After Jail returned to the basement he went about checking every nook and cranny with his head full of questions and dealing with the tension in his stiffened muscles. The main room was the admiral's and if there was a passage like that, then he knew that sooner or later someone would find it. Alejandro did not delay in joining this new investigation, curious, he asked why, so Jail told him what happened, omitting the frenzy that provoked the sleeping maiden, and concluded that it was likely that the disappearance of the admiral was due to outside interests, to which Alejandro amused refuted:
-The master was already tired and we both knew that he wished to leave to know new horizons.
-Yes," whispered Cárcel with his eyes fixed on the opening of the passageway. But don't you think it's strange that he built these ducts?
-A little, although being the master, it doesn't surprise me," said Alejandro calmly.
It was possible that the construction was intended for internal armed conflicts in the town or in the nation. Everyone knew the admiral as a cautious and gentle superior, so it was not superfluous to imagine that he did it for the women and children who, being innocent, end up bearing the brunt. However, what he said to her the last time they met made him doubt. "Let her know that I will be back soon to stand by her side," were his words.
-The facts are still unclear," the blond ruled with his lips raised in a mocking smile.
Alejandro laughed at his friend's stubbornness, in the end it didn't surprise him, all the years they lived together were witnesses of the hard head he had when the smallest detail didn't add up. Without further contradiction they kept moving the shelves near the walls or pressing tiles, perhaps a mechanism was also forged in the walls, as there was in most ancient palaces; but the existence of another passageway was pure illusion. Dawn would come soon. With regret, they returned to the office, but they did not let the laughter die out due to the tiredness of their bodies; among the topics, the mention of Ana, the house maid and the reason for so much insistence to go to the second floor, came up.
His friend's surprised face made Cárcel laugh heartily. It was no secret that both Alejandro and he were the most prodigious womanizers in the capital, they loved women more than wines and weapons, a complicity that was cut short by the marriage between Cárcel and the Barrientos house; and, as incredible as it may seem, he also began to live in chastity.
-How did you find out? -he asked nervously.
-Your mouth can say whatever it wants," whispered Cárcel with his eyes focused on every step he took, "but the gleam in your eyes condemns you.
Since Alejandro's arrival, Cárcel noticed the way he looked at the young girl who offered to help in the mansion while the crew remained in town, at first he did not give it importance, assuming such attention to the lack of female presence in the frontier; it was a mistake to reach such a conclusion.
Alexander stopped in the middle of the corridor and looked very carefully at the back of his captain, who turned around; Jail gave him a small sideways smile.
-She's..." He looked down, noticing the black boots he was wearing. Different.
-Different? -asked Jail.
The nuance of his voice changed abruptly: from playful to distant. Not to mention that the smile on his lips was replaced by a grimace of displeasure.
Alexander lowered his head even further. He was aware of his words, as well as the impact they could cause in the social circle he belonged to. To notice a woman with no last name or renown was unacceptable and even worse if she was a maid; in fact, Alejandro feared to raise suspicions, which made him have the lowest possible profile, which did not go unnoticed to Jail's sharp eye.
He swallowed saliva and straightened up. He clenched both hands into fists and sucked in as much as he could.
-It is," was all he said after mustering all the courage he had left.
Jail closed the distance between the two with firm and determined steps, making small tremors in Alejandro's body not go unnoticed, reaffirming the implacable presence of his captain.
-You are very selfish, Alejandro," the blond snarled. All that will happen to you will be scoldings and the occasional hurtful rebuff, which with the passage of time will diminish until they return to the usual dealings..." He took Alejandro by the shoulders and forced him to raise his head; he was anxious for their eyes to meet. But do you know what she will have to endure? You don't, do you? -He tightened his grip, causing Villarreal to frown. Forget whatever it is you have planned and stop deluding her. Nor will I allow you to defile her chastity, or I will be sure to truncate your achievements.
Alexander clenched his fists tighter.
He refused to accept that Jail's words were accurate. Anything but. He found it outrageous that he had an opinion about his actions and had the audacity to threaten him if he did not comply with the imposed orders; was his personal life a matter for those in command? But he's not just your superior, he chided himself in his head. The anger that seeped through his veins like burning lava ended up hardening, as if he had been the victim of a strong current of water. Jail released his shoulders, allowing him to relax his hands and rub his face hard, leaving small red marks on it.
-I will soon become a duke, Jail, do you still think he will be disrespected?
His voice was shaky, causing Jail's frown to become more pronounced.
As the first-born son of the Villarreal house, it was indisputable that he would take the reins of the house in the future. For better or for worse, Alejandro spent most of his life as a vagabond who made no effort to study etiquette, philosophy, history or politics, disciplines that would help him to increase the power of his family name, or, as simple as it may sound, to highlight the intelligence his parents boasted so much about; a situation that made him a complete ignorant regarding the treatment and formalities that took place in the high lineage. Supposing the entry of a dear one with impoverished resources, would originate the greatest insult for the house with which the union was made, omitting the scandal that would rise both in the nobility and in the bourgeoisie. The torment and tempest to which this poor girl would be subjected would be dismal. The image of the possible tortures assaulted Cárcel unawares, leaving him dazed and with unpleasant memories....
After marrying Ingrid Barrientos they moved to Castello due to Cárcel's recent promotion in the navy, he went from cadet to first generation officer, also known as the blues because of the uniform, and their base was located in that city. Weeks later they were invited to a dinner by the Gallego family -important thanks to the elaboration of silk brocades that they learned to make in the East, becoming the only distributors in the country-. The purpose of the invitation was to maintain good relations with the king's relatives, that is to say, a politically adequate treatment between the four houses: Aguilar, Gallego, Barrientos and Elizondo. What was the driving force behind it? The lust for power. Both Cárcel and Ingrid were so used to living among the hypocrisy of the nobility and bourgeoisie that it was not difficult for them to smile kindly, accepting the good will of the others. The evening was pleasant at first; however, the arrival of the third son of the merchant and head of the family, Ivan Gallego, named Andres, turned the atmosphere hostile.
The young man with frizzy brown hair was accompanied by a girl with emerald eyes, which she barely showed due to her crestfallen gait. The teenage couple was sent to the other end of the rectangular table, ignoring the young man's rightful position, which surprised the newlyweds; the lack of attention from the servants also caught their attention, mainly from Ingrid, who informed Cárcel very discreetly once dinner was over. The events were uncomfortable, as well as shameless, reason enough to disagree on the activities that would second the collation. The Aguilar couple said goodbye arguing that the following morning they had to travel back to Corneria, to which, with regret, Ivan accepted without any discomfort. That was the last time they saw the teenagers together, which sowed curiosity in the hearts of Ingrid and Cárcel, although not long after they learned of the terrible death suffered by the girl at the hands of her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. Accused of stealing, they sent her for interrogation, without waiting for the return of the family head, which was based on inserting needles under the nails, causing the pain to cloud the sanity of the young girl, who ended up accepting the guilt in order to end the agony, a decision that cost her life.
The bitter taste of remembrance flooded Cárcel's taste buds, and a reluctant smile took over his lips.
-Fuck, Alejandro," he cursed helplessly. Even if you are duke, no, no, even if you are king, you will never be able to save her from the social trials she will be subjected to," he explained sternly.
The warning was not only addressed to Alexander, but also to himself. Jail also had no right to covet the lady resting in the master bedroom, not because he could not, but to protect her. Being part of families of renown was very seldom synonymous with bliss and happiness.
Alexander shook his head in denial.
-In time they will accept her.
-Who, your future wife? -asked Cárcel mockingly.
-She will be!
-Then forget about the title. -The blond let out a sigh of frustration and exasperation. As well as the respect you want that girl to be given.
The dispute went on until they reached the office, where Cárcel told him that it was enough and that if he was really willing to condemn her to the slaughterhouse for a simple whim, he should do it, but everything under his responsibility. Both remained silent, increasing the discomfort in the atmosphere, until Alejandro apologized for how haughty he was; although he did not promise to stay away from the wench, he accepted the selfishness implicit in each of the arguments he gave.
It was an hour to first light in the clear sky and since the extra rooms were neglected, they opted to stay there. The seat behind the desk was a good place to take a nap, as was the floor, obviating that the latter had a thick layer of dirt on it. Alexander offered to stay on the grayish surface for the bad time he caused. Although they were ready to rest, the clattering of the wood under their feet set their heads alerted. Cárcel took out the pistol stored in one of the drawers, while Alejandro opened the gun rack in the corner to take out the shotgun; they both positioned themselves to receive the unknown guest. The handle creaked and the door creaked open, revealing the face of one of Cárcel's subordinates.
-His Highness has disappeared, Captain! -he exclaimed in despair.
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