A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.
WARNING: SLIGHT VIOLENCE, SADISM, OOC, LANGUAGE
Chapter 20: The Beginning of the End
The hour grew ever late and the air became even chillier. Argilla embraced herself as she continued to wait for her husband…
But he came not.
She sighed; she was hoping that she would be able to speak to him about Roland…But he didn't come.
She suddenly stiffened and her palm flew to cover her mouth, 'What if…?!' she thought hysterically.
What if the king had already killed Roland?
She immediately shook her head.
No…
She had to continue hoping…
At that moment, she left the chair, only to kneel on the floor, her hands clasped tightly together, positioned vertically, up to her chin. She closed her eyes, "Oh God…Please…let me carry the burden myself…Roland had done nothing. He does not deserve to die… Please…Oh God…! Take me instead…!"
"Aah…" came a silky voice, reverberating throughout the walls of the chamber. Argilla turned and saw that it was Serph, with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Prayer…The final refuge of knaves…" he drawled condescendingly as he looked at her kneeling form patronizingly.
Argilla slowly rose from the floor, careful to support her back and her belly with her hands, "Serph…Please…"
"Please what? You wish to beg for your lover's life?! Is that it?!" he thundered as he clenched and unclenched his hands, in hopes of controlling his steadily rising indignation.
Argilla's chest heaved up and down as she held her engorged belly, her pink eyes narrowing, "He's not my lover Serph!"
Serph laughed bitterly, "Aah!! He's not?! Then am I to assume that you would spread your legs for any man who's interested!? Tell me my Queen Amadeus Caelestis Flavia, is this a common practice amongst people from your country!?"
Argilla let out a breath as her lips quivered in both anger…and hurt.
She let out a tear, "It's true…that I love Roland…But I had decided to let him go!!" she screamed.
Serph was taken aback but controlled his emotions, "You love him eh…?" He slowly walked towards her, circling her, like the way a predator would to a prey, "So, you lied to me, have you?"
Argilla closed her eyes, "No…!"
"Liar!" he yelled as he suddenly stopped, grabbing her by the arms and pulling her roughly against him. He stopped though as he felt her belly hit him. He had to be careful…
He gently ran a hand through her belly and there, their eyes met, "Who is the father of your child?"
Argilla narrowed her eyes and slapped him, "H-how dare you even insinuate such a thing Serph!? How dare you?!" she asked angrily, fully crying now, backing away from him.
"You didn't answer my question wench!!" he yelled back as his initial feeling of surprise evaporated into thin air, again transforming back to anger, "Answer me!"
She cried, burying her face in her hands. Serph wanted to break her…but at hearing her desperate cries…he couldn't. He reached her and touched her arms and hissed, "Tell me."
She bravely looked at him, her eyes the epitome of the word sadness, her lips drawn into a grim line. She spoke slowly, "What's the point Serph…? Even if I tell you…you would never believe me…"
Serph's eyes widened for but a moment before returning back to their original size. He roughly shoved her away, but not enough that she lost her footing, and turned away. The nerve of this woman! She was turning the tables on him!
She was the one who had committed the crime against him! And now she had the guts to accuse him of being narrow-minded…!
"So," he spoke, calmly, "you had lied to me…about everything…"
Argilla let out a cry once more as she took steps towards him, "No…You're wrong. I have not lied."
Serph growled and there suddenly grabbed the small round table, flinging it across the room, shattering it into pieces, "Do not mock my intelligence woman!!" he yelled, his voice sending shivers to her spine, "You dare to challenge me!? I, who had conquered most of the continent!? You dare take me for a fool!?" he yelled; advancing on her once more.
He grabbed her arms and pulled her roughly to him as she staggered backwards and leaned in dangerously to her face, "Did he touch you…?" he asked menacingly.
Fear enveloped her very being and her lips were parted as she shook within his arms, "No…" she whispered back, her voice a mere grim whisper.
He peered deeply within her eyes, searching meticulously for any sign of her lying to him…He found none.
He released her and released his breath, his face calm once more, "Get some sleep." he ordered her.
She looked at him questioningly, "Milord…?"
He growled, "You heard what I've said. It is not favorable for you to remain awake at these hours…It would be unhealthy for my child." he stated bitterly, emphasizing on the word "my".
He then began to walk away from her. She bit her lip and took a step forward, "Where are you going…?"
He stopped and looked back at her, "What I do or where I venture is none of your concern woman!"
Argilla stood there, rooted on her spot as she pondered over his harsh words.
"Serph…"
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Jenna snapped out of her worried daze as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and smiled, "Gale…"
Gale smiled in return, "Do not worry yourself over the queen. As you had said so yourself, the king loves her. He would not do anything drastic…"
Jenna's silver eyes narrowed, "And the guard?"
Gale shrugged his shoulders, "My statement only applies to the queen unfortunately. Roland had betrayed the crown. He would be punished accordingly."
"How do you know that the king wouldn't punish my sister either?"
Gale sighed, "Aside from the fact that he cares for her, there's the reason that she's with child. Serph would not endanger his own child."
Jenna nodded in congruence. Gale touched her shoulders, "Come. It is getting quite late."
Jenna suddenly found the reason to smile. She followed Gale's movements and then found herself within the covers once more.
She turned to her side and looked at Gale as he blew out the remaining number of lit candles, until they were only illuminated by the moon's pale rays, "Gale, thank you for this evening."
Gale looked at her sparkling silver eyes, "What?"
"For defending me…" she trailed off, "I thought for a while that…that…you would choose the king."
Gale's heart stopped; this was still the way she thought…Well, at least now, she would begin to trust in him a bit more…
He touched her face with the tips of his fingers, "You are my world Jenna…Serph knows of what I feel for you…I would fight for you…no matter what. So, please, enough of this talk."
Jenna smiled and then closed her eyes, surrendering to her desire for slumber but not before speaking, "I am grateful…Gale…"
She snuggled closer to him and nuzzled her face against his…She had a request…
"What is it Jenna?"
"Hm…? What ever do you mean milord?" she replied innocently.
He snorted, "You want something. Please," he paused as he held her tighter, "tell me what it is…"
She sighed, "I want…a child…"
He chuckled, "So do I…" he held her tighter still, "Do not fret…The gods will bless us with our own children…"
"The gods?" she asked in confusion, "You believe in gods Gale?"
He laughed, "Is it that hard to believe?"
She blushed and just pressed herself tighter against him, "Well…yes; a little. You don't strike me as a person who believes in things that pertain to religion or fate…Destiny and the like seemed to be too far from your cup of tea…"
He released a breath, "Then…there are things that you do not know about me Jenna…"
Before she could respond, she found herself on her back, staring into the sparkling emerald eyes of her husband. She blushed as she felt his hand on her knee below her thin gown, slowly making its way up her thigh…
Any word that threatened to leave her lips suddenly melted as his eyes continued to entrance her. Without another though, he had kissed her.
She protested, her hands pushing at his chest as he pressed himself against her…But in a matter of moments, all forms of protest died…
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Serph drank the rum within the golden chalice in one go. He needed an escape…He needed an alternate reality…
This one had tested his patience…and his love far enough.
He just didn't understand it. He had thought that everything was alright between Argilla and he…They had spent a lot of times together…She had confessed her love for him and had let him feel the very fiber of her affections. But on the other side of the mirror, it had only been a charade…
A façade…a pretense so that she may hide the reality within.
The seed of the forbidden…
'But she told me…that she had not lied…' he thought desperately, willing to believe in anything, in any excuse that she may present to him if it meant getting over the conundrum that he faced.
Heat looked at his friend with utter sympathy and empathy. He knew what it was like…although he had to admit that Serph's wound was more blatant and fresh…
Sera's betrayal of him had been insinuated and he had not the proper evidence to support it…But Serph's was…intense. He had witnessed the act of treachery right in front of him.
He was surprised though; he had thought that Serph would be in the mood for a woman's comforts, but he had not only verbally refused them but had even gone as far as to hit the aforesaid women who came near him.
He merely continued to sit there, across from him, heavily consuming the rum without reserve, his eyes fixed on a particular spot, narrowed angrily…
Heat growled; Serph was showing nothing but weakness. He saw…he saw as plain as day the pain and anguish that was swimming within his eyes. He saw the strife that had contorted his lean and strong body into that of an old and broken man's poor posture…
It was pitiable to say the least…
He had never seen him this way…Nothing in their whole lives had ever affected Serph the way Queen Amadeus had…
He sighed; he understood though. He himself had never loved any woman except his late wife…So, from that point of view, he understood why Serph was willing to show weakness. But be that as it may, he could not allow it to continue.
"Shailendra." he spoke firmly.
Serph did not reply.
"Shailendra…" he hissed, a bit louder this time.
Serph heard him and turned his glare at him, "What is it Heat?" he hissed bitterly.
Heat glared at him, "I believe that you had enough to drink My King."
Serph raised an eyebrow and rose from where he sat. The whole room grew silent and had their eyes fixed on them. Heat could feel their eyes on them and he turned, glaring, "Go about your business damn it!" he yelled.
The people cast their heads down and continued about what they were doing. He turned back to Serph who had a look of pure displeasure in his face, "Are you running my kingdom now Heat…?!" he hissed.
Heat frowned, "No. I am not. You are still my king and my friend. Please Serph. Let us leave this place." he said firmly, walking to his friend's side.
Serph growled; Heat was right. He shouldn't be there. He should be at the castle. Being exposed like this…
It could spell disaster.
He saw Heat coming to assist him and he glowered at him, sneering before walking away, placing his mask back on his face, "I am in need not of your help." he drawled.
Heat smirked; some things never change.
Well, he was glad. Serph was still sober enough to walk properly.
They left the brothel and there made for their horses. They both mounted the aforesaid animals and was about to ride back to the castle when Heat spoke, "And what of her guard?"
Serph turned to him sharply and glared, "I will deal with him. He shall know the price for crossing me. He never should have fallen in love with my wife." he said bitterly.
Heat nodded.
Serph shook his head, "No one is to lay a finger on him, understand?"
Heat nodded once more. Normally, Serph left the business of prisoners to him, but seeing that this was personal as it involved the queen, Serph had taken it upon himself to deal with him personally.
Without further words, Serph rode through the darkness with Heat following closely behind.
Heat's eyes suddenly burned as he remembered the Sanadan Prince, Cielo. He gritted his teeth in anger. What he wouldn't give to skin that boy alive…
But at the same time, a painful prick was felt within his heart, "Sera…" he breathed out as the cool air met his face as his horse galloped through the grasslands faster.
The informant had said that the Sanadan Prince had won Sera's heart…He let out a quivering breath. The Prince would pay for that…
He would make sure of it.
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Serph walked within their chambers and saw the lump on his bed. He looked at it intently. He walked over to it and there sat down on the bed gently, so as to not disturb his sleeping wife.
His fingers ached to touch her angelic face…
But he just couldn't. What really happened between her and Roland…? The selfish part of him didn't want to know and yelled at him, telling him that the act of betrayal was enough for persecution and execution. But the other part of him…the part that was hopelessly in love with her wanted to come up with any excuse that would justify the act…
Anything would do…
She was seduced. She was not herself. She was ill. She had mistaken Roland for him. She was bewitched…
Whatever ludicrous reason…would do. The only thing that he couldn't take was that she was genuinely in love with Roland and that she had just lied to him.
That was what he couldn't take…
He held his breath as she stirred, moaning. He narrowed his eyes; would she speak in her sleep? What would she say…? Would she whisper her lover's name…? He growled at that thought.
Her face was filled with unrest…and strife…Her eyes were shut tightly, her eyebrows furrowing closely together…her lips, her full luscious lips were pouting…
How he longed to touch her…
She stirred again and he froze, his silver eyes intently on hers.
"Mnn……" she moaned, "…Serph……Serph…"
His heart froze; she was…dreaming of him…?
A part of him wanted to be glad, but the other part of him was convinced that it was just one of her ploys to wrap him around her little finger.
'Damn it!' he thought angrily as he rose from the bed. It wasn't supposed to be this way…She was supposed to be just one of his whores…She was to live for his pleasure and his pleasure alone…
But along the way…he knew that his feelings for her had transgressed feelings of mere primordial lust…but had evolved and morphed into something deeper…something more meaningful…
He had fallen for her; hard.
And now, because of that…their positions had been reversed…No longer the dominant one in their relationship, she had had him by the throat…
Her slender long fingers had been around his neck, slowly constricting him, draining him of all the life that possessed his mortal body.
He gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes…It wasn't supposed to be. He took a deep breath and then released it slowly, calmly. He needed his control back. He looked at her again, resisting the urge to soften and break down at the sight of her angelic visage, and glared.
He would control her.
He had been pretty lax and complacent with her. That will no longer be. He would keep her within the most elusive and secretive of folds once more…He would cage her…he would contain her.
By the time her last breath left her lips, he would be her whole world…and much more. She would think of only him. She would love only him. She would hate only him. He would be the only thing that would exist within her bleak world.
Him and nothing else.
He smiled warmly though as he saw the protrusion of her belly through the blanket. He had made an error…
By the time that her last breath left her lips, he and their children would be her whole universe.
He walked over to her again and sat back down, touching her swollen belly. He then frowned, "Who is your father…?" he asked out loud, whispering into the chilly air, directing his query to the unborn sleeping child within her womb.
He narrowed his eyes once more.
In a few more hours, the sun would rise…
He sighed; he couldn't bring himself to sleep either…He wanted to know everything. He wanted to know every filthy detail that had transpired between his queen and her servant.
He wanted to know who the father of the child was.
But most of all, if she indeed were truthful to him in the least in all of the things that she had told him…he had wanted to know…
Whom she loved more.
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The sun had risen. Serph had watched it from the top of his castle's tallest tower. He had not been able to get a wink of sleep.
No.
It wasn't that his body wasn't weary…No…but how could he be when his spirit refused to let him feel it? His soul continued to lurk and run amuck, restless…
He looked at the lazy trail of smoke that floated freely from his pipe lethargically. Argilla had told him more than once that it was a habit that he should stop…
Flashback
"Serph…?" Argilla asked, looking at him intently.
He turned to her with a grin, "Argilla, what is it?"
She wrinkled her nose, "That's a bad habit…" she said disapprovingly, pointing to his pipe.
Serph raised an eyebrow and took out the pipe from his mouth and looked at it. He turned back to her, sneering, "What's it to you woman?"
She frowned, and grumbled, "Fine. Do what you want. It's just that I do not wish to become an early widow, losing my husband to an illness."
Serph blinked his eyes rapidly; smoking can cause…illnesses?
He couldn't believe it.
He put the pipe back in his mouth and puffed out smoke and snorted at her as she wrinkled her nose in disgust once more, "And what would a woman know of such matters…?"
She frowned at him and there marched up to him, and grabbed his pipe from his mouth roughly. He had let her. He wasn't surprised either. He knew her well enough anyway.
What he didn't expect was for her to toss it out of the window carelessly. He immediately followed suit and looked out of the window, gritting his teeth in annoyance.
He turned back towards her and frowned.
"Oh! I do apologize My King!" she spoke with feigned regret and surprise.
She grinned, "Serph, I may be a woman, but my country conducted studies about these things…The excessive smoking of that pipe would cause illnesses later on in life such as excessive coughing…weak breathing…"
Serph looked at her with a grinning face and twinkling eyes; she was a rarity alright…She was smart, beautiful…
'She's mine.' he thought possessively.
He watched as her mouth continued to move as she continued to ramble on and on…He was deaf to her…All that he knew was that she had stopped him from smoking due to her concern for him…
It wasn't a typical event for him though…It wasn't typical for people to be concerned about him. People who did were worthless maggots anyway…They weren't concerned for him. They were just feigning concern because they needed him.
That was all.
But her…
No…She had been audacious enough to air her opinion and impudently bold enough for her to enact her aired opinion. That was what made the difference…She backed her words with actions…
And now, as she continued to explain to him the harmful effects of smoking, his felt his heart swell with happiness…Everything had been going right…The kingdom was at peace, the rebels were kept at bay…she was carrying his child…and most importantly, she cared for him.
Serph's grinned widened as he bared his teeth and there, without warning, took her in his arms and silenced her with a searing kiss. She protested lightly in his arms but soon relaxed and returned his kiss…
End Flashback
That was one of his most treasured memories…
'That's all in the past now.' he told himself.
He released a long and steady breath. His blood boiled as he thought more about those happy memories…
Why did she have to wreck everything? Why?
He narrowed his eyes once more. There was still the matter of the child within her womb and her foolish lover.
He snorted; he would get his answers.
Without another thought, he descended the tower and headed down the dungeons. He reached the dungeons in less than a quarter of an hour.
He dismissed the guards and entered Roland's cell.
He walked in front of the chain man and snorted at him, "Did you really think that you could get away with what you've done?"
Roland shook his head wearily, "Please…Spare the queen…She has done nothing…I am to blame." he spoke lowly, exhaustedly.
Serph gritted his teeth, "She has said the same thing about you…"
He crossed his arms in front of him and calmly spoke, "Did you touch my wife?"
Roland raised his head and looked at the king steadfastly, "No…Never."
Serph looked at him with dead silver eyes, "Who is the father of the child she is carrying? And do not lie. I'll know." he warned.
Roland narrowed his eyes, "I've never touched Argilla…Never…! I respect her…I love her!" he half-yelled.
Serph's silver eyes widened, "You dare address her in such a fashion!" He walked over to him and grabbed his hand, and there, pulled at his broken fingers, tearing them altogether from his hand. Roland gritted his teeth as he felt the pain shoot through his system like a runaway freight train.
Blood flowed effortlessly and profusely out of the gaping wound. But he didn't yell…
No. He wouldn't give Serph that sort of satisfaction.
Never.
This was the vile man that his beloved would spend the rest of her life with…This foul creature whom he served as king…
Serph's silver eyes shone maliciously as he heard the simultaneous snapping of Roland's fingers and the crushing of his bones within his strong hands, "Your audacity knows no bounds…"
Roland narrowed his eyes, "May it be…But I speak the truth…I respect Her Majesty…I would never harm her the way you would!!"
Serph felt nothing but hatred for this man! How dare he!? How dare he make assumptions about his relationship with Argilla?
He growled and took slow and steady breaths, his chest heaving up and down and grabbed Roland's hand once more, this time breaking his wrist.
Roland shut his eyes tightly as he endured…He had to…If he was to die, he would die with dignity…
"You know nothing!" Serph hissed, "All that you have to know now is that because of your stupidity, you shall die here."
"I may not be born in royalty, educated…" he said, panting heavily, glaring at Serph, "But I do know that she deserves better!!"
Serph froze.
His wife…deserved better.
She wasn't an animal that lived only so that she may entertain him. She was human…just like him. He suddenly felt a profound unpleasant feeling seating itself upon his already constricted chest.
'Enough foolishness!' the demon within him raged.
'You're being weak!'
That had done it.
He narrowed his eyes. Roland was nothing; he was no one. Why was he to listen to the desperate ramblings of a man hanging, clinging onto life by the very skin of his teeth?
He calmed himself and said nothing.
Well, the time had come.
He had no further need for him now. He had more important things to think about other than the mere wrinkles in his robes or the stains on his boots.
He had already found out what he sought to find out. There wasn't a need for Roland to remain alive any longer.
He turned from him and walked away.
Roland looked on after him, panting. His whole body ached…His head was bruised and was bleeding from the previous day and night's beatings…His lower half of the body felt numb…
He gritted his teeth; even if it hurt him, he would endure…He would endure…for her. She would hate to know that he had given up on life…even if death stared at him in the face.
Serph took out a pointed dagger from his robes and looked at it carefully. He turned back to Roland with a murderous glint in his silver pools, "In Flavius Adeodatus, there is a custom wherein a person who had brought shame into their family kills themselves…Did you know that…?"
Roland said nothing and he continued to glare at Serph.
Serph laughed, "Of course not…You do not know anything…" He walked over to him and continued, "They call it hara-kiri…There are two methods in which the shamed person does this…The most common is where they stab themselves…"
Serph narrowed his eyes slightly and plunged the deep dagger at Roland's side…on his belly. Roland groaned in pain but held his tongue.
He had to endure.
Serph frowned; Roland was well-trained. He was resistant to physical torture…Well, he was just going to have to take it up a notch, won't he?
He grabbed the dagger again and there twisted it, earning him a grimace on Roland's face. But still, he did not shout or yell…
Serph smirked within…Well, it would take more eh?
He grabbed the dagger and pulled it out from Roland, letting the blood ooze from the wound.
"The other method of committing suicide in their culture is called the seppuku…It is where they gut themselves…Making an incision across their bellies deep enough for the internal organs to 'leak out', so to speak…"
Again, with lightning speed, the dagger found itself buried within Roland's belly and there, Serph dragged the dagger across his stomach.
Roland clenched his hands into fists as tightly as he could as the pain steadily became more intense…! His whole body shook but he fought it with all his might…picturing his pink-haired lady within his mind, 'Argilla…'
His soul was suffering…It was…It was too much! He was literally being torn apart!!
Serph cackled evilly as he had heard what he had been waiting for. The pain must've been unbearable…
"A-argilla…!!"
He yelled her name at the top of his lungs. The pain was overwhelming his senses…The agony was unbearably…profound. He had endured for as long as he could…But he himself knew that this was the end…
The next few breaths that he would hence be taking would be his last…But it had all been worth it…He would gladly give his life if it meant that the queen shall live…It had been his duty after all, to protect her.
Dying for her would mean that he had fulfilled his duty…His life had meaning once more. No matter how brief he had been with her, he felt alive again…and most of all, he felt loved. She loved him; that was all that mattered.
She would live. And he had no doubt about it either. He had seen the king's eyes. He too loved Argilla…He would not harm her.
'Perhaps…One day…in another time, in a different place…we would meet…' he thought with only the purest of thoughts and feelings as he visualized her seraphic visage within the consciousness of his mind and heart.
It was all worth it. Knowing that she had shared his feelings…Even if loving her was wrong…he didn't regret it.
He was glad…He was free of the many sins that he had committed. He had been free of his cowardice pertaining to his feelings for Argilla…
But the most important thing was that, now, in the same test, he had succeeded. During the last test, he had failed…It had been his lover who had suffered the penalty of death…
He had never forgiven himself for that…
And neither did the gods…
But now, they had given him a second chance; the same test, at a different time, in a different place. But this time, he had been able to save the woman he loved…
And so, he was free…
Feeling the last ounce of life finally leave his body, he succumbed to the soft beckoning of eternal rest.
Serph took a step back, disgusted, as Roland's insides began to ooze out from the incision that he had made.
Serph watched with unfeeling eyes as his prisoner's intestines spewed forth from the aforesaid wound, dangling helplessly in midair from within his body.
He looked at his face and saw that Roland's eyes were closed and his body hung helplessly from the shackles.
He was dead.
He needed to speak to his wife.
His wife…she was human…just like him. But be that as it may, she was not like him. She wasn't a man; she was a woman…
'And as such, is a man's property.' he thought with a tone of arrogant finality, tenacity hanging on each of his syllables.
Well, that was that. He wordlessly left the cell.
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Heat crushed the cup in his hands as the woman spoke to him.
"The Sanadan Prince…is skilled. He has inherited the name Raikiri…" she said, nodding.
"Raikiri…Lightning Edge…" Heat trailed off.
She nodded, "That's right."
Heat slammed his fist on the table, "Tell me what I need to know! Where is he!? Where is the damn rebel base?!"
The woman shook her head, "What difference would it make? If I told you…? You cannot act on your own…The moment you alone infiltrate the community, you would be found out and killed…And the king is not interested in finding mere rebels…"
Heat snarled; frustrated. She was right…
"You must convince the king to reconsider his priorities…"
Heat crossed his arms and laughed, "Do not tell me what to do woman." He then sneered and leaned towards her, "Why are you helping me anyway?"
"I have my reasons…milord…"
Heat raised an eyebrow, "What is it that you want?"
She shook her head, "It is something only the king can give me…"
Heat understood but he said nothing. He watched as she disappeared.
This foolish woman was smitten by the king…How utterly stupid. Heat held his tongue even if he was on the verge of laughing his head off.
She was really brain-dead. Serph would never love her…Oh no; not while Amadeus still lived…But even if she were to die, he doubted that Serph could ever learn to love this woman…
Why would he…?
There was nothing in her that was the least bit attractive. She was small and petite…And all appearances aside, she was a woman who valued nothing in life.
Heat was aware that she was a member of the Resistance…She was betraying the very people with whom she shared her food and water with…
She was the lowest scum of the earth.
Aa…but still, he had to be amazed at what she was willing to do to gain his friend's affections…But no matter; he wouldn't say anything.
She was the one who offered her services to him and he'd use that. Too bad…
Too bad for her. She was the only one losing out in this deal…But like he stated earlier, there was no way he'd let her know that.
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Cielo looked at his wife and noticed that she had a faraway look upon her face. She had been like this for the last few days…Of course, she tried to hide it, but…In moments such as this, when she believed herself to be in complete and utter solitude, the sea of emotions that had been thus far kept at bay, would rush onward, fighting its way to the forefront of her consciousness…
It was still relatively early in the morning. Usually, she would be by the waterfalls with her friends and Priya as he did work around the community.
He was surprised to find her at their home.
But he wasn't all that surprised to see the deep sadness imbedded onto her facial features. He thought for a moment, as he continued to appraise her silently from afar.
A smile then found its way to his lips. He had an idea of what might cheer her up. Granted, it was risky, but, he would brave any danger just as long as she was happy…
He leapt from the trees and there entered their quaint little tree-house, entering from the doors instead of the bedroom windows like he usually did.
He stalked up to her, his breathing steady and calm, his feet as light as a feather…He reached out to her…
"You used the door?" Sera asked as she turned around with a grin on her face, eyeing him carefully, ignoring his outstretched arm as she was fully aware of what it was he wanted to do.
Cielo shrugged his shoulders in defeat. Perhaps Sera would be more suited to carry the Raikiri title than he…Hm…
He could only speculate.
He returned her grin and scratched the back of his head, "Yes. I did. Just wanted to know what it was like to walk through them." he said playfully.
Sera chuckled and slowly stood up, clutching her belly with one hand while the other supported her back, "Cielo, why are you here? It's too early if you're thinking about lunch."
Cielo made a face, "That's not all I think about, you know?"
Sera chuckled again, "Aa…Well, I'm not going to have this conversation with you." she spoke lightly as she walked passed him, giggling along the way.
She really didn't want to. The last time that she and Cielo spoke about his mannerisms or his antics, he had been in total denial. He just wouldn't let up until she agreed with him. He presented nothing more than lame excuses to her though…
But still, for the sake of peace of mind, she wouldn't discuss anything of the sort with him again.
Cielo grinned; he knew she'd see it his way. There was just no way that she could win with him in an argument.
It was one of his most highly-prized skills. Diplomacy.
With his grin still in tact, he followed her into their living room where he found her on the chair, stroking her belly lightly.
He took a chair and sat right next to her and held her hand, "Sera." he said firmly.
She blinked; was something wrong? Did something happen?
Cielo didn't need to ask her what was wrong. He already knew. She missed her family; the one that she had left behind. But because she had been firm about what she had told him about her chosen path in life, she would never admit to feeling lonely from time to time…
And being the man he was…Being her husband, he would never ask her of that; he would never ask her to reveal her weakness to him so that he may "scold" her or tell her an "I-told-you-so" line.
No.
He'd leave it at that.
No matter how close two people were…no matter how passionate they were towards one another, there would always be a part of them that would forever be alone.
"I'm going to Arkanadara in a few days. Would you like to come?" he asked her sincerely.
He was right; there, in her silver eyes, he saw a flash of happiness.
She smiled at him, "I would love to Cielo. But, isn't it a bit dangerous?"
He shook his head, "No. I have some errands to do there anyway."
She looked at him firmly, "An informant?"
Cielo sighed as he stroked her hair, "Being with me isn't all about missions and killing Sera…No. I'm not going to meet an informant…I just have some errands to do."
"Like what?" she asked persistently, not liking where their conversation was heading.
He grinned; well, now that he thought about it, he really did have errands to do there. He touched her engorged belly once more and she followed his gaze as it shifted from being on her face and onto her swollen belly instead.
"What?" she asked, confused.
He grinned like a Cheshire cat, "We have to purchase all of the necessary items for the baby. You are due in a few more days…a week or so. We cannot delay any further. Within any moment, the war between the Resistance and Arkanadara could intensify to such a degree that we would be unprepared."
Sera looked at him with confusion still in her face and eyes, "But Cielo…We have all that we'll need…"
Cielo shook his head, "No; we don't. I don't want to have our baby sleep in a bed of straw…I want something more than that. I want it to have the best of what its parents could give." he finished with excitement, sincerity and love written all over his features.
Sera's heart melted once more…
She had fallen in love with a good man.
She let out a heartfelt laugh as she fought back her tears of joy within her eyes and sniffed, "O-of course. Yes. I would love to come with you. When will we go?"
Cielo's soul felt so at ease whenever he would hear her voice…He was happy that he was with her; he was happy that he had her…
But most of all, he was happy that he had made her happy.
Sera took his hands in hers and squeezed them tightly; she was thankful to him…No doubt, he had seen the way she was looking out the window. She was happy that he had perceived it. But, what was even more so was that he was able to grant her wish without making her feel insulted…
He truly was as gentle as he was ferocious…
'Thank you Cielo…'
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Argilla opened her eyes and was met with a glaring light within the room. She moaned, irritated. It was late in the morning, she reckoned. She had slept in.
Suddenly, the warm and calm feeling that she had was interrupted as she recalled the previous night's events. She sat up abruptly, "Serph?!" she yelled worriedly, scanning the room left and right rapidly.
"I'm here."
She immediately turned her head to the source of the voice. It was her husband, sitting by the windowsill. Argilla wondered for a moment as to how he could keep his balance like that…Any false moves and he could fall to his death.
But she reckoned further that asking him about something as trivial as his balance wouldn't only upset him…Well, upset him further than he already was.
She immediately clutched the blanket to her chest as his eyes scanned through her body…He wasn't doing anything nor did he say anything, but it was his eyes that made the difference.
Whenever he would look at her the way he did now, with his silver eyes piercing her skin, boring holes into her face and body, it seemed as though he had gained the mythical third eye; Ajna. It seemed as though he peered into her very soul, snatching her heart and mind's secrets from her…
His eyes, the way they gazed at her at that moment, made her feel…naked.
She felt so utterly useless and worthless in his presence. She growled at that thought. He may be her husband and she may love him but she would preserve her dignity.
Serph regarded her calmly; he debated with himself of whether or not he should take it upon himself to tell her of Roland's fate…or simply wait for the news to reach her ears.
He chose the former.
It would be beneath him to lie to her or to conceal things such as that to her. It was just that, he didn't know if he wanted to speak with her at all.
What Roland had told him…made sense. While he hurt her and forced her to submit to him, Roland had wooed her with nothing but gentleness and kindness…and respect.
Yes. That was the key word.
Respect.
After all, it would only come down to one question and one question alone. Did he respect her? Did he think of her any more than what countless of men thought of their own wives?
He blinked.
No.
He didn't. He didn't respect her. He didn't think of her any more than what countless of men thought of their own wives.
Why?
'She's a woman. That's reason enough.' he thought pompously, arrogantly, as he appraised her weak form before his eyes…As she clutched the blanket, hiding her flesh from his peering eyes…it conveyed nothing but weakness in his eyes…And he didn't expect anything less or more; after all, she was a mere woman.
He may love her…but his love could only go so far. As he stated all those nights ago, love was accompanied with rules and laws. Man and woman could never be equal. She was made to serve him and to please him while he was made to provide and protect her and their children. That was all.
In terms of strength, there was no question on who would be the victor.
Strength was the only thing that was worthy of respect.
That was why…that was why he did not respect her. There was nothing to respect.
"Roland is dead." he stated calmly, his eyes leaving hers after a moment's gaze, only to gaze out of the window, letting the sun's rays hit his face.
Argilla's eyes widened as her heart suddenly felt heavy. Her little hands that clutched the blanket clutched it tighter still. She could feel her heart breaking as she pondered over his words.
Roland was dead…
She wanted to shout; she wanted to scream but she didn't.
She said nothing. She dared say nothing…
And so, all of her grief had remained within her mind and her bleeding heart…Roland was dead…Roland was dead…It was the only thing that she could comprehend at that moment.
She would no longer gaze upon his face…or hear his gruff but soothing voice…She had lost a friend…and much more.
And it had all been because of her.
Serph clenched his jaw as silence pervaded them both. He wanted her to say something…he wanted her to moan, to sob…to cry.
He wanted an excuse. He wanted any excuse that would justify him to hit her; to hurt her. Yes. He wanted to hurt her. He was silently daring her to defy him.
But his anticipation had been all for naught.
She had not said anything. She had not done anything. He looked at her from the corner of his eyes and saw that her eyes were transfixed upon the black satin sheets.
Quelling his anger, he moved from the windowsill and walked towards her, eyeing instead one of the few things that was allowing him to keep her alive.
Their child.
Yes. He believed Roland. He believed that the child that she was carrying was indeed his. He smiled within; that child and his irritating and recalcitrant love for her were the two things that were keeping her alive…
"Your meal shall be served here." he told her gruffly before leaving the chambers.
Heat had wanted to discuss something with him. But he had put it off, postponing their discussion as he battled his turmoil.
Now, he earnestly felt better. Now, he deemed, it was time to face the world once more.
Seeing Serph finally gone, she finally released the feelings that she had thus far been holding in. She buried her face in her hands and there, burst into hot tears.
"Roland…Roland…!" she moaned painfully.
What had she been thinking?! It had been her fault! Everything had been because of her…!
'I could never forgive myself…' she told herself in sheer self-loathing.
'Never…'
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Jenna gazed at Gale lovingly as they held one another's hands as they waited for the women in front of them to speak.
It was a good day for Jenna.
She had learnt that King Shailendra had not harmed the queen and had only confined her. Well, that was good news.
And the other thing that had made this day perfect was that she had awakened within the warm arms of her husband, still feeling the afterglow of their lovemaking the other night.
At the present moment, they were waiting for the results.
They were both confident that now, surely, they had succeeded. They had been trying for weeks.
Their happy faces though, were shattered as they heard the old woman's hoarse voice as she shook her head, "The Princess is not with child."
Jenna's spine stiffened and felt cold sweat trickle down her back. That can't be…That couldn't be right…!
This was the fifth time that she had been told of her failed conception!
But she had taken all of the precautions that were needed. She had undergone all of the activities and all of the advice to ensure a successful union!
Her heart began to crumble as the feeling of restlessness began to seep in through her skin only to be imbedded onto her bones…
Gale held back a sigh of disappointment as he saw how Jenna's face fell at the announcement. He could see as clear as day the turmoil that plagued her.
He cleared his throat and stood, never letting go of her hand and looked at the old woman, "Alright. I thank you for your time. You may go."
The old woman nodded, bowed and left without further words.
Jenna growled as she furrowed her eyebrows together, saying nothing. Gale squeezed her hand, "You are not at fault Jenna." he stated calmly.
Jenna suddenly stood, her face snapping to its side to meet his gaze, "How can you say that?!" she hissed, glaring at him.
Gale continued to gaze at her calmly; she was in one of her moods again. Well, it would pass.
She let out a quivering breath, followed by a distressed facial expression, "I've done everything…" she sighed before walking away from him, snarling along the way.
Gale followed her and put both hands on both her shoulders, "No…You are not at fault for this Jenna. You are too stressed, still. Your sister's precarious situation is enough for you to fail to conceive."
Jenna stiffened at that…
Well, Gale's statements held water. But still, she couldn't help but feel that it had been her fault. Again…she felt inferior to her sister.
Argilla had successfully conceived immediately after she ceased taking those herbs. While she, after taking meticulous care of herself and had prepared carefully for a successful conception, still failed. Not once, not twice or thrice either.
No. It had transgressed all of that. It had transgressed all of what she had deemed "normal". And so, even if she desperately wanted to believe Gale's assumptions, she just couldn't…
Gale, feeling her distress and her utter distraught, held her tighter still, silently sharing in her feeling of powerlessness…
But he would never let her know it. She needed him to be her pillar of strength; to be her shield from the searing flames of despair.
But, seeing that he was alone within the premises of his own mind, he couldn't help but think it…
He felt disappointed…He felt as though he had lost his energy…But he should continue to persevere. He shouldn't lose hope.
After all, it hadn't been her fault…
Right?
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A/N:
Ajna: The sixth chakra. Is also known as the Shiva's "third eye" when activated or mastered. The person with the opened Ajna chakra pathway can have acute perception, clairvoyance and even psychic abilities. It is located at the forehead.
