forum Royal Affairs (O/O Closed)

Started May 08, 2023 by @LolaBug

tune

The excitement on Elora's face admittedly has her concerned. She doesn't understand why she seems to be so giddy to discuss this. Everyone around her has always avoided the topic as much as possible so this different reaction to the conversation is unnerving. Someone definitely should have explained all of this to her quite awhile ago. Having to hear it from someone younger than her is embarrassing.

The first part of the conversation, she had learned briefly about from Catalina. So while she nods her head along to what's being said, it isn't too shocking. However, she nearly dies when Elora starts going into more details. Her entire face turns a brilliant shade of red as she looks away, unable to maintain eye contact. Drawings? She's not so sure that she wants to see those. They would be helpful so she doesn't want to fully nix the idea but it's not something she's overly eager to do.

She pats Cheesecake's side lightly when the other stallion lightly bumps into him. At least the horses are doing alright and the ride is going smoothly. "No. Absolutely not." Her eyes are wide with horror as she imagines what that would be like. She's just barely wrapped her head around the basics so thinking about doing anything orally is overwhelming. Nothing about that seems pleasant. It seems strange and terrifying.

"How do you even know all of this?" She asks, shocked that Elora would have this much information on the topic to begin with. No one in her kingdom would have told her even half of that had she even attempted to ask.

Elora was giggling to herself as she watched Ophelia's reaction. She had a wonderful grin on her face that just didn't seem to go away. "Now, of course, we can call these things by other names if it makes you more comfortable. Like cock and cunt." That was probably even worse but she was just saying it to get a reaction at this point.

She dared to glance back at their guards who hadn't made even a noise at the things she was saying. She looked back at Ophelia. "I know you're wondering how these things coukd possibly feel good. Trust me, they do. Well, I know at least some of them do." Her eyes widened as she realized what she just said. "Don't tell my brother that, please. He'll never let me put of his sight." She had done a little more than kissing the scribes behind curtains. She was becoming a woman and wanted to explore the things she had learned.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Kaillas didn't know how to handle girls when he came back from the army. He had spent most of life surrounded by men and whores. Raising sisters was an entirely different thing for him." She looked forward. Her smile fell as she thought about those first initial years. They had been very rocky. "I caught him in a compromised act with another woman and asked some questions I didn't want the answer to. That led to another thing and here we are."

She let that smile slide back onto her face. "Anyways, if I haven't thoroughly traumatized you, I am here if you have any questions. Not that I want to talk about my brother that way but I think all women should be educated."

Ophelia is about to fall off of her horse. She’s utterly shocked to hear such filthy words come out of Elora’s mouth so casually. Not once in her entire life has she ever heard anything like that. It’s bizarre. The terms are completely new to her and she can’t decide if she hates them or if they’re just slightly better than the others. She knows that the expression on her face must be a humorous one since she’s not even trying to hide what she’s thinking.

All of this talk about sex and the different ways to do it has her brain all scrambled. A brief image of Kaillas shirtless flashes through her head and she nearly shuts down. She felt strangely when she saw him like that. It’s not something she wants on her mind right now. It’s too much at once.

“Elora!” She exclaims with a laugh upon that the other woman has tried a few things they just spoke of. She won’t be rude to her for it. It may not be what she was raised to believe but she isn’t one to judge. “I won’t breath a word of that to your brother. I’m certain it would give him a heart attack,” She comments, admittedly amused as she pictures the look that would be on his face. Of course she would never betray Elora and tell him any of that.

The thought of Kallias with another woman is not exactly something she wants in her head. She knows that they aren’t even married and that he can do what he wants. Still, she can’t help but feel….quite frankly she’s not sure what that feeling is.

“The women in your kingdom are much more open to discussing this than it thought,” She admits. “I do appreciate you explaining more of this to me. Though, I think you may have enjoyed it a little more than you should have.” This last part is merely a tease.

Elora slide that teasing grin back on her face. It came to her naturally, faking it. She had gotten so used to it living at court. She had been there her whole life. She knew how to put on a brave face in front of the people. But it wasn't long untim that smile became real. Jt was just easy around Ophelia. It was nice to have someone closer to her age and someone who was real. Realer than Aurora and Esmeralda.

"Discussing it stretching that. It's not really discussed. Whatever Catalina told you is usually what mother's tell their daughters the day of their wedding. Not much more than that." She looked over at her. "No one will tell you what I'm telling you. And no one will tell anyone what I'm telling you."

No, mothers just let their daughters go unaware of what their wedding night would truly look like. The pain that was waiting for them if they didn't know what to do. She wouldn't let that happen to Ophelia. Kaillas wouldn't let that happen to her.

"Kaillas knows what he's doing. He won't hurt you. Nor will he force you to do anything. He'll take it slow. Try not to worry too much about it." Elora looked at the sun as it was setting. They woukd have enough time for them to get back and get dressed for the activities for dinner.

“Still, that is more than what my own mother taught me. I wasn’t allowed to question it at all. The one time I did, I think she was planning on having me banished.” Her mother screamed at her so much for asking that question that she didn’t dare mention it around her again. It had been a terrifying experience for her and one that she will never forget.

It’s strange to think that in just a few short days, this will be expected of her. While Kaillas may not pressure her into doing anything, she knows that she’s supposed to. That was the one conversation she did have with her mother. She has certain duties expected from her as a wife and she isn’t to say no to it. Though that’s what she’s been told, she has a feeling that Kaillas would respect her if she did say no.

“It is hard not to worry. I meet with the ladies of the court today and already they are bringing up a royal baby. There’s a lot of pressure for me to give Kaillas an heir.” She hates that if it doesn’t happen, she’ll be the one blamed. It’s frustrating.

Realizing how late it’s getting, she carefully nudges Cheesecake’s side to pick the pace up a little. They don’t want to be late to dinner and all of the activities.

Elora made a face. Of course the ladies were already pressuring her. It had been fourteen years since there had been a royal baby. The remaining family was unmarried and without children. The court had been waiting for far too long. And Kaillas was the only one old enough to be married. Well, Elora was but Kaillas wouldn't let her until she was older.

"They might be pressuring you but Kaillas isn't and we aren't. He has us, his sisters. One day we will have children whether he does or not. This line will continue one way or another. Take your time. Enjoy yourselves and your honeymoon. Don't worry about what you have to and what you don't."

Elora could see the end of the trail coming. There time was coming to an end and so was this conversation. "I know it's alot right now but it gets easier. Just have faith in us and in Kaillas."

They finally rode out of the woods and trotted into open land. It wasn't far from the palace grounds now. "I hope this talk has been enlightening."

It isn’t just the ladies of the court. She knows that her parents expect the same. Luckily for her, they are several hours away so she can do whatever she wants without having to worry about displeasing them. The freedom is wonderful. She has never been able to experience before now.

“I do have faith in you and Kaillas,” Ophelia assures him. Her soon to be husband has made it apparent that children aren’t a priority so she won’t have to worry about him making demands. For that, she is truly thankful. She knows that she got very lucky in the husband department. It could have been much much worse. She’s grateful to have to marry someone who seems to respect her.

“This talk was very helpful, thank you.” It’s certainly given her a lot to think about. She learned quite a lot, including a few new vocabulary words. Words that she’ll likely never speak but she supposes that they could be helpful at some point.

Upon arriving back at the stable, she dismounts and hands the reins over to the stand hands. She does, however, take a minute to love on Cheesecake and thank him for being so perfect during their ride.

Elora walked her horse into the stables where she finally dismounted. She gave Apollo some much needed loving and a few kisses on his nose before backing away from him. Catalina was waiting for them as they arrived and she stayed near the entrance, letting the two girls finish up their time together.

Elora looked at Ophelia, debating for a moment before walking towards her and pulling her in a hug. "Thank you," she said softly in her ear. "For being my friend." She didn't really have any friends. At least none she was supposed to have. It was nice to have someone.

She pulled out of the hug, bid her goodbyes, and strode out if the stables. She had much to do to get ready and so little time.

Catalina waited for Ophelia to aporach her, mostly because she didn't want to walk through the stables with her shoes. "I hope you two had a wonderful time together. I hope it was insightful." She had a feeling of what they had talked about but she wouldn't voice it out loud. "Let's get you ready for tonight."

Ophelia's heart warms at Elora's embrace, and she holds onto the hug for a moment, cherishing the connection they have formed. The gratitude in Elora's voice touches her deeply, and she whispers in return, "Thank you too, Elora. I treasure our friendship." She truly couldn’t be happier to have met her.

Reluctantly, she releases the hug and watches as Elora bid her goodbyes. At least they’ll see each other again tonight. This is but a brief pause so they can get ready for everything.

"Yes, we had a wonderful time," Ophelia replies, her voice laced with gratitude and excitement. "I learned quite a lot. Perhaps with more details than necessary,” She says with a weak laugh.

Ophelia follows Catalina's lead, stepping away from the stables and toward the path that leads back to the palace. As they approach her chambers, she takes a breath. Hopefully tonight will be calmer and less exhausting. She’s settled in well and has met a few people so at least she won’t feel nearly as alone this time around.

She enters the room and just gives up to the maids. There’s no use in protesting anything. Not right now at least. Perhaps later she’ll have a talk with them and negotiate so she can bathe and dress herself for the most part.

Catalina couldn't help but give a small laugh. Yes, that sounded like Elora. She remembered the first time she scolded the princess for her vulgar mouth. It had been interesting to say the least. And not in a good way.

"That sounds like the princess," she said. "Sometimes she overshares. Thankfully only with family now days. It didn't always used to be that way." She remembered the day the princess learned the word fuck. Elora didn't stop saying it all day, despite the many talking tos. The princess has always been outspoken.

The maids had a bath drawn for the princess and ushered her into it as soon as she stepped through the doors. She had been riding through the woods and therefore needed to bathe in their eyes. Cat stood outside the bathroom as she was given a quick bath and rinse, then dried with a towel. Her hair had been pinned out if the water. It didn't need to be washed again today.

The evening gown laid out was a lilac purple. It was unlike most evening gowns but they're dinner woukd be held out in the courtyard. Something dark colored didn't seem suitable. There were a few layers but it was rather flowy and offered a range of movement. It was technically a day gown they were using for the evening. But it was better suited than any of the evening gowns they had on hand.

Catalina offered the princess a smile as she was dressed. "I have one last thing for you. A request from the king." She opened a large box that had been placed on her vanity. A beautiful necklace that complemented the dress. An amethyst gem accented by diamonds. Just one of the many in the family's jewelry.

Ophelia listens, her cheeks flushing slightly as she recalls everything that was said to her during the ride. It certainly was interesting. The memory of Elora's mischievous spirit does bring a smile to her face, despite the hint of embarrassment.

"She definitely has a way with words," She replies, chuckling softly. "But it's part of what makes her so unique. I appreciate her honesty, even if it can be a bit… colorful at times." It was refreshing to have someone speak to her so openly.

As she enters the bath, she allows the warm water to envelop her, washing away the remnants of her ride through the woods. The maids work efficiently, ensuring she is clean and refreshed. Once she emerges from the bath, she feels rejuvenated and ready to embrace the evening.

Her eyes sparkle with curiosity as she beholds the lilac purple gown laid out for her. It is different from what she had expected, but she finds herself drawn to its flowing silhouette and soft color. It seems perfect for this evening despite it being unconventional. It’ll be nice to wear something that grants her a little more freedom to move.

Her eyes widen when the lid of the box is lifted, revealing the stunning necklace nestled within. The amethyst gem, surrounded by diamonds, shines with a captivating beauty. It’s absolutely gorgeous and will tie her outfit together perfectly.

"It's breathtaking," Ophelia murmurs, her voice filled with shock. She greatly appreciates Kaillas for doing this for her. The king has done so much for her in the two short days that they’ve known each other.

Catalina let the princess admire the necklace before allowing the maids to take it and clasp it around her neck. She shut the box and set it aside. The necklace woukd have to go back jn there at the end of the evening. "It is but one of many of the royal jewels. At the end of the week you will have full access to them. You will be able to wear whatever you want in there. Several items have been in there for decades."

Kaillas had another request for the princess to wear at the wedding but Cat had promised to keep that a secret. She was good at keeping her mouth shut. Especially on something like this.

"Come now, the festivities should be all ready for us to join them outside." Catalina stepped aside so that the princess may walk in front. "There's a few games set in the courtyard such as croquet. A bard and his musicians are set up outside to provide the entertainment for the night. Food will be set up as more of a buffet style like breakfast was. Tonight is about fun and relaxation. Enjoy yourself, make friends of the court. More than just the ladies you met this afternoon."

Ophelia smiles as the necklace is clasped around her neck, feeling the weight of the exquisite jewels against her skin. She admires the necklace in the mirror, watching the sparkling under the soft glow of the room's candlelight. The information about the royal jewels intrigues her, and she can’t help but feel a sense of excitement about the prospect of exploring the collection further. “I feel honored that Kaillas trusts me enough to let me wear this.”

She follows Catalina's lead as they make their way outside, her heart brimming with anticipation. She envisions the courtyard adorned with vibrant decorations and the sound of laughter and music filling the air. The mention of croquet and the presence of a bard and musicians promise an evening filled with mirth and enchantment.

As they step into the festivities, she feels a surge of energy and excitement. She is determined to immerse herself fully in the celebration, to meet new people, and to experience the joy of the occasion. She feels as though she has already made a positive impression on some of the ladies at court, and now she looks forward to expanding her social circle and forging new connections.

The only problem is that while everyone else is free to relax and let loose to the fullest, she can’t. She has to be mindful that eyes are going to be on her at all times. She can’t slip up.

As they stepped into the courtyard, Catalina noticed someone very important was missing. A few important someones. The king and his closest advisors were nowhere to be seen. They had likely lost track of time in whatever their debate was about in their meetings.

"Dinner won't be served for another hour," she said softly to the princess. "Have a glass of wine and do try to relax." As well as one could relax in the face of the entire court. Because, minus a few missing members, this was the entire court. There were a few children playing with balls with nearby. They looked old enough to be entering their double digit years. Women were with their husbands or gossiping with their friends. They were drinking and laughing and playing the games that were available to them.

Kaillas was late. He knew that as he strode through the halls of the palace and found it empty save the guards and staff. His meeting had run much longer than he anticipated and now him and his small council were late to the festivities. He couldn't help but worry about his bride. She jad never been in this kind of setting were the court members could mingle with her. He worried how she was handling it.

He should be by her side now if not to at least ward off the vultures. Instead, he was almost running through the halls to get to his rooms to change. He decided on nothing extravagant today (not that he ever wanted to wear extravagant). He wanted his wife to be to take the spotlight. Especially with the necklace adorned around her neck.

He chose to wear neutral colors, a light brown. He threw on his overcoat and brushed a hand through his hair and decided it was good enough. He debated wearing the crown but he so hated wearing it.

He was out the door in less than ten minutes after arriving in his room. It felt like forever for him to finally reach the courtyard where the festivities where being held. It was closer to the gardens and away from the actual training grounds. There needed to be enough room to set up tables of food and allow room to dance. But there were things to do in the gardens as well, such as the hedge maze.

As he entered the courtyard, he noticed one of the lesser lords speaking to his bride. Lord Hale. He was lord of one of the smaller farming districts in his kingdom. As he aporached, he could hear the Lord prattling on about farming that no one really understood unless they truly knew the work.

"Thank you for keeping my bride company, Lord Hale," Kaillas slid next to Ophelia, politely dismissing the lord who straightened and bowed before walking away from the two. He turned to Ophelia, "Are you alright?" He asked in a soft voice.

“Thank you.” As long as she survives this madness until dinner, she’ll be fine. Deciding to take Catalina’s advice, she collects a glass of wine for herself. She sips at it slowly, making sure to pace herself properly. She never drinks any more than two glasses of wine and more often than not, it’s just the one. She doesn’t want to risk it.

For a few minutes, she’s able to just wander around and enjoy everything. The music is wonderful and everything is decorated so lovely. It doesn’t take long for someone to approach her for a conversation. That’s quite alright with her. She doesn’t want to be by herself until Kaillas makes an appearance.

Luckily, Ophelia is holding her own just fine. She talks easily with Lord Hale, asking him questions and showing interest in everything he’s saying. Does she understand most of it? No. But she’s happy to just stand here and chat with him. It’s nice to talk to someone with no ulterior motives and who is clearly proud of what he does.

She smiles at Lord Hale as he walks away, making sure to thank him for the pleasant conversation and say that it was nice to have met him. She turns her attention to her soon to be husband, her smile widening. "I'm doing well," she replies,appreciating his concern. "Lord Hale was just sharing some insights about farming, though I must admit, it was a bit difficult to follow. But I managed. He’s a very nice man.” She rather enjoyed their interaction.

“How was the rest of your day?” She hasn’t seen him since sometime this morning. Hopefully everything went as smoothly for him as it did for her.

Kaillas only nodded his head with a slight smile. "Yes, Lord Hale does tend ti ramble kn about his practice. He's very proud about his work." Even if it was small. "You will pick up the lingo in time. Agriculture is out way of life here. I can have some beginner books pulled for you if you woukd like to learn."

For a seemingly quite man, he did seem to talk alot to his bride. Something that did not go unnoticed, especially not the ladies of the court. The ladies seemed to catch everything that happened. Which coukd be quite annoying when all Kaillas wanted was some privacy. But the moment that crown was sat on his head, he lost all rights to privacy. Something he was still coming to terms with to this day.

"I've been stuck in meetings all day," he shared. "It certainly wasn't as enjoyable as your day, I'm assuming. How was tea and my sister?"

He hadn't yet seen Elora. She was either in the gardens or somewhere in the palace. His eldest sister didn't always enjoy these gatherings. Sometimes it was too crowded for her. Katya was the opposite. He spotted her easily playing with some of the other children at court. It made him smile to see her happy. He would say hello to her in a bit and even let her drag him to the small dance floor. But for now, Ophelia had his attention.

Ophelia listens attentively to Kaillas, nodding as he speaks about Lord Hale and the importance of agriculture in their kingdom. "That would be wonderful," she replies, her eyes lighting up at the mention of beginner books on agriculture. "I'd love to learn more about it. It will help me understand the people and their ways better." She’s always open to learning something new.

As Kaillas mentions his day was filled with meetings, her expression turned sympathetic. "I'm sorry you had such a busy day.” She can’t imagine that it was much fun to be stuck inside dealing with political matters all day.

“Riding with Elora was delightful. She is so funny and such a pleasant person to be around. Our conversation was very….informative." She certainly won’t be going into details. “Tea with the ladies of the court went well, I think.”

She leans in closer to Kaillas, her voice lowering to a softer tone. "I wanted to thank you for letting me wear this necklace. I know that it means a lot to your family. It’s an honor that you would trust me to wear it," She says lightly, her gratitude evident in her eyes. It was such a pleasant surprise.

Kaillas was glad she wanted to know more about his kingdom. Not everyone would have. To many would have likely taken the money he provided and spent it however they pleased, disregarding the kingdom and its way of life. He was happy to show to show her how his kingdom ran and how they made their income. Perhaps she could even help him share the load of work he had- no, he wouldn't ask that of her. It was too much for her and he could handle it just fine on his own.

"That sounds like Elora," he quirked a smile. "That's partly my fault. It took me some time to adjust to the palace lifestyle and she got caught in the crossfire." He looked around briefly, still searching for Elora. If she didn't show up soon he would send someone to go find her. Just so he knew where she was.

"I'm sure Elora enjoyed your time together. As for the ladies, I suppose we'll find out soon enough." He couldn't sympathize with her on that matter. He did his best to steer clear of the ladies at court. He could charge into war but ladies of the court was too much for him.

He adjusted his stance as Ophelia stepped closer to him, turning his body slightly as if to shield her from view. His hand moved to touch her lower back. His face softened. "Whats mine is yours," he said. He didn't care they weren't married yet. It was inevitable. He might as well share it now. "I'll show you the royal jewels sometime this week. Anything you want you need only ask."

He looked above her head, noticing the looks and whispers they were getting from their close stance. He took a step back and offered her his hand. He had someplace in mind where they could talk in private a bit more. "Come," he said. "Let me show you something."

Ophelia feels a sense of warmth and comfort as Kaillas spoke. His willingness to share his kingdom and its way of life with her touches her deeply. She greatly admires his dedication and his desire to show her the true essence of his world. Perhaps she can contribute in some way, to help lighten his workload. She isn’t trained for it but she’s more than willing to learn how to help if she can.

She smiles at his mention of Elora, appreciating his honesty about the adjustments he had to make. "I'm sure Elora understands. She loves you so much. Everytime she speaks of you, her eyes light up." She finds it sweet how much the siblings all love each other. She would have loved to have a sister growing up. Unfortunately, she never saw much of her brother before he died.

As Kaillas touches her lower back, Ophelia's heart skips a beat. His words of sharing everything he had with her makes her feel valued and cherished. She is grateful for his generosity but she isn’t a materialistic person. "Thank you. I would love to see the royal jewels and explore more of your kingdom's treasures. Everything is so beautiful.”

She can’t help but notice the attention they were receiving due to their close proximity. When Kaillas offeres his hand and says that he has something to show her, she readily agrees. It will be nice to spend some alone time with him so they can continue to get to know each other.

Ophelia takes his hand, intertwining her fingers with his, and allows him to lead her to their destination. She is curious to see what he has in mind and eager to continue their conversation in a more quiet setting. So far all of his surprises have been wonder so she doesn’t doubt that this one will be just as interesting.

Kaillas felt a bit of bashfulness at her compliments. He had always felt shame in how he raised his sisters. Those first initial years he had been pretty much absent from their lives. He had felt like an imposter and the weight if their family's death hung over them like a dark cloud. It had been a hard adjustment and they had gotten into more fights than he could count.

Perhaps one day he woukd take her on a trip through the kingdom so she could see everything. Sometime in the future. Kaillas always hesitated leaving the palace. Not for his safety but for his sisters and now his wife to be. His parents and brother had been murdered in cold blood in the middle of the night. For whatever reason, the assassin hadn't finished the job. There was always this sinking fear that he would return and kill the rest of them. Even though it had been almost seven years since their passing he was always holding onto some fear.

"Anything you could ever need is in the royal jewels. And if for whatever reason its not, you are more than welcome to purchase any jewelry you desire." He had more money than he could spend in a life time. He didn't care about the price tags.

Kaillas gave her fingers a slight squeeze as he led her away from the congestion of people and into the gardens. Had he not been on a mission he woukd have stopped and let her stroll through them leisurely. But he had someplace in mind for them to go.

There were a few people in the gardens but nothing like the courtyard. In the back of the gardens was a hedge maze. The hedges were half a foot taller than Kaillas was, giving them the privacy he was looking for. It wasn't a very large maze but it was beautiful nonetheless. There was a magnificent fountain in the center. He would take Ophelia there later. For now. He found themselves a quiet dead end fornthen to occupy in the back of the maze.

He knew the hedge maze inside and out. He had walked it so much as a young king he knew where every path led. Its how he was able to get them to cornered off dead end in the maze. He could hear a cpuple of people laughing loudly as they tried to navigate their way through it. As long as they were quiet, they shouldn't get caught.

Ophelia follows Kaillas through the gardens. Though she wishes that she could walk a little slower to take it all in, she keeps pace with him. There will be time to look at it all later after all. She appreciates the moment of privacy away from the bustling crowds. The tranquility of the garden and the allure of the maze intrigue her. As they reach a secluded dead end, Ophelia smiles lightly at Kaillas, appreciating his thoughtfulness in finding such a peaceful spot.

She takes a moment to soak in the surroundings, admiring the neatly trimmed hedges and the intricate design of the maze. The sound of laughter from afar reminds her of the world beyond their hidden sanctuary, but she focuses on the present moment, relishing this moment they can share.

“This is amazing,” She comments lightly, admiring the maze. It’s also impressive that he knows his way around so easily. She imagines that he must spend a lot of time in here. She can see why. It’s quiet and secluded. The privacy the tall hedges afford is nice. Being royalty means constantly being in the public eye. Hiding away here offers the perfect break.

Though she’s happy to admire the view, she does wonder why he’s brought her out here. The leave and quiet is nice but she assumed there’s a specific reason for it.

"I spent a lot of my time here when I was first coronated," Kaillas admitted. "I would get lost in the maze for hours at a time but it offered me some peace and quiet." He was never truly lost. All he needed to do was shout and someone would have come and fetched him out. But he never did. "Eventually, I memorized the maze. I could find my way out in my sleep now."

He leaned back against the hedge. It was strong enough to support some of his weight so long as he didn't fall back into it completely. "I come here when I need some time alone now. Not many people walk through the maze unless there is an occasion too." Other than a proposal or two, it's hardly ever utilized by anyone other than the staff keeping up with the trimmings.

Here in the privacy of the maze, he felt more confident to reach out and grab her waist, pulling her towards him. He didn't pull her flush against him as he wished he could. There were still several things holding him back, her age most importantly. He would wait until her twentieth birthday before he attempted to even initiate anything other than an innocent kiss. After she had time to learn a few things. And of course, nothing without her expressed permission. While he hoped that one day she would let him touch her, if she never did, he would respect that.

Ophelia's heart flutters as Kaillas unexpectedly pulls her closer, his touch both gentle and restrained. She can sense the longing in his actions, tempered by a respect for her boundaries. It is a delicate balance that he maintains, and it spoke volumes about his character. The way he so deeply cares about her own comfort is touching. It means a lot to her.

In the peaceful seclusion of the maze, she leans into his embrace, finding solace in his presence. She is a very affectionate person so she’ll happily take whatever he’ll give her. She’s admittedly rather touched starved since she has been so alone since childhood. Hugs and cuddles are a great weakness.

With a soft smile, Ophelia lifts her gaze to meet his. "Thank you for everything, Kaillas," she murmurs, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and affection. "You've been so good to me.” She got lucky with him as a husband and she knows it. Things could have been much worse for her.

Surrounded by the lush greenery of the maze, she finds solace in his company. Time seems to slow down as she enjoys the simplicity of being together, the world outside fading away. She will cherish this moment with him for years to come.

Kaillas hesitated as she leaned into him. It wasn't something he had been expecting. He had never been a very affectionate person. At least not once he had been turned over to squire for a knight and eventually end up in the army. Affection just wasn't a thing. If you got hurt, you had to man up. Men woukd take a whore to bed and be done with them as soon as they were satisfied. Most of what Kaillas could remember was a harsh life.

And yet despite all of this, he felt drawn to Ophelia. He wasn't sure what it was. They had only known each other for a couple days and yet he felt a longing to be by her side. He wished they had met under different circumstances. That perhaps they would have met at a ball and it was love at first sight. Or at least an infatuation. He wished this had been done right instead of them both being forced into a marriage. But if this hadn't been forced upon him, he didn't know if he would have ever taken a woman to be his wife.

"You do not need to thank me," he said softly. He hesitated before reaching uo a hand to place on her gentle cheek. And it was again that he noted their differences. How could a man like Kaillas ever truly deserve a woman like Ophelia? His scar was ugly and it made him look rugged and beastly. Everyone only ever saw him as a means to grab power. It was one thing he missed about the army, everyone was real with each other.

His thumb traced her bottom lip before he realized what he was doing. "Have you ever been kissed, Ophelia?"

Ophelia sighs softs as he sets his hand on her cheek, his touch tender and sweet. She lightly leans into his touch. It pains her to see how hesitant he is with all of this. Her own insecurities threaten to rise to the surface. She knows that she’s young and inexperienced. It worries her that he may not want anything to do with her because of that.

The arranged marriage isn’t how she wanted to start a relationship. It’s a little silly but she has always hoped for a fairytale romance. While this may not be how she wanted them to meet, she’s just happy that they did. She’s quickly growing fond of the man and she’s glad that they are in each other’s lives now.

As his thumb traces her lip, a faint blush creeps across her face. The question he poses catches her off guard. She contemplates her answer for a moment, wondering if she should be embarrassed. "No, I have never been kissed." Until this moment, she’s never had the desire to experience it.

Standing here with him, she finds herself longing for things she’s never once even thought she wanted. It’s strange the effect that Kaillas has on her. She isn’t sure why things with him are so different. She’s had suitors before but she’s always been cold when they tried to smooth talk her or even hold her hand.

Kaillas smiled as he saw the faint blush. It shouldn't please him so how such a small act had her cheeks heating. It also shouldn't please him that he woukd be her first and last kiss. He wouldn't have cared if she had kissed anyone before him. He wouldn't have cared if she had bedded a man before him. But it did something to him to know he would be her first of everything.

Still gazing down at her, he pushed off the hedge wall and stepped further into her. Not enough to crowd and he didn't trap her in. Her back was open to the hedge hall. He didn't want to seem like he was pressuring her or backing her into a corner. He never wanted to make anyone feel like that.

He dipped his head, their noses almost touching. "May I kiss you?" He asked. He wouldn't do anything without verbal consent. His eyes flickered behind them, as if just reassuring himself that no one was there. Even though he had heard the last of the residents exit the maze already.

Ophelia's heart skipped a beat as Kaillas stepped closer, his actions and the intensity of his gaze leaving her breathless. The blush on her cheeks deepens as his proximity intensified. Were it anyone else, she would be nervous and threatened to have them so close to her. With him, she feels safe.

Her eyes lock with his and she can't deny the effect he has on her, even as she struggles to make sense of her own emotions. The question he poses holds a weight beyond its simplicity, conveying his understanding of the significance this moment held for her. Her breath hitches in her throat when she realizes just how close they are. Their noses are nearly touching.

A soft, almost breathless response escapes her lips, "Yes, please." Her voice trembles slightly, revealing the blend of nerves that courses through her. Despite that she wants this, she can't help but be nervous. This is a first for her after all.

Kaillas let out a breath of relief as she said yes. He didn't know what he would have done if she said no. He would have respected her wishes of course but the turmoil he would have felt would have never been resolved.

His hand on her waist tightened slightly and his other cupped her cheek, titling her head up to meet him. He lowered his head further, finally connecting their lips. The kiss was soft, light. He wanted to ease her into the feeling of it. He pulled back for a moment, gaging her reaction, before leaning back and kissing her more.

This second kiss was a little harder than the first. Nothing like the kisses of passion in the bedroom, but still more. He wouldn't go so far as using his tongue nor teeth. He was afraid that would scare her. That was for another time.

His hand slipped from her cheek to her neck, trying to get a slightly better hold on her. He wasn't trying to man handle her. He would never do anything of the sorts. At least, not without expressed permission. When he finally broke apart from her, he leaned his forehead against hers, panting slightly at a loss of breath.

The nerves bubbling up inside of her grow as the distance between them close and Kaillas's touch intensifies, his hand tightening on her waist and his fingers cradling her cheek. She melts into the kiss, savoring its softness. With each passing moment, she feels herself being drawn deeper into the kiss.

As he pulls back momentarily, Ophelia's lips tingled, her breath uneven with anticipation. The way Kaillas gauges her reaction shows his attentiveness, his desire to ensure she is comfortable and receptive to his advances. It means the world to her. She meets his gaze, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and desire, silently giving him permission to continue.

The second kiss deepens, carrying a hint of longing and a yearning for more. She matches his intensity, though this is much tamer than she knows it could be, something she is grateful for at the moment.

When they finally break apart, their foreheads pressing together, her breathing mirrored Kaillas's panting. She savored the closeness, the shared breaths, and the raw emotions swirling between them. She's never felt anything like this before.