forum Royal Dilemma (o/o Closed)

Started March 04, 2022 by @emilyevewrites group

tune

Thomas chuckled, blushing softly at her words. “Eleanor, I would think you were beautiful if you just wore the simple dress of a seamstress.” he admitted.

Eleanor’s entire complexion softened as she gazed at him. But would he have noticed me in the first place? the little voice of doubt whispered in the back of her mind. She forced it aside. “Thank you."

Thomas smiled softly at her and reached his hand out to hold hers. He didn't want her to go yet, but he knew it was getting closer to the time that the other man wanted to meet Eleanor. He didn't even move towards the door yet and just ran his thumb across her hand.

The queen easily slipped her hand into his and felt her heartrate pick up quickly at the small motion. “I don’t want to go,” she whispered, her green eyes flickering between Thomas’s. “I want to stay here with you.”

“I don't want you to go either.” he whispered back, rubbing circles against her hand. “Nothing would make me happier than to just stay here with you all day.” Thomas sighed, knowing that was, unfortunately, impossible.

Eleanor closed her eyes. “And the same goes for me,” she whispered, lightly squeezing his hand. She, regrettably, had to drop his hand and fix a piece of her hair. “Shall we be off?” she asked quietly.

Thomas smiled softly at her words but, regretfully, let go of her hand when she moved. He sighed and gave a nod as he forced himself into the proper stance and held out his arm. “Just call for me whenever you are ready to leave him.” he told her, assuring her that he would be close by the entire time.

“Of course,” Eleanor replied, easily resting her hand on his arm. A sly smile slipped onto her lips.“Would upon first sight be too soon?”

Thomas smirked, holding back a laugh at the joke as he opened the door. “Unfortunately.” he nodded. Even though he wasn't trained in diplomacy, he knew that since the king was hosting this delegation, as Queen, Eleanor had to show a level of hospitality to all the visitors.

The queen sighed quietly. “Shame,” she murmured before her expression slipped into a neutral mask as they walked through the halls. Eleanor was suddenly very aware that anyone could be watching them or listening to them speak. So she stayed perfectly rigid (except for her gentle hand on Thomas’ arm) and kept her mouth shut firmly.

She didn’t need someone figuring the two of them out and ending the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to her before it could even begin.

Thomas noticed her change and felt the same. They needed to keep everything they said and did between themselves. If anyone suspected, then word would reach the king and… Who knows what he would do to them. He let out a slow breath and kept walking causally. Well, causally for a guard, and being careful not to give anything away.

They reached the gardens quickly. Much too quickly for Eleanor’s liking. She should have encouraged Thomas to go slower.

“There she is, the flower of Versia,” a smooth voice greeted her.

Sirus approached her with a bundle of white roses in his hands and bowed his head.

Eleanor dipped into a half-curtesy of respect, and as she straightened, she noticed Sirus’ pointed gaze on her.

“You’re the most beautiful flower in this entire garden,” he cooed, slipping the bouquet into her hands.

“Thank you,” she acknowledged quietly.

“I’ll take her from here,” Sirus said, motioning for Thomas to stand down.

Thomas didn't even remember most of the walk as he was too distracted by his thoughts of how much he didn't want to do this.

His hand tightened slightly over Eleanor’s as soon as he heard the too-oily voice of Sirus. He didn't want to leave her alone with this man… But he didn't have a choice. Reluctantly he let go of his Queen’s hand so the other man could give her the flowers and gave a brief polite bow to the visitor before turning to Eleanor and giving her a more respectful one. “My Queen.”

Eleanor’s resolve strengthened with those two simple words. Her title. Coming from Thomas. She didn’t bow her head in return, however. She was many ranks higher than him, and it would cause suspicion to do so.

Instead, she studied his eyes and closed them slightly for a moment longer than a normal blink. My secret curtesy, she thought with a smile, turning back to Sirus.

“I was pleased to receive your invitation, my lord,” she greeted, lying easily. “The gardens are one of my favorite places on the castle grounds.” That wasn’t so much a lie, but it also wasn’t a whole truth either. She didn’t need to let on too much of herself for Sirus.

It was a back-and-forth game she was playing now. Royal chess. And no doubt Sirus pegged her to be a complete idiot.

She’d just have to show him differently. Walking a wire, she thought as he replied.

“Our gardens in Blackstone are not as marvelous as these,” he admitted, settling an arm around her waist to guide her.

Thomas didn't say anything. He couldn't as saying anything more would be suspicious. But he did notice the look she was giving him and it helped him to relax a little.

As Eleanor and Sirus spoke, he kept a good distance behind them but followed carefully. Wanting to be close just in case Sirus became hostile. Though he sincerely hoped that wouldn't happen.

Eleanor slipped easily out of his hold as she stopped to examine a bush of pale-yellow flowers along the cobblestone path they were walking down.

“I’m glad your husband invited us,” Sirus said from behind her.

Eleanor bit her lip and straightened. When she turned to face Sirus, he was much closer to her than she anticipated. She backed up quickly… into the flower bush. “Oh!” she cried out in surprise. The leaves grabbed at her dress, and she brushed them off as quickly as she could.

The man looked amused by her fumbling. “My apologies, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean to startle you.” His amusement quickly turned into something else, however. There was something predatorial behind his gaze. Like he would devour Eleanor if given the chance. The queen failed to notice it, still brushing petals from her skirt.

Thomas, however, did notice the look and took another step closer, making sure he was visible to Sirus. His hand lightly tapping the hilt of his sword in what could have been considered a very casual way. Though this time it was a warning to both, for Eleanor to be careful and for Sirus to back off.

Eleanor heard the tap and looked up. She noticed Thomas' demeanor before turning back to Sirus, whose eyes were narrowed.

"Well, Your Majesty, perhaps you can show me your favorite part of the garden next?" he suggested in a flat tone.

Eleanor straightened and nodded in agreement. "Yes. The fountain. It's this way." She began walking to the center of the garden where all of the miscellaneous pathways converged.

Thomas let out a brief breath of relief when Eleanor caught Sirus. Though given the glare he was seeing on the royal visitor's face, he would be surprised if he didn't get into some kind of trouble from his interference. But it would be worth it if it meant he was able to keep Eleanor safe.

Without taking his hand off his sword, he followed them and maintained the respectable distance.

“Your guard is diligent,” Sirus remarked, though the way he said it didn’t make it sound like a compliment.

“Yes,” Eleanor agreed passively. “All of our guards are trained diligently to protect myself and my husband.” As if she wanted to be married to Marcellus…

“I can only imagine the strictness of their regiments,” Sirus muttered.

Eleanor smiled briefly.

Thomas did his best not to smirk at Eleanor’s quick defense. Though neither of them truly knew how strict a training routine the new soldiers were put through. But overall, he had to admit that she was doing quite well after the near incident with the bush.

Eleanor reached the fountain and motioned to it with an elegant lift of her hand. “If you must know, Lord Grives, this is my most treasured spot in the gardens,” she said.

The clear water pooled before them, pure enough to see their own reflections.

Sirus grinned, taking her hand and leading her closer. “It’s beautiful. Tell me, Eleanor… how do you plan on paying for the pleasure of my company?” he asked in a lowered voice.

Any kindness on her face (false or genuine) instantly vanished. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that I’m loosing time for doing other things and spending it with you. Surely, there must be some way you can earn the time I’ve given you?”

You rat! she wanted to cry out. Instead, she lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “You want money?”

Sirus laughed dryly. “I haven't dealt in anything as common as money in years.”

Eleanor curled her fingers into fists at her sides. “Then how do people pay for the pleasure of your company?”

“With secrets,” Sirus hissed, drawing closer to her. “What about you, Flower of Versia? Any secrets worth my time?”

Eleanor took a step back as he leaned toward her. “Of course not,” she retorted quietly.

Sirus smirked. “Shame.”

Then, before Eleanor knew what was happening, she felt Sirus’s hands on her waist shoving her backwards. Her calves connected with the edge of the fountain, and the world spun through her vision as she fell, flailing, into the fountain. Water splashed around her, and she came up gasping for air. Shock surged through her, and almost immediately, she began to shiver. The water in the fountain was unbearably cold.

(Okay, I maybe probably definitely stole some lines from Catching Fire 😂)

(😆 they actually work very well here though!)

Thomas so badly wanted to move closer when their voices lowered but made himself stay. Talking quietly wasn't a sign of anything wrong… Though seeing the look on Eleanor’s face certainly was. As soon as Sirus put his hands on her waist, the guard all but charged forward and stood between his Queen and her assailant. “Are you alright, your Majesty?” he asked in a surprisingly professional tone though he was concerned.

(I know right! I was writing the scene and I was like, I can see where this is going lmao)

Sirus backed away easily, his hands in the air. His dark eyes stayed evenly on Thomas’.

Eleanor, however, was another matter. It took her a moment to regain her footing, since the fountain’s inner tiles were not made for people walking on then and, therefore, were incredibly slippery. She finally made her way over to the edge and held onto the stone with a trembling grip.

“I’m fine,” she answered, looking past Thomas and narrowing her eyes at Sirus. Every inch of her was soaking wet, and her beautiful gown now stuck to her skin, causing another shiver to pass through her. “Escort me back to my quarters,” she commanded as regally as possible.

Thomas barely spared Sirus a second glance after he put his hands up in surrender. Whether it was real or not, he would worry later. “Of course, my Queen.” he nodded briefly and put out his arm to help her out of the fountain.