Generals

How long do they intend to keep me in battle? What do they intend to do when I arrive unharmed from yet another war. A total of 36 battles, and yet I have come out unscathed.

All because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A royal in name only. I didn't choose this yet they act like I did.

The emperor Yagi married his first wife years ago. Though they were never able to have children. After years of no heir, he had a herem built. His wife is unhappy with the idea of a random woman's child becoming the next emperor decided to look for a child to adopt instead. I was sold to her to act as her child. I was raised as if to be the crown prince.

That is until Izuku was born. A child born only 16 years ago. His birth raised many questions. One of which is who is to now be the crown prince. I was barely brought into the royal palace at the young age of 6 and already had eyebrows raised if I belonged there.

I was pushed to work much harder than originally planned. I needed to be better than the boy with royal blood. Though no amount of work could get me there from the palace. At only 14, I was sent to the palace guard to learn. I needed to learn to fight. By 16, I was sent into my first battle. Six years later, here I am. At what point will I have proven myself.

I am stuck balancing a paper crown on my head while many pray for me to lose every battle.

At the end of the day, I find myself barely able to keep my eyes open. Camp was already set up for us by a force we are camping here with. Since we were getting in late, they knew we needed it.

I tie up my horse and look around, finding one of the night watchmen, "Generals tent." I grunt

"Which one?" He questioned

"What do you think?" I raise a brow

After he pointed me in the direction, I started that way. I found the tent and slipped on in, noticing the lights on.

I am almost glad I didn't need my armor today. Wearing more simple clothes meant that i didn't need to dress down just to sleep.

"And who are you?" A woman suddenly spoke.

I about jump out of my skin whipping around to see a woman writing a note on a lap table.

"I might ask the same question." I stare

She wears a Yukata oddly enough. She looks quite settled in her spot, looking only slightly annoyed, "If you're here to attempt to proposition me, I think you should try much harder."

Proposition?? If anything, she is here to Proposition me! "I advise you to leave then"

She looked up from her work, raising a brow at me, "Tell me which company of men you are in"

"We just arrive-"

"I see. Then you simply don't know. " she stood up and wondered over to stand before me. I about flinch as her fingers mess with the hem to my clothing, "I am the general of this camp. I require your respect. It would be good for you to remember this the next time we meet"

She doesn't even know who I am. She's also a general. It's not totally unusual, but it's still not common.

"I will do my best to do so,"

She smiled, "Good, I like them obedient."

I froze. Did this woman really just say that to me? I met her eyes, and I felt an involuntary shiver crawl up my spine at the way she looked at me.

"May i...try to Proposition again?" I clear my throat awkwardly

"You may try," she smirked, "But I may say no."

"Well, general...I'd like to do some endurance training,"

She laughed, shaking her head, "That is quite tempting. You seem like an interesting man. Perhaps I'll keep you around. I would enjoy your company itself. "

Spending the night sleeping soundly in my tent no longer held the glamor it once had. Now I don't wish to sleep.

Though my night was not what I had expected, she did still turn me down. Though I did get to spend the night in her tent, sharing tea and sweets. By the end of the night, she shared her bed only being permitted to wrap a single arm around her.

Although allowing a man in her tent, no a STRANGE man into her tent. Nothing about her seemed to EVER be out of her control. I was at her every whim, and every affordance I got never seemed cheap.

She seemed like the empress of this camp, and I was just any other soldier just hoping.

I woke up alone, though. I feel as if I've been ditched. I get up feeling a bit awkward finding all my light equipment and shuffling out of the tent.

Men were already up and moving. Everyone is so active! I already hear training.

I peek into the training area, watching one of the men land on the ground, losing what must have been his breakfast.

"Not good enough. Who is your commander? Is he not keeping up on your training?" The woman from before stood over him

"T-he prince," the man wheezed

Shit... don't pull me into this! I look around and find an odd bucket. For the record, I know this is dumb. But the cracks are perfectly spaced... and it even fits.

I walk out there with my bucket mask. I feel so damn stupid... and I know I look it too as all eyes fell on me.

The general raised an eyebrow, "Is this a volunteer?"

I nodded, grabbing one of the staffs.

She shrugged, readying her own. I thought I was ready. But a bucket is very limiting. I thought I could beat her, but I've been struck in the bucket twice already. Though I've stood my ground.

"Take off that damn bucket," she panted

I shake my head. She looks pissed but exhausted. That's when the targeted attacks started. She aimed for that bucket. It was strong, and if we weren't both exhausted, I don't know if I would have been able to defend myself.

What finally got me was when she dropped her staff to grab mine. I wasn't fast enough, and she tugged forcing me to the ground while I was mid swing.

"Fine, keep the blasted bucket. You did well. " she gave my bucket a good tap before stepping away from me back to telling at the others.

By the end of training, I was sore. My arms feel dead, and my soul feels like it's been kicked down a hill.

By the evening, I wanted to head to bed... maybe not my bed, though. I abandoned the bucket and headed to that same tent.

I stumbled in while she stood starting to unbuckle heavier armor.

"You again?"

I nod, "Want help?"

She raised a brow but nodded, "I'll allow it."

I helped with the buckles. Once the armor was removed, I found myself with a hanky on my head covering my eyes.

I soon had it removed when she was back in her yukata.

"Why have a yukata? Don't you ever get nervous wearing...bathing clothes here?"

She shrugged, handing me a small soke cup, "Why didn't you simply remove the handkerchief?"

"Well, I'm respectful." I shrug

She laughed in my face, "Says the man who tried to proposition again?"

"Could be worse,"

"Not a very good defense. Besides. I can take just about any man in this camp. I rarely find someone with some real brains around here, " she scoffed, sipping her cup

"What do you conciter me?"

"Looking for a label?" She tilted her head, "But I thought men wanted to keep things casual?"

I chuckle, "How bold. That's fine. I don't need a label. I just want to know your thoughts on me. "

"What's there to think? I've never seen you in a fight. I've only seen you acting as my lapdog. "

"Well...am I at least handsome?" I smirk

"The cutest lapdog to date." she ran a finger across my jaw, "The only one to at least get my attention."

"Oh? Get your attention?"

"Don't let that get to your ego. You'll get a big head, " she mumbled into her cup, "speaking of"

I crooked my head curiously, "Speaking of what?"

"I did get to see you train. You must take your endurance training quite seriously. Though the bucket seemed unnecessary"

"Totally necessary to me." I shrug

"And why is that?"

I twiddle my thumbs. I gotta think fast. What's a good excuse. How did she even figure it out??

She suddenly gripped my jaw, pulling my attention, "Did you know we were supposed to meet today? We were supposed to discuss the plans on moving both our army's today at the committee tent. Instead, I was there alone waiting for some royal to come waltzing over.

"I-i was," my voice cracked

"I don't care what little game you want to play here, but I will NOT be part of it when it starts causing problems outside of this tent."

"You knew?"

"How the hell do you expect ANYONE to not know the most debatable son to the emperor. Who I was supposed to meet today. Who instead waltzed into my tent in the middle of the night? "

"I was pointed in the wrong direction,"

"Of course. That's why you tried again, right?" She smiled

I'm embarrassed. My face is burning. She is right. I am 3 shades of red. I feel embarrassed as both a royal AND a general.

"You're cute. Quite skilled, too. Though, to be honest, I don't want this to get... messy. Your personal life is messy, and I don't particularly wish to get put in that mess. So you keep that pretty mouth shut, and I won't cause any trouble"

"So you aren't kicking me out of here?"

"No, I'm simply telling you that you will need to be more careful when leaving my tent"

"Yes ma'am" I smirk.