To bed, and the next day.

You woke up alone in your bed. The breeze from the ocean was sending a slight chill through your body, an issue that didn’t occur throughout the night with the hot spymaster in your arms. Seems the elusive feline had slipped out of your spooning without so much as a feel or a trace.

The sun was just peeking over the horizon and you took advantage of the morning light to get dressed in a garment suitable for a king of Itheria. The colors of the outfit were reminiscent of spring and did well the announce your presence in a room without being too flashy or flamboyant. You topped the outfit with the imitation crown that was still on the floor where you left it, and secured the dagger Akina gave you within the recesses of the cloth as well. Soon after, you made haste to outside the room. There was a new set of knights outside your door that had no doubt replaced the last shift of knights guarding you. Without word or command they followed right behind you as you traversed the labyrinthine corridors of the castle. Your destination was a place that had guards outside as well. A young princess was inside that you were supposed to meet after Sir Garret’s and Akina’s report to you in your room. You entered without knocking and the knights stayed outside with their counterparts as you did.

Inside was Princess Clara with several maidservants around her to help dress her and fix her hair. You had arrived just as they were finishing up and observed the elegant black dress that Clara was in. King Claudius had died just last night, and you were sure that Gregan and the rest of the royal family would be in black during this time of mourning for the family, but the dress that Clara was in would not look good beside your own. So it was time to give your fiance some fashion advice.

“No,” You announced to Clara and the group of maidservants, “This won’t do. You there. Would you be so kind as to grab something that is more colorful…and perhaps more revealing as well. The rest of you can get her out of that dress.”

Having come in unannounced and shouting orders left the maidservants confused. They were unsure if they should actually be doing what you were saying, and it didn’t help that you wanted them to undress Clara in front of you against all custom. Clara, too, was still. Looking up to at you with questioning eyes. She looked as if she was about to say something before you raised your intentions again.

“On with it! Court will likely be starting soon. Bring a few dresses out matching my description and I will choose. it.” That extra assertive push got them all moving and undoing the laces of Clara’s black gown.

“Y-your Majesty, what exactly are you doing?” Clara protested, looking ever more bare and blushed as the maidservants worked diligently. She was trying in vain to cover her more intimate parts, and you did not hesitate to get a good eyeful of her bosom.

“I can’t have my future queen beside me dressed like…that!” You motioned to the discarded dress as you explained, “We will find something more fitting for a queen of Itheria in your wardrobe, I’m sure.”

As if on cue, the maid grabbing additional dresses came back and laid them on the bed. They were of fine material and looked hardly worn, probably due to the more revealing nature of them, and it was unlike Clara to be wearing something that showed an ample amount skin. You pointed to a nice gold colored one that would expose Clara’s bare back almost to her buttocks. Seeing as her mahogany hair was about that length you figured it would suit your new fiance quite well.

“This one will do,” You say. Handing off the dress to the maidservants, “Let her hair down too. I’m surprised you had something like this sitting in your wardrobe, Clara.”

“It was a gift, Your Majesty.” And a gift she had yet to wear by the looks of it, “My dad would never let me wear anything like this. Even if one of his vassals thought it would bring to life my…assets.”

The maids got to work in a sort of practiced motion, some of the younger ones even smiling at getting an opportunity to dress their liege in something new for once. It was quite the sight seeing Clara transform from a sordid lump of coal to a radiant yellow rose right before your eyes. You had not really been one for fashion, but Lord Gilbert had taught the basics of what a King should be dressing like throughout your lifetime. You just kind of figured the same basics applied to a queen. Or, soon-to-be queen. By the time the maids had finished dressing Clara and fixing her hair to your specifications, you had decided that this look would have her attract everyone’s eyes on the two of you. As it should be. Whatever vassals that were still loyal to the Phebisian crown will learn the benefits of aligning with Itheria through the princess’ immediate transformation after being betrothed to you. You dismissed the maids shortly after their completions.

“D-Does my dress please you, Your Majesty?” With more confidence than was usual for Clara she curtsied and twisted so her bare back was visible to you behind the strands of her lush hair. The beauty in front of you was enough to **** you still and without response for a little bit. You couldn’t help but let your lustful gaze absorb every curve of her back and the glow of her smile.

“Yes,” You say after a while. Anticipating the opportunity to rip it off her later, “More than you know.”

Your response was more than enough to bring out an even wider smile on Clara’s face, but it did not last long. It was as if a thought had crept into her head and killed the joy she was experiencing. Her face quickly turned into one of sorrow or loss, and she approached to embrace you. You took the opportunity to place your hands on her silky back. She wasn’t crying, just looking up at you intently. It was all business in her eyes and she spoke very quietly.

“You did not come to me last night! Papa is dead! I’m scared, and…”

“Sssh, take a deep breath, my princess. Your old king is dead and I am your king now. Leave it to me,” You cut her off from her increasing panic, “I was busy last night obtaining evidence that Countess Eria was behind this **** and I have military forces marching towards Phebis as we speak. I will not let the rogue countess slaughter you. But in order for me to succeed, I need you to do a few things for me. Can you do that?”

A brief silence filled the room and Clara’s ragged breath began to slow down. “What do you wish of me, my King?”

Her submissiveness sent shivers down your spine, and you knew that you would have a great future manipulating the poor princess for many years. You could not see Akina now, but you were sure she had ears listening to this conversation. It would be an opportune time to explain your plan and what Clara would need to do in order for the web of intrigue you had in mind to work out. You explained everything to her carefully, and her face gradually shifted from fear and sorrow to one that seemed of shock. It was a bold plan, but you had taken the time to think it over last night after fucking the life out of Akina.

“B-But my family?” Clara asked with a start.

“I am your family now. We will start a new one. With a learned intellectual like yourself and my manipulation and resourcefulness. We will lay the seeds for the first great Western power. It is a delicate plan, and I will need to know all the workings of Phebisian politics as you know them. You will humor me with this knowledge as we walk to the throne room.” You rip her parasitic embrace from yourself and offer her your arm to escort. “Will you give me the honor?”

Clara looked at your arm a moment. Her thoughts no doubt battling the loyalty to her people, her family, and you. It was a test of sorts. If she failed you may have to break the betrothal. It was gamble that you were willing to see through, as it would mean vital information of your plan being leaked to the Phebisian Royal family if she chose them over you. You were relying on her marionette-type personality to make this work as you hoped. Several seconds passed before whatever warring thoughts inside her mind met a conclusion, and she wrapped her arm in yours wit the side of her breast pressed firmly against your arm.

“What is it you would like to know, My King?” She said placidly.

You did your best to suppress a wry smile from your face as you walked out the door with her. You dismissed the guards out front, positive that your more than capable spy corps would be ample protection for the journey to the throne room. As you begin your route to the court room you ask a simple question, “Princess Clara, won’t you tell me more about your brother’s ability to lead, and what the few nobles still loyal to the crown are thinking right now?”

“It would be my pleasure, My King.”

The walk to the bustling court this morning was an enlightening one, and it would help with the war that was at your doorstep. One fact was certain though, Countess Eria’s head would be at your feet in no time. Assuming your cousin Magus really did decide to show himself in Phebis before it was too late.