I was in the garden reflecting on my life. There were few leaves left on the trees, all completely yellowed; some still stubbornly clung to their branches, but that didn't make the garden any less splendid. It was a place that helped me think, especially feeling the sun touch my skin and the cold wind tousle my hair. I had already changed my style — the clothes, my braided hair, and the earrings. The earrings were a torture in my life because they reminded me of how much I moaned in the presence of the King of Roham. It had been humiliating, yet whenever I remembered what had happened, my body warmed, craving more eagerly. Having my sensitive spots touched and stimulated was a desire I needed to sublimate. It was a promiscuity I had never had before. I had had lovers, nothing really serious, love was a waste of time, just people to satisfy the normal desires of a young man in heat, but now I was at a point where I had no reason to feel that way.
Yurick knew that shameful weakness and had taken advantage to put other piercings on my body that were already slowly healing. The wedding wouldn't take long, and it was a part of my life I didn't want to record.
— Sir, the King has summoned you to the meeting room. — Lara quickly informed me with her usual enthusiasm. I was getting used to the girl — short with braided hair, full beautiful lips, and rare gray shining eyes. Her lighter dark skin hinted at mixed blood. She had battle scars and tattoos, and although she didn't look strong, being from a warrior people meant she shouldn't be underestimated.
I rose from where I was with no enthusiasm. At least now I could have a serious political conversation with the King instead of being distracted by anything sexual when there were bigger problems. I hoped Makal would deliver the letter to my grandfather as soon as possible. My mother was the youngest daughter of three sisters, so she didn't have much political power. I feared the King of Akasia would just ignore the request, shutting himself off to prevent Yurick from advancing his army. I walked alongside Lara, noticing some soldiers seemingly staring at me. I furrowed my brow at them, and they quickly looked away. That didn't seem like a good sign; I didn't like the way those people looked at me. Well, I wouldn't report it for now, no need to get worked up. It wasn't everyone, just the same group always. They annoyed me, but they wouldn't dare do anything.
I entered the meeting room. The place was spacious, with some books on shelves, maps hanging on the walls, and a globe standing near a table that was a model showing the positions of all the countries—it was the map of the continent of Millenia. The flag of Neopolita had changed to that of Roham to symbolize the conquest. Yurick was talking with his general, discussing some strategy to invade Akasia, although they couldn't easily reach the capital because it was at the tip of the continent. Three large cities came after the Amarintia forest, which would be one of the biggest problems, and finally the capital city Urukiza. So starting by dominating the capital wasn't an option for the alpha.
— The surrender letters arrived today. I'll be sending my representatives tomorrow to govern the cities, but I won't completely dismantle local powers. I need someone who understands the bureaucracies there. — The taller one said without looking at me, while examining some papers. Then he turned his attention back to his war chief. — You may go, Arien. — The woman left after greeting me with the proper respect.
— What do you want? — I approached the map. It was nostalgic. The meeting table surrounded the model; the King's and the Prince's places were where they belonged. It still had features and colors of my homeland, but I knew it wouldn't be like that for long.
— Starting tomorrow, you'll teach me the language of Akasia. We'll have time since we'll invade in the middle of winter, when it's colder and the enemy armies are more vulnerable. We'll attack the city of Alasthor and take the war forts. — Why was the alpha saying that? I hadn't imagined he'd reveal his war strategy, but even without all the details, I could easily guess what he planned to do from there.
— That's madness, it would be suicide. I know they train in various terrains, but getting through the forest, especially in winter, would be very dangerous. — I stated, knowing the stories and how the Amarintia forest was a natural protection for the kingdom.
— And do you know how we could get around that? — Yurick came closer, grabbing my shoulder and pulling me toward him, our bodies touching. I closed my eyes for a moment. Since when did the other's scent seem pleasant? He exuded the strong odor of a dominant man, but that was never a problem for me. Now it interfered with my ability to think coherently.
— Why do you think I'll help you? It's my mother's country; I could just send you to your death if I believed my words. — I spoke seriously. There was no way the other could trust me so easily.
— There are good reasons to want your opinion. First, you know Akasia, you know the routes that lead to the capital. Second, we're going to marry — that should give some signal of trust between us. Lastly, you know and I know that your grandfather would hardly send a rescue mission. He wouldn't risk soldiers in winter to rescue someone without any lineage who wouldn't bring land, wealth, or power. So we know that even if your efforts to sabotage me might succeed, that part of your family would prefer to see you perish. — The king said those last sentences harshly. That hurt more than I imagined because I knew I was disposable. My grandfather would only come for me if he saw some advantage in rescuing me. Yurick was right, but I didn't want to help him. I looked back at the map; if I failed, I would die.
— The forest is a natural labyrinth, said to be protected by fauns and dryads. Silly children's legends. Well, there are some paths the soldiers can use so they don't get lost. — I pointed to an area on the map. — Here is a passage, but caution is needed. During winter, the path opens on a bridge formed by a frozen lake. Any mistake there could mean death by hypothermia or drowning. But if they cross carefully, they'll reach the first city. — I stepped back, feeling like a traitor, but that was the strategy they could use. The taller one seemed to consider this. There were other paths, less dangerous ways to pass, but I wasn't willing to give those to Yurick.
— I've prepared the army, but I'll send a scouting team to check if it's really viable. After all, I don't trust you. — That conclusion was obvious. The taller one wouldn't just send his army to die based on the words of his oldest enemy at that moment.
My grandfather was the toughest man I knew, a prejudiced man full of quirks, ruling his country with an iron fist. He was known for his lack of benevolence. He didn't accept foreigners, but during the crisis Akasia went through, he was forced to give his youngest daughter to marry the King of Neopolita. Still, his greatest wish was for a future alpha king, but my gender displeased him, and he always exposed his opinion at every ball, dinner, or meeting we had between the "friendly" kingdoms. The man was a scoundrel. When his daughter returned to the kingdom, he took it as an affront and broke trade agreements, closing himself off again, since the crisis had passed.
Neopolita was the greatest scientific and medical center of the five kingdoms. Its technology was beyond any comprehension. The head of the laboratory lived in the castle. Yurick decided to keep her because there was no one to replace her but gave her an equally capable apprentice intellectually. We had balloons that cut through the sky, two-wheeled vehicles that balanced on their own. Now the woman invented devices that channeled lightning during storms.
Because Neopolita had the best medicine, my grandfather showed interest at the time. The King of Akasia was going through his worst sanitary crisis, with disease spreading from the lowest plebeians to the highest caste. So they were forced to make agreements to find a cure and modernize their sewage system, avoiding throwing feces on the ground, for example. It took years until the disease no longer existed — coincidentally, it was when the queen passed away. I thought about explaining this to our new king, but he didn't seem interested in history, instead trying to trace a route through the passage I had indicated. I walked over to the books on the shelves — I had read them all: war strategies, history, anthropology, geography. Those subjects made me feel safer, not wielding a sword, but holding a book in my hands that seemed to bring me comfort. I spent hours in the castle library, alternating between my royal duties.
I knew how to fence, having been forced to learn, but I was far from being a good swordsman.
— What do you think our chances are against the kingdoms of Ragnor and Phenicia? — The alpha was truly absorbed in his own war daydreams. I approached, staring at the map again. They were the extreme kingdoms, located to the north and south respectively; their climates gave them a natural protection that could make any assault difficult.
— In your current condition, none. Your army is divided; you need to protect Roham, keep Neopolita under control, and take the first fort and the city of Alasthor in Akasia. Even with the help of our army, these small tasks won't be easy. If you get control of Akasia—which will demand resources and cause losses in your ranks—you won't be able to attack with cavalry, which is your main force, because of the forest. This will reduce the pressure you can apply until you reach the capital, and that's where the problem lies. The walls are strong, the archers are the best, they have harpoons, and they use gunpowder bombs; this will wear down your army. If you really want to think about Phenicia and Ragnor, I suggest you keep in mind that this could take more than three years to complete. That's an average time for recovery, especially bureaucratic recovery. — I explained more succinctly; it would be complicated for Roham to take the fortress of Akasia, as it would be his last stop to subjugate the country, so he'd have to recover his forces and take bureaucratic control as he was doing in Neopolita. But since we surrendered, the bureaucratic part became easier. However, knowing that old king, he would never surrender until his head was cut off by Yurick himself.
— You're right, three years should be enough. We'll use Neopolita's technology to attack. — The taller one sat at the table facing me. — We'll use bombs, gunpowder, and more. I want to talk to your scientist; we'll provide raw materials to create weaponry and whatever else is needed. — Of course, the alpha didn't understand the complexity of those inventions but understood their importance in his campaign and rise to power. I just nodded thoughtfully. Then an idea arose.
— If you manage to dominate Akasia, will you marry one of the king's daughters? — I asked, feeling something sinking in my throat.
— Of course, it's necessary for total domination of the kingdom. — The taller one said without hesitation. In Neopolita, we were monogamous, so that deeply wounded my pride.
— To think I was starting to find you at least minimally agreeable and acceptable. — I let out a huge irritated sigh.
— Seyrim, you yourself said that marriage is a political act that doesn't imply feelings. I'm making my political move. — The taller one showed his petulant way of smiling, arrogant and disgusting.
— A marriage is a political and sacred act that implies agreement from both parties to exist. I agreed to marry you, but not to participate in a large harem. There's no need to marry every conquered party, that is if you even manage to get past here. Except for my mother, all my aunts are married. — I tried to keep the composure I was taught my whole life to maintain.
— What do you think? — Yurick dropped his smile to take on a serious expression.
— That you are the most disgusting being there is. I don't believe you will marry my own mother. There are many ways to dominate a territory. Just because Roham will make the world his domain doesn't mean he needs to impose his cultural practices on others, especially when it comes to something as inflexible as marriage. Do you think people will accept that? A strong marriage is synonymous with strength; a weak and divided marriage only leads to failure. — I couldn't accept that kind of situation. — That idea of yours is unacceptable, if you'll excuse me. — I turned to walk toward my chambers. But I felt his huge presence behind me, placing his hand on the side to prevent me from opening the chamber door. Pressing hard, leaving me no choice but to turn to face him, looking back at him with the same serious and angry expression.
— What will you do to prevent my polygamous policy from coming true? — Yurick asked, anger showing through his teeth, even as he sought my opinion.
— You need me, you know that, even if it's not of extreme importance to the point of being irreplaceable. If the people are dissatisfied, it will be harder for you to fully control Neopolita. If the prince dies or something happens, your armies will have to contain the people in the streets, which will take time. If people only talk and do nothing, it's because I'm safely in the castle, and we both know that. With the marriage, they would conform because it's a figure they're used to, that's why I'm necessary. — I touched his chest with the tip of my finger. — And with Prince Seyrim dead, what will happen? Resources spent containing possible rebellions for months. I don't think you'd really lose against the people; soon you'd calm the unrest and rule like a dictator. But your continental domination plan would last what? Ten years? Twenty? Instead of three. — That was the reality, I knew I wasn't alive just out of mercy; I was agreeing with that plan for my people, even if I wanted Yurick to back down and return to his country. I needed that position to stop more bloodshed and deaths in the streets.
— You're intelligent, I appreciate that. — The taller one touched my sensitive ear. I was still healing because of the earrings; I bit my lower lip hard from the shiver that ran through my body from the touch. — I hope you can satisfy me well when we're married; you'll have to handle someone used to loving at least three people at the same time.
— If necessary. — My breath faltered, even knowing what that meant. — You cannot love more than one person at the same time.
— Maybe for you, who can't even love one, it's impossible, but for me, it's not a problem. — The alpha finally stepped back. His scent was making me dizzy. I had no answer to that question. Love was something complex that would mess with any decision I had in the future, because why would I love someone? It was the politics between kingdoms that mattered.
— I won't question your emotions. We are more than aware of what this marriage means, so I'll do my part and hope you do yours. — It was hard not to get upset given the circumstances. When I finally left Yurick's presence, it was as if someone was hammering on my chest. The marriage would happen soon; I was sure I wouldn't get help from my grandfather given what I knew about that man, so I'd have to deal with it my way, waiting for a necessary opening to act somehow. The alpha wouldn't tell me his plans if he wasn't confident I could never leave the castle walls.
I just returned to my chambers. Sex wasn't the problem, even though Yurick knew of an unexpected weakness of mine. But I couldn't just let his plans come to fruition; for now, I would cooperate until I got a big enough opening to act.