Queen's Guard

[CrimsonMaiden]

This is a closed thread for myself and Wolk. Feel free to read along and I hope you enjoy.

Alexis gripped the stone balustrade of the balcony. She gazed upon the colorful beauty of the Royal Gardens. Even from this distance, she could smell the sweet mixture of scents. A small ache shot through her heart as her eyes fell upon the marble bench in the middle of the garden. Even after five years, the absence of James would prick at her heart when she least expected it. Fondly, she remembered the nights they would sneak out to the garden long after the palace had fallen silent… how they would make love on the marble bench, the chance of discovery heightening their arousal.

While time had healed most of the hurt of his death, it had increased the loneliness she felt each night when she climbed into the big bed with nothing to cuddle but the pile of pillows beneath the blankets. “Oh James,” she sighed. Rumor had it that most of her country’s people felt she hadn’t remarried because she still mourned the King, but the reality was Alexis did not intend to remarry… ever. Shortly before James’s death, Alexis had discovered she was pregnant. Unfortunately, she was never able to tell him the joyous news. A fatal car accident took him from her and their unborn child.

Since there was already an heir to the throne, Alexis saw no need to find another husband. Her people might expect it, but in time, they would understand there was no need.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. “Come.”

“I’m sorry to bother you my Queen, but it’s time for your meeting with the Royal Guard to discuss the latest intel on the Rebels’ activities.”

“Thank you Mary,” Alexis said with a dismissive nod to her personal assistant.

Alexis preferred an informal appearance most of the time, but for any official meeting, she bowed to tradition and dressed appropriately. Sighing, she slipped the sundress from her shoulders, revealing her firm breasts, the rosy pink nipples slightly erect from the cool air conditioning in her chambers. Opening a drawer, she pulled out a lacy white bra that matched the sparse lace thong panties which shielded very little of her bare pussy from view. Not that it mattered… no one had seen her in any stage of undress since James.

The push of a button sent a panel of the wall sliding away, revealing a hidden closet. Stepping in, she rummaged through the dresses until she found one that was made for the hot summer weather, but still cut to appropriately cover her more feminine features. Hose and heels completed the outfit and she stopped in front of the mirror only long enough to pin the jeweled crown onto her fiery mess of curls. She hated wearing the thing, but tradition dictated the Queen must always have on her tiara during official business.

Her emerald green eyes sparkled almost as much as the diamonds encrusted in the shiny gold. Satisfied that her appearance would pass muster to the old fuddy duddies within the Royal Guard who snarled their noses at even a hint of impropriety, Alexis exited her chambers and walked regally through the palace to the conference room.

 

[Wolk]

The traditional high officers' uniform clung tightly to one's body, especially a well-built one like his, and he hated it with a passion. What, after all, was the use for pretty golden stripes here and there, for bright colored ribbons stuck onto him like he was a pet dog? This was no longer the age of chivalry, there was no need to impress the enemy with your bright firm ranks. But... tradition.

He looked into the mirror, seeing a tall, very well-built, fit man with a short haircut, strong jaws and piercing green eyes. Colonel Stephan Luger. That was his name and what he did in the royal palace of Her Majesty Queen Alexis, the ruler and sovereign yada-dee-yada-da-yada. Twenty nine was a young age to be in his position, but he managed it well, even if it raised more than one brow from the dinosaurs in the army. He was the commander of Queen's Guard, the tiny nation's small elite force that guarded the palace, Her Majesty herself, and took part in operations against the rebel threat to augument the regular army.

A child of one of the old Queen's maids, Stephan grew up in the palace. He still recalled vividly playing as a child with King James, God rest his soul, though he was junior to the monarch. And so he grew up, with unquestionable loyalty to the monarchy, to his friend James, and later to the lovely Alexis James took for a bride. This, of course, was not the only reason he had such a high and honorable position in the kingdom. He was talented in military matter, and very well learned. Unlike most modern warriors, the nobility of that kingdom still cherished many traditions of the middle ages, one of which was to begin military training for those destined to it at a very early age. Thus, at 29 he had more theoretical and practical experience than many commanders in their 50s.

"How do I look?" He asked his aide, then shook his head without even waiting for an answer. He opened the door and entered the conference hall, taking his place immediately to the right of the Queen's spot at the head of the desk. A minute, perhaps two, and the door opened, Queen Alexis entering after the traditional announcement that sent everybody in the room standing up and bowing their heads in a show of respect. They stayed up until the Queen sat, then sat down quietly, not speaking until she pleased to open the meeting.

Intelligence was the army's, and thus the army generals' got their first word. Stephan already had a copy, having read it hastily and taken in the jist of what happened, he now felt bored having to sit through the long ceremonial speech of the old general, who seemed to take pleasure in dragging on such a simple matter for a good ten minutes.

There was nothing to it, in Stephan's opinion, based on the information the general presented. A small eight-man patrol got ambushed in the North. Happens. After all, the rebels weren't there to play tag. What made it interesting, and what the general failed to mention was in the folder before him. When the general finally finished, Stephan stood up.

"My Queen, we believe the attackers may not have been local rebels." He pulled out two enlarged copies of green and black maps and pinned them up on the large board. "These are radar maps of the area in question. The attack took place here. Two hours prior to this we had an unidentified contact - presumably a light helicopter, according to its behavior - appear here, five miles away. It crossed into our airspace for only a few miles, hovered around here briefly, then left hastily. We speculate it dropped the attackers off." He paused, as the Queen asked the reasonable question about identity of the attackers. "We don't know." He had to admit. "It may be a covert foreign intervention, it may be rebel mercenaries from abroad, or it may be nothing at all, a rich tourist who got lost in bad weather. I took the initiative of sending our forces to investigate. If there's something to it, they will find out." With that he bowed and sat down, ending his speech, careful not to force any of his own conclusions or solutions. Doing that precluded men subordinate to him from voicing their own thoughts, which often turned out valuable.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis

Alexis sat still while the General rambled about, taking ten times longer than necessary to give his information. He was one of the dinosaurs left over from James's parents' rule,and she knew retirement would soon come for him, allowing a younger more modern thinking man to take his place.

Stephan stood and added more to what the General knew and Alexis had to keep her eyes from roaming down his body. He and James had been more than just King and guard. They had grown up together in the palace and were the closest of friends. Alexis had seen Stephan many times in informal settings, though very little of that since James passed away.

Over the past few months, Alexis had discovered a growing attraction to Stephan and was doing her best to fight it. She attritubed it to five years of being alone, not even having the slightest touch of a man to her skin. The way his uniform molded to his body... the striking color of his eyes.

Stop it Alexis! Pay attention to the meeting. Get yourself in control!

Mentally shaking herself, she listened as he finished his report. He did not voice his own opinions, but it mattered not for the meeting. She always met with him privately after meetings such as these to get his take on things.

As he sat, she rose once more. "I did not hear mention. What were the casulaties? Were our men just wounded or were lives lost?"

She listened and bowed her head for a moment upon hearing that only two of them men escaped with their lives. She nodded to her Secretary of Domestic Affairs. "See that their families are well taken care of. We do not leave our own to suffer."

Satisified that no one else had anything to add, she adjourned the meeting and nodded to Stephan, her unvoiced signal letting him know he was to meet her as usual in the Royal Garden.

Alexis returned to her chambers before going out to the garden. Since she would only be meeting with Stephan, she could forgo tradition and just be herself. Tossing the matronly dress aside, she pulled on a tank and jean shorts. The crown went back in its case and she shook out her curls, trying to get rid of the indentions the heavy tiara made.

Now comfortable, she strolled leisurely out to the gardens to meet Stephan.

 

[Wolk]

As the meeting drew to an end, and everybody was scrambing up with their papers to leave on, no doubt, very important business for the kingdom, Stephan's eyes again wandered towards his Queen. They tended to do that, from time to time, but, luckily, almost everyone wrote it off as admiration of his rightful monarch. And a lot of it was just that, a knight's loving gaze at his divine sovereign. Yet somewhere within that was hidden the gaze of a man, looking at the wonderful, beautiful woman, who was nearly perfect in every way. Nearly, because perfection in its pure form intimidated rather than attracted. Near perfection on the other hand...

He needed to stop. Stop those looks, stop those thoughts. It was mad, it was wrong, it was impossible. She was the widow of his best friend. She was his own friend. She was the Queen, for godness' sake! Why couldn't he stop admiring her beauty, her wonderful stature, the way her ample round breasts pushed out the restraining corset, defiant in their great feminine beauty?

'Stop. Stop! STOP! You are her warrior, her guard, her watchdog. Anything but her lover. So kick those treasonous thoughts out and start doing your duty!' She called for a private meeting with a nod he knew for a long time. To discuss affairs of the state, no doubt. He needed to get himself together, and fast.

Stephan went to his quarters first, taking a good quick icy shower to set his head straight again. He changed from that clown suit into his usual much more practical dark grey camouflage and a black beret. Looking into the mirror again, he nodded to the attractive manly warrior that stood there and headed to the usual place in the royal gardens.

He found her there, dressed much simpler now, but only more attractive because of it. Coming close, he bowed his head, and took her hand, softly pressing his lips at it in a suave kiss before straigtening out.

"My Queen... Alexis, you wanted to see me." He smiled.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis

He cut a very dashing figure as he strode purposefully towards her. It seemed she wasn't the only one who wished to be more comfortable. He had traded his dress uniform for the more casual camo. Even so, the sight of him in uniform caused her heart to skip a beat.

There was something about a man in uniform... especially this man. When he took her hand and kissed it, she had to suppress the delightful shiver that raced through her body. The feel of his lips upon her skin was exquisite.

It took her a moment to realize he had asked her a question. Damn...

"I'm sorry, my mind seems to have wandered off... what did you say?"

Get it together Alexis, this will NOT do.

 

[Wolk]

"I'm sorry, my mind seems to have wandered off... what did you say?"

He smiled at her. What a beautiful woman... and a fine leader too. The way she handled herself at the table today. It was very good, certainly much better than one could ever expect from someone not brought up from the very early childhood to be the ruler. Yet, she was a natural authority, her strong will and sharp mind combining to put respect and loyalty into the hearts of men.

"Oh, it was nothing. Merely that I am glad to see you again." He paused for a moment. "Is there something troubling you?"

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis

Her preoccupation had not gone unnoticed and she stumbled for words trying to come up with an answer to his question. Obviously, she couldn't tell him that the very sight of him drove her wild. She certainly couldn't tell him that he had begun to haunt her dreams at night and that she woke up wet and horny and needing to be well and thoroughly fucked.

Alexis Danielle! Stop it this instant!! Driving the images of how he might possibly look naked from her mind was not that easy. Especially since her mind had conjured up those very images in her dreams more than once.

"Ahh... no, there's nothing troubling me. Well, nothing except the usual matters of country. Is there anything you can tell me about this ambush that didn't come out in the meeting. You seemed to have something else on your mind besides what you spoke aloud."

Despite her best efforts, she couldn't keep her eyes from traveling down his body to admire the way the shirt clung to his biceps. She knew what was under that shirt because James had often invited Stephan to swim in the pool. Rippling muscles, flat firm abdomen... lord only knows what that fine trail of hair lead to.

Well, she knew... she just didn't know the particulars. But oh boy wouldn't she like to... oh yes she would.

But you can't! He's your dead husband's best friend for crying out loud! Wouldn't it be disloyal to his memory?.... But wouldn't James want her to be happy.

She physically shook her head, trying to rid it of the mutinous thoughts so she could actually concentrate on what Stephan was saying.

 

[Wolk]

Stephan looked at her, slightly concerned when she replied everything was alright. He clearly saw it was not, but it must have been so bad that she couldn't even share it with him, her old friend. Was that what he was, his mind wandered, just a friend? Was he to stay in that occupation forever, or could he somehow get a chance to tower with his muscular body over her naked beauty, to fondle and caress these beautiful breasts as he flooded her lovely orgasming pussy with his hot... Noooo, no, no, no, no. This needed to stop. How could he let himself descend down such a road? If she were to hear his thoughts now, she would surely have him dead. Probably by most horrible means, too, and he'd have to agree he deserved it! Back, back, back to your duty, SOLDIER!!!

He shook his head slightly, wishing he knew who caused her such discomfort and ready to rip apart and destroy the villain, whoever that was. Little did he know that he himself was the cause of her state, but if he did, that, most likely wouldn't have stopped him from ripping and destroying. Himself, in that case.

"It is too early to tell," he answered. "And I don't want to worry you any further, or come across as an alarmist. The incident is probably nothing... However, if it is a foreign intervention, it could be very dangerous. We can get good heads up warning on almost anyone's strike. Except the Americans' that is. I go to bed every night knowing that a cruise missile or one of those accursed stealth bombers can hit your very bedroom and I, nor anyone else, would know it coming until it was too late." He smiled. "I know it's silly. There is a greater chance of you being hit by lighting. But it bothers me to no end... I don't know why." Stephan notice he was holding her hand, caressing the skin softly, and hastily let it go, his cheeks touching with a shade of pink, hoping she didn't notice and knowing she did, yet still hoping she didn't take it for what it was and didn't get mad.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis

The touch of his hand on hers, caressing her skin was maddening. It was amazing how hot the simple touch of a hand could get her. That familiar ache was back between her legs. The one she woke up with after the hot and steamy dreams.

He seemed to realize what he'd been doing and hastily snatched them away from her, his face coloring slightly. Could it be that he was having similar feelings? Nah... not possible. Was it?

"Well, there's no point in you worrying about things beyond your control. Unless some wet behind the ears recruit hits a wrong button, I don't think we're going to have to worry about anything like that."

Sweat began to trickle down her face and she was amazingly aware of how it slowly rolled down the valley between her breasts. "This heat is almost unbearable. It's a pity I can't stand to be out here longer to enjoy the gardens."

She started to walk away from him and return to the coolness of the palace, but something made her stop. "I'm taking Jamie for a swim later. Why don't you join us?"

Jamie was her son. She named him after his father but took to calling him Jamie because hearing James day after day was too painful. He loved Stephan like only a child could, fully and completely with no reservation. "He's been asking when he is going to see you again. You've been so busy lately, he misses you."

 

[Wolk]

Stephan smiled at her comment about something beyond his control. Her words actually made him feel a lot better, though he was still a touch too concerned.

"Just be extra careful with those guys in diplomacy. And I swear, if there is a way to defend against them, we will find it."

He marveled again at how easily she changed the subject from the grim path he stupidly put the conversation onto. When she mentioned Jamie, his eyes warmed up even further. He loved the little bandit, as though it was his own son. In a sence, he was, as after James' death, which the boy had not even been around to live through, Stephan was as close to a father as he had.

In theory, Jamie was superior to him on the social scale, and Stephan was to bow before the Prince just like he did before his Queen. He never did, however, as they mostly saw each other in private and just like with the boy's mother, Stephan was allowed, and strongly encouraged, to be on equal footing and on first-name basis.

"Of course I will come, Alexis!" He smiled. "You know how much I love him!" He found out where and when it was to take place, and bowed out, after escorting his Queen back to the cool safety of the palace. In his quarters again, Stephan changed into swimwear under his uniform and soon was at the lovely lake in the gardens where he sat, awaiting the two people he loved most.

Uncle Stephan!

Smiling, he went towards the blond-haired bundle of joy that ran towards him. Catching the boy, Stephan lifted him and spun around before putting him back down, giggling happily at the flight.

"How is my favorite Guardsman?" Stephan smiled. "Are you taking good care of your mother? Guarding her night and day, my warrior?" Stephan patted his back as the boy answered like a soldier. "That's the spirit, Jamie. You make all Queen's Guards proud!"

"Sure, you go right ahead," Stephan smiled when Jamie prompted to build a sand castle together. "I'll join you in a minute." He smiled at Alexis, who by then caught up with her fast-legged son.

"He is a wonderful boy. He will make a great king for your people someday."

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis

Stephan agreed to join them swimming and escorted her back to the sheltering cool of the palace. On her way back to her suite, she stopped in the school room and informed Sally, Jamie's teacher and nanny, that she would be taking him swimming in a little while. Bending over his desk, she whispered conspiratorily in her son's ear, "I have a surprise for you when we go swimming." She knew once her son saw Stephan, she'd likely be totally forgotten. The boy idolizes him, Stephan being the closest thing a father Jamie has ever known.

Upon returning to her suite, she handed her assistant a list. "I need you to take care of these. Oh, I don't want to be disturbed for the rest of the afternoon unless it's an emergency. I'm spending some time with Jamie."

Mary left the suite and Alexis entered her private bedchamber and did something she almost never did... she locked the door. Then she did something else that she almost never did in the light of day. She could still feel the heat from Stephan's caress and the throbbing between her legs would not subside.

Pulling off her clothes, she padded naked across the floor and lay down on her bed. Her hands squeezed her breasts, caressing the stiffening pink peaks. She teased them to erectness, soft moans spilling from her mouth. One hand remained to tease and pluck at her nipples while the other moved down her belly and disappeared between her legs.

Her thoughts filled of Stephan, of his handsome face, his sparkling eyes... and of his fit body. As her fingers tweaked and stroked her clit, she imagined it was his fingers on her sex, his mouth upon her nipple. Her moans grew louder and she whispered, "Fuck me Stephan," and she slipped a finger inside her silken wetness. Her thumb continued to play with her clit and her body bucked and writhed on the bed, her mind seeing Stephan above her, driving into her.

Her cries echoed through the room as the orgasm crashed upon her in waves of bliss. Her body shaking and bucking as she finger fucked herself to the end of release.

She lay for a few moments, collecting herself and her thoughts before rising and going to the bathroom to freshen up. A short time later, she emerged, her body still flushed from the self-pleasuring. Standing in her closet, she tried to decide which swimsuit to wear. She thought the 2 piece would likely be a bit too forward, so she finally decided on a simple black suit that was high cut in the hips and low cut in the front. She couldn't resist wanting to show off for Stephan just a bit.

She pulled a coverup robe on over her suit and went to collect Jamie, who ran ahead of her in his excitement to find out his surprise. Luckily, Stephan was already waiting for them when they arrived.

His excitement was infections and he was easily able to talk Stephan into helping him build a sand castle. While Jamie went ahead to get started, Stephan hung back for a moment.

"He is a wonderful boy. He will make a great king for your people someday."

"I hope so Stephan. It's so difficult to find the right balance. I want him to be a carefree little boy and have a childhood, but there's so much he has to learn about his country."

 

[Wolk]

"I hope so Stephan. It's so difficult to find the right balance. I want him to be a carefree little boy and have a childhood, but there's so much he has to learn about his country."

Stephan smiled. He was a little slow to answer, as her lovely presence began playing tricks on him again, awakening desires in his heart and other, less romantic, but more sexy place.

"Oh, he is an incredibly intelligent boy," Stephan smiled. Eyes up. Yes, her large, swelling breasts are very attractive, and oh, so lucious to feast your yes on, and perhaps more than your eyes... But EYES UP, SOLDIER!

"I'm sure he will learn all he must playfully, having fun while he is at it." He took her hand, softly touching it again, subconsciously. The smooth silky skin was breathtaking. "I... I think I will go play in the sand." He smiled. "With your permission, my Queen." He grinned playfully, being overly official as he asked to go build a sand castle. Seeing a smile on her face was more than worth making a fool of himself for a moment, and Stephan took off his uniform, staying in only rather uncovering european-style swimming briefs that seemed to cling to his body tightly, in those very rare places where they actually covered it. Sending a smile to her, he caught her eyes at his center, where his firm ass must have been before he turned. A little embarrased, he hastily retreated to the waterfront, where Jamie has almost finished a breathtaking moat.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis

She laughed at his playfully officious request. "Off with you! The Royal Prince requires an architect to help him with his latest masterpiece." He grinned and then turned and disrobed, leaving his fit body clad in only the very breifest of swimming trunks.

Alexis couldn't stop the gasp that escaped from her lips. Anytime they'd gone swimming before, he'd always worn the trunks that were made like shorts. This suit was... fantastic. She couldn't tear her eyes away from his ass. Oh god what an ass.

He rose and then was gone to the waterfront before she could even raise her eyes... but he didn't move so quickly that she didn't get a glimpse at the front of his suit. The noticeable bulge made her knees weak. The very thing she'd been fantasizing about a short time before was merely a thin piece of material away.

Oh this won't do, this just won't do at all. Pull yourself together Alexis! Jamie is out here with you. You MUST control yourself.

Alexis decided a swim would help cool her off, so she shrugged off the cover-up and walked toward her sand castle architects. "I'm going for a swim. It's just too hot out here to stand in the sun."

 

[Wolk]

Stephan helped little Jamie construct a marvelous castle, truly worthy of a royal. A smile crossed his lips when he found he was actually enjoying it himself. A twenty-nine year old, decorated Colonel, in charge of the country's most elite force, not to mention the rough bullet scar on his left shoulder, was... having fun building a sand castle. He suppressed the smile before it turned into a full-fledged laughter. How would he explain this outburst to the child if he didn't? A lovely shadow fell on their sand structure and the man and a boy lifted their eyes at the beautiful mother of one and object of passionate desires for another.

"I'm going for a swim. It's just too hot out here to stand in the sun."

She looked stunningly beautiful in the sexy swimsuit. It was a one-piece, but that alone did not make it modest. The thin strip of cloth disappeared between her legs, outlinging the shape of her mound, not to mention revealing her sexy legs and hips completely. Her bust... oh, those lovely melons would look incredible in anything. Even in a winter coat they would be distinctly outlining their sexy roundness. In the swimsuit, they were breathtaking. Much to his shame, Stephan felt his dick hardening at the sight, realizing that unless he got hastily into the water, he'd be up for a major embarassment.

"I think I will join." He proclaimed, hastily standing up. "Race you guys to the water!" He laughed, running not too fast, but just enough to outdistance them and avoid showing his rapidly growing bulge. With a splash, he dived in.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis

The afternoon flew by as they laughed and splashed and played in the water. All too soon it was time for the swim to end. She knew Jamie had school work to do before studies began again the next day and it was closing in on dinner time.

Relcutantly, she climbed from the water and told Jamie it was time to go.

"Oh Mom, do we have to? It's been ages since I've seen Uncle Stephan, can't we stay a little longer?"

Alexis's heart swelled with love for the little boy who looked so much like his father. She didn't want to deprive him for Stephan was his main male authority figure.

"I tell you what... how about we invite Stephan to dinner with us?"

"Just the three of us? Can we have it in your suit instead of getting dressed up in those scratchy clothes and going to the big dining hall?"

Alexis couldn't help but laugh at the innocent request of her child. Every once in awhile, they would forgo the pomp and circumstance of the formal dining and have a quiet dinner in her suit, just the two of them. This would be the first time anyone else had been invited to join them.

"Ok sweetie. If that's what you want."

While Jamie ran back into the palace whooping excitedly about having his "Uncle" Stephan to dinner, Alexis stayed behind to extend the invitation.

"Jamie requested you join us for dinner. We'll be dining in my suit. Will you join us?"

 

[Wolk]

Stephan smiled, hearing her invitation.

"Of course. How could I not accept an invitation from such a lovely lady and our favorite prince?" His face darkened a little as the thoughts of business he still had flew through his mind.

"I have to check up on our watch officers, but in an hour I will be with you."

He took her by the hand, and escorted her and Jamie back to the palace. Once he was free again, Stephan ran to the main guardroom, which served as a little nerve center from whence all palace security was controlled by the three officers of the watch. Everything was perfect, the three Majors, more than capable of handling anything and everything without his immediate involvement. Satisfied, Stephan went back to his quarters and took a quick shower, glossing himself up again for the dinner. While unofficial, it WAS with the Queen... more than just a queen, too. He wanted to look his best. The new, freshly ironed grey uniform went on, a little touch of gel for especially unruly hairs, and wonderfully intoxicating french cologne, that, at least to him, smelled of strength and safety.

In exactly fifty five minutes after they last talked, Stephan knocked on the door of the royal suite politely.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis sent Jamie to his room to bathe and dress for dinner. She returned to her suite to do the same. After her shower, she dressed in a simple sundress. Of course, since the sundress only had spaghetti straps, she couldn't wear a bra. Feeling a little naughty, she decided to not bother wearing panties. Jamie would be sent to his room as soon as dinner was over so he could do his homework, and that would leave her and Stephan alone.

You cannot act on your feelings! It would be wrong wrong WRONG! But Alexis couldn't stop the shiver of desire that raced through her at the thought of being alone with Stephan... while wearing nothing under her dress.

Stephan showed up right on time wearing a freshly pressed uniform. "You know, you didn't have to wear that. You could have gone more casual. I wouldn't have minded."

Dinner passed with lots of laughter, especially since Jamie had started on a kick of telling jokes every time he had an audience. After dessert, Alexis sent him to his room to do his school work.

"But Mom!"

"No buts... you've had alot of free play time today, now you must be responsible and do your work. Besides, I know Sally didn't assign much for you to do."

Jamie was very smart for his age, so much so that he was doing first grade school work instead of preschool stuff. After a bit more protesting, Jamie finally headed to his room leaving Alexis and Stephan alone.

"You know, it's been a long time since we've done much that wasn't for an official reason. It's good to be together as friends instead of country business."

Alexis kicked off her sandals and curled up on the sofa. "I haven't heard any rumors about you and a woman. Is there not someone you are interested in? I would think the girls would be falling all over you."

 

[Wolk]

God, how beautiful she looked in her little sundress! Stephan marveled at her radient beauty, shining out as though she herself was a little piece of that wonderful sunny beach they were at earlier.

Don't look at the breasts. Don't look at the breasts. Don't look at the breasts. Stephan repeated that simple chant in his head over and over again, knowing how gorgeous her big beauties must have been in that skimpy light cloth, knowing he risked being swept away if he did look. He managed, which was very fortunate for him as she asked a question she actually expected answered with something more than a gaping open mouth and a gaze tied firmly to her breasts.

"You know, you didn't have to wear that. You could have gone more casual. I wouldn't have minded."

He smiled. "Ah, my darling Queen, but I am never off duty. I am serving you every waking second of my life, ready to lead your most loyal Guards and protect you in any way we can." He winked conspiratively, lowering his voice a bit. "Besides, a uniform spares me thinking what to wear."

The dinner passed and they eventually remained alone in the room. Stephan smiled slightly seeing his Queen, the country's sovereign, settle up on the couch in her little summer dress, looking more like an excited girl than a monarch. How blessed he was to be her friend! Or was it a curse? After all, if he wasn't so close to her, he would never have the kinds of thoughts and desires he had. Desires he thought he knew were never to materialize. Thinking that, he let control of his gaze slip and it happily dropped down from her face, greedily drinking in the amazing sight. Her bosom was even more beautiful than he thought it would be in this dress and it took a colossal effort to tear his eyes off it. The damage, or was it pleasure - how confused things were! - however was already done and he felt his member harden, quite large and noticable through the pants of his uniform if one looked for it. The realization sent blood up to his face, coloring it a light shade of red just as she asked the question.

"I haven't heard any rumors about you and a woman. Is there not someone you are interested in? I would think the girls would be falling all over you."

"How can I have a girl, when my loyalty is to my Queen?" He smiled, realizing too late that there was more than one way to take it, and knowing full well that the slip was clearly Freudian.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis

"You can't go through life without someone to love... or to love you back. It's a tortuous existence... trust me, I know."

Alexis rose from the couch and walked out onto the balcony. "For awhile, being alone wasn't so difficult. Of course, I missed James immensely and was hurting from his death, but even after the pain faded away, I didn't want another man. Lately though... well, it's been harder to not have someone to be close to."

She turned to face Stephan, who had followed her out onto the balcony. "You shouldn't go through life alone. You deserve better than that."

 

[Wolk]

The inner ends of Stephan's brows went up as he heard the pain in her voice, forming an incomplete triangle of sorts above his eyes. He felt so terrible to hear the pain, to see her suffer... He followed her to the balcony, gently hugging her by the shoulders as she spoke, putting his supportive hands' touch onto her exposed skin. She felt so wonderful, so pleasant to hold. It was intoxicting, making his head float.

"You shouldn't go through life alone. You deserve better than that."

He smiled, releasing her as she turned to him, and took her hand into his. He looked into her lovely deep eyes.

"Alexis... I will tell you a little story that I heard from a friend of mine. Once there was a man. He was not very wealthy, though wealthier than most of his poor neighbours. He was respected, because, like everyone, he walked the streets of his village. One day a Shah's courier passed through the village, gracefully riding his beautiful horse, its skin glistening, the metal of its gear shining like the sun itself. The man's eyes lit up when he saw it. He suddenly craved to have a horse just like it. So, he gathered his wealth and walked to a big city, right into the marketplace to buy himself one. Once there, he discovered that he is quite short of money to afford the horse. Not wanting to come back empty-handed, he bought what he could afford - a goat. When he tried to gracefully stride into his village mounted on the goat, the people laughed. It scared the animal, who made a break for it, disappearing into the mountains, leaving the man to lay in the dirt, his reputation forever scarred, his small wealth gone." Stephan paused for a while, his lips forming a bitter smile. "Alexis, sometimes, what we can have we do not want and what we crave we cannot have... But settling for less will never make us happy; only cause further pain later."

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis

As Alexis listened to Stephan's story, she felt an ache in her heart. She tooks his words to mean that he was interested in someone, but it was someone he could not have. It never entered her mind it could be her.

"Ahh, so there is someone... Is it someone I know?"

 

[Wolk]

"Ahh, so there is someone... Is it someone I know?"

Stephan smiled, trying to hide his discomfort. She was getting too close; he was getting too close. Why did he have to open his mouth? He knew damn well what was going to happen if she found out. She was going to hate him, start avoiding him. He would lose her trust, her friendship, her respect. Why couldn't he keep his dreams in his head?

His cold military mind quickly shut out those panicy thoughts. A more important question was, how was he going to work his way out of this. Ignoring her questions was unthinkable, so he needed to answer, but he couldn't come up with any good way to do so! Lying wasn't going to work, he knew. Blatant lies always just come back to bite you. But how could he gracefully slip out? He didn't know.

"Um... well, yes... I suppose, you do..." Suddenly, he grew bolder. A good attack was the best defence, and he tried to turn the conversation away from the actual name, and at the same time ask the question that would sound strange under other conditions. "She is much higher in standing than I... and, well, I think she would snub me and laugh at me if I so much as hint my attraction." His eyes were on her, soft and gentle. "But... she is so lovely... so wonderful, so beautiful." His hand involuntarily caressed her hair and at that moment he knew. He was probably busted. When one is trying to defend by attacking, one must make sure his strength is sufficient to carry out his plans. His, it seems, was not, for keeping a straight face during his inquest proved beyond his abilities. Soft, warm feeling overwhelmed him with such force, even his cold military conscience could not stop it.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

As he spoke these words, "But... she is so lovely... so wonderful, so beautiful." her heart sunk, for the love for this woman was obvious in the way he spoke of her. But then... then his hand reached out and stroked her hair.

Me, he's talking about me! No, no, he couldn't be talking about me... could he?

Alexis decided it was either now or never. She would never have another opportunity as perfect as this one. Her hand clasped his, "Stephan, there aren't many women who would rank higher than Queen's own personal Royal Guard... unless you're talking about the Queen herself."

She waited with baited breath to see if he would deny it. Oh please don't deny it.

 

[Wolk]

"Stephan, there aren't many women who would rank higher than Queen's own personal Royal Guard... unless you're talking about the Queen herself."

Realizing what had happened, Stephan hastily pulled his hand away from her, embarrased at being so bad at controlling his feelings. He thought he should deny it, hastily make up a story of some sort, only to conceal the truth... But he honorably pushed that thought away. He had lost, his secret was out and rather than run like a pathetic dog, he decided to take whatever punishment he deserved with his honor. Of course, with surrender he also hoped for at least some degree of forgiveness.

Stephan bowed his head deeply before her, closing his eyes as he admitted.

"It is true... Alexis, my Queen, I am sorry for my conduct. Please, forgive me. Please forget this ever happened and I swear I will not let it happen again. I will fight this, and I will win or at the very least keep it properly contained... Please forgive me."

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Alexis

Alexis stared at Stephan in disbelief as he admitted it was her he loved... and apologized for it. Her heart soared knowing how felt about her, but it was tempered somewhat by his constant asking for forgiveness.

"Stephan, stop it. Why are you asking for my forgiveness? Okay, so I might can understand that in a way. Goodness knows I've been beating myself up over the same thing for the last few months."

She cupped his face in her hands and lifted it. "Are you asking for forgiveness because of your rank or because of James?"

Alexis knew that no matter what his answer might be that after this night, their lives would never be the same. Either both of them would walk away extremely hurt or they would find a way to begin anew with each other. Alexis trembled slightly at the thought of finally being with Stephan.