A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.
WARNING: LEMON, OOC, LANGUAGE, SUGGESTIVE LANGUAGE.
Chapter 3: Sickening Pleasure
Jenna lay down on her majestic bed. She was impressed; it felt so soft…different from their futons…This bed was like a giant cushion!
She sighed as she remembered Gale's words.
"Your sisters have done nothing wrong Jenna. They wed because of your people. Think about it."
'They were doing it for the people?' she repeated within her mind.
She sighed and closed her eyes…Maybe she had misjudged them. Them marrying these barbarians could mean that they wed for the sake of the people…And not because they turned their backs on tradition and their own culture…
She felt a lump in her throat. On the next day, Sera would marry the king's general while Argilla would marry the king in two weeks…
Where would she be then?
She snapped her eyes open and then narrowed them. No. She didn't even want to think about it.
She sighed; worrying about it won't do any good…She'd just have to tackle the day as it came she supposed.
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Sera put a hand over her other one, hoping that it would quell the growing feeling of nervousness within her. She had just been married. And now, the celebrations had begun. The men and women danced to pay homage to the newlyweds.
She had even seen a glimpse of her sisters…
She smiled at the thought.
But alas, Heat had been right. The king was very possessive. He had not allowed Argilla to remain any longer than necessary. She had heard from the guards that the king's fiancée had been sent back to her chambers while the king remained.
Sera wanted to cry…But looking at it from another angle, it wasn't so bad. At least she had seen her again. She looked…well. It would seem that the king was taking good care of her. She blinked in surprise though as she took in her different apparel. Before, she used to marvel at Argilla's beauty as she gazed upon her sister's magnanimous regalia. But now…she looked so different. She looked totally different.
But then, again, she shouldn't be surprised. After all, she herself did not dress in their traditional juni-hito…But in an elaborate sari.
Jenna too, she had seen. Jenna was with her master…the king's strategist. But she did not wear a sari; she still wore the juni-hito.
She didn't want to impose on them and so, she had let them be. She wanted Heat to come with her, but he had joined in the festivities, and now, she stood with the other females of the court.
They were all gossiping, but Sera didn't participate. She had no interest in whatever they were speaking of.
Thinking about Jenna, she smiled again. She may not have been able to speak with her, but their eyes had met. And they conveyed whatever it was that they needed to say to each other.
Jenna's eyes were understanding. She understood why she chose to marry Heat…She knew that she was in love…
How? Sera didn't know either…But she did know that whatever it was she was feeling, it was real.
Sera smiled; she was glad that she got to see her sisters once more. Even if they would never see each other again…it was enough.
'But I won't lose hope…We'll see each other again…I just know we will…'
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Long hours of festivities had past. The hours, though long, seemed blurred and fleeting to Sera. She tightened her hold on the embroidered cloth she held within her hands. She bit her lip in sheer nervousness. Her heart beat erratically as she stood in the middle of the room, near the bed…within his private chambers.
She let out a ragged breath as she closed her eyes, willing her trembling hands and heart to abandon their pitiable states.
She allowed herself to take slow and calm breaths as she gathered nothing but happy thoughts and memories within her mind. Her lips tugged upwards at that moment for a genuine smile as she recalled some of her most precious memories with her sisters. She then remembered her father…and their home.
Her eyes snapped open and her body then stiffened as she felt strong arms around her torso. She gasped and she heard a slow chuckle, "I'm sorry. Did I scare you?" she heard him ask from behind her.
Sera allowed herself to blush. Heat always had that effect on her.
Heat released her from his hold and walked in front of her, regarding her form with interest…and desire.
She had long removed her ceremonial sari and now just dressed in her nighttime robes. Heat could feel his blood swell and his heart race. She was finally his. She was officially his wife.
He knew that she was inexperienced. He could easily tell. Even now; as he gazed at her, he knew that she was nervous. She refused to meet his eyes. Her silver gentle eyes eluded his the way a graceful gazelle eluded a hungry lion…
He smiled though.
He would be the one to make her into a woman…
He took a step towards her and slowly reached down for her hand. He blinked; it was cold. She gasped at the contact and her eyes suddenly flew up to see his blood red eyes.
There was so much uncertainty and question running through her eyes…
So much emotion…so much turmoil…
His hands held hers in a gentle manner and slowly tugged her onwards…towards him. He nodded at her and she seemed to have understood and followed his alluring tug. She took a light step and there found herself face to face with him. She looked at him, peering within his mysterious red eyes, "Heat…?"
His hand left hers and touched her cheek, caressing it gently. She sighed and leaned further into his touch, closing her eyes as she did so. The hand that touched her cheek then rested on her chin and then, gently lifted her face upwards. She followed submissively and there, as she opened her eyes, she suddenly saw him lean in, closing his eyes…
Their lips met…
Sera stiffened at the contact. Heat felt her and so, he held her. His hand left her face and had both of his arms encircle her waist. Her heart-rate climbed as she felt him press his muscled body against hers, his soft and moist lips nibbling gently on her lower lip.
What was she to do?
How was she to respond?
'I…I don't…know…' she told herself meekly.
Heat seemed to have comprehended her situation; he was glad at one thing though. He was glad that she seemed less stressful within his arms.
That was good.
He flicked his tongue gently on her lip, moistening it. She gasped. There. She had opened her passage for him to enter. And enter he did. She gasped again as she felt his lips nibble on hers and his tongue within her mouth. Alright. That was progress anyway.
But now what?
Now that his tongue was within her mouth…What was she to do?
She stood there, within his arms, limp and numb…
She had never been kissed before…She moaned lightly as he kissed her passionately, arduously…She was beginning to get lost…
Heat bade her tongue to play with his…but being as timid as she was, she stood there and did nothing. So…he tried again, again and again to coax her to respond. His silent instructions did not go unheeded, however, as he felt her shy and timid tongue meet his reluctantly.
He smiled as he kissed her…
Her taste was exquisite. He had had women before…but he had never kissed them the way he did Sera…To them, he didn't care what they felt…he didn't care if they weren't ready, didn't know what to do or that…he was hurting them. No. To him, they were nothing but women to conquer and to bed. Nothing more.
But his wife…his Sera…She was different.
He knew from the moment he laid eyes on her…
And now, as they kissed one another with equal passion and fervor, he knew…that she felt the same way about him.
From her petite waist, his hands traveled upwards…towards the hem of her robe. She panicked and pushed him away as she felt his fingers on her robe, "No…!"
Heat blinked in surprise. He then chuckled and pressed his forehead to hers, closing his eyes. Then, when he opened them again, he kissed her chastely on her lips, "Do not fret. I won't hurt you…"
Sera shook within his arms. There was no other way to calm a woman like this…There was no getting around the pain that she was to feel that night…The only thing that he could do was to make it as pleasurable for her as possible.
Without uttering another word, he kissed her again. She gasped at surprise and then…moaned as he kissed her amorously…making her momentarily forget her worries…
His lips soon left her soft and full lips and trailed south…on her soft and swanlike neck…
This was the moment that he had wanted for days and days on end…This was his chance…This was his chance…to mark her.
His gentle yet playful tongue flicked and licked her skin. Sera moaned and closed her eyes, unwittingly throwing her head back to grant him further access to her flesh…
His arms tightened their hold on her body as he felt himself harden at the sound of her moan…Her moan was driving him crazy…Didn't she know that? Didn't she know how much she tortured him?
Feeling frustrated at that moment, he sank his teeth on the flesh of her neck, tearing the pearly white and flawless flesh, drawing blood. She squealed, "Heat…! It…hurts!"
She drove him further…she drove him even further with frustration…His lips pressed themselves on the wound and suckled.
"Heat!" Sera squeaked, grabbing his robe within her hands.
Heat swallowed her blood…Every drop of it as if it were precious ambrosia…Oh yes…to him, it was. He couldn't wait any longer…Her squeaks and her moans and gasps were all sending powerful jolts through his nether regions that he was finding his control dwindling within each passing moment.
Slowly, he backed her towards the bed…She lost her balance and fell in with him on top…Her heart-rate climbed once more as she realized her position. Her felt nervousness engulfed her sense of being as she regarded his position; on her.
His large hands now reached for her robe and pulled it from her while his lips were still on her neck…Her hands automatically flew to intercept his hands but he saw them and grabbed both of her wrists, pinning them above her head. He rose from his current position to look at her.
She quivered as she saw his face. His handsome face had the look of pure and utter intoxication, his lips on a strange smile and his eyes…his ruby eyes were filled with only…lust.
"Calm yourself Sera…" he told her firmly. Sera shrunk in her robes at that moment…He seemed so different from the Heat that she had come to know and love the last few days…Before, he seemed all the more patient…but now…he seemed different.
She could only nod.
"Good."
She closed her eyes. Then, at that moment she heard the tearing of her robes. She opened her eyes and there, she saw that she was bare…She immediately looked up at him, who had stood from her and saw him discard his apparel.
She blushed furiously as she saw everything of him…
She had never before beheld a nude man in her entire life…She was, intrigued to say the least. But she wasn't disappointed. Granted, she had never seen a man this way before and that she didn't have any other man to compare him to, but she knew that she indeed felt arousal within for her husband…
A moment later, she found Heat again on her. She shivered again as she felt his hands on her knees. He was parting them…
Her breathing became labored as he did so and positioned himself right before her. She opened her mouth to speak as his eyes pierced hers, asking her to continue.
"I'm scared…"
His eyes looked at her firmly, "Don't be."
Before she could contemplate any further, she was met with a most enigmatic feeling of pain within her womanhood. Heat didn't mean to be insensitive…But he was a man from Arkanadara after all. He had been patient with her enough.
This pain had been undergone by countless of women and they had all survived it. Sera would be no different.
'She's just a woman. I can't bend what I am just for her…' he reasoned inwardly. That was true. He cannot yield to each every one of her demands. He wasn't weak. No matter what he felt for her…fondness, concern…even affection…they weren't enough for him to bend his will just for her.
She cried, letting her tears cascade her face and stain her cheeks as she felt her flesh tear…and break. Heat, on the other hand, took a deep breath, closing his eyes feeling nothing but absolute euphoria. She was excruciatingly tight and it proved to be a challenge to navigate her unexplored passage. Aside from that though, he was happy…
This was what he had yearned for…
She was finally his…in each and every way possible.
He felt something warm trickle down their limbs. It was her blood…blood that was spilled from her torn flesh. Still with his eyes closed, he grabbed her hips and slowly pushed onward. She moaned; she was in pain.
A part of him wanted to stop and leave her some time to adjust but another part of him would say that she had already been given time. As he already stated before, he wasn't weak.
So, with a sudden feeling of empowerment, he moved within her. Sera cringed and gritted her teeth as she continued to writhe in pain beneath him. She had never before experienced pain such as this. She felt as if she were being torn in two…right down the middle. She gasped as she felt his rough and strong hands greedily grab her thighs, using the leverage to gain momentum.
And along the momentum did her pain intensify.
But…she could do nothing about it…She willed herself to calm down. He wouldn't slow down anyway if she asked him to. She grabbed the sheets around her and shut her eyes as tight as she could, repressing another cry within her throat.
Heat felt his blood rush furiously within his veins, his inner demon telling him, no, commanding him to go faster.
Sera let out a strangled cry as she felt him set a barrage of frenzied thrusts within her body.
Heat, almost blind and deaf to her suddenly stopped as he saw her face…It was the very definition of the word "pain". She was crying beneath him…His eyes immediately lost its predatory gaze and was now replaced with a look that was akin more to being mellow.
His hands cupped her face, "Are you alright?"
Sera was glad; she was smiling languidly within. She was glad that the old Heat was back. She heard concern in his voice…She slowly opened her eyes and nodded, "Yes…I'm alright now…"
He nodded…and then, a moment later, he moved again. But this time…it was to accommodate his princess.
He would never apologize. No. That would be wrong. It would undermine his position as the male in their marriage. No. But he would just hope that his actions would utter the words that would never leave his lips…
He could only hope that they were enough…
Soon, she became relaxed; at ease with his movements. Sera could finally feel the pleasure building in within her…The pain that she had never felt before had now been replaced by a feeling of pleasure that she had never felt before…
It was an indescribable feeling for her…
A few moments later, the two had succumbed to the abyss of their heights of pleasure…They had ascended to nirvana…
"Sera…!" he yelled in pleasure.
"Heat…!" she squealed just as he uttered her name.
Heat didn't know how to express it. He had never before felt this sort of euphoria after bedding or deflowering a woman. No; this was meaningful. He was lost in a universe of varied and diverse emotion. He was engulfed within the alluring caress of fleeting transience…and it was she who had brought it out of him…
She and she alone.
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Argilla stared at the relief in front of her, still entranced at its elaborate carving. As she looked at the carved man and woman, a knot suddenly tied itself within her gut. Tonight, her sister had married.
She narrowed her eyes at that. She had been present throughout the ceremony. And whilst she stood there, near Serph, she tried her best to hide and conceal her felt disgust. She could not believe that Sera was actually marrying that sadistic pig.
The general that she married was as merciless as Serph. He was the one who had executed the entire war plan…
She could only wonder how many that person had killed. And now, her sister, her pure and innocent sister would have her pure blood tainted by such a beast.
It was then that she closed her eyes in a sad sigh. In a few more days, she would marry Serph and unify their kingdoms. She really shouldn't be harboring such thoughts about Sera then.
'But there's a difference!' she told herself in defiance, 'I loathe Serph! But she…she's…'
Yes. She didn't miss the look that Sera had that evening. Argilla could only look on with hidden contempt…and pity from the crowd. She could only inwardly wince as she saw the look of pure love written all over Sera's features as she gazed upon the general's hard and fiery ruby eyes.
She sighed. Sera was in love. She was happy with her marriage.
"I should be happy for her." she suddenly spoke aloud.
"You should be." a male voice calmly stated, penetrating the cool air.
Argilla narrowed her eyes but said nothing, not even turning around to see who it was.
She stiffened as she felt his hands on her shoulders, turning her around so that they faced one another, "You should be happy for her Argilla." Serph said, smiling, "Severina is happy."
She looked at him angrily and struggled against his arms but proved fruitless as he held her firmly, "Sera would never be happy belonging to a monster such as your general!" she spat at him venomously.
He smirked and pulled her closer, "Oh…well, monster he may be, but, still, you have to admit that it is a favorable marriage arrangement Argilla. After all," he paused, leaning in closer to her face, inhaling her scent, "I could have given her to a lowly prison guard no? Then how would your sister fare eh?"
Argilla continued to glare at him, saying nothing. He had a point. She had to admit that he was right. Sera could have been given to someone else…
At least, with the general…
"With Heat, she would live comfortably. She would have her title as a lady of the court…She would be protected. Isn't that what you want for her?" he asked, interrupting her thoughts.
She slowly nodded, her eyes staring at the floor.
Serph then let go of her and turned around, laughing.
She arched an eyebrow, "What may I ask is so funny, Highness?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady and polite.
He faced her again and shook her head, "Nothing is funny Amadeus. Nothing. I'm just pleased. That's all."
She wanted to prod him with another question but held her tongue. Women weren't supposed to ask. They weren't to speak unless they were spoken to. And Argilla knew that she had long transgressed that law when she asked him her question just moments before.
She was surprised though that he allowed it.
'Yes…but that did not mean that he would allow it again.'
And so, she patiently waited for him to speak. And speak, he did.
"Do not worry about Severina Amadeus. She'll be happy…And as you saw earlier tonight, she was quite taken with my 'monster' of a general, wasn't she? Who knows, Princess Junia and Gale might have similar results from their marriage no?"
Argilla paled; she hated seeing this man smirk. It unnerved her. It was as if he was waving the flag of her defeat in front of her own face.
But still, she said nothing but just glowered. He gave her a toothy grin, "Ah…Amadeus…No, Argilla…I cannot wait for our marriage…"
Here, she let her calm façade give way to a spit of disgust, "Why? So I could be added to your long line of whores?!"
Serph laughed; he enjoyed her outburst. Argilla's cheeks were bright red in anger; or was it of jealousy?
"Why? Would you rather be my one and only whore Argilla?" he asked, taunting her. He knew that she would be offended as he referred to her as being his whore. But still, he did it anyway…He enjoyed riling her up.
"It is I, now, who do not wish His Highness' intelligence to be insulted." she calmly stated, bowing, "You already my answer to that query."
Serph laughed again; she wasn't brainless. That was what he liked about her. She was headstrong and steadfast; she spoke her mind…
'I don't mind that…as long as I can tolerate her insolence.'
That was true. He couldn't allow Argilla to be making changes within the kingdom and how its politics were run. No; but in other things, like their interaction now, here, he would allow her spitfire…
"No Amadeus." he said sternly, but with twinkling eyes, "You would not be my mere lover. You are the crowned queen of Arkanadara."
Argilla's eyes widened; crowned queen? She thought that…
'I didn't think that he was serious about me keeping my title! But…crowned queen…? Indeed?' she asked herself, in both bewilderment and intrigue.
"Amadeus, I did not wish to marry you just so that you could please me, you know?" he asked her, chuckling.
Argilla glared and growled at him, "Let me guess; you want me to bear you children since you will make me queen while you kill your other women when they get pregnant?!" she yelled venomously, spite imbedded within each of her words.
Serph glared at her; how did she know of that? He grinned, then, realizing that walls do have ears…
"Ah…you know about that, eh? Well, yes. They are not permitted to bear my child Amadeus. Only the queen is. And they are anything but royalty…I do not want the family tainted with filthy blood. But from you…well, you are of noble birth…It would be a perfect marriage."
He took a step towards her and leaned in, closer to her face, "I cannot wait to have daughters with hair such as yours…Tell me, where did you get that hair? Is it natural? Or a disease?" he asked maliciously, making sure that the last word offended her.
But all the same, he really wanted to know where her hair originated. Both her hair and her eyes. The color of her hair and eyes were…unheard of in all of the countries that he had conquered.
Perhaps it was nature's anomaly?
"It was my mother's…She gave them to me…" she said sadly.
Serph was taken aback, "You and your sisters have different mothers." he said as-a-matter-of-factly.
She remained quiet. Serph was a cruel man as some might say. Others will dare to utter that he was beyond morals and knew not of decency; a reprobate. It was a half-truth though.
Serph may be cruel, but it was because of his position as king and a warlord. Cruelty was needed for survival. But he was not beyond morals and he did know of decency…
And now…as he gazed at his fiancée, he knew that she was hurting. He had asked her a painful subject. And from the look of her face, he'd wager that she did not wish to speak about such things with him…And that he could understand.
"Well, I had better return to my quarters Amadeus. It was a pleasant evening. Farewell." without waiting for her response, he left her room.
Argilla could only look on after he had her chamber doors shut and bolted. He had been a gentleman. He didn't ask further…
"Thank you…Shailendra." she whispered to no one in particular.
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Jenna gazed at herself through the large mirror of her vanity table. The festivities had just ended for Sera and Heat's wedding. And now, it was time to retire. Her eyes left her reflection and gazed at her silver brush. She thought of Argilla and Sera.
She understood Gale's words…
Argilla had agreed to the king's proposals not for her betterment, but for the wellbeing of their fallen nation.
'They probably struck a bargain with regards to how our people would be treated…Which probably also included Sera and I…'
She narrowed her eyes; she could only wonder what else the king had planned on bargaining with Argilla about.
She really didn't want to think about it…And then, there was Sera's wedding. She sighed; before, she had understood when Gale had said that she might be marrying for the people…But as she watched the ceremony and had seen Sera's eyes…she knew that it wasn't the case. She had fallen for the barbaric general hadn't she? Jenna wanted to vomit at that. How could she?!
Betrayal was the first thing that came to mind; but then…it would be selfish of her to rule Sera's heart. What Sera felt…was something that was hers alone. She didn't have any right to judge her…and that was why…she had reluctantly given her support for her sister's choice. And seeing Sera smile at her as she understood the blessings, made her happy…
Jenna then grabbed the silver brush and brought it closer to her face. She never really noticed it before but it was quite a beautiful brush. Aside from being made from pure silver, it was adorned with an occasional ruby here and there…It also had carvings of elephants and other animals…
She found herself in a small smile. This brush wasn't from Flavius Adeodatus. It was probably from here; from Arkanadara.
She then took the brush and ran it along her silky ebony threads. It felt soothing; it soothed her scalp well.
Suddenly, she felt the doors move on its hinges. She rolled her eyes and paid it no heed. She knew who it was.
'God! Can't that man give a woman some privacy?!' she yelled to herself as she realized her current state.
She wasn't in her juni-hito; but in her sleeping yukata. She gritted her teeth as her eyes darted left and right looking for a huge robe to drape over her shoulders. She really shouldn't be seen by anyone in just a yukata after all.
She cursed under her breath as she realized that there was nothing that she could put on. All of her juni-hito had been taken for cleaning…and she really couldn't fit one to herself without assistance…
The creaking of the opening chamber doors became louder. She cursed again; at this rate…
Too late.
Jenna sharply turned back to her vanity table, painfully brushing her hair as she heard Gale enter her room.
"Good evening Jenna." came the cool and stoic voice.
"Hmph." she huffed in response, standing up, not sparing him another glance as she walked around her chambers. She was just eager to remove herself from his ever irking presence.
Gale could only smirk within; she was wearing something different tonight. It was still their national apparel but it was lighter, no longer grossly exaggerated. Her hair had been let loose…
Gale could only nod in appreciation; she was beautiful.
But she still had not lost any of her spitfire…despite the evening's tiresome celebrations…No; she was still as energetic as he found her openly ignoring him, avoiding him.
"That is a different gown that you wear Jenna."
Jenna shrugged her shoulders in response. She really couldn't care any less of what he was saying. So, she continued to rummage through her belongings, busying herself with whatever she could find.
Gale could only roll his eyes. There was nothing that he could say to grab this woman's attention. No…that was because she really didn't like him.
These were the times that he wished that he could be more like Heat. He wished that he could be a bit more…forceful.
"Tell me, what is the difference between the joooney-hit-ooh and the gown that you are currently wearing?" he openly asked, looking at her profile as she sat on her chair, rummaging through a small chest.
Jenna raised an eyebrow and momentarily ceased her rummaging, "Why do you want to know?"
Gale walked over to her and sat down right across from her, his emerald eyes burrowing within her silver cold eyes, "Purely for the sake of knowing."
Jenna narrowed her eyes, "That is not reason enough."
Immediately, her eyes darted from his and her hands resumed their task, lightly touching the trinkets within the chest. Her silver eyes widened and blood passed furiously through her veins and up to her face, illuminating her cheeks as she saw his large hand holding her own.
Her eyes flew back to his emerald orbs; she wanted to shout and yell at him for inappropriately touching her but her words died at her mouth even before she could find the courage to utter them.
Gale marveled at the feel of her hand in his…It fit his perfectly. It was as if it was made for him to hold…
Instinctively, not thinking of the impropriety of his actions towards his fiancée, he let his thumb draw circles on her hand's skin, massaging it carefully…
Jenna was beginning to panic. He wasn't just touching her, he was fondling her! She should do something fast! Being her, she immediately withdrew her hand…At least, she tried to. But he held on, "Why are you pulling away?" he asked her earnestly, tilting his head to the side, his eyes penetrating hers in a powerful gaze.
She blushed further, "Are you Arkanadarans really this ignorant to the concepts of indecency?"
"Indecency?" Gale asked, "I have not done anything Jenna…I am merely holding your hand…It is an acceptable practice here in Arkanadara for affianced couples…"
Jenna paled at the words "affianced couples". Did he really need to remind her of that?
"Well," she said sharply, attributing her blushing face not to the proverbial "butterflies in your stomach" cliché, but to his act of indiscretion towards her, "in Flavius Adeodatus, a man has no right to touch a woman in this way without the sacrament of marriage!" she hissed, testing his grip on her hand…No good. He would only grip her tighter the more she tried to pull away.
Gale then leaned in closer, "But you're not in Flavius Adeodatus Jenna…"
He wasn't blind though. He could see the amount of discomfort and displeasure that his touch was bringing to her…And so, being who he was, he let go of her hand reluctantly.
Jenna immediately caressed her hand and tucked them underneath the table, away from Gale's view. She looked down; ashamed. She didn't really want to admit it but…his hand on hers…did feel sickeningly pleasurable.
Gale sighed; he was doing everything he could to convince her that he wasn't an enemy…But in her eyes, as she avoided him and retaliated and lashed out at him with her words, he was beginning to think that it was all that she's ever going to see him as; an enemy.
He felt a sense of insult prick his heart; insult and…hurt.
He abruptly stood, rousing her curiosity. Well, he wouldn't give up. No; as a strategist, that wasn't what he had been trained for. No. Whenever there was a problem, his job was to find solutions for it…and not wallow in self-pity.
And right now, Jenna was his problem.
'Not for long.' he promised himself.
"Well, I would leave you to your own device Jenna." he told her, earning him a surprised look from her.
'He's leaving?' she asked herself, 'Well, it's good.'
"But, I would like you to accompany me a week from now; at first light. I will have your belongings packed."
"Packed?!" she yelled in shock, standing up, "Why? Where are we going?!"
He chuckled, "Well, there is a city that I have to look into. That's all. We've been invited to a gathering."
She gave him a look of disgust, "Why do we have to go? Isn't the king supposed to do that?"
Gale shrugged his shoulders, "It could be…if he wanted to. But he had sent me. And I want you to be there…with me."
"But…"
He shook his head, "I will not tolerate any more questions from you tonight." He then moved from the table and towards her side.
Jenna's heart beat wildly as he stood mere inches from her. She made to move backwards but he held her hand once more. Before she could object, he brought her small hand up to his lips, giving it a polite kiss.
She blushed.
"I will see you tomorrow Jenna. Pleasant dreams."
And with those words, he left.
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The days of her marriage to King Shailendra III drew slowly nearer…She had less than two weeks…Twelve days.
Argilla sighed in contempt. She missed her sisters terribly…But she had not seen them. She had not even been much around Arkanadara. As far as Shailendra was concerned, she was imprisoned within her very own chambers.
She gritted her teeth in frustration. She was getting restless within the four walls of her chambers!
She needed to get out!
'But how?!' she thought, touching her chin.
Her scheming was suddenly interrupted as her chamber doors suddenly opened to reveal her fiancé.
He smiled at her while she, in turn, frowned at him. She wasn't in the mood to see him today. The morning had been nice and warm…but now that she had seen him, everything had gone gloomy and dreary once more.
"Good morning Amadeus. I trust that you slept soundly?" he asked politely, as he bowed. He smiled at her as he raised his head, his silver eyes penetrating hers in a fleeting yet piercing gaze.
"Indeed Highness…To what do I owe such an ominous visit?" she asked, her sarcasm as clear and precise as a sharp arrow.
Serph laughed, letting her insolence pass, "Come now Argilla. I did not come here to bicker and indulge in mindless banter. I am here to introduce to you your new personal attendant."
Argilla raised an eyebrow, "An attendant Highness?"
He smiled at her, nodding, "Yes. I imagine that you are quite lonesome here…Your personal attendant will accommodate your every immediate need and will serve as your handmaiden when you explore the castle and the city."
Her pink eyes widened, "E-explore the…castle?"
He walked up to her and held onto her waist, pulling her against him. She stiffened at the contact. He chuckled and cupped her face in his hand, "Yes…I am giving you freedom Argilla. You may do as you wish…"
She glared at him, "How do you know I just won't run away?"
He caressed her face affectionately, "You won't. I know you. Besides, even if you did…" he paused for a moment, bringing their faces closer together. She leaned back, putting space between them but his hold on her suddenly became like a vice and pulled her back.
Now, with their faces a mere inch from each other's, Serph spoke, whispering, "…I'd just bring you back…You wouldn't get very far…"
That was true. If she managed to escape, that is. There was always the bargain; the trade. Her life in exchange for her countrymen's and her sisters'. That was the deal. And then, there was the fact that he himself was Arkanadara's best tracker. He wouldn't have any trouble finding her…
She said nothing but still attempted to free herself from his grip. He relented, still having his cheeky grin, and set her free, taking a step backward.
Without looking away from her, he spoke to the guard from outside her chamber doors, "Bring them in."
"Them?" Argilla repeated, dumbfounded.
A moment later a young man and woman entered the room.
The young woman looked timid. She was a local; a poor one at that. She had straight long black hair that was tied in a low ponytail. She was short in comparison to Argilla; most likely only five feet in height. She was thin…too thin. She had black eyes that resembled those of a begging puppy…
'The poor thing…' Argilla thought in sympathy.
The girl was dressed in a simple lavender sari. Argilla nodded in approval. Yes; she would do.
Her pink eyes then traveled to the man beside her.
Argilla looked at him from head to toe. The man looked a bit older than the woman. He was tall…probably as tall as Serph…or taller. She couldn't help but snicker at that notion.
The man had short silver hair; no, wait, it wasn't silver. That would be Serph's hair. No. This one had golden platinum hair. Argilla blinked; it was probably a sign of albinism. He wore glasses that hid his eyes from her. She could not see the color of his eyes…
But she could tell one thing though…He was looking at her.
And at that moment, she didn't know why, but this insolent man…this man who dared to look upon the face of the crowned queen made Argilla feel…conscious.
Yes. She began to feel…self conscious. He was looking at her…Did he like what he saw? Or was it that he didn't like what he saw?
'What am I thinking?!' she mentally scolded herself.
She shook her head and directed her eyes elsewhere…His body.
He had a built body. Argilla raised an eyebrow; something told her that this man wasn't intended to be her attendant.
"This is Priya. She is your handmaiden." spoke Serph.
Argilla blinked and looked at Serph, rousing her from her reverie.
Serph then walked over to the man, "And this is Roland. He would be your bodyguard."
Argilla arched an eyebrow, "A bodyguard?"
Serph chuckled and walked over to her, dismissing the two. A moment later, the doors slowly closed and Argilla once more found herself alone with Serph.
He walked up to her and took her hand in his, squeezing it lightly, "Yes. A bodyguard. I can't have you wandering around these places alone…It's not that I don't trust you, which I don't…"
She snorted at that.
"…I just know that there might be others who are plotting against you. They might assassinate you."
Argilla rolled her eyes at that, "And why would they do that?"
Serph chuckled, "Because they know you are the crowned queen."
Argilla nodded in concurrence, "They'd know that I would bear you children…"
"Precisely." he smiled cheekily.
Argilla snorted; didn't he do anything else besides smile and be unnaturally calm about otherwise dire situations?
"So, in order to overthrow you, they would ensure that you first don't have any legitimate heirs…and then…"
"And then kill me." Serph said nonchalantly, still smiling calmly.
Argilla looked at him confusedly, "Why go through so much trouble to kill me? Why don't they just get rid of you?"
Serph was grinning like an elf within; she was beginning to feel at ease with him. That was a good thing…He himself was enjoying her company more and more…Her smile…her face…Everything about her was alluring to him. She was overwhelming his senses and was sending his entire being into a whirlpool of emotions…
'Enough…!' he shouted at himself, 'This is nothing but weakness…'
He grinned at her, "Well…Why don't you ask them that Argilla? Haha…well, seriously, it would be easier for them to kill you. But I on the other hand, had succeeded in eluding and thwarting assassination attempts before. As for you…well, that is a whole different matter. Should they succeed and kill you, they'd know that I would be…"
He suddenly lost his voice to continue. The smile that he had on his face suddenly vanished and he turned, letting her hand free.
"You are free to go wherever you wish. But I expect you to be back in your chambers by sundown. Is that clear?" he asked her, his voice stern, no longer playful.
Argilla stiffened, "Of course Your Grace."
He nodded and started to walk out. A moment later, she was alone once more.
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Serph sat on his throne in deep thought. He looked at the empty space beside him. It was an empty throne. His face was as hardened and expressionless as ever, his eyes mirroring his face. But within, he smiled.
It was where his queen would sit…
Argilla would sit beside him. She would reign right by his side…He had been right. She really did bring him…happiness. He didn't know how to explain it but, every time that they would spend time together, he wouldn't feel the pressures of ruling a kingdom or thwarting rebellions…No, with her, he could be himself.
But he also knew of how she felt towards him…
She loathed him; she despised him. She cursed the very ground that he walked on. His face hardened still, his jaw tightening at that thought.
'She'd love me one day…'
He still hadn't given up on her. Oh no. When they are married, she'd see how much he really cared for her…and then, she'd reciprocate his feelings. She would.
His thoughts drifted back to what he told her in her room…
His eyes became half-lidded as he brought his hands to intertwine at the level of his eyes. He remembered what he was saying back then.
He grinned at her, "Well…Why don't you ask them that Argilla? Haha…well, seriously, it would be easier for them to kill you. But I on the other hand, had succeeded in eluding and thwarting assassination attempts before. As for you…well, that is a whole different matter. Should they succeed and kill you, they'd know that I would be…"
'I would be…saddened.' he finished mentally.
But he also knew that that word was an understatement. He wouldn't be saddened…No. Now, he knew that he was quite fond of her. He knew that he was attracted to her physically, emotionally…He wanted everything about her…
And if by someone's hand should she fall…he would be devastated.
'No one has the right to kill her…' he thought angrily, 'I alone reserve that right!'
That was true as well. He may be fond of her, but he wouldn't hesitate to kill her should he suspect that she had betrayed him. His breathing suddenly became labored but he fought it off with all of his willpower.
He didn't want to appear weak; not to anyone.
He had never desired a woman the way he desired her…His lovers would flock all around him in hopes of pleasing him, and they did…
Just not in the way that she pleased him.
He smiled at that. He hadn't even deflowered her and he already felt pleased by her…What more when he finally claimed her as his?
She pleased him in ways that he never thought possible. Being who and what he was, he knew that erotic gratification was something that he craved for in numerous occasions…and his concubines lived just solely for that purpose…
But being with Argilla, just being close to her, holding her hand…inhaling her scent…It was all enough for him.
He felt gratified.
And that was something that he didn't understand.
'Why was that so?' he asked himself in confusion.
Now, he longed to just see her. He wanted to be around her more often than not…That was why he always visited her every chance he got.
He even went as far as to dismiss some of his lovers. Now he knew that there was a problem with him. She was changing him…little by little…The more time he spent with her, the more he was changing.
He had kept his end of the bargain with her. He had abolished the buying and selling of her people and had integrated them as Arkanadara's citizens. There had been many nobles who opposed him…but thanks to Gale and Heat's efforts, they had been disposed of.
'Argilla would not like that…'
He blinked; since when did he care about her opinion at what he had done?! This was what he had always done whenever someone opposed his reforms and policies. He would remove them from this world.
In his view, it was the only way to ensure unity. If he let them live, they would find ways to thwart his plans…And that he couldn't afford.
He sighed as he realized that it wasn't just about the disobedient nobles that he worried for…It was her. He did this all for her. He killed those people to please her…so that she would see that he was a man of his word; a man who kept his vow. And he did vow to integrate her people. And that was what he had done.
He laughed; but…there were still many issues plaguing his mind. Now that her people had become citizens, the next question was about titles…
Would they be allowed to keep their titles or be stripped? And then, what type of work would they be allowed to have? Which offices would they be allowed to occupy?
'All this trouble just for one woman…' he internally grumbled.
He laughed again; how everything in his life right now all conveniently revolved around her…
His eyes narrowed; it wasn't supposed to be though. In their world, if others only knew what he was feeling, they'd use it to their advantage…
He gritted his teeth and grabbed his mask, putting it in place. He sighed; he couldn't let himself be seen this way…
'Being God damn emotional!' he thundered within.
He forced himself to calm down. No. He would just have to be careful. He would be as careful as he was before he met her. There had to be a way to balance his feelings for her and his cold demeanor.
There had to be a way.
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A/N:
Yukata: A kimono that is worn during the summers, or right after taking baths or when sleeping. It is thinner than the conventional kimono.
