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

WARNING: SUGGESTIVE SITUATIONS, OOC, LANGUAGE.

Chapter 6: Worth

Jenna sat with Gale as they rode through the valley, back to Shankara. No longer entranced by the horse, her mind remained with the issue of why Gale had brought her to see the terrain of the hillside that she had just seen.

'He's planning something…' she thought knowingly, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Sooner than later, she found herself back at the Shankara Royal Stables. Gale dismounted the horse and held out his hands for her to take.

No longer feeling uncomfortable about the casual contact between them, she took his hands and let herself be pulled off the horse.

Gale adjusted their position so that he held on to her waist firmly. Jenna, who may be comfortable still couldn't help but allow a small blush to grace her cheeks.

Her hair had been undone since the ride and now ran freely.

And now, they stood in front of each other, Gale's hands still on her waist, his eyes fixed on hers.

Jenna could feel her heart beat faster as they locked gazes. But remembering who she was and remembering that Gale was the ever vexing stain on her kimono, she pulled away, turning her gaze elsewhere.

"Your hair suits you Jenna. You should leave it loose more often." he stated impassively.

Jenna's heart continued to race as she heard his comment but nonetheless she let no words pass through her lips.

"Let me escort you to your chambers…"

Not trusting the words that might pass through her lips, she nodded and took the lead. They reached her chambers a few moments later, and there, Gale stood right by its entrance, "I would like you to prepare in an hour. I'll be here to escort you."

Jenna opened her mouth to ask him, but he shook his head, "I'll tell you everything when the time is right."

Jenna peered within his emerald eyes and there, she saw his burning resolve. She nodded in understanding. Whatever it was that he was keeping from her, it was important.

Seeing that his fiancée had comprehended, he bowed politely and left her to her own device.

Sighing, Jenna made to the middle of her bedroom and there, her servants entered. They were to help her get ready. Suddenly she heard the distant noise of horses.

Telling her servants to cease their removal of her juni-hito, she walked over to the window and there she saw the arrival of…

"Troops from Arkanadara." she deadpanned.

Suddenly, the pieces started to come together within her mind.

The terrain. The troops.

"Gale is planning an assault." she spoke aloud. "But, against whom?"

Suddenly, she felt all the more motivated to finish her preparations. The moment she was ready, Gale would come for her. She would ask him about it then.

But still, she wondered…Why did he bring her here?

Well, there wasn't any use thinking about it now. She'd know in an hour.

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"Shailendra," Argilla said through gritted teeth.

Serph smirked, "Argilla, is that any way to address your fiancé by?"

"You deserve no respect!" she barked at him, her hands clenched into fists in anger.

"What have you done!" she shrieked.

Serph looked at her innocently, but then, raised an eyebrow, "Is this about your books?"

She hated this man. He always did this. She hated being treated like a child. Actually, it was worse than that. He was taunting her, making her spell everything out for him. He was patronizing her right at her face.

Serph chuckled, "I had them burnt. I will not tolerate insolence." he finished darkly. Then, he took steps towards her, backing her against the wall, glaring at her, "Do you have any idea how you mortified me last night…?" he asked her silkily as his palms met the wall, alongside her face, trapping her.

She peered into his eyes angrily, "It's what you deserve…Even more." she whispered defiantly.

Serph pulled away as she spoke her words, totally unaffected. She was just a woman after all. Her words were as worthless as garbage. Women were for his pleasure, nothing more. Their thoughts, their ideas were of no importance.

'That is because they have none.' he thought arrogantly. Women had no minds; they had no intelligence either. They were as mindless and as stupid as goats and pigs.

He turned his back to her; he knew that she would come to him. That was what he enjoyed about Argilla. She was a woman who was supposed to be worthless…but here she was, thinking that she was much more.

There she was thinking that she could be his equal. It was absolutely ludicrous to his ears and to the ears of the rest of his countrymen.

But it was this attitude of hers that he craved and lusted for.

After all, she wouldn't be much of a conquest should she yield to him that easily. And he wasn't disappointed to know that she burned with a fighter's spirit within…

She was after all, a warrior.

A Valkyrie.

He would enjoy breaking her…and soon, after their union had been sealed, she would know her place. She would forget the silly ideas that floated within her primitive mind.

"If you are here to appeal about your punishment, you are wasting your time." he told her coldly, his back still facing her.

Argilla's body burned with rage as he continued to treat her as if she weren't important. She looked around; there, on the table beside her was a letter opener. Feeling her rage overwhelm her, she grabbed the object and with lightning speed, she dashed for him, aiming for his throat.

Serph, who had his eyes closed, smirked as his ears picked up her steps.

'Steps? They are more like long strides.'

And judging by her speed, he would assume that she had other intentions for him other than a surprise embrace from behind.

Sensing her and sensing what she intended to do, he waited until that precise moment when her weapon would be just an inch behind him, and there, he sidestepped, turned around and grabbed her by the wrist, twisting her arm behind her, pressing his chest on her back.

Seeing that his feisty filly hasn't lost her energy, he pushed her towards the nearest wall and continued to twist her arm. He chuckled as she growled in annoyance.

He pressed himself closer and tighter against her, his hand twisting her arm painfully. He chuckled again as he saw that she still had her weapon. He pulled his lips close to her earlobe and whispered seductively, "Drop it…"

She grunted in response and instead of granting him what he asked, she twisted her wrist so that her weapon would meet his abdomen. Serph laughed and twisted her arm tighter.

She gave off a yelp and dropped the letter opener. Seeing that the weapon was gone, he pressed himself against her once more, "There's a good girl…"

His free hand went to her arm which pressed itself on the wall, and slid up and down her skin, soothing it while his other hand continued to hurt her.

And as sudden as a lightning strike, he spun her around, releasing her almost dislocated limb. He took in her anguished face and caressed the skin affectionately, "Better luck next time…"

No longer playful, his countenance was immediately replaced with a menacing facial expression, "Because of your display last night, I have stripped you of your right to leave the castle. I have also suspended you from attended the nightly banquet. Your meals shall be served within your chambers. You will no longer be able to communicate with your sisters…nor will you be able to see them."

Argilla's eyes widened but she said nothing.

Serph gave her a toothy grin, "Now, leave me before I do something that you won't like."

Argilla blushed beet red in both embarrassment and anger as she felt his erect manhood on her thigh.

Serph drew his face closer to hers. Argilla, seeing him lean in, shut her eyes and turned to her side; why did she always find herself in this sort of situation with him?

Serph nuzzled her neck and fought his primitive feeling of kissing her sensitive flesh. His hand that was on her waist held onto her possessively while the other on her shoulder massaged the blade affectionately.

Argilla was burning up…His hands were driving her crazy. No man had ever touched her in this manner. And she didn't like it.

But still, whether her conscious mind approved or not, her body responded.

She moaned.

But it wasn't out of pleasure. Not entirely. It was also of displeasure. She didn't like the fact that he was on her like the way he was now…

She bravely took a look at him as she forced her eyes to open and there, she saw the look of absentmindedness within his eyes…It looked as if he were in a trance.

Having enough of the situation, she yelled, "Shailendra! Unhand me!"

Serph was rudely thrown from his land of fantasy as he heard his "beloved" yell. Remembering to keep his self control, he backed away from her, giving her, her personal space back.

He turned his back to her again, "Leave. I do not wish to see you tonight."

Argilla snorted at that; as if she would willingly put herself within his presence. He really was as egotistical as they came.

At that moment, he turned around and faced her, his eyes staring at her pools deeply.

"In fact, I do not wish to see you until the ceremony in four days. You are no longer permitted to leave your chambers under any circumstances. Any violation of my decree shall result in you being thrown within the dungeons…Or…have your ankles bound via chain and ball within your room."

All the color drained from Argilla's face as she processed the full impact of Serph's words. She wouldn't be able to leave her room; at all. For any reason whatsoever.

Her pink eyes searched his and there, she found that he wasn't lying. He wasn't hesitant either. He would come through with his words…

But still…not being able to speak to her sisters…

That was the most troubling to her…She was doing all of this, putting up with all of this, putting up with him, because of them. Them and of course their countrymen…But call it selfish or not, her sisters came first.

She would miss them…not that she didn't already.

"Leave." he told her again, his voice and face stern.

Not wanting to see him any longer, she left the chambers.

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Roland clenched and unclenched his fingers in anticipation. The king and queen were within the chambers behind him…

His soldier's training told him to stay put and adhere to the king's commands, but another part of him, Roland as a man and not as a soldier, gnawed at his mind and consciousness to barge in.

And so, it resulted in a messy battle of the mind.

His heart beat faster the more seconds ticked by. He didn't really want to eavesdrop but with his acute sense of hearing, he had a pretty decent idea of what was transpiring within the room…

The king and queen were having their argument.

His heart stopped however as he heard a yelp. He immediately stood up straight and turned to the direction of the door. It had been his queen! She was in trouble!

Feeling his need to protect her at the forefront of his uncontrollable emotions he quickly made his way towards the handle of the chamber doors in order to force it open when a voice stopped him.

"It would be unwise to do that."

Roland turned to glare at the person. It was Heat, the general.

His ruby eyes were burning holes in Roland's face, "Stand down now and perhaps I will forget this transgression."

Roland cursed under his breath but seeing that he was in the presence of the general, said and did nothing.

He stood and cast his face down. He could feel Heat's eyes on him, surveying him and his movements.

"You are awfully loyal to the queen for you to even consider charging through those doors…Despite the king's commands…" Heat stated coldly, contemplatively as he walked around Roland.

He stopped when he was but an inch from him and leaned in close, whispering to his ear, "I would stop my foolish fantasy of love and affection if were I you…The king would not be as forgiving as I…"

Heat took a step back and saw that Roland now met him eye to eye. Heat smirked, "You would do well to remember my words. I will protect the king with my life…If I suspect that you are even thinking of seducing the queen…I would ensure that you die a most painful and slow death." he finished, glowering at his adversary.

Roland was as composed and calmed as ever, realizing of course the weight of Heat's words; that and their implication.

The general was insinuating that he was falling in love with the queen…Roland didn't care about what he thought though. His job was to protect her…or die trying. And he would do that…to the bitter end…against any and every adversary…

Whether or not he was in love with her was a different matter.

Not that he would admit it to himself either…but he knew that he felt something for the woman…As to what it was exactly, that, continued to elude him…

His contemplation and his glaring contest with the general were suddenly interrupted as he heard his lady yell.

"Shailendra Unhand me!"

Roland cursed inwardly and he gritted his teeth in frustration. How long was he to stand there! He was hurting her!

Heat smirked again as he continued to watch the conflicting emotions within the soldier before him. He was right; the soldier had a strange affinity to their queen…

'Typical.' Heat thought with condescendence.

Many had fallen bewitched by the three sisters' beauty…His wife, being one of the three was no different. He had seen the way others stared at her…also at the princess Junia…

The beauty that they possess was something that was unknown within their country…Their beauty was as alluring as it was bewitching…And he was guessing that this poor man before him had fallen within that subversive trap…

But be that as it may, he would not allow the happiness of his friend and king to be snatched from him.

It was a shame really…Roland was the best in their military folds…

But he had been appointed solely by the king…He would need more than assumptions to remove this man…He was, after all a man of honor. He, like Roland, was a soldier. Roland deserved more than that…but still, the primitive and the protective side of him as a husband…as a lover would always resurface and tell him to protect what belonged to him and eliminate all threats…

Roland was no threat to him…

But he was a threat to his friend and king. He himself was plagued with confusion. Well, before he did anything, he needed evidence…And then, when he has it, he would tell Serph.

Glaring at Roland again, he spoke, "Remember what I said."

And with that, he was gone.

Roland looked on after the general and as soon as he did, he heard footsteps near the chamber doors. No longer concerned with what Heat had said, he concentrated at the task at hand. It would seem that his queen was leaving the chamber.

And so, as he heard her light footsteps, he was sure that it was her. She wouldn't be able to open them by herself…

Grabbing the handles, he pulled and opened the chambers, revealing to him his queen…

His heart skipped a beat as he regarded her slightly disheveled form. Her sari was slightly wrinkled and her hair was slightly out of place…

That and the fact that she was panting painted an unsavory image within his mind. He narrowed his eyes, "Are you alright Highness?"

She ignored him and began her walk, "Where's Priya?"

Roland said nothing. Priya had wandered off somewhere; she had told him that she was going for a glass of water for the queen but after that…He had been too preoccupied with the general to notice that she had yet to return.

He cursed himself at that moment. He had been lagging behind in his skills…He was distracted…

He looked at his queen once more and his eyes transfixed on her small waist and her swaying hips. His body burned up.

He was distracted.

She distracted him.

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The hour had come. Jenna stood in her new juni-hito. Her hair had been placed properly. She nodded as she appreciated her own appearance.

As she gazed upon her own reflection, she suddenly heard the opening of her chamber doors. She immediately turned towards the origin of the sound and walked over to the middle of the room. She wasn't surprised as she saw Gale enter the room.

"Are you prepared?" he asked in his stoic voice.

She nodded.

"Good."

There, he offered her his arm. Blushing a bit, but still remaining composed as she remembered the questions she was to ask him, took his offer without hesitation. The two left her chambers arm in arm.

Jenna raised her eyebrow. She was being led elsewhere. She wasn't being led to the dining hall…Where was he taking her?

Choosing to remain quiet, she awaited their destination. A few moments later, as she was led within an elaborate room, her questions were answered.

She looked at the people within…There were at least ten people; and judging from their apparel, they were people of rank. Jenna began to feel nervous. Why did Gale bring her there?

Unconsciously, her grip on his arm tightened.

Gale seemed to have noticed and brought his hand to reassuringly squeeze hers in support.

"A woman Lord Gale!" a man yelled.

Jenna narrowed her silver eyes at him but said nothing, allowing herself to be pulled within the room. She knew what kind of room it was. There was a large rectangular table in the middle of the room. And on the table were maps…

'This is the strategy room.' she thought knowingly.

"Yes. A woman. She is the princess of the fallen Flavius Adeodatus. My fiancée, Princess Junia Valeria." Gale responded calmly at the man.

"But my lord…"

Gale glared at them. All were quiet. Jenna cast her face down, feeling all the more uncomfortable.

"That's enough." bellowed Maharajah Tamil, "Lord Gale is the head strategist from Arkanadara. He had devised countless battle plans that resulted in victorious conquest by Arkanadara. And if he had brought a woman here, it would mean that it's for a good cause."

The room fell silent.

Jenna raised an eyebrow. So, that's why Gale brought her there…

'In order to…'

"Junia," Gale spoke gently to her, interrupting her thoughts, "I want you to look at something. I want your opinion on something…"

Nodding meekly Jenna followed Gale's lead. Gale suddenly stopped. He looked at the Maharajah, "I would prefer this meeting to be with you My Lord, myself, the princess Junia and another of your strategist."

Suddenly, the others protested. Jenna wanted to cover her ears from the noise.

'Males could be so…stupid.' she said to herself.

"This is a complicated matter. We already have all the people we need." Gale said coldly.

The Maharajah sighed and waved dismissively to his staff. A moment later, there were only the three of them.

Gale smiled inwardly. The Maharajah was obedient enough to Arkanadara. He knew how Gale preferred to keep these sorts of things confidential. So, he even refused his offer to retain one of his own strategists and had sent everyone out of the room.

Gale led Jenna over to the maps and set her hand down on the table.

She looked at Gale confusedly, "Gale..?"

His emerald eyes found her confused silver ones and explained, "A group of insurgents plan to attack Shankara in four days…During king Shailendra's and queen Amadeus' wedding. They are to take advantage of the wedding and festivities."

So she had been right. Gale was planning an assault.

Jenna's eyes narrowed, "How many?"

Gale smirked within, "Two hundred men…with cavalry."

"Where?"

Here, the Maharajah interjected, "According to our spies, they plan to attack the city gates by sunrise. And would be coming from the south…"

Jenna nodded, "Sunrise…that would mean that they would probably have camped out…The south…"

Gale already knew whatever it was she was getting at…But he needed to make sure…He wanted to test her intellect…

And so, he waited.

She looked at him and then at the map, "The south…but the only way from the south is…" She laughed within; she began to piece things together.

That was the reason why Gale brought her to the marshlands…

She looked at the map intently and at the same time, she recalled the marshlands that she had seen. It had been approximately ten miles from the city…It would take a while for their forces to arrive at the gates…

And how would they be organizing such an attack? Would it be a preemptive strike? It would seem more like an assassination attempt to Jenna more than anything.

"But seeing that Shankara hasn't a very strong or big military troops…it would be easy to breach the city most especially if the festivities are going on…They may not even need to breach the gates…" said Jenna contemplatively, "They could slip in their people within the city as the whole city is busy with tribute-giving for the royal couple…And from within, open the gates…"

Gale was grinning like a Cheshire cat but nonetheless let her continue.

Jenna shook her head, "The best thing to do would be to put a halt to their strategy before it begins."

That was Gale's plan…But how would Jenna manage to accomplish this he wondered…

"If your spies are accurate Maharajah Tamil," she paused, looking seriously at the older man, "then the best course of action would be to stop them here." she finished, pointing to the small marshland that led straight to the city.

"Since the troops from Arkanadara had arrived to reinforce your troops, it would be easy for your forces to outflank them once they pass through the marsh and climb the hill." she finished, her eyes and face as unfazed and stoic as ever.

Gale was overwhelmed with the feeling of pride. He had been right about her. She was indeed a rare treasure…Within the countless women that he had seen…she was the only one that had intrigued and now, impressed him.

The Maharajah nodded and urged her to continue.

Jenna looked at Gale, silently asking him what she should do. This was the first time that she was doing this. Normally, she wouldn't have been bothered about Shankara's conundrum but seeing that this was a way for her to show Gale her capabilities, she had taken up his offer.

Gale looked at her and nodded.

Right. She was to continue.

"The marshland would provide the poorest footing conditions for their troops and it would prove almost useless to their cavalry. They would have to climb up through the hills…here." she finished again, pointing to the map.

"That's where your troops should be. Just…ambush them from that position…and the battle is almost won."

The Maharajah smiled at her and then looked at Gale, "You are a very lucky man Gale to have found such a fine prize…"

Whatever feelings of self pride and positive self-esteem that Jenna felt all crumbled as she heard the word "prize".

It wouldn't change. Not really.

No matter what she said or did, she would forever be seen as a woman; a woman who was only useful to her husband. It didn't really matter if a woman would save a country from bloodshed or if she would device a battle plan that would ensure them victory. Oh no. To them, what impressed them was not the strategy at all…but her audacity.

Her audacity that prompted her to speak out her opinion within a man's world.

She cast her face down, "I am no prize." she said dangerously slowly raising her head, glaring at the elder man.

The Maharajah merely laughed at her and looked at Gale, "I'll say it again. You're a lucky man."

Gale could feel Jenna's anger mount as the seconds ticked by. In order to break the tense air, he summoned for the guard. A guard came in a moment later and bowed before the three of them politely.

"Take the lady to her chambers. And do not let anyone within the chambers except me."

"Yes My Lord." the guard responded promptly.

"Not even the Maharajah." Gale said coldly, looking at the elderly man who had by now, removed the grin from his face, replaced by a look of worry.

Gale wasn't stupid. He knew how the man looked at Jenna. He probably wanted her for himself. He laughed within; the Maharajah was foolish indeed to think that he could even get away with such a thing.

"…Yes My Lord."

'Gale is sending me away…?' No longer blinded by her anger and dislike for Gale, Jenna began to see the things that he did in a new perspective. She began to see them for what they really were.

Before, she would probably be angry at him for treating her like a lowly woman by sending her away. But now…she knew what it meant. He was sending her away for her own protection.

After the little display of disrespect towards the Maharajah, some people would be angry…

He merely wanted to ensure her safety.

Something melted within her at that thought…

Understanding his intentions, she bowed at the two of them and left with the guard. She had already done what Gale asked her to do. The rest of the battle-planning was his job. Chances were, he already knew what must be done…

Actually, chances were, he already knew everything from the beginning but merely wanted to test her. She smirked at that, 'Typical Gale…'

Her heart suddenly stopped as she walked through the castle, 'Where did that come from?' she asked herself.

Since when did she know Gale's antics or mannerisms…?

She shook her head, not desiring to continue such a thought. The more important thing was the upcoming battle.

She had faith that they would succeed. After all, Gale was Arkanadara's best and he was the one that they sent here…

Yes. Everything was going to be alright.

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"Priya?" Argilla said, surprised as she found herself face to face with her "missing" handmaiden.

Priya fell on her knees and bowed apologetically, "I apologize Highness…I thought that you could use a glass of water…and I took it upon myself to…"

"No need for that Priya. Come." she said evenly, "We're leaving."

Priya sprang to her feel at her mistress's words and followed her hurriedly walking form, "L-leaving Highness?"

Argilla chuckled and put a hand over her lips, "No. We're merely returning to my quarters…"

"Oh…" Priya trailed off, carrying with her the glass of water.

Roland said nothing but he suddenly felt something was awry…

'She took that long to get a glass of water?' he said to himself, highly in doubt.

He narrowed his eyes slightly as dark thoughts surfaced within his mind. He blinked; he'd keep a closer watch next time.

He wouldn't let the queen's beauty distract him. No. Not anymore.

For if he did, and he let his guard down once more, it could mean his queen's honor…or her life.

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The sun had long set. Jenna looked out of the window once more. She had been within her chambers for the last few hours. Gale had not summoned for her nor had he given her permission to leave. And so, she remained where she was.

She sighed; she told herself in numerous occasions that to no man should she bow…But what was she doing now?

What was she doing within that room within that very second?

She gritted her teeth in annoyance.

She closed her eyes as she forced her mind to think of something else other than her personal inner turmoil.

The battle.

She immediately narrowed her eyes. She gazed below and there, she saw a group of Arkanadaran soldiers.

'Twenty men…' she told herself.

The battle would take place in four days…

'A three days and half…to be more precise.' she told herself.

She had no doubt that they would win this battle. Gale was Arkanadara's best after all. She looked intently at the troops again.

That was why he had them come a bit later. A day later after she and Gale had arrived. The spies that the enemy would have around the castle gates would have only half the time to warn his compatriots of the newest developments…

Mustering more men than they already have was something that the rebellion cannot afford. Right now, their numbers were pathetic in comparison to the Shankarans and now that the additional Arkanadarans had arrived…

'Gale would crush them.' she said to herself with arrogant impudence.

"But a well-founded arrogance at that!" she spoke haughtily aloud.

She suddenly frowned; she would be here at Shankara during Argilla's wedding. It wasn't that she wanted to share in the festivities…No. She merely wanted to know how her eldest sister was faring.

She had yet to speak to her…

It had been weeks…Almost a month since their country's fall. Sera, she had seen. And she firsthand knew that their little sister was happy. She accepted and loved her life. But for Argilla…she could only wonder…

She had hoped that she would be able to see her during the wedding…But then Gale came and took her away with him and had her involved in this battle.

'This pathetic excuse for a battle! This is a mere skirmish!' she internally thundered, again feeling her anger for the green-haired man rise.

She turned around sharply as she heard the door creak and altogether open. Gale walked in and bowed, "I appreciate your insights Jenna. They were brilliant."

Jenna narrowed her eyes at hearing him. Obviously, this was something that Gale had yet to know about her. She never did take compliments seriously. In a one too many situation, Jenna also took compliments such as those to be insults and blatant condescendence.

She, concealing her irritation, merely gave him a mocking smile, tilting her head upwards while she looked at him from where he bowed with a raised eyebrow, "I am not swayed by your obvious inveiglement Gale. It was an obvious strategy. You and I both know that."

Jenna was seething within. If Gale thought that he called her to accompany her to his strategy meetings in order to flaunt to his colleagues the "fine prize" that he had found himself, he was severely mistaken to think that it was something that would either please her, or something that she would never notice.

To others, Jenna's mentality might seem overwhelmingly cynical but for her, it was a way of life. It was as normal as the daily sunrise. It was what she was and it was what made her who she was.

Gale rose from where he knelt, "Your tongue is as sharp as ever Jenna. I really must commend you on that." he replied casually.

Jenna fought hard not to give in to the urge of slapping him and continued her façade, "Believe me, it takes only of purest inspiration."

Gale raised an eyebrow, "Then I must commend myself as well then, seeing that it was I that inspired such a tongue."

She hated him officially at that moment. It was meant to be an insult to him but he twisted her words…

'Such a slippery scoundrel!'

"What is it that you want?" she asked, her face burning in sheer irritation.

"I meant what I said. I merely wanted to tell you how brilliant your insights were…" he told her nonchalantly.

Jenna crossed her arms, "And I suppose flaunting me around your male colleagues had nothing to do with it."

Gale blinked; was that how she saw it?

"What? No. I didn't…"

She snorted, cutting him off, "Of course not My Lord." She turned her back to him, not wanting to hear any more of his lame-brained excuses, "Why are you here My Lord?"

Gale narrowed his eyes. Jenna was an oxymoron. At times she could be so brilliant, being able to perceive things that no one could; being able to perceive, organize and react to situations proactively while at times, she could be so foolish…so narrow-minded.

Like now.

"I merely wanted to inform you of the status of the battle."

Here, Jenna's heart stopped. He was informing her of the battle? He was informing her? Her? A woman? A useless woman?

She smiled weakly; maybe Gale didn't see her as that at all…

"Yes. We have formulated the entire plan. They attack in four days. At sunrise. We have planned to stop them at the marshlands, like you suggested. You're right. The marsh would be poor footing for them, nullifying their advantage of having cavalry. We plan to trap them within that marsh by releasing fireballs."

Jenna nodded as she turned around, "Burning balls of hay…They wouldn't be able to withstand that…They wouldn't be able to break their formation long enough to avoid them."

Gale nodded, letting his green eyes penetrate her silver ones, hoping against hope that maybe, by establishing this eye contact between them that she would be able to see that he wasn't the man whom she thought he was…

He didn't think of her as a worthless woman…If he did, he wouldn't have accepted Serph's offer of having her. He wouldn't have cared to whom she would've been given to.

Feeling the unseen force that his eyes were putting on her, Jenna looked away, "Ah…What about His Majesty's soldiers?"

Gale, seeing that she was resisting his efforts, focused on her query, "What about them?"

Jenna nodded, "You suspect that there's a spy here."

Gale smiled, "I do. How did you know that?"

Jenna looked at him square in the face with an expressionless face, "You sent for them to arrive here a day after we did. You knew from the beginning that the battle was to begin on the wedding day. You knew even before Maharajah Tamil told you. That's why you sent for them a day later…so that whoever the spy is, there would be less time for him to deliver the message…and when he does, there would be less time for the rebels to react and retaliate accordingly. After all, they would think, up till then, that Arkanadara had only sent you and a small platoon to apprehend them. Correct?"

Gale nodded, "Precisely."

Jenna nodded at him, "How many men did His Majesty spare?"

Gale blinked at her, "Twenty crossbowmen and forty cavalry."

"Sixty men." she nodded, glad. So she had only seen a fraction of the men through her window. She half knew that. But it was still better to be sure rather than depending on intuition and hope.

The king had not spared many men…But she didn't question as to why. Their conquered kingdoms needed manpower and fortifications…The troops cannot be just pulled from there in order to thwart a rebellion.

It would leave those bases unguarded, thus vulnerable to attacks…From whom? Perhaps the quiet giant of a country to the north…Or newcomers from other continents…

"And Shankara's troops?"

Gale shook his head, "Eighty men."

"How many infantry? How many farmers?"

Gale sighed and laughed lightly; she knew. She knew that Shankara wasn't militarily advanced. Many of their citizens were farmers…Most of their soldiers had perished during their battle with Arkanadara.

"Fifty infantry, ten archers and twenty farmers." Gale told her truthfully, without hesitation.

Jenna nodded, "You'd win."

"Oh?"

She nodded, "You plan to break their momentum through the marshlands, and then, break their formation by releasing the fireballs, which would make them easy targets to your archers and crossbowmen. And then, those who reach the hill would be engaged by the infantry division. Your cavalry would be hidden through the trees behind you…spread to the left and right flanks…But you wouldn't let them enter the marsh…that would be folly…You would merely put them there as a way to drive the enemy to the designated spot for an ambush…forcing the retreating soldiers back at the forefront…"

Gale touched his forehead and then looked at his fiancée, "It would seem that you need me not to explain any further…"

Jenna could feel the onsets of a blush coming on and again showed him her back, "Is that all My Lord?"

Gale smiled at her; she was really someone to be proud of.

"No. I've come to escort you to dinner."

Jenna raised an eyebrow; it was that time already? She didn't even notice the time fly by…She turned around to face him and there she saw him offering his arm to her the way he did only a few hours prior.

She blinked and took his arm in hers without so much as a feisty remark. Gale nodded and led her out of the chamber.

Jenna could feel her heart beginning to pound. It was there again…Every time Gale would touch her…she would feel warm…She would begin to feel lightheaded. Her heart would race for no apparent reason!

'Love?'

Of course she knew what it was…She had read countless tales of love between a man and a woman…But she had yet to experience it for herself…

And what about Gale?

She scrounged her nose in disgust, 'Of course not! I don't even like him!'

'Or do you?' another voice piped in.

'I…'

'Do you?'

"I don't like him…"

"Hm? Don't like who?" Gale asked her.

Jenna blushed and looked at him, blinking her silver eyes repeatedly, "N-no one…" she stammered.

Gale stopped and looked at her curiously, "Are you certain?"

His emerald jewels were pouring into her silver ones and she found herself tongue-tied, "I…I am certain…"

He opened his mouth to speak but she spoke first, "And it has nothing to do with the battle." she whispered, "It's…personal My Lord."

The doubt in Gale died as he saw the pleading look within her eyes, not betrayed by her still expressionless face. Whatever she was thinking wasn't of the battle…It was personal. He believed her. He wouldn't force it out of her either.

Nodding, the two resumed their walk. All the while, as they took more steps towards the banquet hall, Jenna attempted time and time again to quell the feeling of warmth that was engulfing her whole body.

'Gale…'

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