Arius Pov
I was happy with Gwenn, deliriously so that I couldn’t help but feel guilt that I didn’t even mourn for Faye, neither did I feel for Sorens who was ahead of me in recognizing what a gem I have as a wife. I was still thankful that she was my l=wife when she met Sorens if not, he would have been the one being happy right now and I would be repeating the mistakes of my predecessors by having multiple women who would do nothing but poison each other and make my home a battlefield.
One woman solved everything, I almost made that mistake with having two women but fate through a means I didn’t like, corrected my error and I don’t make the same mistake twice.
And that is why the Mareikura in front of me needed to go.
“Tell me, are you married?” I asked her as she brushed against me for the umpteenth time.
“No, My Yama. My whole being is free to serve you in any means you require.” She replied coyly, peering at me through her half closed lashes. She might not be pretty as Faye but what she lacks in beauty, she made up for it in her mannerisms, words and mechanizations. She had just became a Mareikura and yet she had enough power to be alone with me.
I need to tell the person in charge of this selection process to send girls who plan on helping me with national matters not those who plan on helping their selves into my bed. In fact, the person can start recruitment of males.
“Yama.” My tone was mild but the annoyance I was feeling increased steadily. “I am not your anything.”
“Of course.” She gave an unsteady laugh as she bent to give me an eyeful of her cleavage which was almost popping out of her clothes.
“Step away from me now.” I ordered and at once she did what I asked. “I don’t plan on ever seeing you around me starting from now. I am not in the mood for silly games which you girls try to play and I can assure you that I don’t want anything to do with your body so please stop brushing up against me as the only thing you keep raising is my anger.”
By the time I was done, she was in tears and she quickly bowed to me as she turned around to run out of the room only to release a frightened shriek.
Gwenn was standing by the door with her whip coiled around her waist and a faint sheen of sweat on her exposed arms and she had never looked so beautiful. When everything is settled, I will give her the wedding ceremony she deserve, one with her people and mine in attendance, one that shows that indeed, our union is the union of two different people.
“My queen.” The Mareikura stuttered.
“Alal.” Gwenn corrected her as she moved slowly towards me, I watched with amusement as the Mareikura body went tight. Everybody in the palace knows of Gwenn’s prowess with her beloved whip, a gift from Sorens. I plan on changing that very soon too.
“Alal…” She parroted Gwenn’s words but Gwenn stalked passed her and leaned over me and pressed her lips against mine.
As much as I wanted to deepen the kiss, I knew this was just for show. She was displaying her ownership of me and like a good spouse, I sat still and let her do it.
“I need tea and something I can chew and fast.” Gwenn ordered.
“Alal?”
“What? Is it only my husband every need your serve, in my belief, you should serve mine too.” Gwenn sits down on my laps and immediately, my hands went to her waist. “I think that she should be under me too. What do you think Arius?” She asked.
“Seems like…” I started only for the Mareikura to blurt out.
“I will go and get your light meal now, my queen.” She hurried out as if there’s was fire chasing after her.
“I don’t think that maiden likes me much.” Gwenn pouted and I just couldn’t help myself, I started laughing.
“You know that it is not nice to laugh others right?” Gwenn added but I just shook my head.
I love this crazy girl.
*****************
“Brother, are you not getting another concubine.” Kastav asked me but I raised my eyebrow at him, he seemed really vested in me having an heir.
This is another reason why I believed that Kastav cannot be after the throne, at first I had my doubts when the council was contemplating the two of us and thinking of giving my birthright to my brother and I secured my position by getting married to Gwenn but now I realize that he doesn’t even want the position.
“I don’t plan on getting one ever why?” I returned, not looking up from the papers in front of my desk.
“What about your future children…” Kastav started.
“They will have the queen as their mother.” I replied as I looked at Kastav who had disgust on his face.
“Are you serious right now? Gwenn.” He repeated and I was right about the disgust. It was dripping from his tone like he didn’t want Gwenn children on the throne which was a shame because there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.
“Call her name with respect brother.” My voice was firm and sharp, Kastav bit his lip but didn’t make a sound. “I know that you might not like her because she is a foreigner but if you and our judgmental sisters give Gwenn a chance, you will see that she is very good company and good stock for the future king to come from.”
“She is not one of us.” Kastav snaps.
“I see you have been spending too much time with Catia, you are starting to act like her.” I commented. “Gwenn is not one of us but when I am reminded of what we are like, of how embarrassing my sisters are, I am glad that she is not a Northerner if that is what it is to be one.”
“We are not talking about this again.” I concluded as Kastav gave a swift nod when I stared him down.
Kastav opened his mouth to bring up another topic, hopefully but he was interrupted.
“My king.” A Mareikura, different from the one of a few days rushed in without knocking or stopping for breathe. “Terrible news, throne room.” He got out and without a second thought, I went quickly to the throne room with Kastav at my tails.
I got there just in time to hear the ending part of a man statement while Gwenn stood over him with her face pale.
“…It was nothing like I have ever seen my queen, they all just started dying, falling to the ground and turning pale. Most of the legion of Commander Isolde is gone and she was the first to die.”