Thankful for the thick steam laden air that surrounds me, I wrap my bare arms around myself and walk through the narrow opening between two ceiling high lockers and approach a small green pool. It took me awhile to gather my courage and walk out in my swimsuit so I'm not surprised to see Lucian already lounging inside with his head resting comfortably on small pillow-like extension.

My feet rejoice at the warmth from the damp floor and I quickly slip into the pool before Lucian opens his eyes and sees my back. The warm scented water immediately soothes my skin all over and a sigh escapes my lips. I slip further into the pool, feeling more relaxed than ever.

"Like it?" Lucian's voice is drowned out by the soft lapping of water behind my back and under my feet, massaging me into a blissful calm.

I barely catch his words but I nod my head as my lips form a lazy smile. If I were Lucian I would be sitting in this pool day and night.

My relaxation falters when he shifts from his position across me and moves till we are next to each other. I turn my body awkwardly, wanting to hide my back from him as much as I can.

"Don't get too comfortable. We're here to talk, remember?" He chides with a smirk and for some reason I feel shy again. His face and his bare body is so close I can feel the heat radiating off of him.

Yes, we have trained together before, slept on the same bed and have had multiple conversations but this feels different. Maybe it's the fact that I've never been so close to a half naked man, maybe it's because I myself am so bare.

This feeling in my chest and burning in my cheeks feels so foreign to me, I hope Lucian doesn't notice.

"Talk about?" The words tumble out of my mouth quickly hoping our conversation can distract me from admiring such a horrible species.

"About your win. About joining the army. About what it means to be my lover," Lucian says this quietly and I sit up straighter wondering about his last line. "As you know after your fourth match I will nominate you to my squad regardless if you win or not, so you joining the army is a given."

Lucian stares at me expectantly, probably expecting me to look overjoyed and of course I should be overjoyed - slave Aria would have been ecstatic- but I just feel like a cheat. It doesn't help that the humans now think I am some sort of superhuman for winning my first three fights in a row but I know I would never have done so without Lucian.

"Talk to me, Aria. I thought you would be happy with this news."

I look up into Lucian's ice cold blue eyes, now more piercing than ever with his face gleaming with sweat and his wet hair slicked back.

"I am happy, Lucian. And I am extremely grateful for your help. I don't want you to think otherwise."

"But?" He asks.

"It's just me adjusting to the fact that everything I believed when I was a slave is a lie. Watching those matches gave me hope, they made me think I could do the same. I never thought it went beyond the fights. I know about the matches, Lucian. I know why some fighters have become army officials whilst the others stay fighters till they die."

"Good."

His answer makes me do a double take, the water swishes around me as I turn to face him fully.

"It means you are now looking at the bigger picture instead of the smaller one fed to you," He explains.

"What?" I ask him hoping he will give me an explanation that doesn't make me dislike him again.

"Aria, nothing in this universe is a linear straightforward prerogative. You are not Aria the bone breaker because of your persistent drive and unquestionable determination. You are Aria the bone breaker because you won three fights in the row right after joining as a slave. That is why they love you because you did something most slaves thought was impossible. I am Lucian X, a feared Trinity member because that is what people speak of me. Just like how you don't know Lazarus well but you already know Lazarus is a ruthless, war hungry future powerhouse of the Plutonian empire."

Lucian lies back and rests his head on another make shift pillow making me want to do the same but I continue to stare at him as he speaks.

"Our actions are what make us but public opinion reinforces this like no other power can. You may not like this but being my lover will put you at a very vulnerable position among army officials. This is where our conversation becomes important."

"Vulnerable?" I repeat his words and frown in confusion. I thought joining the army was the end game.

Lucian suddenly sits up and looks around at the four bare walls surrounding us. He eyes the four upper corners and finally turns his attention back to me after nodding in satisfaction.

"I of course didn't expect you to know this before but now that you are joining my squad I must tell you about the existing undercurrents in the army. As you know Lazarus is not my biggest fan and his relationship with Luna has gathered him much support from the officials. There is however another group of officers and commanders who feel he is too bloodthirsty and unfit to lead the army once the generals step down. They support me and want me to share the authority instead of being second in command. Some want me to take over instead."

"And Lazarus doesn't like this." I state and he nods his head in agreement. Now their animosity makes more sense than ever.

"He has been trying to get rid of me for the past five years. Which has made it impossible for me to trust most Plutonian's. If he ever knew about my night terrors he would use it to influence everyone that I am unfit to serve as even second in command and then he would be the sole leader," Lucian's expression turns grim as I soak in everything like the water around me.

"So you think he will bully me once I join?" I ask him.

"He has been targeting you from the moment he knew you were my lover. But he is not the only one you should be worried about. The thing is because of my mothers warning I had to choose a human but having an official human lover after years of being single shocked most of the Plutonian's. They were not happy when they first found out about you and that lost me some support. There is no doubt the Plutonian's who wish for me to take over want their daughters or nieces to date me instead of a human. For that reason I had to make you extraordinary. Someone who did the undoable, someone the humans and Plutonian's ended up loving and admiring."

His words bring me back to the ferocious chanting of my name and Asta's start struck expression.

"I didn't have to do much. The crowd loved you from your first match. After meeting you and seeing how unfazed you were by my status, I was sold. You were the perfect choice. You see, Aria. By doing this, I made you indispensable. Make no mistake, the fights were the easy part. Now you will have to work with both Plutonian's and humans. The Plutonian's on Lazarus's side will try to sabotage us while the Plutonian's on our side will want your position as my lover," Lucian's gaze is cautious as he studies my reaction.

I blink a few times in stunned silence. This whole thing was a handful to take in.

"And what if we were to "break up"? I can't help but ask. I didn't sign up for this and it's not like we are a real couple anyway. My focus was always beyond the walls of the base.

His eyes widen, momentarily stunned by my question but he quickly recovers and smiles immediately. "A sudden break up would be suspicious and my sleep improvement has helped me work better which shows just how invaluable you are to me. I'm afraid I can't let you go anytime soon, for both our sakes."

His words cause a small sliver of fear to creep up my spine and suddenly I feel afraid that being with him might actually deter my efforts to escape.

"Am I really that terrible that you can't wait to get away?" He chuckles making it seem like a joke but his expression is so guarded I can't help but think I have offended him.

"No," I quickly say, smiling. "I'm obviously scared about your enemies and your Plutonian fan club."

"Really? Or does it make you jealous?" He smirks and his teasing makes me laugh. He splashes some water over me playfully making me push him away.

"Oh yes. You better protect them oh great Master Lucian. I might just break their bones." I joke and I return the splash which hits him in the face.

He laughs and wipes the water off his face. "You're going to have to be jealous from now on. We have to act like a real couple to prevent any suspicion. Which means we have to be more comfortable with each other."

I suddenly freeze in place and my heart beats furiously in my chest. "How comfortable?"

My frightened expression makes Lucian burst out laughing and without warning he pulls me towards him and wraps his arms around me.

The feel of his strong arms around me causes millions of excited tingles to erupt across my skin. A lump forms in my throat as I rejoice at the contact, the hug reminding me of my parents hugging me before they put me to bed.

However the feeling is immediately replaced with panic when I realize it is Lucian hugging me, his hands touching the ugly artificial skin I wear on my back. I push his hands away and jerk back like I had been stung by an electro pole.

"Lucian," I gasp, my cheeks burning up like the sun. He is being so playful and it is causing a world wind of emotions in my chest.

"Aria, you need to get used to hugs and holding hands. I'm sorry but you have no choice," Lucian seems to enjoy my embarrassment more than anything. He is beaming from ear to ear right now. "On a more serious note you are going to have to start tonight."

"Tonight? Why?"

"We have been invited to Lazarus's place for dinner. He wants to celebrate your victory," Lucian states and my body turns rigid at the thought of being in that horrible Plutonian's house.

"Why? He hates me," I state and Lucian shrugs his shoulders. "Can we not go?"

"Unfortunately no. We'd better start getting ready." Lucian steps out of the scented pool and turns to face my reluctant form. "Welcome to the world of politics, Aria."

Heyy, this chapter has a lot of explanation on the politics behind everything which is no so diff from here to be honest lol and Lucian's actions to make sure Aria won. Hope you enjoyed and are you scared for Aria? She has to face Lazarus soon :(

Also pls tell me if u found this chapter too dry with too much info and I will edit if needed. Thanks so much.