Akio opened the doors of his chambers and stopped for a while as seeing the beautiful woman on his futon. She had long bright blond hair and pink eyes. The moonlight was entering the room and illuminating her frame. Her round breasts were in full view, as her purple kimono had a deep cleavage.

"What are you doing here, Mizuki?" coming inside, he closed the door and started to undress himself.

"What do you mean? I want to know everything." Coming close, she smiled as helping him with his clothes. "How is the elf queen like? Does she look like someone who is 200 years old?"

"Not at all." He said, seriously. "She looks younger than yourself."

"That is rude, Akio." Touching his face with both of her hands, she made him look at her. "I am only three years younger than you."

"Entering someone's chambers without permission is rude, too."

"It never stopped you before." her arms were around his neck and she kissed him, standing on her tiptoes.

It took a while for the young king to kiss her back. His arms were around her frame and he picked her up. In a few steps they were on his bed, his large hand already on her breast, her legs embracing his hips.

"I cannot believe you are really getting married so soon. Everything is happening so fast. Just the other day you were on the arena." She whispered between kisses.

"I am merely going to obtain the prizes that are already mine."

The grey eyes narrowed with her words, before his mouth was around her nipple, making her arch her back. Her fingertips touched the many scars scattered on his skin.

Mizuki was the daughter of one of his late father's counselors. He was 15 when he started to prepare for the tournaments on behalf of the elf's queen. She would observe him for hours a day. The young prince trained like his life depended on it, skipping meals and sleep.

She feel in love with him slowly, by distance. Since a young age, Akio was quiet and reserved. The first night Mizuki entered his chambers, she wished for nothing but a kiss as confessing her feelings. Akio gave her what she wanted and also took her virginity. She belonged to him ever since.

For many times, she had hopes he would chose her, that all her love and care would bear fruit. She was the one who would take care of his body after each one of his battles. She would clean his wounds and blood. She did not know how many silent tears she had shed as seeing him hurt and in pain.

Being the king's mistress already gave her a bad reputation between the other nobles. She was ruined for other suitors. There was no future for her outside his chambers and out of his bed. She was too weak to distance herself, completely addicted with the icy grey eyes that put her skin and soul on fire.

Soon he would be with the elf's queen, claiming her body the same way he conquered hers. Would he be any different with his future wife? Would he be gentle? Sex with her was always possessive and vigorous. His hands would grab her so tight to the point of breaking. Was he going to say he loved her? Her heart hurt with the possibility.

There was a deep silence between them after they finish. Her hand caressed his chest slowly. She was lying by his side, the pink eyes watching the full moon outside, trough the opened windows.

"Akio…"

"Yes?"

"So what are you going to do about Murasaki after getting married? Your lineage on your own country is going to fade."

"This small land is just a grain of rice. I have no intentions of returning after my child with Sakuno is born."

Mizuki distanced herself from him and sat by his side. The long blond hair was hiding part of her breasts and the light bangs covered her face. She searched for courage deep inside, her chest pouring the words she desired to say for so long.

"So, let me bear your child. I want to have something of you to keep with me when you are gone. You will have an heir here. Even if you are far away, your name will not be forgotten."

"It is not possible." He replied, calmly. "I am about to mix my bloodline with the elf queen. I cannot have a bastard."

She knew he had no intention of hurting her. Akio has always been a very straightforward and rational person. There was nothing but truth on his words. Since the beginning he told her to be precautious about a pregnancy.

"I see." she felt the tears filling her eyes. "It was silly of me."

Mizuki wanted to leave that room and find a hidden corner to cry her heart out and scream. As she was about to stand up to collect her scattered clothes and leave, Akio sat down, his hand grabbed her fist in a fast movement and his face was in front of her, forcing her to meet his grey eyes.

"Do not act like I delude you." His free hand caressed her flushed face. "I never made any promises."

"Akio…"

"You wished for my body and you had it as you please. If you want to end things, leave now and do not look back." His lips brushed hers. "Do not lay on this bed and offer yourself to me anymore."

Taking a deep breath, she felt extremely defeated. It was her last chance of being free. He had opened the cage. But, in a natural movement, hers arms were around his torso and she pressed her naked form on his, cursing herself for being so hopeless in love with a man with an unreachable heart. As she kissed him one more time, Mizuki called herself stupid over and over.

#######

"Shuichirou-san!" Sakuno smiled as seeing the tall man entering the dinning saloon. "You are finally back."

He had green eyes and black long hair, tight on a high ponytail and he was wearing the military uniform of Alfsigr, an entirely black outfit made of letter with a coat of arms in the middle of his chest, bringing the flowers of the 4 states of the elf country.

"Sakuno-sama." He made a quick reverence. "I am sorry for arriving so late."

"Sit with us, General." Syuusuke showed him a place on the table. "Dinner is about to be served. You must be hungry."

"Thank you."

"How were the meetings with the representatives? Are the three of them able to come?" Kunimitsu offered him a cup of tea. Dinner time was the only meal the queen and her counselors would be alone, with no maids. Only very special guests would be accepted on that room.

"Yes. All of them are going to be here by the morning, since the wedding ceremony will happen at sunset."

"It will be nice to see Yura-san, Amaya-san and Kayo-san." Sakuno smiled. "Thank you for your hard work, Shuichirou-san."

"Is Yura-san well, Shuichirou?" Syuusuke asked, with a smile, before drinking some wine.

"Ah… she…she seems fine." The shorter elf was amused as seeing him a bit nervous. "But, what about the human king? How was the presentation? Was he proper to you? The last time I saw him he was completely covered in blood."

"He is educated and proper." Kunimitsu said, before eating some salad, politely.

"He is too serious for such a young age."

"He spent an entire year fighting for his life on the arenas, Syuusuke. You cannot defeat so many opponents being easy-going."

"So what is your excuse for such sobriety, dear Kunimitsu?"

His teasing made Sakuno giggled.

"You two…" Shuichirou smiled at them, until the queen's hand over his called his attention. "My Queen?"

"I would like to ask you something, General." She smiled gently at him. "It would bring me much joy."

"What is it, Sakuno-sama? I would do anything for you." he replied, a little concerned.

"Would you walk by my side on the wedding entrance and deliver me to Akio-sama? Like my father would."

"My Queen…." Shuichirou was extremely touched. "I do not deserve such honor."

"You were my mother's closest friend and a good friend to my father as well. After he was gone, you have always taken good care of me. I am forever grateful, General, and for all your services for our family and our people as well." Touching his chest with her forehead, Sakuno smiled. "I am the one who has the great honor of having you by my side."

His hand touched her hair and she looked at him, his green eyes were filled with care and love.

"Thank you for inviting me. Is there anything else you wish for your wedding day?"

Before she could answer, the doors of the dining room were opened abruptly by one of the soldiers; startling them and making them stand up quickly.

"General, My Queen, I am sorry for interrupting your dinner."

"It is okay. Tell us what happened."

"We found a human on the outskirts of the royal forest. He is badly wounded and…"

"What are you waiting for?" Sakuno stepped forward and looked at the guard seriously. "Bring him to me."

"But, Sakuno-sama, it may be an enemy, so…"

"We can think about this later, Kunimitsu." She looked at her counselors before starting to leave the room. "No humans die in my country if I can avoid it."