Chapter 10
Lord Lex Luthor entered the room dressed in his usual dull black, his bald head shining in the light. He had been tormented as a youth for loosing his hair, and he still had been even years later and with his title of Lord. But after the incident in the forest he suspected being a Lord wasn't going to get him any special treatment. He approached the King who immediately looked down at the papers he had been holding.
"Are those what I asked for?" Clark questioned impatiently.
"They are your Majesty." Luthor handed the parchments over to the King. He watched as Clark's eyes carefully scanned each and every word of scrawl on the page. Luthor took a breath, "Are you sure this is wise your Majesty."
"I'm not sure if it's wise Lord Luthor," Clark spoke. "But I am sure it's what I want."
"This may affect how the people see you Majesty, and it would have more peasants than ever knocking on our door begging for favors." Lex tried to reason, his voice raising ever so slightly with each passing word.
"Oh and now you worry about the people's opinions of me. I thought that was a job for Wayne, Queen and Olsen. All the times you pressed to raise taxes on the peasants you didn't seem to care what the people thought." Clark spoke truthfully his eyes never leaving the parchment. "So tell me Lord Luthor, do you care what the people think of your King, or do you just care to better yourself."
"Your Majesty… I know perhaps I am not in your favor as I once was…" Lex started but Clark halted him mid sentence by standing up abruptly.
"You're right Lord Luthor. You are not in my favor. The Lady Lois told me of the title you've bestowed upon her and I am not happy about it, to say the least." Clark said hatefully looming over the much shorter man. "If you ever speak that way about my Lady again that's it for you. Do you understand me?"
"Your Majesty, she is not a Lady… she is a common woma…"
Clark stopped Lex by bringing his hand down upon the table next to him. His chest rapidly rising and falling in anger. "If I wasn't a King you would be on the floor unconscious." Clark threatened his voice shaking, he was using more restraint than he had ever used in his life. He then repeated. "If you ever speak that way about my Lady again you are finished. Do you understand?"
Lex didn't reply simply nodded his head, turned on his heel and left the room leaving the King alone. Clark was still shaking, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He reached for the closest thing he could find, a lantern with an unlit candle and threw it across the room. Clark ran a hand through his dark locks and took a few deep breaths before his eyes fell on the parchment and a small smile formed on his lips.
XsX
It had been three days since Lois had last seen Clark, he had specifically he would see her in three days time, and it was already mid afternoon. Lois had dressed in her newest and probably favorite gown. It was made of thick heavy red velvet which kept her warm now that the weather was growing progressively colder by the day. The velvet was trimmed with silver lace around the bust, waist and sleeves. She was about to go back to her chambers and soak herself in a calming bath when Bruce appeared, out of breath in the drawing room.
"You need to get to court." Bruce said swiftly. "Now."
Lois stood up, approaching him with furrowed brows. "Is something wrong?"
"No." Bruce smiled. "Nothing's wrong. You just need to get to come with me."
Bruce gave her one last look before rushing out of his home. Lois picked up her skirt and followed suit as quickly as she could, by the time she reached the outside she was out of breath thanks to the corset restricting her breathing. Bruce waited with the reigns of her silver in his hands. He smiled once more, "And you're even wearing the right color."
Lois was now even more confused as Bruce placed his hands in a basket to boost her up into the saddle. As soon as she was settled Bruce hopped on his horse and they soon began a gallop to the palace. Lois had been so caught off guard by Bruce's entrance that she hadn't even grabbed a cloak, but the mixture of confusion, worry, and excitement that stirred in her stomach made her forget about the cold wind swirling around her on the ride.
As they arrived at the palace Lois was quickly escorted to the throne room much to the happiness of Oliver and James both of whom were looking as happy as Bruce. "When you stand before the King, kneel." Bruce told her as she heard drums begin to thump from the throne room. "Go."
Lois cast a look at the three of them, before turning her head towards the entrance to the throne room. She took a deep breath and stood up straight as she made her way into the room. As Lois entered the room she said a small handful of people, most of whom she didn't know.
"Make way for the Lady Lois." She heard announced as people moved out of her way, creating a path straight to the King, whom was seated on his throne, dressed in a red robe which was trimmed in white spotted fur. Lois placed her hands in front of her stomach and straightened herself as she came before the king. He smiled brightly at her and she took that as her cue to kneel before him.
Lord Olsen held a parchment in his hands and began to read. "To all singulars as well as nobles and gentles and others to whom these presents shall come: It is the King's pleasure by this patent to confer on the lady Lois Lane in her own right and on her offspring the noble title Marquess of Seafield." Lois' eyes widened as she looked up at the King whom still held a contented smile. Lois' heart was racing in her chest as the words continued. "And also by this patent to grant her lands worth one hundred thousand pounds a year for the maintaining of her dignity."
As Jimmy finished reading the statement Clark pushed his robe open as he stood from his throne, slowly descending from the small number of steps the lead to the throne. Lois looked down, tears stinging her eyes, he had made her royalty, and all for her lies. Clark held his hands out to her, offering to help her from her knees. Lois looked up, smiled softly and placed her hands in his allowing him to pull her to her feet. He signaled for his manservant to approach them, holding a pillow with a crown laying on it, Lois could only assume it was the crown of Seafield. Clark gently placed it atop Lois' mane of soft curls. The couple never took their eyes off each other, Lois' screamed of shock while Clark's sang of devotion. He then turned to his manservant and grabbed a robe which was the exact likeness of the one he was wearing. Clark shook it out and protectively wrapped it around Lois' shoulders. She felt his lips by the shell of her ear.
"Do you know what they call Seafield my sweet?" He whispered soft enough so only she could hear. Lois turned her head slightly before whispering.
"I do not."
Clark sighed softly and kissed the shell of her ear gently, "The Ruby Islands."
Lois' breath caught in her throat and suddenly it all made sense. Do you like rubies or emeralds? He had given her the royal title of Marquess so he could bring her with him to Princess Diana's birthday ball. He's made me a royal. Lois thought in her head. Giving her one final squeeze he returned to face her, Jimmy rushed to his side giving him the scroll he had read from. Clark took it from him, and handed it to Lois. "The patent of your nobility."
Lois smiled, she took a deep breath, calming herself so her voice didn't betray her when she spoke. "Thank you, your Majesty." She whispered.
Clark took Lois' hand in his and kissed her knuckles gently before taking her hand and leading her from the throne room. "Make way for his Majesty the King, and the lady Lois Lane, Marquess of Seafield."
Lord Lex Luthor and Lord Zod stood to the left of the throne watching as the King and now Marquess of Seafield exited the room and Lord Wayne, Queen, and Olsen all clapped each other on the back with smiles on her face. "Is it just me," Zod spoke. "Or is something strange about this whole situation."
"Believe me I'm looking into it." Lex said menacingly. "That… woman has been nothing but the bane of my existence since she showed up at court. There's nothing I would like more then to see her fall. I actually have a lead, somewhere near the Shadow Coast. When the King travels to Themyscira I plan on visiting the coast to see if it proves to be fruitful."
"Good," Zod nodded. "Especially since we've fallen out of the Kings favor lately, no thanks to you."
"Well forgive me if I don't bow down to the King's whore." Lex spat back at him. "Not all of us can remain in the shadows like you."
"Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder." Zod spoke before walking off and disappearing from sight. Lex rolled his eyes and before casting one last look at the three cheering advisors, disappeared as well.
XsX
Lois was seated next to Clark at the large dining table, this time they were not alone, there were plenty of occupied seats and food constantly being placed on their plates, and clearing plates another moment later. Lois reached over grasping Clark's hand in her own. "I don't know if I could ever thank you your Majesty. Your kindness is unlike anything I've experienced before."
"You thank me by being in my company." Clark smiled brightly. "And you can thank me by traveling with me to Themyscira."
Lois smiled brightly, Clark could have sworn she was glowing from happiness. "Then travel with you is what I shall do. With complete happiness." Lois paused for a moment. "You know, I was so confused when you asked me if I preferred emeralds or rubies. And now I know why you had asked."
"I hope you enjoy Seafield, it's directly on the coast and is so lush it puts my palace to shame. From the highest tower of the castle if you look out, it's as if you're flying above the ocean. And it is called the ruby islands because rubies wash up on the shore daily, as if a gift from the sea goddesses. Also I figured you did not want to live with your cousin for the rest of your life." Clark said genuinely. Lois' held back her tears at his words, the fact that he had listened to her so carefully and found it within himself to bestow a castle, and a noble title upon her. But it didn't stop the guilt which seemed to weigh more heavily upon her with each passing day.
"Clark, you are the kindest man I've ever met. Where would I be without you?" She said cheerfully, leaning into him.
Clark took her in and smiled. "Perhaps you and I should dance?" He stood up and offered her his hand.
Lois grinned and placed her hand in his. Clark cued the musicians to begin playing and immediately an upbeat melody filled the hall. Clark placed his hands on Lois' hips and lifted her up unexpectedly. Lois let out a girlish squeal and held on tightly. From this day on, everything would be different.
XsX
Much to the displeasure of Bruce who was worrying about Lois being alone with the King traveling to a foreign realm, Lois was packed and waiting for the King and his escort to arrive. The crisp late autumn weather was perfect for traveling. "You remember what we talked about."
"I know Bruce, I'm a big girl, I can handle being by myself and doing everything we spoke about." Lois reassured him as she glanced toward the entrance of the estate waiting to see the beginning of the escort come into sight.
"This could set us up for the rest of the Kings reign Lois." Bruce reiterated. She could only roll her eyes and turn towards him. She placed a hand on his forearm.
"Bruce relax, I understand how important this is." Lois said softly. "I will not disappoint."
The corner of Bruce's lips hitched up for only a moment before his gaze fell on the gates of the estate and the hundreds of men that were making their way through it. Bruce's men quickly made work of gathering Lois' trunks to place with the rest of the luggage going to Themyscira. Clark dismounted from atop his black colt and made his way over to Lois. She was wearing a chocolate brown traveling gown, with a black fur cloak and birdscage veil over her face, as always she took Clark's breath away. "My lady."
Lois curtseyed before him before he quickly wrapped her in an embrace kissing her lips before reluctantly pulling away. "Are you ready for our journey?"
"I am." Lois said happily.
"Lord Wayne, I promise I'll take absolute care of your cousin on our journey, and bring her back to you in one piece." Clark promised extending his hand to the tall dark haired man.
"She better be your Majesty." Bruce said, his voice carrying an inflection of threat in it. Clark laughed heartily before escorting Lois over to her horse and helping her up. He gently caressed her leg through the layers of fabric before mounting his horse next to her.
"Lets go!" Clark called and immediately the royal escort began to move, and with a simple command Lois was on her way to Themyscira, a country she had never been to before, as a guest of the King and would be in his closest company.
Hours later the sun was setting and camp had been set up for the day. They feasted on a small dinner before the majority of people retired to their tents. Lois sat in her tent, a fire roaring from small branches and logs they had found. The ladies the King had provided for her had helped her undress and get her prepared for sleep. Lois dismissed them to their tents and laid down on the soft furs that had been laid out for her. She watched as the fire crackle and popped sending warmth throughout her entire body and sending the comforting smell through the air. Lois was lost in a trance of the dancing flames when she heard voices outside of her tent. She slowly sat up as her heartbeat picked up, she knew the King had placed two guards outside her tent for her protection but she still was cautious. She watched as the flaps of her tent opened to reveal the King in his sleeping robes. Lois gulped and sat up on her elbow watching as he approached her. "Marquess." Clark said as he kneeled before her.
"Your Majesty." Lois said softly, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
XsX
Well what did you think? Love it? Hate it/me for leaving it there? Questions? Ideas? Did you like what the emerald and the ruby ended up being? Leave me some comments and let me know!