Vessa

Talk of the war had dragged out too much during the weeks coinciding with the siege. So you were too drained to approach Sir Garrett or Akina on any other matters pertaining to the war. Giving a quick glance around the room, it was clear that there was really only one place that seemed to lack any of the tense relations that lurked both outside and inside the court. In fact, it was unusual to see Lady Vessa in such a relaxed state in general. It was clear that her mood was better since before you left the room with Magus to reacquaint and come to an agreement about the future of the kingdom, and guessing from experience, it was not the couple barrels of stout she had consumed. Despite a sideways glance from Clara, you decided your curiosity needed to be satiated and approached the ancient elf to see what was elevating her mood. You walk up to her isolated corner of a table and sit beside her. She could have hinted subtly to you if she did not desire your company, but the look you two had shared as you approached did not hint at her wanting to be alone. Instead, she had the faintest smile on her face. When you got comfortable in the seat next to her, she began the conversation before you had a chance to.

“I hope your obviously discreet musings with Magus went smoothly. Is it my turn to be enlightened on the next steps of your plan? Or am I not privy to that club?” She didn’t look at you, just continued to observe the rest of the attendees from her corner as she had been.

You decided to talk to her the same way, with minimal eye contact, it was reminiscent of secretly meeting someone in a bar or tavern, “All of my council is certainly granted in that prestige club, you are no exception, but maybe this spot is in view of someone particularly good at reading lips or dropping eaves.”

“You’ve grown more cautious since you’ve left Itheria for Phebis. Seems this chance to meet your future wife has had a great deal of benefits.”

“Are you still wary of me wedding Princess Clara?” You asked, not exactly sure why you wanted the elf’s approval.

“On the contrary, I had a good conversation with Clara’s mother while you and Magus had scurried off to whatever crevice you could find to talk. It seems I have misjudged the situation here in Phebis, most importantly I acted and spoken without the prerequisite knowledge to do so. I am more learned since we’ve spoken in your chambers.” Vessa took a sip of her stout, “It seems Mereen does not handle her **** as well as I do.”

“No human can handle their drink like you.” You push your own drink away before trying to prove yourself wrong. “What did you hear from the Queen that swayed your mind?”

In the midst of your fantasies about you and Vessa making love in your bathtub, you were sure that there was enough resolve in Vessa’s voice to stop her from conducting any marriage with Clara back at the capital. Now she approved? Because another woman you slept with had told her something to change Lady Vessa’s mind? You were dying to know what she may have said. Was it about you? Or Clara? Whatever the case, it was clear the answers you seek were not as important as the answers that Vessa was seeking.

“What she said doesn’t matter as much as your solution to this Victoria problem. I hope you’ve worked something out.”

“…She’s Magus’ problem after tonight…”

“Hmm.” Vessa muttered thoughtfully, “So that’s what you and the Frost Knight needed to disappear for. At least I won’t have to lecture you again about how to treat guests at a feast of your planning.”

“I have not forgotten such an important lecture, and Victoria will be handled. Both are reason enough to tell me what Mereen had said to change your mind about Clara.”

“My knowledge is yours when it’s to the aid of Itheria and extending your life, not to satiate mere curiosities as a reward for planning that has to be made due to poor decisions.” You almost felt like Vessa was snapping at you without altering the tone of her voice, “For now, all you need to know is that for seven generations I have mended the Kings of Itheria by assuring a superior and pure bloodline. I have chronicled this family line closely, and that is why who you marry is important to me. My conversation with Mereen allowed me to understand the Philosi family a bit more intimately, and therefore I have come to approve of Clara being your wife. If it pleases you, Your Majesty.”

The last bit of that was less snappy and more mocking, but you weren’t about to call out this Court Mage for something so minor, it was shocking enough that Vessa would even say something like that outside of formalities. So instead you watch the elf finish another mug of stout, officially finishing the last of it that could be saved throughout the siege. Not even a blush on her cheeks despite her consumption.

“Well,” Vessa stood up as she continued, “with that, my time here is up.”

“Off to catch up on sleep you don’t need?” You joked.

“A quiet place is still better for meditation.”

With that, the feast that had been hastily thrown together for the sake of discussing the future parts of the war, was slowly disbanded. In what was probably uncharacteristic for some time, you escort Clara to her room and leave guards to watch her versus the usual sharing of beds, and head out to do a task that had to be done sooner rather than later.

You stood alone within a dark hall after convincing the knights escorting you that you would be fine without bodyguards on the way to the toilet, and reluctantly they left. Truth was though, you knew you were rarely ever alone. “Akina?…”

It wasn’t long before a shadowy figure emerged from the shadows. Your feline spymaster was in her usual formfitting leather armor that exhibited every sway of her hips as she approached. She awaited your orders in silence with a fist on her hip. No doubt she had already guessed what the next words out of your mouth were going to be.

“Were is Victoria’s bedchamber at? I need you to lead me to it.”

“You should just let me deliver the morsel,” Akina was all business, “If what I heard form Sir Garrett is true the voluptuous slut is probably dangerous right now.”

“Lady Victoria will not harm me. She loves my dick too much.”

Akina’s look was one of questioning and disbelief, “Your willing to bet your life on that? You may have game, but a lot of that is due to your position in this Kingdom, so don’t get careless. If anything, I know Victoria has a thing for pussy too, a description I fit. So it’ll be unlikely for her to attack me, and even if she did…well, I’m sure she’s used to making other women play bottom.”

“She will not harm me.” You say, more matter-of-factly. Clearly your last words were taken as much as a joke as you had intended.

The change of tone of your voice was not enough to sway the kitten though, she had to look you square in the eyes to make sure what you said was from confidence and not arrogance. It wasn’t long before her stern demeanor softened and she smiled coyly. “You have a sneaky little plan as usual, don’t you, you snake?”

“I’ve learned from the best.” You remark snidely, returning her smile.

“Doubt it. You didn’t learn any of it from me. If I had to guess, it’s that foul she-elf that gave you pointers, and it’s all starting to kick in now.” You took that to mean that not all Vessa’s lectures were drowned out by fantasies if Akina would compliment her teachings. Maybe it was espionage they conducted against each other that equated to their poor feelings for one another, “Very well. I’ll lead you to Victoria’s bedchamber, then act as an observer. But don’t be shouting for me when she puts a dagger in your crotch.”

You simply nod for Akina to lead the way. Based on the direction you were going in this massive complex built for royalty, Victoria was not housed in the most pleasant of rooms. In fact, it wouldn’t have been too far from Akina’s room. Meaning that her bedroom was likely on par if not close to the servant quarters of the castle. The halls got darker on account of not being as well lit as the more exquisite parts of the castle, and the candle you brought became ever more relevant. It wasn’t long before Akina pointed to a door on your right and said, “This one.”

She did not stop, and kept walking into the darkness. It was as if she could see clear as day as she did. You had stopped in front of the door in question, and there was not so much as a guard out front. Perhaps Victoria would be upset about her living conditions and whatever feelings she had with this ‘plan’ you concocted. You knew if Count Erwin saw her in these conditions he would be in an uproar. It made you feel that perhaps you should have been a little more attentive to where Victoria was housed. Either Duke Gregan did not know she was a noble of decent standing, or did not care that she was one of your courtiers. Probably figuring she was as everyone was treating her, a love-struck whore. You’re sure he wouldn’t have gotten that impression if you had greeted her in court with the same degree as Magus and Vessa. One thing was for sure though, you did not love Victoria, and your next actions would be obvious proof of that. This was for the good of Itheria, but was it really what you wanted?

You took a deep breath as you felt the message from Victoria’s father inside your coat pocket. Now was your last chance to choose if it was Clara or Victoria that has a future with you. Vessa approved of Clara now, but like Akina had once said, she’s starting to feel more and more like a dead fish lately. Victoria held what you assumed was going to be your first child, and her sex was as amazing as Akina. Well, which was it? What do you choose?