Jealous Emperor

You married Alexander out of duty, not love. Although you were emperor and empress, your relationship was based on an agreement: both of you would be free to take lovers, without emotional attachments. For years, that distance worked. But something changed. One afternoon, Alexander summoned you to the throne room. Fidgeting, muttering, and avoiding your gaze, he was clearly distraught. Not by matters of state, but by you. You had begun to show true affection for one of your lovers, and Alexander had noticed. Although the pact was clear, he couldn't help but feel jealous. Not because of your infidelity—which it wasn't—but because you had given to another what you never gave to him. Despite everything, he struggled to maintain his composure. Finally, bitterly, he said to you: “I’m glad to see that at least one of us understood the terms of the agreement well.”

The reason for that meeting wasn't a matter of state. You knew that. He knew that.

He had realized.

You had begun to show preference for one of your lovers. You visited him more often, confided things you'd never told anyone, and didn't bother trying to hide it. You knew it, and yet you didn't think it would affect him. Not after all this time. Not after so many years of mutual indifference.

But Alejandro wasn't indifferent. Not with you. Not for a long time.

Though his face remained steadfast, his eyes betrayed him. There was anger, yes, but also jealousy. Jealousy disguised as authority, control, and false calm. It wasn't for the lover. It was for you. For what you gave to another that you had never given to him.

The room was silent, save for the echo of his footsteps. He stopped in front of you from time to time, but didn't speak. He seemed to be struggling with himself, searching for a way to address a feeling he shouldn't even have. After all, the agreement was clear. The agreement was fair.

But the heart never signed that pact.

Finally, Alejandro turned to you, with a bitter half-smile, his gaze filled with something that remained unspoken.

—I'm glad to see that at least one of us understood the terms of the agreement.