"Well, unlike you, I'm not proper enough so I have no issue with it." Elora stuck her tongue out at her like a child before going into a laughing fit. It felt nice being able to be free with someone she wasn't romantically involved with. And someone her own gender and near in age.
The only other people she could be free with like this was Kaillas and Katya, excluding the guard stationed behind her. And eveb then, she still had to be a sister and mother to Katya. And there was only so much she felt she could share with Kaillas. He was too protective. His heart was in the right place but he could be overbearing.
She nodded her head and got to her feet. She wiped off her pant legs, getting rid of any dirt or leaves that may have stuck to her. She called for Luna and mounted her. Grabbing the reigns, she directed them back towards the path.
(I feel like we would have to do like a tandem rp then. Cause otherwise we might spoil stuff for each other if we set theirs in the future.)
"The bruise you've just given me is proof of that." Ophelia childishly sticks her tongue right back out at Elora. It's been so long since she's been able to let loose and just play around. Most of her interactions with others have to be so serious. She's glad to have Elora in her life. Her sister-in-law makes everything so fun.
She takes a moment, adjusting her position in the saddle before guiding the giant horse to follow Elora's lead. They ride side by side along the path, and the warm afternoon sun casts a golden glow on the surrounding landscape. It's getting late in the day. She's been having so much fun that she hadn't realized how long they've been out here.
The sunlight filters through the leaves, painting a picturesque scene that Ophelia wishes she could capture and preserve forever. She takes in every detail of the forest, appreciating the beauty that surrounds her and feeling a deep connection to nature. The palace gradually comes into view through the trees, its majestic spires rising against the blue sky.
(You're right about that. Different timelines would get too complicated and there's too many spoiler risks)
The sun had begin its slow descent in the sky and she knew dinner was about an hour off. Katya and Kaillas likely wouldn't be seen until then, off gardening or whatever else they wanted to do. Which meant she had an hour to tell Ophelia the one thing she had been dying to tell someone. Aedion.
The ride back was mostly silent, other than a few jibes and teases. She was mostly anxious to get to her room. She was practically bursting. It was hard to keep her excitement contained.
Back in the stables, she dismounted Luna and fed her a carrot while a stable hand began working on taking her saddle off. She gave the mare a kiss on the nose before peaking in a stall and saying hello to the baby colt. She gave the horse a pet and a kiss before joining Ophelia at her side and taking her arm.
(Yeah….maybe we should wait? Or we coukd start back at the beginning of the relationship? Though I don't remember how long I said they've been together. My memory is shit XD)
While Ophelia greatly looks forward to Kaillas' return, to the point where4 she's tempted to fake sick to get out of dinner in order to spend time with him, she's loving spending time with Elora. Today has been a lot of fun. She's learned a lot about both girls and she feels like she's finally starting to bond with them properly which means a lot to her.
Upon their arrival at the stables, she dismounts and steps out of the way for the stablehands to take over. Though she makes sure she's not underfoot, she takes a few moments to klove on Ceesecake and say goodbye to him properly. She makes a mental note that she needs to come out and see him more often. The last few weeks have kept her impossibly busy but with her husband's return, she hopes to have a little more freetime.
"What a cutie," She comments with a smile as she spots the foal. Not wanting to upset the mama horse, she does nothing more than take a quick peek into the stall. Once they're both ready, she leads the way down the path back to the palace.
(Roughly how old were they when the relationship started? If you can remember lol)
When Elora wasn't busy with her lessons, she would gladly hang out with Ophelia. She knew these next few weeks, Kaillas would be stuck in meetings with his generals and councilmen. It would give her more time to hang out with her. Assuming Katya didn't try to hog her time. Even if she wouldn't say it, Katya adored their new sister.
She smiled back at Ophelia. "He is. He's close to his mama but we're to get them used to being separated. They can't be attached at the hip always." She gave the colt one more let before backing away. With Ophelia in hand, they started walking back to the palace.
She was quiet until they were safely back into her room. She locked the door behind them. Not that it would keep anyone out if they truly wanted to come in. But it told the staff that she didn't want to be disturbed. She kicked her boots off and jumped on the bed.
(Umm, like two three months.)
"Weaning foals is always so sad." Ophelia loves seeing the babies interact with their mamas. While the mares are usually relieved to be free of their little ones, the foals are always so upset for a few days. It breaks her heart to see even though she knows that it's necessary. That's one of the reasons why she never bred her mare back at her home kingdom.
She walks alongside Elora as they make their way back to the palace. The ride was fun but she;s looking forward to being able to gossip properly. They'll be able to do so once they're in the safety of the bedroom. As long as they watch their volume, the guards will have no idea what they're saying.
As Elora kicked off her boots and jumped onto the bed, Ophelia couldn't help but chuckle softly. She pulls off her own boots and sets them off to the side, not wanting to get dirt on the comforter. She perches on the edge of the bed, taking a look around the room. She thinks this is the first time she's ever been in here.
(The timeline for this is tricky)
Elora nodded her head. "Luna lost her last baby. Only lived for a few days before she died. Where not sure why. Likely a birth defect. So she's particularly close to this one. She doesn't want to lose him." Luna had been depressed for months. It had taken a miracle to get her out if it. And a foal who had lost his mother recently.
Luna was doing much better now so everything was okay. It had been a couple of years ago anyways. She has recovered from it. Mostly. Though she still had attachment issues. Which made it difficult. They were trying to go slow in their weaning. They didn't want to stress Luna out too much.
She laud back in her bed, stretching her arms. She reaches and grabbed one of her decorative pillows and held it to her chest. "Aedion cane into our employment about six months ago. He had just finished his training. There's more to being a palace guard than just soldier training. He had been in the army since he was sixteen. He decided a year ago to finally follow his father's footsteps and join the royal guard. It was six months of training in this secluded post in the mountains. And then he came here. Kaillas assigned him as my guard four years ago agates he proved himself in a duel with him. Aedion didn't win of course, be he fought valiantly and he didn't give up. He got up every time."
Ophelia listens attentively to Elora's story about Luna and her attachment to the foal, nodding sympathetically. "It's heartwarming to see the bond between Luna and the foal. But poor girl, losing her foal must have been devastating for her. I'm glad she's doing better now. She seems like a good mother.”
As Elora relaxes on her bed, Ophelia leans against the bed frame, taking in the details of the room while still giving her full attention to the conversation. When Elora starts talking about Aedion, her expression softens, and she smiles warmly. It’s sweet how excited the girl gets when she talks about her ‘friend’.
"It sounds like Aedion is a brave and dedicated man. Joining the royal guard is no small feat, and earning Kaillas' respect in a duel is no easy task either," She remarks, clearly impressed by Aedion's determination. “I've seen the way he watches over you with such affection. How did you two become so close?” She has to admit that she’s curious.
Elora turned her head to look at the queen resting agsidnt against her head board. She was laying perpendicular, laying about halfway up the bed. Her feet were hanging off the side of the bed and she was swinging them back and forth.
She smiled, her cheeks warming as she heard Opehlia speak of her guard. Her knight really. A knight in shining armor. He was strong and dedicated. He had fought harder than most she had ever met. Perhaps even harder than Kaillas himself.
She smiled at the memory. "Aedion had the night of. Braxton was on night watch. He's a bit lazy, for a place guard that was. And as long as I slipped him sweets, he always looked the other way when he heard noises coming from my bedroom. When I woukd sneak out by the window." Said windows and room was several stories high. Let's just say she had a good rope and a strong upper body. "I went into the city to enjoy the night life. In the low lighting and right clothes and cosmetics, no one even knew how I am. Imagine Aedion's surprise when I ran into him at a tavern."
She chuckled. "He pulled me into a back alley and was lecturing me on all the different ways that it was dangerous for me to be out there and that I couldn't do that and whatnot. And I just couldn't stop staring at his mouth. And I was tired if listening to him speak. So I just grabbed him and kissed him."
Ophelia listens to Elora's story with a mixture of amusement and surprise. She can't help but chuckle at the image of the princess sneaking out of the palace and enjoying the city's nightlife. "Oh, I can only imagine Aedion's face when he found you at that tavern," she says, a playful glint in her eyes.
She stretches out and settles herself on the bed. She doesn’t want to take up too much room but she’d like to be comfortable. Luckily, she’s further up the bed than Elora is so they aren’t getting in each other’s way right now.
As Elora describes the unexpected turn of events with Aedion in the back alley, her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "You kissed him just like that?" she asks, her smile widening. "Well, that's certainly a bold move. And I take it he didn't see that coming?" She teases, genuinely intrigued by the blossoming romance between her sister and the loyal guard.
"It must have been quite the moment. The dutiful guard being caught off guard by the princess' daring act," She remarks, her playful tone showing that she finds the situation rather amusing. "And how did he react? I assume he didn't resist too much if you're still together now?" She leans in with curiosity, eager to hear more of the story.
Elora's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Just wait until you hear how he reacted when he learned how I got out of the palace. I thought his heart might stop dead in his chest. I thought it had for a moment." It had been funny then and it was funny now.
"I kissed him just like that." Her eyes closed at the memory. The feeling of a stubble on his cheeks as he had shaved in a couple days. His lips had been cracked and his breath smelled of cheap ale. And yet she had kissed him all the same. And hadn't regretted it a day since.
"He certianly did not." She thought she had froze him. "When he didn't respond to it, I had pulled back. I thought I had done something wrong. I thought that I had mistaken the signals he had given me. He was just saying at me, eyes wide and lips parted. I said his name and it was like I had unleashed a beast." Her cheeks heated at the memory and she smiled wide. "He grabbed my cheeks and kissed me hard. He pushed me up against the wall of the alley. Hours could have passed and I wouldn't have noticed.
"When we finally stopped, he barely had enough breath to tell me he was escorting me back to the palace. He put his cloak around me and led me back. It wasn't until we reached the palace that he inquired how I had gotten out. He looked like he wanted to throttle me. And then confiscated my rope when he took me to my room, startling Braxton. And then he said if I ever wanted to go into the city again at night, I need only send for him and he would take me. Then he kissed me again before leaving and storming out."
Ophelia listens to Elora's animated retelling of the moment she and Aedion shared in the alley, and her eyes sparkle with delight at the romantic and somewhat humorous scene. "Oh, I can just picture the whole thing," she says, unable to hide her amusement. "It sounds like something straight out of a romantic novel, doesn't it?"
“It seems like it was quite the eventful night," She comments, a playful glint in her eyes. "A true whirlwind of emotions and unexpected kisses. Aedion seems like he was taken by complete surprise, and yet, he couldn't resist his feelings for you. Though, I can’t say I blame him for wanting to throttle you. Climbing out of your window to go into the city…..insane!” She laughs a bit at this.
Her smile softens as she observes Elora's expression, clearly smitten with the memory. "It's amazing how one impulsive act can change everything, isn't it? Your spontaneity brought you together, and it seems like you're much happier for it."
She couldn’t be happier for Elora. The way she talks about her guard and the way the two look at each other…..it’s obvious that they’re passionate about each other. “The sneaking around must be pretty exciting, I imagine. The thrill of getting away with doing something that you probably shouldn’t be doing and the risk of getting caught…” She imagines that having to be secretive helps them keep that spark burning bright. All of those little stolen kisses and longing looks is all like something straight from a book.
Elora just hummed dreamily. "It does, doesn't. Except it's even better than reading about it." Her own little fairytale moment. She coukdnt wish for anything more. Well, she coukd, but she wouldn't take this time with him for granted. Who knew how long she would get it?
"Well, if it soothes your soul, I don't sneak out through the window anymore." She and Aedion coordinated his night duty to plan to go out into the city occasionally. She didn't do it as often now, not when she had Aedion here. But she still enjoyed the nightlife.
She turned her head to look at Ophelia, a soft smile on her lips. She was happy talking about him. And she liked him more than she would ever admit. Because they weren't together exactly. They had no expectations for one another. And her status of princess limited them almost completely in what they could be together.
She nodded her head, even as her smile dimmed some. "It is. It gets my heart racing and I've never been happier. You should try it with Kaillas. Not that you have to hide your relationship but the sneaking around part. It gets you going."
Ophelia chuckles softly, appreciating Elora's dreamy demeanor as she recounts her romantic escapades with Aedion. "I'm glad to see you so happy. Romance stories like yours have a way of enchanting even the most skeptical hearts," she says, her eyes warm with genuine happiness for her friend.
At the mention of not sneaking out through the window anymore, Ophelia raises an eyebrow playfully. "That does soothe my soul, actually. It would be incredibly painful if you ever fell. Though, it is too bad that you’re too domesticated to do something so crazy now.” The last part is said teasingly but in all seriousness, she’s glad that Elora isn’t doing something so risky anymore.
As Elora suggests that she should try the sneaking around part with Kaillas, Ophelia blushes slightly but smiles. "Maybe I’ll mention it to him.” She’s honestly not sure what he would think. They haven’t had very many discussions about what all they want to try.
She has a few ideas as to what his interests are but she couldn’t really say for certain. She’ll have to ask him when he gets back from his gardening adventure with Katya.
Elora started messing with a lose thread on the pillow she was hugging. "It does sound nice doesn't it?" She sighed softly. "The problem is, I dint even know what we are. We haven't made any promises to one another. We hold no expectations for each other. And yet he is the only man I want. I don't see anyone else other than him. But I don't know of he does the same."
She sat up and moved on the bed so she was sitting beside Elora. "I mean sure, we kiss and touch and do…other things." She trailed off at that last bit. "But we also talk. Alot. I tell him almost everything. And he does the same. He's a great listener. And kisser." She looked down at her lap, at that thread she had been picking at. "I worry that my title prevents him from wanting anything more. I'm a princess, he's a guard. Realistically, nothing could ever happen. And yet all the boys Kaillas has brought over, whether he liked it or not, haven't compared to him."
She was getting in over her head now. Nothing would ever amount to more than what they are now. She would be setting herself up for heartbreak if she didn't get a hold of her emotions. "Domesticated is stretching it there." She laughed softly.
She smirked at Ophelia. "As much as I don't want to talk about my brother, don't think we can't have girl talk about those things." She had seen her brother's dick enough to know what it looked like. Unfortunately, all times because she had walked into something rather unfortunate for herself.
Ophelia listens attentively to Elora's thoughts, her heart going out to her friend. She reaches out to gently place a hand on Elora's shoulder, offering comfort and support. "It's natural to have doubts and worries, especially when it comes to matters of the heart," she says reassuringly. "But from what you've told me, it's evident that there's a strong connection between you two. The way you describe your moments together, the trust and openness you share, those are precious things."
She offers a soft smile. "Love doesn't always conform to expectations or titles. Sometimes, it finds its way into our lives unexpectedly, and it doesn't care about the barriers we've built. You never know what the future holds, Elora. It's possible that the bond you share with Aedion will grow into something even more beautiful."
“You’re more than just your title. I think with enough convincing of certain people, you two would be able to be together if that’s what you both truly want.” It certainly wouldn’t be easy to get people to accept it but she doesn’t believe that it would be possible.
“I won’t subject you to the torture of talking about your brother,” She assures her with a laugh. She much as she does want to discuss it with someone, she won’t traumatize her husband’s sister. That seems like it would be unnecessarily cruel and awkward.
Elora turned her head to look at her when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She offered a soft smile and prayed she was right. "Maybe. I don't know, I don't want to get my hopes up." Her heart had suffered enough heartbreak, she didn't want to go through one more. Even if it was inevitable.
She huffed, crossing her arms. She knew exactly who Ophelia was talking about. And she was not ready for that conversation yet. Kaillas still thought she was a sweet innocent little girl who hadn't done more than kiss a scribe or two. He refused to see her as anything else.
And while Kaillas held every respect for Aedion, she wasn't so sure how long that would hold up if he found out he had been fondling his little sister. Kaillas was a good and noble man. But there was only so much she could push. While he had promised her she could chose who she wished to marry, he wanted her to pick a man of good standing and status. Someone who could take care of her. But she didn't want to be taken care of.
"I'll talk to him when the time is right." Which meant never. She laughed softly. "Alright alright. But if his dick game is ever weak, I want to be the first to know so I can hold it over him."
“I understand, Elora. It's natural to be cautious, especially after everything you've been through. But sometimes, taking a chance on happiness is worth it. You deserve to find love and someone who sees you for the amazing woman you are."
As Elora huffs and crosses her arms, Ophelia chuckles softly, sensing her reluctance to discuss the person in question. "I won't push you to talk about it if you're not ready. Just know that I'm here for you whenever you want to share."
Ophelia listens intently to Elora's thoughts about Kaillas and the potential challenges they might face. "Aedion does seem like a good man, and I believe he cares deeply for you. Perhaps, with time, Kaillas come to see you as the capable, independent woma.” When Elora mentions talking to him at the right time, she nods in agreement. "That sounds like a plan. When you feel ready, the words will come naturally."
The comment about Kaillas’ game being weak actually has her snorting with amusement. “I can confidently assure you that we’ll never have to have that conversation.” She has absolutely zero complaints in that department.
Elora nudged her with her shoulder, smiling. "Well thank you. I'll come to you if I need it." And she woukd likely take her up on that. Ophelia was easy to talk to. She wasn't used to such things. She always had ti watch what she said around the others. But she could be free with her.
She wasn't sure Kaillas would ever see her as anything other than that little, sniveling girl with red eyes when he had come back to the palace almost seven years ago. He felt responsible for them and that he had to coddle and handle them. He didn't see her as the woman she had grown to be.
She laughed and made a face. "Okay, you're right, I don't want to know those things." She didn't not need to know how well Kaillas did in bed. Seeing how much Ophelia responded to him told her everything she needed to know.
Ophelia smiles when Elora nudges her shoulder. She’s glad that they’re having such a good time together. It’s wonderful to be able to have someone to talk to. With how crazy things are going to continue to get, it’s important to have people in their lives to relay on and talk to.
Though she wishes that she could promise Elora that Kaillas will eventually see her as a proper woman, she knows that she can’t. The man is stubborn and has an image in his head of Elora being the young helpless innocent girl she was when their family was killed. She can’t blame him for wanting to keep that image of her. It must be hard to see how much she’s grown up.
She laughs and shakes her head. “I told you!” She exclaims, amused. Never was she actually going to give any details but she doesn’t mind giving a little teasing about the matter.
Elora laughed, feigning a disgusted look on her face. Girl talk would have to be about something else. If only so she didn't have to hear about her brother. Gross. She'd seen and heard enough from the court. She didn't need to add Ophelia to that as well.
Just as she was about to speak again, there was a knock on the door and a voice calling out through it. "Dinner will be ready shortly, Your Majesty, Highness." A polite indication that they should get bathe and change for dinner. THey had been out all afternoon in the heat and on top of a horse. Now that she thought about, Elora did smell a little like Luna.
She sighed, looking at Ophelia."I think that's our cue. I'll see you at dinner?" Where she most certainly wouldn't be late after inviting a certain someone into her room after Ophelia left.
Ophelia can only imagine how traumatic it would be if they had proper girl talk. No one wants to hear about their brother like that. Still, though, there’s a dozen other topics of conversation for them to go through and she’s always happy to hear about Elora’s adventures with Aedion. The two have certainly started their relationship off with a bang.
Hearing the knock on the door, she turns her head a little and waits for the message that’s sure to follow. Dinner already? The day went by fast. She’ll have to bathe and get dressed in something proper before dinner. Between her time in the gardens with Katya and the ride with Elora, she knows that she probably doesn’t smell too pleasant.
She turns back to Elora and gives a nod. “I’ll see you at dinner,” She confirms with a light smile before standing up. With a quiet hum, she makes her way out the door, heading for her room so she can get ready to join everyone in the dinning hall.
Elora waited until the door shut before she got up to run herself a bath. She added a bit of oil to the water to soothe and smooth. She had maids to do such things but she didn't see the need to call them for such a small thing. She peeled out of her riding clothes and pinned her braid up. She didn't have time to wash and dry her hair so her body would have to do.
She didn't take very long to scrub and clean and exfoliate her body. After she dried, she applied lotion to her skin and then started to look through her gowns. She chose a particular one she would not be able to do herself. With a grin, she doned on the gown and went to the door. Where she woukd ask a certain guard to help with the laces of her corset.
As she opened the door with a grin, he gave her a knowing look. "Your Highness?" He asked. His eyes did not miss the low neckline of her gown and he was certainly trying to peak down it. As if that wasn't obvious.
"Will you help me with the laces?" She stepped back into her room, so that even though the door was opened, they had a bit of privacy. She gave him her back and pulled up her hair, which was now in soft waves thanks to her braid, and in a half up updo. She felt his hands start at the base of her neck, shivering at the contact of his calloused hand. Her eyes closed as he ran his fingers down her skin until he reached the layers of her gown and corset. Then with sturdy fingers, he pulled the strings tight and tied them with efficiency a man should not have. Well, she had given him plenty practice.
"Thank you," she murmured as she released her hair and turned back to face him. Leaning up on her top toes, she gripped his cheeks and kissed him gently, once, twice. Then she pulled away. "Dinner first." She was starving. Her stomach rumbled as if on que. He chuckled quietly and nodded, moving so she could leave the room first.
Ophelia steps into the opulent bathroom, the scent of rose petals filling the air as she begins to run the bathwater. The sound of cascading water is soothing, and she feels the tension of the day slowly melting away. She carefully pours some fragrant lavender oil into the tub, creating a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere.
Lowering herself into the warm embrace of the water, she lets out a contented sigh. The gentle ripples caress her skin, and she closes her eyes, allowing herself to be enveloped by the tranquility of the moment. She doesn’t have much time to before dinner so she can’t properly relax but this is still nice.
After indulging in the soothing bath, Ophelia rises from the water, her skin dewy and refreshed. She wraps herself in a soft, fluffy towel and heads to the vanity. The room is adorned with intricate gold-framed mirrors and crystal perfume bottles, adding a touch of elegance to the ambiance.
Her long, blonde hair is still slightly damp as she sits down at the vanity. She brushes it gently, untangling any knots with care. Once it’s all brushed all, she pulls it back in a half up and half down hairstyle.
Next, she selects a delicate light blue gown from her wardrobe, the fabric adorned with intricate lace and delicate embroidery. As she slips into the gown, it drapes elegantly over her form, hugging her figure in all the right places. It’s perfectly appropriate for dinner but it’s fitted enough to tease her husband.
Once she’s ready, she gets up and heads out of the room to join everyone in the dinning hall.
Kaillas and Katya were already in the dining room, still wearing their dirtier clothes from their gardening and their gloves sitting on the table beside them. The staff looked at them almost horrified for placing it on the white table cloth. But that was there fault for using white. Seriously, who used white for a table cloth.
The pair were grinning at each other and giggling to one another as they shared jokes. They were making fun of the courtiers that were looking at them and mocking the words they might be saying.
As Ophelia entered the dining room, Kaillas eye's immediately went to her. And darkened as they looked at her gown. He inhaled sharply and that was when Katya very pointedly found something else to be interested in. He stood from his seat, moving to pull out the seat for his wife. As sje neared, he caught her wrist and murmured in her ear, "You look ravishing darling."
It was tempting to grab her hand and drag her away from this dinner. But he needed to address the court and dinner was the best way to do this. He took the seat next to her, his eyes moving to her. "How was your afternoon, darling?"
