Heaven went back to her room to perfect her plan, and everyone joined her again to help.
"Do you have any idea for a plan, Ilyas?" Gina asked, turning to Ilyas, who had been quiet the whole time.
"I don't plan my fights," he said simply.
"Of course not," she sighed.
"But…" he continued, turning to Heaven. "If you want to end the war quickly without many deaths and waste of resources, the attack should be in full force and with a specific aim."
"It shouldn't be an attack to distract or to lead to something else. It should be an attack to destroy," Zarin added, and him and Ilyas nodded in agreement.
The whole dynamic between the men was weird and interesting to watch, but it gave Heaven an idea. She looked at her map. She would have to redo some parts of her plan for it to turn out the way she wanted it to. It wasn't easy, and it took her until the evening to put her vision on paper. Once she was satisfied, it was time to see if everyone else would feel the same.
Zarin was the first to take a look at her plan and Heaven found it so strange to see him so seriously while studying the paper in his hand. "I believe it to be a good plan." He said.
Heaven smiled at him.
Gina had been sketching with her, so she knew the plan. The next one to look at it was Ilyas. He took a quick look. "I don't know much about planning a war but it looks good to me," he said.
Now it was time for Zamiel's to turn to look at it. He didn't need to study it too long before he spoke. "It's a good plan. Now you have to think of how to represent it and answer all the questions that may come your way. You also have to think of all kinds of criticism that your plan might receive and what to do about it."
"Bloody men," Gina muttered, then realized that there were three men in the room. "I mean no offense. I just... nevermind." She sank back in her seat.
"I know. I am ready," Heaven said without hesitance. She would not back down now when she spent so much time planning.
"Yes. You should make all those men speechless." Gina added.
She had been angry for her, watching her having to work harder because she was a woman. Now it looked like she wanted to kill all men.
Heaven thanked everyone for their time and help, and then quickly went to see General Kian, who also spent most of his day planning.
"Come in," he said when he saw her standing at the door. "Are you overexerting yourself?"
"I am getting enough sleep. Thank you for your worry."
He was leaning against the table and reached his hand out, seeing her holding the map. Heaven placed the map in his hand.
He turned around, opened the map, and placed it on the table. Heaven went to stand next to him to explain how she thought. While she explained, she felt as though he watched her instead of the map.
"It is a good plan. I am impressed." He said, but Heaven wasn't sure if he even paid attention to what she was saying.
"Is it really good? I can change if there is anything wrong." She told him.
He shook his head. "I love the attack with force and from behind."
Heaven was glad he paid attention, but she still wanted to be clear with him. "Well, then shall I prepare for presenting my idea tomorrow?"
He nodded with a smile.
"Thank you for giving me an opportunity."
"You deserve it," he said.
Heaven smiled, not knowing how to tell him without it sounding sudden or weird.
"And hopefully when we come back, I'll get married." She grimaced after speaking. That did sound sudden and not related to the current conversation at all.
General Kian's eyes widened in surprise. "I thought you wanted to rule."
"I do. But if being a woman doesn't stop me, then being married shouldn't either. In fact, having a husband who supports my decision to rule might be a good influence on other men."
"Did you find such a man?" He asked.
"I did," she said.
He smiled, but there was a sadness behind his smile. "Congratulations Your Highness. I am happy for you."
"Thank you."
"You should probably go rest. You have a big day tomorrow," he said.
"Yes, I should go." She said, suddenly feeling awkward.
She hated this. Hopefully, things would remain good between her and General Kian.
As for getting married, she thought it was time to do so. If she was going to break one norm, then she might as well break all. Besides, she wanted a life with Zamiel no matter what. He was her true happiness.
She looked at her empty room and her empty bed. She didn't want to come to an empty room and sleep alone in a bed anymore. She wanted to miss coming back to her room and feel warmth whenever she walked inside. Being without her family and Zamiel had made her realize that what made her the most happy was being with the people she loved and she wanted to be happy. She wanted Zamiel to be happy.
Right now, she felt like she was in the middle of nowhere. She was happy, yet worried. She was home yet not. She was in danger or not. Many things had been holding her back, but she had enough. Now she was going to live her life the way she wanted to.
Changing into her nightgown, she teleported to Zamiel's home. He was already in bed and since he didn't turn around; she guessed he was sleeping. Carefully, she went around the bed to the other side and lay down next to him.
She watched his face in the dim light and couldn't help but reach for him. She removed the hair from his face and tucked it behind his ear.
Yes, this is how she wanted to spend her nights. Sleep next to this man and just look at his face. That alone brought her enough joy.
To her surprise, Zamiel opened his eyes, and his silver gaze met hers. She had been right. His eyes were glowing more than usual, and he just stared at her without speaking.
"Zamiel." She placed her hand on his cheek. "After I come back from war, let's get married."