The Dawn of the New World

"Don't call him a fool! That wasn't a performance," she corrected him with a glare, "I meant every word of it, it's only the tears that were fake."

Haeti's head tilted to the side in visible confusion, "But...you did NOT mean to fool him?"

"No, of course not. But without the tears he would have walked away again. I needed him to listen to me and get comfortable around me again even if he had to pity me."

Princess Ceni slowly brushed her hand over her face and all the mascara and dried tears instantly vanished, returning it to her original cold but devilishly beautiful countenance.

Haeti was trying to understand what she meant but his simple mind could not comprehend it.

"But my lady, is that not considered lying? And is lying not bad?"

She gently shook her head, "A harmless white lie. Humans use them a lot, whether to save someone unnecessary pain or to make them feel better. It's not dangerous in any way."

This time she waited for Haeti to process it and when he obviously couldn't understand it she tried explaining it in another way.

"Look, I love him and I would do anything for him. Obviously, I am the best person for him to spend the rest of his life with but he doesn't feel the same way about me just yet. So by telling a series of small white lies and putting up an act that makes him more accepting of my advances, I can show him why we need each other."

She knelt down in front of him to fix his collar like a child before continuing her explanation. She certainly did not need to explain anything but chose to do it for whatever reason. Maybe to justify her actions to a 3rd party or maybe to her own self.

"I made the mistake of being too forward with him. I thought that as long as I loved him enough he would naturally reciprocate those feelings but, I know now that it doesn't work that way. Most men, especially him, are scared of commitment. They would rather walk into an enemy ambush than open up to someone. Especially Hao Xuan because he doesn't think he deserves to be loved that way because he has never had it before."

"So I need to create small opportunities and ease him into it. I will start by becoming his friend and gaining his trust. When I have it, I can start to push the boundaries little by little and seduce him the good old way. That way he will think it was his idea when he does act on those feelings."

Although Haeti still didn't get most of what she was saying he understood the general idea.

"Aha, so my lady will use her feminine wiles to make him fall for her?!"

Princess Ceni thought about it for a second before nodding in agreement, "A gross oversimplification but more or less, yes. He is still a man, sooner or later he won't be able to hold himself back and make the first move. As long as he thinks he initiated it there shouldn't be a problem."

"Yes, I completely understand my lady," Haeti saluted before mumbling under his breath, "I think.

"Good, then let's get to work."

"Yes! Where should we start?"

"From right here. We have to turn this rundown shack into something a little homier, a little more comfortable where I can be alone with him. Start with the..."

She gave the instructions and Haeti jumped into action at once.

Meanwhile, Hao Xuan had reached Argham where Claudia was waiting for him near the gate.

"Master!" she almost jumped with elation upon seeing him return but his forlorn figure oozing with palpable despair sapped her of all joy.

He stopped a few feet away, staring at her in silence.

"I-Is everything okay, master?"

Although he was looking at her Claudia didn't feel like she was what he was seeing.

"Master, is everything alright?" she asked again when he didn't answer.

'He knows, I knew it! I should have come clean from the beginning. Now he will never forgive m-' her thoughts ran wild until Hao Xuan explained what he wanted from her.

"I need to speak with whoever sent you to me. I think it's time. Or should I go with Eurig first?"

"NO!" she shouted without realizing, "I-I mean, please allow me to show you the way."

Still unsure whether or not Hao Xuan knew about her plan Claudia chose to stay silent on the subject.

They walked into the city to find a secluded enough place. With a wave of her hand the black grimoire was summoned and when Claudia told it that Hao Xuan wanted to visit 'her' it opened up without any trouble.

***

Authors Notes:

Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to everyone.

The chapters have been a little slow because I had a couple of weddings to attend but just as they ended I had a small accident.

Ended up chopping off the better part of my middle finger while using a knife and now it hurts to even move it.

I will try to at least maintain the previous schedule but it could take a while here and there until it's healed (or at least until it stops burning every time I move my hand.)