forum Royal Dilemma (o/o Closed)

Started March 04, 2022 by @emilyevewrites group

tune

Eleanor giggled and blushed at the same time. He was so handsome and enchanting… and he had her heart above anyone else in the world. She took a deep breath and brushed their noses together. "I love you."

Thomas chuckled again at the gesture and wrapped his free hand around her waist. “I love you too.” he whispered, smiling as he met her gaze.

Eleanor instinctively leaned more against him as he put his arm around her waist. She smiled happily and kissed the very tip of his nose.

Thomas hummed, a little surprised by the kiss but he didn't pull away or stop smiling. For a Queen, he found Eleanor to be so adorable and very cute in these private moments. Yet, he also admired how determined she could be in more regal settings.

Eleanor rested her head on his shoulder and sighed softly. "I'm so happy when I'm with you. I wish I didn't have to ever talk to anyone else. You're perfectly enough."

“I would be so happy to just spend the day with you like this.” he agreed, holding her against himself.

"As would I," Eleanor murmured, feeling his breathing as fluidly as she felt her own. But sadly, that isn't the case.

Thomas sighed softly, knowing that he would have to let go and she would have to get on with dealing with the other delegates. Especially if they wanted to beat Sirus and any attempt he might make to humiliate Eleanor. “But… We should get you ready to talk with the Prime Minister and Queen Irene.” he whispered, still reluctant to end the embrace.

"We should do that." Eleanor nodded in agreement, but she didn't move. She couldn't bring herself to. All her life, she'd dreamed of meeting the perfect person, and now she was here in his arms.

“Who will you speak with first?” he asked, tilting his head slightly to better look at her. “I can pass on the message that you want to meet.” he offered since she still needed to learn to write and his handwriting wasn't elegant enough for a letter to royalty.

Eleanor pursed her lips and thought about it. Her first extended royal invitation. “Queen Irene,” she said decidedly. Her round eyes gazed up at him. “You’ll be back quickly, won’t you?”

“Of course.” Thomas nodded. “Would you like me to escort you again?” he asked even though he trusted Queen Irene infinitely more than Sirus.

Eleanor nodded after a moment. "Yes," she replied easily. "I think that would be best. Could you tell Her Majesty that I request her company in the West Wing at the next hour?" Her eyes suddenly widened. "Is that too soon?"

Thomas shook his head. “No. I think that’s plenty of time.” he assured. “It’ll give you both time to get ready.”

Eleanor laced her fingers together and forced herself to stay calm. "Okay, then I think that's good. Could you tell her that then, please, Thomas?"

“Of course, Eleanor.” he smiled, softly kissing her forehead. “I’ll be right back, my Queen.” Thomas promised.

Eleanor sighed and relaxed almost immediately when his lips touched her skin. "Thank you," she breathed, watching him go and looking for something to dry and style her hair with.

Thomas smiled assuringly as he slowly pulled away and stood up. “I’ll be right back.” he said again before opening the door to go and give the invitation to Queen Irene.

Eleanor smiled and sat by her window, brushing out her dark hair and thinking of what she was going to say to the other monarch.

Thomas let out a calming breath once he was in the hall and resumed his more professional guard-like attitude.

It didn't take too long for him to reach the visiting Queen’s quarters, considering the room was in a different wing. He braced himself and knocked at her door.

It was the queen herself who answered the door, not a maid or her consort. She looked just as commanding as she had in the throne room even though her hair was taken down from its elaborate updo and instead of court finery, she was dressed in a simple light gray day gown. Julian, her consort, was lazily stretched across their bed, looking half-asleep. A wine glass rested on the nightstand.

"Yes?" she asked in a quiet but firm tone.

Thomas quickly bowed respectfully to the elegant but still intimidating Queen. “Your Majesty. Queen Eleanor requests your company in the West Wing at the next hour.” he said, repeating her words from earlier.

Irene arched an eyebrow at his – rather, Eleanor's – words. She contemplated the offer, glancing over her shoulder at the passed-out man in her bed before looking back at Thomas. "Please pass on my acceptance of Queen Eleanor's gracious invitation and tell her that I'm looking forward to her company."

Thomas bit his tongue to keep from sighing in relief and to stay professional as he bowed again. “Your Majesty.” he said in acknowledgment, though he was glad for Queen Irene’s generous acceptance.

"What's your name?" Irene asked suddenly, narrowing her eyes slightly at Thomas. She recognized him as familiar, but–

The woman tilted her head in acknowledgment at the realization. She had seen him escorting Eleanor back to her rooms at the end of the receiving ceremony. "You're Eleanor's guard, aren't you?"