A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNINGS: NON-CON LEMON, OOC, LANGUAGE, SUGGESTIVE LANGUAGE

Chapter 5: The Caged and the Free

Roland sped through the halls and the staircases as he hurried to deposit the queen within her chambers. She had continued to be difficult, commanding him every few seconds to put her down.

But the king's words were absolute.

Finally.

Her chambers were in sight.

The guards outside saw him and nodded in understanding. It had been the same day in and day out. The queen was kept within the chambers and only let out when the king deemed it.

"Put me down this instant!" she yelled once more, pounding her soft and delicate hands on his back.

A moment later, she felt the wind knocked out of her as she found herself on her bed. She blinked and then focused on her bodyguard who, by now had turned his back on her, walking out of her room.

"Halt!" she commanded him.

He did as she specified, "What is it Your Highness?"

"Where are you going?"

She cursed herself. What did she just say to this man? Of all the things that she could ask him…why did she ask him that?

She blushed as he turned around, letting her see his face once more. Argilla felt a lump in her throat form as she gazed within his sleepy yet intense eyes.

"I am to stand guard outside your room Highness. It is for your protection." he replied without hesitation.

Argilla was speechless before him. There was just something in this man that rendered her speechless the way she was now…

Roland did not know how long he could continue to gaze upon her…Her beauty was entrancing…No…it wasn't just that.

Her beauty was bewitching. It was as if she was poisoning him with her looks…and gazes…He suddenly felt his body heat up at the sight of her.

'No! It's…It's forbidden…!' he mentally screamed at himself as he saw visions of himself…with her.

No. It wasn't to be.

"Is there anything I could do for you Highness?" he asked curtly.

"No…" she responded absentmindedly, "Leave me." she commanded.

He nodded and left.

Argilla waited until her chamber doors closed firmly. As soon as she heard the lock being placed did she release her breath. She put a trembling hand over her erratically beating heart as she willed herself to calm down.

'What…what was that just now?' she asked herself.

She closed her eyes to gather her thoughts but opened them back again as she saw nothing but his face and his eyes within her mind.

'Why am I…? About…Roland?' she asked herself, stammering, even within her own thoughts.

Her thoughts were rudely interrupted as her chamber doors opened once more to reveal her very angry fiancé.

"Serph…" she said with a trembling voice.

He stomped over to her angrily and seized her arms, pulling her close to him, "What did you think you were doing out there huh?"

She said nothing but turned her face away, her face contorting to a look of displeasure as he continued to grab her.

"Who do you think you are defying me!?" he hissed angrily, his lips achingly near her earlobe. Serph was blinded by rage, but at the same time, he was blinded by desire. She was but a mere inch from him, but alas, he could do nothing until after their marriage ceremony.

Argilla squirmed within his touch, his hands gripped her like a vice and it cut off the blood circulation from the rest of her arms, "Serph…! Unhand me!" she squealed.

Serph let a low chuckle erupt from his throat as he heard her squeal, feeling his anger slowly ebb away. She may be insolent but hearing her squeal and seeing her in pain before him was reward and compensation enough…

He let go of one of her arms and with lightning speed brought it to her pink silky locks, pulling them roughly, forcing her face to turn to his direction. She hissed at the pain and angrily looked at him, her hand on his, attempting to pry it from her hair, "L-let me go!"

Serph's eyes became foggy with lust as he saw her face…

Feeling his self-control dwindle, he brought his face close to hers and parted his lips slightly. He stopped, however, when he was but a mere inch from her. Electrical sensations passed through his veins like runaway freight trains and he felt his lust for the woman in his arms intensify.

Argilla stiffened as she recognized the look the king gave her.

She narrowed her eyes to slits and shoved at him, taking him by surprise, "Unhand me Serph!" she yelled in his face.

Serph blinked; he was aching at that moment. His whole body screamed for relief from its suffering.

'Suffering because of her…' he thought sourly.

His whole being wanted to…no!-his whole being was desperate to get a taste of her…Just a tiny and chaste kiss would do…If only he could…

With a growl, he forcefully shoved her, letting her ungracefully meet the cold and stoned floor. He kneeled before her and grabbed her arm once more, "I will not tolerate that kind of display Argilla. Do you understand?" he asked as his other hand gripped her chin roughly, turning to face him.

Argilla growled, meeting his glare with a glare of her own, "I refuse to be treated as a toy Shailendra!"

Serph raised an eyebrow. She was attempting to put distance between them by using his impersonal name. It was both impersonal and detached…

He growled, mirroring her and grabbed her face, pulling it close to his, "You are a toy Argilla. My toy."

Argilla stiffened within his arms as he spoke his words. Her whole persona felt insulted and degraded. How could she have fallen from being the respected queen of her country now to be used by a man as his personal convenience?

"I'm not your toy!" she hissed defiantly under her breath, glaring at him.

"Oh aren't you? Then, tell me Argilla, what are you to me then?" he asked her curiously. He really was curious as to what she would say…

"I am the crowned queen of Arkanadara. I am your fiancée! And I will be the mother of your children!" she spoke proudly, challenging his eyes.

Serph laughed; partially she was right. He himself had told her that of the lot of women that he had, it was she that he would bestow the crown upon. She would be his other half. She would be his queen.

But that was the catch.

She would be his queen. His.

"You're right." he grinned at her, "You would be queen…But you would be my queen. Never forget that."

Argilla cursed herself. She was foolish. She had let herself be trapped in that argument…Serph saw the look of contempt for him within her pink eyes and grinned. A moment later, he let go of her and stood up, looking at her from above.

Argilla picked herself up and continued to glare at him.

Serph's face hardened, "Don't think that I've forgotten what you've done outside Argilla. I haven't."

"What are you going to do?" asked Argilla, her eyebrow raised, her arms crossed challengingly.

"You'll see."

Argilla's heart raced as she felt trepidation surge through her chest. She wasn't fond of surprises…No. Most especially when it came from him. She shuddered as she remembered the severed heads that rolled at her feet within her filthy cell within the dungeons…

'No…he…he wouldn't!' she told herself. Of course not.

'He gave me his word!'

Seeing the fear in her eyes was almost enough to gratify his needs for the night. But alas, he knew that it wasn't enough. No. And seeing that she cannot ease his suffering, he would merely look on to others. There were many of them anyway…

Without further thoughts, he turned and left her room, leaving her bewildered and bemused.

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Sera remained awake as she lay on hers and Heat's bed that night. The spectacle between the king and Argilla hours prior still hung heavily within her mind.

"Argilla…" she breathed out as she sat up in their bed.

"Your sister." a voice deadpanned from beside her.

She turned and looked at him, at her husband, "She was…she was dragged to her room…"

"I know. I was there too." he told her impassively.

"She deserves it." he told her.

"What?"

He looked at her with hardened eyes, "I meant what I said. She deserves whatever punishment the king will grant her."

Sera's eyes widened, "Why Heat? She merely spoke her mind…!"

She gasped as she felt a stinging sensation on her cheek. He had backhanded her, "Do not speak to me in such a manner woman." he told her coldly.

Sera brought a hand to her face and touched the spot where he hurt her and said nothing. Her silver eyes looked at him with surprise and fear. She didn't believe that he would do that…She thought that he…

"You and your sisters need to know your place." he told her with unfeeling eyes and a cold tone.

"Do not think that you could hold me in weakness Sera. You are mine. You are my woman." She shook as his intense eyes bore into hers and he suddenly grabbed her arms, pulling her against him, "And as such, that's all you are. A woman."

Sera wanted to speak but he cut her off as he kissed her roughly…pushing her on their bed.

She wanted to struggle against him but his hands had bound hers and his legs imprisoned hers. She couldn't move; she couldn't make a sound as his lips devoured hers. She felt a tear roll on her cheek…

Very soon, he was bare and so was she. Her garments had been cruelly torn from her as if he had been a caged animal wanting retribution.

"Heat…please…! I don't want this!" she openly protested. But her words fell on deaf ears as she felt him roughly plunge within her sacred area.

And another moment later, she winced as she felt him move frantically within her, no longer concerned for what she felt. And at that moment, the only thing that she felt was pain. She felt only pain within her body and within her soul.

She was blinding herself…

She knew that…

'But it's just that I love him!' she told herself as she continued to endure him…By now, he had roughly pulled her hair to the side to grant him access to her neck. Yelping, she did as he instructed.

She began to feel sore in the middle of her legs. Would she bleed again? She was afraid. She shook and trembled within his arms as he continued to pummel her furiously.

She didn't know how long that they had been at it, but now, she felt her salvation materialize as her husband ascended to nirvana…without her. No. She didn't feel anything for him that night…She felt not an ounce of pleasure; only discomfort and pain.

He grunted as he spilled his seed within her. A moment later, he was gone.

Sera cried as she thought more and more about their situation…She turned to her side and hugged herself, covering her private and sacred parts.

She told herself that she loved Heat and that he loved her…But his treatment of her that night…He took her without her consent…And from the way he touched her, it was as if to prove a point. It was to assert his dominance on her.

As he said before that, she and her sisters needed to know their place…

'As a woman…I…' she trailed off mentally.

"As a woman, you are nothing." she heard a strong male voice behind her.

Sera stifled a cry. Why was he so cruel to her all of a sudden? Where was the man who promised her that he wouldn't harm her? Where did he go? And who was this, this man who violated her so?

Violated?

Yes.

She may be his wife and he may be her husband, but nonetheless, she felt violated by him. He took her when she protested…

He hurt her…

And now, he was hurting her again as he told her that she was nothing; that women had no value whatsoever.

She stiffened as she felt his weight sink on the bed again. And again, her heart raced and her breathing quickened as he pressed himself against her back, his arms around her waist, before traveling upwards, removing her arms from herself.

She didn't do as he persuaded and she heard him growl, now no longer touching but grabbing her arms and tightly holding them and prying them away from her body. She yelped as she relented, his grip was like a vice and it was undoubtedly going to cause bruises on her arms.

She gasped as she felt him grab her breast and squeeze tightly.

"Heat…!" she gasped.

"Never forget that you're mine Sera." he told her darkly before roughly pushing her so that she lay on her stomach on the bed. She yelped in surprise as she felt him on her, straddling her back, his legs tightly against hers, his hands grabbing both of hers and pinning them at the sides of her face.

She turned her face to the side in order to breathe but she didn't get much oxygen as Heat suddenly got on his knees and there grabbed her hips painfully, pulling her in an all-fours position before forcefully entering her from behind.

She squealed as she felt his large shaft within her tight folds. She writhed in pain and moaned, "Heat…! Please stop!" she screamed as she felt her body not yet ready for that intrusion.

But he didn't listen and only grabbed her hips tighter as he moved within her frantically. Heat was angry. How dare she tell him to stop!

He thrust within her violently as the thought remained afloat in his head. All that he heard were her insolent words and her defiant and impudently bold countenance.

No.

Did she really think that he would bend for her?!

Was she really this stupid…? Or perhaps as cunning and manipulative like his friend and brother Serph!?

He gritted his teeth in anger; she would not make a fool out of him. Not outside and not behind closed doors! She was his and his alone. She was to serve him and live only for the purpose of pleasing him.

No more and no less.

He moved even faster as her heavy panting reverberated through his ears.

"Heat…! Heat…!" she moaned over and over again.

He laughed; no! He cackled!

"Aa…! I didn't know you wanted it this way Sera?" he taunted; insinuating that she liked their copulation rough.

Sera gritted her teeth as insane pleasure engulfed all rational and logical thoughts of her brain.

Heat leaned in closed as he continued to move within her and grabbed her breasts from behind, massaging and fondling her ample chest thoroughly.

His breath became ragged and hers became labored as the minutes ticked by. The abyss…the vortex of no return was nigh…

It was there…staring them in the face…

Heat pushed himself within her as hard and as deep as he could, up to the hilt, as he lost himself in the feel of complete and ultimate bliss…

She had reached it as well as he heard her cry out his name desperately…

He collapsed on her, behind her and there, rolled over to his side, his breathing calm once more.

There were no words that were spoken…Only her breathing, her panting was heard.

Heat then turned to her and saw that she dared not move from her current position. He narrowed his eyes and slowly spoke, "You're just a woman; nothing more."

Sera remained unspeaking, her eyes refusing to close. Her tears flowed effortlessly through her cheeks.

She suddenly shut her eyes as tight as she could as the voices in her head resurfaced.

'He is a barbarian! These people are nothing but savages! Did you really expect that they would respect us? It was just a ploy to turn you into his whore!'

'No! Heat loves me! He cares about me!'

'Keep telling yourself that…'

Sera's eyes snapped back open as she attempted to calm herself down. Was the voice right? Was she really nothing to Heat? Just another woman for him to sleep with?

She hiccupped a bit as she continued to quietly sob.

'Am I…really nothing to you?'

She felt like a hypocrite right there. And to think that she was the one who told Argilla that she hid nothing from her; that Heat treated her right…and that they were in love…

She knew now, as she lay there with him, bare and tired, she knew that it was sheer foolishness. Sheer foolishness was what she felt.

It was just naivety after all…

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Jenna sat carefully on the cushion as they ate their breakfast. She had finally met their host. The lord of the castle that they were staying at was an elderly man with white long hair and an even longer beard.

She had learnt from Gale that this city had fallen to Arkanadara years prior. She had learnt that King Shailendra had only been in power for five years. This city was the first to have fallen under his rule. And so, it was considered to be "special" of some sorts.

It had been Shailendra's first conquest…

Jenna narrowed her eyes as she remembered her own country…

But this wasn't the place to feel anger and self-pity. Now, she was just curious as to what they were doing there. Why were they here anyway? She could understand why Gale was here though…The king had sent him here for an errand, but what about her?

The blatant reason would be that Gale did not intend for her to get away…But something else told her that it wasn't the case.

Gale brought her here for another reason.

"I bid you welcome to Shankara." spoke the old man, looking at Gale. Gale nodded, "Maharajah Tamil, you already who I am. There is no need for pleasantries."

Jenna frowned. Why can't Gale have any class?

Gale suddenly turned to her, "This is Princess Junia Valeria Flavia. She is the princess of the fallen Flavius Adeodatus."

"Ah," began Maharajah Tamil, "I've heard rumors of the beauty of the princesses of that country…But it is my first time to see it for myself. I do not believe that the rumors lie…"

Jenna cast her head down; thankful for having her face painted with the white powder, otherwise, the blush on her cheeks would be shamefully revealed.

Gale rolled his eyes, "Aa…Maharajah Tamil, we did not come here to discuss my fiancée's appearance."

"Of course not." he concurred, laughing lightly.

Jenna raised an eyebrow as she stole a glance at Gale who sat beside her. She felt it. At that moment as the Maharajah complimented her, she felt Gale stiffen ever so slightly, his countenance unchanged, his real emotions yet to be betrayed…

But in her eyes…they had already been betrayed.

Gale was uneasy about the Maharajah. Jenna's heart raced at that thought. Gale was…jealous?

And what was this?

Was her heart that was made of perpetual ice beginning to melt? Did her ever-passionate dancing flames around her soul finally mellowed, becoming tamed…?

She felt her stomach churn and her lungs constrict, not allowing air to pass. She slightly slumped forward, her hand going up to her chest, in an attempt to calm herself down. Gale seemed to have noticed as well as he looked at her, "Are you alright Junia?"

She immediately turned to him and there, time seemed to freeze as they locked gazes.

She felt her cheeks burn and quickly shrugged her shoulders, "I'm fine." she told him coldly, turning away.

A moment later, the conversation between Gale and the Maharajah ensued; pleasantries, if you will. But Jenna's mind was elsewhere. She really didn't care what it was they talked about.

She didn't even notice the breakfast progress. Then, it was all over. She was broken from her contemplation as she heard Gale call her name.

"Junia."

She blinked and turned to look at him with icy silver eyes, "What is it Milord?"

"You are free to do as you wish." He then signaled for a guard to accompany her, "He is your guard. You are free to explore the castle. But return to your chambers by midday."

Jenna bowed to him and then turned to the Maharajah, "I thank you for your generous hospitality Maharajah Tamil. It has been a pleasure."

A moment later, with the grace of a cat, she lifted herself off the cushion and carefully and slowly walked away from the dining table.

Once she was out of sight, Gale turned to the Maharajah, "Tamil, what is going on?"

The Maharajah sighed, "A group of youths within the village is getting harder and harder to control. They had disappeared a fortnight passed and we feared that they had joined insurgents that plot to liberate Shankara from Arkanadara's rule. We have reason to believe that they target to overthrow me…"

Gale continued to look at the older man nonchalantly, "And when do you think shall this 'attack' take place?"

"According to our spies, the insurgents are massing a force of two hundred men. They have gathered their forces downhill a few miles from here. They know that with King Shailendra's wedding in four days, the troops from Arkanadara would be lax and would not arrive here in time."

Four days. They plan to attack in four days.

Gale touched his forehead in thought. He had seen the place around the city of Shankara. The terrain could be used to their advantage.

He nodded; he knew what to do.

"Two hundred men? Who is leading them?" Gale asked calmly.

The Maharaja sighed, "They are led by the old general of Shankara. His name is Raveeh. The only battle that he had lost was when we had fallen to Arkanadara."

Gale couldn't help but notice the tone of distraught and grief within the Maharajah's voice. No doubt, this Raveeh person must've been a good soldier; a good citizen of this city. But alas, things had changed. It was such a shame that Raveeh did not yield to Arkanadara.

If what Maharajah Tamil said about him was true…then, it was a loss for Arkanadara as well.

The Maharajah then stood, "Well, come, we have plenty to discuss…"

Gale thought deeply and then nodded as he stood, "Yes. We do."

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Jenna's fingers shook with anticipation as she gazed at the stables before her. Her lips curved up to a smile as she looked at the horses within. How she ached to ride them…

She had already finished exploring the castle; not that it was magnificent to begin with. The castle at Arkanadara was far superior.

And now, she took to the gardens where now she found herself to be outside of the royal stables…

She sighed as she looked at herself. She was in her juni-hito and it would be impossible for her to ride a horse in her state of apparel.

She gazed at the horses with longing as she walked over to them, touching them lightly. Her hands came to a halt as she stood in front of a white horse. She smiled as she threaded her slender fingers through its long white hair.

"I did not know that you were fond of horses Junia."

Whatever feeling of happiness that Jenna felt for herself died as she registered that someone had invaded her space.

And she already knew who it was.

But still, she did not turn around to look at him. She left it at that and continued to stroke the horse's hair.

"Would you like to ride one?"

Her fingers immediately stopped its ministrations.

Gale smirked; he knew that that question would get her attention. She probably wanted to ride one, but being in her juni-hito, she probably decided that she couldn't.

She slowly turned around and looked at him with bored eyes, "What do you want?"

Gale blinked and looked at her with the same disinterested eyes, "I want to go for a ride."

Jenna's heart leapt at that. Gale was leaving? He was leaving with the horses? What about her? Was he going to leave her there?! He can't be serious!

"You're leaving?" she asked, unfazed, completely calm.

Gale nodded, "Yes. I am going to scout the terrain around the city."

Jenna turned her back to him and looked at the horses again. How she wanted to ride one…And now, Gale was going for a ride around the city…

She sighed; how she wished that she could too…

"Do you wish to accompany me?" he suddenly asked.

Jenna's eyes widened. He was asking whether or not she would go with him? Wait…In a carriage or on a horse…?

"You can take a horse if you want. Or if you're comfortable with the carriage then…"

Gale knew that she'd never go for the carriage. Jenna wasn't like that. There was a free-spirited woman within those robes…A headstrong woman waiting to be unleashed.

"Well?"

Jenna looked at him in a way that a child would look at her mother when offered candy.

"R-really?" she asked skeptically.

Gale nodded, "Yes. Do you know how to ride a horse?"

Jenna blushed a beet red. Gale nodded; so she didn't. Not saying anything, he made for the stables, leaving Jenna behind.

Jenna's mind reeled; where was he going?

So, the offer was cancelled? He wasn't going to take her?

'Damn!' she cursed to herself. Just when she thought that Gale was civilized enough! And now he was leaving a lady without so much as a conclusion to their conversation!

Sighing, Jenna began to walk away from the stables, hurt.

Jenna's eyes widened as Gale came out a minute later, galloping with a strong black stallion. Jenna stood perfectly still, marveling at the horse's beauty…its grace as its muscles tensed as it continued to move closer to her. Its freed hair danced within the wind as it galloped. Its form was proud and built.

Jenna found herself smiling.

He was indeed a magnanimous creature.

She suddenly caught sight of Gale whose eyes were fixed on hers. He called out her name sternly and leaned to his side, his arm leaving the horse's reigns. Jenna's heart stopped. She knew what it was he was doing.

So, responding to him, she outstretched both her arms and remained perfectly still. A moment later, the horse came her way and Gale snatched her around the waist and had her sit on the horse in front of him.

The stallion did not slow down, and at the command of his master, only galloped faster.

Jenna sucked in the air roughly as she smiled, being overwhelmed by the feeling of being swept off her feet.

Gale smiled as he felt her shift within his arms, getting comfortable. He had been right. So, horses had been this princess' weakness.

But he doubted that she would yield before him that easily…

Jenna, now comfortable, looked at the fields of endless greenery before her and breathed in the air deeply as she closed her eyes. She felt as if she were soaring into the skies…

The moments seem to freeze as she continued to sit there, with Gale, stupefied with amazement. She gasped as she felt the hand on her waist tighten. She fought back a blush and instead focused on the greenery.

And then, minutes later, their ride came to an end. Gale pulled the noble beast to a gentle stop and dismounted the horse. Jenna looked around. They were on a hillside. And at the bottom of the hills were only marshlands.

She turned to Gale, "What are we doing here?"

She stared at him with pure curiosity. He was gazing at the terrain intently, almost studying it. She arched an eyebrow; and wanting to know what he wanted to know, she looked wherever he looked.

'The marshlands…these are dangerous…The hills…' she blinked.

'Could it be that…?'

Well, it was probable since Gale was a military strategist.

She looked at the terrain once more, 'There are no trees…just shrubs…No cover…'

"Gale?" she asked again.

Gale, who had been ignoring her, snapped his attention to her, "Well, I trust that you appreciate the view Junia?"

Jenna snorted, "You and I both know that the scenery isn't the reason why you brought me here."

Gale smirked within. He was right. She was as sharp as an arrow. Without saying a word, he mounted the horse again and turned the horse around. Jenna didn't complain though. She was too preoccupied as to the reason why Gale brought her there…

She had a feeling that it wasn't just the view…

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"Cease and desist at once!" shouted Argilla angrily as three servants entered her room and collected her books.

The servants did nothing. Losing her patience, Argilla angrily stomped over to one of the servants and pulled her by her sari, "I demand to know what you are doing!"

The girl shook, "I…I…"

"You what?"

"We were ordered by the king to gather all of Her Majesty's books and…" she hesitated.

"And?" Argilla urged her, her pink eyes blazing angrily.

"And burn them."

Argilla froze as she heard the girl's words. Taking in the crowned queen's shocked appearance, she immediately made a beeline out of the chambers.

Roland watched Argilla with a feeling of sympathy. This was most probably one of the king's punishments for her insolence the other night…

He knew that the queen loved to read…He watched over her after all. She would read in her spare time, during the afternoons, the evening before the banquet…and even before she went to sleep.

And now, all of her books would go up in flames…

Argilla took a deep breath. Seeing that there was nothing that she could do, she forced herself to sit down, catching her breath.

If Shailendra thought that she would break down and ask him for forgiveness, then he was sadly mistaken.

'There is no way that I would crawl over to him as if I were some…some wounded dog!' she silently vowed, her hatred for the man reaching a new high.

"Your Highness, would you like something to drink?"

Argilla turned to Priya and smiled, "No. Thank you Priya…I am quite alright…"

Then, a few minutes later, the three of them were the only ones left within the chambers. It was as it was before, only now, her bookshelves were empty.

Argilla sighed.

"His Majesty is displeased…" she heard Priya whisper from beside her.

Argilla nodded, "Yes. He is."

Priya held her tongue. This was an issue that she did not dare interfere at.

Feeling her anger steadily rise at her situation, Argilla stood. And as soon as she did, Priya did as well. Without saying another word, Argilla made for the chamber doors and left the room.

She wanted to take a walk. She wanted to clear her head and cool off. Serph was really annoying her.

Her feet stomped through the halls noisily and she couldn't help but get stares from some of the members of the royal court.

'Hmph. It has nothing to do with me.' she huffed haughtily, 'It's none of their business.'

Argilla knew that Roland and Priya were following her but she didn't really care. She was too absorbed with Serph to really notice them. She headed for the main door when the guards suddenly barred her path.

Roland narrowed his eyes and with great speed, shielded the queen from the guards' views.

"What is going on here?!" Argilla yelled.

Roland growled and grabbed the guard by the collar, only to have him retaliate by pointing a sword at him instead. Roland smirked internally as he outmaneuvered the guard, slipping behind him and putting a dagger by his throat.

Argilla gasped and took a step back.

"The crowned queen asked you a question!" Roland seethed venomously.

He looked at the other guard who was on the defensive but nonetheless did nothing. He did, however answer Roland's question, "The king has forbidden the crowned queen from leaving the castle."

Argilla's eyes went wide and her soul burned with displeasure.

Taking a deep breath and releasing it evenly, she turned around and walked away, her steps now possessing the grace and demure of a queen.

Roland let go of the guard and followed the Argilla and Priya.

He had a feeling of where she was to go.

Argilla stepped up through the flight of stairs as she continued to walk towards her intended destination. She was as quiet as a mouse though. Priya and Roland said nothing. It was better that they do not offend a raging bull.

Argilla had been told that the king was within the War Room. She frowned; she didn't care whatever meeting she was to interrupt but…She just needed to get to him.

She reached the aforesaid room only to have the guards again block her path. She persisted though. Roland sighed; she was doing it again. He knew his orders from the king. He was to protect her at all costs.

From everyone and anyone.

And by his definition, that included the castle guards.

Seeing that she was about to assault the guard, he quickly went to her side and gently shoved her behind him, disposing of the guards quickly, knocking them out.

Argilla looked at him as stern as ever. But he knew what it meant. It was a concealed and subversive "thank you". He nodded but said nothing.

She made for the oak doors but Roland opened them for her. He looked at Priya, "Stay here."

She nodded meekly and did as she was told.

Argilla's pink eyes blazed in anger as she entered the room, looking left from right for her fiancé. She found him, standing in the middle of the room, looking at her with a smirk on his face. Argilla saw that he wasn't alone either.

Her sister's husband, the general, was also present along with some officials who she couldn't care any less about.

"I need to speak with you Highness." she spoke haughtily, her pink eyes burning holes on Serph's handsome and angelic face.

"What is this woman doing here?!" thundered Heat.

"Guards!" he yelled but stopped when Serph put a hand on his shoulder. Heat looked at him questioningly but said nothing.

Without taking off his eyes at hers, Serph spoke, "Leave us."

The general along with the officials left promptly. Serph raised an eyebrow as Roland remained at the queen's side.

He gave a toothy condescending grin, "Such a loyal dog you are Roland…"

Roland said nothing and continued to look at the floor, not daring to meet Serph's eyes. But within, he was seething…He used to be the best soldier within his country's force…but now, he had capitulated with the enemy and now served them as faithful as he did for his country…

Serph narrowed his eyes, "Get out. Your services aren't required here."

Roland didn't want to leave the queen there…alone…and unprotected. It's not that the king would kill her…but he would most probably harm her…

And for some reason, he just couldn't bear to see her hurt…

But he had his hands tied. So, he merely nodded and hesitantly moved out of the chamber, closing the door behind him firmly.

And now, Argilla and Serph remained as the only ones within.

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There they were, stuck outside the chambers of the War Room, awaiting instructions. They were told to remain outside…and so there was only the long wait…

Priya let her brown eyes meander over to Roland's demeanor.

She blinked as she saw the stoic face of her fellow servant. He stood just outside the door, as if he were waiting for something to happen. His face was hardened and contained no emotion but it was his hands that had Priya doubting that.

His hands were clenched tightly.

'He is so loyal to the crowned queen…'

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Sera sat comfortably within the library chair. She deemed that it was time to brush up on science and literature. She sighed; it was a good outlet to relieve her mind off Heat and her issues with him.

She read the words within pages of the book in her hands with great concentration. She blinked and huffed with frustration as she saw nothing but Heat and heard nothing but Heat.

Closing her book, she massaged her temples as she forced thoughts of him to leave her. But the more she tried not to think of him, only made her think of him.

'Heat…' she thought, succumbing to her thoughts.

She then remembered his hurtful words ringing in her ears. Her chest tightened as she recalled and she fought back the tear that threatened to trickle down her cheek as she bit her lip.

She shook her head and closed her eyes.

That couldn't have been the truth. What he said couldn't be the truth. She refused to accept it. For if she did, it would nullify her existence…No…In her eyes, she existed in his world. In her eyes, she existed within his heart…

He loved her…

'Didn't he?' she thought desperately.

But if what he said was true then…it would mean that he really didn't care for her…It would mean that she was nothing to him and could be replaced at any given time.

That was something that she couldn't handle.

'He does love me!'

Of course he did! There was no way that he didn't…

Unconsciously, she draped a hand on her flat belly.

Blushing a bit, she remembered their first night together as husband and wife…At that night, she had been so happy. She felt…complete.

It surprised her a bit to know that it was he who completed her…

And now, there was a chance that the seeds of life were growing within her…The symbol of their union and of their love…

That was why…

'That's why he loves me…He didn't hurt me…' she thought defiantly, completely in denial as she shut her memories as she remembered how he violated her the previous night; not once, but twice.

'And he wouldn't. He promised that he wouldn't…' she thought desperately, clinging onto her early perception of Heat; kind, brave…and gentle…

Or would he?

'Enough!' she yelled mentally.

Feeling her desperation and frustration rise, she rose from the chair and walked out of the library, followed by her personal handmaiden.

She walked within their chambers and asked to be alone. Her handmaiden complied. Sera, seeing that she was within solitude once more, walked over to the large window and gazed at the horizon.

She could see everything from there…Even the village outside the castle gates and from there, she could see the vast land…

So empty…

So vast…

She then saw a fleet of birds flying away…

She chuckled. They were so free-spirited…

'They fly wherever they want to…' she thought with longing.

She sighed, "They are free…" she breathed out.

That was the difference…The birds that she saw flew wherever they deemed. They flew to their own accord and yielded to no one. But she…Heat had her on a leash…She belonged to him.

She may be married to him and preserved her title, but one thing remained the same.

One ugly truth remained unchanged.

Behind the façade of being a respected lady of the court and a princess of her fallen country, she remained to be her husband's whore.

She was to serve him; she was to do as he told her. She belonged to him; everything of her, he owned. Everything of her, he had. Her heart, mind, body and soul were all for his sole convenience…

She would've been able to accept that…provided that he loved her…

But after what she heard and endured the previous night…She knew that it wasn't to be. He didn't love her. And so, her sacrifices were all but for naught.

No longer able to withstand her feeling of emptiness, she yielded to her feminine weakness and let her tears roll on her cheek effortlessly.

It was a difficult thing…sacrificing all that one had for the one that he or she loved…only to have that loved one crush their hopes and dreams…

She gritted her teeth as she clenched her tiny hands into fists, her chest tightening, not permitting her to breathe.

'Is this…my life?'

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