Ros Voyeh

Notes: 1) If you see this anywhere but Literotica, it isn't supposed to be there!

*****

Lislora woke in the morning to her husband trying to get out of bed unnoticed. She watched in silence as he took his robe and left the bedroom. It felt early and after a moment she decided to rise and find out why he was sneaking out of their bed.

She pulled on her own robe and opened the door to listen a moment before going further.

"I don't believe she's ill, your Highness but it would be advisable to have a Halloc sent for to be certain. The prayers usually make her more cheerful."

"Send for someone. I'll look in on her after I have breakfast with my father and brothers."

"Husband?" Lislora took a step out with a frown.

"I didn't want to wake you, my flower." Draeseth came to offer her a gentle kiss. "Isonei seemed subdued at the prayers this morning. Krouth worries for her health. I'm allowing him to send for a Halloc."

"She needs someone to keep her company. A maid isn't enough." Shaking her head, she frowned, "I'll visit with her after the Halloc has made certain she's well enough."

"That will please her." He smiled and led her back into the bedroom. "I would linger, my flower but-"

"Go. I can't face another breakfast in our rooms." Lislora winced and he laughed softly.

"I will join you and Isonei for lunch."

She contemplated returning to bed but instead began to rummage through the closet looking for the dress she wanted, something simple and modest but still nice. Gharol was standing at the door curiously as she turned with the gown.

"If all of the underthings aren't with it, find them."

Getting dressed, she noticed how snug the underclothes were and how tight the gown felt in the arms and to her horror she found she couldn't quite button the dress.

"I'll fetch a seamstress." The maid hurried away.

Lislora took a seat on the bed in just her underclothes. Why would the dress be getting tight, her belly wasn't getting so large she was barely... Ganas be merciful, the food. She was always hungry and she'd been eating more at meals than she ever had before. Moving to the vanity chair she studied her reflection in the mirror, it was true she was getting more plump. Somehow she hadn't managed to notice.

How many of her new dresses no longer fit? Lislora felt furious with herself and furious in general for no clear reason as she stormed into the closet and began pulling out all of her dresses to try on.

°°°°°°°°°°

Gharol had to insist several times that Lislora have breakfast after the seamstress she'd fetched took her new measurements and several of the gowns to see what could be done. Krouth had apparently had the foresight to have some of the dresses made larger than she required them but she was still galled and embarrassed that several of the new gowns no longer fit.

She was so sour she snapped at Ximesra when the maid came into the rooms. "What are you doing here? Have you come to collect gossip for her Grace?"

"No, my Lady." The Munian dropped into a curtsy. "Master Krouth sent me to take his place. Duchess Isonei is being taken back to the Temple for a short while."

"Is she ill?" Lislora frowned and glanced at the door. "Has Prince Draeseth been told?"

"She isn't ill. Kamrus Rimathe came himself to see her, my Lady. His Highness agreed to allow her to visit the Temple before he left to attend the King."

"What was wrong with her? And why would Krouth go with her instead of you?"

The maid looked slightly embarrassed. "Her Grace hadn't slept well. She had dreams of cleaning mud and muck out of her father's house and I overheard his Highness tell the Kamrus she can't bear to be dirty. For her, that was a horrible nightmare.

"Ig has been having similar dreams and they've been letting her clean in the Temple. It's helped her and they're going to have her Grace-"

The thought of the Aran woman who couldn't bear dirt, cleaning at the Temple made her break into laughter. Quickly, she covered her mouth and cleared her throat.

"That was my reaction, my Lady, when the Duchess looked as helpless as a child and asked how she would know what to do." Ximesra paused as Lislora fought back another fit of laughter. "That's why I was sent to attend you. Master Krouth doesn't want anyone laughing at her Grace while she's taught."

"I understand." It was difficult to keep the smile off of her face. "I'm sorry Duchess Isonei didn't sleep well but if a dream of cleaning is a terrible nightmare..." She nearly laughed again. "Perhaps the outing will help."

"Ig will be pleased to see her." Gharol wore a bright smile. "She had begged to be permitted to attend the Duchess while she was ill. The priests wouldn't allow it."

"Her Grace may have forgiven her but..." Ximesra frowned, "I think it would still have caused her pain."

"Krouth said she couldn't bear to be in this room." Lislora seconded the maid's assessment. "Having the woman who held her down and poisoned her tend to her while she was ill might have been too much."

The Karisian's smile faded and she inclined her head. "Yes, my Lady."

Suddenly, she realized she'd intended to speak with Isonei here, in these rooms, "When the Duchess returns, I'll join her in her rooms. Send a message to Krouth letting him know. She'll want to wash on her return first, I have no doubt."

The white-haired maid moved to summon a servant to relay the message and Lislora settled onto the sofa.

"Fetch me the book I was reading, Gharol."

It would have been more pleasant to spend the morning walking in the gardens but after his Majesty's pointed comment about discussing the Arrangement before walking in the garden she didn't want to risk it. Her book didn't hold her attention for as long as she hoped and she glanced out of the window with a frown.

"It must be getting close to midmorning. How long-"

Krouth slipped into the rooms and bowed respectfully. "My Lady."

"Is Duchess Isonei washing? I wouldn't expect you to leave her alone." She glanced at the Munian who looked concerned as well.

"Her Grace has asked for some solitude. I sent a maid to take her a few cushions and a blanket to ward off the chill at the gazebo and I've left orders for her to be taken hot tea. Her lunch will be served there with Master Hodrim."

"I'll go sit with her." Ximesra moved toward the door.

"Solitude. She doesn't want company." Krouth frowned and gestured for the Munian to return to her place. "She asked me to give you her regrets, Lady Lislora. The Duchess is not feeling able to endure visitors."

Something in his tone made her study him carefully. "Is she angry with me? We would have visited her if it were possible."

"It would have been possible for you to speak with her yesterday, as it would have been possible for his Highness to spend more than a few brief moments with the Duchess. Her unhappiness is understandable."

The man's cool gaze made her feel a little ill. "I..." Before she could find words there was an almost timid knock at the door.

Krouth opened it and beckoned the maid in. She looked nervous. The woman spoke in a quiet rush, twisting her skirt, "That poor woman, her Grace should have someone with her, Master Krouth."

"Her Grace asked for solitude."

"The Duchess was on her knees weeping. I would have stayed with her but Prince Adareth dismissed me."

The sour servant rubbed his temples and looked as if he were about to scold the woman.

"I came directly here, Master Krouth. She looked so pitiful..."

"She can't be alone with Prince Adareth. Arans are very affectionate with their families and she views him as a younger brother. Some might think her innocent affection to be something else."

"I'll send someone to keep an eye on them." The maid hurried toward the door and it nearly burst open before she touched it.

"Has Isonei returned?" Draeseth looked furious as he glanced around the room and the maid slipped out.

"She's in the garden with Adar-" She hadn't gotten the words out when he interrupted.

"Burgath arrived with Yornaith, Isonei's eldest brother." He seemed to calm himself somewhat and Krouth closed the door as his Highness took a seat. "Andnaeuth won't be coming to the bouts and it was made clear that Isonei is to be returned. The Arrangement was annulled in Ara on reports that she was forced." The way he sat, with hunched shoulders and clasped hands, his scowl made the hair on her arms stand on end.

"What can be done?"

"A second must be made. Her brother will be here to see that she isn't pressed."

Lislora approached him carefully and sank onto the floor to hold his hands. "Do you think she will?"

"If she isn't told." He kissed her hands and pressed his face to them. "If she believes it to be a simple amending, perhaps. When we spoke, she made it clear she was unhappy, but not with me. The man is insisting he be permitted to see his sister immediately but Father is questioning him about the annulment. I need to speak to her and..." Draeseth exhaled and looked as if he might weep himself. "If she's given a way back to Ara now she'll leave me."

"You need to spend time with her." She tried to offer him a smile, "I've kept you to myself-"

He disentangled a hand and caressed her face, "She does not begrudge me your comfort. She grieves. If I were given the choice, I would prefer to grieve in my own home and my own garden, she is no different. My Isonei desired to return home to see her family before our loss, and it will not have abated. I need time with her away from Court."

It made her heart ache but she leaned in to give him a gentle kiss, "Perhaps your father will allow us all to return home now?"

"After the Arrangement is remade, perhaps. I would have to permit the Phaethian Imperial Prince to visit us in the Kroscur." Draeseth pressed his forehead to hers with a faint smile. "I-" He turned away to look at the door as it was flung open.

"And I find you here with

her

while Isonei is weeping alone-" Adareth looked incensed, something Lislora couldn't remember ever having seen.

"She asked for-"

The youngest Prince charged at his brother and she tried not to fall backward as Draeseth rose to put himself between them.

"You cold-blooded black bastard! She should have someone to comfort her! You don't deserve a woman like that!"

As Lislora took her feet with Gharol's help, she watched in shock as the smaller Prince attacked his much larger brother. Draeseth looked as if he didn't feel the boy's blows, his mouth set in a hard line as he stood unflinching. When Adareth began striking at his face she stepped forward.

"That's enough! Your Highness, the Duchess asked to be-"

He rounded on her and she was too stunned to step out of the way as his fist came toward her. The blow didn't connect as Draeseth grabbed the younger man and yanked him off of his feet. Everything seemed to happen quickly after that. In the blink of an eye, the smaller Prince was pinned beneath his brother and panting for air.

The room fell quiet.

"I'll go sit with her Grace," the Munian broke the silence cautiously.

"Take her the tea she enjoys, I had ordered it made in the kitchens on my way back." Krouth inclined his head. "The matter of the Arrangement is not to be discussed."

"Yes, Master Krouth."

The woman slipped from the room.

"Your Highness, her Grace asked to be permitted some solitude until lunch." The slim servant spoke calmly as if the man being on the floor was perfectly natural. "Did she express any other wish?"

"Get off of me you half-witted whoreson!"

"Did she ask for my company?" Draeseth inquired quietly.

"No. She was glad you weren't there because she's drowning in her grief and she can't bear the thought of trying to lighten yours at the moment. Someone should be helping her bear her own but when-" he sounded like he was clearing a lump from his throat and his brother helped him sit up. "When I tried to hold her hand and offer myself as a comfort to her she pulled away and asked to be left alone. Even when you abandon her to her grief she..." Adareth roughly rubbed his eyes.

"She's loyal. Arans view fidelity as a serious matter, so serious it's rarely considered worth pursuing." Touching his bruised cheek as he rose, Draeseth almost looked amused. "I love her, brother, but she asked me for solitude."

"You put her the rooms meant for your lesser wife, spend all of your time with that woman when you should at least be making an effort to let Isonei know you care for her and share her grief. You've abandoned her to it!"

"I don't have a lesser wife. I am a fortunate man that I've been given two perfect women who love me and want my happiness, I strive to see to theirs. Isonei can't bear these rooms. Her eyes go to the place-"

Lurching to his feet, Adareth landed a blow that split Draeseth's lip. "You spend all your time fucking a woman who would have remained your mistress if that sweet woman hadn't insisted you be allowed two wives! You've barely shown-" He stopped short as Draeseth grabbed him by the front of his tunic and made a deeply displeased sound.

"If you want to spar with me, boy, you'll do it on the sparring grounds."

"I'm not afraid to fight you." The grim set of Adareth's face made him resemble his brother for the first time Lislora could ever remember seeing.

Draeseth released him and they both stalked from the room.

"Were you harmed, my Lady?" Gharol's hands were clasped tightly.

"No." Realizing she was nearly holding her breath, she tried to relax and breathe deeply. "Can he fight with Prince Adareth without harming him?"

"I doubt he'll strike him, if he does it won't be with his full strength." Krouth looked at the door with a frown. "I'll have Ximesra stay at a discreet distance when the Duchess asks to be alone in the future."

"That seems wise."

°°°°°°°°°°

By the time Draeseth returned, a servant had already come to the rooms to inform them that they were to attend an Aran lunch. The prospect of an unappetizing Aran meal had prompted Lislora to send Gharol to the kitchens to find something small that might tide her over. The woman had returned with a small platter of cold meats, cheeses, and bread at almost the same time he did.

"They were very busy, my Lady, I was only able to have one of them put this together," The Karisian woman sounded apologetic.

"It's better than nothing. Aran foods... We'll still be hungry when we return." Lislora gave her cousin a peeved look and he smiled faintly, putting meat and cheese on bread.

"They prefer foods more in keeping with a Phaethian palate," Krouth explained smoothly. "Her Grace was very fond of the Karisian suckling lamb that her Imperial Highness served."

Draeseth made an amused sound in his throat as he chewed and swallowed a mouthful of food. "The only rich food I've heard of the woman enjoying outside of Ara."

"Perhaps we can have it served at home?" Lislora suggested between bites of her own food.

"It requires a particular fish, my Lady." Gharol wore an unreadable expression. "It's expensive here."

"She'll be pleased enough if I have a pond dug and fish stocked for her." Draeseth finished his snack and wiped his hands on a cloth napkin as Krouth brought it to him. "I want to change my tunic and then we can go."

Waiting for him to change, Lislora turned to the Karisian maid, "Fish? A lamb dish requires fish?"

"It's served at wedding feasts in Karis, the ingredients have meaning to the Karisian gods, my Lady." The maid's face suggested that serving it was somehow offensive.

She didn't have long to think about it, however, as Draeseth came out of the bedroom in a fresh tunic and offered his arm. They walked briskly toward the dining room and the pace, coupled with the grim set of his mouth, made her wonder how warm of a welcome she should be expecting. Krouth had said Isonei was sour with her...

Adareth was entering as they approached, the younger Prince's hands were wrapped but otherwise he didn't look as if he'd been fighting.

"You didn't hit him back," Lislora murmured as they were reaching the door.

"I did, but not hard and not in the face," he answered as quietly before resting his hand on the door. "The boy is barely healed from his injuries." Draeseth opened the door and drew her in with a grim look on his face as he bowed to his father.

Lislora dropped into a low curtsy. It seemed everyone else was already seated at the table.

"Draeseth!"

Isonei rose from her seat hurried toward them with a look of concern on her face.

Their husband seemed content to let her make a fuss, stooping to let her caress his face and making a soft sound as if her attention pleased him.

"I deserved the blows, my jewel. Adareth was right to be angry."

"I asked to be alone."

"I have left you to bear all of your pain alone. I should not have."

He turned his back to her and all she could see was his hand gently touching the Aran's face.

"Do not chide Adareth."

"If you feel you deserved the blows I won't chide him for striking you, even though I disagree. But someone should scold him for hitting you in the face."

Draeseth made an amused sound in his throat,

"In the future, brother, if you are compelled to beat sense into me, my gentle Duchess asks that you not strike my face."

"You can ignore it anywhere else."

Adareth smiled faintly.

"Your blows were solid. I can teach you where to hit a man that he cannot ignore."

Draeseth extended his arm to Adareth.

"I would enjoy that."

They clasped arms and while Lislora was pleased they were on better terms, she was also hurt that he hadn't insisted that trying to strike her was not permitted.

"Now that all of my sons are here, we can begin the meal."

She wasn't certain if she was imagining it or not but the King seemed to direct a faint smile toward her that made her feel uneasy.

"I will allow you to complete the introductions, little Duchess."

"Adareth, Draeseth, allow me to introduce my eldest brother, Yornaith of House Iarmaris. Yornaith, this is Prince Adareth, whom I've borrowed as the younger brother everyone refused to let me have,"

the Aran paused as there were chuckles from around the table,

"and this is Prince Draeseth, the beautiful Beast of Kroscur. Though he is slightly less pretty today."

She waited for Isonei to introduce her as well, but the woman didn't seem inclined to. It was a slight in front of everyone, and something she didn't expect from the woman. The Queen looked as if the Duchess had pleased her immensely.

As if he didn't notice anything amiss at all, Draeseth made a loud amused sound in his throat and pulled the Aran woman close to his side.

"My wife has spoken warmly of you, Yornaith. You made a ladder for her to climb down and visit her sisters?"

"I did. Her father kept her in the room next to his and she wasn't allowed to come down to visit with them after he sent her to bed. Lord Eliorith always sent her early because she was so sour in the mornings."

The slim silver-haired Aran man looked around in surprise as the Torgans broke into laughter.

Silently, Lislora tried to slip away unnoticed, backing slowly toward the door.

"They've noticed."

Isonei gave her a baffled look interrupting the conversation she was having with the others.

"I haven't forgotten to introduce you, Lislora. I promise. In a room full of charming Princes to jest with I can be easily distracted."

Draeseth seemed to remember her presence and released the Aran to herd them both toward the table,

"I will introduce my second Duchess. Yornaith of House Iarmaris, this is Lady Lislora. She will be agreeing to an Arrangement with us soon."