The Queen And I / Mild Aphros
Orihime kept her face plainly devoid of emotions as best she could as the suitor sneered, spat on the floor, and stalked away. She knew she shouldn't let people like that get to her; he was a liar and a con artist trying to take advantage of the sheltered princess, and the advisor had called his bluff. But even so, she felt a small twist in her
( Read more... )
A deep voice rang out from the back of the assembled suitors, and a purple-robed figure stepped forward, the men parting to either side of him like the Red Sea. They all watched him suspiciously, but Mariku, the great sorcerer, unrivaled throughout the kingdom in magical ability, seemed to hardly care much.
His purple hood was pulled down, revealing a tanned, tattooed face, contorted with the ugliness of hate. A slightly insane gleam shown in his eyes.
"I believe I have not yet been able to present myself to the princess," he said. "I will not be made to wait with the other peasants."
And if the royal advisor tried to make him wait, Mariku would take the opportunity he desired one way or another.
Reply
Orihime could see that her advisor was about to refuse. The way he frowned, the way he wrinkled his brow...it was clear as day.
"All right," she interjected quickly, turning to face Mariku. The corners of her mouth lifted in a brief smile. "Just one more, then. That's all right with me," she said, glancing at the advisor. There was really no telling what he might do if he were turned away, but it was a safe bet to say that it wouldn't be a good thing. This way, he could speak what he wished, be satisfied, and depart. The sooner, the better. Orihime didn't necessarily need to choose him, just hear him out. She could manage that.
The advisor looked less than pleased, but exhaled, straightening his shoulders. "Very well. Proceed."
Reply
"Thank you, my dear," said Mariku, in a gravelly voice that did not contain any genuine gratitude. He stepped close enough to reach out and take one of Orihime's hands in his, rubbing his fingers over her soft skin, and brought it--forcibly, if necessary--to his mouth to kiss her knuckles.
"As you are no doubt aware, I am the most powerful mage in this kingdom. If you were to choose me, there would be no limit to what I could do... for you, and for the kingdom. Think of it, my lady."
Reply
She allowed him to take her hand, though she was obviously surprised that he would. Keeping her anxiety carefully penned away so it wouldn't show on her countenance, she maintained her polite and cheerful smile. "That's true! It's definitely something to consider," she conceded. And truthfully, it was.
But it was his character that she just couldn't trust. There was a certain air of cruelty about him that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. He seemed like the sort who would flog a servant for blinking too hard, or for not smoothing down a wrinkle on his bed. No, she didn't trust him at all.
She could pretend to, however, if only to avoid inflicting any harm on his ego and evoking his wrath.
Reply
"Do forgive me, Princess. I just think it's easier to discuss this in private. Just between us. I'll release them all in good time."
When she agreed to take him as a husband, that was.
Reply
"I cannot accept at this time," she replied formally, though her dark eyes were darker still with anger. "Every suitor must be heard. That is the law. It cannot be broken, not even by me." And the very last thing she wanted was to see this man seated upon the throne. It was unthinkable!
Reply
Now his smile vanished, disappearing immediately, replaced by a furious scowl. "No?" It returned, though, if possible even wider and nastier than before. His still-present grip on her hand tightened and he tried to yank the unfortunate princess towards him.
"If you won't, then perhaps I shall have to ruin you for any other man." It made perfect sense, in Mariku's mind. "What suitor will want you then? You'll have no choice but to accept my proposal!" He cackled.
When she did that, he would have all the power he craved.
Reply
Setting her jaw firmly, Orihime's other hand rose sharply to crack against his cheek, slapping him for his depravity.
"No," she said again, frowning deeply. The things he was saying, the things he threatened to do...! Had he no shame? "I would sooner die than see a tyrant take this kingdom. You can't have it." Her heart was pounding, and her stomach clenched with fear. With everyone frozen and unable to move, it left her vulnerable. She had no magic of her own, and her only means of defending herself was what she'd learned from her best friend. In other words, it didn't look pretty. But she was the princess, and for the sake of her people, she had to be brave for them.
Reply
"Impudent girl!"
Mariku's decision was solidified, too. He was more determined than ever to have his way with this girl, both to convince her to take him as a husband, and to punish her for speaking to him so boldly.
There was another wave of his staff while Mariku continued to glower, and Orihime's clothes disappeared. Now he could see ever inch of her, rather than merely undressing her with his eyes.
Reply
She'd been expecting a ball of fire, or a lightning bolt. Something painful! A chill was nothing. At least, so she thought, until her breathing made her realize that she was lacking proper support and restraint for her breasts. Orihime looked down. Shock widened her eyes and stained her face with color, but it was quickly replaced with anger.
There was no telling what else he might decide to do with his magic. Orihime didn't plan on letting him try. Instead of squealing and trying to cover herself up, she instead lunged forward, aiming to drive her elbow into his stomach. And if that blow landed, then the knuckles he'd been so attentive with would soon be meeting the space between his eyes.
Reply
"Is that the best you can do?" he taunted. Snickering cruelly, he dropped the elbow, only to wave his staff again. Soon, golden chains appeared in midair and spun around Orihime, before they darted directly for the poor princess, aiming to wrap themselves around her wrists and restrain said wrists behind her back, if she couldn't somehow dodge or escape them.
All the while, Mariku laughed.
Reply
Her skin crawled at the feel of his body, even clothed, pressed against hers. She grit her teeth as she struggled to wrench herself free, but there was no need. He released her of his own volition, causing her to stumble. When she looked up, she saw the glint of gold around her, and hesitated. It was a mistake. The gold chains captured her slim wrists and yanked them behind her back. Orihime yelped, the seed of fear planted in her insides beginning to blossom into something ugly.
Desperately she pulled against her restraints. She couldn't let this happen! "Let me go!"
Reply
"No."
And then he reached out, finally dropping his staff as his hands coasted up along her sides beginning at her waist and pausing at her breasts, which he wasted no time molesting. With one hand, his fingers tweaked her nipple of her left breast, while he too the right one in his hand entirely.
"What say you? Would you take me as a husband now and save yourself this fate?"
Reply
"N-no way..." she shook her head vehemently. "You won't get away with this!"
While she was restrained, she wasn't completely helpless. She still had two strong legs, one of which shot forward as she tried to strike him in the groin. Surely a hit like that would break the spell he'd laid on the castle!
Reply
Leave a comment