The Whumps of March 2024: "Lonely" (ALT. Prompt)
A series of vignettes based on Arthurian legend, collected on AO3 here.
“Do you think he ever loved me?”
Lunete looked up from her sewing, blinking owlishly. Lady Laudine’s gaze had drifted out the window again.
“I know he did, milady. I wish you would believe that.”
“Not enough to stay with me. Not enough to come back, either.”
Lunete didn’t have a response for that.
“I loved Esclados, you know.” Her eyes clouded. “He was a good husband. Even though…I’m not sure if he ever loved me, either. I didn’t think I would love Yvain at first. I just needed someone, for protection. But by the time he asked to leave…”
Lunete leaned over and placed her hand over her mistress', trying to be comforting. But she could tell that Laudine was longing for a different kind of companionship.