasn't sure she could make a decision that would be valid before the alpha king. A project like the Capital 3 was an extraordinary one that not anyone could make suggestions on. This made her question his motive. However, when she finished, he made no further decision and asked the men to do according to what she said.

"Impressive. You made a brave but outstanding decision. It's almost as if you have prepared all your life for your position as queen." he commended, his eyes looking proud.

She smiled and rose to her feet. "I would take that as a compliment, my king." she bowed her head and, not waiting for another utter of a word, she took her leave.

As she approached the door, Lydia called to her, and she stopped and turned around. She hurried her feet over to her, bowing when she got close and handing a sealed scroll in her hand over to Mia.

"My queen, the crowned prince instructed me to give this to you."

Edward had informed her he would send her a written detail on how they would execute her escape today and, seeing the sealed letter, told her this was it.

Her heart fluttered with joy, but she didn't give any away on her face so her maid wouldn't ask questions.

"Thank you, Lydia." she commended her with a smile. "I'll be in my chambers."

Once inside, Mia barred her door so none would enter forcefully. She ran to the chair beside the table at the corner of her room and she took her seat before breaking the seal. With an expecting heart, she went through the letter.

I hope this letter finds you, my queen. As we've planned, you depart tonight. Luckily, the King would leave to be with his mistress tonight and this would be the perfect opportunity. Thanks be to the moon goddess for arraying everything according to plan. Make sure you're in the garden before the first half of the night with the little you need to carry. I will be in the garden before the second half of the night to inform you of how to go. As soon as the alpha king steps out, you make your escape disguised as the Palace maid as arranged. This way, you could escape the Palace without getting caught.

There will be a carriage waiting for you at the right side of the entrance gate. Once you get in, it will take you to the port where the loading ship will be.

I wish you the best. I will also offer prayers for your safe escape.

P.S. Burn this letter after reading.

Mia had no belongings here, none that she could take along from the Palace. All she had was the gold coins she began saving after turning fourteen and the silver knife she came along with. That was all she took from her father's house and what she would take from here as well.

"I would like to shower early tonight," Mia informed Lydia, who came in with a tray of dinner and set it on her tray.

She turned to her queen with curious eyes. "Why? Are you going somewhere?"

Lydia was a smart girl, and she was a curious one as well, which was one thing Mia admired about her. Her inquisition didn't bother her because she had already prepared herself for her questions.

"I will sleep early tonight," she answered with a smile that left as soon as it came. "My husband would be out chasing whores and so I don't see why I should stay up thinking about that." the excuse was the perfect one and gave no room for questioning. Lydia nodded in understanding. "Yes, your bath water would be ready right after dinner."

Mia ate her last royal meal, the new life ahead of her, making her all giddy on the inside, and she counted down the hours left before she'd leave.

After bathing, she wore her nightgown and got into bed along with a book. She dismissed Lydia, informing her that her work was done, and she obeyed and took her leave.

Mia got up from the bed as soon as the door shut and went over to her wardrobe. She pulled it open and brought out a long black hood that looked nothing like a robe a royal should wear, and she slung it onto her shoulders. She picked out her black boot and brought them over to the bed.

Once dressed, she opened unlocked the golden matrimonial bracelet around her wrist and placed it on the dressing mirror. She unlocked the door, peeping through the hallway and making sure no one was there before walking out. Her hand tightly gripped her black purse holding the gold coin so it wouldn't make a noise.

Leaving for the garden was a success, as guards barely patrolled that quarter of the palace estate. When she got to the garden, she followed Edwards instruction and waited for the second half of the night, which wasn't so far away now.

A figure stepped into the garden, also wearing a long black hood, and it approached her. A little suspicion stirred in Mia's heart, but he soon uncovered his head to reveal he was Edward.

She ran to him and hugged him tightly before pulling away.

"You're all ready?" he raised a brow, and she nodded. "I don't see any bag..." he scans around as he said this.

"I have gold."

A pained smile came onto his face, and he reached out and caressed her cheeks tenderly. "The king would never know how lucky he was." he hugged her again.

He pulled away and held her by the shoulders, so she focused on him. "Listen, if you're unable to leave. And the King's guard catches you."

"I won't let them take me alive," she vowed.

"Don't fight them," he said at the same time with her.

When he comprehended what she just said, he shook his head, his eyes filled with concern. "You come back! Do you hear me? You come back alive and we'll find another way. Promise me you will come back. Promise me, my queen." Her eyes fluttered. His words had tossed her into the sea of confusion. "I promised."

Edward nodded, kissed her forehead before pulling away.

He froze for a moment, not moving or saying anything, and Mia almost became worried about him.

He broke out of that state and shook his head. "My brother is leaving now. This is it."

She walked to the exit of the garden and turned to him. "Why have you helped me so far? Last I checked, I was the alpha king's ugly bride and you, his brother."

A genuine smile appeared on his face and never left. "You're far from ugly, my queen. And you remind me of the sister I couldn't have."

She followed Edward's instructions disguised as a maid on an errand. She got to the gate, and the guards asked who she was, and she told them she was Lydia, the queen's maid, on an errand for her.

The guards granted her passage, and she ran out of the Palace estate onto the street and checking to her right; she saw a carriage waiting just as Edward had told her and she entered and together they rode off.