Alexander lingered for a second in Roxane's chamber, watching her comb her hair.
She looked so fertile, and so innocent. So blissfully unaware of what had happened, or was she so unaware? Did she not have secret hatred for this other in Alexander's life? This thought and many others ran through Alexander's mind.
"Roxane" he said abruptly, and she turned to him.
"Alexander, you frightened me" she said, dismissing her ladies.
"…. Have you seen…" Alexander couldn't finish the sentence, the immediate word of Hephaistion's name bore a tearing sensation in his chest.
"Alexander, you look terrible. Have you been drinking again?" she asked him, and Alexander stood dumb founded before her.
"… Answer please…" Alexander said weakly, as she shook her head.
"Who, Alexander? Who am I meant to have seen?" she asked, lowering her brush on the counter.
"Hephaistion" Alexander choked out, "Hephaistion he is…"
"Hephaistion is dead?" Roxane's eyes widened, "…. I heard last night he wasn't well. Had too much to drink…"
"… I didn't know that he was sick" Alexander stuttered, uncomfortably crying in front of her. She stood up, and came towards him.
"Why are you here?" she asked, "What do you think?"
"I loved him" Alexander said, tears flowing down his face, "I loved him"
"…. Please, Alexander" Roxane asked, as Alexander's eyes rose to hers. She didn't care that Hephaistion was dead. She didn't care that he was crying over him. She didn't show remorse, she didn't show fear.
Alexander's hand suddenly went to Roxane's neck, she gasped.
"No, Alexander! Our son!" she begged, and his eyes stared at her face.
"….Alexander, please!" she cried allowed, and with a violent shove she fell to the ground.
"Never touch me again!" he shouted, and ran, escaped from the room where she remained, pleading her innocence, calling his name.
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