Fall From Nobility (closed)

Winter

The road leading to the castle was never empty; travelers were also coming and going bringing business for the king or supplies. There was nary an hour where some one wasn’t traveling up or down it. Even on a day like this with the snow packing in and still falling the road was still filled with at few travelers who had business to attend to. On this day there were two one a man who had to ask the king for more guards to help defend his farm.

The other a boy just turned man, he walked alone without a horse or a fellow traveler. He trudged through the thick snow as if it didn’t bother him at all or as if he enjoyed the extra work he had to put in. He was entirely bundled up in a sturdy wool cloak and head scarf, the only thing showing were his eyes, they were an electric green and they sparked with intensity as he continued his slow march up the snow covered road.

He finally reached the massive stone doors leading into Westeran Castle and nodded at the black and red-coated guards standing by the door. They moved to ask him his business but before they could his fumbling fingers pulled out a simple sheet of parchment. There was nothing special about the crisp white page except for a single stamp with a golden lion emblazed on it.

But it was enough

They both nodded and stepped back opening the door with one hand each. The minute the door open a blast of hot air shot out causing the frozen man to thaw a little. He quickly stepped in and they closed the door shut behind him enveloping him in a warm cocoon. The castle was well known for its fires and the rumors thankfully did it justice, they were everywhere spilling out warmth from all sides.

“Can I help you?” A servant girl asked coming over, she was young around his age and was beautiful. She looked at him warily trying to see more of his face as he curiosity got the better of her.

“Yes” He said in a deep seductive voice (that was by no means intentional) “I am looking for Sir Rhodes”

“He is eating with the royal family right now” She said blushing a little at his voice “But you are more than welcome to wait in the dining hall and have a word with him when he is done may I take your coat?”
“That would be great” He said undoing the thick knot keeping it on his body and sliding it off. The cloak came away to reveal a stunningly handsome man, he had the type of features a king would be blessed to have strong facial features and the king of eyes that captivated a person, he had on a simple white t shirt and brown leggings and neither did much to hide how chiseled he was.

“Thank you” He said handing it to her and striding towards the dining room, he moved like a knight and he didn’t even notice the servants stopping to stare at him.

“Who was that” a servant girl hissed coming up to her and biting her lip.

“I think that was Sir Alex” the girl whispered clutching the cloak against her body and starring at him.

“You mean the one that all the rumors come from?” the other girl hissed blushing furiously.

“The one who caused lady veronica to black out?” Another girl hissed joining their little group/.

“I heard he caused Lady Veronica and her Twin sister Lutece to black out” Another one said joining them

By the time Alex sat down and got his food, the entire castle was gossiping about him. He ate by himself though paying no attention to his surroundings as he ate as much of the hot soup as he could. He looked up every once in a while to look at Sir Rhodes who was currently sitting at the high table along with the noble family. He kept his hand on the letter the entire time making sure he had it in reach to give him when he could.

Mean while

“Shhhh” A servant girl whispered as they reached for the Queens plates.

“But I cant believe Sir Alex is here” she whispered back unaware that the Queen could hear every word “He’s the one who caused lady Delacourt to pass out!”

Queen Joséphine took her spoon and moved around the chunk of beef in her lukewarm beef and barley soup in front of her, to give the illusion that she was interested in her food or had any appetite. She looked up from her food and smiled politely at the people around her, people who were only laughing at the King's jokes because of his title, people only keeping her company because they have favors to ask the royal family.

She glanced at her aging husband. She was still young, having just entered her mid 20s her face free of wrinkles, just a dimple on her right cheek that rarely made an appearance since her marriage. Her brown eyes emulating love and joy when in her soul she was feeling annoyed and tired. Her dirty blonde hair away from her face in a braid that was pinned to her head and then a navy blue headband ornamented with pearls perched on her head.

She wore a wine colored dress that skimmed the floor with intricate beadings and laces that decorated around the waist and the sleeves. A pair of heavy pearls laid on her ears and a pearl necklace cross rested on her chest. A gold ring with her family's insignia was on her right pinky finger and a large ruby ring rested on her right ruby finger.

Her husband was not young, he had already lived past half a century and had wrinkles on his face and body to show his age. The marriage between Queen Josephine and King Andrew was a political one. Despite Queen Josephine having her own country, being a direct royal bloodline who was given the throne upon her father's death, the marriage to King Andrew gave her family another country, and strengthened the royal bloodline between them. Sadly the heirs that would have the thick royal bloodline had not yet come to fruition.

Although there had been handful of times Queen Josephine had been recorded as being with a child, most never passed the first trimester and the ones that did never made it to the third trimester or were born already lacking life.

Many at first blamed Queen Josephine as they worried the age gap made her stubborn and unwilling to submit to her elder husband. They had reason to blame Queen Josephine as he had both illegitimate as well as his own heirs with his previous wife, from decades ago.

However after a handful of years of Queen Josephine and King Andrew sharing a bed together, it was found by the royal medical doctor that it was indeed King Andrew that was to blame for their infertility. The news spread like wildfire in court, across the empire and even neighboring kingdoms. The royal couple quickly augmented the news with adding they would allow King Andrew's heirs from his previous marriage to inherit their combined empire while still looking for a way to produce heirs of their own.

Despite the couple's inability to produce a viable heir for their own royal bloodline, King Andrew enjoyed the warmth and the affection of his young wife. Little did King Andrew know that the affection Queen Jospehine gave him in the bedroom was faked and only out of duty. She had never loved him and always dreaded the nights he joined her, in her bedroom.

Over the past couple of years Queen Josephine had become skilled at avoiding his visits and giving him the young ladies in court to avoid her marital duties in the bedroom. Her lack of affection towards King Andrew was not only because she never truly loved the man, but because he was a poor lover.

As the Queen had lived all her life in court she heard many ladies talk about their sexual rendezvous, with their husbands, with other men with greater titles than their own husbands. Also from women who pretended to be virtuous in the sake of their parents but in reality bedded every high ranking man in court just so they could brag about spending the night with a powerful and hopefully handsome man.

The Queen had her share of flirtatious relationships with men outside of her marriage, as she needed some romantic spice in her life to keep sane. She was highly discreet and any man who broke or was about to break said trust always found himself in his grave soon after. Despite her extramarital relationships she had never consummated any relationship outside of her marriage.

A servant girl reached for her empty plate. Unaware that the Queen was deep in conversation with the guests around her as she acted, the servant girl whispered candidly to the other servant girl.

“But I cant believe Sir Alex is here. He’s the one who caused Lady Delacourt to pass out!”

The Queen scanned the vast dining hall, trying to find Sir Alex. She had heard about the "black out", an orgasm so strong that a women loses all the control in her body and ergo blacks out. The Queen had never had the opportunity to experience such a sexual release. She learned to faked any completion with the king and the men she bedded outside of her marriage deemed not worthy or skilled enough to do such an erotic act.

For the first time since Queen Josephine woke up from her bed, she was alert and focused. She even squinted her light brown eyes in order to find Sir Alex. In the far corner left she finally found a man she had never seen in court before. Even from afar she could see his masculine facial features and built body especially through the simple white t-shirt he had worn over his chiseled body.

She finally placed the chunk of beef in her soup to her mouth and carefully chewed on it. She had a little smirk on her face as she carefully licked her lips, tasting the meaty, flesh of the animal, her eyes glancing at Sir Alex.

He was her next target.

Dinner began to quite down so Alex began to prepare himself for his first meeting. Sir Gregor was not known for his charm and warmth, he was a general for years until the battle of blackspire and a bandit cut his knee cap, the bandit in question lost his head but he had done enough damage to leave the general unable to fight any more battles. He had accepted a position of the royal guard (even though there was no other real option for him) and drastically changed it turning it from a second rate company and into one of honor and distinction. Now it was a watch any knight would be proud to take and a coveted position.

Alex carefully set his wooden bowl down and thanked the servant girl who took it not even noticing her making eyes at him. He got up and grabbed the scroll showing his apprenticeship and nervously tucked it into his waistband. He lifted his leg over the large wooden stool and got up nervously brushing some imaginary dirt off of his clothes. He felt naked with out his armor and shield and hoped he could get his new one as soon as possible.

He didn’t know if he would be guarding the King or the Queen but he suspected the latter, the king was a high value target a seasoned guardsman watched the Queen was important but a lesser target. Whoever he was charged with protecting he would take it as seriously as he could and give his life if he needed to. Alex was a knight through and through and all that mattered to him was giving his life for the royal family. Honor and nobility had been driven into him time and time again by his instructors and it was a lesson Alex had taken to and turned into his doctrine in life.

He slowly walked through the large entrance hall practicing what he was going to say and do. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the servants whispering about him or the gossip that was traveling through the castle like wild fire. His “conquests” were rumored to be many and each one of them got more and more unbelievable if the rumors were to be true he had fucked and bedded more woman than their was in the country and each and every one of them had experienced some orgasm that was as good as a god.

But Alex didn’t know (or perhaps he didn’t pay it no mind) instead he climbed the wooden steps leading to the royal families and carefully ignored the King and Queen. Sir Gregor would formally introduce him and it would be unwise and disrespectful if he went up and bothered them.

Sir Gregor was rattling on about a great battle nursing a large tankard of ale while he brandished his fork like a sword. It had been two years since his accident but the man still had the body of a mountain. His face was half hidden in a thick bush of a beard and gray short hair but his eyes remained steely and sharp as if he was constantly looking for a enemy or danger to the family.

“Sir Gregor” Alex said coming up and gently pulling the parchment out “I am Alex Stone I am here to start my apprenticeship as one of the royal guard Sir Dracks sent me as his personal recomondation”

“Did he know?” Gregor mused pulling the parchment out of his hand and reading it “Sir Dracks is a good man if you managed to win his favor and recommendation than you must be worth your shit boy”

“I” Alex said wincing as he tried to mind his tongue around the royal family “am my only goal and want in life is to serve the royal family as they see fit” He said speaking the words with absolute devotion uneven aware that the Queen could hear every word.

“Well then welcome to the royal guardsmen” Sir Gregor said whipping some soup off with a napkin and getting up “rest up tomorrow you will get your shield and armor and begin your training we start training in the morning before the royal family wakes up then we shadow them you will be with the Queen and her usual so that way he can teach you”

“When will I meet the royal family?” He asked glancing over at them nervously.

“Right now” Sir Gregor said getting up and nodding at him “come on then squirt”

Sir Gregor led him a few seats down until they got to the center of the table

“My King” Sir Gregor said bowing along with Alex “My Queen this is the newest royal Guardsman Sir Alex Stone”

“I am honored to serve and protect you” Alex said not moving from his bow

Queen Jospehine carefully studied the man in front of her. He was tall and well built, the body of a solider, much more attractive than the aging King she was forced to call her husband.

"Ah, you may raise your head now." The King quickly said, pretending to be interested. He had no interest nor any care of who the royal guardsman were and found these formal introductions unnecessary. All he cared about was that he was kept out of harms way which he knew he would be as he was the King.

Of course a smart and responsible king would show more interest but at the time being the only thing on his mind was his inability to make love to his wife, the Queen, the night before as he ran into the problem of impotency.

Although he had a harem full of beautiful young ladies to bed, he took the greatest pleasure in performing his marital duties. He was prideful that he had a young, ravishing wife who was also a Queen in her own right but he was dissatisfied that he was the reason behind their inability to have any viable heirs.

He only had one goal before his death, to impregnate his fertile wife and let the world know that he is the great King Andrew who shared a bed with the exquisite Queen Josephine. Despite already having offspring of his own, both legitimate and illegitimate, he only cared about his hopeful future offsprings with his Queen.

Queen Jospehine watched as Sir Alex Stone slowly raised his head, she met his green electric eyes. Without any hesitation she carefully puckered her lips.

"Welcome to our court, to Westeran Castle." Queen Josephine said with a welcoming smile, a smile she had carefully practice over the many years of welcoming people to her castle.

"I hope you found your travels here not difficult." The Queen added, she knew the wintery months were harsh here and saw the fresh blanket of snow covering the land. She wished it was the King that was making the small talk as she never cared for any unnecessary conversation.

She was interested in Sir Alex, not just because of his attractiveness or her decision to make him her new target, but because she was always weary about the people around her. Growing up in court she knew it was important to have allies all throughout the castle for a Queen to properly rule and to even (at times) control the King.

King Andrew glanced at his Queen, then at the visitors in front the couple and placed a hand on her thigh, showing everyone around the royal couple that it is he and only he that can lay a hand on Queen Josephine.

"Sir Gregor," King Andrew started to say, his eyes only on the senior ranking man in front of the couple.

"I was unaware that we were getting a new royal Guardsman, now…I hope its not for my dear wife, the Queen, as I know she is very particular about the people around her…" The King said with a smirk as he gently squeezed her thigh over the many layers over her dress.

The King had been notified of the new guardsman, he just had no interest in it even at the moment. His only reason to speak was to show everyone he cared about his wife.

Sir Gregor glanced at the Queen and then at the King. "Sir Alex Stone will be part of the royal guardsman serving to protect Her Royal Highness Queen Jospehine." Sir Gregor was now looking at the Queen.

Queen Josephine, already knew this as she was the one that had disposed one of her guardsman after she found him unfit for the job. She was particular in that anyone serving directly for her, that be a servant or a guardsman, would be loyal only to her and not the King. They had to prove their worthy or be faced with the consequences.

The King smirked, "Well, my son you have a lot to learn then…you are going to be guarding my beautiful wife. If you ever let anything happen to her…I promise you…I will kill you with my own sword." His voice was serious but once finished with his words he let out a loud bellowing laugh as he knew that his own words were stronger than any physical action he could actually take.

The Queen smiled, "Well my dear King, I'm sure if Sir Gregor believes he is fit to be part of my royal guardsman, then I'm sure he is." The Queen gave a loving smile (one she has perfected over the years) to the King and then a courtesy smile to Sir Gregor and Alex.

Alex Stone rose out of his bow this would be the part where whoever was talking to the king kept his eyes down. It was a unofficial rule to show that the King and the Queen were better than the servant and to show respect. Some grumbled about it while others eagerly adopted it and even though it was not a rule or any thing it was talked about in etiquette.

Alex however looked right at the Queen not in a romantic or even sexual way but he simply starred at her. His eyes were electric and bright and they zeroed in on her with an intensity most didn’t show. Every thing else about him seemed to show his lesser stature. His head was still slightly bowed and his posture screamed submissive. Yet his eyes…. His eyes screamed his true intent.

“The winter roads were harsh my Queen” He said his voice surprisingly husky and smooth like butter “but nothing I could not handle” he said now so may think it was cocky but the way he said it was as if he was simply stating a fact “I was eager to come to the castle and get started with my duties so I was able to get from the isles to Westeran castle in a day or so”

It was worth noting the Isle was usually a three-day journey in the summer, once winter came though it became a five-day journey. The country got heavy snow during the winter and most if not all of the roads pretty much became impassible. Luckily there were other roads to take but the high way was pretty much empty. If he had gotten here in two days then he had trudged up the royal high way on foot and through snow that reached almost to your waist.

Yet here he stood not even looking worse for wear.

He watched the king flexing his power but said nothing. He didn’t laugh at his joke but instead gave a polite nod as if the king didn’t deserve his laughter or mirth. He knew he was just playing and that there was no way a good king would not know about a new guardsman. Of course maybe he wasn’t a good king but Alex was inclined to think of the latter.

“My allegiance and honor is to the Queen” Alex said speaking clearly “if she is who I am to be in charge of protecting then I will pledge my self to her and make sure that no harm ever comes to her I maybe new but I am a accomplished swordsman and a knight and I take my duties seriously”

He surprised every one by turning to the Queen and bowing before getting on one knee. He pulled out his sword and ignored every jumping up in case he was attacking. He pulled out his sword and rested in his hands before bowing his head.

“Queen Josephine I Alex Tiberius Stone pledge myself to you” He said speaking clearly “I will be your sword and your shield and protect you from all that may harm you if you wish to have my sword it is yours”

Queen Josephine carefully studied the man in front of her. His actions, both physically and verbally showed unwavering loyalty to the crown. A quality that the Queen admired and regarded as a necessity to the job. It was easy for men and women to pledge their allegiance to the crown in words and show with a curtsy or a bow but for most it was just for show, just etiquette.

She stared into his deep green intense eyes that seemed to try to peer into her intimate soul, but Queen Josephine wouldn't allow such a thing. Not only because she was the Queen, but because she was a woman the carefully guarded her secrets. His eyes did reflect a promise of protection and a steady heart.

His voice ignited a spark in her heavy heart. It was smooth, deep, and masculine. It was a voice of a vital man. Her mind wandered what her life would be like if it was a man like him that she was to share the throne with and not the aging man next to her.

His grand gesture of getting on one knee, as if to propose marriage to a woman, seemed more of a show to the Queen. She was impressed, but she had no reason to believe that this grand gesture meant anything more than just mere words and movements. She knew very well that words and simple gestures were easy to do.

Nevertheless, the Queen was pleased with her new royal guardsman.

His green electric eyes coaxed her to stare into them and study him carefully.

His smooth voice soothed her aching soul.

His well built body satisfied the Queen who was hungry for a fit man in her own chamber.

And most importantly he gave off the notion that he was loyal to the crown and most importantly to the Queen. He seemed to be a man that would do anything in the name of the crown. She knew he had killed in the name of the crown as any royal guardsman would have seen some battle on the battle fields.

Now the only question was…would he be loyal enough to the Queen to kill the one man in the kingdom that hindered her happiness?

He got up and twirled the sword before sliding it back into his sheath. He ignored the scowled looks of the king and Sir Gregor. He knew his little “show” might not have gained him much favor in the court but he didn’t care. Alex was an honorable man and the only thing that mattered to him was his honor. His mentor had drilled it into him over and over again honor mattered above all, his duties to the crown over his own needs. Alex hadn’t been accepting of that at first but as he learned more and more he came to love it. The royal family needed to be protected and there was no greater honor then protecting them.

“Come boy” Sir Gregor growled clapping a large hand on his shoulder blade “lets get your things all sorted out then you can watch over the Queen tonight”

“Very well” Alex said bowing at both of them before leaving

The trip to the bunkhouse was a short one. They were situated in the middle of the castle so that way they could respond as fast as they could to any threat inside the walls. Sir Gregor didn’t say any thing while they walked but Alex could tell by the set of his shoulders that he wasn’t happy about some thing. His little show perhaps? He couldn’t see why he would be after all he would have had to do it officially once his training was complete.

Sir Gregor led him into the small bunkhouse/armory and pointed at a small bed set against the wall “yours I’ll go get your armor”

He moved over to the armory on the far side and Alex shrugged putting his duffel bag on the bed and lightly touching his fingers to the warm sheepskin blanket. It was warm to the touch and a part of Alex wanted to crawl up into it and cut the chill emanating from the stones all around him.

But he had a job to do

“Here” Sir Gregor said limping over and pushing a full suit of armor into his hands “your armor see if it fits”

He nodded and quickly stripped ignoring his nakedness as he began pulling on the armor. It was standard armor painted a dark black and intricate and a little show offy. He was thankful it was at least black; gold was heavy and caught in the light, which would make him an easy target. The armor fit well and was light perfect for his quick in and out style.
“It fits well sir” Alex said tugging at a few buckles “shall I begin my watch?”

“The usual guard on watch already cleared her room which you’ll learn about tomorrow” Sir Gregor explained checking his armor for any breaches in protection “all you need to do tonight is go in her room and stand watch while she sleeps at first light you will leave and your relief will come to let you sleep when your awake you will begin your training again”

“Yes Sir” Alex said checking his sword and nodding “I am ready”

“Good”

A short time later Alex was at the door leading into the Queens room. Before he could knock the door swung open and his relief an older man stepped out. He nodded and mumbled some thing about her being ready before leaving far to interested in eating to really care. Alex scowled at his lack of protocol and slide his helmet on feeling it fit snuggly on his head before walking into the room.

“My Queen” He says bowing and holding his sword “I am here to protect you”

By the time Queen Josephine's new guardsman had arrived to her chamber she had already gone through her nightly routine. The Queen had undressed from her heavily embroidered wine colored dress and into her cream colored heavy linen night gown that skimmed the castle floors. Over her night gown a violet colored cape was wrapped around her slender figure.

When Sir Alex entered into her chamber the Queen was standing by the window and having her long brunette hair braided by one of her ladies in waiting. Queen Josephine had her back to the door and ignored the exit of her last guard and the entrance of Sir Alex.

The firm strong steps of Sir Alex echoed into the Queen's chamber and his solid voice hummed through her large chamber. She made note of his formal entrance and wondered how long he would continue his formal behavior. The Queen was used for most of her guardsman in the beginning to always follow protocol, almost to the point of excessive, but most grew annoyed and became lax. She was sure Sir Alex maybe not soon, but would one day during his tenure as a royal guardsman would find himself annoyed with the royal protocol and find himself taking shortcuts.

The Queen made no care for the changing of the guard and kept her eye on the garden at night. She liked looking outside at the garden and wished she had the luxury of walking around the gardens at night. She heard that people of court would meet in the gardens for their secret liaisons in the warmer months.

Of course if she truly wanted to all she had to do was go outside, but if she did people would question why a sane Queen would take a solo night stroll in the gardens in the cold and of course she would never truly be alone. She would always have a lady in waiting beside her and a guard. There wasn't a moment she was truly alone, even when she was bathing she had a lady in waiting right next to her, when she was sleeping a guard was always right beside her…

"I'm finished your grace." The lady in waiting gently said as she curtsied and let go of the Queen's braided hair.

The Queen allowed the braid which lingered on her back to sway from side to side as she walked to the fireplace crackling in her room.

"The King?" The Queen carefully asked her servant.

"Is occupied." The young girl replied.

"Are you sure?" The Queen needed confirmation.

"Yes…" She replied wearily, she wasn't sure how discreet she should be regarding the Queen's private affairs in front of the newly appointed royal guardsman.

"Make sure she stays there for the night and neither leave the bed before the sun rises." The Queen added, not making the effort to quiet her voice from Sir Alex.

The young girl nodded her head and left the room. She knew the Queen's order meant that she was to drug both the King and the lady he was spending the night with to make sure they were not to wake in the middle of the night and make their separate ways. The young girl was never comfortable in doing this task but she knew that this meant that the Queen trusted her and this was the greatest honor that the Queen could give to anyone.

The Queen finally placed her attention on her newly appointed guardsman as she carefully studied him in his new armor. The black sculpted armor was snuggly fit on him and it suited him well. She enjoyed looking at him in it, he was perfect eye candy, much more than the last man who was tasked to keep an eye on her.

"Good to see you again, Sir Alex." She carefully said with a respectful smile. She had no desire to seem friendly to her subjects but she knew that at least being cordial to the man guarding her would be worth her breath.

Alex heard the Queens words but let them roll off of him likes water over stone steps. Secrets between the King and the Queen were none of his business and he would even make it a point not to listen to them. He knew going into this job that he would hear some things, things that were private in the royal couples life. Alex wasn’t stupid he knew the King and Queen would have some scandals and even some skeletons in their closet. Most couples did after all it was normal a part of being in a marriage even.

However Alex knew that he could never repeat or even pretend to know what their grievances were. Sir Drack’s used to say a guard saw and heard all yet was blind and deaf discretion was as much their duty as protecting was. The guard to the royal family might as well be part of the royal marriage every thing they would know he would know every thing they went through he would hear or go through.

Yet he could never speak of it

“It is good to see you as well Queen Josephine” Alex said giving her a soft bow before placing one hand on his sword belt and the other on his sword handle “It would seem that my first night protecting you shall be by my self so if there is any thing you usually wish for your guardsmen to do then please feel free to tell me”

He walked over to the desk far wall by the balcony; he watched her from the fireplace but gave no hint of what he was feeling inside. His face was a surprisingly crafted mask giving no hint to what he was feeling inside. If she could see inside of it she might have noticed the interested way he was gazing at her and the way his expression had a twinge of lust in it.

But his mask kept those features hidden

“Feel free to command me as you wish my Queen” Alex said pleasantly