You’re preparing for the long journey back.

You laid naked on your bed. Your dick had gotten some pretty good use last night since Clara had noticed what she called your “wandering eyes” during court the previous day. You had done well not to seed her juicy cunt though, which would be unwise until the wedding. You were getting better at that. Eventually, Clara had left with the rising of the sun after taking care of your morning wood with her mouth. You weren’t sure why she thought it necessary to leave so soon, but going back to sleep was probably not an option either since the armies preparing for their departure outside were making a lot of noise through the windows and balconies of the castle. It had been a couple days of delay before the massive **** from the West had reorganized their forces and supplies, and it had given Countess Eria’s armies that much more of a head start marching north. Of course, Eria’s forces were no doubt much more tired from the siege than the fresh forces that Magus and Vessa had brought.

Much had been discussed in the Court meeting yesterday. You were to depart a little later this morning back to Rublia and then the Crownlands soon after to see Princess Clara back safely to your palace in Itheria. It would be from there that you would oversee the updates of the war while Vessa would serve as a provisional advisor of the Ducal Throne here in Phebis. Duchess Lilya would sit on the castle’s throne while Gregan marched with the armies. Sir Garret would march with the armies that Vessa brought alongside Magus and his **** of Frost Knights to the north. You would take the King’s Own as a retinue to the Crownlands though, where it was safe at the behest of Vessa.

“A King of Itheria has a grand **** to fight these lesser wars against meager belligerents.” Proclaimed Vessa, “Sir Garret and I shall monitor the state of affairs in our newly acquired Phebis. You go home, and manage the state of the Kingdom.”

You remember Vessa had told you those words in a gentle voice, unlike the one she barged in your room with as the morning got late. Behind her was a long line of servants ready to do her and their new King’s bidding, “Your Majesty! Just how long do you plan to make your retinue wait for your arrival!? Princess Clara is packed and Lady Sera in chains behind a flatulent ox with your guard surrounding her. You two, dress him! The rest of you pack his things!”

Vessa ordered a pair of maids not much older than you to grab the garb that had been prepared and they waited for you beside your bed. They blushed profusely as they weren’t quite sure where to look while you laid relaxed naked on the bed still.

“I didn’t want to leave with the clutter of armies that where departing today. Magus always starts early, and Rublia isn’t too far.”

“While that may normally be true, Your Majesty,” Vessa countered, “Magus was late this morning. Him and Gregan seemed to have struggled with sleep last night. Now the hour grows late, and you need all the sunlight you can take advantage of while being escorted out of this warzone. There is no saying if Eria has some sort of ambush planned in the night.”

“Eria lacks the manpower to do that now.” You said, finally sitting up at the edge of your bed getting a good eyeful of the Phebisian maids. It would be the last time you’d see this style of maid dress for quite sometime.

“Assumption in warfare is never a great idea, Your Majesty. If you remembered your studies on the art of war, maybe your betters wouldn’t have to fight them for you.”

There was a lot of venom in those words, and they ticked you off enough to finally stand and let the maids dress you. The outcome of the war did not matter to you was much as the power left in the Dukedom of Phebis after everything was said and done. Your sexy kitten and faithful cousin would make sure that the Dukedom is weak enough to rule from the Capitol after the pieces are in place. Your natural inclination for intrigue of course meant you didn’t have quite the mind to fight the war on the battlefield, but in the nobility you held the strings. Perhaps this was why Vessa and Akina did not get along so well, there was a fundamental difference in their approach. In any case, you still had high hopes that Clara and Vessa would be good friends if you could get them in a room together after the war.

“Make it quick, well!” You scolded the maids, “You heard the she-elf. I haven’t got all day!” Not referring to Vessa by her title nor name was your sorry excuse for defiance, but you thought it worth it.

When you finally got to the location of your retinue, a long convoy of wagons, knights, and servants was present. The line of servants that Vessa had pack your things were loading up your belongings and before you got to your carriage, you saw a familiar person, Lady Sera. She was garbed in burlap rags and chains, her once beautifully braided dirty blonde hair and porcelain skin was covered in shit that was probably hers. She had not seen the light of day since Claudius had thrown her in the dungeon after her failed regicide, and it seemed she was lacking in nutrition that was more vital for the soldiers and guards to consume during the siege.

“Serves you right,” You muttered as you got within earshot of her while walking by. Sera lacked whatever fight she had when trying to kill you that night though. Her teary eyes fought the brightness of the sun that she had not seen for some time and her spirit was broken. She wasn’t even standing, instead kneeling behind the very ox that Vessa had said she was chained to earlier while a few of the King’s Own armed with spears surrounded her. She would walk the whole distance wearing the burlap footpads that were tied to her feet. This trip would be painful for her.

When you finally got to your carriage, Clara was already seated inside to meet you. She wore a fantastic embroidered gown, with her long auburn hair done in waves as opposed to her usual straight locks. It had seemed that she had maybe tried to curl the hair at first glance, in hopes to mimic a certain woman due to marry Magus soon. But her stubbornly straight hair did not let her, so she settled for waves.

If all went according to your plan, Magus and Victoria would be wed in a couple days time heading into their march north. Victoria naturally had to join the march, but being the future duchess of a the Frost Peaks, marching would probably be something that she had to get used to sooner or later. It was the reason why a traditional Frost Knight marriage was usually done on the field, before the impenetrable strongholds of the Frost Peaks were built many centuries ago. Your grin was hard to hide, you now had one less problem with Victoria in a warzone, and if she lived through it she would be sent south.

“I assume my attire pleases you, My King. Or is it another woman that brings a smile to your face?” It seemed Clara was still a little upset at your eyes drinking in Victoria’s sultry outfit yesterday.

“Come sit beside me, Clara.” You commanded her, despite being the one that chose to sit across from her when entering the carriage. Submissively, Clara obeyed before you brought her into your embrace and **** her head on your breast. Petting her like you would pet a loyal dog, “I’m smiling, My Queen, because I finally get to show the woman I love her new home. My home.”

You definitely cheesed that line, but it worked it purpose as Clara further nuzzled her head into your breast and embrace. It would be a long trip back, and before the sun set, Clara had fallen asleep with her head on your lap. Your hands were wandering places while she slept, places that would be inappropriate to touch in your throne room, at least not while court was session.

There was not as much need for haste back to the Capitol, as there was no need to make it in time for a feast. The two week journey was uneventful despite Vessa’s warnings to use caution. The most lively bit of course was Rublia. This time your entourage was welcomed as heroes for helping to liberate the City of Philos from its siege, but the plains of the Crownlands after that were not as exciting, nor was your return to the Capitol.

News had of course reached the Capitol by now of the war in Phebis, but being eager to return to your bed versus spending another night in a rickety old inn or hard field, you decided to push on through the night. It was probably close to the midnight hour when you finally got back to the palace within the keep, and this resulted in a lack of fanfare. Your Steward, Lord Gilbert, hugged you as you stepped out from the carriage, and wrangled up whatever servants he could find at that hour to unpack the wagons, re-incarcerate Lady Sera, and help Clara to her chambers. Clara would sleep in your mother’s old rooms, the Queen’s Hall, the only section of the palace that rivaled your own bedchambers.

Speaking of your bedchambers, you headed straight for them, telling the maid and manservants to leave unpacking inside your rooms until the following morning. You had asked Clara if she would like to join you, but she was clearly too tired for a tumble, which you understood. That, and Lord Gilbert shot you a disapproving glance when you asked her. You played it of as a joke to him as best you could, and made your way instinctively to your bed with only the moonlight to guide you. You stripped naked at the door and approached the side of the soft mattress, pillows and sheets.

However, your heart nearly stopped when you realized there was already someone under those soft sheets…