Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

As Kell finished donning his ceremonial armor of the Lord Protector, he came to help tame Kate's hair. Much like Brogan, he seemed to have a way with it and soon it fell in smooth waves rather than tangled curls. "Any particular style?" He asked softly, running a bristled brush through her red locks to smooth it one last time.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't think it matters. Something to help support that crown." Kate said, glancing over at her crown where Kell had left it after unpinning it that afternoon.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell nodded, forming a plait that formed a circle around her head that would fit under the crown, but could be taken down to hang in a long braid when the crown was taken off after formalities were done, replaced by a lighter circlet that would mark her position daily.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You wouldn't really have called Qira in here to get me out of bed, would you?" Kate asked as he worked to get her crown pinned into place.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Maybe," Kell murmured, not giving her an answer in voice or in expression. "He might've enjoyed the view if he were a less honorable sort."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You were the one who made me naked in the first place. I don't think you'd be the type to want to share me with anyone." Kate said as she looked at him in the mirror. "Or are you, Khelt Aleister?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Only if you really wanted," Kell murmured, still not revealing a thing beyond his usual little loving smile. "I'm not the jealous type most times."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Are you serious?" Kate asked, turning to look up at him as he admitted that. "I mean, not that I would ever do anything like that, but you really wouldn't mind me finding another lover?"

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell glanced down at her, ever calm and serene. "If you felt the need for some adventure... I only ask you tell me first. Or involve me, if you find some handsome fellow or beautiful woman who's interested." His smile became a small smirk. "It'd be fun to see you at the mercy of two lovers."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate blushed fiercely as he said that, her cheeks as red as her hair. Her husband seemed to take delight in teasing her about the situation. Of course, she had never wanted anyone the way that she wanted Kell, but she wasn't against the idea. It would take the right person and a lot of trust, but it wasn't outside the realm of possibility.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell simply smiled and stepped away to fetch her crown. He pinned it to her hair carefully and soon they were ready to emerge for the ball and dinner.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate stepped into the ballroom on her husband's arm, graciously greeting all of the lords that stepped forward to greet their new queen. She was as graceful as she could possibly be, not turning anyone who wanted her attention away as Kell and Qira watched over her safety.

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira was hidden most of the night, but Kate would catch glimpses of him now and then, unbothered by guests as he stood in a fine suit and cloak near one door or another. Kate was approached by supporters first and then some still making their minds up about her, but everyone was polite. Even those she knew didn't approve of her were personable and didn't ruin her night.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate had been introduce to what seemed like hundreds of people. It was dizzying, but when she looked over at Marianne cradling Lynndon tightly to her chest, she knew that she had made the right decision. Marianne needed the rest and she was more than willing to guide her country into the future.

 

[KieranSoares]

It was also during this evening that Kate got to know more of her staff and royal guard. They were all chosen by Marianne and highly capable and dedicated to her, and thus to Kate by proxy. They above a knew gender didn't play into capability, as they'd seen it first-hand for years.

Through the ball, Kate danced with many in her family. And while she did dance with Kell a few times, they maintained their graceful and affection-light public appearance. No proper kisses were shared in full view, and while he offered his arm to her as she liked, there was no clinging or sticking too close. They were a team and the image of grace and temperance.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate saved the longest dances for her father, leaning into his chest as she let herself be weak and tired. He made her smile, chuckling as he made observations about the pompous lords in the room.

"Da, you'll start a war if you keep that up." Kate said softly looking up at him with a wide grin.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'd like t'see 'em try," Brogan chuckled deeply. But seeing her grow tired, he slowed their dance. "Y'look exhausted, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I am but it's for a good reason." Kate said as she leaned her head against her father's chest. "I don't know if you knew this or not, I got crowned as the high queen today. It was a big event that took a lot out of me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Even high queens need rest. It's been a long day, an' it's a couple hours t'midnight. An' people are filterin' out now. Go get some sleep." He kissed her forehead and nudged her toward Kell who was speaking with an officer.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Da, I'm 18 and married. I can make that choice for myself." Kate said with a flash of her stubborn streak in her eyes.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You can, but you won't. You'll fall asleep at the table and get mad when Kell has to carry you away."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate looked up at her father for a long moment before she sighed softly. "I've been cross with him in the mornings lately. He never seems to be upset with me over it but I have been trying to be kinder to him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You've never been a morning person. Kell knows tha'. An' if it's worth anythin', he tries t'let you get extra time t'sleep when 'e can. But 'e also knows there's work t'be done." Brogan brought her over to a table to sit down a while.

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's always been far too cheerful for me when he wakes in the morning. I think it's why I wake up alone more often than not." Kate said as her father guided her to sit down at his table for a while.

Her Ma had long since taken the smallest twins to bed and Sam and Rho had joined her shortly after. Ciaran and Justin were still there, but things were starting to wind down. It was sad that the party was ending, but she knew that it couldn't last forever.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You wake alone most o' the time because he starts work early t'make sure you get enough sleep. I've seen it fer months. He'll be up before dawn t'make sure yer day goes smoothly as possible."