Chapter 2 Part 2 Minor Setbacks
General Beatrix awoke the next day feeling refreshed. She was as good as new and as strong as ever. She paced around her room. Her face glowed with happiness with each step she took. Her partner Captain Steiner was happy for her, but his smile quickly dissipated when she spoke.
"Adelbert, how do we get to Madain Sari from here?" Beatrix asked.
Captain Steiner shivered. He replied swiftly hoping against hope that his beloved General would not be angry. "We have to undergo a ritual to get past this village and our boat is-well…" He stammered "…in pieces." Captain Steiner backed into the wall with his hands up in surrender and his eyes filled with intimidation.
General Beatrix looked at him sternly. 'I don't have patience for this.' she thought to herself. Silently she counted backwards from ten. After all, they still had to rescue Ruby. Even though Beatrix had doubts as the truth of the kidnapping she could not deny her new Queen's orders.
"What is the ritual?" Beatrix asked calmly.
Captain Steiner put his hands down. He hesitated to answer his General's question at first as he didn't want to incur his beautiful General's wrath. Then he finally answered.
"We basically have to get married and seal it off with a kiss. Apparently, Zidane ruined fake marriages and it has to be for real. I'm sorry General Beatrix, I didn't mean for this to happen." Steiner explained apologetically.
"What are you sorry for Adelbert? We need to get past the village." Beatrix said.
She had been secretly waiting for Steiner to pop the question to her. She wanted nothing more than to be his beloved wife. She loved Steiner and knew he felt the same for her.
Steiner was shocked at his General's words. He himself had been in love with Beatrix for the longest time. They had recently come to terms with their feelings for each other as well. Steiner didn't know what to do. He stood there thinking of what he should do when Beatrix made him snap out of his thoughts.
General Beatrix took Steiner's hand into hers. She smiled a true genuine smile and Steiner's heart melted. Beatrix looked him into his eyes and came closer to him.
"Adelbert Steiner," she asked "Will you marry me?"
Steiner's eyes watered. Normally, he would make sure never to show emotion but he hugged Beatrix close to him.'Wonders never cease…' he thought to himself.
"Yes, I will!" he replied.
He felt Beatrix tighten her embrace around him momentarily. It was so good to feel his beloved General in his arms. Then Beatrix pushed away.
"Adelbert," Beatrix said patiently "I'd like to get dressed. Please take your leave."
Steiner looked at the General then and fully took her in. He had dressed her during her time of need but he never stopped to fully drink in her essence. The pink lingerie she was wearing made him blush. Her breasts were just shy of being seen. And her womanly elegance made him blush that much more. He quickly left the room leaving the General to her own devices.
Beatrix let the lingerie she was wearing slide down to the floor. She stepped out of it slowly. Methodically, she clothed herself in her normal gear, the gear of an Alexandrian elite soldier who happened to be a General. She brushed her hair out as well. Then she equipped her sword.
She thought about Ruby and how she and Steiner were definitely on a fool's errand. She thought about telling Steiner this but then decided not to. After all, they should just have fun while they were here in Conde Petie. Also, she was looking forward to marrying Steiner. It would be fun and she wanted Steiner in more ways than one. She smiled at herself for thinking such mischievous thoughts.
Still, even though she sensed they were on a fool's errand, she couldn't shake the feeling that something evil was adrift and heading straight for them.