Chapter 32- Intel
Time was passing quickly. I busied myself with work in order to keep my mind from going crazy from my more...personal life.
It was discovered shortly after our return that a few items were stolen from our treasury while we were away defending our borders.
The pieces all fell together from there. The answer to why all of a sudden, we were being attacked after so many years of peace. The who arranged the attack in order to distract us from guarding this item.
Jiao-long used my birthday celebration and search for potential suitors as his way into our home. He used his time here to uncover some of our secrets and put a few finishing touches to his own plans. Although what he did was despicable, I couldn't help but admire the brilliance of his plan. He played us well until the end but underestimated one factor.
Over the last few days, my specialized team has been following the breadcrumbs Jiao-long has left behind in his rush to flee my castle. They were on his heels from the very start and have now been keeping a watchful eye on him from afar. They tell me he is rallying an even larger force this time. No doubt he will use the items he has stolen from us to aid his mission for mass destruction.
A man like him has big ambition, big enough to think he might just have the chance of taking my Empire from me. He has something else coming to him if that's the case. Not even the ring of King Soloman taken from the first world or a treasured bottle containing a single dose of the Elixir of Life can save him.
I have given word to strengthen our borders defenses while preparing my army as well. He took us by surprise the first time but now he would not be so lucky. I have included my four husbands in my preparations this time round.
Fraren has taken the lead in preparing our troops while the others have sent word back to their individual kingdoms. They have troops of their own joining us very soon to show their support in our newly formed alliances.
My father has even called upon a few of our allies from the first world in secret to help eliminate this nuisance once and for all. We will not allow even one traitor to keep on breathing. Jiao-long might have the help of the Djinn army thanks to his thieving of artifacts, but I will have an even greater force to reckon with.
In the heat of all my preparations my husband's still find little ways to let me know they were there for me. Fraren had gone into the woods one night collecting a few supplies to make me a personal gift. He later placed the bracelet on my slender wrist silently before heading back to his duties.
Even after our marriage it did not mean he was not still the head of our guard. Our union only tripled his duties but showed he was capable non the less.
Asmodeus, I soon found out, was now able to track me anywhere I was. His mark on me was like a beacon only to him, calling out my whereabouts. He would teleport through his fiery portals from time to time. Bringing me food, reminding me to eat despite my obsessive work ethic.
Although there was little time to feel guilty for not spending a proper wedding night with Sabasmus and Asterion. Those thoughts were still in the back of my mind poking at me. Once I got things in order with the battle preparations, I would have more time to think about that.
The dread that washed over me thinking that spending the night with the both of them would only bring more jealousy and heart ache to the others and me.
I missed when things were simply, like on our first dates together. Reading in the library with Sabasmus, talking endlessly. Or having a picnic in the greenhouse with Asterion learning about his family and sisters I so desperately wanted to meet.
For now, I pushed those thoughts aside, turning my focus back to my work. Sabasmus and Asterion were off preparing things back at their respective kingdoms. This kept me from having to deal with their emotions and needs for now.
The next few days passed by, and my exhaustion was only growing. A letter was received from my personal team. They sent word that the enemy forces had begun to make their move in our direction. It would take nearly a week for their large army to travel by foot to us. A week for me to finish my preparations. Over 100,000 troops were seen marching, and their numbers were still growing yet.
I quickly moved from my desk to speak with father. I relayed the information from my letter to him.
"Father, I believe we should remove all the guards from the borders they will be crossing."
I threw my idea out there quickly making his brows raise.
"Hear me out, instead of letting a reoccurrence happen like last time. I say we draw them in closer under false pretenses making them think we are scared and fleeing. When really we will have them surrounded on all sides with our army as a whole, not scattered amongst the different borders they would be crossing." I finished waiting for fathers' approval.
"To allow them closer to our home is a risk, if you are willing to take that risk confident in your plan daughter, then I support you. Send word out to your people at once to make the arrangements and I will do the same with my few friends I have asked to join us. We have a timeline now. Let's work with it." He finished.
"Yes father, thank you." I said as I exited his study. Fathers' reassurance in me gave me the confidence I needed to carry out my plan. Jiao-long played with me and my emotions. Now it was my turn to play with his cocky and egotistical mindset.
I would allow the enemy to believe they were winning only to knock him down twice as hard. I smiled at the thought of his face once he realized what he had walked into. My trap.