Enter the Dragon's Lair (closed)

[kimberlee]

I, Adriana Drake, often called 'fire drake' or Dragon Queen, pinched the bridge of my nose as my ladies in waiting continued to gossip about their all too favorite topic, my son. I had spoiled him after having lost his two brothers and sister. He had been the only one to survive those hard years. Now, he did nothing but chase skirts and do his best to repopulate England. If I didn't find him a wife and he didn't sire a legitimate heir, civil war would once again cover the land and blood be poured into the streets.

It was that or produce another heir to the throne. Since James and all but one of our children had died, I hadn't had the desire. I'd had one or two lovers; but, no one that I considered worthy of becoming my consort and certainly no one I'd think of having achild with. My marriage to James had been arranged and his kindness had complemented the cold-blooded, hard-edged mind that had kept the throne from falling to others who would lay claim to it. To be treated gently - not because he had to, but because he wished to - had perhaps been the greatest gift James could have given me.

It has been well over ten years since my husband died and I fought to retain the throne for my son. I had always played in the shadows, guiding James' decisions and doing my best to consolidate that power. Since his death, I'd come out from the shadow behind the throne and surprised a good many.

The title of dragon queen hadn't been something handed down. It had been earned. Few who had opposed me continued to draw breath and it was they who had crowned me 'dragon queen.' The title had been meant as a slurr; but, I had embraced it and worn it like a robe of finest silk. Though I had begun my reign as regent, I now held the mantle of queen and was not ready to set it down and pass the leadership to my son.

William Walter Anthony Drake, next in line for the throne and fifth in the line of Drake to lay claim upon it, was no better at sharing power than I was. I imagined these constant outings of his and his continued attention toward the ladies of court - my ladies in waiting included - was his way of rebelling against my continued denial that he was in deed ready. Damn the boy.

Another of my ladies had seen a need to travel to the family's country estates. I had no doubt that William had planted his seed yet again and I was to become grandmother to yet another bastard child. I had to deal with this here and now. This kind of behavior could not be seen to persist.

I turned to Lady Anne, a favorite of mine, and told her to find my son and direct him to my sitting room. I hadn't the faintest idea what I would do; but, I needed to nip this before matters went any farther.

 

[LordLuck]

"Another round! Another round, I say! My Kingdom for a Flagon of Ale!"

The Dragon Prince, William Drake, also known as William of London, was enjoying another workless afternoon amongst his people. Or so liket to style himself like that. A new Conqueror, his close friends called him, a conqueror who had only been able to brag about conquering maidens with his charm and wit, relying on then rather than on his standing as The Dragon Prince to court them.

The young, handsome man was in every way captivating. His looks, not too thin but also not too overweight, his beard well-trimmed into an almost unnoticeable fur under his chin, wearing his hair long until his neck, where it was again trimmed neatly. His charming manners had swoon him many women and many men alike, the first sharing his alcove before being dumped, the seconds gathering to his flag in ascendance.

Prince William Drake was both beloved by his subjects and feared by his opposers, as his charming manners were only surpassed by his capabilities for cruelty and unwanton violence. His rage was terrible to behold, the only person ever capable of aplacating his ire being his mother - who, truth be told, had better things to do than care for her spoiled child.

Spoiled? Certainly he was. The only surviving child of Queen Adrianna's progeny with the late and beloved King James VIII, he had been taken care of all the dangers that could befell a child, and that had turned him into a little monster and a prankster without peer. Poor of his maids and sitters as he started to stalk her to sate the lusts of his juvenile desires. More than once the Queen Mother herself had to come to censor his depraved acts for mounting behind an inocent maid.

And that was one of his flaws. Beside being a glutton, and nourishing an unhealty love to wine, the Dragon Prince had only one wish besides drinking, eating, and fighting at the front melée. The Courting Game. Competing with his fellows, most of them the children of nobles also subject to himself, his Household was the terror of the Ladies-in-Waiting... or even the most lonely of the married noblewoman, a title only once claimed - and not by William himself.

The most desirable of these prizes were no less his own mother's Ladies-in-Waiting. His hobby of lately was courting them, the bad tongues even implying that the Dragon Prince was making the Queen's entourage his concubines, as none could resist his charms.

Laughter echoed around the large, stone room of the Palace's kitchens, currently the Hall of the Dragon Prince, and his Household of young, drunken knights. All of a sudden, William himself had the urge to raise. He still had a strong liver, and had drinked little for the day. Perhaps that was why he had raised and heard cautiously as Lady Anne had called him from his Household.

He was serious when leaving his Knights, and strode quickly through the Palace's corridors, speeding towards the Queen's Chambers, Lady Anne speeding up before him. Indeed, the first thing he did was to stare at the woman's waving backside, his mind filled with the thoughts to possess her as well. Garbed in his usual, fine clothing of deep, dark green, his fingers filled with rings and two collars over his chest, Prince William liked to show off the riches accumulated by the Royalty, and used them to buy - or convince a baker to remain quiet about the deflowering of his daughter. Arranging his long-brimmed har and it's single, white feather, the Dragon Prince entered the Dragon's Lair.

 

[kimberlee]

I looked in the mirror once again. I needed to look stern and authoritative. I needed William to take his role as heir to the throne of England much more seriously than he currently was.

My reflection showed a woman fast approaching her fortieth year. Her raven hair pulled back and tied off to hang well past her shoulders. Was that another white hair? There was a tiredness about her eyes and a fierceness within them. Light smile lines spoke of a time when she'd been much more ready with a smile. All that had gone when James had passed.

I nodded at the reflection and she nodded back. It would have to do.

I wore a simple dress with little jewelry. The only such accoutrements I adorned were the gloves William had gifted me with. they were made of fine chain with a single diamond placed above each knuckle and extremely small blades extended from the tip of each finger. He had jokingly said that if I was the 'Dragon Queen' I needed talons. I wore my 'talons' only when I felt the need to remind others that I did have claws.

I'd interred my own James' brother John with all rights and privileges even though I knew he was behind the death of my dearest Josephine, had likely had a hand in the death of my dearest Richard and would likely have attempted to kill my William. He'd met with a knife in the dark. I'd watched the light go out of his eyes and only regretted that the man could only be killed once.

What had happened to the boy I'd personally nursed as an infant and had later played with as he'd grown into a boy? I'd watched over him circling and protective making sure that none who approached were of any danger.

James had needed my input. First on his more important decisions and then as time passed the more mundane. Had the power of the crown drawn me away or had my mother's eye over looked a flaw in my son's character that I was only now willing to acknowledge? I didn't know and frankly it mattered not. What was done, was done and could not be changed.

I walked about the room. I'd had all chairs removed from the room and with the sound of footsteps in the hallway, I took residence in the one and only chair that remained.

We'd have our meeting in my sitting room. Informal. But there would be no mistaking the fact that he was the supplicant and I the one with the power to make his life a living hell if I so wished it.

 

[LordLuck]

I strode within the room just after Lady Anne had opened the door, his mood slightly annoyed due to the fact he had to leave his drinking partners. The day was just passing through, the evening coming not too far as the sun was starting it's descent down the horizon outside. Lady Anne walked behind me, shy and quietly coming to her place just beyond me as she knew that my Mother ,the Dragon Queen herself, was about to shower me with shame and censure.

And indeed I've noticed she had been clever. She offered me no seat, most of the chairs taken from the room as if she had planned every detail about the confrontation that was sure to follow. For sitting lies my Mother, dressed so differently than myself. While I've took upon lots of jewelry and elegant, exquistive clothes, she prefered to take upon plain clothing, a trait she had most surely taken upon during our House's disgrace durign the Civil War, before Father had managed to tumble our foes with the Queen's own strategies. She was indeed a woman of power, that knew her every asset and would do it all to prevent any more harm coming to her family.

I've loved her. With all of my heart. I could remember when I was so very young how she allowed to grab at the bottoms of her dresses, and stay hugging her through the skirts while I sought her affection and protection, even before the foreign ambassadors. Her image like that of a dedicated Mother surpassed that of most rulers, a dimension they usually prefered not to display. But she was also a Dragon, as the Talons she used told him about. He would not like what she had to say and scorn him with.

She loved to be a Mom for me even though she was the Queen to England. I can even now picture how she took me in her arms, playfully, allowing me to touch her before all. My Mother, my own, so much more important to me than she was to the whole kingdom.

Obediently I've bowed my head to her, taking off my hat and standing, unconfortably, as she stared through my eyes and into my very soul. She could do that, and I knew she was reading my every sin and joy while using her Ladies in Waiting.

I would hear her.

 

[kimberlee]

I had been awaiting a knock from the guard to which I had planned to issue an order to enter. Instead, William entered the room as if it was his very own and appeared to be annoyed at my having spoiled his evening. I hadn't even started.

He fell to one knee and doffed his hat. I stared into his eyes and any effects the alcohol he'd consumed thus far left him as he sobered from our shared look.

I saw Lady Anne in the room and with a slight nod and motion of my fingers, I signalled for her to leave us. This would be bad enough without needing to be witnessed. William would be the King some day and I didn't wish that he be made the butt of jokes. All that was necessary was that his actions be seen to change.

However, if he raised his voice, he would be to blame for what the guards outside the door might hear. Then any repercussions would be his fault and no others.

The doors closed with a loud boom and I allowed the sound to die out as I returned my eyes to my son. The man looked like a peacock and wore more jewelry than most of my ladies were wont to do. But then, it was the fashion. One which he'd created.

I waited still until I sensed he was becoming uncomfortable. "Rise," I told him. "William, what am I to do with you?" I asked once he had regained his feet and could face me like a man. "Lady Sue has taken an off season trip to the country for 'family reasons.' What have you to say for yourself? Why must you act so irresponsible. One day you will be king. What will you do then? Go about the country doing anything in a skirt? Respect is earned not handed over with the crown. What do you have to say for yourself?"

 

[LordLuck]

I've blushed. I was supposed to be a headstrong, stubborn prince before all on the Kingdom, but I could do little else than blush furiously before the stern gaze of the Queen. And it was not merely because she was Queen and had all the powers over my pathetic life in her sharp, nailed fingers, but because Adrianna was my Mother. The first authority I've ever met, and the only one I submitted myself entirely to.

"Lady Sue... made the advances over me, Mother. Queen.", I've started to awnser her, my face still crimson. For a moment I've thought I would stumble even more. "Why, I did made me a reputation as a virile man, have I not? Would you rather have me as flippantly annoying as that womanly Dauphin of France? Would you rather have me bending over to all of my friends and peers as that frail fool does?"

Implying about the pathetic firstborn that the paltry King of France had sirred into a poor, windhead of a woman, it was well known even beyond the Channel that the thin young man that I've had the displeasure of meeting was as effeminated and weak as he seemed to be. Always accompanied by a cohort of other pusilanimous men, it was common knowledge that the Dauphin was used to bending over for any men interested into mounting on him, from stable boys to other most noble partners.

"I will be King, Mother, but I shall be respected as a strong, virile man, not like those in France. They will have no respect whatsoever from their subjects." I've said with little conviction as my mind went to Lady Sue. Poor, lovely, ignorand Sue. She had come to him looking for a friendly embrace after being denied by the Duke of Bolingbroke, and I had taken the oportunity to seed her. Stupid me.

 

[kimberlee]

I let him talk before responding. "There's no doubt that you have made a reputation for yourself," I say. "And I don't care whether you or my former lady in waiting made the first move. I know that if she'd offered her hand, you wouldn't have settled for less than her arm."

"As for the dauphin, he's french and it seems to pop up now and again. I'm glad you prefer the fairer sex. It's the degree in which you enjoy their favors that is the problem. And don't let the dauphin's effeminite manners allow you to discard him as a ruler of no consequence. I once knew a man who simpered and acted the fool. He was your uncle and he cost me two of my children. If he'd had his way, none of my children would have lived and he'd have stood as heir to the throne. While it may very well be that he is weak, we cannot discount the possibility that to some extent, he uses his effeminite manners as a ruse so that others will underestimate him. Don't allow a misjudgement to cost you as much as mine did to me."

I blink away unwanted tears, take a deep breath and sigh it out.

"Son, while men might respect another man's virility, they may begin to fear that you'll set your eyes on someone they don't wish to fall under your spell. As a woman, I can tell you that a number will vie for the position of your bed mate in hopes of becoming the mother to your legal heir. Others will shrink away from such actions and perhaps come to fear the virility you prize so well," I told him.

"My one piece of advice to you - and I know you won't care for it - is to marry. Father children with the woman and produce the heir that England needs. Otherwise, should you die, your various children may try for the throne and bring this country into civil war," I tell him explaining the consequences of his philandering ways. "Unless I had another child, of course. But that's neither here nor there. No, we need you to clean up your reputation, find a woman you can see as your consort and you've already proven you can do the rest."

I think to myself that I might later suggest Lady Suzanne who is already with child as a possible choice; but, I need you to eventually agree to my advice. If there's one thing I know about you, it's that you inherited my stubbornness.

 

[LordLuck]

There was truth in her words. The Dauphin could be very well making the image of a frail, effeminated man around himself but concealing a plotting, scheming and even capable ruler underneath that cover. And although Mother was wise, I've refused to acknowledge that my argument was a failable one in that regard. A King would have no respect if one would see him as a sodomite in the giving side.

"I'm sorry, my Queen, but I am constantly in need of the presence of the a lady. I simply need them around me. I am addicted to them, and I would really feel miserable if I had to steer away from their caresses.", I've said as a matter-of-fact, only late noticing how foolish that argument was in this debate. Mother would surely nail me on that one. But she was speaking the truth. Had not Adrianna protected him by taking matters into her own hand, I would be probably buried with my older siblings even now. That brought a cramp to my own heart as well, offering a little prayer to the brother and sister he had never met.

I've approached her, breaking all decorum. I could not stand it, not when only the two of us were alone in the room. I've had to had her hand against my face. Kneeling down the floor, I've crawled towards her legs, and pulled on her dresses' bottoms like I've done as a young, scared boy, so many years ago.

"I must produce a heir? But... Mom... I mean, Queen Adrianna, how... isn't it too early for me to be thinking about heirs? Do you plan on passing out so soon?", I've asked, fearing the worse. Had her contracted a disease? He would flog anyone sneezing in the whole Capital. "Who would be worthy enough to bear me heirs, Mother?"

"Surely not Lady Suzanne. She had been passing through the hands of a number of other men before reaching me."

 

[kimberlee]

I had to fight to keep from shaking my head and rolling my eyes. His plea of being unable to give up the company of women sounded all too much like I was asking him to give up a favorite toy. I was thankful that I had made this a private audience when he approached me on his knees. I rather doubted he'd have acted thus if others had been around, but still... this was the future king of England.

"Who would be worthy to bear you heirs? Apparently half of England if word is any indication," I returned. He tugged at my dress bottoms and I was reminded of those days when motherhood came first for me. Now, I was England's own mother - caring whenever possible, strict when the need arose.

"Dearest son, you may feel free to call me mother. You needn't use my title whenever addressing me. At least outside of formal settings," I placed a hand behind his head to draw it into my lap, ever mindful of my 'dragon talons.' "I apologize if I wrongly accused you in Lady Sue's case; but, with the reputation you've built..."

I looked at the far wall with a gaze that should have turned it to rubble. I would set some people to investigate the matter. Perhaps Lady Suzette meant to make a bit for the throne with the 'heir' she carried.

I ran the palm and fingers of my right hand over William's hair as I thought to myself. Unable to be without the company of a woman? Could it be that my own protective nature had set this in motion? I'd always been close by in those dark years. When I'd finally found the shadow in my husband's court, I'd made certain that he could never harm, however indirectly, my William. But soon after, James had increasing need of my aid. I hadn't told a soul other than William.

He'd had nightmares and I remember assuring him that mommy had killed the bad man before getting him to sleep again.

Had my absence from his life as I fought for the throne driven him to find replacements? I sighed. Even so, I told myself, he hadn't needed to take it to such extremes.

 

[LordLuck]

Eagerly I've lowered my head above Adrianna's lap. Ah, this brought me so many wonderful memories. From that time when she had more time to be my Mother instead of Queen of England. The time when father was still around, and all of us would play togheter, enjoying the first years after the Civil War that had wreaked havoc over the whole Kingdom. I've allowed a low gasp to escape my lips as she begun caressing my hair, all too aware to be careful with her 'Talons'.

"I'm sorry to bring shame upon you, Mother. To be such a nuisance to our House and Country. I really apologise for disregarding it in my... amorous escapes...", I've offered her as a knot came up to my throat. I love her so much I cannot even think about losing her to anything. Nor the Government of State she must enjoy, nor the Regal situations where decorum would have her aparted from me. "I'm sorry."

I took my hands from her dress's bottoms towards her lap, using them to slid across the lenght of her thighs and finally embrace her, sliding them bellow her back and pulling her a little bit towards me, having them lock togheter on her lower back. I am more than happy to remain in this position as she offers me caresses she had given up so long ago.

Yes, I've craved for her affection. I've sought women to please my pubescent needs, yes, but still I've sought affection in the places I could when my Mother could not. Now it surely sounded childish and foolish, but I needed her caresses, her hands against my cheeks and her praises about how I was her Man, the one that would endure our legacy and heritage.

 

[kimberlee]

The thought had struck me as I'd wondered over the past. Though he was a man, his adolescent need to tumble every skirt in close proximity just would not do. Not for the man I wished him to become. I was uncertain about my proposition. Would he be willing to accept it? It would mean he'd be spending a great deal less time with his 'friends.' He'd might still occasion his old haunts; but, I highly doubted he'd find the time to.

He'd said that he was in constant need of the presence of a lady which itself implied that the need might not necessarilly be sexual in nature. And if he accepted, he'd almost constantly be in such a presence.

I smiled down on him as he wrapped his arms around me. We'd had far too few such moments since James' passing.

"What would you say if I offered you the position your father once gave me? What if I asked you to act as my personal advisor? It would mean some sacrifice. You would probably find little to no time to spend visiting pubs and chasing skirts. Whether or not you do accept, please consider turning your attention to matrons rather than maids. In the end, you needn't prove yourself a man to anyone other than yourself," I said. "You don't need to answer now. Perhaps you, yourself, have ideas you wish to share. All I ask is that you think over my proposition."

 

[LordLuck]

For a long moment I've stood at attention, hearing Adrianna's words, showering in her so familiar tone of veiled condescendence. The loving tone of a mother, rather than the demanding one of a Queen, and I was so familiar with the both of them. For a moment, I've pulled her tighter, my hands across her slender waistline. Brushing my head against her lap, I could inhale her motherly scent, barely concealed by her perfumes and fragrances, although any remained shy and plain... except for the scent I've always known.

"W-What would be my duties and tasks as your Personal Advisor, Mother?", I've asked as I've turned my head slowly so I could still remain laying it over her lap, but could also look her in the eye, my own expression looking surprisingly like a plead. "What would I have to do for you?", her suggestion filled my heart with eagerness. I knew that it would be probably her device to clip my wings and prevent me from unleashing anymore scandals with her Ladies-in-Waiting or the ocassional adulterous Countess. But still, it meant I would be spending so much more time with her... it was probably worth it.

After Father's passing, I've grown so afraid, so scared that Adrianna could pass on too. No, I could not allow it, I would not suffer it. I would spend all the time I could with her. But there was something she said that made my loins stirr for a moment.

"Matrons rather than Maids? Why, Mother?", I've asked, very curious about her implication.

 

[kimberlee]

"You would spend a great deal of time around me. Perhaps as much if not more time than my ladies in waiting. You would attend formal court, meeting with representatives from other heads of state, go to banquets and balls. There are a number of other obligations that I cannot think of at the moment. Many of those affairs of state in which you currently only need to make a token appearance will need you to weather out the whole of it. In essence, you would become a companion of sorts. I would expect you to whisper any insights you had into my ear rather than speaking aloud. Once I believed you familiar enough with matters and the way of things, I would have you speak with the authority of the throne and not that of the crown's heir.

"You needn't worry, I do not plan to pass for some time yet," I added softly at the worry in his eyes.

"Why matrons rather than maids? Because matrons are wiser in the ways of the world. You may also find an experienced partner will add to the experience. Besides, maids gossip while matrons are better at keeping secrets," I said wondering at the sudden pique in his interest. Perhaps William would not proove as difficult as I had feared.

 

[LordLuck]

"... I wish a matron for me, them. One that might bring her experience to bear upon me. One that will cherish me...", I've told her with a low, shy voice, almost adding that this matron should cherish and love me just as my Mother did. For I loved her very, very much. Only a relationship mixing that togheter with the intimacies of lovemaking would really settle my sensual needs rather confortably.

"I hear you, Mother."

"You may count on me.", I've finally said, making up the decision that would change my life forever. I would be more than the Firstborn and Heir to the Crown, I would be the Crown itself. "I will become your Consorting Advisor.."

 

[kimberlee]

Maids also tended to have parents and one never knew how the fact that the Dragon Prince had bedded the woman would be taken. A matron was a woman in her own right and as long as William chose carefully; it would be one less stressful matter I'd need to deal with.

Had my William briefly held me tighter as he agreed to moving from maids to matrons? I decided not. It was simply a figment of my imagination. I did lightly squeeze his shoulders to thank him for accepting my offer.

I smiled with pride at him once again. Here was Brittain's next king. He was horribly wet behind the ears; but then again, so had I been. The potential for greatness was there. I believed he would prove to be a man and king of measure. I allowed my mother's pride to shine through.

"I will count on you, my dearest son," I said smiling. I wondered at the title he gave himself. Consorting advisor? It mattered not. "I hope you have a good memory for names and faces. Trust me; it will seem as though you are caught in the midst of a flood." I paused before asking, "Do you know a good many jokes? There will be times when I will desperately need something to keep me from nodding off. Oh, how they do drone on and on. It will be your duty to keep me attentive or at least to appear so."

Perhaps sensing that our talk was over with, he'd risen to his feet. I also arose and shed my 'talons' putting the gloves in a pouch I carried on my person before hugging my son.

We had grown apart during those dark years after his father's death. It was good to sense that perhaps the distance was not as great as I'd believed.

 

[LordLuck]

And when she hugged me I was sure that she would have felt the tightness increasing as I held her against my chest. Now, we had finally the chance to grow along, togheter, once more. And I had so missed it.

She stood up, and yet I dwarfed her. She had handled me the traits of my father, broad shoulders and tall stature that made me even more royal as once could only hope of their princely children. I've embraced her tight, my hands under her arms and sliding carefully, almost teasefully along her flanks, coming to lay down over her wide backside. It was incredible for I have not been that nourishing about this forbidden feeling at that time, but it only felt proper to lay my hands open above the rump of her behind... and grab into her flesh.

Probably a very foolish thing to do, but I did it nonetheless. My hands held Adrianna's... the Queen's backside so lustfully I could have been doing it for a common brother's wench. But for the moment I've ignored the consequences. I've just wanted to feel her against he, the woman I most dearly loved.

That brough my body even close to hers, and the worst happened. A sudden jolt of excitement roared throughout my veins, and my manhood suddenly swelled with the blood denouncing my wantom, so difficult to conceal. And worse, it brushed against the Queen.

 

[kimberlee]

I smiled to myself when my son returned my hug. I had strong hopes invested in this young man and hoped I wouldn't be proven wrong.

I was puzzled as his hands travelled farther and farther down my back. I was on the brink of asking him what he was about when I felt his hands cup either cheek of my buttocks. I went from baffled to outright shock. Then, when I thought matters could not become any worse, I felt him. He grew an erection and all but rubbed it against me.

Had I somehow conveyed that I was offering myself to him? I didn't think so. Even as the doubting thought flashed through my mind, my hand swung out to backhandedly slap him in the face.

"I am not one of your trollops. I'm your mother and the bloody queen of England. What in God's name were you thinking to manhandle me in that manner," I said heatedly. "Never mind. It's obvious you weren't thinking."

I shook my head still beyond shocked that William... I especially could not blot out how quickly his member hardened as he'd held me against him. While I was not chaste, the men I had allowed into my bed had been few and far between. None of them had ever seemed to spontaneously explode from flaccidity to full erection.

I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with this latest action and how it would affect the agreement we had come to only moments ago. The man was sincerely lucky that I'd removed my gloves or my 'dragon claws' might have caused a good deal more damage.

 

[LordLuck]

“I… I…” I was completely speechless. I could not understand what had just happened. Tears flowed into my eyes as it was an inhuman struggle to prevent them from escaping. I was meant to be strong. I was the bloody Prince. I could not be seen as a weakling by my own mother after a mere slap. Still, it hurt much more in my heart than in my face.

I’ve noticed that I’ve had been indeed so very lucky that my inconsiderate action had not be groping Adrianna so lewdly before she had taken off her ‘Claws’ – otherwise, she would have probably taken a full chunk of meet out of my face, deforming my handsome features forever. I would be disgraced immediately if she had done so, and no one could never know why the scars tainted my face.

“S-Sorry, mom, sorry I am so sorry…”, I’ve yammered as I could not think straight. What have I done? The implications of the foul act I’ve just performed started to sink into me as I’ve fell to my feet, my trembling legs unable to hold my weight. I’ve shivered as my shaking hands grabbed around her hips, my hands tugging on her long skirts once more like the child I was again, the little scared boy, afraid from the retributions that would surely follow his unthinking actions, suddenly aware of the terrible consequences that would punish him.

“I’ve… I’ve never meant to… It’s… It is just that I… I love you so much, Mom, don’t…”, I could not form a sentence as I’ve finally let the tears to come and escape. I’ve had to be tucking my face against her skirts in order to conceal them, cleaning the salty drops in her fine dress’ fabric. I was in despair. “Don’t… don’t forbid me… don’t exile me, I will wither and die if I am away from you.”

I was even openly crying now, eventually sobbing and pathetically trying to conceal it from the Queen, my Mother, my love, as I’ve hid myself into her skirts. “I love you so much, Mom, don’t… please, I beg you. I plead, don’t deny me… let me be your Consort.”

 

[kimberlee]

I don't know which action shocked me more, his grabbing my backside to grind himself against me or this sudden breakdown into tears after a simple slap and admonishment. I watched him, outwardly unmoved and inwardly horrified. This was to be the next king of England? What had happened to the young man I'd known as my son?

He fell to his knees and wrapped his arms about my waist. His cries of desperation claiming he'd wither away and die if sent away had me shaking my head. I sighed as I considered what to do to give this boy - had I thought him a man - some backbone. My right hand ran through his hair as I searched my mind for an answer to this new dilemma.

At his plea that I take him on as my consort, my hand froze. He had to know that his proposal was impossible. Even if I'd wished to take him as a lover, it would have been impossible to openly claim him as my consort.

Perhaps he was more his father's son than I had thought. Was this all a ruse? Was he even now planning to take the throne out from beneath me? I was tempted to tighten my grasp on his hair and see if I could yank the truth of the matter from him.

No, I needed to play this smart. I needed to make certain that he wasn't a current threat to me. I'd set people on the matter; but, I needed to assure him somehow.

"Rise, my son. I need a man by my side, not a boy," I purposefully chose not to mention his position as my advisor and let what implications he might draw from my statement stand. I could always correct the matter later when I'd gathered the intelligence on his potential as a threat.

When he'd gathered his feet under him, I took out a kerchief and tsked as I wiped away his tears. I gave him a soft kiss - nothing out of the ordinary - and bid him take his leave. I had other matters to attend to.

I watched as he left. When he turned at the door to smile at me, I found myself recalling the brief moment I'd been pulled flush against him as I returned his smile.

I'd planned to take a walk in the garden after our meeting and then head off to bed. Now, I inwardly groaned as I thought on who I could trust to handle this matter and gather the information I needed without leaking anything out.

 

[LordLuck]

Just as I've turned the corner of the hall I took both my hands to my head, throwing the hat away furiously and pulling on my hair with the rage of a madman. Damn it! Stupid! Stupid! Ignorant imbecile! Oaf! Knave! How could you be so stupid? I could not believe I had just made such a scene before the Queen. Before my Mother. I've had just denounced myself as a weak fool that suffered from a breakdown during the slightest stress.

I feel to my knees as bashed my head against the wooden wall of the hall, furious with myself. I was lucky that there was nobody in there, but I did not cared really. I had just blew up the best chance I had to near the Queen and raise to a power I have never thought I would except with her passing away. And I so loved her I would not dare do so. I could not.

The tears came to my eyes once more as I sobbed, curled into a ball as I held my legs and looked towards the wall yet saw nothing. I've cried for long, long minutes. An hour, perhaps, before I got to my feet, took a handkerchief from my pocket in order to clean my face. Taking my hand and lamentating about the feather, I've walked off.

To where? There was much I should think about it now. She would never elevate me to the Queen's Consort position I've suggested, no. So what could be salvaged from the disaster? Surely not my pride. It had been shattered like a mirror.