Royal Duty: Closed Thread

[Emstar303]

Her sister really could be an idiot sometimes. You'd think she'd have better manners having lived here for the past 7 years, but it wasn't so. At Vallin's warning, Elisa seemed to shrink into herself. Though his words were nothing short of proper, there was great anger in his voice. She supposed she'd never spoken with him directly before this other than polite, required greetings. He kept to himself most of the time and didn't exactly give off a friendly vibe.

Although Eleanor didn't like seeing her sister rebuked, she understood why he'd done it. She was being disrespectful, no matter how friendly her tone and no matter how much the Queen and upcoming King agreed with her.

"Thank you for paying your respects, sister," Ellie said, a little louder than necessary. She gave her sister a sharp look.

"How are things going?" Elisa asked. She shot a glance in Vallin's direction then looked back to Ellie, raising her brows.

Honestly did her sister expect her to seduce him at a funeral? Elisa always had been full speed ahead. "About as well as they could, all things considered. I've invited Vallin to dine with me after so we can share in our grief. Could you have the cooks prepare something for us?"

"Sure," Elisa said. A hint of a smirk played upon her lips."I'll leave you to it then, sister, Sir Vallin." She gave a customary clumsy curtsey then left, her handmaidens trailing behind her.

When she was gone Ellie turned apologetically to Vallin. "I'm sorry about Elisa. She's just..." Eleanor was going to say that Elisa was just overjoyed for her sake because King Jeffy couldn't make her sister miserable anymore. Eleanor's tormenter lay dead at the intervening hands of fate. She held her tongue however. Perhaps they could discuss more of their shared hatred later during their dinner.

Since she couldn't find a reasonable excuse for her sister, she said, "I'll talk to her about her behavior."

 

[The_gladiator]

Vallin turned away from the commoners in time to hear Eleanor’s comments regarding her sister. He gave a simple nod to her. He wanted to tell her it was ok; however, he was now on his guard, anyone could be listening for his mother. “Thank you, I would be happy to discuss our feelings later,” he said as open as he thought he could be to try to not lose the tenuous connection they had seemed to be forming.

The last couple of hours dragged on and for the most part they did not speak to one another. It became more and more evident that Vallin was tired. His posture became more and more slumped, leaned on the lance more and more.

As sunset came, Vallin bowed to his brother’s corpse. “I have stood vigil for you brother. You will be laid to rest tomorrow. May you find peace.” With That He reached out to close the casket, hide his brother’s body from view.

He stepped away from the body and headed to the less public parts of the chapel. He left the lance and began to strip out of the armor. It was not his typical armor and so though sized for him, belonged here in the chapel for those that served as a knight of the gods. He was finally dressed merely in a tunic and pants that he had worn under the armor. He took a moment to rest, closing his eyes and trying not to fall asleep. He needed to find food and water soon.

 

[Emstar303]

Eleanor followed Vallin into the chapel rather boldly after kneeling by the casket and offering her husband one final curse, er, prayer. She was sincerely worried about him. He'd looked ready to collapse at any moment. She knew he was a strong man, had to be since he'd just been knighted, but even strong men needed rest, food, and drink.

Ellie entered one of the private prayer rooms in the chapel and found Vallin. He looked like he'd fallen asleep on his feet! "Vallin," she said his name in a soft, soothing voice. She laid a tender hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry to follow you. I just didn't want you to collapse. Come with me to dinner...?" It was said as half a command, half a request. He'd already agreed earlier; he must be famished!

 

[The_gladiator]

Her hand was gentle as it touched his shoulder. He swore he could almost feel her touch through the thin fabric. He let his hand cover hers briefly keeping her from pulling her hand away for just a second, finding her skin soft under his fingertips. “Yes, I will come, sorry,” he said blue eyes opening and looking up at her. The angle causing his hair to fall away from his face leaving himself exposed to her once again.

He looked lost and exhausted. He finally let his hand fall away from hers. “Thank you for the invitation my queen,” he said, standing and shaking his head to spill his hair around his face again. Standing beside her despite his not being extremely tall was still almost a head taller than her. He frowned as he looked down and then back up at her, “Can you tell me why you are being nice to me?” he asked. Without the armor and the call of his duty some of his self confidence and poise seemed diminished. Perhaps it was just the exhaustion.

 

[Emstar303]

Eleanor was a little surprised at the warmth his hand provided to her when he placed it over her own. It felt nice. He looked down at her with his beautiful blue eyes. They looked so tired. His hair fell away from his face, revealing his grotesque facial scars. Eleanor forced herself not to look away.

Queen Eleanor considered how best to answer his question. She couldn't exactly answer, because I'm trying to win you over to marry you, could she? She decided to be truthful without giving away her plan. "We shared a common enemy, I think," she answered. "I'm... I'm sorry I wasn't nicer before. I didn't want your brother to bea- be angry with me, so I never took the time to get to know you and never stood up for you... please, let's go get you something to eat. We can discuss why you deserve kindness over dinner."

 

[The_gladiator]

He seemed to consider her, “You are correct.” He said softly. “My brother felt that I was more loved by our mother than he was,” he said softly. He tried not to snort a laugh at that. “Because of that he hated me. Though this is not the place to discuss such things.” He said softly.

He Stepped closer, “I need food and drink, Lead the way,” he encouraged. He knew that he was tired and truthfully thought he should be alone right now, but at the same time he felt drawn to her, she was being nice to him and he was unused to that, it was somewhat an intoxicating feeling.

He knew he should have changed into more appropriate etire for Dinner, but Vallin realized he was too tired to care.

 

[Emstar303]

Eleanor was glad Vallin accepted her invitation and led him through the halls to her region of the castle. Her sister had done good on her promise to prepare them a feast, and when she opened her private quarters, in the dining area was a delectable feast strewn out just for them.

"Please, help yourself," Eleanor said. She herself was feeling rather hungry as well and filled her plate with rich delicacies, including some local fish from her island home she had specially imported.

Eleanor sat across from Vallin at the long table laden with rich dishes of all varieties. Her sister and the cooks really had gone above and beyond for them. The two ate in silence for a moment, Ellie occasionally glancing at Vallin bashfully for a few moments.

She'd never seduced anyone before. She'd gained the prince's favor but that had just been on accident; he'd been enthralled by her exotic beauty. Eleanor was years older than Vallin, so she feared she couldn't rely on superficial means to get him to like her. She had to relax. If she put too much pressure on herself she was going to lose it. It's not like the fate of her kingdom resided on her ability to charm Valin, except wait, it did! The fate of her kingdom relied on their alliance. She couldn't let it die with his brother, her late husband, King Jefferson.

"Is everything to your liking?" she asked, decided to start with an easy, comfortable, polite question.

 

[The_gladiator]

Vallin followed her to her quarters mostly in silence. He did not blame her for keeping separate chambers from his brother, though it was known that she spent most nights sleeping in his bed, when he was sober enough to demand it. He suspected she slept apart every chance she could. He understood and, in her place, would probably have done the same.

Vallin was surprised at the dishes. “This is too much for just us,” he murmured, but he voiced no other objection, filling the plate and then reaching for a glass of water. His eyes flicked to the bottle of wine in the middle of the table. He normally did not imbibe, after observing what it did to his mother and brother, but he was curious what it did to her, would she grow nasty as well? He thought to have a glass if only to sooth the pounding of his head and ease his frayed nerves.

“Yes, everything is delightful,” he responded his eyes traveling to Eleanor. He had seen paintings of her when she had been first crowned. To him she was even more attractive now. Though baring perhaps, a bit more weight, it only in his eyes softened a harsh beauty, developing curves and her eyes held more character now. Perhaps that character was tinged with sadness, but it was also full of strength. Though being a foreign queen, she was well loved by some of the population, entranced by her beauty and the loyalty they’d shown their king.

His blue eyes seemed to examine her, peaking out through the fall of his hair, seeming to judge her, looking for her motives what she wanted from him. “Thank you for the care you have shown for my wellbeing.” He said finally. He wanted to say more talk about how alone he had felt lately, but he didn’t, giving her only that.

 

[Emstar303]

Eleanor was entranced by Vallin's looks at dinner. He had such deep scars on his face; it was truly hard to see past them to the rest of his complexion, but she'd been staring directly at him as they ate for some time now, so she'd started to notice details other than the scars, like how sharp his icy blue eyes were, or how his mess of brown hair fell into his eyes when he leaned a certain way. His jawline was strong and his lips soft, but not too plump. He did resemble Jefferson a little bit, but he lacked the undercurrent of rage in his expression. She wasn't quite sure yet what undercurrent Valin possessed.

"You're welcome. I'm glad to get to spend some time with you," she said honestly. A silence fell between them. Eleanor had learned that wine lubricated silence, but she was hesitant. Her dearly departed had problems with alcohol. Would Vallin grow angry in a similar way? Something told Ellie he wouldn't and she poured them each a healthy glass to relax.

"Cheers to our kingdom," she said, clinking her glass to his. "May it forever reign in peace."

Ellie took a large swig then placed the glass down. They were finally alone. Now was finally her opportunity to really get to know him. "Um, so what are your plans after you take the throne? Will you host a grand ball to find a queen?" Damn, that was a stupid question - why even plant the idea in this head? Eleanor silently scolded herself, but did not reveal her inner frustration on her face. She took another sip of wine.

 

[The_gladiator]

She spoke of being glad to get to know him. He fought the urge to lift a skeptical eyebrow, but instead said nothing. However, the silence encouraged her to pour them both a glass of wine. He accepted it and clinked glasses with her. “To new growth and times,” he added to her.

After he took a sip, he set down his glass. He seemed to consider her question as he took a bite of the soup he was currently sampling. He considered her. “So, you don’t believe the rumors, then? I notice you said queen, most would have asked if I would be hoisting a ball to find a king.” He rolled his eyes. There was a smoldering fire there. “I honestly hadn’t thought much about it. I am certain I will have advisors that would recommend I take you to my bed, and make you my queen. Others that would tell me to throw you out on your pretty ass and find another queen for the country. I have no love for you, but honestly, I don’t think you ever took the time to get to know me, so I don’t know you enough to love you. I hold no ill will toward you.” He blew out a sigh, “And in fact I suspect we have a lot in common where it comes to relating to my brother.”

 

[Emstar303]

Eleanor considered his words, a little surprised by his bluntness. She was seeing a whole new side to him tonight. He was calling her out, but he was right, she hadn't bothered to get to know any side of him... but he hadn't bothered to get to know her either. He'd seemed meek from afar, but up close he was as blunt as a mace. When he mentioned their shared tormenter in his brother, the wine turned tour in her mouth.

"Relating or despising?" Eleanor couldn't help but say, a little bitterly. She was turning out as blunt as he was. "Sorry," she apologized to him. "Though it sounds like you hold no tender feelings for him either..."

She ate in silence for a moment, observing his scarred face and sharp features. "You're handsome despite the scars, I for one hope the rumors about your sexuality are not true." A faint blush pinkened her cheeks as she complimented him. It was a genuine compliment, but it had been so long that she flirted she felt a bit awkward - she just hoped he wouldn't notice.

 

[The_gladiator]

Vallin shrugged, “I hated the prick,” he said flatly. “Forgive the bluntness. I have had very little sleep, and even less to eat and drink in the past days. I am afraid that has cut into my politeness factor.” He took a long drink of wine and seemed to breathe for a moment, left hand clenched into a fist on the table. He opened his fingers one at a time, slowly.

“He gave me the scars,” he said in response to her comment about his looks despite the scars. “I mean, thank you for the compliment,” here he faltered, clearly un used to compliments. “I was just explaining why I hated him. Just encase you didn’t know. I did not throw myself threw a window; Jefferson did that for me.” His eyes bore into her for a long moment before he looked down and away in embarrassment.

 

[Emstar303]

Ellie liked Valin's bluntness. It was incredibly refreshing to converse with someone who seemed real. There were very few people she could truly express herself to here. "I don't mind your bluntness. I prefer it actually. Reminds me of home."

Then things turned darker when Vallin revealed Jefferson was the cause of his scars. Ellie had already known of course, but she thought it was nice he was starting to open up to her.

"I know," Eleanor said quietly in response. "Jefferson told me... as a kind of warning I suppose." She laughed bitterly and took another long sip of wine. She met his gaze over the goblet. He hadn't exactly answered her question about his sexuality, but she supposed there were other ways she could figure that out.

 

[The_gladiator]

“I should have guessed he would have told you,” he said after taking another long drink of his wine. “I thought the only good thing about the scars were how they almost resemble twin lightning bolts. I thought they were cool, for about a day. Until I heard some things people said, and the way they looked away.” He shrugged, “I learned to regret the day they took the bandages off.”

He seemed to consider her for a long moment, “I’m sure he told you why he did it then too.”

Vallin leaned back in the chair and considered her for a moment before leaning forward again his hand settling atop hers briefly. “I am sorry he threatened you. As far as I can tell you never deserved such a thing. I know you said you value the bluntness, but this is not normally like me, I should be more cautious what I say.” There were a lot of reasons for him saying that, would she betray his confidence, was she just like everyone else? He didn’t think so, he had a feeling that he could trust her, but didn’t know if he should trust that feeling or not though.

 

[Emstar303]

Eleanor studied his face carefully, really taking in his scars for the first time. She looked longer than would be considered polite. She'd never really looked at them long enough to consider what they resembled. Vallin was right, they did look a little like lightning bolts. At the same time she studied him, Vallin studied her. Eleanor felt her cheeks warm as he did so. She met his eyes.

"I don't know the reason, no," she said. She averted her eyes from him and looked out her own window - the same one Jefferson had banged her against. She took another long swig of wine, let it warm her body from the cold of the memory. She looked back to Vallin. "I can only imagine it was for something stupid and mundane. Your brother certainly had a temper."

Vallin put his hand on hers briefly. He said that as far as he could tell she never deserved such a thing. His words made her a little angry. Of course she hadn't done anything to deserve it. Neither had he. She hated his words because they pulled upon her own anxieties and fears - that she'd somehow deserved her late husband's harsh treatment.

"Of course I didn't deserve it," she said bitterly. Her hand tightened on the goblet of wine. "Neither did you. What was this made up reason your brother made to scar you so?" She laid her hand over his this time, but unlike when Vallin laid his hand on hers, she didn't release it.

 

[The_gladiator]

As Eleanor looked at the scars, Vallin flipped the hair back from his face with a flick of his head, giving her an unobstructed view. He met her gaze boldly. She was beautiful, though she still had the look of someone whose joy in life had been beaten down. He hoped that she would regain that joy now his brother was gone.

He could feel her hand brush over his, coming to rest there. Her touch was soft, and he was acutely aware of her. He flicked his eyes down to where she touched him and then back up into her eyes. He made no move to pull away. Rather, he found he liked the touch.

“He was jealous, he thought our mother favored me, the fagot, more than him.” He couldn’t have been more wrong though her public approval of me and snide comments behind closed doors did change to public scorn after the injury. “People have believed I was gay ever since I was a child.”

 

[Emstar303]

Vallin didn't pull his hand out from under hers as he answered, which Ellie took to be a good sign. She gently rubbed her fingertips over the back of his hand. "But you're not gay," Eleanor said, as if her declaration alone determined it to be true. She leaned forward, intentionally revealing more cleavage, the tops of her beautiful round breasts just peeking above the material of the straight low neckline of her dress. She tried to channel some of her sister's courage as she pressed on with her attempt at seduction, "If you were gay you'd be pulling your hand away right now." She loosened her over his, gave him the opportunity. "And if you're not sure... I can help you find out." She smiled gently at him. Her heart was beating so fast and she was sure her cheeks were beat red. She hoped he couldn't tell how nervous she was.

 

[The_gladiator]

Vallin glanced down at her hand atop his briefly again, but did not pull away, even as she offered him the opportunity. Rather when she loosened her grip lifting her hand a bit, he turned his hand over so their hands were palm to palm, his fingers naturally curving around her hand.

“I’m honestly not sure what I am,” he said with a sigh. “I’ve been told I’m gay for so long sometimes I believe that must be true. But I do not eye other men the way I see others of my age looking at women.” He frowned, “And I am not sure I’ve really had the opportunity to really look at women, though. I’ve played that role of being gay for so long, because it was easier than denying it that I don’t even know how to not be that way anymore.”

He let his fingertips tentatively slide along the back of her hand where his hand, surprisingly so much larger than hers, held hers. “I will say that your hand feels nice, it’s soft. He offered at last.

 

[Emstar303]

Instead of taking back his hand, Valin took told of hers. He entwined his fingers with hers, palm to palm. He admitted holding her hand felt nice. Eleanor was relieved he was responding positively. Maybe seduction wasn't as hard as she thought it would be. Ellie leaned in closer, meeting his eyes with hers.

"You say you haven't had the opportunity to look at women... well, you can start with me," she offered. She squeezed his hand gently. Her emerald eyes bore into his deep blue eyes. She felt she could get lost in them. As their gazes held, she briefly wondered who was seducing who. She was the one making a conscious effort, but Vallin was unknowingly seducing her with his eyes.

Eleanor leaned back, breathed a little harder than necessary so her breasts rose and fell with prominence, the tops of them peeking above the hard, straight top. She wanted him to look at her, curvy body forced into this tight, black mourning dress. It had silver trim around the arms, waist, and top. The silver sparkled sweetly against her skin. Inside of it was a corset holding everything together, not allowing a piece of flesh to jiggle impolitely.

 

[The_gladiator]

It wasn’t long before he had shifted so they were truly holding hands, lacing fingers, something he had never done before, but something that felt infinitely right, a connection. She was affecting him with a simple touch. He had unconsciously slid his chair closer to better accommodate such a position so now he was more along side her than across the table from her.

When she suggested he consider her he too leaned back to give himself more of an opportunity to look. The dress was well fitted, her body a perfect shape for the cut of the gown. “You are beautiful,” he said. His eyes lingered on her breasts as he said that. “The contrast of your skin against the black is, so nice. Your skin is still so much tanner than mine.” He commented. “That’s characteristic of your people, though, right?” he asked.

“Is your skin as soft everywhere as on your hands?” he asked as he finally returned his eyes to hers. He seemed almost reluctant to look away from her breasts. His eyes said, though inexperienced, he liked what he saw. “You don’t mind my eyes looking at you?” he asked curious about her invitation.

 

[Emstar303]

Eleanor's body felt light and her heart fluttered as Vallin took her in, his light blue eyes drinking in her appearance. She felt a strange longing growing between her legs under his handsome gaze. She felt his eyes linger for a while on her breasts and she swallowed hard. She'd never been looked at for so long before. It felt erotic, even though she was fully clothed. He complimented her appearance and she smiled.

"Yes, our complexions are usually darker. it's a warm climate, the Summer Isles." As Eleanor spoke she had a wistful, nostalgic shine to her eyes. "I miss it. I've only visited a few times since marrying Jefferson."

Then Vallin met her eyes and asked if he could keep looking at her. What a question! To ask permission to even look at her. Eleanor smiled warmly. No one had ever asked her such a question before. "You may look as long as you like, my King," she said sincerely. She leaned forward a little, so their breath mingled in the space between them. He got a better view of her cleavage from this position. Eleanor dragged her fingertips along his hand as he gazed at her. "My skin is indeed soft everywhere," she informed him.

Daringly, Eleanor guided the hand that was holding hers to the tan skin just above her breasts. "You can find out for yourself if you'd like." With her other hand, she reached up and gently caressed the side of his face. She didn't say anything further as she leaned forward and kissed him tenderly.

 

[The_gladiator]

His nod when she mentioned missing home was sympathetic. His eyes expressing sadness with her, understanding what it was like to not fit in somewhere.

He caressed the skin of her hand and smiled. He meant to clarify what he had been asking not permission to look but clarifying that she did not mind, but then decided that her response technically answered that question as well and he smiled, almost blushing. The blush did come as she guided his hand to the skin of her upper chest. Fingertips caressed along the skin over her collarbones, the hollow of her throat, and slowly down her chest. Not onto her breasts but drawing ever nearer.

He flinched when she touched his cheek. His eyes meeting hers. He had almost braced himself for a slap, but when none was forthcoming, he relaxed into the touch, a soft sigh escaping his lips.

She wasn’t yet done though. Even as his fingertips brushed the tops of the first breasts he’d touched, her full lips brushed his sensually. There was no awkwardness in her kiss. He jumped a little, but did not pull away. Her kiss was not demanding, rather, it was gentle and giving. Vallin could feel the heat in his cheeks and hoped they weren’t as red as they felt.

He was so startled by the kiss that his hand stilled on her skin, stilled not where she’d put it but on the upper swell showing above the dress. Her lips tasted of the wine, and he was startled how his body reacted. He knew of kisses, he was by no means naïve, but he could honestly say that knowing, and doing were quite different, doing was so much more intense than he expected.

 

[Emstar303]

Her late husband's scarred but handsome brother did not pull away as Queen Eleanor brushed her lips against his. It was a gentle, tender kiss, soft, like the weight of her palm resting on his scarred cheek.

After holding her lips to his for a moment or two, Ellie leaned back, breathing deeply. The tops of her breasts rose up and down against the black fabric. She hadn't felt such a spark inside of her for quite some time. She looked almost as surprised as Valin, despite having been the one to initiate the kiss, at the shock of pleasure from it. Ellie kissed him again, pressed her lips to his a little bit harder this time, gently pulling his bottom lip between hers, just to be sure the pleasure was real. This kiss was a little longer as well, and the heat was still there.

After a few heated seconds, she pulled away. Emerald green eyes met silvery blue. "Did you like that?"

 

[The_gladiator]

Her chest rose and fell against his fingertips as she seemed to be just as breathless as he from the kiss. She did not stop with one kiss. She went in for another one, and even to his inexperienced lips there was more passion in this second kiss. It was almost like it was a test. Was he testing him or herself though, that was the question? He let his lips move against hers, not really completely sure he knew what he was doing but as she smiled when she pulled away, he figured he had done ok.

White teeth captured his lower lip in an obviously habitual gesture as she asked him if he had enjoyed it. His nod was slow in coming as he seemed to give it some thought. “I did,” he said softly as he became aware of how his body had reacted, and the unexpected hardness in his pants. “Apparently a great deal,” he whispered. Let her interpret that as she would. She would probably understand. Vallin was fairly certain he would not be able to surprise her.

After a second, he seemed to realize his right hand still rested above the neckline of her dress against her soft skin. “Your skin really is as soft as you say it is,” he finally offered, gently pulling his hand away shyly, not wanting to over abuse such a privilege.

 

[Emstar303]

Eleanor waited nervously for Vallin's assessment of her kiss. She really did hope he liked it, and for more than just the obvious reason of wanting to earn his favor so she could keep her position as Queen. She found she wanted him to like her genuinely, and she wanted to help him discover his sexuality. He was far old enough for it. Perhaps this was just what he needed, a slightly older woman to uncover his masculinity and help him realize his strength.

At last, Vallin nodded and told her he did like kissing her, that he'd liked it a great deal. Ellie's breath caught in excitement and she smiled to hear that. "I'm glad." She gave his hand a squeeze, then rested their clasped hands on her knee. "Because I liked it a great deal as well..."

They sat in silence for a moment. Eleanor wanted to kiss him again, but she was also worried she'd scare him away.

"There are many more things I can teach and show you," she finally said. She rested her hand on his for another moment, gave him one small kiss then stood. "It's late and I'm sure you're exhausted from your vigil. Why don't we dine again soon?" Eleanor curtsied deeply and hung her torso forward, again flashing him an ample amount of flesh. Her long dark hair tickled her cleavage as she leaned forward, her emerald eyes meeting his seductively even as she blushed like a young maid.