Spoils of War
By: Angelus Erreare
Disclaimer: I do not own Serph, Heat, Gale, Argilla, Sera, Jenna, Roland or Cielo. All of them belong to ATLUS USA. I do own other characters such as Gaius, Priya, Serish, Raveeh, Maharaja Tamil, Alicia, Leticia, Shinji and Virginia.
A/N: This is dedicated to my dear friend Untainted Mind and her best friend, Van'Naughty.
You guys had waited a long time for this. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you again for the support.
WARNINGS: COMPLETELY AU, OOC, SUGGESTIVE LANGUAGE.
NOTE:
I've modeled Serph's character after the real Serph Sheffield. Don't expect WAFF and FLUFF from him in this fic.
Chapter 1: The Fallen
He breathed in the air around him as he walked outside the palace's courtyard. He looked around him, liking what he saw. There was only white marble and tiles…flowers and trees that were rich with healthy leaves. He breathed in the air slowly. Even the smell was divine. It put his heart at ease…
He blinked; yes, he liked what he saw…
If only his country had been like this.
But no. His country had a very different outlook on how kingdoms should look like.
This country, the one that he was walking on now, focused on the aesthetic part of life. They focused on the finer things in life…They took notice of beauty and culture, rather than power and strength. He scoffed at that, 'That's why this is the only thing that they could ever achieve.'
His country, however, focused on the more primordial needs of the people; to survive and eventually, to dominate.
The buildings there were not white with well polished marble or had sophisticated architectural designs and elaborate relief and sculptures. No; theirs were all dark with reinforced masonry and fortified walls. Theirs were battle fortresses.
'While these are for children and women.' he mentally spat.
But be that as it may, he couldn't help but surrender in awe at what he had seen.
This country was also rich; they had traded peacefully with other nations…and thus, prospered. He smirked at that, 'There's no one left to trade with except us.'
That was true too. They had conquered most of the known civilizations within their continent. Their country was victorious. He himself had led many of the gruesome battles that had led his country to be where it was now; sheer domination.
His general had told him that this country, this beautiful country was the last of the smaller countries that they would conquer. But his strategist told him to visit it first and not just destroy it. He had been hesitant at first…but now, as he continued to breathe in its soothing air and take in their flawlessly beautiful infrastructure, he was glad that, for once, he didn't listen to his general.
His mind then snapped back to why he was there in the first place; and as to why he was accompanied by both his most trusted of friends and allies; his general and his strategist.
He smirked; this country's king was old and frail and they had not the army to withstand theirs. That was why they were to strike a peace treaty, so that no bloodshed will be sustained.
He allowed himself a toothy grin; the king had offered to pay tribute of gold, jewels, rare artifacts and textiles. They had also offered to accommodate his soldiers. But, that was as long as they remained an independent state.
Sure, they would be under the supreme rule of his country, but they would be able to rule their own people without intervention. That was the bargain.
His grin widened. But he wasn't satisfied. That was why he was here.
He didn't want an independent state. He wanted absolute control; over everything. He was going to squeeze the old fool of a king for everything that he was worth.
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They made their way through the lavish and magnanimous palace, his head turning left and right; stupefied with awe as its perfection continued to pervade his senses.
Soon, they came upon the throne room.
He stopped and so did his companions.
Soon after, the door opened as they were announced to the court.
He walked in confidently, steadfastly, his silver eyes steely.
"I bid you welcome to Flavius Adeodatus." proclaimed the old King, Gaius.
Serph smirked behind his mask. Yes; he wore a mask. He did not want anyone to know of his identity. No. Others had deemed that it was very eccentric of him, even macabre, but Serph paid them no heed. That was the reason why he was king and they weren't.
The three of them, his strategist, Gale, his general, Heat, and himself, allowed themselves to bow respectfully before the king.
But suddenly, something else caught his attention. Raising his head from the polite bow, he allowed his eyes to land on the throne beside the king's. There were three smaller thrones…and there, in each sat one woman.
His eyes landed on the throne to the left of the king. His eyes widened; he had never seen such a woman in his life.
She wore a white robe that was fastened tightly by a crimson sash. Her hair was a shade that he had never seen before; a shade of light pink. It was tied tightly in complicated designs; jeweled pins ornamenting her already glamorized hair.
Her eyes, while soft and soothing, had a touch of hidden fire within. Her skin was pale but it only added to her godly countenance. Her lips were voluptuous and full…oh how he longed to touch them, and kiss them.
He blinked and snapped himself out of his daze.
He looked at the king once more, "Thank you for having us. It is a great honor and pleasure to be here."
The old king smiled and stood, walking over to them, "Now, we are here to discuss the tributes that we are to pass."
Serph grew impatient as he looked at the seated woman on the throne. She hadn't said a word…
"I want the woman." he said, cutting the king off, pointing to the aforesaid maiden, who had by now, stood upon hearing the request.
"W-what…?" the king stammered.
His companions said nothing; they knew of his plan to create a pretext to go to war; they probably thought that this was it.
"Did I stutter?" Serph asked coldly; his steely eyes burning holes through the old king's face.
"She…she's my daughter Your Grace." the king replied, pleading.
His eyes widened still; his grin widening. So, she was his daughter…He thought as much.
"Please…" the king pleaded, "Take anything else…except her."
Serph smiled evilly; he just had to test that theory.
"So," he began, circling the king, stalking around him, "You would give me anything else, other than her? Is that right?"
"Y-yes…" Gaius quivered.
"Even her?" Serph pointed to the other seated woman. He smirked; he knew that they were also his daughters. The other woman that he now pointed to had raven-black hair that was also tied back tightly on a complicated bow. She had steely cold silver eyes like his…Clearly she was beautiful, but she did not hold his interest.
The other daughter also had raven-black hair…but unlike her sisters, her hair was cut too short…Too short to be a woman's. Like her other sister, she also had silver eyes; but hers were soft and meek.
'Weak…' he thought dismissively.
The king now sharply turned, looking at Serph's finger.
"No…! Please…! Not my daughters!" cried the king, stumbling towards them. The three females flocked behind their father as he spread his arms, shielding them.
Serph was inwardly laughing like a maniac.
Here was his pretext for war.
"Very well." said his tone, nonchalantly.
Gaius visibly released a breath of relief, "Then…you won't…"
Serph narrowed his eyes at him, "No. I won't take any of them. But…you must understand that you deny me of my right of tribute. This, I cannot allow. Prepare your army. We wage war in a month." he said coldly; turning away from the old and frail king, walking out of the throne room briskly.
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He removed the mask from his face and set it gently on the table.
"The woman was your pretext?" came a voice from behind him.
Serph turned and saw a smirking Heat. He closed his eyes, shaking his head, "No."
"No. That was unexpected, wasn't it?" another voice whiffed through the air.
Serph turned and saw Gale, crossing his arms. Serph smiled, "You're right. It wasn't. It was unexpected. The opportunity presented itself, and thus, I took it."
"What difference does it make? As long as we get to conquer them right?" Heat asked, snorting.
Gale sneered, "Do we really need to?"
Serph narrowed his eyes at him, "This conversation had already come to pass. I will not tolerate this. Heat," he turned to his general, "prepare the army."
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Serph drank the last amount of rum within his chalice. He blinked; his eyes narrowed. He couldn't get the maiden out of his head. She was the most beautiful thing that he had ever laid eyes on.
He wondered if she was engaged to be married. He sneered at that, "It won't matter anyway."
He smirked as he remembered the war that they were to engage in. After he had their country conquered and enslaved, he would have her. He didn't need to deal with trivialities such as breaking up an engagement. He was the absolute ruler anyway; he could take whatever and whoever he wanted.
His smirk widened as he remembered Gale and Heat; they were quiet and composed during their short audience with Gaius. But still, he didn't miss the looks that they gave towards the king's other daughters.
'So, they want them eh? I suppose I could spare two concubines.' he thought nonchalantly. He had many…too many women.
'Besides,' he scowled, 'they're not the ones I want.' he thought venomously, his mind drifting over to their pink-haired sister. Yes…she was the one he craved.
He licked his lips and gave off a laugh; he couldn't wait to have her in his bed. It would be nice though…She would be one of his concubines…or maybe not.
Maybe he could bestow upon her the title of Queen…
Hm…But it was too early to think about it. He first had to win this war, and then, and only then can he think of heirs and queens and whatnot.
'You'll be mine soon…' he thought, walking over to the window, gazing over the horizon.
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A month had passed and his army marched on. He, on horseback, looked on as they flanked the enemy left and right, breaking their flimsy formation…
"Advance the third company," he heard Heat say unfalteringly, "on the second trumpet. And then, finish off their retreat with the cavalry reserve…to the south…on the third trumpet."
Serph breathed in evenly. He was smiling within his mask. He had received word from his spies recently that Gaius had perished a few days prior out of a heart attack. That was another pretext for war. They were under the rule of the woman. They cannot be under the rule of a woman…
His pink-haired beauty.
He smirked; that was foolish. He would've changed his mind about the war…but she made it perfectly clear that she wouldn't surrender Flavius Adeodatus to him without a fight. He cackled evilly; that was something else that he liked about her. She was audacious…yes and she had spitfire.
'She would make a fine queen.' he thought proudly, as he imagined claiming her…and taming her.
He remembered their most recent audience.
Flashback
He, flanked by Heat and Gale, walked within the familiar courtyard. And again, he found himself amazed at the scenery.
Soon, he found himself at the throne room. And there, on the throne that Gaius once sat, sat his object of desire. She was dressed in a white unlined robe within and then another one over that; a lavender one designed with elaborate stitching and designs of dragons and phoenixes which gave off the layered look. It was tied with a thick-looking sash on the waistline just below her breasts; it was a mixture of colors…with the predominance of gold. She wore an overcoat over her robe that exaggerated her shoulders and had the same exaggerated long sleeves that had designs of a landscape…Over that, she wore another robe that was just hung over her shoulders; it was colored in white and had designs of birds and grass.
Her hair was put in an even more complicated looking bun with an exaggerated hairline decorated with flowers and jeweled pins dangling and hanging on it and finally a large ornament was put at the front of her head… Her face was painted white, her eyes were black-lined with black ink, accentuating its slanted shape and two black spots lay above the middle part of each of her eyebrows.
Her full lips were also pasted with the same white powder. The upper lip and the middle part of her lower lip were painted with blood-red ink.
She really looked like a queen.
He was amazed…but at the same time, he was disgusted. This wasn't the woman that he saw last he came there. She looked like she was wearing robes upon robes upon robes! He was beginning to wonder how much time this woman spent on her appearance.
'When she becomes mine, she'd have to stop wearing that ridiculous costume…' he thought angrily.
'She would wear whatever I want her to wear.'
His attention snapped back to reality as he heard her voice penetrate the strained air around them.
"Greetings Your Majesty, King Shailendra III of Arkanadara. I, Queen Amadeus Caelestis Flavia, bid you welcome to Flavius Adeodatus."
The three again bowed politely. So that was how her voice sounded. It sounded so resolute…so steadfast. But it didn't change one thing.
'It doesn't change that she's a woman.' Serph thought behind his mask.
"It is always a pleasure Your Highness, to be in your presence." Serph replied, his silver eyes gazing within her pink eyes.
"Your Grace…you shouldn't give me such praise…"
"You are too modest My Queen." Serph laughed casually.
The queen visibly shifted uncomfortably and he smirked; she was still a woman after all. She was trying very hard not to crumble before him…That, he admired; truly.
"Now, we are here to discuss the…"
"The upcoming war?" Serph finished for her.
She narrowed her eyes at the impolite gesture of being interrupted, but she let it slide.
'There's nothing she could do anyway.' Serph thought snidely.
"There needn't be one My Queen." he stated calmly.
"What are your terms?" she asked calmly.
Serph bared his teeth although it was unseen due to his mask.
"Aside from the jewels, the textiles and the cattle, I demand that three-quarters of your harvest to be in the name of Arkanadara."
Here, the queen stood, her eyes widened, blazing in both incredulity and astonishment, "Your Grace, that is not enough to feed my people."
"That is my offer My Queen. I suggest you take it." he replied coldly. He was boxing her in, with no hope of escape. He wondered how she would fare. He wondered which of the two impossible choices she would choose.
Comply and be enslaved and starved?
Or…
Defy and endure bloodshed and the agonies of war?
There were so many offers that Serph could give her…but he didn't want to. He wanted to see this woman break. He wanted to see her fall from her high horse and beg.
Oh how satisfying it would be…
She regarded him coldly; her earlier countenance of being appalled and astonished vanished, replaced now by unfeeling indifference, "We cannot give you what you ask."
"Then?" he urged her to continue.
"There is but one path for both our kingdoms." she said with burning resolve reflected by her blazing eyes.
"Is this your real decision My Queen?" he asked; her title rolling off his tongue.
She flinched at that and he gave himself another mental pat in the back. She clenched her small and delicate hands into fists at her sides, snapping the elegant and gold-plated fan that she held in two, "My countrymen and I would rather lose our lives in battle, fighting gloriously and valorously for freedom rather than become your animals…starved and maltreated; robbed of our humanity."
He laughed mentally; oh how she would regret those words…
'Yes…when she is in my bed carrying my child.' he laughed manically within.
"Very well. I shall see you soon enough My Queen." he finished, turning to walk away, the sound of his robes and his cloak rustling in the air noisily.
End Flashback
And that was how it went. Now, he was there, on the vast field of endless greenery right outside her city's walls.
The second trumpet had been sounded. Well, it was time. He bent down to Heat and whispered. Heat nodded in understanding.
Serph rode his horse and went back to his tent.
There, he removed his mask and his robes, cladding himself in armor; a warrior's armor. He took his sword with him and there, rode his horse again. He arrived at the reserve cavalry and there, waited.
He waited for the third trumpet.
There it was…
They charged the retreating form of the enemy.
His eyes burned with determination as his heart beat rapidly within his chest…As he rode his horse, and swung his sword left and right, did many of the enemy's heads sever from their necks.
He gritted his teeth as he felt the heat of battle, accentuated as he felt the fallen one's blood splattered at his face.
This was what it meant to be alive. Knowing that it might end at any given time, men like him struggled to keep the fire of their souls ablaze. It was all beautiful; to stare death at the face and challenge it.
'To beat it…To win…' he told himself as he continued to cut through their enemies…
His eyes widened however as he saw a pike aiming at him. He gritted his teeth and dismounted his horse. It was a complete folly to challenge a pike man with cavalry. He made his way, on foot across the battlefield, slashing and severing here and there.
Ah…how glorious it was…
Then suddenly, from afar, he saw a warrior. He had taken down so many of his soldiers that Serph couldn't help but laugh. 'He would make a worthy adversary…' he thought to himself as he saw the aforesaid soldier move with grace and ease, practically slaughtering his soldiers.
He jogged up to the soldier and swung his sword. The seconds went by painfully, with neither yielding. Serph was enjoying himself. The soldier was wearing a helmet and the dust from the battlefield prevented him from seeing his eyes. But from the way he fought, Serph would say that he was pretty determined to win.
But still, he wasn't even giving it his all…
The soldier swung dangerously close to him that he bent his body backward as the soldier's sword swerved too close to his throat. He laughed, "It's been a while since I've fought like this…Tell me your name soldier." he demanded.
The aforesaid soldier said nothing but continued to charge at him relentlessly. Serph grew tired of their play and so, within one fluid strike, he gracefully outmaneuvered the soldier, making him drop the sword and having his sword pointed at the soldier's throat.
He stopped.
Serph smirked, "Your name."
The soldier didn't say a word.
Then, the victory trumpet was sounded. They had won.
Serph took a step closer to the soldier, "Your helmet. Remove it. I want to see your face."
He heard a growl of disapproval from the soldier but he didn't do as he asked. Serph narrowed his eyes dangerously and opened his mouth to speak when the aforesaid soldier suddenly turned his body to the right and ducked, with a small dagger in his hands, thrusting straight at him.
Serph gritted his teeth but he managed to dodge the blow and now tackled the soldier to the ground, immobilizing him. He made for the helmet and grabbed it off.
His eyes widened.
"Pink hair…" he said, surprised.
There, on the ground, lay his would-be concubine. The gracious Queen Amadeus Caelestis Flavia. His smirk widened.
Guards from his elite team approached him, and apprehended the woman. They all looked at her hungrily, "What shall we do with this…woman?" one guard asked, leering close to the woman.
Serph was displeased, "You will not touch her. Understand? Bring her in with the other slaves."
With that, he turned and left.
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"We have conquered them easily." came Gale's stoic statement. Serph looked at him through his mask with even eyes. Gale's eyes were as stoic as his voice; he had been reluctant, albeit against the invasion of Flavius Adeodatus.
But Serph was glad that Gale knew his place; he had aired his opinion and his recommendation on the matter, yes, and now that it had been denied by his king, he did not protest or question it any further.
Serph knew he was selfish. He could avoid a war if he wanted to…but like he said before, there would be no independent state. At least, not yet.
Flavius Adeodatus was too beautiful to be left to govern for itself…It was like having a property without its owners managing it. No. Flavius Adeodatus was his. It was going to be his personal haven if he wanted to.
And the queen…
Ah yes…
He shook his head; now was not the time.
"Yeah. I told you so." replied Heat to Gale's indifferent tone.
"What's our status?" Serph asked, crossing his arms.
Heat gave him a toothy grin, "Right now, the palace is being searched for anything that is of value."
Serph narrowed his eyes, "I conquered this land for its beauty…and I intend to keep it that way. I will not tolerate looting or the destruction of their infrastructure. Is that clear?"
Gale and Heat straightened and Heat met his strong gaze head on, "It is Highness."
Serph nodded, "Good. Well, how about the spoils?"
Heat gave him another grin and nodded at the guard right by the chamber's doors, "Bring them."
Serph raised an eyebrow; bring who?
'Probably those two princesses…' he thought sourly.
A second later, he saw the doors open and there, the two aforesaid women were dragged in. Serph looked at them from head to toe. They were on their traditional robes and their wooden shoes. He raised an eyebrow. Having those clogs was impractical in his eyes.
'How could they walk properly in those?' he asked himself in wild curiosity.
The two were dragged and shoved on the floor, before his feet. Serph assessed them indifferently. They were whimpering at his feet, clutching one another in support as their hands were bound together.
"What shall we do with these two?" asked Heat darkly, his tone serious.
Serph smirked as he looked at Heat, and then over to Gale, "Why ask me? You two are the ones interested in these women."
Heat narrowed his eyes at him, "My Lord, these women are for your pleasure and your pleasure alone. We wouldn't dare cross that line."
"I agree." Gale concurred, his eyes lazy and uninterested.
Serph laughed, "I appreciate that. You two are my most trusted allies. It was the three of us who brought this part of the world on its knees…in front of us. You two have always done everything for my pleasure. Now, it's time I repay that. Take them."
Heat's ruby eyes widened, "W-what?"
Gale narrowed his eyes, not saying anything. Was Serph serious? They had known the king to have…somewhat an uncontrollable lust…and these women were of noble birth…Surely, he would want them for his personal comfort.
"Consider that as my royal decree. You two have worked long and hard. It's time for you to play as well. Take them; they are of no interest to me." he said, turning to walk out of the chambers when Gale's voice stopped him, "Serph."
He stopped. No other man other than Gale and Heat had reserved the right to call him by his personal name.
"You want the queen. Is that it?" was Heat's calm voice.
Serph smirked; they had been friends for a long time now…He, Gale and Heat…since their childhood. They knew how his mind worked.
"Yes. I do."
Heat narrowed his eyes, "Your Grace, she was not found within the palace. She has disappeared. We fear that she had been killed."
Serph's smile widened as he heard the two women gasp from the floor. He looked from Heat to Gale and then finally to the women, "You two knew where your sister went didn't you?"
They did not respond.
Heat's blood boiled that he suddenly grabbed the youngest of the sisters, pulling her roughly by the arm, snatching her away from her older sister before backhanding her, "You stupid wench! The king has asked you a question!"
This was what he liked about Heat. He always put his duty first before his own personal feelings. He knew that Heat liked this woman…the one that he had just hurt…But still, she was no one in comparison to the king.
"Stop it!" the other princess yelled.
Gale signaled for the guard to restrain the other woman. She was pulled from her sister. They yelped in surprise and the pain as the guards pulled them roughly apart.
That was the way they were. Heat was undeniably loyal to the throne and to Serph. He never forgot his place and would do anything to uphold the crown. Gale winced at that though as he saw Heat slap the girl.
Serph knew that as well. Gale was the mediator between the two. If he had the uncontrollable lust while Heat had lust for bloodshed, Gale had desire for peace and tranquility.
"Heat, you're being too rough with the princess." Serph said, chuckling a bit.
"She…she…" the short-haired princess stammered.
"She?" Serph urged her.
"She…she went to fight…" she spoke timidly.
Gale raised an eyebrow, "Fight? Surely, you don't mean, 'fight'?"
The girl turned her gaze at him and nodded, "Y-yes…she did…"
Heat laughed as he rose to stand, "A woman on the battlefield?! That's…that's really something."
Serph smirked, "Oh yes…Isn't it Heat?"
He said nothing more and proceeded out of the chamber. Gale stopped him again, "You know where she is."
"Yes I do. Now, if you both would excuse me…I have some spoils to claim."
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He walked out of the chambers and proceeded to the prison. The new slaves would be brought there…
She would be there.
He narrowed his eyes as he remembered those other men who looked at her lecherously. He had given them a direct order not to touch her but then, there will always be one or two stubborn ones who would disregard his order and think that they could get away with it…
They'll think that they could pull a fast one on him…that he wouldn't notice.
He gritted his teeth. He didn't want to leave her there, but he wanted to show her what it was like to be treated as a lowly slave…An individual with the same ranking as mere mindless cattle. He wanted her to know what it was like to suffer…
Then, when he delivered her from that, she'd know how much she needed him.
'She wouldn't be so proud anymore now would she?' he thought, chuckling.
He had asked for her location and he had been told. He now marched proudly towards her chambers, all of the guards bowing before him. He did, however, ask that his presence be unannounced.
He wanted to capture what his guards were up to, candidly.
He frowned as he heard laughter. It was originating from her cell. He walked towards it calmly. His nose wrinkled in disgust as he smelled the foul air…and saw the filthy walls and floor.
'It's sickening…' he thought with disdain.
He heard them…the voices were getting louder…
He stood there, in the shadows, right in front of her cell. There she was, sitting on the floor, her arms shackled to the wall. And there stood three men in front of her, laughing and spitting on her.
He smirked; this was the life of a slave…
'Oh gracious queen…how far you have fallen.'
"Come on you bitch…" one of the them drawled, kneeling down on her, grasping her petite chin in his calloused and large hand, "Give me a kiss…"
"No you idiot!" another yelled, laughing, pushing the first man out of the way.
"This is the way you do it!" he said as he dropped his pants, showing her his engorged member. Serph was about to blanch at what he saw. The third man grabbed her chin and forced her mouth to open, "That's right sweet-cheeks…open wide…"
Serph narrowed his eyes into slits; he saw nothing but regret in her eyes…no fear…
'Regret…? What for?' he wondered, confused.
He couldn't stand it any longer. She had been here for only a few hours and already she was getting too much attention; she drew too much attention to herself. If only she didn't engage in that foolishness as fighting at the battlefield…she wouldn't be here now.
He would've taken her from the palace and delivered her to his chambers. He chuckled at that. There was a possibility that he would take her, yes, but it would be better than staying at a lowly decrepit and filthy place such as this.
But be that as it may, what was done was done. And now, unless he did something, she was going to be tainted forever.
"Enough!" he said in his enraged voice.
The three froze and turned. Their eyes widened as they regarded the form of their masked king.
"Highness…" they said in unison, bowing at his feet.
Serph snorted as he regarded their forms; too pathetic.
'Those idiot buffoons…'
"What were you doing in here?" he asked calmly.
"We…we were only getting acquainted with the strange new slave Highness…"
Serph laughed evilly, "Did you know that this 'slave' is my bride-to-be?"
He heard gasps from the three. He looked at the woman on the floor. Her eyes were angry…She was burning within…
'Burning with fury…I like that…' he said to himself, pleased that the experience of being a slave had not changed her feisty attitude…
Or was it because that he had saved her too soon? Hm…?
"A slave Highness?" one of the three dared ask him.
Serph laughed, "No. This one is no mere slave. She the queen of Flavius Adeodatus." he turned to look at her, "Isn't that right?"
She glared at him, not speaking.
Serph raised an eyebrow and then turned back to the three, "You've tried to touch what is mine when I specifically told you not to."
"No…Highness…it's…"
Serph blinked and held out his arm, flicking his fingers, and there, the Imperial guards entered.
"Take the three. I want them beheaded at sunrise. Make this official; whoever touches the queen or even thinks of doing so will be punished by death."
Serph listened to the shouts and protests of the convicted three as they were dragged out of the cell but paid them no heed. Now, the queen was before him and she and he were alone. He knelt down in front of her, grasping her smooth chin in his hand, "This is the life of a slave Amadeus. Surely you do not want this for yourself…or your people."
She turned her head sideways, her breathing becoming intense. Serph was displeased. He grabbed her jaw and forcibly made her to look at him, "I came here for a proposition My Queen."
She glowered at him, "I am no longer queen. You have taken everything."
"It needn't be this way." he spoke silkily. The woman before him shivered as she felt his breath on her face.
She said nothing and Serph continued, "I want your hand in marriage." he deadpanned.
Here, the woman's eyes widened, "What?"
Serph smirked, "I do not wish to insult your intelligence Amadeus. Now, do you accept or not?"
She glowered at him deeply, her pink eyes boring into his silver orbs, "I would rather die than be touched by you." she whispered with pure contempt.
Serph frowned.
"Very well Amadeus. You would rather die, wouldn't you? But would the rest of your people as well?"
The woman gasped. Serph smirked; it worked all the time.
"Think about it Amadeus. Think well. For every day that you refuse me, ten of your people will be beheaded."
Whereas before the woman was of a solid and rocky countenance, here, she yielded and cried.
"Why…?" she sobbed, "Why are you doing this? Why are you being so cruel?"
Serph felt lightheaded; so this was how her voice really sounded. It wasn't deep and resolute like the one he heard at her throne room, no, that was a mere façade. But this, this was candid. This was how she really sounded…as a woman.
"Because I have power Amadeus." he replied coldly.
"Now, do you still refuse me?" he asked gently, cupping her face in his hands.
"Where are my sisters?" she blurted out, her eyes holding rage.
Ah; another bargaining tool.
"They are imprisoned Amadeus. But they are unharmed."
"I want to see them." she demanded.
He shook his head, "Marry me and perhaps I will let you see them."
Amadeus felt her will crumbling; he was twisting everything that she was saying. What was once her trump card became his own.
"No. Let me see them and I might marry you."
Serph chuckled, "You are in no position to bargain Amadeus. If you do not, your people will suffer. They will be bought and sold, and ten everyday will be executed."
She gasped but said nothing. She leaned in closer to him to get a look at his face, "W-who…are you?"
He smirked, "You want to know who I am?"
"Show me your face." she said firmly.
Serph was grinning from ear to ear. Should he really show his face to this woman? His hand slowly came to his mask and slowly removed it.
After a few moments, he completely removed the mask and regarded her evenly, his silver eyes twinkling in pride.
"You…" she trailed off.
"Yes." he replied curtly.
Amadeus looked in pure astonishment.
"You're…"
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A/N: Some of you may be confused at the names.
Character Names:
Serph: King Shailendra III of Arkanadara
Argilla: Amadeus Caelestis Flavia of Flavius Adeodatus
Sera: Severina Fausta Flavia
Jenna: Junia Valeria Flavia
Name of Places:
Arkanadara (story): Serph, Heat and Gale belong to this country.
Flavius Adeodatus (story): Argilla, Sera and Jenna belong to this country.
Meaning of Names:
Shailendra-Hindu name meaning "King of mountains"
Flavia-Female version of the name Flavius meaning "Golden"
Adeodatus- Ancient Roman name meaning "To God"
Caelestis-Ancient Roman name meaning "of the sky; divine"
Amadeus-Ancient Roman name meaning "To God"
Arkanadara-Ancient Hindu name of the planet Saturn
Valeria-Ancient Roman name meaning "To be strong"
Severina- Ancient Roman name; Female version of Severus-Severo meaning "stern"
Junia- Ancient Roman name of the Goddess Juno (Hera)
Fausta- Ancient Roman name meaning "auspiciously lucky"
Also, if you've noticed, I've mixed different cultures within.
Flavius Adeodatus (story): A mixture of Ancient Rome and Feudal Japan.
Arkanadara (story): A mixture of Mongolian and Hindu civilization.