Lady Vessa's Candidacy {You slept with her before the Battle of Mt Sargasso}

The choice is easy, as you are far from eager to disappoint Queen Cielina or any of the other candidates.

“Of course, Queen Cielina” You let Lady Vessa and your guards temporarily usher you out of your royal court.

Lady Vessa seems to want to have her own words with you. As you have continued your affair with her that started the night before meeting the Amazons, you wonder what it is that she wants to talk about.

You wonder if Lady Vessa wants more, now that she knows of a way to insure offspring and a family legacy. She had already mentioned to you that it was extremely unlikely for her to conceive a child sired by you.

That had hurt your ego at first, until you both had sex that night, and she made it clear that your relationship with her is far less risky than bedding any human servant, noble, or advisor.

Before the door shut Lady Vessa was on you, and kissing you publically much to Lord Gilbert’s surprise.

After over two cycles of orbits around Sol, Lady Vessa was sleeping in the King’s chamber with you nightly. Despite this, she was actually the one to push this whole charade forward because she is in love with you and wants to insure your family legacy.

“I can get access to whatever vaccine that Princess has, my love.” Lady Vessa whispers in your ear.

The words filled you with considerable joy to hear Lady Vessa address you as such, because in the beginning she had insisted that this was nothing more than a physical relationship to help you protect Itheria from your own urges. Naturally, after two cycles that was in the past, and yet she still rarely said it or addressed you as such.

You spin Lady Vessa around and press her up against the smooth granite wall, lifting her embroidered fancy skirt. All thoughts of where you were and who was watching was forgotten momentarily.

That is until Lady Vessa whimpers her frustration but pulls your hands up to her ample for an Elf, pert, and firm breasts that you adored. “No Bryce, not here.”

Lord Gilbert chuckles, “Thank goodness one of you is aware of me and the guard standing right here.”

Blushing fiercely with embarrassment at your lapse in perception, Major Reinhardt the lead of your royal guard under Lord Gilbert gives a warm smile. “It is all good, your highness. The staff already know of your relationship with Lady Vessa, though Lady Akina has done an extraordinary job keeping the information from going beyond the castle walls.”

Several of your vassals had died in the Battle of Mount Sargasso, one of them failed to provide a heir to inherit his property, status, and wealth. He had more than a few bastards though and so there was a threat of the situation degenerating into a local civil war. That was the opposite of what you wanted, thus you publically proclaimed Akina as mistress of the previous ‘Lord’ estate.

Quietly and privately, Lady Akina had agreed to accept one of the bastards as a life mate. Which one was her choice, and with that performed much of the tension had evaporated.

Now Lady Akina, was already pregnant with her third child; And equally adamant in her refusal to let it impact her duties to you and Itheria.

Of course, forcing the nobility to accept a sapient humanoid beast as a peer created a whole set of different tension. However, with the growth of Itheria it is quickly becoming imperative for the state to reverse its own insular tendencies. Besides, it was a difficult situation already and far from you stealing the land and wealth from another.

While eyeing Major Reinhardt, she starts to blush under your appraisal of her. She was exceedingly fit and gifted as are all your Knights. What she lacks in strength she abundantly makes up for in agility and alacrity. Thus it was naturally she was one of the few Knights in the expensive Mithril chainmail.

Lady Vessa captures your attention again easily, “Bryce, I believe I know what Cielina is doing and I wish to be a part of it. I can get a hold of more of the vaccination for both the Princess Elenwë Arinyagimli and I.”

You are still confused, “What do you think she is doing?”

“She is anticipating your reaction and choice of the Elven Princess of Elileithel. However, by coming here she already vacated the position as leader of the Amazon tribe. Thus she literally is without anywhere else to go. Additionally, the honor guard around her appear bereft of anyone who stands out as a lifemate.”

Your mind catches up and finishes the thought, “… and thus she is offering to join her candidacy with Princess Elenwë Arinyagimli…?…”

Your small group is interrupted by a guard by the door to the chamber.

“Your Highness, the ladies are ready for you to return… and have additional information to relay before you announce your decision.” The guard seemed confused at what he was reading but relayed the message enough to be understood.