Welcome to my blog! Since I’ve returned to roleplaying on tumblr I’ve been meaning to make this pinned post for any mobile users. Mun is 27+ and I’ve been roleplaying across various platforms since 2016.
Open Starters
Memes
Wanted plots
Wanted opposites
A few general rules:
-don’t be a dick, that means no homophobia, transphobia, racism or being bigots of any kind.
-if you have any questions for me, please don’t be shy and just ask.
-I welcome every and all muses of every shape, gender and ethnicity. My guys are all straight, so ships will be M/F. But I feel platonic pairings are so underrated so please also reach out for friendship based plots too.
-I only write here, so if you’re a discord only writing blog unfortunately I don’t have enough time in the day to be switching back and forth.
-I’m very happy to write most things. What I will not write (this comes back to the first rule) anything of a bigoted nature. My muses have and will do bad things, but when the writing becomes of a racist nature, I just simply don’t enjoy it. If that’s your thing, then go ahead just keep it away from me and this blog.
-I can be a little selective at times, but it’s more a mood thing. Sometimes replies will sit in my drafts for awhile, other times I reply 20 minutes later. I will only have dropped a thread officially if I message you to say. Please also feel free to nudge me if you think I have dropped a thread.
-I feel like this also needs to be said in these modern times we live in. I hate AI. I think it’s lazy, destructive to the human soul, anti-art and just a terrible terrible thing all round. I don’t want to see AI replies, I don’t want to see generative AI ‘art’. Keep that shit away from me. If I see AI usage in anyway shape or form, it’s an instant block. This is the only warning I give on that. As an artist in my free time, I take this very seriously.
-reread the first rule.
Below the cut are basic muse details. Their expanded bios can be found on my page under the number 5 tab.
If you don’t see a muse I have listed on my main page below, presume they are currently unavailable as I am currently reworking who I will be using going forward. Below are definitely remaining.
Muses:
*Bruce Wayne-Billionaire, philanthropist and Vigilante. FC: Jamie Dornan.
*Henry Matthews- Author, English professor and Englishman. FC: David Corenswet.
*Elijah Eastwood-Immortal, criminal and restauranteur. FC: Robert Pattinson
*Ethan Scaletta-Heir to crime empire, Law school graduate and calm temperament. FC: Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
*Jacob Harvey- Investigative Journalist, Chatty and can’t stay out of trouble. FC: Dacre Montgomery.
*King Horatius- Ruler of the kingdom of Eire, Loyal and affable. FC: James Norton.
*Anthony S. Williams- Movie star, charismatic and still looking for his place in the world. FC: Michael B Jordan.
*Arthur Steel-Film Director , never gives a straight answer and never to be trusted. FC:Chris Pine.
*David Prince- Music is his first language, Pop Star, doesn’t know when to stop. FC: Regé-Jean Page.
*Sean Morgan- Master Thief, will talk your ear off, can get you anything you need. FC: Aaron Pierre.
*Leonardo De La Cruz- Private Detective, relentless, compassionate to the end. FC:Oscar Isaac.
*William Starling-Member of the Brotherhood of Assassins, cheeky as fuck, Renaissance era rogue. FC: Taron Egerton.
*Ser Tullus- Knight, lives for conflict and a rouge. FC: Regé-Jean Page.
*Morgan Russell-gunslinger, outlaw and grump with a heart of gold. Fc: Brandon Sklenar.
* Emily Clarke- Daughter to the head of a major corporation, acting CEO and workaholic. FC: Marisa Abela
*Natasha Campbell-Chef, perfectionist and way too hard on herself. FC: Simone Ashley
* Sadie Scott- Assassin, surprisingly good natured and deeply misunderstood. FC:Adria Arjona.
* Marisa Brunswick-Lady of the court, demure and secret playwright. FC: Hailee Steinfeld
Motherhood came naturally to Aiko. From a young age, taking care of others had always been in her nature. Her little siblings, the animals her mother liked to bring home... Even the servants. She truly felt herself when surrounded by others. Aiko had fallen pregnant no long after joining the ranks of the concubines. Back when there were so few of them that there was no need for schedules or calls. With the amount of time they spent tangled in the bedsheets, the question had been if she would get with child, it was when. The first pregnancy had run smoothly; Aiko found that she truly enjoyed the wonders of life growing within her. Even the parts that were not so nice, she didn't mind. The moment she held Keiko in her arms, her heart exploded with love. While she had not necessarily been seeking the first pregnancy, her heart had craved a second child. So the news made her heart swell. And with Kira about to turn one, she could feel that urge slowly crawling back into her guts. But she would not be greedy, for others deserved to experience the wonders of motherhood for the first time. "She takes after her father," Aiko teased before her voice dropped, searching for the right words. "Keiko inquired about you in your absence. I believe she shall have many tales to share."
Amita caught the flicker of disappointment, and a somber crossed her eyes. It was brief, however, for his words betrayed no fabrication. A man in possession of such power had no reason to lie. The world bended at his will, and in doing so his word was law. He owed her nothing, not even the nicety of concealing his own feelings under layers of artifices to safeguard her feelings. Her husband — the one who had granted her the title of queen — had ruled similarly. But where Horatius was gentle, he had been cruel. He was not one to consider how his words would affect others before speaking, and he had never cared to hide the disappointment in his voice when his monthly visits to her chambers did not have the expected result. Wifely duties had just been that; a chore. It had not been until joining the harem that Amita had learnt the joys of lying with a man beyond the act of conceiving. “I believe it will in due time,” she noted, her lips brushing along his jaw. “It’s merely a matter of patience. And practice.” And there would be plenty of both. With no quests to take the king away in the foreseeable future, their endeavours to procreate could increase by an undetermined number. The duties of the crown were heavy, but there was always room for more leisure activities.
Both women broke into a bright smile. But it was Amita who spoke. “Labour was long and arduous; the baby was way too big for her. But you know Angelika, she’s a stubborn one. Her body is recovering fine; she claims it’s the strength of her clan. But her mind has taken a… more possessive approach to motherhood. She carries the baby wherever she goes, has refused to let any maid lay hands on him and insists on feeding him herself, despite the wet nurses' protests.” A pause. “She believes only her own milk can grow him strong. And perhaps there is truth to her words. The boy is only three weeks old, but he stands as big as a baby twice his age.” Angelika claimed women in her bloodline had always fed their own children, no matter their social standing, and there hadn’t been a stronger lineage of warriors in her motherland. Her son would grow up to be a leader, she was going to make sure of it. “Perhaps you shall be able to convince her to rest and join us in tomorrow’s celebrations,” Aiko suggested, voice soft. “She will listen to you.”
A look passed between both women. A silent understanding forged over months of intimacy and friendship. Amita nodded slowly. "We shall make her feel comfortable," she conceded, her gaze flickering to the other two women, now slowly approaching them. "We will let her watch, learn," Aiko continued, placing a soft hand on his shoulder. "Join us if she so desires.* Although Helena's predisposition reminded Aiko of a wounded animal rather than one in heat. Soon as the last word left her lips, they were joined by Romina, who gently pushed Helena to the front. "I —," Helena's eyes found Aiko's then Amita's. "I was too harsh before. I apologise if I hurt your feelings." For a moment none of them spoke, their gazes moving between the princess and the king. The words could easily be directed at the three of them, but Helena had refused to make eye contact with Horatius. And then Aiko smiled, peeling herself from the king's side to wrap her arms around Helena. "You're forgiven. It was a mistake."
He chuckled, “you do yourself a disservice. I believe her mind is entirely yours.” Horatius greatest strength was knowing the ask the opinions of others to inform his own. He’s not a man lacking in intelligence, but many assume his intellect is far grander than it truly is. He simply knows how to best utilise the knowledge that surrounds him. But Aiko, from the moment they first met he’d know she had a truly sharp mind. He’d been fortunate that her homeland had not recognised just how brilliant she was. He has no doubts that if she’d been trained in the arts of war, in the skill of strategy, then he would have never made it across their borders. But then they’d both have been robbed of two of the brightest little souls in the terrible alternative reality. Horatius truly takes in her words. That was his greatest pain when away on conquest. It wasn’t the physical wounds he might sustain, but the pain of being absent from his children’s lives. Even if in the grand tapestry of time the time apart is little more than a handful of threads, it is still too much. However necessary. “I will spend the time with them that they deserve. I promise you.” He brought her hands up from beneath the water to lay a few tender kisses to her palms. Sealing his promise with pecks of affection.
He smiled at Amita’s words, he was happy to ear that she knew how to take this in stride. “Correct. I intend to spend alot of time ‘practising’ with you. But know this, even if your womb never finds a seed planted within it, you will never lose my affections.” It was something he felt necessary to say, especially after Helena’s earlier remarks. It had crossed his mind that perhaps for Amita it simply may not happen. She was among the few of his harem who’d been married prior to their relationship. Her husband was also among the few whom he’d truly been happy to slay. Horatius’s conflicts fell into a few categories but most came down to two. Wars of defence and wars of interest. The former was rather self explanatory, conflicts born out of knowledge that a rival nation was imminently marching upon his own. The later were conflicts whereby one knew that one day a rival would strike against oneself. So instead of being reactive, one struck first before the other has time to prepare. His war with Amita’s late husband had fallen into that category. Known for his boorish nature and infinite cruelty, Horatius sought to remove him from the board before he ever became a true threat. Horatius is yet to determine if the man had simply been incapable of impregnating Amita, did not do so at the most opportune time or if perhaps Amita simply could not bare children. Regardless it matter little. If she could, she would. If she couldn’t, their relationship would not change.
Horatius had suspected this might be the case. Angelika was certainly a unique figure amongst the harem. Her homeland and specifically her clan had been amongst the deadliest foes he’d ever crossed blades with. It surprised him little that she was taking such an active part in all aspects of their son’s early development. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she insisted upon strapping him to her back when next she goes hunting.” A privilege afforded only to her. Namely because no other member of his harem wished to hunt, but that was besides the point. “I will do my utmost to help her see reason and if nothing else allow herself a night of rest amongst her sisters.” But even he couldn’t convince her all of the time. He was just fortune really that her clan instilled such loyalty within every member and that loyalty had transferred to him as well. If she had ever sought his demise then he would not currently be existing with a head.
He watched and observed Helena. As was expected, Romina had worked her magic once more. Helena was still not a figure of true acceptance, but her words indicated an openness to this becoming so. He did not begrudge her aversion of his gaze. That would come in time. What did matter was he’d ability to apologise to the women at his side. Especially Aiko who had taken her words so hard. He smiled at the sight of Aiko embracing her new sister. Never one to hold a grudge. “Wonderful, simply wonderful.” He mused as he stood from his position in the pool. The water coming up to just below his waist. His member not in full view, but Romina’s earlier stimulation still held sway over his body. Still displayed some noticeable arousal. Arousal he would not be utilising. Not at this moment. “I believe we’ve achieved much here. I thank you ladies for cleansing me. I wish I could stay longer but I have other duties to attend to. I shall see you all at the seventeenth hour of this day in my chambers.” He moved to each of the woman, sharing a tender embrace, lips locked for uninterrupted moments of unfitted affection. All except Helena. He would not force the issue. But he tried his best to meet her gaze and gave her a simple, respectful bow.
Then he departed the pool and the harem, for other matters.
The following hours were considerably less enjoyable for the most part. There were a great many letters and documents to be agreed after a victory such as the one he’d achieved. A portion of his army remained in the kingdom to the north to ensure certain agreements were kept. Then there was the matter of honouring those who’d shown great valour. Lordships and knighthoods bestowed upon those lucky few. Then finally came the celebratory feast. It was a raucous affair, stilling for only a moment or two as the paid their respects to their honoured dead. That part of the evening was more enjoyable than the rest. The reason his army fought with such vigour was the knowledge that Horatius fights right in the thick of it all alongside them. There’s no greater motivator than your shield brother being your King. He drank and ate and drank some more. But not to excess. He had to ensure his mind was still sharp for this evenings true final act.
He arrived back at his chambers a handful of moments before his lovers were due to return. He slipped out of his formal attire, instead slipping into an emerald robe with faint gold trimmings at its helm. Beneath the robe was… well nothing at all. He prepared five glasses, wines ripe for the choosing upon the cabinet that the glasses laid. Wines from each woman’s homeland, including Helena’s. So that they might all indulge in a flavour of home that evening.
Aiko settled more comfortably around him, her long fingers tracing circles across his chest. The little quip made her laugh, her eyes searching for Amita, both women sharing a look over him. "Battlefield has left you famished, my king," Amita teased, as Aiko nodded with a smile. "We believe a perfume is not necessary to keep us in your bed," Aiko added, feeling the familiar heat of need pooling in her low stomach. Night was hours away, but the expectation made the prize all the sweeter. The mention of their babies made Aiko's whole face light up. Amita saw it in real time. It was the very same look of pure adoration Aiko always sported when leaving to see her children. Which happened on the daily. She insisted on putting the little ones to bed herself, often skipping dinner just to read them one more story. "I visit them as often as possible. Keiko has started helping me in the gardens. She knows almost all the tools by now." The pride in her voice was a living creature. Their three-year-old was a curious little thing, finding the world around her fascinating. Her love for bugs was so infamous around the castle that the servants brought her little insects they found around. Her collection is ever-increasing. "And Kira has taken to crawling. She's driving her maids to madness." Fondness radiated off her as she talked about her almost eleven-month-old. "I believe she is to say her first word soon. She has been trying with no success. But that does not deter her, given her stubbornness."
Amita's smile faltered only for a second. Her gaze flickered down to the blurry shadow of her flat belly in the water. "I fear my womb remains empty, your Highness." Despite how throughout focused on the task of conceiving their last time together had been, seed had not taken root. Amita had bled every month since his departure. But she had not taken to the discovery bitterly because, while she wished to carry his child, there was no urgency in her heart to do so. She was content with letting nature take its course, unlike others in the harem who desperately wished to feel life grow inside them. When it happened, it happened. But until then, Amita would focus on her alchemy. Her only worry was disappointing the king. "But if you visit the children's wing, you might find that it has grown a little more crowded since the last time." Angelika had given birth merely three weeks before to a little boy with strong lungs and a voracious appetite. He had made an entrance to the world during a raging storm, and that had earned him the name Taran. Angelika was still recovering, but she carried the little bundle with her wherever she went.
Horatius might have faith, but Romina was slowly losing hers. As silence settled between the two, her eyes briefly fell on the other three. They looked happy, unaware of the storm brewing. She took a deep sigh, her gaze back on Helena. "Tonight you are expected to join the king in his chambers." Before the woman had the chance to protest, Romina kept explaining. "You can not and must not forfeit the call. Aiko, Amita, and myself will be joining you. I don't—," she shook her head, answering the silent question in Helena's eyes. "I don't believe you will be requested to pleasure him tonight. But you will have to watch. And learn. And you will be expected to keep your mouth shut." Helena crossed her arms, a mock of disgust on her face. "And were you inclined to partake... it would be regarded as a gesture of conciliation." Helena gulped and pursed her lips. "I have never..." Romina smiled, warm, and understanding. "In that case, I promise you he will be kind. Even if you anger him. He is not the monster you believe him to be." When Helena didn't reply, Romina sighed. "Very well, breathe. Compose yourself. And then we are joining them, and you are apologizing. If not to him, to Aiko and Amita."
The King chuckled at their teasing. It wasn’t uncommon for the man to have combination of his lovers sharing bed, such was the desire he felt for them all. But after such an extensive time away he was feeling a need for carnal sustenance that only a multitude of his concubines could bring him. “Well you both have me there, guilty as charged.” Smile never leaving his features, the hands that rest at their backs making small circles against their flesh beneath the water. Even to hold them as they are now was gifting him an energy that he’d so lacked on his journey from and then back to his home. Heavens he’d missed these moments terribly. The sight of the light in Aiko’s eyes was a pure delight. Some struggled with motherhood at first, but not Aiko. She possessed a truly maternal soul and she displayed that every moment she was with or spoke of their daughters. “Keiko was always going to be a clever one. I remember when she first was able to crawl in the garden, she’d stop at every new flower, every new tiny creature she discovered. Such a curious little mind.” He had great hopes for all his children, but Keiko… he thinks she’ll be truly special. “Well I am glad for my return tenfold then. So that I might be present to hear her voice for the first time.” Horatius had managed to be around for most major milestones of his children. Not all, somethings couldn’t be avoided. But he tried his utmost.
His eyes briefly flickered with disappointment. Not with Amita, never with her. One can hope to Will something as much as they like, but if the fates do not align then there is simply nothing one might do. But he did not wish her to misconstrue the look for even a moment, “don’t fret, my darling. Your time will come and I know when it does you will make the most radiant, attentive and beautiful mother.” Laying a kiss upon her lips, tender and sweet. He needed Amita to feel that the words were as sincere as he could possibly be. The revelation that she soon revealed to him did have his eyes flashing with pure unfiltered joy. “Angelika? She has given birth? Oh that is wonderful to hear. I must endeavour to visit her before I attend tonight’s feast. How is she? Recovering well? How is the child?” His mind raced with joy and concern. All the women were strong creatures, but child birth remained its own feat. Some seemed to simply brush the experience off while it rocked others. He just hoped she was okay. But he knows that if something truly tragic had happened then Romina would have informed him already. “Well, we have a great many things to celebrate this evening, don’t we?” This is what he fought for. So that he might return home to the women he cared for, to the children he loved and bringing with him not just the wealth that spoils of war brought, but the peace and certainty for a future for them all.
Turning his attention back to Romina and Helena, the King stewed for a few moments. “Tonight, I wish you both to be kind to Helena.” As if there were any doubts that they would be. The two sweetest members of his harem. Their kindest was so well known amongst the whole palace that he had overheard some servers refer to Amita and Aiko as the ‘Sugar Sisters’ for how sweet the pair were, which was only amplified in one another’s company. “I know not her experience, I know not if she will even participate. We must not force her. An act so intimate must be one an individual comes to willingly. So if she indicates that she would like either one of you to touch her, to please her, then do not hesitate. She must know that despite her earlier protest and harsh words, she is one of us now. She is family. She will be from the moment she crossed into our borders to the day he’d soul leaves this mortal plane. Can you do that for me girls?”
Romina nodded and didn’t press further. The king worked in ways that often her mind couldn’t comprehend. But she knew better than to try to question his decisions. So she didn’t share her worries about how Helena taking kindly to the request of warming his bed was something she deemed highly improbable. Even if from her only watching was required, Romina couldn’t imagine the princess managing to keep her mouth shut. This would require another serious conversation with Helena, one more of the many to come, if the princess's behaviour so far acted as a window into the future. “I shall try and instill some sense into her,” she declared, determined to tackle the arduous task, after breaking the kiss. Her forehead rested against his shoulder for a short moment, as if to ready herself for what was about to come, and then she was trading places with Aiko.
Aiko hesitated only for a second, as if afraid of what would leave Helena’s mouth the moment her hand no longer kept her from speaking. Her gaze flickered between the outstretched arm of the king and the narrowed eyes of the northern princess. Her fingers clasped around Horatius hand, her gaze still locked on Helena. There was apprehension in the way her body moved as the hand over Helena’s mouth slowly came down. The fear that the other would spill more filth remained, but Romina’s presence steadied her nerves. The currents lured her towards the king, and she let her body move across gracefully. “She’s just tired,” Aiko reassured, but it sounded more like a desperate attempt to convince herself. Her body molded against Horatius like it was carved by the gods themselves to fit against every line, plane, and curve. She snuggled close, seeking the comfort of his warmth. On his other side, Amita found a comfortable spot under his arm. She didn’t mention the incident, opting for a more joyful topic of conversation. “I have been developing a new perfume. With the aid of Aiko, she has grown just the right herbs and flowers. It’s still a work in progress. But I am confident that soon it will be ready.” Aiko nodded, excited. "The scent is intoxicating. But it does not last long enough on the skin. I must find a way to help it stick for a longer time."
Helena was waiting in the same spot she had taken when they first got into the waters, impassible, immobile, with the same detachment of someone who is watching a storm reach their home. Romina grabbed her hand without muttering a word and pulled her into the furthest corner of the pools. It wasn’t exactly private; if they turned their heads, they could still see the outlines of the other three, but the fountain in between provided a false sense of sheltering. “Helena,” she started, forcing the girl to look at her. “I believed you to be an intelligent woman.” That was bound to strike a nerve. “You’re no longer home, Helena. You have lost the privilege to address the king with such liberties because he is no longer your father or brother, willing to indulge in infinite patience with their beloved family member. He is your king, Helena. You’re just another subject, no different from the men and women that serve at the palace. Your life is not yours anymore, you handed it to him.” She placed one hand on each of Helena’s shoulders. “Don’t mistake patience for weakness. He might not react the way you expect when you poke him, but he won’t allow you to disrupt the peace of the other women. You must understand. He is the father of my child. Of Aiko’s daughters. Of the children of a few other women you have yet to meet. Aiko is a gentle soul who will forgive you, but some others won’t be so kind. Don’t you understand that when you call him a madman you’re also calling our children mad? Our own flesh? Don’t outcast yourself before even getting installed.” A pause. “Helena, you’re not returning home. You must abandon such an idea.” Helena’s gaze dropped to the floor. And Romina understood what it was all about. “You were always bound to leave your home; such is the life of a princess. But here you shall have a family. We shall take care of you.” Helena’s eyes were red with the struggle of keeping the tears from falling. “Is there no escape? I would rather be thrown away in a cell. If I am to be a prisoner, then let it be the right way.” Romina shook her head. “Listen, Helena, you do not have to be happy about it, but you must behave. Respect us, your sisters. And respect the king. And in doing so you will be respecting yourself.”
“You shall, I have faith.” Horatius believed in Romina immensely, that had rarely ever not been the case. There had been the briefest of moments when he’d considered exiling her or worse upon reclaiming the throne. A few factors stayed his hand, namely that when his father had been usurped and his whole life turned upside down, she had not been Queen. No, her marrying the usurper came a number of years later. So he could not find it in his heart to punish her, as she had not truly done anything wrong. That one decision had aided him on more occasions than he cared to count. He had a number of advisors in his service, masters of all shapes and sizes. However when he truly needed council, it was Romina he sought. So he did not use the word ‘faith’ lightly. He truly felt it for her.
“I’m sure she is, bet don’t fret for a moment longer.” A kiss atop Aiko’s head before turning to look to Amita. She’d always had a marvellous capacity for scents, her and Aiko both. “Wonderful. Well I hope to smell it upon you both in the near future. But let’s me honest, the pair of you are both intoxicating enough as it is. If you become even more so, we might never leave my chambers.” He teased. He was glad Romina had selected the two of them to welcome him home. He had great affection for all the women that populated the harem, but there was an ease with Amita and Aiko. Rare was it that they came to him with conflict or to discuss the internal politics of the group. Though admittedly Amita still hadn’t been here that long so there was still time for her to fall in the vortex of the harem’s politics. They both seemed to walk on air, with angelic grace he might add. “Have you been afforded much time with our little ones, Aiko?” He queried. The next couple days would be spent revelling with his troops and indulging in the company of his concubines. But he must also make time for his children, to regale them with tales from his journey. The appropriate takes that is.
“Oh and Amita… any news from our last night together?” It had been Amita who warmed his bed the night before he’d set out on the road of conquest. It was an evening spent trying to bestow upon her the gift that both Romina and Aiko had been bestowed. The gift of being full with his child. He’d hoped to return to news of her falling pregnant. He knows her temperament would make her a perfect mother. But he’d not inspected her body, not been able to tell beneath the water if there were any signs.
As he talked to his lovers, he kept one ear honed on Romina and Helena. He couldn’t catch much, Romina had a talent for subtly. It was difficult to tell how much she was getting through to Helena. He could simply just hope and pray that she would. Soon.
Romina hummed in agreement, having expected that answer. Tradition dictated that the first feast after a victory belonged to the champions, but there was no harm in double-checking. “The men deserve their leisure after fighting so gallantly. And so do you, my king.” Her grip tightened ever so slightly, adding the right amount of pressure to increase the sensations. “But you will be missed.” Her words a perfect balance between acceptance and disappointment. She filed that for later. A full gathering required certain preparations to ensure it ran smoothly. “I will have the kitchens prepare your favourite.” And they will need wine. Copious amounts of the red liquid. Her moves stilled for a fraction of a second. It was almost imperceptible, but it happened. And because of that, she threw herself to the task with renovated vigor, the strokes now quickening. “All four?” She asked it with caution. It wasn’t an attempt to question his decision; it was a subtle way to point out that if a tranquil night was what he was after, then perhaps having Helena join him was going to disrupt his plans.
Tension was palpable in the air. Aiko had stopped breathing without even realizing. Amita was so still she could have been confused with a bronze statue. And Romina was staring at Helena like she could will the words back into the younger woman’s mouth out of sheer will. But Helena remained impassive, refusing to break eye contact. But neither the direct accusation nor her harsh stare seemed to have any effect on Horatius. Aiko let out a long sigh, flashing the king a sweet smile. Amita returned the squeeze, going back to her task. But Romina didn’t move, certain that Helena wasn’t done. As it would come to be, she would happen to be right.
“All of them?” Disbelief and horror mixed in Helena’s voice. When Horatius had laid out the proposition, she had believed him to be a cruel but intelligent man. Taking a daughter, mother, sister, or wife of the preceding king was a way to ensure submission. A way to suffocate a rebellion before it had the time to even gestate. A family wouldn’t risk a treasured member even to regain their country. Even from thousands of miles away, Horatius could still hold an iron grip on his subjects. Just a little letter reminding the former royals about who he had by his side and how he could hurt her and any attempt at uprising would be dampened. She had assumed he tossed them into a prison and threw the key away. Even with the ramifications clearly explained, she had believed it was only to break her father’s spirits. To make him feel guilt till the day he died. But the scene in front of her was maddening. And the women’s participation made it even more infuriating. “You’re a madman.” It wasn't an accusation or an insult. It was a conclusion. "You have lost your mind."
The gasp that left Aiko reverberated across the tinted glasses. She clamped a hand over Helena’s mouth and turned the woman to look at her. “You cannot say that,” she clamored, her tone hushed. “It’s not true.” She shook her head, tears prickling at her eyes. “Apologize.” It was as much an order as it was a plea. But the way Helena’s chin stood proud indicated that she would rather endure punishment than take her words back.
On the other side, Amita had dug her nails into Horatius' shoulder without realizing. Helena was only the second woman Amita welcomed into the harem, but there were no tales of anyone having dared such boldness. Even the previous difficult cases had harbored a sense of self-preservation strong enough to make them mind their words. “She does not mean it,” she tried, voice soft and coaxing. “She’s tired. She is getting used to the idea of being far from home. She is just testing you.” Romina sighed. “I shall talk to her.”
“All four.” He confirmed. It was as much to satiate desires that had gone untended to, as it was a means of sending a message. Horatius wasn’t a man who often made threats. Those who barked loudest tended to have the least potent bites. He’d always felt that actions spoke far louder. What greater example for Helena than witnessing her new King taking three of her new sisters before her very eyes. It did not truly matter to him if she eventually participated this night. But she needs to see, to know that her life from his moment is centered around his existence. Her freedoms are dictated by how well she adjusts to that reality.
The words that followed were no less harsh than the ones that had proceeded them. So like the former, they had little impact on Horatius. He knew his mind, knew his intentions. While she may struggle to grasp his feelings, in time she’d come to see what he saw. That being said he did feel a sensation of pain within his soul. It was in the reaction of Aiko, how hurt she was by Helena’s remarks. It was the look he’d only ever witnessed in the eyes of a true believer in the presence of an unrepentant blasphemer. Aiko had always possessed a gentle heart, which made it all the easier to break.
That along with the slight wince that came from Amita’s nails. Normally he did not mind being marked by her, but not when it came from distress.
“See that you do. See that she understands a care little what she may say to me, but she may not upset the rest so harshly.” He whispered in the ear of his longest serving lover. A finger placed beneath her chin so that he might kiss her, tenderly, sweetly, with just enough hunger. “Aiko, my dear, come to me. Put her words out of your mind. Let me show you the falseness of her sentiment.” He outstretched an arm for her to come to his side. As he awaited her, he turned to look to Amita “you may stop now, Amita. Come, rest at my other side and tell me of all that you’ve done since we last spoke.” A brief catch-up would afford Romina ample time to talk with Helena.
The women laughed at his joke. And it sounded so genuine that Helena only wished to sink into the water and never come out again. No part of her could fathom how three women, all different from the other, had grown so content with an imposed life. Aiko nodded, always willing to please, and moved across the waters with the grace and elegance of a swan. “That won’t be necessary,” Helena tried to dissuade, her voice raising slightly with panic. Romina fixed her with yet another gaze, and Helena slowly blew all the air in her lungs through her nose before adding, “My king.” The word was rough, like it had physically hurt her to say it. Aiko swam around the new woman before settling at her back. “Relax, it’s been a long trip.” Her hands were gentle and sweet, pressing on the points that carried the tension. Against her will, Helena felt her body relax under the ministrations.
Across the pools, Romina moved closer, coming to stand next to Horatius. The touch he was seeking was one she was familiar with, and her hand found his length under the water without needing to ask where he wished to be touched. Long fingers wrapped around his thickness, her touch gentle as she stroked him into hardness. “Will you join us for dinner, your highness? Or shall your men hold that honour?” Amita didn’t seem fazed, her moves never stopping. One woman washing his back while the other pleasured him. And a conversation that flowed as naturally as if it were taking place at a table. Romina kept pumping him, the strokes short and precise. She wasn’t making a show out of it, not yet, not unless he asked. “Who shall I appoint to warm your bed? Or do you wish for rest after such a long journey?” Oftentimes, Romina would arrange a sort of schedule, a rotation that ensured every woman got at least one night with the king per month. It was not set in stone; the king’s wishes always stood above any previous plan. But it helped ease the tension, providing equal opportunities for pregnancy for those in the harem who sought it. It was a way to keep the tensions and jealousy to a minimum.
Helena watched without truly believing her eyes. The way Aiko kept massaging her back was not enough to melt her resistance. “What happens when we get with child?” Her voice carried across the room, the defiance loud as thunder. “Do we get discarded, turned into broken toys?” It was bound to happen with so many women gathered in the same living quarters. Perhaps that explained why he kept claiming war prizes because the ones he already had were deemed useless. Behind her, Aiko froze, her hands hovering over Helena’s shoulders. No one had ever dared the question so directly, so openly. It was something discussed in the privacy of their bedrooms, where no one but them could hear. Similarly to Aiko, Amita gulped, her movements steadying. Romina went stiff, something like exasperation flickering behind her eyes. "Helena," she warned, voice sharp.
“Listen to her, Helena. Relax.” He’d known it would take some work with Helena, but he suspected that it might take more than a few days to accumulate for her. He’d speak with Romina privately. Ensure that someone trustworthy was with their newest arrival day and night for the foreseeable. She wasn’t the first to be brought into the harem with a hostile attitude, however there was the risk that her fire might reignite old flames within some of the others and that simply would not do.
His focus shifted as Romina came to his side and her palm came to wrap around his length. His cock fitted between her digits like a puzzle piece finally finding its natural place. No one quite knew his body as she did. “Mm as much I would love to, but you know how it is. The men expect a speech after a victory.” Which he did not necessarily mind. The only people he spent more time with than the women of the harem was the soldiers he stormed into battle with. Men and women who’d picked up swords and pledged to give their lives out of faith in his rule and word. There were many who he would reject in favour of the harem, but not his faithful soldiers and knights. “Tomorrow evening. I would address the whole harem. It has been far too long since I last saw all their faces in one place.” Even prior to marching north, the weeks and months leading into the conflict had been spent in preparation. It had afforded him very little time to indulge in pleasure.
“Oh I’ve known rest on the path home. Tonight I would see my bed warmed with the tender body of another. I would request… all the women currently occupying the bath.” Greedy perhaps, but that was his right. It would also afford him an opportunity to demonstrate to Helena the pecking order.
The words that shot forty from Helena’s mouth were as direct as an arrow from a bow. She was a defiant one. He couldn’t tell if these words were out of anger, fear or simply to attempt to get a rise from him. A different rise than the one Romina was aiding in. He saw the tension in the other women, he was quick to ease it. “It’s okay, Romina.” He whispered to her, laying a kiss upon her cheek. A hand coming to his shoulders to squeeze the hand of Amita gently and a sweet glance aimed at Aiko. He considered his words for a moment. “If that were the then the woman currently soothing your aches would have been discarded twice over.” Aiko had gifted him with two children, both beautiful little girls. “Romina would not be warming my side as dutifully as she currently is.” Their son having been born a mere nine months into his reign. “I know not if the men of your land treated their lovers with such contempt. But know this, every woman whom I care for is treated with exactly that… care. Those who fall pregnant are honoured. Not done away with. It is my great home that all my loves will at one time or another be full with a child of mine.” Another gentle squeeze to Amita’s palm as he held Helena’s gaze.
Was meant to see a fwb tonight but they’ve had to cancel so just gonna be around all night here. Hope to get some replies done but muse being really selective today
Amita nodded once, dutifully moving to bare Romina of her clothes. The two worked together, undoing laces and removing the many layers of delicate fabric. The gowns Romina wore were beautiful, but they belonged to another time. When she was Queen, a real one, Romina had been the first to indulge in the latest trends. Her husband pampered her greatly, often ordering the finest pieces of both clothing and jewelry from local artisans and masters abroad alike. Her wardrobe so extensive it had to be moved to a separate, empty room. There was an outfit for every occasion, a matching tiara or crown. Her world reduced to fabrics and patterns and shapes. She held onto the dresses like a safeboard, an anchor that kept her sane. Her love for fashion might have dulled, but it never truly disappeared. She admired the garments the other women wore from afar. The newest additions brought fresher styles, and Romina found herself living vicariously through them. Never asking to touch, never asking to try on. But her eyes drank in every detail, absorbed every texture.
Once the soft chemise hit the ground, pooling around Romina’s feet, both women turned towards Helena. There was no shame in them, no sheepishness. They walked around nude with the same confidence they carried their attire. Helena shook her head and took a step back. “I can undress myself,” she complained, but the cautious look Romina flashed her way, effectively shutting her up. With a heavy sigh that was meant to made her displeasure evident, Helena moved closer, letting the other women get her rid of the simple dress she was wearing. It wasn’t a hard task; the dress’s structure designed for comfort. A little pull at both sleeves, a little tugging at the hips, and the fabric fell loosely to her feet. The undergarments followed, but she removed those herself. And then she stood there, naked as the day she was born, in front of four complete strangers. Her body stiff, her hands fisted at each side of her body, stubbornly refusing to cover herself despite every impulse in her body urging her to do it. Helena wasn’t ashamed of her body. But the position stripped her of her independence to decide who got to see her nude. Amita grabbed her hand, squeezed softly, and walked her to the waters. “Don’t be scared, we are just going to wash you.” Romina guarded her behind, half afraid she would turn around and try to escape again.
In the water, Aiko was already washing Hoatius’ back with the practiced ease of someone who has done it a million times. Her moves delicate and precise, lingering in just the right places. She had led him into the waters by the hand, their fingers intertwined, walking a few steps in front of him so he could watch the way her hips purposefully swayed with every step. Aiko had, indeed, missed him. His company was a source of great enjoyment for her, even if that made her unpopular in the eyes of some of the other women. But Aiko didn’t mind. Because her sisters were miserable while she found joy in every day. They could think her a traitor; she didn’t care.
Amita promptly joined Aiko, two sets of hands working diligently on rubbing away the invisible scars of war. Romina found a privileged place close to the stairs, and Helena, Helena found the furthest point from the other four and settled there. Silence filled the room for a blissful moment, the only sounds the splashes of the water around the moving bodies and the occasional giggle from the women washing the king. Helena took in the scene with a mix of incredulity and disgust. The warm water was soothing her sore muscles, washing away the dirt from the journey and her failed attempts at escaping. “So is this all there is to it? Frolicking around nude like some sort of Greek mythological creature? Feeding our god grapes in the mouth and fanning him?”
Horatius’s tense muscles eased with every rub, every little touch of Akio’s tender digits. Gods above if only he could take her and the rest with him while on campaign. If not for fear of them being too close to the fighting, too many risks. But oh if he could have used her magical fingers after a long day of fighting. His body only relaxed that bit more as Amita joined in on the act. The grime, blood and naked to the eye residue of conflict vanishing into the waters that surrounded them. It was a feat of craftsmanship he’d never fully understand. Even if he’d been covered head to toe on the thickest layers of mud, dirt and other substances, the waters would clear it all in and instance and leave no trace on the pool. It’s like the filth had never existed at all.
His gaze came to meet Helena’s. He’d not truly allowed himself the opportunity to appreciate her visage. At least not since she’d been stripped of her attire. Her beauty had been evident on the battlefield, even beneath all that armour. But to say she was a visage that only the gods could have dreamed up would be an understatement. “Well don’t be silly, of course not. I don’t like grapes” He teased, not taking any of what she’d said at all personally. “We do also occasionally wear clothing.” Although in the centre of the harem’s wing that was exceedingly rare. He looked to Akio over his shoulder and whispered “Helena looks lonely. Why don’t you show her just how good you are with your hands.” If anyone could drag a smile out of another it was his little Akio.
“Romina, come here. I’ve missed your touch as well.” Though he wasn’t speaking of the massaging touch Amita and Akio had been bestowing upon him. He was seeking a touch beneath the water. Horatius did well to keep Romina on side. When he was away, either dealing with matters of diplomacy and war, he relied upon her to keep the harem in order. It was a task that only she could do. There would be occasions where he would sow some seeds of conflict between the members. Nothing of any great consequence, but never her. After all she was the first to bare him a child. For that she would always hold a special place for him. But even as much as he trusted her, some distance had to be maintained. One might presume their child would be the heir to the throne. But he kept the details of which of his children would be his successor closely guarded. Only he knew that detail. In the event of his death his steward knew where he’d hidden the official letter of his successor. It was a letter updated and amended many times.
Horatius did not react in anger to her words. Such an impulse was one of weaker men. After all, he liked that spark in her. “Respectfully, you may feel in no need of cleansing but that is no longer a decision you get to make while in my service.” Make no mistake, just because he would not erupt into violence, did not mean he would not insist that his orders were followed to the letter. He exchanged a look with Romina. Despite having more reason than most to despise him, after all if he’d never sought to take back what is his then she’d still sit upon a true throne, no one had his trust, nor knew his mind better. The glance to many others was simply that, a glance. But it carried a message that he knew she could read. That message was ‘bring her to heel’.
“Oh after countless moons of knowing only the comfort of my own hands to bathe, what fool would I be to pass up the assistance of these tended palms.” The King mused with a smile as he approached Akio and Amita, leaving Romina to tend to the rebellious princess. He chuckled at the two women’s remarks. Akio had always been sweet, had taken to her duties with a genuine eagerness that always warmed the man’s heart. Similarly Amita showed a similar spirit, still little more than a new arrival herself and yet she had already claimed a prominent position in the hierarchy of the harm. Horatius by in large left the internal politics of the group alone, yet it fascinated him none the less.
“I too have awaited returning to you both, to all of you with great impatience. The moment I knew the day was won, his was exactly how I envisioned my grand return.” Before long they had entered the wing which housed the harem. It was the second largest section of the palace, save only the Royal quarters themselves. Upon first entering its grand entrance way, one might mistake it for a cathedral for all its stain glass windows, typically depicting saints of the land. However look even a fraction longer and one sees that each window depicts one of the women who calls the place home. Depicted as the gods intended, bare and beautiful. At the centre of the room was the baths in question. Spiralling with fountains filling the pooled areas so that one might never lack for water.
“Please, allow me the privilege of first watching you undress one another, before the joy of being undressed by your pristine palms.”
Romina nodded; it was a brief but charged gesture. An acknowledgement of his silent order. An order that was not necessary at all. It was no casualty that she had so carefully arranged for Aiko and Amita to take the king to the baths. A silky proposition that served a double purpose: keep the king content and allow the need for privacy to hold a conversation with Helena. The moment the doors closed, Romina turned on her heels. The placid, almost complacent smile she had been sporting sharpened into a harsher version. Still warm but carrying that edge that showcased there was no room for nonsense. “Come here, Helena. Sit with me.”
Helena hesitated but joined Romina on one of the steps that served as a bench. The older woman didn’t grant him the privilege of speaking. “You are making this harder on yourself, Helena.” Romina’s voice was flat, almost professional. But her eyes shone with understanding. “You agreed to join us of your own volition. You knew what would be required of you. The king is not violent. He is not cruel. But he is but a man. He has limits. Expectations.” Romina’s eyes found Helena’s at that part. “You have become his wife in all but name now. You are to obey his commands, tend for him, entertain him, and perform your wifely duties just like you would have with a real husband.” She paused, let the weight of it sink in before continuing. “But don’t be fooled, you have no claim on him.” That was the official speech. The one every new incorporation got. “The king has his favourites; it's something human. He would never admit to it out loud, and he does not neglect any of us, never. But he does.” She swallowed, her voice dropping. “There are a lot of us and just one him. If you don’t stand out, if you don’t become a favourite, you will only see him intimately twice or thrice every couple of weeks. The rest of the time you will be allowed to keep to yourself.” She didn’t wait. Stood up and took Helena with her. “Now, you’re going to take a bath because that’s what your king requires of you. You’re going to get into the warm water without fussing, and you’re going to smile. Understood?”
Helena remained quiet for a long moment, processing. Then she nodded, just once. “I will bathe. But I shall not smile. I shall not smile ever again.”
The baths stood proud at the center of their home, a place the women had turned into much more than just a utility. Often they gathered there to chat and relax. Some liked to take their embroidery labors with them; others curled with a book. It was the centre of their lives. Amita and Aiko were amongst the few that favored the chamber over any other room in the wing. Aiko was first to nod. Closing the distance between her and the other woman in two short strides. Her tender hands worked on the lacing of the gonws, undoing it with practiced ease. For most, adapting to the new life had been hard in different degrees. But Aiko had been raised with the sole purpose of serving her future husband. Her life had always looked like a more oppressive version of the one she was leading now. With Horatius, at least, she had been allowed a sense of autonomy. The freedom to speak her mind, always respectful, without facing punishment. And he was always kind to her. Amita’s gown pooled to her feet, baring her to the colored lighting and the eyes of the other two occupants. Then she turned around, feeling the warm hands of Amita brush against her as the other woman started peeling layer after layer of silk from her body. It took a little longer to undress Aiko, her traditional clothing heavier than Amita’s. Inch after inch of skin slowly revealed to the cool air of the baths.
When they were both nude, they turned to Horatius. “Your turn, my king,” Amita claimed, walking behind him at the same time that Aiko lowered herself to her knees, her tiny hands reaching for one of his heavy boots, then the other. Amita started by undoing the fastenings of his vest, her arms wrapped around him from behind. The women worked in tandem, peeling off every piece of clothing with a reverence that bordered on adoration, taking their time, enjoying the process, leaving soft caresses behind. The vest was removed, placed aside with the boots. The shirt followed, Amita’s hands tender as she guided the garment up his arms. She pressed a kiss to his bare shoulder, fingertips ghosting over the expanse of his back. Aiko, still on her knees, unfastened his breeches, helping him step out of them along with his underwear, her own hands warm as they traced the outline of his thighs.
She had just gotten up when the doors to the baths opened, Romina walking in with a hesitant Helena behind. “Helena is here for her bath,” she announced, pushing the woman forward with a little pull, not unlike a mother would do with a shy child. “She’s eager,” she lied.
Horatius never grew tired of the visage of the women in all their natural glory. There was a misconception among many regarding the exact nature of the harem’s purpose. Whether it be those in his court or rulers from far away lands, most presumed that it was purely a sexual endeavour. A powerful man enjoying having access to an untold number of beauties to satiate his carnal urges. Admittedly that certainly was part of this whole endeavour. But at his core, Horatius possesses an artists heart. It’s why when waging war he ensures as little of any given country he’s within is destroyed. Priceless artefacts, glorious architecture and art of all shapes and sizes were preserved to the best of his ability. He viewed his harem as living breathing works of art. While the art displayed on the stain glass windows were beyond his skill set, he was a pro fiend painter and had rendered the visage of all the women on more than a handful of occasions.
His arms were held outstretched at his side at her announcement of it now being his turn for undressing. He watched with eager eyes as the two women worked so dutifully to release him from his attire. He’d washed in the days since the successful conquest, but the water found on the road was less than adequate. He was clean, in theory, but he would not do the women the disservice of kissing them, touching them as they should be touched, not till he was adequately cleansed. Not just of the lingering grime and blood, but the whole stench of war that he despises so greatly. A gentle smirk was aimed at Akio as her fingers traced along his thighs, “someone has missed me, haven’t they? But please keep those hands of yours away from my nether regions till we are beneath the water. Wouldn’t want them ruined.” He teased.
Head turned at the sound of Romina joining them. Smirk still graced his features. He could always count on Romina to instill a sense of duty. Or if nothing else, a sense of self preservation. “I can see that she is.” The King murmured. Gaze shifted to Amita, “Darling, why don’t you aid Romina. Help her out of her attire, then the two of you shall see that Helena is removed from her garments. Once that is taken care of, you may join Akio and I in the baths.” He then looked to Akio, gesturing in the direction of the waters. “Please, lead the way.” Not that he needed to be guided, he simply enjoyed the view of her doing so.
Helena could feel the weight of three pairs of eyes on her, assessing, reading into her soul to try and gather an impression of her character. It was a mirror that shone on both sides, for she was doing the same. The three women moved as a unit. A soft front of smiles and warmth that hid a steel ruling. They remained silent, passive in the king’s presence. Until he brought up the bath. Romina nodded, flashing Aiko and Amita a look that both women understood immediately. With a cutsy, both disappeared, likely to order the servants to heat the water.
Romina took a step forward, a question on her tongue. But before she could speak, a voice broke through the silence.
Helena had frozen. Her eyes went wide before they became sharp with defiance. “I will not bathe with you.” The words venomous, spat with utter disgust. “I am in no need of a washing. I quite enjoy the dirt and sweat on my skin.” Romina went stiff. Aiko and Amita had returned just in time to catch the scene. Amita’s hands flew to her mouth. Aiko’s face a mask of terror.
But then Romina smiled, soft and disturbingly calm. “Your Majesty, we shall have your bath ready in mere minutes. Aiko and Amita can help you out of your clothes if you wish.” Her gaze flickered to the women who were already walking to him. “You must be tired. Grant us the privilege of caring for you.” Amita grabbed one of his hands, Aiko the other, and both gently dragged him towards the doors leading to the private chambers. “The days have been too long without you, your highness,” Aiko coaxed sweetly. Amita nodded, squeezing his hand. “We have been awaiting your return impatiently.”
Horatius did not react in anger to her words. Such an impulse was one of weaker men. After all, he liked that spark in her. “Respectfully, you may feel in no need of cleansing but that is no longer a decision you get to make while in my service.” Make no mistake, just because he would not erupt into violence, did not mean he would not insist that his orders were followed to the letter. He exchanged a look with Romina. Despite having more reason than most to despise him, after all if he’d never sought to take back what is his then she’d still sit upon a true throne, no one had his trust, nor knew his mind better. The glance to many others was simply that, a glance. But it carried a message that he knew she could read. That message was ‘bring her to heel’.
“Oh after countless moons of knowing only the comfort of my own hands to bathe, what fool would I be to pass up the assistance of these tended palms.” The King mused with a smile as he approached Akio and Amita, leaving Romina to tend to the rebellious princess. He chuckled at the two women’s remarks. Akio had always been sweet, had taken to her duties with a genuine eagerness that always warmed the man’s heart. Similarly Amita showed a similar spirit, still little more than a new arrival herself and yet she had already claimed a prominent position in the hierarchy of the harm. Horatius by in large left the internal politics of the group alone, yet it fascinated him none the less.
“I too have awaited returning to you both, to all of you with great impatience. The moment I knew the day was won, his was exactly how I envisioned my grand return.” Before long they had entered the wing which housed the harem. It was the second largest section of the palace, save only the Royal quarters themselves. Upon first entering its grand entrance way, one might mistake it for a cathedral for all its stain glass windows, typically depicting saints of the land. However look even a fraction longer and one sees that each window depicts one of the women who calls the place home. Depicted as the gods intended, bare and beautiful. At the centre of the room was the baths in question. Spiralling with fountains filling the pooled areas so that one might never lack for water.
“Please, allow me the privilege of first watching you undress one another, before the joy of being undressed by your pristine palms.”
The news had been delivered a couple of moons ago. Another kingdom had succumbed to Horatious' sword. Outside, people clamored and celebrated. Fortune favored the king and his people. For the commoners, a new victory meant abundance. But in that wing of the palace, another land succumbing to the king meant one thing: a new incorporation to the harem. Many pitied the poor soul, having been in those same shoes themselves. A few eagerly awaited the king’s return; the promise of spending some alone time with the king and meeting a new sister coiling their stomachs with excitement. Most simply sighed and continued with their days.
For Romina, it translated into preparations. Time to stop and think about her feelings was a luxury she could not grant herself. The royal emissary had claimed the king and his army were only a day and a half behind. The court would celebrate, food and wine served in copious amounts. Music would fill the grand hall. Laughter would echo and reverberate against the stone walls. But in that wing of the castle, where she ruled, a different type of ceremony would take place. Romina had been the first to join Horatiou’s harem, and for a short while the only one, and that honour had been rewarded by allowing her to maintain some of her former dignity. She remained the head of the house, so to say, although the position resembled more a housekeeper than a Queen. But the title prevailed. The hierarchy stood. It gave her the illusion of power.
The assembly members had been handpicked by Romina herself. Aiko, the third to join the secret wing of the castle, and one of the few who hadn’t seen it as undignifying from the beginning. And Amita, a recent incorporation that had adapted well, close to age to the princess from the northern lands if the recalls from travelers were anything to go by. The three of them were to welcome the princess into their family. Show her the ropes. Help her understand that was her new life and it was better to accept it.
Only Princess Helena was infamous in the courts of every educated kingdom for her rebelliousness. She marched into battle rather than hosting balls. Clasped herself in shiny armor instead of silky gowns and had made well known her vow not to take a husband. Wilder spirits had been tamed at her hands, but Romina knew it was going to take time.
The trumpets clamored right as the sun rose. The servants rushed into formation, a long line of bowed heads and clasped hands. Romina ushered the princesses and queens to ready themselves. Amita and Aiko were already waiting by that wing of the castle's throne room doors, both looking radiant. Romina gave their hands a gentle squeeze before pushing the doors open.
“Your Majesty, it’s delightful to have you return to us victorious,” she greeted, vowing to him. Behind her, the other two did the same. Amita and Aiko moved to take his cape off, both praising their own gods for his safe return. But before they could speak further, the doors were yanked open, and a woman was pushed inside by two guards. She looked tired. But mostly, she looked angry. “I can walk by myself,” she spat at the guards, all but growling at them. Helena had tried to escape four times during the journey back to the mainlands, delaying the arrival by several days. Given that her goal was not to arrive at all, it was a feat that filled her with great pride. But all the anger and frustration vanished in a second when her eyes landed on the three women. Confusion flickered in her eyes. She had known. She had agreed to become part of it to ensure her father and brother were spared their lives. But she had not expected to be faced with so much… acceptance. “Are you fooling me?”
War was never something he waged lightly. It was a necessity, not a desire. In the first year of his reign, every war, every battle had served a purpose. To ensure that his stay upon the throne that had belonged to his family for generations, save for the decade or so to the usurper king, remained as such. He still held that mindset half a decade later. He would not ask his soldiers, those who’d pledged their service to him, to march an unfathomable distance from their home. Not unless it was for the benefit of all. Not just his own ambitions. His master of whispers, his sister, had heard rumours of a the Kingdom to the northern most point of the know lands plotting their own invasion. If they did not strike first, then the other would do so in time.
It was a bloody affair, but then it always was. What had been unusual was the presence of a Princess upon the battle field. He’d known female warriors, his army had more than its fair share itself. But this was the first time he’d done battle with Princess. They’d briefly crossed blades upon the field of battle. He hadn’t the opportunity to test her true might, such was the chaos of this particular conflict. But her face had remained fixed in his mind. Rarely did he know whom he would claim when the day was won, but he’s known in that moment that she was to be his.
And his she would be. Though she proved more than a tad troublesome on the journey home. He’s sure that Romina will work her magic on the rebellious soul.
“Romina, Amita, Akio… you are all warm welcome sights to tired eyes.” He mused with a gentle smile. A soft nod to the ladies as they collect his cape from his attire. He’d bathed since the last battle of the latest conflict, but he never truly felt clean until he was seen to by their gentle hands. Before he could make such a request, their newest member was forced into the room. Days of travel certainly hadn’t dulled her defiance. Which in a strange way, Horatius did admire.
“Princess Helena, I am many things, but duplicitous is not among them. When I spoke of the women of my harem, I meant every word. My ladies, this is Helena. I trust you will welcome her as you have so many before her. I am on need of a good bath. Helena too. Romina, if you would do the honour of showing us to the baths.”
As Monica's belly grew, the number of positions comfortable descended drastically. Sex became creative in a way that it hadn't before. A more thoughtful, more intimate one. She grabbed a pillow, sliding it under her swollen belly for extra support, her elbows and knees taking the strain of supporting the extra weight. But that was the last thing in her mind. Her body was on fire. Desperate and frustrated. On the peak of release but not quite able to reach it. Gentle wasn't going to get her there. "I'm sure," she breathed out, turning to look at him over her shoulder. Swaying her hips invitingly, Monica flashed him a hungry smile. Her breath hitched, a wave of arousal hitting her as the sensation has her whole body tingling. "I can take it," she mumbled, hips thrusting back to try and get more of him. "I can take anything you throw at me. I want it. I want you. Please. Use me. Please."
He really shouldn’t. Should protest that any risk was too great. But he’s an immortal, not a man of stone. How could he reject a request made by such a face, when he desired this just as much as she did. Lip pulled between his bottom lip as his gaze rest on hers. Fuck. He pushed his full length inside of her. From behind his member only found more space, more opportunity to move with ease. He should take things slow, take it easy despite her pleas. But he didn’t have that level of restraint. Not when it came to Monica. Hands gripped her waist and he was off to the races. He moved at a blistering speed. Every motion demonstrated just how much he wanted her, needed her. Deep gutters groans leaving him with every slightest motion. He fucked her like a woman deserves to be fucked. Fully and completely.
she knew his words were true. why wouldn't they be .ᐣ yet every time she was with him, she felt a pang of guilt. the type that rarely vanished, especially when she saw him & the queen together. ava knew their marriage was for show, for heirs to continue his line. oh she wished she was his queen. she wished she could be the one giving him heirs. but wishing such things never went well. not in this kingdom. not when your father wasn't well off.
❛ you should have sent for me. the queen will do with three maids tonight. she does not need a fourth. " yet sending for her would have sent ripples around the court. waves of rumours would plague them and she truly did not want that for him. he deserved better. ❛ i missed you too ; i hate sneaking around. it's not as fun as it used to be. "
“I doubt she even needs a third.” Horatius did not dislike his wife, he simply felt nothing for her. Yes she’s beautiful, well spoken and not lacking in kindness. However she’s never known struggle, never known what it’s like to have to work for anything. He supposes many royals were the same. But his experiences had been so different than the rest. His throne had been taken from him, he’d known exile before reclaiming the throne years ago now. But he’d never forgotten his existence among the everyday citizens of not just his lands, but the lands that surrounding his kingdom. It makes it far more difficult to relate to a woman like his wife and far more simpler to relate to someone like Ava.
“No, no it’s not.” Heavens did he just want to kiss her. To just hold her and touch her and love her. But Horatius simply needed to remind himself that it wouldn’t just be himself that would suffer should their relationship be discovered, but Ava would surly suffer a fate ten times what he would. “Tell the Queen that you are ill. Make your apologies to her, that you wished to inform her in person. She won’t want to risk an illness herself. Find me in the gardens. Please.” The gardens in question were vast and restricted to only those given permission by the crown. They would go undisturbed there. For a time at least.
