Setia had never been one to do what she was told. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror, as she wore the men's leggings and a form-fitting black tunic. Tying her silver hair back with a piece of leather, her golden cat's eyes shone in the sunlight. She strapped her holster around her chest and placed her sword on her back. Pulling on her leather boots, she smiled. She was ready for practice.

She opened the door to her suite and noticed Eli floating behind her. Two dark elves stood outside her suites. She stared with shock. They bowed as she opened the doors.

"My lady, General Elarion requested we watch your room while you slept." The one dark elf announced. He had dark gray skin, like Setia's, and silver hair. But he had dark blue eyes and was tall and muscular. The other man was slightly shorter, with less bulk, and had violet eyes.

"Thank you for watching over me, gentlemen." Setia offered a nod of thanks. She turned to stare down the hallway. "Maybe one of you can direct me to the soldier's practice field." She asked. The men stared at her in surprise.

"Yes my lady, I will show you the way." The blue-eyed elf announced. He turned to walk down the hall.

"What is your name, sir?" Setia asked.

"Liam, your highness." He bowed. She smiled at him and followed him around the palace.She heard the soldiers before she saw them, the guttural grunts and cries, the clashing of steel. All sounds she felt her character had missed while masquerading as the dutiful princess. She longed to stretch her muscles. Seeing heavily armoured men training in the field in the distance, she sauntered toward it. Eyes followed her as she approached, whispers behind hidden hands.

"Your highness! What a surprise." A voice called from the edge of the field. She saw general Elarion standing in his training regalia. He wore a form-fitting tunic that showed his clearly defined muscles, and a pair of trousers tucked into boots. A padded leather chest piece was over his tunic for training. He carried a long sword at his waist.

"General, it is good to see you this morning." She said honestly. Glad to see a familiar face. The general nodded and placed a hand on her elbow, guiding her over to the far edge of the field.

"I thought I told you to lie low in your rooms." Elarion raised a finely arched brow at her. She smiled and looked up at him innocently.

"Why, General, you invited me." She winked. He snorted and rolled his icy eyes, amused by her antics.

"Well, let's see what you can do." He motioned for her to draw her weapon. He guided her over to a large, simple area in the field. Some trainees stopped to look over at what was happening. Setia bit her lip and looked around frantically.

"N-Now?! You?! You want me to spar with you?" She asked. He drew his sword and held it at his side.

"Yes, princess. You wanted to fight, and so we shall." He drawled, as if she couldn't understand. She chewed her lower lip.

"You're sure you don't want me to fight one of your men instead?" She mused. He shook his head.

"I can't trust one of them not to harm the princess." He said, a smirk on his lips. Setia growled. Like any of these men could lay a hand on her! She pulled out her sword, and held it between her two hands, readying her stance, she felt herself naturally step into a fighter's position.

"How kind of you, sir." She purred at him. His eyes looked hungry. They circled each other. She watched him, analyzing his movements. He moved with a catlike grace. Something about it was calling to her, the darkness that surrounded him, the movements of the shadows. They coiled up like tendrils, she could see.

He launched toward her, noticing her confusion, his sword poised to strike. Swiftly, she spun her hand up, meeting his sword with her own and parrying it off of her. He moved in a dance formation. She was still on the defensive.

She noticed the shadows thicker where he was about to step, rather than where he feinted. So she launched herself at his right side when she followed the shadows, even though he'd feinted left. His eyes widened, and she spun, sword slicing in a downward arc, and halted the blade before his cheek.

"Point." She said and danced backward. He was wheezing, and launched himself at her again, sword poking forward in a strike. She danced to the side, easily avoiding him and, with her spinning momentum, struck him in the belly with the flat of her sword. He grunted and hunched over.

"Point and match." She whispered. She turned to the men who had gathered to watch and bowed, leaning on her sword.

"Thank you for not harming me, General." She said sweetly. He scowled at her, but his eyes were alight with fire.

(Ding! Court approval has increased to 20%) She smiled.

"Come with me, princess." He said, and placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her from the training field. They walked a good way away, around the back of a few of the servants' buildings on the grounds, hidden from view. Setia swallowed and followed with him, feeling the pressure of his fingers on the small of her back. She trembled. He smelled of freshly cut grass and spice, and she could feel the heat of his body as he was close to her.

Keep your head in the game, Setia. You're here for the prince! Plus, this guy suspected you, he's been entirely too helpful. She chided to herself.

'Completely shameless.' Eli chided in her head.

She growled. 'Get out of my head!'

He pressed her back against the wall of the building. His body stayed within an inch of hers. His eyes glared down at her fiercely.

"You can fight." He acknowledged. She nodded, meeting his gaze levelly. He lowered his head, so it was inches from hers. She could feel his breath on her face. "What are your intentions?" He growled. Setia pulled back, her head hitting the wall in surprise.

"My intentions?" She sputtered, confused by what he meant. He rested a hand on either side of her head against the wall and leaned. He crowded around her, the bulk of his body intimidating.

"With us. With this kingdom." His gaze was deep, his voice layered honey. Setia flushed.

"I have no intentions. I merely want what's best for our kingdoms, and I'm following my heart." She added softly. He appeared to be having some sort of internal battle. His gaze found her lips and fixated there.

"Following your heart? And what does your heart tell you." He said, his voice a whisper close to her lips.

"My heart... it tells me... There's something about you." She answered honestly.

"Fuck it." He growled. And his lips crashed into hers. It wasn't a gentle kiss. It was hungry, passionate. His tongue caressed her lips, asking for entrance. He gripped her waist and pulled her against him, his other hand still leaning her against the wall. He crowded her, consumed her. She felt the hard lines of his body against her, her breasts rubbed against his chest, and she whimpered into the kiss. She bit his lower lip playfully. He groaned.

He broke away from her lips and was panting. Her chest heaved, as she was also panting. He launched away from her as they heard footsteps approaching from behind.

"General!" A soldier came running up. Setia straightened herself and caught her breath.

"Yes?" Elarion growled at the soldier. He blanched.

"His Highness is looking for you and lady Setia." The soldier said tentatively. Elarion nodded, and the soldier ran off.Well, fuck.