Thomas nodded briefly. “Many would say you were lucky to be chosen… and you are a very beautiful woman. Though I will not pretend to know the King’s mind.” he said simply. “And the way you say he has been treating you is… unfair and unbefitting of a good husband.”
Eleanor flushed when he called her beautiful, just as before. "I've tried my best to be a good wife for him," she murmured thoughtfully. "But I don't know what more I can do. Other than… show up on the nights he wants me to." She shook her head. "Are you hungry at all? Please eat if you're hungry."
“I’m afraid I may not be the best to advise you in that way.” he admitted softly, trying not to think about the King’s private nights. “Partly because I never thought about marriage for myself and partly because I know very little about royal life.” Thomas smiled at her offer but shook his head. “Thank you, my Queen, but I’ll eat with the other guards later.”
"You've never thought about marriage?" Eleanor asked curiously. She tilted her head, finding herself wondering why. He was a very attractive young man. Surely when he met the right woman… Eleanor quickly stopped her thoughts from going any further. "I must insist that you eat some now," she remarked, a playful light in her eyes. "It's very good."
“No. I never thought I would have a chance to.” Thomas shook his head. “And none of the women back home seem too interested in the son of a poor farmer.” he admitted with a shrug. Turning to face her, he gave a soft chuckle when he saw the look in her eyes. “Well… If you insist.”
"I do insist," Eleanor remarked with a smile in response to his chuckle. "Well, to be perfectly fair, I didn't think I did either. None of the men from my village seemed to be too interested in the daughter of a poor seamstress," she remarked thoughtfully. "And then Marcellus made his announcement, selected me, and here I am."
Thomas smiled and playfully swiped a piece of food off her plate. “Thank you.” he chuckled again as he popped the piece in his mouth. “A seamstress? And did you ever learn the skill?” he asked, nodding a little at how she ended her story.
Eleanor giggled quietly at his playfulness. "Indeed, I did," she answered, lifting the sleeve of her dress to be more visible. Just before the hemline, a golden cursive "E" was stitched into the emerald-green fabric.
Thomas smiled at her laugh and watched as she adjusted her sleeve. “Beautiful… Very elegant.” he complimented, nodding. “You have talent and I believe you would have made a wonderful seamstress.”
"Thank you," Eleanor remarked genuinely. She took another small bite of her food and covered her lips as she chewed it. Once she swallowed, she let her hand drop again. "I'm sorry, I'm still not used to eating in such a… refined way."
Thomas nodded at her thanks and smiled softly. “Of course.” Though he couldn’t help but chuckle a little when she apologized. “It’s alright. If you are more comfortable, you don't have to eat like that when it’s just us.” he offered before raising a brow slightly. “I thought we agreed not to apologize to each other on things like this.”
Eleanor blushed sweetly. "Indeed we did. I keep forgetting…" She looked away from his face when he raised his brow, her blush deepening a bit. He was incredibly attractive. "My mother was the one who taught me to sew so elegantly," she murmured, reverting back to their previous topic. "Her work is much better than mine."
Thomas chuckled softly at how… attractive she looked with her blush. “I see. But your mother had years of practice before she started teaching you. I’m sure that if you had as much time to work on it, your skill would be just as good. If not better.” he encouraged.
Eleanor smiled shyly. "I suppose you're probably right," she relented. "My mother could make anything out of anything. That's what Wendy always said about her… I've begun stitching up a few of my dresses here. There isn't much else for me to do."
“I can understand that.” Thomas nodded. “That’s part of the reason why I started practicing reading and writing. It's a useful skill and it helps pass the time when I’m not working.” he told her. “Though I doubt I can use it the way you can use yours.”
"I doubt that," Eleanor quickly disagreed. "Reading and writing can be incredibly effective. They–" A knock on the door cut her off. She straightened and called out. "Yes?" He couldn't come in without her permission.
"I'm waiting, Eleanor," came the King's voice before his footsteps receded.
Thomas had to hold himself back from jumping off the bed when the knock startled both of them. Though hearing the King's voice was even more of a surprise. Once he was fairly sure that the King was out of earshot, he allowed himself to relax a little. “Do… Do you want me to escort you?” he asked softly.
"Don't worry," Eleanor remarked quietly when she saw Thomas jump. "No one is allowed to enter my chambers without my permission. Not even him." She rose slowly off the bed and nodded. "Yes, could you?" she asked. Her voice was quiet, and her features became more guarded with each passing second. "Do you know where his room is?"
“Thank you.” Thomas let out a soft breath at her assurance, actually very relieved that they were both safe in her room. Though it's not like they were actually doing anything wrong… But behaving this friendly with the Queen was bound to have consequences if anyone saw them. “Uhh… Ye- Yes. I… I know which door is his.” he nodded despite the uncomfortable feeling in his gut.
Eleanor nodded slowly, steeling herself for what was about to happen as she waited for him to offer his arm to her. Her expression, despite her attempts at trying to keep herself emotionless and neutral, began to crack and show her apprehension. "Alright then… let's go. I shouldn't keep him waiting."
Thomas nodded solemnly as he offered his arm and opened the door. He wanted to offer her some kind of assurance but he couldn't find the right words. Especially since he had no idea what exactly the King was going to do (and he didn't really want to). “Would you like me to come and get you… after?” he asked, unsure of what time she would need him next.
As much as she wanted the reassurance that when all of this was over she would get to see him, Eleanor shook her head. "No, that's alright. You don't have to wait for me. I don't know when I'll get back, but you can stop by my chambers tomorrow morning if you like." She took his arm and let him lead her through the halls in an eerily familiar route.
“As you wish, my Queen.” he nodded, slipping back into his habits of being a guard since they were in an area where they could easily be overheard.
Eleanor nodded. "Thank you," she murmured, her steps slowing as she approached her husband's bedroom. There was already a guard posted outside who bowed at her arrival.
Thomas could practically feel Eleanor’s anxiety as they approached the King’s room. Not that he could blame her… But he kept his face calm and impassive when the other guard bowed to her. He reluctantly let go of her arm and took a step back.