The Morning After

When you woke up, you weren’t alone in your bed. The rays of the morning sun were penetrating the open doors of your balcony with the calm morning breeze that would’ve brought a chill to you if not for the hot body of Akina in your arms. It was almost startling in fact. The catfolk’s eyes were large and the vertical pupil of her feline-esque eyes were illuminated ever so slightly by the rising sun. It was a pleasant warmth, but the look in her eyes, as calm as they were, had a subtle sternness to them.

“Good morning…Bryce.” Akina would have been barely audible to anyone else in the room, but your close proximity to her made for easy hearing, “Court will be starting soon.”

Ah, yes! Court. You had wanted to be up earlier for that, but it seems the warmth of the bed had made it hard to wriggle out bed as early as you wanted. You shot up from the mattress to begin getting ready, and like a well synchronized clock, Akina sat up shortly after. She was still mostly in her maid getup, her breasts still exposed from when you pulled down the front to reveal them.

“You should have woken me sooner,” You said as you pulled out an outfit whose colors were reminiscent of autumn, “It will not benefit Phebis nor my future plans to be late to court this morning.”

The colors of the outfit weren’t too flamboyant, but it would do well to glow like gold in what was likely going to be a very somber room given it was the day after King Claudius’ ****. The royal family would be all in blacks and you were sure that the courtiers, at least the ones still loyal to the crown, would not be all to dissimilar in fashion. As the fabric of the suit became a part of you, Akina stood beside you with a dagger that was being held out for you. You recognized it as the one she had given you last night to defend yourself should you had to.

“I don’t think I’ll be needing that today.” You said with confidence.

“Just because Countess Eria has left the palace, does not mean all of her agents have as well. I may be a competent spymaster, but I am still just one, and many under me can make mistakes.” She approached you closer with the dagger pressed against your chest. You noticed that at some point Akina had fixed her maid getup to cover herself. “Take the dagger!”

With the clandestine weapon pressed against you, you decide to take it and hide well within the fabric of your suit. You reason that you may have survived last night, but the future very likely held war. You would have to survive every battle to make it out alive, and having a little assurance like a dagger that Akina had specifically picked for you would be helpful in doing that.

“Fine. Let’s get going then before we’re late.”

It was at that moment a knock came from your door.

“Your Majesty,” It was a guard shouting through the door, “Princess Clara is here to see you.”

You never did get to see her last night. You had suspected she may have been a little upset with you, but apparently not enough to forsake you this morning so you could escort her to court. She was your fiance now after all. “Let her in.”

In walked Clara. Her modest gown did well to cover the lot of her skin save for her face. Even her usually pale hands were covered in black lace gloves. Her hair had been done quite intricately, with waves and braids and dark blue flowers adorn about. The name of the flower had escaped you, but you remembered that they were traditionally worn by mourners of Phebis. The outfit Clara was in, although completely suitable for the nature of the day, which would likely hold an expedited coronation, funeral and talks of war, made you cringe ever so slightly. Had you been up sooner, you would have intercepted the Princess to make sure that she was wearing something that complemented your suit, but it seems that you had woke up to late for that.

Clara’s eyes didn’t immediately gravitate towards you though, they landed on Akina, she had a look of confusion on her face that contrasted the standoffish one on Akina’s. Then she sniffed the air. You were suddenly aware that a lingering smell of sex may have permeated the inside of your room pretty drastically given last night’s events. Oh well, You thought, the virgin Princess likely had no idea what the smell was and the breeze coming from outside would air it out by noon.

“Good morning, Clara. I hope you slept well…despite last night’s unfortunate happenings.” You didn’t hesitate to approach Clara and hug her as you said so. You thought you heard a whimper in your embrace, “But I assure you that no harm will come to you or your family as I stand with the might of Itheria behind me.”

A moment passed in silence, until you though it fit to break your embrace slightly and Clara flinched at the sudden proximity of Akina who seemed like she was about to stand between the two of you. “I’ll take my leave then, My King.”

Akina didn’t even acknowledge Clara, and you couldn’t help but think that her behavior this morning was proving to be rather odd. “See to it then.”

Akina left the room with an extra sway to her hips and her tail. You eyed her as she left the room and Clara had visibly noticed your attention being drawn.

“Have I failed you that badly, Bryce?” Her expression was one of hurt. Her dad was dead, her kingdom shattered, and you had pretty much stood her up and didn’t have time to offer an explanation. Just that you were in your room alone with a maid that you seemed to leching on. You noted that this was not the first time Clara had seen you in your room with Akina too.

“No,” you lied. She had certainly failed on her fashion matching yours, “Trust in me. I was busy last night trying to obtain evidence that Countess Eria was behind this madness. I have it, and I will present it in court today. Along with the fact that I have armies en route from Itheria marching our direction as we speak. I will not let the rogue countess slaughter you. But in return I need you to do a few things for me. Can you do that?”

Another brief silence filled the room as Clara contemplated your trustworthiness, “What do you wish of me, My King?”

You explain to her the steps to a plan that will forevermore bring Phebis and Itheria closer as allies, and ultimately bring down the tyrannical Countess that had tried to take your life twice yesterday. None of it really came as a shock to Clara, and instead she reveled in the news you were giving her. Hope returned to her face and she was happy once again to be your Queen. Or future queen. No vows were made yet.

“You see?” You asked, wiping tears from her eyes that had been left over from your more intimate embrace, “Everything will work out. I just need you to follow my steps and…learn to wear something that matches me better next time.”

“B-But my dad-”

“I am your family now, Clara. We will build a new one, together. Build the seeds of the great twin powers of the West. Once I have this hook on your brother, I can change the trade deal and make it to where Phebis will never have to worry about any uprisings again.” You break your interlocking arms with her and hold out an arm to escort Clara to court, “Will you give me the honor?”

With no hesitation, Clara takes your arm and you march off to court together with a knightly formation close behind.

“Now, My Queen. I need to know everything you can give me about Countess Eria. Every small detail, every tick, and every rumor that has made it to your ears.”

“As you wish, My King.”

With limited time to spare, you make your way to a courtroom that you both were running late to already. Each step of the way was filled with very enlightening details about Countess Eria.