Shookspeare Royal Romance: William Shakespeare
My ducklings, I am here to deliver some content! The final instalment of #ShookspeareRoyalRomance, Will! This series has been a joy and I cannot wait to plan and write the next one - a poll voting for the theme will be coming soon.
Lately, I have been putting my hobbies on the back burner a bit due to the nature of my job, but as the summer break approaches, I will have more time to write here. Exciting stuff!
See you soon, please enjoy the fluffiness of Will!
Until the Sea Runneth Dry, William Shakespeare
The princess of France sat on the edge of her elaborate four foster bed, grinning at her lover who bowed deeply to her, his long wine red hair loose much like the silk cravat around his neck, “Did you miss me, Will?” MC asked softly as Shakespeare took her hand in his own, kissing it carefully.
The poet grinned at her, his mismatching eyes like jewels encrusted in his skull, rusted ruby and striking citrine, “Like the stars miss the sun in the morning sky.” There was the ghost of a sigh on his lips when he brought them to the princess’ collar and kissed her soft skin, eliciting a soft, barely there moan from the gentlewoman who’s hand flew to cover her lips, “Speak thine affections, Princess. Mine lady’s voice delighteth mine soul.”
“Were I your lady and your lady alone, Will,” MC took hold of her fiance’s coat lapels and tugged him away from lavishing kisses across her neck and collarbones, “Then I’d sing your name for the world to hear.” The princess sighed dejectedly, her gaze flitting towards the window, out of which she could see the looming structure of the Bastille, “But I am France’s lady, Sir, and France doesn’t think too fondly of my betrothal to an Englishman.”
“Then, if only for a short day, thine majesty, please,” William’s voice was full of emotion, his usually playful lilt now pleading and vulnerable, “Flee away with this humble poet. Alloweth me to showeth thee a world outside of these stuffy walls.” The nobleman bowed deeply to his mistress, offering her his hand - which she took with a curious look on her face - “Then, mayhaps thou wouldst see that thou deserveth far more than this poorly gilded cage.”
“You speak so boldly of my country in front of the crown, Will,” Princess MC chided softly but any pang of doubt in her heart was kissed away by her beloved’s lips on her hand once again, this time, the most tender of grazes upon her palm, a gesture of the sweetest of loves.
“Thine country doth stand betwixt us, your grace.”
There was a gentle smile on her lips when her lover’s mischievous eyes met her own, “I concede. Free me from my ‘cage’.”
The noble couple arrived on the golden shores of England, the sun still low in the sky as she rose from her nightly slumber. The sapphire waves lapped at chalky white cliffs and birds sang high above the ocean, greeting the princess and her beloved onto dry land. Princess MC gasped softly, drinking in the beauty around her, astounded by such a scene and the realisation that this could be all her’s. She turned to William, grinning from ear to ear and admiring his prettiness, “Tis no wonder that such a beautiful kingdom created a man so handsome.” Her arms wrapped around his torso and the bard returned her embrace, blushing ever so softly as he did. Birdsong harmonised with the gentle crashing of the waves in perfect crescendo as William placed a honeyed kiss to his fiancee’s lips, smiling as she returned the affection, finally free enough from France’s prying eyes to do so. “C’est paradis.” The princess sat herself down in the sand, her emerald green skirts fanning out around her, her lap a welcome pillow for her betrothed’s tired head to rest upon. They sat in silence for what could’ve been hours as the sun’s rays baptised them in warmth before the beautiful princess spoke unexpectedly, “William, dearest. How long wilt thou love me?”
Taken aback, William’s bejewelled eyes widened before an impossibly pretty chuckle left his mouth and a smile blossomed across his lips, “Until the sea runneth dry, mine lambkin.” The humble poet stood up and offered his delicate hand out to his fiancee, pulling her to her feet with ease and leading her in a gentle, romantic waltz. Their bare feet sunk shallowly into the sand with each step, the hot sun kissing their skin, “Did I not ask thee for thy hand?”
The princess shot her beloved a questioning look, feeling the corners of her lips perking up in a curious smile, “Oui,” she replied simply, anxious to hear Will’s response.
His grip on her waist tightened, squeezing her supple flesh lovingly, “Knowst thou the battles I fought to do so?” The lady of France shook her head, her silken hair swaying behind her, “Thy father was repulsed. Thy country outraged. Thy court ashamed. I knew that t’would be the case yet, I asked thee anyway. I wouldst face a thousand archers, drink the deadliest of posions, drag mineself through the hells all to earn just one kiss from thy sweet lips. I wouldst suffer torture for a single letter.” Tears welled in both MC and William’s eyes, the heaviness of ardent affection cementing itself in both of their hearts, “There is naught I would not endure for thee. For to be thine.”
The princess crashed her lips against her lover’s, hot tears now streaming down her soft cheeks, leaving tiny rain droplets on the sandy ground below. Their kiss was passionate, impossibly full of love, a promised union that could never break. When William pulled back just a few centimetres, the couple could not help but grin brightly at each other, putting the sun above to shame, “I declare thee Sir William Shakespeare, knight of my realm and protector of the princess.”
For the first time in his life, William was truly stunned, “I-”
“Non, I insist.” Princess MC caressed his cheek, eyes full of hope and affection, “Upon our return to Paris, I shall hold a banquet to honour our union and I will have my wedding dress made as soon as I set foot in France. In sunshine, in capricious weather, we shall be wed and one day,” she stepped up onto her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss to his pale cheek, “You will rule France by my side.”
