Hey everyone, Fluffles here! This time I've got a story about the expectations placed upon women in fantasy settings, and what might happen when a lesbian is married to a man.
CW:
Domestic Abuse, Alcoholism, Forced Heterosexuality
*****
Their glances ate away at me, piece by piece, bit by bit. I wasn't the focus of their attention, far from it, but their lecherous gazes, so blatant despite the presence of my husband, made my skin crawl. I hesitated to excuse myself, hesitated escaping to the latrine for the umpteenth time today, because of the gossip I heard from the maids.
Such strong seed, the King has. What a beautiful baby it will be.
I choked down the vomit in my throat.
Sit up, stick out your chest. You're a lady, act like one.
I gazed at nothing as the lords bickered around me, vying for my husband's attention on this little squabble, or that tiny problem. Other whispers reached my ears, too.
Why has she not become plump with child? They've been married for months.
And I heard his whispers. I was not lucky enough to escape those.
Why is she so hesitant? I am her King!
Right now his confidence was on the surface, his bedroom doubts pushed away, settling disputes as would a master politician. He was born into his rule, just like me, but he had worked and earned the respect of his kingdom.
The lords stood, and as they exited, continuing to gossip and bicker, he slumped back in his chair, avoiding my gaze. Wine came freely to his hand, a maid... named Eliza, if I recalled correctly, poured. He stood from his seat, downing the glass in one go, and headed out, leaving his crown to one side. The gold was ornate, but heavy, and I knew it weighed heavily upon him.
I sent Eliza away, not wanting to bother the poor woman any further, and sank into my chair.
Prince Richard told me they haven't consummated the marriage yet.
That rumour was the worst of all, because it was true. Sure, my husband was handsome, but...
No buts, my darling,
I heard my Lady Mother say, as I objected to the union, once.
You will be the queen! You will bring honour to our family, my dear.
I hated the gaze of the courts; I hated every second of being his prisoner, and I felt guilty because I hadn't run away before our wedding. I'd stayed, and said my vows, eyes bagged and stomach roiling.
Why couldn't he have married one of my sisters?
"Is everything alright, my queen?"
I looked up from my sorrow to see another maid, this one... Julia. Forcing a smile, I said, "yes, thank you, Julia." It would be bad if I got too close to any of the maids, or rumours would start to spread. And maybe I'd be shipped off again.
I stood and wobbled, blushing as she caught me. "Thank you. Enjoy your evening." With a practiced sway of my hips that was as natural as breathing, I retreated to my study.
Hector greeted me with a tall glass of water and a delicate book about foreign reptiles, leaving me alone in the candle-lit dark with my thoughts. I always forgot to thank him for being so prepared, as I always went to the study when I was in distress, which grew more and more often these days.
The book tided me over until it was evening, and the dread grew insurmountable. I left a note on the desk for Hector, offering him congratulations on his newborn and excusing my dishevelled appearance. Of course, he always claimed he couldn't notice when I was in dire straits, but I knew it was a lie.
Hector was my one confidante, here, in this foreign land. People had always treated me differently because of my status. It was bad enough as a princess, but as a queen? I could hardly stand the pomp and ostentatious ceremony. I missed having dinner with the royal staff and joking about the time Ellie fell from the tree and pretended not to be hurt in front of her crush.
I'd earned that reputation back home. But here I was a stranger, to be pampered and taken care of. I left the study, not wanting to leave my desk a wet mess, and headed to my bedroom. Dinner didn't sit well with me anyway, these days.
Later, much later, my husband entered our room to find me relaxing on the bed, having cried enough that I was dry and unable to cry anymore. He slammed the door and took a swig from his wineglass before putting it down on a dresser.
"What the fuck do you want from me, woman?"
"Elliot, you've had a lot to drink." He staggered towards me.
"I'm fine!" He sat beside me. "I was just talking to the other lords, and they raise a point! You're always avoiding me! And our marriage is unfulfilled, you traitorous whore. Is it because of those wenches you fucked back home in your little piss water?"
"Elliot-"
"I am the king, damnit! I will have a son to take over for me after I'm done! I won't have that bastard Richard be king after I'm gone, or his snotty little brat."
"Elliot, please, let's talk-"
"Talk? I think we've done enough talking. Now, I'm going to fuck you. Tonight. Go get undressed."
My breath caught in my throat. My husband was nice, humble, normally... maybe I'd pushed him too far. I backed away, standing up out of bed.
"Patricia, you come back here or I swear..." he stood, tipsy enough to have to catch himself on his bedpost.
"Elliot, please..." I could do nothing but beg. He was my king, and my husband. I could not disobey his orders, no matter how much that fact betrayed every bit of my essence.
He grabbed my wrist, and I tried to pull away. "What is it you want from me?" He held on tight, even in his stupor too strong for me to escape.
I managed to find the fluids in me to cry more. "I don't want you! Don't you see? I never have, Elliot!"
He pulled away, letting me go in an instant. I stumbled backwards, knocking into the dresser and spilling the wine all over myself.
A knock came at the door. "Your majesty, is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine, Marcus," I called.
"Everything's not bloody fine, Patricia. Look at you! Guard! Get a maid or two, send them up right away."
He retreated to the bed, sulking. "I should have known. I suppose deep down I did, but I should have guessed." He wiped his face, though I couldn't tell if it was sweat or tears. He turned to me. "But you are my wife, and I am to have a son. He will be ours, do you understand?"
I nodded, tears still flowing.
Another knock came at the door, and he beckoned them in. Two maids, Gertruda and Eliza, quickly helped me undress in the next room over and helped me clean up. I made sure to distract myself while they rubbed me down with cloths, not wanting to draw myself into a heat.
Despite the turmoil within me, the two of them were stunning, working every inch of my body until I was completely dry. "Thank you, and apologies for disturbing your slumber."
Gertruda smiled. "Of course, my queen." She giggled.
"What is it?"
"Oh, well, it's just funny that usually maids are the ones apologizing to their ladies, not the other way around. You really are fit to be a queen."
I blushed, returning to my bedroom. Marcus stood outside, and as the maids retreated, he stepped in front of me.
"My lady, is everything alright? Are you sure you want to sleep in there tonight?"
My lip trembled, but I nodded. "He is my husband, but thank you for your concern."
As I opened the door, Elliot's snoring echoing from the depths of my bedroom, Marcus grabbed my hand. It was a presumptuous action, one that some would have punished, but I melted in his embrace.
He shut the door quietly and snuck us off to a nearby guest room. "Thank you, Marcus."
"I know he's your husband, my lady, but... I don't know if I can stand by while-"
"That's enough. I must bear his child." He held me. "No matter how much it pains me to do so."
He nodded, pulling off his mail. "Would you like some company tonight, my lady?"
I narrowed my eyes. Of course, he would have ulterior motives. If he were to bed me, he could blackmail my husband easily, or he could use it to blackmail me.
I pushed him away. "No, Marcus. I am married."
He laughed. His laugh was cute, strangely. "No, my lady. I am comfortable sleeping on the floor. I am not so bold."
He stood from the bed, maintaining some distance between us.
"Then why are you being so nice to me? Isn't your king your first priority?"
He smiled. "May I tell you a secret?"
I nodded slowly. "Of course, though perhaps you would be better to tell-"
