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

WARNING: SUGGESTIVE SITUATIONS, OOC, LANGUAGE

Chapter 8: Miles Apart

Jenna breathed a shuddering breath as the chilly air pervaded her chamber. Her servants, seeing that their mistress had shivered, immediately worked to warm the room by lighting the fireplace.

While she waited, there, within her room, she wondered about her sisters…about Argilla in particular. Her silver eyes narrowed into slits as she saw the time. It was an hour after sundown…

Argilla and King Shailendra had already been married…

A sickening feeling crept up from within her spine and coursed throughout her entire body that she wrapped her arms around herself.

'He would be…touching her.' she spat mentally. She shut her eyes as she saw unwelcome images within her mind…disturbing images of her eldest sister being taken advantage of.

'That's enough!' she shouted at herself, casting the images out from her mind. She took deep heavy breaths. This was not the time.

She shuddered again; wasn't that fireplace ready yet?

A moment later, the air became warm. Jenna sighed and waved her hands dismissively at her servants, telling them to leave her chamber and depart for their own room which was joint with hers.

That was why Gale had picked this room for her. It had the convenience of having a room within a room so that her servants could remain within.

She snorted, "He just picked this room because it's convenient for me should he lock me in here; which is precisely what he had done."

She closed her lips then as she finished that sentence and walked over to the window, letting her cold silver eyes meander.

She sighed and fought back the feeling of worry threatening to push itself at the forefront as she saw that the sun had long set. They had yet to receive word from the battlefield. A stinging pain suddenly struck her chest and she clutched her heart, groaning, as her face contorted to an expression of displeasure.

"I…" she didn't want to say it.

She didn't even want to think it.

But the more she told herself she wouldn't, the more she did.

It had been a long day, a long afternoon and an even longer evening for her as she continued to patiently await his arrival…

He and their soldiers had been gone for an entire day…And yet, no courier had arrived back at Shankara to bring them any sort of news. She knew this…because…she had spent the entire day, afternoon and evening gazing below her window and at the horizon looking for some sign, any sign that their troops and Gale were alive.

But no one came.

On another circumstance, Jenna may have concluded that the army that was sent merely perished; decimated by their enemies.

But in this particular scenario, she could not pass that judgment. A huge part of her refused to accept that he was dead; she refused to believe that Gale was no more.

It just wasn't empirically possible.

She growled in frustration as she continued to wait, with each passing second bringing her closer and closer to the abyss of insanity. There was no way that they could have been defeated!

There was no way at all!

She wasn't the bragging type but she was quite aware of her capabilities. She herself had analyzed the battle that they were to wage that day.

'It was foolproof!' she thundered within, "There's no way that…"

She stopped as she saw a beacon of light from afar. It was a torch. She leaned over the frame of the window, glad. She waited a few more moments and watched the light come visibly closer to the castle. She was right.

She smiled; it was their troops. They were home…

Sitting on her chair, she awaited his arrival. Why? How sure was she that he would come to see her? The most plausible scenario would be that he would report to the lord of the castle, Maharajah Tamil, discuss the spoils of the battle…the outcomes…the prisoners of war if there were any…the treatment of their wounded and the burial of their dead.

She narrowed her eyes as she began to see that she wasn't among those priorities…

She snorted, 'As if I care!' she snarled.

He was a battle tactician; battles and wars were his world. She was a mere woman; who was she compared to his top priorities…? She wouldn't even mean anything to him in the midst of all the fighting.

She crossed her arms angrily.

Wait. Angrily. Why was she angry? There was nothing to angry about. Gale would just be doing his job anyway. There was nothing wrong with that.

She stiffened and straightened her back as she suddenly saw a flash of his face within her mind, "What was I thinking?!" she asked herself, bemused.

She felt her stomach churn as she continued to think of him…

'He wouldn't have you as a priority now…' a voice suddenly said to her.

'So what?' she asked defiantly.

'So, he wouldn't come anymore…'

'As if I'd want to see his face…!' she defended bravely.

'Of course you would…You've been thinking about him all day…'

'S-shut up! That's not true!'

'Who do you think you're fooling? I am you! I know everything about you!'

Jenna snarled, and shook her head, "I need to leave this room. It's driving me insane…"

She ceased her drama of self-pity as she heard her chamber doors open. She frowned; she was really beginning to hate that! She hated that every time that she had an important thought, that door would always open, disturbing it.

She hated being surprised; not knowing who it was outside her doors. She hated the fact that people could freely enter her room while she herself was prohibited from leaving it.

She growled as she raised an eyebrow, silently daring the person behind her doors to enter and face her wrath. What wrath?

'Whoever it is…I'd…' she mentally trailed off, looking from left to right for an object…a weapon. She saw a vase that was within arm's reach. She took it in her hands and waited.

She saw a glimpse of the person and there, she threw it.

Gale ducked as he saw the flying vase and looked at Jenna questioningly, "Jenna, what are you doing?" he asked in confusion before shutting his eyes tightly as he heard the vase shatter in a million pieces behind him.

"Oh!" she said, covering her mouth with her hands regretfully. She hadn't expected it to be Gale…She had already mentally assumed that he wouldn't come to see her that night…and she had also assumed that it would be one of the annoying servants or the Maharajah's soldiers that would bust within her chamber…

But truly…she hadn't expected it to be Gale…

'For if I suspected it to be him…I would've found a better weapon!' she thought, seething angrily at the idea…and of embarrassment.

"I apologize My Lord…I thought…that you were someone else." she said truthfully.

Gale frowned at that; she thought that he was someone else? Why? Had there been people, men that entered her room before he arrived? His cool emerald eyes suddenly blazed in anger. He had given strict and specific orders to the guards outside, telling them that no one was to enter her room until he arrived, for any circumstance.

"Has there been anyone who entered your chambers Junia?" Gale asked stoically.

Jenna froze; he was using her impersonal name. His face was different from the other times that he had been serious; this time he was deadly serious. His face was as calm as before, but it was his eyes that conveyed to her his emotions.

He was angry.

She immediately felt his aura overpowering hers and she mentally shrunk within her robes, "No My Lord." she replied curtly.

Gale's lips tugged downwards in an unconvinced frown. He walked up to her and grasped her arms firmly, yet gently, he leaned down and forced her eyes to meet his, "Tell me Jenna. Tell me the truth."

Jenna shivered within his arms. He was doing it again! Whatever it was he was doing anyway…She could feel her body heat up from the contact and again she loathed herself for it. But he was angry, and she had best answer his questions as quickly as possible.

"No My Lord. There has been no one." she replied truthfully.

Gale searched her eyes for deceit but was glad to have found none. He released her arms and took a step back, "Then why did you think that I was someone else?" he asked her calmly, his hand on his hip.

Jenna blushed and Gale raised an eyebrow. She was embarrassed? Why? He could feel the onset of curiosity coming onto him within each and every passing moment.

"I…" she paused; how was she to say this without mortifying herself in his eyes?

"I did not think that My Lord would visit me tonight…" she turned her face and eyes away, not bearing the strength to endure the pressure of his eyes on her.

Gale blinked, "Why not? I've always come to see you."

Jenna's face blushed harder and she fought back the incessant temptation for her to grit her teeth, "I had assumed that you had other affairs My Lord."

Gale smiled within; she was changing…Little by little she was changing. She was beginning to see him in a new light…That much was obvious. She was able to assume his behavior by watching him…

The question was, why would she be watching him the first place?

Could it be that…?

'No. It's too early to tell.' he told himself.

Wooing a woman took time. And Jenna wasn't just any woman. She had proved herself to be intelligent and difficult at the same time.

He would love nothing more than to have her swooning for him; she would make the perfect wife for him. But like he said, she wouldn't love him that easily…considering the fact that she used to hate him.

She still probably did…

"I just assumed that, since the battle was in your favor, that your priorities would be to your men and the Maharajah…" she said, her voice becoming meek and low.

"My priorities are my own Jenna." he told her coldly, "And I say that you and your safety is above all that."

Jenna's heart skipped a beat as she heard his words. She was…above all of the priorities that she had mentioned? She ranked at the top? Why?

"Why is that My Lord?" she asked audaciously, turning her face towards his, her silver eyes peering deeply within his cool emerald orbs.

Gale met her eyes coolly, "You are a woman and my fiancée Jenna. Your safety is of outmost importance to me." He nodded, "The battle was won in our favor, so, my discussion with the Maharajah can wait a few moments. There is nothing urgent and dire that we need discuss."

Jenna didn't know what to say…He…cared for her? He cared for her safety and her wellbeing?

"My Lord…"

Gale nodded, "So, I trust that everything was fine while I was away?"

She nodded; feeling all the more happy. Gale reciprocated her nod, "Well, should that be the case, I should leave you now."

A part of her felt disappointed at hearing his words…But he was right; he had already spent countless minutes talking to her about trivial things. He had more important things to do.

"Pleasant dreams Junia. I shall come for you tomorrow at sunrise. Be ready." And with that, he was gone.

Jenna's heart fluttered at the thought. He cared for her…and she…cared for him? She frowned, "But…aren't I supposed to hate him?"

She didn't know anymore.

"At sunrise?"

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Argilla awoke with a sore feeling. She opened her heavy eyelids and closed them once more as she saw the blinding light. She put her hand over her eyes protectively and groaned as she felt pain in between her legs as she sat up.

"Ah…you're awake." a voice spoke to her.

Who was that?

She opened her eyes once more and her heart stopped. Flashes of the previous night's events flew through her mind. She looked at herself and saw her bare chest shamelessly displaying itself upon her husband's silver eyes.

She immediately grabbed the crimson satin sheets and covered herself.

She saw him playfully pout from where he sat, "Oh…and I was just enjoying the view."

She wanted to sneer at him but decided against it. There was no need to get herself punished so early in the morning. She looked at him again and saw him in his regal ensemble. She blinked in surprise; although the wound on his arm wasn't visible due to his shirt and coat, she knew that he was actually fine with it. It didn't bleed and didn't hinder his arm's fluid movement…

He was already ready for the day while she…

"You slept in today Argilla. But do not worry about that. You were exhausted the previous night. I understand." Serph could feel overwhelming pride as he recalled that it was he who had totally drained the queen's energy.

He stood from the chair and walked over to her. He sat beside her and took her hand in his, "You've made me the happiest Argilla." he told her honestly.

She averted his eyes and focused on the sheets instead. Serph smiled; he was happy that there were some things that would probably never change…Just like her feisty attitude. But it was that feisty attitude that he loved about her.

She wouldn't be the woman he wanted should she lose her "spunk".

He then drew her face close to his and gave her a chaste kiss on her forehead before standing up, "I've sent for your attendant. She should be here with your new sari after I leave."

She then looked at him, not saying a word. Serph understood though; it was asking him where he was to go. He chuckled, "I will see you for lunch."

A moment later, she was alone.

She sighed sadly; it was done. She was his now…Her body was tainted…He had branded her too. Argilla was suddenly broken from her reverie as she heard a soft knock.

She sighed again.

"Enter."

A moment later, Priya had come in with a fresh sari for her. Argilla felt ashamed at that moment. Priya had never before seen her in such a state. She had never appeared so…haggard and disheveled before.

Priya's eyes meandered over her mistress's state. She looked awfully tired. Her pink hair was tangled and messy, her eyes dull and foggy. Her pearly white skin on her arms was bruised. Her neck had bright red marks…

She felt a lump in her throat.

The king was probably not a gentle lover…

She bowed by the queen's bedside, "I shall take you to the bathhouse Highness."

Argilla nodded. A few moments later, she found herself within the aforesaid bath.

Argilla immersed herself within the steaming hot water of the bath while her mind wandered.

What was to become of her now?

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

She moaned lightly as she felt a warm sponge on her back. Priya was scrubbing her back carefully.

Argilla suddenly tensed as she felt the stinging pain on her back.

"I apologize Your Highness." Priya said regretfully.

She looked at the queen's back. She also had minor bruising on her back. Priya looked at her helplessly…

Argilla again set her mind within her imaginary world. She suddenly thought of Roland. Blood rushed to her face. She wondered where he was…She opened her mouth to ask Priya…but decided not to.

She frowned.

It would look suspicious if she asked about Roland from out of the blue…Intrigues and ugly rumors could be spread…And it could reach the king. That was what she was worried about. Serph was a cruel man. He wouldn't hesitate to have Roland killed; and her as well.

An hour later, Argilla found herself dressed in a white sari. She liked having her saris white. It represented purity…She smiled at herself weakly. Now…it was nearly time for lunch. She headed for the door but suddenly found the need to sit back down.

She shut her legs together as tight as she could as she felt the discomfort in between her aforesaid legs. Priya knelt before her, "Is there anything I could do Highness?"

Argilla smiled at her, "No…Priya. I am fine. Just a bit tired." she lied. Her body felt so heavy…and her legs were uncooperative.

She frowned; she can't even walk properly. Both Argilla and Priya snapped her heads attentively as they heard footsteps outside the chamber.

A moment later, the doors opened to reveal Serph, looking quite smug. Priya bowed respectively and cast her head and eyes on the floor.

Serph ignored her and gazed at his frowning wife.

"Leave." he commanded Priya nonchalantly without redirecting his gaze from his wife.

Priya bowed again and scooted off.

"My King…" Argilla bowed.

Serph laughed, "No need for formalities Argilla…The word 'king' doesn't suit me very well." he told her truthfully, bending so that their eyes met.

The two were engulfed in silence until Serph chose to speak, "Come. It's almost time for lunch."

She looked up at him, "Sire…"

"What is it?" he asked gently.

Argilla was taken aback; he was never really gentle. Arrogant and sarcastic, maybe, but never gentle.

"I cannot seem to…"

Serph raised an eyebrow and then looked at her carefully. Her arms, neck and abdomen were exposed; and with them were his markings on her. No. He couldn't let her leave looking like this.

He laughed, "Forget it. I already know."

She looked at him with a puzzled expression. Serph took a chair and sat beside her. He took her hands in his and looked deeply in her eyes, smiling, "I cannot wait until we have our children."

She snorted at him and pulled her hands back only to have him strengthen his hold on her hands, "I'm not as cruel as you may think me to be Argilla."

She said nothing and turned away, unconvinced. Serph brought her hands to his lips and gently kissed them and whispered, "I can give you everything you want…"

She breathed out deeply, still quiet, trying not to listen to his useless words. His hand let go of hers and set it down on her lap before coming up to caress her face affectionately. He turned her face towards his and leaned closer, "You are the most important person in my life…"

Argilla was beginning to feel lost within his soothing silver eyes…Was there any truth to his words? Or were they simply the results of the efforts of his powerful, deceptive and seductive serpentine tongue?

He internally smiled as he saw the hint of doubt within her pink eyes. Doubt was good. It would mean that she doubted whatever judgment she may have already passed about him. Of course, he wasn't lying either…

He had always wanted what he never had…When he was a boy, he loved his mother. She was the only one who had ever loved him…who had ever cared for him deeply. His father loved him too. But it was a different sort of love; it was the love one had for a possession. He was the most promising amongst all his father's children; that was why his father had given him everything…

But aside from that, he saw the relationship between his father and his mother…

His father beat his mother…and abused her. But she never fought back; she would always cry…But that was all.

He didn't want that for his children. He wanted them to see that their father and mother really did belong together; that their bond together as husband and wife was strong and did not just entail political ties…

He always did want someone to love him again…

The way his mother did when she was still alive. That was what he vowed to do when he took Argilla. That was why he had dismissed all of his whores and had given them away to his men…He was no longer in need of them. When he had married, he had vowed that Argilla would be the only one, the only one who would make love to him and whom he would make love to; no one else.

That was why he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. He wanted to know everything about her…But seeing as she saw him for what he was, cold, cruel and selfish, getting her to reciprocate his feelings would prove to be a challenge; a challenge that he vowed to overwhelm.

Of course, he could not change who or what he was…but he had just hoped that perhaps, she would find it in her heart to accept him…

He did many atrocities; yes. He killed his siblings for the throne, he had ordered the slaughter of countless men, women and children, he had authorized the buying and selling of people…but in the midst of all that, he never lied.

He hid nothing from her.

Whatever it was that he said was the plain truth.

She really was the most important person within his life…She was the mother of his would-be children. His children were the future of his country…Without them, they would perish…It was just a shame that they had started off at the wrong foot.

That was another understatement.

He had forced her to be his. But he also thought that perhaps, along the way, she would somehow come to love him. It was early to pass judgment on whether or not he had succeeded; but he would do anything and everything to win.

He smiled at her, "Well, in that case, you will remain here. I cannot have you wandering the castle with those…" he finished, pointing to her marks.

She followed his finger and then blushed seeing the different patches of color on her skin, "O-of course not My King."

The two were once more pervaded by uncomfortable silence. But, it had been Argilla who broke its thin veil, "Serph," she began steadfastly, her voice firm, her eyes peering into his silver ones, "we have already been married…And I would like to know the status of my people."

Ah yes; he had promised her that hadn't he?

Serph held her hands and looked deep within her pink jewels, "As decreed, I have abolished slave trading. I have allowed some, not all, of your noble families to keep their titles and their livelihoods. I have allowed them to keep whatever positions they had before…but of course, you already know of the social strata. Not all can be winners and be rich Argilla…"

Argilla nodded, "Of course not My King. I am grateful that you have kept your word." she said gratefully, bowing her head.

Serph let one of his hands to leave hers and settle on her chin, lifting her head up from such a humble pose, bringing it up so that their eyes met, "I will not go back on my word."

Argilla felt a lump in her throat as he said his words and as his eyes searched hers…

Sensing that there were people outside his chamber, Serph stood and turned around, "Enter."

Four servant girls entered, carrying with them gowns and saris of different colors. Some of them carried with them boxes. Argilla raised an eyebrow and stood, using the armrest of the chair as support as she winced a bit at the soreness in between of her legs.

"Sire?"

She watched as the servants opened the empty large wardrobe cabinet and deposited the saris within, as well as the boxes.

Serph looked at her, "I would prefer it if you and I were to stay within one chamber."

Argilla's stomach churned as she heard him. She was to stay with him…in this chamber? She was to sleep with him…every given night? Suddenly, her throat felt very dry…She couldn't speak…

If the previous night was any indication of how she was to spend her night with him…then, she wanted no part of it.

She looked at him, "Sire…But I…"

He narrowed his eyes at her, "That is my will. That is final." Without hearing her out, he walked away from her, "Your meal will be served here."

And with that…he was gone.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Jenna walked out of the castle and walked towards the carriages. This was the day that she was to go back to Arkanadara…She couldn't wait. Argilla and Sera were there…

It was a good thing that the conflict at Shankara had been resolved.

Gale had informed her that the leader of the rebellion had been taken prisoner. She had asked as to why they had kept him alive and Gale had told her that the king had personally wanted him alive…

Jenna thought suddenly. Taking a prisoner would only mean one thing; to gather information. It was possible that the rebels within Shankara were just the tip of the iceberg. There could be other rebellious factions…

Thus they could be a part of a larger whole; a more organized rebellious movement. In the continent that they lived in, Arkanadara had conquered most of the kingdoms within. They had conquered the tribes to the west, south and eastern parts of the continent…

There was only one kingdom left.

And it was a formidable opponent.

The kingdom of Radhakrishna. It was the kingdom to the north.

Jenna laughed, 'It's even possible that the rebels were in league with Radhakrishna.' But of course that was a farfetched idea. But still, she couldn't help but think about it and well, laugh at it.

She saw her carriage and sighed sadly. She would again spend hours within the carriage, bored, and alone.

"He doesn't have to sit there…" she grumbled childishly beneath her breath; referring to Gale.

Jenna sighed as she stood right in front of carriage. She was about to step in when a voice stopped her, "Junia."

What did he want now?

She turned, "Yes Milord?" she asked as politely as she could.

Gale smiled at her, "Come and take a ride with me."

Jenna couldn't believe her ears. He wanted to ride…with her? Jenna wanted to smile back…She then looked at herself. She was in her juni-hito. She would never be able to ride in that state…

She looked regretfully back at Gale and opened her mouth to speak but he nodded in understanding and cut her off, "I shall escort you."

Jenna allowed herself a small smile, and then, after taking Gale's arm, the two headed back to the castle.

Gale escorted Jenna along with her servant to her room. And there, he waited. Half an hour later, she came out.

Blood rushed to Gale's head.

She was still within her traditional apparel…But it was different. She was wearing a white robe over another one that was plain white in color while the bottom part was not a skirt, or a part of the robe, but a pair of pants that was pleated. Her loose pleated pants were bright crimson in color and her hair had been unbound.

Her face had none of its thick and striking makeup and was just in her natural beauty.

Gale's breathing became constricted as he gazed longingly at the woman in front of him. She was…amazing.

"Well, milord?" she asked stoically, "I am ready."

Gale shook off his thoughts and looked at her seriously, "Come."

The two made their way out of the castle once more with Jenna receiving some interesting stares and gazes from different people. But she didn't care though; she had Gale. No one would question her.

A few moments later, they arrived by the fields where the horses stood waiting. Gale stood in front of his horse and looked at Jenna, "Are you prepared to ride?"

She nodded, "I believe I am capable of riding by myself this time milord." she told him confidently.

He nodded and walked her to her horse; a white mare, and held out his hand for her to take. She took it without hesitation and hopped onto the horse expertly.

Gale weakly smiled as he saw her pat the mare affectionately, her face having only the most sweetest smiles that he had ever seen.

'She should smile a bit more…' he told himself.

"Are you comfortable Princess?" Gale asked, still as stoic as ever.

Jenna turned from the mare to her fiancé and nodded, "I am milord."

Gale nodded and walked over to his black stallion and hopped on. He led the horse towards hers and nodded.

He looked back at their troops, and signaled for an all immediate departure.

Jenna laughed heartily as she sped through the hills, riding her mare. This was the first time that she had ridden on her own…The wind went against her in a gentle yet firm manner, making her hair dance within the breeze.

Gale smiled on as he looked at her…She was really something. But alas…all things must come to an end.

The ride back to Arkanadara could be perilous. The rebels within Shankara were just the beginning. Right now, they were on some open field and there were no ledges or cliffs nearby. It would make assassination very difficult to do as there were no positions on which the would-be assassin could perch himself…

But…there would be the woods…The woods would provide excellent cover for the rebels…if there were any.

And the woods were only a few minutes away…

He galloped faster and caught up to his fiancée, signaling her to halt. She did as she was asked. She wondered what was wrong but as she saw the woods in sight, she understood.

Gale was glad.

She was as sharp as an arrow.

He got off his horse without a moment's delay, signaling a halt to his entourage and made his way towards Jenna. He held out his hand and she took it in hers, getting off the mare carefully.

Gale held onto her waist as she did so, afraid that she might lose her balance. She blushed at the contact but nonetheless, did not show that it bothered her. Gale immediately escorted her to the carriage. He promptly turned to walk back to his horse when her impassive voice jerked him back.

"I thank you for the opportunity that you have given me milord. It was…invigorating." she told him truthfully, her silver eyes sparkling; a total contradiction to her otherwise expressionless face.

Gale nodded, his emerald eyes communicating with hers, "You are most welcome Princess."

Jenna nodded and closed the window of her carriage. Gale then walked back to his horse. They had better get a move on. They still had a lot of ground to cover.

He felt his heart quicken as he thought more about their situation…It wasn't just a ride home. It wasn't just about protecting Jenna either. They were escorting the leader of the rebellion in Shankara.

He, Heat and Serph had been informed about the rebels in Shankara long before he had gone there. The real objective of the battle was not to crush the enemy…but to capture their leader. Since Serph had been in power, he had kept all of their colonies within an iron fist.

Obviously, there would be rebellion.

But what caught their attention was the information that hinted of a more organized rebellion group. That was why Gale couldn't resist the chance to get at the leader of one of the rebel groups.

He had spoken to the Maharajah and he had been informed that they were currently still on the lookout for the spy within Shankara…

Gale looked to the horizon once more and caught sight of the woods.

The woods would be perilous. They had defeated the insurgents at the marshlands; slaughtered them. But, there could have been reserves that did not fight that day…

And so, learning that their leader had been captured, they would undoubtedly attempt to recover him. And what better place would it be to take place but within the woods? It would provide easy cover for them and would leave Gale's troops out in the open.

He frowned at that. He raised his left hand; a signal to his sentries. They rode up to him and asked, "Your instructions My Lord."

Gale looked at them, "Scour the area."

They knew what to do. They were to detect any traps that may have been hidden by rebels. They were to assess the woods whether or not there were people within. Gale would give them a quarter of an hour. Should they not arrive within the designated time, then he would assume that they had been killed and take evasive action.

Simple as that.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sera looked around. Argilla was still not present. The court and the nobility had already assembled for the banquet…and still, her sister was nowhere to be seen.

She sighed; she hadn't seen her in days…Not since the night that she had scandalized in front of the entire imperial court. Sure, she had seen a glimpse of her during her wedding, but she did not have the opportunity to speak even one word to her.

Suddenly at that thought, she felt her heart harden.

'Why do we women get treated this way?!' she shouted at herself.

The king treated Argilla as a possession. The rumors that reached her ears about her sister were none too pleasant either. The nobles kept referring to her as the king's "pet".

'As if she were some sort…of animal!' she thought disgustedly.

She sighed; there was nothing that she could do anyway…This was a man's world.

'Why does it have to be this unfair?' she thought sadly. There was nothing that she could even communicate to anyone! Well…before, there had been her sisters, but now…seeing that they had all been given away and married off, there was no one left to hear her words…There was no one else left to hear her woes, feelings, thoughts and burdens…

She felt completely isolated. She had no friends within the court…Heat did not permit her to explore the castle by herself…The only recreation that she could do was to read and to practice the playing of her country's national instrument; a harp, called the koto.

And Heat…he himself was not present to be with her. And if he were, it would not be for him to listen to her. If anything, it would be for her to listen to him; to serve him and to please him.

It had always been about him.

Where was the kind and gentle man who had taken her to that place a few days ago? Where was the man who gently kissed her…?

He was gone…

'Was that…all a lie…? A pretend…? A façade…?' she thought sadly.

She unconsciously touched her arms where he grabbed her. She stole a glance at it and saw the fading signs of her bruises…

She wanted to cry at that moment. The scene before her was an oxymoron. The hall was filled with people and yet…she felt so utterly alone.

She looked at Heat.

Heat.

She frowned as she remembered his cruel words. His words were like a dull knife stuck within her gut. She repressed a sob.

'Stop it!' she mentally yelled at herself, 'This is why he treats you this way! You're being weak!'

She cast her head down, in front of her soup, 'If only I were stronger…Maybe…'

'Maybe I wouldn't be nothing to him…Maybe I'd be something…! Something other than a useless woman!' she internally raged.

The banquet came and went with her mentally absent. She didn't want to care anymore…She didn't want to perk her ears up for any sort of news that might interest her. Why bother? It wasn't meant for the likes of her anyway.

She blinked; she didn't even notice that she was within their chamber.

"Are you even listening to me woman?!" a male voice thundered.

Sera snapped back in attention. Heat was speaking to her? She didn't even notice…

"W-what did you say milord?" she asked.

Heat glared at her, "The coronation is in two days."

Sera stiffened. Yes. The coronation. After that, Argilla would be queen…She would have power. Sera then frowned; power? Up to what extent? She would only have what her husband allowed her to have!

'And it isn't much.' she internally snorted.

She didn't know how long she continued to look at him and nod, saying "yes, I agree" every now and then…But all that she knew was that she was within her own little world. And within that little world, she was her own person again.

The next thing she knew was that she was within their bed once more, completely bare with his arms wrapped tightly around her.

She sighed sadly.

He didn't even notice that she "wasn't there" and continued to do his "business". There, in the dark, she thought about the situations of women…

'Why are you complaining? You could've married into a worse household!' a voice reminded her.

'Right now, we have something good going! Don't ruin what we have!' the voice told her sternly.

She turned to her side; just looking at her husband's sleeping face. He looked so content…He looked so innocent; just like an infant. It was at these times, while the rest of the world dreamed on, that Sera would truly be awake…

She gazed at him sadly, "I want you to love me Heat…" she told his sleeping face as she lovingly caressed his face.

She closed her eyes as a means to prevent the escape of her tears…Recalling his words were too painful for her.

She let out a strangled breath as she sobbed. But seeing that he was asleep, she wanted to make as less noise as possible.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly pried his heavy arm from her petite body. Having succeeded on doing that, she carefully left the bed and reached for her robe. She slipped within it quickly and with quick but light steps, made her way to the stone window.

She folded her arms on the frame as she leaned in, inhaling the fresh yet chilly air. She bit her lip as she finally let out the tears that she had been holding since the last few hours…

He did not love her.

That was the only thought that she was getting within her mind. She was nothing to him; nothing but a replaceable tool that he could either use or discard at any given time…

He didn't care about her opinions or her thoughts…

'I…I am his wife! His wife!' she shouted internally.

Wife?

It was just a fancy word for a sex slave…

She put her hands on her head and shook it vigorously as she fought such a concept within her mind, 'No! No! I'm more than that!' she yelled internally.

She refused to accept the ludicrous idea that she was a mere "sex slave" to him. No. It had to be something else!

She shot her eyes open and there, in that moment, a tear rolled down her cheek. She was just being childish again. When will she ever accept that…?

When will she ever accept that she was a woman? And as such…had not much value to a man?

"Heat…" she breathed out.

There had to be a way to make him love her. Her silver eyes burned with resolve. Her hands clenched themselves tightly, tenaciously, "I won't give up on us Heat…" she whispered into the air.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/N:

Radhakrishna (story): The powerful Kingdom to the North of Arkanadara.

Radhakrishna: A Hindu God's name. It's the combination of the merging of Radha and Krishna. The love between the two is the most erotic love in Hindu Mythology. Their name means "Divine Love".

Radha: The female aspect of Lord Krishna. The word Radha means the "greatest worshiper of Krishna".

Krishna: The eighth incarnation of Vishnu, the Preserver of Universe. He is the complete and perfect man of Indian mythological traditions.

Koto: One of Japan's national instruments having seven to thirteen silk strings stretched over an oblong box.