I'd Give Up The World For You

Rukelion knew he had pushed too far when he first got back but he couldn't help it. How was he supposed to resist when Daisy kissed him like that?

As soon as she said something he backed away. He couldn't mess up everything he had worked for with her for a mere moment of satisfaction. He didn't want a moment. He wanted forever.

He was certain he would get it though he wasn't sure when. She had been very happy to see him return and climbed into his bed entirely of her own accord. Even if she was only using him to keep warm he would gladly take it!

From what little Rukelion knew of Daisy's world, the technology was much more highly advanced. They didn't have to use fireplaces because they had something called electricity that was used to warm houses. After having something like that it was no wonder she hadn't known how to start a fire their first winter together.

She must have had a very hard time with everything even if she did say she was happier here than she had been there. He wanted to give her all she had lost and then some so she would never want to go back.

The way she talked she didn't seem to think it was possible. But if it was…he didn't want her to ever be tempted to return. He needed her here!

The cinnamon rolls had been a real stroke of luck. The baker had been planning to start selling them anyway so getting one for her on a regular basis wouldn't be a problem. There had to be other foods that could be recreated too but he wasn't much of a cook himself.

Everything he knew, he had learned from his wife. If Daisy didn't know how to make something he wouldn't either. But it might be more a matter of not having ingredients than it not being possible considering the cinnamon rolls. She was a talented baker. She might be able to figure things out on her own.

She shouldn't have to though. She shouldn't be confined to a life of drudgery and chores.

Rukelion's original assumption that she had been a noble before may have been wrong (it seemed even the most poor people in her world had access to that sort of technology) but he didn't care. She was lovelier than any noblewoman he had ever met.

Daisy was kind, loyal, and fair. She would make a wonderful queen once his plan was complete. Then she would never have to work hard again.

She could eat what she wanted, do what she wanted, and leave the chores to other people. She had worked hard enough already for a lifetime. Once he was in charge she would finally be able to take it easy.

The problem was that Rukelion didn't know when this was going to happen. His plan had been accelerated but he wasn't going to have access to the castle until he was at least a lieutenant colonel. Maybe higher.

There was also the issue of not knowing where the mercenaries were these days. He needed to send someone out to track them down and have a reliable way to get in contact with Barry afterward so they would be able to coordinate their strike with the Zelish wind mages.

He sighed and held his wife closer. He really needed to try and get some sleep but all he could do was stare at her beautiful face as his thoughts bounced around endlessly in his head.

Rukelion had a lot on his plate right now. He still hadn't met with the king but knew that was coming and absolutely dreaded it. With his emotions already running high, he wasn't sure he would be able to keep a cool head in front of his worst enemy.

Remaining calm and playing the role of Major Leo May was paramount. He had to seem like a loyal soldier who could be trusted or he would never be able to pull off his plan. Nobody would be able to see it coming if he was going to make this work. Being suspected by even one person could ruin everything!

He had played his cards well. All of the soldiers loved him and the higher-ups weren't much different. His carefully cultivated image had to remain intact so there wouldn't be riots when he took over.

A lot of people weren't happy with the way the king ran things. Most of them should understand why Rukelion wanted to be in charge. The rest would have to be reasoned with or locked up. Killing them wasn't an option if he wanted to keep his soldier allies on his side. They all had friends in various squadrons.

This was unfortunate since he wanted to kill all of the higher-ranking officers. But no one on his side was aware he had manipulated things so people who fought in the "war" between Mirea and Katalya had died back in Aveleen.

As much as they deserved to die, they would simply have to be imprisoned for their crimes. That wouldn't satisfy him and he knew it but tried not to think about that too much.

Daisy would likely prefer he didn't kill them as well. She could never know what he did in Aveleen either but as long as she thought the coup was relatively peaceful there shouldn't be any problems. She did say she would have his back no matter what but he didn't think that would extend to purposely killing his supposed comrades and enjoying it.

What would she think of all of this? When she found out the truth…that he was a prince and all these years he had been focused on his revenge…that he had only left her because of it…would she be upset?

Rukelion couldn't stand it if she hated him but that didn't seem like her style. She was a very understanding and forgiving person who wanted to live her life in peace.

They could do that! As soon as this was all over everything would be peaceful and they would never have to worry about revenge or anything like it again. She could live the rest of her life in ease and he wouldn't have to leave her for long periods of time anymore.

He was terrified of having her opinion of him drop but he couldn't back out. Not with how close he was!

Though he loved Daisy more than anyone he couldn't love her with all his heart since so much of it was still occupied with hatred and thoughts of revenge. As soon as that was over and done with his focus would be mostly on her.

Rukelion would still have to devote time and energy to running this wreck of a kingdom and trying to rebuild what he had lost. It wouldn't be the same but he wanted to try and make Mirea more like Katalya because the people would be better off that way and he would be able to honor the legacy of his ancestors.

But that wasn't too much different than having a less prestigious job in terms of how much time he would be able to spend with her. It would still be the two of them against the world no matter how many nobles and army officers he had to deal with on a regular basis.

He wanted more than that though. He wanted to have a happy family like the one he had lost and she had never had the chance to have. Conrad, that idiot, had planted the idea in his head back in Zel and it had taken root.

Daydreaming like this was a bad idea since Daisy's feelings for him seemed to be muddled and he didn't want to make things worse but he couldn't help it. He knew she would be a wonderful mother with how much love she had to offer.

Rukelion frowned at the thought that he would have to share her but that would ultimately be worth it, wouldn't it? He had already been sharing her all this time with that boy Ira that she considered her son. She would love her own child much more though…

No matter. He still wanted a real family.

He could make sure that the art of Katalyan fire magic didn't die out and see what adorable mixture of him and the person he loved most they could produce. There were far more pros than cons to this.

Having a family was likely even farther off than achieving his revenge, unfortunately. He had no idea how long it would take to completely infiltrate his wife's heart until she didn't think of him as a child anymore. He had no idea what he had to do aside from carry on how he had been and couldn't ask anyone for advice.

That was probably for the best.. Rukelion's pride would take a serious beating having to ask for love advice from any of the idiots he knew.