forum Royal Dilemma (o/o Closed)

Started March 04, 2022 by @emilyevewrites group

tune

Eleanor's smile was much more genuine now. "Thank you," she said again, gazing into his blue eyes. She couldn't help but notice that they were the most perfect shade of blue.

“You… You're welcome?” Thomas said, unsure if that was actually the right response. It has just seemed right to use her name at the time even though it had practically drilled into him during his training to use the proper honorifics if he addressed anyone.

Eleanor laughed lightly. "I've told you to call me by my name. If I didn't want you to, I wouldn't have told you. It's been too long since anyone has called me Eleanor. Well, except for Marcellus." As much as it was odd for Thomas to call the queen by her first name, it felt just as odd for Eleanor to call the King by his first name. She knew she was his wife, but they were so detached it felt unnatural.

“I know you did.” Thomas smiled softly. “It’s just… It's going to take me some to get used to call you by your name, rather than your title.” he admitted.

Eleanor dipped her head slightly, a gesture filled with understanding. "I don't mind. And I don't expect you to change right away. I just appreciate you're trying more than anything." She smiled gently at him, recapturing her beauty through happiness that had been diminishing over the weeks of being alone.

Thomas felt his breath catch in his throat as her natural beauty became more noticeable but didn't let himself react. He couldn't. She was still the Queen and he was just a guard… who had perhaps become more of a confidant by accident, but he didn't mind. “Thank you. I will try to use your name but only when we're here and alone.” he assured her.

Eleanor's eyes widened, and she nodded. "Yes, please… I'd prefer for these little exchanges to be kept between us." She knew that as the queen, her repercussions of getting too close with a guard would be punishing, but his punishment for getting too close to her… Too close? What was she thinking? They were only talking. But he was, in fact, quite handsome.

“As you wish.” Thomas nodded with a small gentle smile. It was… nice to be able to talk to someone again. Really talk. Not just salute or bow to when the other person barked orders to him. But he was fairly certain that his life had just become a bit more complicated.

(Lil timeskip to keep it moving)

Eleanor flushed lightly. She didn't realize how low the sun had been beginning to sink in the sky until the golden glow illuminated her room and Thomas's features. "It'll be about dinnertime soon," she murmured thoughtfully. "I don't think I'd like to eat in the dining hall tonight. Could you go and fetch a bit for me? Please," she added hastily, not wanting him to think of her as a queen who did nothing but mindlessly boss around her servants every day.

(That’s fine.)

Thomas blinked, not realizing how much time had passed, but nodded at her request. “Of course.” he assured as he stood back up. “Perhaps… If I say that you are not feeling well, do you think that the King might leave you be for the night?” he asked, hoping that might work since it was obvious to him that Eleanor did not want to… spend time with the King tonight.

Eleanor pressed her lips together slightly. She considered it, but after a brief moment of thought, she shook her head. "No. I can manage… him. If he asks… simply tell him I quite like the view from my window, and I don't want to leave it." The excuse was lame, but Eleanor knew the king, and she doubted she'd even ask in the first place. All he wanted from her was to show up at the right time.

Thomas nodded again. “Alright. If you are sure.” he agreed, hesitantly, before heading towards her door. “I’ll be back soon.” Honestly, he wasn't sure why he felt the need to tell her that since he would obviously he would return.

Eleanor nodded slowly. "Yes… thank you." She smiled at him before looking back out her window. The setting sun caused little flyaways of her rich brown hair to glow golden, and her deep green dress lit up with newfound energy.

Thomas paused for a moment at the breathtaking sight before making himself leave her room. He shook his head slightly and headed towards the dining hall, already rehearsing what he was going to say.

Eleanor sighed quietly at the sight of the sun, and she thought about her people, a long while away in the distance. They seemed so far, and after talking with Thomas, she was eager to get back to them. She wanted to show them off and – she couldn't lie – show Thomas off as well.

King Marcellus was already in the dining hall, eating alone except for the seven soldiers standing guard – one posted at each door, and the main door had two.

Thomas silently took a deep breath and walked into the dining hall, bowing to the King as he did. Though he hesitated to speak first. Normally, the King had to give permission… But Thomas wasn't quite sure if that rule still applied now that he was the Queen's personal guard.

Marcellus looked up at the sound of another entering the hall. He saw a guard – thinking he recognized the man from earlier – and anticipated his wife following behind him. She wasn't.

His eyes narrowed slightly. "You're my wife's new guardsman, aren't you?" he asked, looking Thomas over with a scrutinizing gaze.

“Yes, my King.” Thomas answered as he’d been trained to. “The Queen has sent me with a message.”

Marcellus huffed at Thomas's words. "She isn't coming, right? Fine. Just tell her that I still expect her to be at my room later, got it?"

“Yes, my King. She was hoping to have dinner in her room tonight. But I will give her your message.” Thomas agreed as a good soldier should.

Marcellus waved his hand haphazardly. "Yes, alright." He went back to eating and not really paying attention to Thomas anymore.

Thomas took that as his dismissal and stood up. Normally, guards weren't the ones who brought food anywhere but he figured since he was following his Queen’s request it would be allowed. He carefully picked up the plate and silverware that had been set for her, which had already been served with food, and walked out of the dining hall.

Eleanor was waiting in her window, just where Thomas had left her before. She'd taken her hair out of its rather stiff updo, and now it hung down past her shoulder bladed and at waist-length. Without it up, she looked much younger and significantly more beautiful.

Thomas was honestly relieved that the King let him walk away with the meal but stayed silent all through the walk back to Eleanor’s room. With a gentle knock, he opened the door and entered. “Well, that was actually a little terrifying.” he admitted softly.

"Come in," Eleanor called, assuming it was Thomas. She was right. The woman rose to her feet hastily at his remark. "What do you mean, are you alright?" she asked worriedly. As she paced across the room to meet him halfway, her mahogany-colored hair billowed out behind her.

“You don't have to worry about me. I’m fine, really.” Thomas assured. “I just never had to… talk with the king before. I wasn't sure if I was going to say the right thing.” he explained gently.

Eleanor nodded slowly. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," she murmured, slipping the plate from his hands and subconsciously brushing their fingers together as she did so. "But thank you. If I'm being honest, I can't bear to see him anymore than I have to."

Thomas shook his head, feeling his face warm at her touch. “No, it wasn't you.” he assured softly. “It’s just… I’m still new to this job and have only been in the same room as him three or four times. And I never really spoke to him before.” he explained. “But after what you told me about him… I don't blame you for not wanting to be near him.” he nodded in understanding.

Eleanor nodded. "Ah, yes. I understand. When I was new to the castle… well, I still am. I meant my first week here, it took me a few days to get accustomed to seeing him all the time." She looked down at the meal, suddenly feeling less hungry by the second. "Are you hungry at all? Would you like some?"

Thomas smiled softly, grateful for her sympathy. “Thank you… Eleanor.” He looked at the fancy meal when she offered. “Are you sure? You… You're going to need your energy for… later.” he trailed off, having planned to bring up the King’s reminder for after she ate.