A/N: Friday is my second favorite 'F' word … and I love the folklore that surrounds the derivation of the other 'F' word – as inaccurate as it is. Still, it gave me this plot bunny. Fornication Upon Consent of the King indeed.

I loved when Glee aired on Tuesday nights. My week just seemed to go faster. Then, when it moved to Friday nights, it often meant I couldn't watch until the weekend. In honor of Glee, I'll be updating this story on Tuesdays & Fridays until all the chapters are posted.

Warnings: This is rated M for a reason. There will be adult sexual situations (consensual), adult language, references to physical abuse (not described in detail) and references to non-consensual sexual encounters (not described in detail). If any of these situations will cause you discomfort, please do not continue further. There are many other excellent stories out there to pick from.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from Glee.


Standing as part of the law of the land for over three hundred years, the Writ of Marriage requires each impending bride and groom to meet with the king, or his designated representative, prior to their nuptial ceremony. Within the Writ, the Consent of the King article states: "At the discretion of the king [amendment: or designee], the bride [amendment: or groom] will be commanded to attend the king [amendment: or designee] for a duration of no more than 25 hours. Any and all actions taken by the king [amendment: or designee] shall not be used as justification to dissolve the intended Writ of Marriage.


Upon Consent of the King

"By signing here," Lady Lopez indicated the lines at the bottom of the parchment, "you are indicating your understanding that King Burt, or a designated representative, will be calling upon your households, and … if he, or his representative, decide the situation warrants, you will be summoned to the royal palace – possibly, to submit to the Consent of the King article."

Holding out the quill, she scrutinized the young couple sitting anxiously in front of her large oak desk. The younger son of Duke Anderson and only daughter of the Earls Berry had applied for a Writ of Marriage. The presence of all four parents drew Santana's suspicion. In her experience, love matches didn't require the heavy-handed 'encouragement' of parental chaperones.

It left three possibilities.

Lady Berry had found herself with child and Lord Anderson had been judged an acceptable match.

Duke Anderson desired to quash the rumors of his son's preferences and Lady Rachel had been judged highly unlikely to accept any dalliances after vows were exchanged.

Or Santana was wrong and these two young adults were truly in love.

Which really left two possibilities because the only time Santana had been wrong happened several years prior when she'd hesitated to apply for the position of High Clerk, believing that King Burt would, like his predecessor, only desire a man in the role.

She'd allowed herself to be persuaded to apply by her best friend, Brittany.

Thankfully, King Burt turned out to be exceptionally forward thinking.

Lady Santana Lopez held the office of High Clerk of the Court and had just celebrated three years of marriage to Countess Brittany Pierce. She had King Burt to thank for both.

The shaking of Lord Blaine Anderson's hand as he took the quill from her did not escape scrutiny. With forced deliberateness he dipped the quill into the ink well and scratched out a signature before offering it to Lady Berry.

"I cannot believe," grumbled Duke Anderson, "that with all the changes King Burt has enacted, he's allowed the Consent of the King article to continue. It seems to me that instead of sending his sons out to do as they please, he'd have ended that archaic law."

Arching an eyebrow, Santana leaned back in her chair and met Duke Anderson's gaze. "I'm sure King Burt will be positively fascinated to learn your opinions, Your Grace. As it stands, your families should expect the Princes to call on your households within the next ten days."

Lady Rachel moved to hand the quill back to Santana, asking softly, "Are you allowed to tell us whether it will be Prince Kurt or Prince Finn who will call?"

As Santana opened her mouth to answer, Duke Anderson interrupted.

"We formally request Prince Hudson, Lady Lopez. His mother, Carole and my wife served as Ladies in Waiting to the King's mother.

"Lovely," Santana responded, remonstration filling her tone. "I'll be sure to mention that … tidbit … of information to the Queen-Consort this evening. Perhaps she'll encourage Prince Finn to stop by."

Turning back to face Lady Rachel, Santana shook her head softly. "To answer your question, the Princes keep their own appointment calendars. I send the list of households needing … attention … to their Head Squires. From there, the duties are divided as best suits the needs and responsibilities of the Princes. I can, as I've alluded to, put in a request if that is what you seek. However, I cannot guarantee it will be met."

"Oh," replied Lady Rachel, her gaze dropping to her hands held tightly in her lap. "Thank you, Lady Lopez."

Lord Blaine cleared his throat, pulling the room's focus to him. "Lady Lopez, I have heard that since the Princes have taken over the Consent duties from King Burt that they rarely visit both households involved in the Writ of Marriage. Is this true?"

"Not that you should be sharing gossip with your brother, but that would be one more reason for Prince Finn to visit our household," grumbled Duke Anderson. "Prince Kurt would certainly be a better choice for Lady Rachel, don't you think, Your Lordships?" He glared pointedly towards the Earls.

The Earls Berry exchanged a glace before landing Duke Anderson with two confused countenances. "I suppose, that … might … be true. Your Grace," offered Earl LeRoy.

"Father!" interjected Blaine. "Just. Just what do you mean by that?"

Steepling her fingers, Santana leaned forward just a bit. "Yes ,Your Grace, please expound on your observations about Prince Kurt. Why exactly do you feel he'd be a better choice to interview Lady Rachel?"

Drawing himself up, Duke Anderson cocked his head to the side, before giving Santana the look that told her she, and this entire process, was beneath him. "It's clear, given Prince Kurt's … proclivities … that he and Lady Rachel would have more to discuss. The frippery. The trifles. The baubles. Those sorts of things."

In her younger days, Santana might have physically attacked the Duke – despite his rank – for his insinuations. As the years had passed, she had found a variety of other ways to get back at those who drew forth her anger. But before she had gathered her words to verbally eviscerate him where he sat, the Duke's son exploded.

Bursting to his feet, Blaine whirled on his father, shouting, "So because the Prince likes men instead of women, he must be interested in ladies' things? Is that really what you think?"

"Don't shout, Blaine," ordered the Duke, standing up to tower over his younger son. "It's unbecoming for someone of your standing."

Drawing in a breath, Blaine spat, "The Prince is a Knight in the Royal Army, father. Do you think they just gave him that title?"

"And his father is the King. He could be missing two legs and an arm and he would still be a Knight in the Royal Army. Don't be stupid, Blaine."

The sound of the door opening drew everyone's attention as a tall, closely shorn man wearing the tabard of the Royal Army stepped inside. "I heard shouting, Lady Lopez. Is all well?" His eyes jumped from one person to the next, carefully seeking out any point of danger.

Offering the man a smile, Santana waved her hand. "All is fine, Sir Spencer. We were just … finishing up here. Did the Prince send you?"

Spencer's gaze was locked with that of Lord Blaine, who had paled considerably when the knight had entered the small room. "Yes, m'lady," he answered without looking at her. "Kurt would like to see you at your earliest convenience. He'll be in the practice yard for some time."

"Very well. You will have to excuse me, my Lords," Santana said, standing and gathering the paperwork to her. "The Writ has been signed by both parties. You will be notified by a court page at least three days prior to a visit from the King's designees so that you may prepare accordingly. Good day."

Catching Sir Spencer's eye, she quickly added, "See the Duke out. I think he and the Earls Berry would appreciate seeing Sword Master Beiste run the knights through their paces before they leave. Thank you."

"Of course, m'lady," Spencer answered automatically, although her request raised a thousand questions. Santana always asked the knights if they could complete a task for her – never commanded, although her rank allowed for such. If time allowed, he'd ask about it later.

As Lord Blaine left the High Clerk's office, Sir Spencer placed his fingertips on the small of his back, aware of the inadvertent flinch Blaine reacted with. "Marriage?" he whispered. "To Lady Berry?"

As his eyes filled with moisture, Blaine shook his head sharply once, indicated his inability to speak freely. Instead, he surreptitiously swiped at the tears and hurried after Lady Rachel, linking arms with her as they ambled down the courtyard path.