Kissing Hellfire: Marry Me, Evil Lord
Chapter 132: Doing Her a Favor

Chapter 132: Doing Her a Favor

"What private matters do you have with Jasper Owens?"

Lauren was about to leave after the meeting was adjourned. But with Alec’s question, instead of going straight to the doors, she sighed and turned to him. She saw it coming.

The ministers and councilmen had left, so only the two of them were in the courtroom.

"Are you curious because of his connection to the rebels? Or are you trying to pry on my private life?"

His lips twitched darkly. "Both?"

She wanted to roll her eyes.

"I will tell you later this night. I have to see my stepmother," she said before turning away, not giving Alec a chance to stop her.

When Lauren arrived at the Queen Dowager’s chamber, the second she stepped in a vase flew towards her which she quickly dodged. Her eyes narrowed at Thalia across the room as the door closed behind her.

Like the last time they met, Thalia still looked like a crazy prisoner in an asylum. Her hair exploded and she wore a dull nightdress. Her face which was once full of vigor was now overly pale and the dark circles in her eyes grew more evident.

"You bitch! Why are you here again?!" Thalia’s voice thundered. Before she could throw another vase, Lauren created a barrier between them just like the last time. She wasn’t in the mood to dodge her petty attacks.

"Why are you so mad, Queen Dowager? I just came to visit you. To see if you are doing fine," Lauren said sweetly but her eyes showed not the slightest humor. The person in front of her was the vicious woman who killed her mother and made her suffer for thirteen years. Death was way too easy for a punishment.

Her time in the castle was almost over but she hadn’t forgotten the first reason why she did everything she had done. Even if she would fall from grace in the end, she would make sure she served the best vengeance to her enemy in pursuit of justice for her mother. It was a shame her father died too early. Now she had no choice but to pour all her anger onto his dearest wife.

"I have news about Jasper Owens by the way," Lauren smirked when she saw how Thalia’s eyes widened a bit.

"He claims to be your brother, but I can’t be sure if he was telling the truth. My initial assumption is you are tied as mother and son but I realize it doesn’t matter who he is to you. If he is a son, cousin, brother... it’s not important. What matters to me is your deep connection. Because I am very much certain that you are dear to each other."

With glaring eyes, Thalia turned away and faced the window. She did not say anything.

"And I discovered another thing. Jasper is working with the rebels. He plays a part in the creation of deranged humans. Since you share a deep bond, I wouldn’t be surprised if you know he is committing treason. Or perhaps are you also involved with the rebels?" The last question came out in a calm tone as if she wasn’t boldly accusing the late King’s wife of a grave crime.

"You think I would dare do anything that would ruin your father?" Thalia faced Lauren again, standing two meters away from the barrier separating them. Her brows were almost touching each other because of intense anger.

"I may have my fair share of evil but I did all of that because I want the royal family to thrive, Lauren! A lot of people threatened Martin’s throne and I was his backbone! I supported his reign with all I got! Now you are accusing me of colluding with the enemies who must have killed my husband?" Thalia laughed hysterically. Then angry tears started pouring down her face as she continued to laugh. "You have gone insane, Lauren. You have gone insane!"

Lauren’s jaw tightened. She walked to the door and left the laughing woman. With her little patience and Thalia’s wickedness, she doubted if she would admit her involvement with the rebels and tell her everything she wanted to know.

However, thinking about Thalia’s painstaking efforts in supporting the late King and her obsession with the picture-perfect family she made, Lauren doubted her assumption that Thalia had something to do with the rebels. Jasper might be working with them but Thalia must not be tracking all of his whereabouts and watching his every move.

"Why are you here?"

Lauren did not turn. She stood on her old room’s balcony in silence when she heard someone speak from behind. It was already eight in the evening. Alec had been busy the rest of the day while she dealt with some things when Julian stopped by earlier that afternoon.

"I will sleep here for tonight."

"You are not allowed to. We have our own bedroom, Lauren."

"Not allowed?" Her brow arched at the term used. This time she turned around to face Alec who was standing by the balcony’s doors, his sullen eyes staring at her with subtle annoyance.

"A husband does have control over his wife and can point out what is allowed and not allowed, but I am not your submissive wife. I am your partner in this charade, Alec. Don’t boss me around like you are my master."

His jaw clenched. He didn’t respond right away as if he was giving it some thought.

"Let me rephrase it, then. You should sleep on your husband’s bed and not anywhere else. It is what normal married couples do," his tone was low and patient despite his hard expression. It was like he was trying to pacify the situation so he wouldn’t annoy her more.

Although the bed was large enough to keep a comfortable distance when they were sleeping together, after Alec claimed to be in love with her, she felt like she should distance herself from him. She felt like there was a gap she should fill, a barrier that would keep them both on their feet.

"You often don’t sleep. Don’t fool me. You usually just lay in the bed while I sleep on the other side."

His lips curled slightly. "It is because the air around you always feels cold. My presence gives you warmth which allows you to sleep comfortably throughout the night. You see, I am doing you a favor."