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Alys had been meandering through the hallways in a sort of daze since the early morning. Her mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with the revelation she had learned only in the wee hours of the day. There had been some purpose to her walking earlier, but since Aldrin was nowhere to be seen she could only walk and hope to stumble upon him. The Listonese woman needed her husband in that moment. She could explain her illness, and confide the great secret to him. ... Still no sign of Aldrin. Perhaps he- ...
"Aldrin!", the blond called, upon spying her sovereign, her king. Finally, she had found him! Alys scurried over, heels clicking in a fast paced staccato as she practically ran over and greeted her husband with a chaste kiss. "I've been looking for you!" ... Within seconds the purpose to her search disappeared, replaced by a fervent need for more physical contact. Lips curling into a slight smile, Alys whispered playfully, "My corset strings have been bothering me all morning... Can you give me a hand?"
Aldrin himself stared at her a moment, his brow furrowing in a look that could only be considered concern as he looked at his younger counterpart. "Alys?" he asked, stunned out of his reverie. He had been consumed about the thoughts he was worrying over: thoughts of Isabel being queen after his death; thoughts of people (like Anrai) stealing the throne from her and beheading his beautiful daughter; thoughts of the ridiculous meetings that he had started in an effort to preserve the Seraphin line and, most specifically, his strand in that line through Isabel. The king was actually beginning to regret pulling together all those meetings and ideas of succession for all the time it was making him take away from his family. At the same time, however, he realized that if it wasn't that, it would have been another such as a conspiracy in court or maybe some ridiculous religious dispute.
Seeing his wife there, beautiful, radiant, his smirk (which had grown upon seeing her, as well as a courteous nod) grew into a nearly wicked grin. He recognized the look on his wife's face and figured he could be late to his meeting if he wanted. He was the king, after all, and kings could have fun. Especially if it were for the benefit of the kingdom...
Nothing could disguise Aldrin's eagerness in his face as he caressed his wife's face, stepping closer until they stood close to the wall of the corridor, the marble no doubt upon her back. His eyes burned as they looked at her. "My dear, you know how I love to help you with your...corset." He grabbed her hands, put them above her head after making sure no one was coming, and kissed her mouth, his own hot and pliable over hers. The mere look she had just given him had lit his veins on fire and pushed him to such heights that it was nigh upon ridiculous. One would think that a year of marriage would dim his lust for her, but the nine months she had carried Isabel within her had merely killed him. Having only a taste of her prior to her pregnancy, his desire for her was insatiable now and he was almost pleased that the physician had told him that other children might not be possible from his beautiful wife. It threw water on the fire of succession, of course, but...otherwise...it was a perfect situation.
As his mouth was about to devour her neck instead, that slender pillar of life and her pulsing heat, he heard laughing servants coming down the hall. Knowing that, despite the fact that they were married, it would not bode well for them to be caught so blatant in the corridor, Aldrin looked up and, with harsh breathing, grabbed Alys's wrist and pulled her into the nearest room. Ironically, it was the Diamond Room: a room for secretive lovers and scandal galore. This fact was not lost on His Majesty, who allowed himself a short gasping laugh before he pushed Alys over to one of the Greesian looking couches and put himself on top of her. He raised her hands above her head again, burying them beneath one of his as his other hand explored that bodice and touched the tops of her breasts. "Alys," he murmured, kissing her passionately as he removed his boots by reaching down for a short moment to help his feet claw them off, "My love, my life, my wife. My Alys."
He pushed his lips to her throat, kissing and nibbling as he worked his way lower to the tops of her round, full breasts, and then working his way back up. "What do you say that we christen this room properly and get to work on another heir? That way, I can skip these meetings...and worship you properly." His wicked grin had not disappeared, but the tired and worn thin look most certainly had.
Though her husband had been ceaselessly working to promote the idea of a female heir to the Sundrili throne, Alys could not help but to wonder over the fate of her posterity. The Seraphin name would be forgotten without a son, though Isabel did her best to carry the blessed surname. Still, no matter how much she tried, the Listonese woman found herself slipping into the perpetual downward spiral of thought. Without a son, surely Aldrin would find fault in his wife. It had been suspected she would lose the ability to bear children after Isabel’s hard birth, a fact which very nearly broke the Queen’s heart. How she desired a small brood of children to call her own! To name, and raise, and bedeck their foreheads with tender little kisses! Yet the physician had seemed so certain there would be no more Seraphin princes nor princesses.
It had been all too surprising, therefore, when a maid remarked on the tardiness of her Highness’ courses. It had been nearly two months since Alys had her usual feminine bouts, though she had assumed it was merely late in coming. Two months though? Surely that was no mistake…And it would explain her oddly irritable moods of late, not to mention her occasional nausea in the mornings. Her mother had experienced the same things whilst she carried Edward. … The revelation was so startling, so abrupt that Alys promptly dropped the small stack of leather-bound books she was carrying; hardly noticing them tumble to the floor. Was she indeed pregnant? God granting, she was! All the signs pointed to another birth, even though everyone else seemed to thing such a thing impossible.
With a shocked smile and slightly shallow breath, the Queen excused herself, to find her husband. Oh, how proud, how elated he must be! To know that he was still as virile as the poets professed, that his seed had once more taken refuge in Alys’ delicate womb. The look on his face would be more than repayment for the remaining seven months of carrying a child. Her first thought was to go to the Sitting Rooms, and yet Aldrin was not to be seen there. Next, the Throne Room though he was not there either, nor in his chambers, nor out of doors. People seemed to think Alys a bit frantic, though in reality she was more excited than she had been in such a long time. Perhaps Aldrin would have a son after all! … If only she could find him.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Alys decided to retreat to her rooms, and merely confide in her husband later. Perhaps around supper? Just as she was walking past the Diamond Rooms to her personal chambers, however, she spied a familiar figure. "Aldrin!", the blond called, upon spying her sovereign, her king. Finally, she had found him! Alys scurried over, heels clicking in a fast paced staccato as she practically ran over and greeted her husband with a chaste kiss. "I've been looking for you!" ... Within seconds the purpose to her search disappeared, replaced by a fervent need for more physical contact. A simple kiss from her husband incited such a carnal urge; it was inexplicable, though it also succeeded in driving any previous thoughts from her frantic mind. Lips curling into a slight smile, Alys whispered playfully, "My corset strings have been bothering me all morning... Can you give me a hand?"
His initial look of concern rather put-off the young Queen. Was Aldrin upset that she should act so wanton, so brazenly? It was true that she loved her husband deeply. A series of recent events rather reconfirmed that fact, though perhaps she was acting a bit out of hand. And poor Aldrin had been so stressed of late, trying to negotiate a new line of succession for the Kingdom of Sundaril. From what Alys had heard, it was not going well. Councilors varied immensely in opinion, and were quick to share their spiteful opinions. The Howard girl desperately wanted to attend, though found her stomach to be so volatile those past weeks, that she could hardly bear to stand and walk around, let along partake in such vivid negotiations. Those same negotiations seemed to have aged her dear husband immensely; he looked worn and tired. And for that, Alys loved him more.
Within a few moments, Alys’ initial apprehension disappeared. His own expression seemed to mirror her lascivious desires, and within seconds she found herself pressed against the cold marble wall. A shudder of pleasure betook her from head to toe, a juxtaposition of cold hard stone mixed with heat searing from every touch from Aldrin. Such a craving had risen up in that short passing of time; she needed her husband in that moment to satisfy every womanly urge she felt. More kisses, more firm touches, more everything. Aldrin never professed expertise, and yet Alys would not have desired anyone else after being with him. He had found ways to push her to the brink of pleasure, though it be a sin to use procreation in such a manner. To hell with that!
Laughter erupted from the other end of the hall, prompting the blond woman to sigh dejectedly. Normally such sounds meant they must return to life as it was before- she a demure and quiet Queen, and Aldrin a proud and magnificent King. Instead, he surprised her by furthering the “meeting”, dragging her into a nearby room. The Diamond Room. Alys was so caught up in the moment; she would not have noticed had Aldrin not spoken. His words were met with a throaty laughter, more so amused by the situation. How had it all started? Was there not some prevailing reason she had searched so earnestly for her husband? Another touch from his kingly hands pushed any thoughts from her mind. Impulses gave way to reason. Back arched in lust, Alys willing Aldrin to come closer and fulfill her mortal needs. ”My own Aldrin…”, she added, in a breathy whisper.
In that moment, she felt more like a young, vivid woman again than ever. Aldrin was not so haggard as he had seemed only minutes ago- He was a dashing young King, full of life, full of power and impressive force. She became enamored all over again, and wished only to offer as much pleasure as he delivered. Soft moans of longing left her rosy lips, begging for more. Something Aldrin said, though, permeated her heavily fogged thoughts. … Another heir? Lord in the Heavens above, how had she forgotten! Abruptly, Alys sat up, face still flushed a pleasurable pink and breath heavier than before.
”My husband. My dear, sweet, husband… There is already the possibility of another heir… I have… … I have missed my courses twice now, and gone through the same morning illness my own mother did when carrying my brother. I believe I… we… have conceived.”
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Ribbons of light traced over the white and black checkered marble floor. Lingering fingers of perfume eased through the air, lacing their way through Aldrin's hair and Alys's word. Time flowed, effortlessly, like water through open fingers, and Aldrin hardly moved as he tried, harder than anything, to comprehend what was being said. In his mind, he was remembering the physician telling him that Alys might never conceive after Isabel again. The birth, he had said, was strenuous, difficult, and brought about by violent circumstances. He wanted to bleed her, leech her until her body was ridiculously pale and her lips left without a trace of pink. Aldrin had hesitated then decided that he would simply love her as she was or try to.
No one could deny that bearing children was part of a queen's job. It was the reason men put up with their wives' outrageous spending or their constant chatter: their wombs were connected to both and so both had to borne with patience and understanding until a male heir was brought forth. But Alys was more than just a womb to Aldrin and the fact that he had continued to keep her as queen was proof enough of that. He could have divorced her, claimed strange circumstances or made up some untruth to disband their marital union. Instead, he had not told a soul, including Alys, what the physician said, and hoped and prayed for the doctor to be wrong as he had been before on so many accounts.
But the words...the words Alys spoke...that careened off her sweet, silken tongue...."A child?" he asked, voice so soft that he even could barely hear himself. "We're.....You've conceived a child? In...In here?!" His hand went to her stomach, where her womb would eventually grow to expand into. He could already imagine her stomach growing more circular, more outward like a small planet molded onto her slender body. He could imagine putting his hand upon her stomach at night, those long, chaste nights, and feeling a stirring of life beneath it. Male life. His son.
Their son.
A laugh broke out from his mouth, startled, sputtering, and then, suddenly, a long stream of laughter burbled out as he picked her up and spun her in the air. He maintained a safe distance from the walls, the couches, the various floral arrangements and chairs to keep his lithe Alys safe. "Say it's true, Alys! Say you're with child!" he said, laughing all the while before bringing her down to the ground by kissing her passionately upon the lips. He cradled her hands in his palms, staring at her with so much happiness that his soul felt like it had taken flight from his body already and failed to come back to him, exulting in the news she imparted to him.
"God, I never believed it possible again, Alys! The physician...after Isabel....Oh God...they said there would never be another!" He kissed her, again and again, all over her face, on her palms, on her neck, every place he could get his lips to without inciting such passion in them both that they broke God's law any further than they possibly had already. "And now....now there's a child to be had after Isabel, a possible son to take over my line after I'm dead. Oh, Alys, love, my heart's song, my soul's joy....God is surely blessing us after all this time of me worrying about no others beside Isabel. Oh, love!" He kissed her mouth, lingering and then said, "Our Isabel can be a regular princess rather than an heir. She'll be safe."
Cogs and toggles were working in his head though, even as he embraced her and pulled her towards him. "But...it could be a daughter and we need to prepare for that as well. Isabel needs to be declared the heir if we have another daughter and thus protect Sundaril from insurrection....But, if it is a boy....she'll be safe, the second heir rather than the Crown Princess," he murmured, still thinking. "Ah, but this is a gift, Alys. A divine gift..."
"I love you, Alys," he responded, kissing her forehead, her nose, her mouth, "I love you more than anything in the world."
It had not been her idea to marry Aldrin. Not by any means, in fact. The marriage was meant to seal alliances with Sundaril, King Aldrin Seraphin would need a wife and the selection was no doubt vast. There was Farengalia to be considered, as was Espania and other outlying countries. Surely any of those other, more beautiful daughters would have made just as good a wife for the Sundaril heir? But no. Alys had been selected, and she had tried her best to please her new country, her new husband, despite the fact that she was not exactly fond of him. Aldrin was nice, but he was not the man Alys had dreamed of marrying.
Time had changed that.
He became more than her husband for the sake of tying two countries together. Indeed, the more time Alys spent in the company of her new husband, the more she came to love him. Love? That was not to be expected between a marriage for political purposes, and yet Alys was luckier than most. Some sort of passion had grown between the two, and within time, Alys was absolutely amorous for Aldrin. He was simply the kindest, wisest, most considerate man Alys had the pleasure of knowing.
Almost a year later and not much had changed. Their relationship was practically put on hold during her pregnancy, leaving little time for physical manifestations of their mutual love. Isabel was only a few months old, before Alys was with child again. It was disappointing, to be sure. She had so been looking forward to expressing her devotion for her husband, now that she was no longer carrying a babe or cross with him. Alas, it was a Queen's duty to provide heirs and ensure the throne would never be without someone to inherit it. Duty must always come before the heart, as Alys had been brought up to learn from an early age.
A smile grew on her heavily flushed face as Aldrin spoke, finding immense joy in the revelation. And then when he placed his hand, his strong hand, upon the small of her stomach, she laughed heartily. "Aye, our child. Our son." Seconds later, she was being picked up, spun around the room. Such a feeling of joy had rarely radiated from the Queen, and in that moment, she reveled in their accomplishment. A child. A CHILD! A son, for the man she loved more than life itself. And in that moment, she wanted nothing more than to express her profound love for him. Softened lips met his own, returning Aldrin's kiss with such fervor. How she adored him! How she loved him!
"Clearly the physician was mistaken.", the Queen said, giggling almost. That someone should suggest she would be unable to carry further children seemed plausible, and it would have hurt her to know the physician's pronouncement earlier. This was some miracle, then. Their own miracle to share. "I know it to be a son, Aldrin. I feel it in my bones.", she whispered, with a hushed reverence. Never before had she felt so ill as she had in this pregnancy; Hadn't her own mother felt the same when carrying Edward? It had to be a sign. "My own Aldrin, all will be well! Do not doubt it, not for a moment! Our son, our little boy will grow up strong, and be a good king, like his father. Isabel will be safe as princess, and our fears will be sated." Alys wrapped her arms around Aldrin, trying to convey all of her emotion in that moment.
"And I love you Aldrin. My heart... it feels like my chest can barely contain it. Like it's trying to escape because it no longer belongs to me. It belongs to you entirely. My own, Aldrin. Heavens above, how I love you!", she responded, words barely escaping from her lips. She wanted to go beyond words, and demonstrate her devotion.
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To hear Alys giggling, to see her smiling, to hear her voice confirm his deepest wish and to feel her own body fairly vibrating with happiness in his arms was enough to make Aldrin's heart feel like it might fairly explode with his own joy. His hands cradled her face, his forehead resting against hers as a wide smile flew across his face and just landed there, calmly situating itself upon the pale Seraphin features. To hear her declaration of love was intoxicating. There had been moments before, of course, but this was a different moment than any before that. This was a moment where she was full of life, life made between them, and still she insisted upon the love that they shared together and expressed her own for him.
"Yes, love. I love you more than anything," he murmured, kissing her mouth softly, "And never fear, my sweet heart, for I will always keep your heart safe within my own chest and you....you can have mine. That way, we'll always return to each other and never be apart." He kissed her mouth again, sweetly lingering as his smile grew further than he thought possible. The laughter trickled from his soft mouth, impassioned by the events and her words. "Oh, love!" he gasped out and pulled her tighter to him, assuming a dancer's position and fairly carrying her with him across the room in a traditional Seraphin romping dance. While the movements were still fairly graceful, his emotional state made him bolder and less pompous with them than usual.
"A beautiful boy that we'll have, love, if Isabel is to be any sign. She's a fair lass too. Fair as her mother that bore her...fair as any sunset or sunrise and fair as any Listonese rose and just as fragrant. If she's any clue to what we might be expecting, then our son will be a glorious boy indeed. He'll sit in the throne room with us, listening to petitioner's and listening to our way of making decisions so that, when it's his turn, he'll be wise as any king before him and be able to see through it all. I'll teach him to ride and fight with sword and shield, though I pray he never has to use them, and you will teach him to be as pure as any knight has ever been and just as chivalrous." Their dancing took them to a couch and he sat down upon it, pulling her down with him so that she could recline next to him. Aldrin's cheeks were flushed from the movements, his voice a tad bit breathy as his excitement over these thoughts grew. "And as we all get older, we'll all go, including you and Isabel, on rides together and hunts. We won't be like my family was with the twins: divided outright and maintaining only the barest of graces with each other. No, we'll be a Seraphin pride for sure, and our children the Lion Cubs that Aidan and Ophelia and I were during our youth. They'll be allies for each other at all times."
His arms snaked around her waist, pulling her even closer, careful not to drape his arm over that pregnant flesh beneath that waist at the moment (though it would surely rise throughout the pregnancy as it had with Isabel) and thus apply undue pressure. "We'll still have to be careful with you though during these months, my love. I'll still visit you at night and we can sleep beside one another like we did when Isabel was in your womb.....but only sleep. We can do nothing more until the baby's birth for fear of harming him or causing God's ire." He sounded and, frankly, looked disappointed at that idea. Indeed, his eyes looked at the area where her abdomen would soon be expanding with something similar to slight regret. Clearly he was thinking of how quickly he was having to give up her body again.
"Seven months until our son will be born, Alys," he murmured, leaning up and pressing his forehead to hers, gently, tenderly. His eyes latched onto hers, dark Seraphin blue against the brilliant shade of her own, and he felt that fluttering, flustered joy in his heart again. "Seven months and you will have given me the greatest gift a king can ever possess or receive. And in return.....I will give you a gift of my own so that none can ever doubt my love for you again." He smiled at her, face softening, pulling her towards him.
He completely forgot his meeting that day, but he hardly cared.
