A Royal Incestous Affair

[ky_moonwillow]

Eleven years. Eleven years. The phrase ran round and round in her head.

That was how long it had been since she had last seen her son. He was only seven the last time she had held him in her arms, or sang him to sleep. She thought that the fates were cruel when she lost his father to a sudden sweeping illness, but the fates had proven far crueler in the events that followed.

Her husband Charles had been king, and the laws of the land prevented a foreign born queen from ruling as regent on her child's behalf, so that privilege was granted to the king's brother Richard, and that was where her nightmare began. Richard was covetous and lustful. He lacked the honor and charisma that made Charles a great man and beloved leader. Richard revealed his intentions toward Queen Josephina on the very day he was named regent. She was given the option to become Richard's wife, or quit the kingdom.

If she'd had the wisdom then that she had now, she would have swallowed her pride and done whatever she had to do in order to stay with her child, but she had been so full of passion and conviction, so desperately in love with her lost husband, that she could not bare the thought of betraying his memory so soon after his passing. So she kissed her sweet little boy goodbye, even though he cried and begged for her to stay, and like a fool she climbed into the carriage that would carry her back to her homeland.

When she left she did not know if she would ever seen him again. She did not know what kind of man he would grow into without her guidance, and without the example of his father. She wrote letters to him every week with great devotion, and remembered him in her prayers every night, but she did not know if he ever received her letters. She did not know if anyone would have explained to him the real reason that his mother had left so suddenly, and so soon after his father's death.

The day the messenger came with the invitation to attend her son's eighteenth birthday festival and subsequent coronation was the happiest day of her life. It was the answer to her prayers, and she could not help but count the hours until she would be reunited with him.

 

[silvertongue217]

MEANWHILE

"And you sure there is going to be no...... Trouble?"

Jereof Prince of the Andels and the man who was to become king looked up studying his uncle. Jereof was not a fool, he knew or at least had learned over the years that his uncle rarely asked a "straight" question. Even this one regarding his mothers arrival had a hidden meaning.

A meaning of loyalty

"I still am not even sure why you asked her here" Jereof said playing hte part as he rose from the dining table "If you were so worried about loyalty then why have her come?"

"Your mothers been punished long enough" Uncle Richard stated putting down his fork and knife "It is time to bring her back... to see if she has learned any thing since she decided to leave you"

"Mmmm" Jereof said trying to hide his anger at her words. "Leave him"? He knew better than that.

That it had not been that simple

"I should go" Jereof said noting the fearful woman coming in to service his uncle "I have a busy day tomorrow"

"Of course of course" Richard said eyeing him "I do so hope there are no..... Cold feet feelings"


Jereof said nothing instead turning and moving out of the room. He was not afraid of his uncle, he was a slight man more spider than man. Jereof on the other hand was a bull a mountain of a young lad with broad shoulders muscular features and a towering demeanor.

Even with that however he was universally loved throughout the kingdom. He was kind and generous and even though his uncle had tried to teach him less than pleasing skills he managed to turn to his mentors teaching ultimately.

Speaking of

"I hope every thing is planned accordingly" Jereof said stepping into the shadow of an alcove.

"It is" His Mentor Alexander Karis the best friend of his father said stepping out of the shadows "The men loyal to you know the route were going to disguise our selves as bandits kidnap her then bring her to the fort to see you"

"Excellent" Jereof stated turning to him "I wont be able to escape for a while so you must look after her I have no doubt that will put you securely in my uncles crosshairs once I leave we will well and truly be at war with him"

"Take heart my king" Alexander said glancing to the halls "you know what he plans to do...."

"You know he wishes to kill you"

 

[ky_moonwillow]

Their progress had been slow due to the conditions of the road. The weather was simply beautiful today, but there had been some severe rain the week before and the roads were rough. The carriage had to stop every now and then for the driver and footmen to clear limbs and other debris from their path.

The driver had attempted to persuade Josephina to stop for the evening at the previous town they had passed, but she didn't want to waste even a minute of time that could bring her closer to her reunion with her son. She insisted that they press on until they reached the monastery that had agreed to host her travel party for the night.

Now that the sun had sunk below the hills, and darkness was drawing around the little group of royal travelers, she realized that they probably should have stopped when they had the chance. It was dangerous being on the road at night, and though the men that she brought with her were brave and loyal they were not warriors, and might not fair well against a direct attack.

 

[silvertongue217]

They came moments later

Hand picked and loyal to the prince and the prince alone. They were dressed as bandits even though they moved with a coordination that wasnt seen in the group.

They pushed a cart forward blocking the road and cutting off the way forward. The guards she had picked readied their weapons glancing warily at the trees as archers began to appear from the shadows and notched arrows were pointed in their direction.

"We do not have much time" The lead bandit whispered in a hoarse rush "we are with the king we have come to take the Queen to the true king her son"

"Do you have any proof?" The Lead Man in charge of her asked sword still at the ready.

"I do" The "bandit" said pulling out a letter and handing it to the man "A letter from the old kinds advisor and best friend detailing what is happening"

The man took it warily "I shall bring it to her and see what she says" He said turning on his heel and going to the carriage. He knocked and after gaining permission to come in handed the exiled Queen the note.

 

[ky_moonwillow]

Josephina was only just able to read the words of the letter in the dying light, but it was enough to convince her that the men were acting under the orders of a trusted friend, and one who claimed absolute loyalty to her son.

"Do as the man says, and don't delay," Josephina commanded, she did not understand the sudden change in plans and feared that the appearance of these men could mean that her son was actively in danger. She would do anything in her power to get to him, and aid him as she was able. Once she understood what was going on she might even be able to persuade her brother, King Ferdinand of Penthos to offer aid to her son's cause.

Josephina clutched her rosary in her hand and prayed with all of her might that the journey might soon be over, and that she might be safely reunited with her child.

 

[silvertongue217]

The "bandits" worked quickly

Once they were given the okay and the story checked out the Exiled Queens forces worked with them quickly. There were some cadavers waiting in the cart that were thrown down and within minutes it looked like a battlefield.

"Its not the best" The Lead bandit said a captain who had introduced himself as Tobias "But it wont matter soon enough come My Queen"

He gestured for them to follow he and his party into the forest. They didnt go far and soon they were by the carriage meant to take her to the safe house.

"Most of you will have to scatter" Tobias said to the foriegn party "my men will be doing the same I will accompany the Queen on the final leg of the journey"

"But her protection-"

"Understand sir that I am loyal to the true king her son I would give my life for him in a moment and would do the same for his mother I assure you nothing will happen to her" Tobias said putting a hand on his shoulder "We are on the brink of a civil war you and your men will be needed one of my men will accompany you and make sure you have a way of coming back to her"

The captain sighed before nodding and after bowing to her one more time set out into the forest. Tobias sighed in pleasure and opened the door gesturing for her to come in as he clambered in after her.

"I am sure you have many questions" Tobias told her nodding "I will do my best to answer them however Your Son the king will be better suited to the task"

 

[ky_moonwillow]

The Queen addressed the loyal men who had accompanied her on the journey. "Return by foot to the previous town we passed, and take accommodations there. When I am able I will send word with instructions to join our party or return home, depending on the need and circumstances. Until you hear from me, maintain the story that we were beset by bandits and that I and the ladies in my retinue were taken against our will." She turned back to the leader of among her son's men. "My ladies will stay with me. I am responsible for their well being and they for mine." She gestured to the two young women who had accompanied her. It was unseemly for a woman to travel anywhere without female companions, and she was firm about not being separated from her attendants. "In all other things, I shall bow to your judgement."

 

[silvertongue217]

The group of men nodded and after bowing to her and reaffirming their allegiances left with the "bandits". Tobias made sure every one was safe before reaching up rapping on the roof above and sending the carriage moving.

"I know I speak for all of us when we say were so thrilled to have you back" Tobias said turning to her and unable to stop himself from grinning "We shall be at the safe house soon I promise you that now the advisor is meeting us there but while we are en route I can try to answer any of your questions as best that I can" He told her.

 

[ky_moonwillow]

Josephina reached out and grasped the man's hand, a gesture of gratitude and affection. "Is my son in danger? What has happened to cause so rapid a shift in his situation. I was invited to come for his coronation, and now I find that he is at war? Tell me whatever you can of the political situation here, and everything that led up to the disruption of my sons coronation."

 

[silvertongue217]

"It might be best if the advisor told you of whats happened" Tobias said before clearing his throat "To put it simple even though his uncle has been leading the kingdom and grooming him to be king it has come to every ones attention that he plans to murder your son the one true king"

"He has never been able to quite raise your son..... my king to be what he is. The king is a kind man and a great leader where Tobias has been less so. The prince and he have butted heads a few times but its been made clear as of late that the uncle is planning to murder your son and so we are moving to start civil war with him"

"The King suspects his uncle was going to hold you hostage or take you this time as his Queen without any choice so we moved to get you before that could happen" Tobias explained as they continued down the forest trail "now the king is making plans to join you and move to open civil war with his uncle though it should be a quick one almost all of us are loyal to the one true king"

 

[ky_moonwillow]

Jospehina's heart filled with dread at this news. She was glad that her son had learned of the plot on time, but war would be a horrible burden on the people, and wars of succession had a way of going on for generations.

The Queen rode out the rest of the journey mostly in silence. It was not that she did not wish to learn more of the circumstances of her son's kingdom, it was simply that she felt too concerned for the well fair of her son as an individual, too curious about the sort of man that he had become, and she did not feel right probing his men for information about him.

She longed for the moment when the journey would be over, and her son could join her himself.

 

[silvertongue217]

It turned out he was waiting for her at the church

He stood regal on the steps of the church. His hand on his sword in his armor and his intense green eyes sweeping the forest. His mentor Alexander was standing next to him much less regal and more excited.

The carriage came up and Jereof strode down moving to wave off the attendants and open the door himself. He did so smiling in relief when Tobias stepped out.

"It all went according to plan then?" Jereof asked raising an eyebrow as he clapped the mans shoulder.

"It did" Tobias said smiling "allow me to present the Exiled Queen Josephina"

He stepped back taking her in a mix of emotions in his eyes before he finally bowed his head.

"It does me good to see you mother" He said taking her hand and kissing it. He struggled to hide his surprise, his surprise at seeing his mother here so regal and pretty. Of course he saw plenty of pictures of her in his youth but those had been pictures.

And they did little justice to the real thing

"We must get you inside...." He murmured looking around "We have much to discuss"

 

[ky_moonwillow]

The sight of him, even at a distance had been disarming, but it wasn't until he approached her, actually spoke to her that she felt her heart begin to race, and her hands begin to tremble.

This man... he was impossible... nothing like the little boy she had left behind. He was the exact image of his father. Her beloved king who had died, leaving her abandoned among enemies.

Her thoughts became scattered. She couldn't breath. Her breasts heaved as she attempted to draw in air, but the hard constriction of her corset interfered, pressing against her. She felt faint.

Her attendant drew a blade and cut the tight laces that bound the Queen, ruining her gown, but allowing her to draw normal breath.

Tears flooded for Josephina's eyes, "I'm sorry. So sorry to have left you. You were the only one!" She clutched the man before her drawing him into her arms and kissing his face. It was unmannerly, unqueenly, but she could not contain the sudden flow of emotion.

Though all of it, her near fainting spell and her wild display of affection, she could not be certain if the man before her was truly her son, or her husband back from the grave. Somehow in her mind he was both, at the same time.

 

[silvertongue217]

He hadnt expected her to rush at him

Before he could even do any thing she was clutching him showering his face with kisses. He couldnt help but shiver at this woman who was still a mystery began to kiss him. It didnt help that she was pretty almost so much that he felt the stirrings of lust.......

"Uh lets go inside shall we my king?" Alexander said gesturing for the two as his eyes scanned the tree line "To many eyes here"

"I agree" Jereof said helping bring his mother inside. The doors closed behind him revealing a warm planning room slash church.

"Come mother lets go get you some food" Jereof said gently to her and glancing at Alex. He nodded that he was free to go and they went as one into the back room.

"Are you hungry?" He asked moving himself from her and going to the desk. His robed flickered out as he did sweeping the ground as he poured them both a glass of wine.