"My dear, then you would have worn the Islamic dress. Wear it well and cover this beautiful face. There are innocent souls who will die at my hands because of you."
He whispered in her ear as he reached out to place the white veil well on her face.
After he finished, he leaned back a little, admiring her covered face and said in a low voice.
"There it is, much better."
Seeing him adjusting her veil, Laila looked at the man who was hugging her by the waist while leading his black horse with a raised eyebrow.
When Laila looked at Gabriel from the corner of her eye, he noticed the look on her face. He laughed quietly, realizing her hidden doubts.
He tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her towards him, resting his head on hers.
"What? Aren't you enjoying the scenery, my little wife?"
He asked with a sarcastic smile and his voice was tinged with a hint of sarcasm
"....."
Laila's gaze was fixed on his face silently
She opened her mouth to say one word
"Crazy"
Did this crazy man just say that she would cause people to die at his hands, so she revealed her face?
When Layla called him crazy, Gabriel's sarcastic smile widened even more. He tilted his head slightly, his turquoise eyes meeting hers, and his voice was filled with a hint of amusement.
"Well, thank you for the compliment, my little wife. I'll take that as a compliment."
He said jokingly.
He tightened his grip on her waist slightly as he continued to lead his black horse.
"Yes, I said that. If you continue to show off your pretty face, I can't guarantee that some poor soul won't end up losing their lives because of it."
"I don't remember women in Germany and Europe in general covering their faces."
Layla said frankly as she reached out towards his hand that was clinging to her waist to pinch it.
Gabriel admitted, not loosening his grip on her waist.
"It's true that it's not common for women to cover their faces in Europe, but you're not European. Isn't it common for women in the Jehovah's Wife to cover their faces?"
"Well that's true but hearing a European man tell me to cover my face is something funny I didn't know you guys cared so much about chastity"
Layla said in a sarcastic feminine tone as she stubbornly removed the veil from her face and she was still pinching his hand that was surrounding her waist
As Layla continued to provoke him with mockery Gabriel's face hardened and he moved closer to her, his voice was low and strong
He said as he tightened his hand around her waist
"I care about my own desires and what concerns me and now you belong to this category my little wife"
Then he reached out his free hand and forcibly placed the veil on her face and his expression was stern
"You put it on and then you will continue to do so"
Layla stared at him in disbelief
When Gabriel returned the veil to Layla's face against her will he pulled her closer to him making her sit more comfortably on his lap he felt a strange sense of satisfaction from exercising his control over her
He said in a voice Firm and masculine
"Now be a good little wife and behave yourself unless you want to test my patience further"
"You...you damned bastard dare to order me around???"
Laila felt that the last straw of rationality had been completely cut off from her mind at this moment.
This man dared to give her orders?!!!
Come on Laila, daughter of the Caliph of the world Abdul Rahman III, no one in this world dared to meet orders with her, even her great father did not do that, but this man dares to address her in this tone?!!!
Laila lifted her torso from Gabriel's lap, ignoring the horse she was on, not afraid of losing her balance, to stand up and in front of the soldiers who were following their Caesar from behind, grabbing Gabriel by his soft gray hair while looking at him with complete madness.
While Laila was pulling his hair with all her strength, Gabriel could not stop himself from letting out a hiss of pain, and his face twisted with discomfort.
"Oh! Oh! For Christ's sake have mercy on me!"
He grumbled, still maintaining his sarcastic smile despite the pain
"You're not doing yourself any favors by assaulting your husband, you know."
Hearing him say the word "husband," Laila's body trembled with anger as she looked at him angrily
"Don't say your husband, you're not my husband, for God's sake."
Just at that moment, before Laila could realize it, Gabriel wrapped his arms around her waist tightly, pulling her towards him and moving the white veil away from her face so he could kiss her
His red lips touched her pink ones in a gentle, shallow kiss
"....."
Gabriel felt her body tense under his touch, but he could sense the subtle shift in her demeanor. The kiss, which was meant to assert his control, had a different effect. He watched her closely as his lips moved away from hers, his turquoise eyes focused on her face
He expected resistance, but instead he felt her surrender She lowered her defenses a little
"You scoundrel, are you crazy?!!!"
Layla's entire face was red with shame and embarrassment
This crazy man did that in front of everyone?!!
"You are not ashamed to beat your husband in front of everyone, but you are ashamed to kiss him"
Gabriel mocked her while holding on to her waist so she wouldn't fall off the horse.
The knights in the back looked at this scene in amazement.
"Who's crazy now huh?"
Gabriel said as he held her tightly to prevent her from falling. He laughed as he felt her body tremble in his arms and her face turn bright red with embarrassment.
He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear. His voice was tinged with sarcasm but also with a hint of possessiveness.
"I don't care who's watching. You're mine and I'll kiss you whenever I want, my little wife."
"You're officially a psycho."
Layla pounced to try to pull his soft gray hair again.
"Be careful, we'll fall like this. Hahahahaha."
Gabriel laughed loudly as he held her waist tightly.
The knights watching what was happening between the Tsar and his new bride were completely stunned.
Not because of the Tsar's new wife's audacity but because of the fact that their brutal and cold Tsar was laughing so hard.
It was the first time they had ever seen him actually laugh.
"You're testing my patience, "Gabriel!!!!"
Layla said fiercely while pulling his hair harshly and angrily
She was angry at the fact that this man was making fun of her tantrum
"....."
What?!!!
What did he just hear.....
Gabriel felt as if he had a hearing problem
He suddenly stopped laughing and looked at her with his sharp turquoise eyes that were gradually widening in disbelief
Gabriel felt as if his heart started to skip a normal beat
It's impossible....
This little woman
This little woman said his name
The name that came out of her delicious lips was definitely his name
Seeing the man who was previously laughing calmly while looking at her in astonishment, Layla felt a little nervous and asked him sharply
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"...."
"You… you said my name."
He muttered in a very low male voice that Laila could barely hear.
This was the first time she had ever said his name.
Even when they first met five years ago.
This was the first time she had ever actually said his name.
"...."
He was surprised by the sound of his name on her lips, the sound he had been yearning to hear for years. The coldness in his eyes had softened slightly, replaced by a mixture of surprise and fascination.
"You've never called me by my name before."
He continued, a hint of weakness in his usual icy tone.
"Why now?"
Hearing that, Laila felt astonished at herself as well.
She really said his name.
The name she had promised herself never to say or acknowledge.
Seeing her silent like this, the memory of the painful past passed through Gabriel's mind for a moment.
The memory of her sharp and poisonous words passed through his mind earlier.
{I don't want to call you by your name. I prefer to address you as the monk}
{Because I don't want to have any kind of connection or relationship with you}
His gaze moved away for a moment as he struggled with the conflicting feelings that the memory of her words had stirred. He knew that the trust and connection he longed for wouldn't come easily, given their troubled past.
With a deep breath, Gabriel forced his mind back to the present and his eyes focused once again on Laila's face.
"Why...?"
He repeated, his voice calmer than before
"Why did you call me by my name now? After all this time…"
He couldn't help but wonder what prompted her to say his name at this moment. Was it a slip of the tongue, a moment of weakness, or something more?
His eyes stared into hers, searching for any hint of explanation. He was eager to understand what was going through her mind and what had changed in her heart to make her say the name of the person she had always vehemently rejected.
Hearing his question, Laila sat back on the horse's saddle properly while carefully putting the veil back on her face.
Her response to his words was silence only.
"....."
Laila's silence was very clear. Her actions and closed-off behavior only increased the confusion that was prevailing in Gabriel's mind.
He watched her, his eyes narrowing as he tried to decipher her thoughts and emotions.
The lack of response to his question hung in the air, increasing his curiosity and frustration.
He said in a voice tinged with annoyance.
"You won't answer me? You won't explain to me why you suddenly called my name after all this time?"
"It was a slip of the tongue"
Layla said in a low feminine voice while looking at her surroundings silently
She was contemplating the beauty of the green forest from atop the horse while putting some distance between her back and his solid chest covered in silver war armor
Gabriel's jaw tensed as he listened to her response
Slip of the tongue...
He felt extremely disappointed by her rejection of the importance of her words
He repeated in a voice full of skepticism
"Slip of the tongue?? Is that all? Just a meaningless slip of the tongue?"
His eyes narrowed as he watched her stare into the surrounding forest, her back deliberately turned away from his chest.
"Yes, a slip of the tongue."
Layla responded to his words firmly, her large brown eyes with a bright sparkle still fixed on the green forest where the chirping of birds grew louder.
Gabriel couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration upon hearing her firm response.
She spoke as if the meaning behind her words held no significance, as if the whole thing was just a coincidence.
He shifted his body weight and closed the small distance she had created between their bodies. His chest touched her back, and his breath touched the side of her cloak-covered neck
"Slip of the tongue you're telling me?" His voice was a low hum mixed with a hint of annoyance
"And yet my heart still beats for my little wife"
"Then you should kill your heart then because it beats for a woman it should never beat for...a woman you can never have a normal marriage with, so I advise you to just kill this heart"
Layla said in a low feminine voice as she reached out to rub her lips harshly
Those lips that Gabriel kissed minutes ago as if she was disgusted even by the trace of his lips on hers
Her words hit their target, igniting a painful pang in Gabriel's chest. He knew the truth she had said and the cold reality of their situation, yet her words still hurt him
As she rubbed her lips harshly as if trying to erase the traces of his kiss, Gabriel felt his frustrations boil over
He clenched his jaw and gripped his reins tightly
"I can't kill My heart"
He said through clenched teeth
"No matter how much I try and no matter how much I tell myself that it is useless, I cannot stop it from beating for you"
"O Caesar, your feelings are a sin and you know that very well. What are you going to tell the Vatican or your devout Christian people?? I married a Muslim princess because I have feelings for her?"
Layla said sarcastically while her eyes were still fixed on nature
Gabrielle's lips pressed into a thin, taut line as she spoke and her sarcasm was sharper than any sword
He knew the consequences of his feelings and the challenges they would bring. The conflict between his faith and his desire for her weighed heavily on him
He said in a voice tinged with annoyance
"I am fully aware of the complexities of my situation but you know very well that it is not as simple as telling the Vatican that I married a Muslim princess because of my feelings"
"Then what are you going to tell the Vatican then? How are you going to tell your people about me?" How are you going to announce me to them?"
Layla continued to mock him indifferently.
Gabriel clenched his teeth, feeling frustration coursing through his veins as Layla continued to mock him. He knew that she was challenging him and testing his resolve.
Her indifference only served to annoy him more than it fueled his desire to face her challenge.
He replied firmly.
"I will tell them that you are now my wife and they will have to accept it whether they like it or not."
"What a brave man you are indeed. You plan to fight the entire world because you certainly haven't forgotten the reaction of the Islamic world to the news of my alleged marriage to you?"
Layla laughed with complete sarcasm.
Layla was well aware of why her bastard brother hadn't announced the suitor who proposed to her.
He was simply afraid of the reaction of the Islamic world to his decision.
Even this marriage had definitely taken place behind closed doors, and the act of smuggling her with the groom in a black, worn-out carriage was also Planned by that despicable, greedy brother
Hajar.....
Her nanny Hajar must have threatened her life and the lives of her children to force her to dress her up and push her into the car
Her mocking laughter sent a wave of annoyance through Gabriel's heart and his grip on the reins tightened.
He was not ignorant of the consequences he would face and the violent reactions he would undoubtedly face from the Islamic and Christian worlds.
He responded sharply.
"I am fully aware of the challenges, but I am not a coward and if they have a problem with this, they can come and fight me themselves."
"....."
Despite her hatred for this situation and her opposition to this marriage, Laila could not help but feel admiration for this man's courage.
"You are an eccentric man."
She muttered in a low feminine voice.
As she muttered her unexpected compliment, a flash of astonishment passed through Gabriel's eyes.
He had expected more mockery and not any hint of admiration.
His expression softened slightly, and a hint of weakness appeared on him for a brief moment.
He replied, in a sarcastic, masculine tone.
"Eccentric?? That's one way to express it "About your admiration, O dry woman"
"....."
Seeing her silent response, Gabriel's turquoise eyes focused on the road ahead of him.
He was hesitant to give her their wedding ring, which he was supposed to put on her hand since morning.
A ring in this era symbolized that this woman was married, that is, she belonged to a certain man, especially in Europe at this time.
The ring symbolized the eternal connection between the couple and this was something that Gabriel, who believed in the sanctity of marriage contracts, appreciated.
He had planned to treat her based on his culture and beliefs, even if she did not share his beliefs. He would respect her religion and appreciate her red lines.
In the evening, Gabriel decided to let his soldiers rest a little and ordered them to set up tents.
Unlike yesterday, Laila sat in the empty circle where the fire was burning in the middle of the place while the soldiers were busy setting up tents.
As she was contemplating the red fire, she heard the familiar male voice.
"So you were tired, you can go rest in the tent. The knights have already finished setting it up."
Gabriel said while looking at her from the corner of his eye.
Laila looked up when Gabriel spoke and her gaze shifted from the enchanting fire to his figure standing next to her.
His offer to go to a tent and rest was somewhat surprising given their tense interactions up until now. She looked at him. For a moment, her expression was unreadable.
She said in a firm, steady voice.
"I'm not tired. I'd rather stay here."
Then she turned her gaze back to the dancing fire, her mind still lost in thought.
Gabriel's eyes remained fixed on Layla's form, observing her calm expression. Her response was not unexpected, given her tendency to be defiant and stubborn.
However, he couldn't help but feel disappointed by her refusal to rest.
He walked towards her with slow steps until he stood beside her near the fire.
"You haven't eaten anything all day."
He pointed, his voice a bit stern but with a hint of concern.
Layla's gaze remained fixed on the fire, not even acknowledging his presence beside her.
But his words were sincere. She hadn't had a proper meal all day, her stomach was growling with hunger.
However, her stubbornness and refusal to let him take care of her was strong.
"I'm not hungry," she lied in a cold, detached voice.
Gabriel couldn't help but look up from Her blatant lie was both infuriating and admirable.
He knew her well enough to be able to tell if she was being honest or not, and her denial of hunger was just a facade.
He let out a heavy sigh, his eyes studying her form in the firelight.
"You're lying"
He said honestly
"I can see the way your stomach growls"
"Why do you live in my gut??"
Layla looked at him with annoyance from the corner of her eye
Gabriel's lips curved into a sarcastic smile at her sharp response
He wasn't surprised by her annoyance and refusal to acknowledge her own needs
He shook his head and sighed again
"No, I don't live in your womb"
He said with a hint of amusement in his voice
"But my senses are sharp enough that I can tell when you're lying, even if it's about something as simple as your hunger"
"I said my guts, what does that have to do with my womb, are you crazy?"
Layla looked at him with embarrassment and anger
Gabriel's sarcastic smile widened at her flustered reaction. It was funny to see her get defensive and angry at his simple slip of the tongue
There was a hint of hurt in his eyes. He leaned towards her and lowered his voice to a soft hum
"I apologize"
He said, his voice dripping with fake innocence
"I mean the stomach of course, not the womb"
"..."
"Well, your womb will eventually give birth to my child anyway, so you should eat well"
Gabriel said with a mischievous smile as he looked at her stomach covered by the white cloak
"Do you want to die???"
Sparks flew from Layla's big brown eyes with thick, long eyelashes
Gabriel was not affected by her anger, in fact, he found it strangely endearing
With a sarcastic smile, he pushed his luck even further
He replied in a voice tinged with amusement
"I was just telling the truth, you have to eat well if you're going to give me heirs, right?"
"....."
Layla doubted that this man was deliberately speaking in a provocative way to get a pleasant reaction from her.
She got up from the circle and headed to her tent, completely ignoring Gabriel.
When Gabriel saw Layla suddenly get up and head towards her tent, Gabriel's sarcastic smile widened even more. He realized that he had pushed her buttons in the way he intended.
As she turned away from him, he shouted, his voice casual but with a hint of humor.
"You can ignore me as much as you want, my little wife, but you cannot shirk your duty as a wife."
"A psychopath."
Those were the last words Layla said before she entered the tent.
As Layla disappeared into her tent, Gabriel laughed to himself.
He enjoyed her violent reaction and the fact that he could easily provoke her.
He muttered to himself, a small smile dancing on his lips.
"She's sure to be difficult to deal with."
With a sigh Satisfied, he sat by the fire to watch the night
Gabriel looked at the burning embers of the fire silently
He was lost in thought, immersed in the past five years
In that luxurious palace, the 18-year-old teenager sat in front of that luxurious and old bed while looking at the old man with gray hair who was dying in the bed
{"Son, there is a secret I should have told you a long time ago"}
That night was the night when King Gunther the Holy died in his bed
{"My son, you are actually descended from a great tribe of Vikings... Your mother Odette is actually the only daughter of the great Viking leader Jarl Vingir"}
{"This explains why your strange and rare hair color is actually due to the fact that you are descended from the last Viking leader who was known for his gray hair color... The leader left a legacy that could make all the Vikings scattered in the world under your command"}
Back on the ground of reality, Gabriel mocked his father's last words
Grandson of an ancient Viking chieftain
It so happens that Layla's father was called {Viking Subduer}
Then his ugly gray hair was inherited from that person.....
Gabriel unconsciously touched his gray hair
So Layla discovered that he was descended from the Vikings that her father had defeated and even inherited his hair color from them, wouldn't she just despise him even more?
He had already been to the Kebnekais Mountains and had met the remnants of the Vikings who inhabited that land and had already declared their loyalty to him
He was planning to make them his naval force at sea since they were previously known for their sea monster poison, they should be useful as seafarers
While he was absent-minded, the knights had already sat in the circle surrounding the fire and had already begun preparing their dinner
Seeing a group of knights discussing in the middle of the fire while cooking food, Gabriel asked while looking at the pot of food
"What's for dinner?"
One of the knights, a large man with a friendly face, looked at Gabriel with a smile.
He replied.
"Some venison soup, Your Majesty. The hunting was good today, so we have enough to eat."
Coming to think of it, some knights went hunting at noon. On their way, it is said that their hunt was plentiful, as they hunted three fat deer.
"Three fat deer, right?"
Gabriel thought as he sat among the knights.
He knew that the men were experienced hunters and skilled archers. It was no surprise that they were able to hunt such a large number of deer.
He added with admiration in his voice
"Amazing, we will eat well tonight"
The knights were a little embarrassed by the Kaiser's unfamiliar attitude. The supreme ruler of Germany and the de facto leader of the Christian world was a man who had always been cold, harsh, and fierce with his enemies. This was their stereotype of him ever since he sat on the throne.
Despite their great loyalty to him, the knights did not actually interact with the Kaiser, especially since he had previously isolated himself for training. Therefore, seeing him speak to them with humility, most of them felt embarrassed.
Despite his renunciation of the monkhood and despite his exit from the church, the humble and ascetic character of a clergyman was still embedded in his bones. Even if he had become a Kaiser, Gabriel was actually very humble away from war and the battlefield. The aura surrounding him was that of a humble and gentle clergyman. Despite his cold face, he was not as intimidating as Gabriel, who had the aura of a man of war.
He said, trying to ease the tension.
"No need. "For the extreme tension I'm still the same person you know"
The knights quickly recovered from their initial embarrassment and some of them even laughed at his comment
One of the younger knights spoke up, a tall, muscular man with a friendly smile
He said
"We know that, Your Majesty. It just takes some getting used to seeing you like this. You're completely different from what we've seen before."
Gabriel smiled again, enjoying the young knight's sincerity
He admitted
"I guess I haven't been very social in the past years"
He understood why they were surprised after all he had isolated himself for so long
He hadn't interacted much with his men who shared his life and death experience on the battlefield due to his complete focus on becoming stronger every day politically, militarily, and physically
Perhaps he should have opened up to them more
Gabriel chatted with them for a while while they prepared dinner
The topics ranged from the day's catch to tales of the knights' previous battles to stories about their families back home
Gabriel found himself truly amused Reacting to the realization that he had been isolated for too long
The conversation was casual and easy and Gabriel found himself learning more about his followers and subjects beyond just their ranks and duties.
He discovered their dreams, fears, struggles, and triumphs. As night fell,
The knights grew more comfortable with their leader and asked him questions about his life and experiences.
Gabriel answered each question with his usual calm and modesty and did not hesitate to share some of his own stories and experiences.
As he spoke with his men, he could not help but marvel at the warmth and camaraderie that had developed among them all. It was a stark contrast to the isolated and disciplined life he had lived as a monk and then as a Caesar.
When dinner was over, Gabriel took a large bowl of venison stew and a large piece of bread and filled some cold water into the animal skin pouch before heading to Laila's tent.
Gabriel walked quietly towards Laila's tent, his hands carefully balancing the hot bowl of venison stew and bread alongside the bag of cold water.
The sound of crickets filling the air as he approached the entrance of the tent, his mind focused on the task of caring for his wife.
He stopped outside the tent and took a moment to collect his thoughts. Despite his desire to care for Laila, he knew that she was probably still angry with him.
He took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and called out quietly.
"Laila, are you awake?"
"I am in front of you. Do you have an eye problem?"
Laila said, lying on the large silk pillow placed on the floor, still wearing her white abaya, holding a thick book in her hand.
Looking at the title of the book, Gabriel immediately knew that the book was his.
He approached to sit on the floor near her while carefully placing the food on the carpeted floor.
He arranged the food between them silently.
After carefully arranging the food, he looked at her as she read the book, her black eyebrow raised high.
It was clear that she was still angry with him
"After using my comb earlier, here you are reading my book. It seems that you have the identity of digging through my things, Laila."
Laila looked up from the book, her expression a mixture of annoyance and indifference.
She said simply as she resumed her reading.
"I was bored and your book caught my attention."
She tried to maintain a calm appearance, but he could see the slight tension in her eyes and the slight frown on her lips.
A slight smile appeared at the corners of his mouth as he watched her. She was clearly trying to maintain her coolness, but her actions gave it away.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised."
He thought as he leaned on his hands.
"You always used to take things without asking."
Laila rolled her eyes in boredom and didn't look up from the book.
"Oh, shut up."
She replied, but there was no real annoyance in her tone.
She continued reading, pretending to ignore him, but he could. To see her glances at him from time to time
"The book in your hand talks about General Flavius Belisarius, one of the greatest Eastern Roman generals"
Gabriel said as he cut the bread to dip it in the venison soup and extended his hand towards her mouth with the intention of feeding her
Layla raised her head from the book and her eyes widened slightly in surprise when she saw the bread dipped in the venison soup being offered to her
She paused for a moment and her stubborn figure trembled as her stomach growled, revealing her hunger
She said in a defensive tone
"I know who Flavius Belisarius is"
However, she found herself unable to refuse the offer of food as hunger overcame her
She reached out to take the piece of bread dipped in the soup
"In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"
She said before putting the food in her mouth
Gabriel was watching her as she ate and a soft smile was on his face and despite her annoyance with him, he She relented and accepted his offer of food.
He found it endearing, the way she tried to keep her annoyance at bay while giving in to her hunger.
He joked.
"I see your stubbornness can't resist a good meal."
He then dipped a piece of bread in the soup for himself.
He said before putting the food in his mouth.
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
He quietly recited and made the sign of the cross before eating the bread
Prayer was a familiar routine that had become instinctive to him over the years. As he ate, he glanced at Laila who was chewing her food with enjoyment
She was eating while looking at the book in her hand with interest
Seeing her so interested in the book that talked about General Belisarius, Gabriel said while chewing his food
"I was interested in reading the biography of Belisarius because people have started comparing me to him recently after my invasion of the Kingdom of Flora, which happens to be a kingdom that was previously occupied by your brother Abdullah the Butcher five years ago"
"Belisarius was a great general. Being compared to him just because you invaded the Kingdom of Flora during the period of weakness of the Caliphate during the reign of my drunken brother does not entitle you to be compared to him"
Laila said sarcastically as she took the wooden spoon for the soup to taste it cautiously because it was still hot
Gabriel laughed a little at her sarcastic tone and rolled his eyes at Fake annoyance
"Ah, of course I apologize for not reaching the same level of great leadership as Belisarius."
He replied with a hint of humor and took another piece of bread to dip into the soup
"I'm sure conquering a weak kingdom isn't as impressive as Belisarius's victories over the Vandals and Ostrogoths."
"Yes, you don't even compare to him. How dare people compare you to him?"
Layla said sharply as she savored the venison soup with relish.
That comment was sharp.
As he thought with amusement.
He leaned on his palm.
A mocking smile appeared on his face.
"I deeply apologize for not being able to live up to your expectations."
He replied, mockery seeping from his tone.
"Next time, I will make sure to conquer at least three kingdoms before people dare compare me to a legendary general, my queen."
Layla rolled her eyes again, but this time, there was a hint of a smile on her lips.
"Three kingdoms? Please, that's nothing."
She said, the sarcasm in her voice matching his
"Perhaps if you conquered at least half of the known world like Belisarius did, I would consider you worthy of comparison."
He couldn't help but laugh quietly, enjoying her audacity
"Half of the known world, huh? Is that the standard I need to reach to meet your expectations?"
He joked, leaning forward slightly
"Anything less than that, and I'm just a lowly pretender who doesn't deserve Belisarius' greatness."
"Yes, a lowly and pathetic pretender."
Amusement and excitement gushed from Layla's big brown eyes
Gabriel laughed again, enjoying the joke
"I'm pathetic and lowly, aren't I? God, how cruel are you?"
He leaned forward even more, gently placing his hand on her pillow
His bright turquoise eyes with masculine charm looked into those large, seductive, and alluring brown eyes
Gabriel swallowed his saliva and said in a serious male voice,
"Then I will do it... The challenge of conquering half the known world. If my action for that might gain your recognition, I will do it."