It had several days since Ares had made it to Beddroi. The request of the Princess to her father went smoothly, allowing him to be away from the eye of the general public and private servants alike, and for the Princess to be able to summon him at a moment's notice. Step one of his plan was complete, and far exceeded his expectations. Step two would be underway soon, but for now he needed rest. The burden of mortality, he laughed quietly to himself as he stared off the balcony onto the city below.
This time of the morning, as the sun was slowly breaking the horizon, looked somehow even more beautiful than when it was setting. The streets were bathed in golds, pinks, and oranges. The entire city glowed with an unnatural beauty. For just a moment he forgot all of his goals and became lost in the breathtaking sight.
"Young Lord Nobaru," came the King's voice from behind him along with the soft pad of slippers on stone from the Queen's feet besides him. " I see you're enjoying the sight of our Capitol in the early hours."
"I am your Majesty," Ares replied with all respect due to a King. "Very much so."
"Good, good. I should like you as comfortable as possible in our fair city. I'd shown you around myself, if not for my daughter's request," he sighed heavily. "That girl will be the death of me one day."
"Let's hope that is not soon my love," added the Queen thoughtfully. "For our country has need of you, and our daughter has a long way to go before becoming a Queen."
"I think she is doing well my Queen," Ares smiled softly as he looked at the Queen.
"You are the only one who seems to think so, but I appreciate your compliments." she smiled back. "She also seems quite smitten with you. So please, as a mother and your Queen, be respectful of her and do not disappoint me."
The firmness of her tone made even Ares stiff for a moment. The women of the mortal world could be quite fierce it would seem. He'd be sure to remember this in the future. If he was to guess who actually ruled these lands, his mark would be on her. Maybe he was focusing on the wrong person here, maybe his focus should be on pleasing the Queen, he thought to himself.
The Queen smiled and touched his shoulder, before leaning in and whispering very softly.
"If she loves you, and you are good to her, I shall see your title as Seventh Son removed, and you shall have my blessings to marry our sweet Yavia. But promise me that you shall do so only if you truly love her."
"I promise my Queen," he replied back soft enough that only she could hear him.
The King and Queen took their leave, leaving Ares to his thoughts. Being rid of the name Nobaru would be a far better start in his opinion, though the title of Seventh Son must be lifted for him to achieve victory. For that title meant a severe limits to the resources he could gather. If convincing the Queen and Yavia that he was in love was the path to that, then it was the path he would take. How could he fail when the Princess already loved him so.
As if the Rulers of the Seven Hell's themselves had hear his thoughts, in walked Yavia, closing and locking the doors behind her. Her beauty truly was unimaginable, and a small part of him truly did want to love her, but mortals would not live as long as a god, not even a god made flesh. The light made her soft white gown glow, and her every move was graceful as she approached him wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him softly.
"Good morning my handsome Lord," he smiled tiredly at him. "I was sad to see you gone this morning when I woke, and here I find you looking at the city the way you should be looking at me," she teased playfully and winked at him.
He pulled her body close to his, wrapping his strong arms around her and holding her firmly. The smell of her was intoxicating to him, but he had to remain in control of himself. His body raged at him, but reason had to win this battle, now was not the time to give into lust. He sighed resting his head against hers, running his fingers through her hair.
Yavia melted into his body, never once resisting him, which made his body feel even more alive. He needed her, wanted her, and possibly loved her. But all of that would have to wait. He had plenty of time to be with young Yavia, for now he needed the Queen's favor, and she was his only means of achieving this.