Kingsley Family/Erik/Queen's Quarters

This brief roleplay chain took place from August 19th 2020 to September 7, 2020. The opening describes Erik fumbling his way to a meeting with the Queen who asked to come see him after she had been wounded.

Kingsley

"No. She is not dead." Erik repeated for what must have been the hundreth time.

"My Lord, we do not know this," The courtier said with an exasperated sigh. "The realm must have a ruler."

"It has a ruler! Queen Amélie."

"Of course, my lord, but she is not here, and we don't even know if she still lives."

"SHE'S ALIVE! She has to be!" Erik's hand trembled in the pocket of his robe. "She is the strongest, bravest, most gallant person in the realm. She isn't dead. She can't be." He finished quietly. The courtier gave him a sad look and shook his head.

"We must start the process for the new ruler. Perhaps... you are right but the court has very clear rules. I'm sorry, my lord." He said turning away to start out of the great hall. He did not make it far before the large oak doors, carved with images of the long and storied history of Portion, with plenty of space still left for the Crusader Queen of Portion opened with a flourish as a harried looking Valentic Knight barged in holding a sheet of parchment aloft nobly, his flashy red cape billowing behind him as he marched into the Queen's mighty hall.

"Princess Amélie Tempest has announced her claim for the Throne of Portion."

The room stood in stunned shock. Erik bent over and grabbed his knees, taking a deep breath before gagging nervously. The courtier looked at him with a mix of confusion and concern.

"I'm... alright. Oh thank the God himself. Oh thank the Father she's alive oh god. Yes yes I'm fine, fine really."

He panted nervously trying to calm down the immense and overwhelming relief. "She'll be back" he muttered quietly to himself.

Kingsley

Erik shrunk as the guard gave him an strange look and a shake of the head. The climb up the stairs had been long and Erik was a bit out of breath. "Sorry..." He panted. "The Lavrazi don't believe in stairs. They believe men aren't meant to live above the ground. Frankly I get it I think."

The queensman just squinted, but said nothing as the tall, somewhat lanky priest caught his breath. "So can I come in? The queen said she wanted to see me." He reported, still a little wheezy. "I have this letter," Erik said producing the queen's latest open invitation to the guard. "And this one." He continued, pulling out a private letter the queen had written him a few days prior, noting her desire to see him in Portion for some specific discussion. "And this one." He finished pulling out a third and final letter from his time in prison in which Amélie had noted she hoped to see him soon. He fumbled them out of his pockets and dropped the pages, scattering them around the floor. He scrambled to pick them up and mumbled some apology to himself before presenting them out of order to the guardsman who just glanced at them and back up at the hapless priest who smiled meekly in return.

Finally the queensman just shrugged and stepped inside to inform Her Majesty of the priest's arrival.

Tempest

Queen Amélie was still resting when the hand maiden Emma gently woke the Queen not knowing if it was proper but because she knew the contents of the earlier letter thought it was pertinent to do so. Amélie slowly opened her eyes as Emma spoke softly to her, "My Queen there is a Count Erik here to see you, shall I tell him now is not a good time?"

The wounded lady nearly jumped from the bed before exclaiming, "Non, non don't turn 'im awai! Merde!" Amélie held her wound, the quick movement causing her some pain. "Tell mon darléng Erik zat he may come visit me een mon chambairs as le stairs don't agree wiv me right now. Pleasé go fetch 'im Emma." While the hand maiden went to fetch the young priest Amélie did what she could to make herself more presentable but gave it up as a futile effort. Any amount of movement was still quite tiring for her so she opted to sit on the veranda and take in the morning sun while she waited.

Emma returned shortly with Count Erik in tow and brought him to the veranda where the Queen was waiting. "The priest Erik as you requested your majesty" Emma announced then retreated back within the chambers behind.

Amélie sat there enjoying Erik's face for a moment. The boy she came to care for deeply still had the same innocent face as he always did although it show some signs of fatigue. It's likely the prison trip to Outer Tilog didn't suit him well or perhaps it was concern for Lady Tempest herself.

The view for Erik was certainly not as familiar for the appearance he would have recognized was almost entirely gone. Amélie sat before him looking like a different lady, her face still looked that of a young woman but her eyes and hair was that of someone who had felt the fatigue of time. Through the Queen's sheer nightgown Erik would be able to see her abdomen still tightly bandaged among other things.

Queen Amélie broke the silence first, "Mon Cheri, Eet eez zo good to finally see you again ai 'ave misséd you darling. Tell mé 'ow has life been treating my young prest. Ai 'ope yur meeteng wiv Outer Tilog wasn't an unfairtunaté as mine."

Amélie would motion for Erik to have a seat before continuing, "Ai must confide een you mon darling. While ai lay on mon death bed ai 'ad a vision. Non 'ow do you sai eet a dream? Non non non, a meeteng wiv destiny. Régardlez la highfathair 'as fairsakén me when he léft me to die twice and ai am now lost. Ai do not know 'ow to move fairward for myself let alone fair an éntiyaire realm."

The wounded Queen grasps both of Erik's hands within her own, "Please 'elp me"

Kingsley

Erik tried carefully to keep his eyes away from the Queen's sheer nightgown, her grievous wound beneath wrapped tightly in bandages. He gulped as all of a sudden he fully appreciated the scene he now found himself in; the queen's bedroom, in her nightclothes. Suddenly the room got very hot and he felt his face flushing. He started to stammer out an excuse when Amélie motioned for him to sit down:

"Mon Cheri, Eet eez zo good to finally see you again ai 'ave misséd you darling. Tell mé 'ow has life been treating my young prest. Ai 'ope yur meeteng wiv Outer Tilog wasn't an unfairtunaté as mine."

"Oh um... No, just scary." He glanced down at her body and the bandaged wound that graced her before quickly turning his head away and wringing his hands awkwardly. There was a brief silence as sat down next to him.

"Ai must confide een you mon darling. While ai lay on mon death bed ai 'ad a vision. Non 'ow do you sai eet a dream? Non non non, a meeteng wiv destiny. Régardlez la highfathair 'as fairsakén me when he léft me to die twice and ai am now lost. Ai do not know 'ow to move fairward for myself let alone fair an éntiyaire realm."

This shocked Erik and his face reflected as such as he recoiled slightly from this surprise. She's always been the most devout... She must have noticed his surprise as she reached over and took Erik's hands in hers. His hands wrapped around hers gently as she looked up at him earnestly.

"Please 'elp me"

Erik gulped. She's the queen, why would she want my help? She looked at him expectantly. Erik sputtered.

She tilted her head with some concern as Erik mumbled something about scripture. "Erik?"

"Ah... Amélie... I... don't know if I can..." He held onto her hands and frowned. "I... I'm not a good priest. I'm not even really a priest. At least I don't think. I was just sort of there and they said I was a priest so I just kind of... went with it. I don't know that much about the Highfather or the Order. I can't even get through most of the Old Texts. I'm not sure if I even believe all the stuff in that book. Some of it..." He paused with a nervous laugh "is pretty wild. There's a part where one of the First Knights chops off like 10 guys heads at once. Prophecies about Magical Kings in the mountains."

The Queen looked at him skeptically. She was close, but her eyes felt somewhat distant. Losing her, dummy. "I just... I don't know what I believe about all that. But I know I believe in you. You're the strongest person I know Amélie. Err... Queen Amélie. And... I know the Highfather is supposed to protect us and stuff. But... He didn't protect me when I got captured by Outer Tilog. But you know who did? The Queen of Portion sent a letter to the Chair...thing or whatever they call him to help secure my release. Who came to the Lavrazi's aid when monsters showed up? It wasn't the church. It was you and the other lords of Wetham."

He laughed nervously again. "Look... I don't know the answers.... but I trust you to lead us. I think you'll be a great queen. You are brave and strong without the blessing of a god. And if he forsook you... well. Then it's his loss" He finished giving her a meek smile as he tapped his foot nervously.

Don't look at her nightgown.

Tempest

Amélie listened to Erik as he awkwardly navigated the situation and conversation they were sharing as the poor boy was clearly flustered by the appearance of his Queen. As he rambled on in classic Erik style it warmed the Queen’s heart as she did find it simply adorable watching the innocent boy navigate difficult social situations. He couldn't know it but after her own traumatic experience which saw the loss of her faith and part of herself in the process Amélie found it soothing just listening to Erik’s voice.

You're the strongest person I know Amélie. Look... I don't know the answers.... but I trust you to lead us. I think you'll be a great queen.

The Queen of Portion felt her face become flush but was not aware if such a thing as blushing would be noticeable given her current state.

“Oh mon sweet Erik, you mai 'avé a difficult timé findeng le right wairds but you cairtainly know 'ow to flattair a lady.” Amélie whispered softly gripping the young priest’s hands even tighter.

“Howevair mon darleng ai don’t need a preest, ai need a partnair. Zumoné to 'elp mend mon damaged soul et aid mé wiv zis burden fair eet eez too 'eavy fair me to bair alone.”

Still grasping Erik’s hands firmly within her own Amélie prised Erik and herself towards banister of the veranda overlooking the royal courtyard below,

“You are zo precious to me Erik and while you might not reahlize eet yet ai owé you mon h'airt.”

Amélie embraced the young man tightly and leaned in for a tender gentle kiss, she was unsure of herself, she had never loved someone before. While her own true feelings were still a mystery the Queen was resolved to move forward and find out together as she shared Erik’s warmth against her cool delicate skin. She might have often called him a boy but at this moment they were both innocent.

Parting from their tender embrace Amélie made her way within her Royal Chambers turning to face Erik within the archway, “Will you join me, mon darleng?"

Erik followed nervously as his Queen slowly walked backwards toward a most regal bed while letting her nightgown slip off her shoulders onto the floor. Her pale body from her weary face, to tender breast down to sylphlike legs was devoid of any color.

Amélie felt a little self conscious so exposed before another. She was aware of her beauty before the incident but feared such an ideal might not be true after her brush with death. She gently touched her bandages thinking how much has changed over something others might think insignificant.

Erik would break the silence, “You Dropped your nightgown.”

Realizing what a foolish statement that was, he quickly blurted “Im... supposed to do that too aren't I? The priest robes don't really slide off like that hold on-"

He took the Valentic Robe he had been given by the Temple Priests, pulling it over his head and briefly getting tangled in it. Finally he got it off and began fumbling with his belt, his face flushed.

"Sorry. Trying to be quick I'm not sure of the standard procedure for this sort of th-". Erik stopped suddenly, looking with concern as he tried to undo his belt. "This isn't illegal is it. Since you're the queen?"

The Queen let out a joyful chuckle as she regarded the blushing boy, easing herself onto the feather bed as she did, “Oh mon sweet darleng Erik, even if such a articl wairé trué ai wouldn’t let eet deny zé desiyairé een mon h'airt. Comé now ét embrace me as a lovair.”

Tempest

Amélie awakened to a pale sunrise as its light slowly filled the Queen’s royal chambers. Erik was still sound asleep next to his Queen as she sat herself up on the bed pausing for a moment to gaze upon his innocent face.

The Queen reached down to rub her hand through his messy hazel locks still askew from the tender lovemaking of the night before while whispering to the sleeping boy, “Oh mon sweet darléng Erik, zo ai suppose zis eez what love eez. Eet 'asn't evén been a dai but ai would burn ze whole world down if anytheng 'appenéd to you mon coeur”

Continuing to stoke Erik’s hair Amelie thought to herself, what a beautiful first time with an adorable man. I wonder if this was Erik’s first shared moment of passion as well. Slight feelings of jealousy entered Amélie’s heart however she quickly dismissed such animosity for it did not matter if Erik had previous lust filled encounters. As long as he loved Amélie as she loved him now nothing else mattered to the Queen of Portion.

Sunlight now completely filled the royal chambers as the light and Amélie’s gentle massage slowly woke the young Viscount.

Queen Amélie’s eyes met Erik’s as he slowly opened his own with a yawn, “Good mairneng mon chéri, mon coeur. Did you sleep well?”

Kingsley

Erik stretched and yawned. "Um... yeah I did sleep well. This is a pretty comfortable bed. Which I guess makes sense seeing as you are the queen and stuff, so it's probably the most comfortable bed in the kingdom. The one I have in Lavraz is nice bu-" He was interrupted with her lips over his, which startled him, something he was certainly not used to.

"Oh um." he muttered as she smiled at him and laid back down to curl up with him again. She's very warm He found himself thinking as she pressed into him. And her breasts are very soft. "You're very warm. And your breasts are very soft." She giggled at that, which Erik imagined to be a good sign. The Queen hmmed contentedly into his shoulder as she settled in. In the morning light he could certainly tell she looked very different. Her brush with death had left her pale, her eyes somewhat tired, her body slightly leaner, and he could the grisly scars that she was left with. He winced at the sight, but Amélie could not see as she seemed to be far too busy nuzzling him. Suddenly he felt bad. The Queen had suffered as she tried to negotiate his release and lead the armies against the ravagers of the North, while he was off chasing some fool mission he didn't even succeed. She was the real thing, a true woman and true queen. He was just Erik, and what good was that? I need to be a better man, and a better... um..

"Are we courting?" He blurted out. The Queen looked up at him with her head to the side. "I mean," he began stuttering "we made love and we call each other darling and 'mon care' and I feel like you really like me, on account of the making love, and I definitely really think you're wonderful and love you so I think that counts as courting but I felt like it was probably best to sort of get that set in stone in case maybe one of us wasn't sure exactly what the other one was feeling about the exact meaning of the lovemaking that you and I did together last night and also hopefully more later if that was something you were inclined to be interested in, assuming you aren't busy with stuff for being queen and also were okay with being courted by um... me."

He scratched his hair awkwardly and winced. You really talk a lot, Erik.

Tempest

"Are we courting?" Erik blurted out.

Queen Amélie listened as the young Lord prattled on in his typical adorable fashion before he ended his er speech,

"Assuming you aren't busy with stuff for being queen were okay with being courted by um... me?

"Mon chéri, Of curse i am ok wiv beeng curtéd by your adairabuhl self. If ai wasn't ai nevair would 'ave invitéd you to mon bed now would ai." Queen Tempest would reply with a chuckle as she made her way off the bed grabbing a fresh nightgown to wear, a nightgown that was much less revealing than the one she wore night before.

"Shareng last night wiv you was quite possiblee ze bést night of mon life zo far mon coeur and ai wouldn't tradé you fair anythéng een zis whirld. Howevair mon chéri you need to find yur confidence now, you aré wiv a Queen aftair all." Amélie would return to the bedside to give Erik a tender kiss on the cheek before continuing,

"Mon amour, Ai must leave you now fair awhile. Ai 'ave zum wairk to tend to within le palace but you mai stai hairé een mon chambairs as long as you would like. You probablee 'ave zum of yur own wairk to ténd to as wéll maibé? If you 'ave to travel don't be awai fair long. Mon béd will grow cold without you mon chéri."

As if almost on queue Queen Amélie's handmaiden Emma would knock on the door, "My Queen many letters have arrived for you, shall I bring them here?"

Amélie would open the door a crack, look back at her love blowing him a kiss before leaving the room.