forum Royal Dilemma (o/o Closed)

Started March 04, 2022 by @emilyevewrites group

tune

Thomas leaned into her touch, not wanting the kiss to end. But eventually, it had to when the need for air became too much to ignore.

Eleanor drew back and took a deep breath. Her face had turned soft pink with a flush of excitement. “I love you,” she whispered.

“It may be treasonous to say it, but I love you too, Eleanor.” Thomas said just as softly. He couldn't help but smile softly as she blushed cutely, though he was sure his face was a bit red as well.

Thomas’s words drew her back to reality a bit. But Eleanor’s love for him was only growing by the moment. They were risking everything for this, for each other. To be together. And she hoped they would each never regret it.

The nagging feeling of getting ready for the other queens lingered in her mind, but Eleanor didn’t want to waste a moment with Thomas.

Thomas kissed her forehead and hugged her close. He didn't want this moment to end. Here and now, they were just two people in love but soon, too soon, they would have to go back to being the Queen and her knight.

“I don't want to let you go but I know you still have those meetings.” he murmured barely above a whisper.

Eleanor closed her eyes as his lips pressed against her soft skin. She curled against him, letting her body mold against his like they were really made for each other and meant to be. She'd do anything to make it so.

"I know," she murmured back, the sinking feeling of seeing Génévieve again settling in her stomach. "I don't want to leave you."

(… evil plot idea generated…)

(spill!)

“I’ll be right there with you.” he assured. “And so will Queen Irene. I'm sure everything will be fine.” Thomas told her, loving the way their bodies fit together in even a simple hug. It was too perfect for their situation.

(So if this is set in the same world as Ellie/Lori and Cleopatra/Corym, that would mean witches and fae both do/did exist, and there are lingering traces of magic in the world. What if Eleanor sneaks out to find a witch who claims to be descended from fae and attempts to make a deal so that she and Thomas can leave the castle and have a life together, but she doesn’t realize there’s a catch and Thomas realizes she’s missing and finds her just before the deal is made and stops her)

Eleanor inhaled slowly and nodded. “Right,” she murmured. “Yes, you’re right.” Her body relaxed completely into his chest… only to jump away as a knock came from the door. Even though it remained shut until she granted access, Eleanor backed up to her vanity again, heart pounding. “Who is it?” she called, willing her voice not to shake.

“It’s me, dear. Irene,” came the other monarch’s voice from the other side of the door.

Eleanor breathed a heavy sigh of relief before motioning for Thomas to open the door.

(😮 brilliant!)

Thomas smiled softly at her hushed words and hugged her tighter for a moment. But he almost jumped when someone knocked, only letting out a breath when Irene spoke up. He remembered that the other Queen had figured out about them but he still put on a professional expression as he opened the door for her.

(It just came to me when I wrote “ She'd do anything to make it so.” I looked back at it and was like… anything?? I have so many plans for all our rps lol)

Eleanor let herself fall even more into his tight embrace, so much so that the absence of him when she jumped back was overwhelming. She watched at Thomas opened the door and Irene stepped in. A knowing little smirk was on the other queen’s lips, and Eleanor’s face lit up in a blush.

“Hello Thomas,” she greeted him easily. “Sun and moon, I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything,” Irene cooed, making her way over to Eleanor effortlessly. “I only wanted to see how you were doing. If you needed any help to get ready for Gén.”

“Uhm, I hadn’t started yet,” Eleanor admitted, her face bright pink.

Irene’s eyes widened, and her smirk grew. “By the night sky, I did interrupt. Forgive me, Eleanor.”

Eleanor could only give a shy nod.

(that is such a dangerous phrase for a character… so many possibilities. Looking forward to your plan! 😉)

Thomas bowed politely as the visiting Queen greeted him, though he fought to keep from blushing at the tease. They hadn't been doing anything wrong. Not really. The only reason why they had to be careful with even a hug was because Eleanor was the Queen and he was supposed to be her guard.

Irene kept looking between the two before letting out an exasperated sigh. “No need to be so stiff on my account. I swear I won’t tell anyone. I think it’s romantic.” She shot another wink at Eleanor, causing the young queen’s shy blush to deepen. “But anyway, have you decided what to wear yet?”

“No,” Eleanor replied, glancing over at Thomas before looking at Irene. But the other queen was on her way to Eleanor’s massive wardrobe. She flung open the doors and began to root around for a suitable dress while Eleanor couldn’t resist a giggle.

Thomas didn't dare to meet Queen Irene’s gaze, already feeling his face warm at her words. He believed her, of course, but he didn't want to get too familiar with anyone and risk slipping up, for example, in front of the king.

“Should I step out and watch the door, your Majesties?” he asked, unsure if he should stay while Queen Irene helped Eleanor get ready. He already felt like he was intruding between the two royals.

Eleanor opened her mouth to respond, but Irene was quicker, like she’d been expecting him to say something. “Yes, if you don’t mind Thomas.” Then she lowered her voice and winked. “Don’t worry, you’ll get to see her later.”

An immediate blush appeared on Eleanor’s face, and she didn't need to look at Thomas to guess he was blushing too. “You’re dismissed for now, Thomas,” she added shyly.

Thomas bowed at both of them, not looking up as Queen Irene poked fun at him again, and quietly left the room. Maybe now he would be able to calm down a bit before Eleanor’s meeting and at least look professional in front of Queen Génévieve.

As soon as Thomas had left, Irene rounded on Eleanor. "Did I really interrupt something, or are you two really just that coy?" she asked, her eyes flashing with amusement at the shy, secretive couple.

Eleanor blinked and brushed her hair back behind her ear. "We were kissing. That's all," she admitted.

Irene sighed and pretended to swoon. "To be young and in love," she cooed, earning a head shake from Eleanor.

"Are you really going to help me with my clothes, or just poke fun at me and Thomas?" Eleanor asked, arching her eyebrows and approaching Irene by her closet.

"Oh of course I am," Irene answered eagerly. "But I really couldn't help myself."

A few minutes later, Irene and Eleanor swept out of the latter queen's chambers looking like they'd stepped out of a fairytale book. Eleanor's dress was a soft, sunset orange to cater to Génévieve's kingdom and strategically modest. It had longer sleeves and covered up her breasts and cleavage much more than her dinner dress had. Her hair was pinned back, and a simple diadem with sparkling diamonds was perched in her flowing brown locks.

Thomas waited silently and patiently at the door the way any guard was supposed to. He didn't even look over his shoulder though he was tempted. Once the two Queens finally emerged, he couldn't help the small soft smile as he saw how Eleanor was dressed.

Eleanor blushed as she noticed Thomas’s smile. Her eyes made quick work scanning the hallway while she laced her arm through his. “Do you like my dress?” she asked softly.

For as much as she had poked fun at the couple earlier, Irene watched with a smile on her own face. These two were sweet and deserved each other despite their situation being unable to allow it.

“You look beautiful.” he whispered back, still smiling as he let her take his arm. If he had been perhaps more thoughtful of his actions, he would have offered his arm for her anyway. It was the only way they were really allowed to touch when they were in public. Thomas wanted to enjoy any contact he had with her.

Eleanor seemed to light up from within at his praise. She wanted nothing more than to kiss him now, but she couldn’t. So she settled for leaning on him an extra little bit as they set off, following Irene’s lead. Her heart was racing at the prospect of encountering Queen Génévieve (Gén, as Irene called her) again.

Irene almost seemed to sense that, and she slowed her pace a bit to walk beside Eleanor and not in front of her. She bumped the other queen lightly with her elbow. “You don’t have anything to worry about,” she murmured quietly. “If Gén decides to be a fanny, I’ll take her on.”

Eleanor’s eyes widened immediately at Irene’s profanity, but the other queen donned a calm expression that didn’t waver.

Thomas also wanted to kiss her as she glowed at the compliment, but settled for placing his hand on hers when she leaned against him. He suspected that she was nervous about meeting with Queen Génévieveand wished there was something more he could do for her. Though he raised a brow at Queen Irene’s language, not judging but still thankful that she would help Eleanor.

Eleanor loved the feel of his hand covering hers. While hers were smaller, softer, and delicate, his were slightly larger and more weathered from farming and training as a guard. She could hold his hand for hours, memorizing every little callous or rough patch.

"What?" Irene asked as she glanced over at the two of them. "You've never heard royalty's colorful language before?" She smirked a bit. "Just wait until you're behind closed doors. We're not all uptight and proper all the time. Have a drink with Lionel. Go for a horseback ride with Helena. Spar for a round or two with Corym. I'd say ask for painting lessons from Iova, but…"

Irene's eyes darkened with hatred. "That thrice-crowned bitch put a blade through her chest when she overthrew Clarion so Iova couldn't threaten her reign. Did the same to Kallistar." Irene's hands curled into fists and she shook her head. "Cleopatra is completely heartless. If you ever meet her, Eleanor, don't trust her further than you can throw her. You either, Thomas. She's a good-for-nothing dictator who will charm you, fuck you, and stab you in the back."

Eleanor tensed at Thomas' side. "Then let's hope we never meet her," she replied quietly.

Thomas didn't say anything, even though he could agree with Queen Irene’s perspective of the Conquering Queen, but learning about the rest of the royal kings and queens from someone who knew them was something he wasn't going to pass up.

“I won't let her get to you.” he whispered, a little less afraid of saying such things in front of the other woman since she was Eleanor’s friend.

Eleanor nodded, thankful for Thomas’ reassuring words. Though the way the topic had shifted made Eleanor obviously uncomfortable. Irene seemed to pick up on that quickly and began talking again.

“I only bring up Cleopatra in case we can’t find solace with Gén. She hates the bitch too, so a common ground over her is nothing for the moment. Anything that can get the two of you closer.”

Eleanor sighed worriedly. She’d asked Gén to meet at the base of the tallest spiral tower. From there, Eleanor would lead them. But they were getting closer to the location, and the young queen’s steps slowed down.

Thomas nodded slightly at Queen Irene’s reasoning, though he hoped that the situation wouldn't become that desperate for Eleanor. He gave his Queen’s hand another soft squeeze as he felt her slow down. “It will be alright.” he whispered.