A challenging position

[genequeen]

Her Royal Majesty Madelyne Essex, Queen of the Southern Kingdom has had a difficult time since the death of her husband. Running the kingdom, in all actuality, is the simple part. What is not simple, is all of the constant claims to her throne and fending off all of the men who think they can do the job better than she does

Comments

[legendaryextras]

"Your Highness?" Her Honor Guard has been in nigh-constant attendance since the day Essex was found dead in the marital chamber. No food passes her lips without their tests, no drink graces her cup that was not certified by their expertise. It is a constant state of paranoia that is causing a fraught environment, and Sir Stark knows better than anyone that this is not a situation that will continue indefinitely.

"Your Highness?" he repeats, with a little more volume as she fails to respond immediately. "Are you well?"

[genequeen]

"Hrrrmmm?"

Madelyne looks up at Anthony and smiles faintly, "I am as well as I have been these past days, my lord." Her head still echoes with the throbbing from when her husband died.

[legendaryextras]

He wears his duty armor, his helm under one arm as is ordained by his position as not only her Champion but the Captain of her guard, and the leather creaks softly as he moves across the room toward her. He pauses in front of the small table upon which rests many documents dealing with the current, myriad affairs of state. "Perhaps a rest might be in order, your Majesty," he suggests gently.

[genequeen]

"And, again, Anthony, I ask how am I to do that and retain my throne? Where am I to go?" A raised hand looks to forestall his comments. "It is not from any lack of faith in you but attempting to be realistic about my situation."

Rubbing her forehead, she smiles dryly at him, "It is a matter of time before someone attempts to press their suit more forcefully - for marriage or outright claim of my throne or my person."

[legendaryextras]

His throat feels inexplicably constricted, and he's acutely aware of her proximity to him and the sheer magnetism she exudes without even being consciously aware of it.

"The pleasure of your good health and company is all the favor I need."

It is but a partial truth, but to ask more would be to transgress the established social boundaries. He came from nothing, with no family or land titles to his name. He has earned every right and privilege that he now enjoys, if 'enjoys' is the word one could apply to his position. But to hope for more is merely that.

[genequeen]

"You do not make it easy for your Queen to give you reward, Sir Stark. Merely being my Champion is no true reward but greater work." Madelyne carefully places the helm down on one of the small tables nearby. Returning to where she stood, she too realizes that if one of her maids were to enter, this might seem untoward.

She is not one for conventions these days, attempting to break the mold of what is accepted. Leaning in, she very quickly kisses his cheek. An acceptable token of gratitude - if she were fourteen again, perhaps.

[legendaryextras]

It is a dangerously bold move, one that courts disaster. The designated boundaries have been crossed, and he reacts before he truly thinks. What should be merely a chaste kiss from a Queen upon the cheek of her chosen Champion becomes suddenly the barely-retrained embrace of a lover's lips upon hers.

[genequeen]

The Queen stiffens, surprised at the emotion behind the kiss more than anything else. After a moment, her eyes flutter and she pulls herself away from him.

"Oh." Her eyes are wide and there is no anger in them, only surprise as a hand lifts to press against her lips. For the moment, she's a little too stunned to do anything more than that.