This story was done in collaboration between me and Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and we both own the OCs that are used in the story. Credit to author AaronCottrell97 for a few ideas and character suggestions (especially the duel layout for the story). Everything else belongs to their respective owners:
Thomas and Friends (c) Hit Entertainment and Mattel
The Railway Series (c) Rev Wilbert Awdry
Yu-Gi-Oh! (c) Konami
NOTE: This scene takes place LONG ago, namely during the time Anakin and Anastasia were both still alive; it also expands on Queen Imelda (Anastasia's Mother) a small bit.
WARNING: This story is rated M for sexual content and nudity. Reader discretion is completely advised.
Title: Illicit Affairs
Long, long ago in the Duel Monsters spirit world, there used to be a Queen - Queen Imelda. She ruled one of the biggest kingdoms (Rondeval) in the whole Spirit World, along with King Reginald, her husband. Imelda, who was tall, tanned skinned and had shoulder-length black hair, was a beautiful and well-loved Queen by her subjects, but the same couldn't be said about her marriage to King Reginald.
Imelda was forced by her parents into marriage at the age of 18 to the older, more ruthless Reginald (who was 25 at the time). Despite the claims from the prince at the time, there was actually no love between the two when they were married. Reginald happened to be a heartless, ruthless, and power hungry tyrant who only wanted the marriage so that he could become King of the kingdom of Rondeval and eventually expand it into a mighty empire. Once Imelda turned 19, she and Reginald were married, and at the age of 20 Imelda gave birth to a baby girl name Anastasia.
"I shall name you...Anastasia." Queen Imelda said, holding her newborn baby in her arms and smiling at her.
Baby Anastasia cooed, while Joan (who was 24 at the time) could only watch nearby with a warm smile on her face. Unfortunately, King Reginald showed Queen Imelda no compassion whatsoever, only seeing the baby as someone to provide him with an heir and future ruler to his kingdom. And frankly, Queen Imelda never felt any compassion for her husband either. The ONLY thing that she was thankful for him was the fact that he gave her a beautiful daughter. There were very few people who Queen Imelda could go to express herself towards; with them being her personal lady-in-waiting and friend, Joan, and one of the royal footmen, Leonardo.
"She's beautiful, my Queen... Just like her Mother." The spiky blonde-haired young man (Leonardo) praised. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, Leonardo." Queen Imelda smiled, before looking back at her new baby. "And yes, Anastasia is beautiful."
Footman was the designation given to those who ran beside or behind the carriages of aristocrats, many of whom were chosen for their physical attributes (strength and speed). They ran alongside the coach to make sure it was not overturned by such obstacles as ditches or tree roots. They would also run ahead to prepare the destination place for their lord's arrival. Usually the footmen performed a range of duties which included serving meals, opening and closing doors, carrying heavy items, or moving furniture for the housemaid to clean behind. The footmen might also double as valets, especially for visiting guests.
Male servants were often paid much more than female servants, and footmen were something of a luxury and therefore a status symbol even among the servant-employing classes. They often performed a less essential role than the cook, maid, or even butler, and were part only of the grandest households. Since a footman was for show as much as for use, a tall footman was more highly prized than a short one, and good looks, including well-turned legs, which were shown off by the traditional footman's dress of stockings worn below knee breeches, were an advantage. Footmen were expected to be unmarried and tended to be relatively young; they might, however, progress to other posts, notably that of butler.
"Sire!" Leonardo bowed, kneeling to King Reginald and Queen Imelda.
Leonardo was of course one of these footmen, and he was about the same age as Imelda. As was required of a footman, Leonardo was very physically fit, and being rather tall, and good-looking, made him a highly prized footman. He was a respectable man who would oblige to his King and Queen's orders without fail, despite his personal resentment towards King Reginald and his cruel wishing to expand his land. When he was appointed footmen, he and Queen Imelda had instantly became attracted to each other. Leonardo was perhaps the only person besides Joan that the Queen could consider a friend and confide in with all the immense stress and pressure she carried on her shoulders.
"Ma'am, are you alright?" Leonardo asked one day, seeing the distress on Queen Imelda's face.
"It's... it's nothing." insisted Queen Imelda, trying to walk away.
Leonardo stopped her. "No, my Queen, you're not okay." he said firmly, looking into his Queen's eyes. "I want to help you."
Until, eventually, during a particularly difficult time of Queen Imelda's life, she and Leonardo shared their first kiss. Despite the fact that this was a forbidden act, the two agreed to indulge in this illicit relationship, meeting up in private to share kisses behind King Reginald's back.
"Leonardo, I... I..." stuttered. Queen Imelda, trying to find the right words. "Let's...do this when we're alone."
"It would be my honor." obeyed Leonardo, understanding everything. "I'll see you later, my Queen."
"No, Leonardo... When we're alone, you can just call me by my real name - Imelda."
(new scene...)
As Leonardo approached the age of 30, he was relieved of his position as footman and progressed to that of butler. Soon after, one night, after an extremely stressful day and big argument with King Reginald, which resulted in him hitting her, before he departed with his army to conquer another kingdom, Queen Imelda requested Leonardo to stay with her and comfort her.
"Oh, Leonardo, I can't stand this!" Queen Imelda, sitting at the end of the bed, weeping hard. "While I'm truly happy to have given birth to a wonderful daughter, I just can't handle being married to such a horrible man! I just can't!"
"Imelda..." whispered Leonardo, approaching the despairing Queen, taking, and holding her hands. "It's alright... I'm here for you."
The two adults soon shared a passionate kiss.
(elsewhere...)
Outside the room, Joan was about to open the door to check on her friend and Queen when she started to overhear some rather infamous words from said Queen...
"Leonardo, please... I want you to love me in the most intimate way possible! Let's make love, here and now."
"I thought you would never ask." Leonardo's voice echoed in acceptance.
Joan, having overheard the words, was most shocked.
"M-My Queen..." she thought to herself, turning and walking away from the door. "Why would you commit to such adultery?"
Ever since then, whenever King Reginald was away, and if the stress was too much for her, Queen Imelda and Leonardo would occasionally make love again. However, despite how much she loved Leonardo, and the passion their lovemaking produced, the Queen knew that this illicit affair was simply unacceptable, as Leonardo was, at the end of the day, merely a servant of her and the royal family, and if King Reginald were to ever discover this adultery, he would surely execute them both.
"Joan?" Queen Imelda pressed, seeing as her lady-in-waiting was strangely quiet. "Joan, are you alright? You haven't said a word since serving dinner."
"I'm sorry." mumbled Joan, using her fork to pick away at her food. "I know about your affair with Leonardo."
"You know of it...?" Queen Imelda immediately realized the truth and became saddened. "Joan, I... I-"
"Please, Your Majesty. I won't tell a soul. Your secret is safe with me."
In no time at all, did Queen Imelda quickly learn that Joan was well aware of the affair (having overheard the request to have sex). Thankfully, Joan swore to keep the affair secret from everyone else in the kingdom. Of course, Queen Imelda and Leonardo had long already been experts at hiding their feelings for each other in front of King Reginald and showcasing a strictly professional relationship in front of him and everyone else, and King Reginald never once suspected anything, mostly because he paid them no attention—keeping more focus on long nights preparing war plans.
(new scene...)
Two years after first making love, and after Anastasia had turned 12, Anakin was discovered outside the castle and brought into the royal army after King Reginald saw how powerful the young boy was. Despite the fact that King Reginald would never accept Anakin as a true member of the family and only as a tool to destroying armies and conquering kingdoms, Queen Imelda treated Anakin like the son she never had and showed him much affection.
"Happy Birthday, Anakin!" cheered Queen Imelda, carrying a freshly baked cake towards the table.
Inside Young Anastasia's room, the 13-year old princess, her Mother, Leonardo, Joan, and even a teenage girl named Esther (who would become a lady-in-waiting in the future), were all present to celebrate Young Anakin's 13th Birthday.
"Is this what a Birthday is...like?" asked Young Anakin curiously.
"Silly." giggled Young Anastasia. "You were around for my own 13th Birthday."
"Wait, that party was for your own Birthday? I didn't know that."
Queen Imelda laughed. "It sure was, Anakin." she pointed out, cheerfully. "Now, go ahead and blow out the candle."
And Young Anakin did so.
(new scene...)
Years later, inside the throne room, there was that first meeting between Prince Randolph and Princess Anastasia when they were teenagers...
"Hey!" called Prince Randolph, speaking directly to Anastasia once he heard her voice. "Are you, by any chance, the princess of this here kingdom and daughter of this King?"
Silence...
"Y-Yes... I am." confirmed Anastasia rather uneasily, watching as Prince Randolph slowly move his eyes up and down. "Why do you ask?"
Suddenly, the 16-year old prince grinned in a highly perverted way. "Well, because I have to admit one thing..." He then pointed at the 16-year old Anastasia's chest. "Those tracks of land you have there are really big for a girl of your age; puberty must've been VERY kind to you. Are you sure you're not one of those sexy girls from a TV show I like watching in my spare time? I'm actually positive any guy would want you as a girlfriend, that way they can stare at your beauty and tracks all day long! I know I would."
Anastasia suddenly felt very repulsed by Prince Randolph's attitude towards her (her Mother didn't seem all that thrilled either) and walked over to slap him hard across the face. Did the slap even faze him? Not one bit. It made Prince Randolph grin with interest even moreso.
"Oooh, playing hard to get? I like that very much in a girl."
"You... you disgusting swine!" shouted Anastasia angrily. "How dare you speak to me in a manner such as that?" The brunette-haired girl turned to face her Father. "Daddy, banish him, this minute!"
"Before I do-" said King Reginald in response. "-I wish to speak to him and his flunky alone."
The crowd was dismissed. As Anastasia began to leave the throne room, Prince Randolph looked towards the beautiful princess and winked at her before making a 'call me' gesture with his right hand. The brunette-haired girl merely scowled in disgust as she left the area. Once they were alone, King Reginald spoke to the messenger and perverted prince.
"Alright, here's the deal..." Anastasia's Father began. "I will agree to an alliance between our kingdoms on one, simple condition..."
"Name it, Your Majesty!" The messenger pleaded. "We will do anything to ensure us in becoming friends!"
"An arranged marriage between Prince Randolph and my daughter on the year where they turn 19-years old." answered King Reginald. He then directed his attention towards the teenaged prince. "You, lad, are someone I sense with potential to become a great King like me."
Prince Randolph's eyes widened happily. "R-Really? Y-You mean it?"
"I do; every word." smiled King Reginald.
Suddenly the perverted prince started doing several cartwheels, flips, and cheers around the throne room. He was actually going to marrying a sexy-looking princess! It was a dream come true! He would soon become King of his own kingdom! Queen Imelda, however, felt extremely unsure about all of this...
"Darling, are you sure this was a good idea?" she asked nervously. "I mean... What if Anastasia outright refuses him as a potential husband?"
"Nonsense!" insisted King Reginald, still smiling proudly. "Someone like him will be most excellent for our daughter; perfect and powerful! ...someone who can help lead the kingdom well enough when we pass away."
"But what about Anastasia?" objected Queen Imelda, once again bring up their daughter. "She positively HATES this prince. How is she going to feel about this?"
"Just give them some time together. I'm sure she'll grow to love him..."
Years later, the royal family was introduced to Prince Randolph, whom King Reginald, after agreeing to an alliance with the manchild-like prince's kingdom, forcibly engaged to Anastasia against her will despite the fact that she very clearly hated him upon their first meeting, along with the fact he was also nothing but a pervert. Queen Imelda tried to argue against King Reginald's decision, only for him to refuse to alter his ironclad arrangements.
(new scene...)
Inside Anastasia's room, Joan and Esther were both busy doing measurements for new gowns for their respective boss (Esther: Anastasia, Joan: Queen Imelda). Both Anastasia and Queen Imelda were naked at the moment, but were not bothered by it since only their ladies-in-waiting were present in the room.
"Excuse us for a moment, Your Highness's." said Joan, after writing a few things down on a pad of paper.
"We'll be right back." added Esther, taking her pad of paper.
The two ladies left the room, allowing the princess and her Mother to talk.
"You know, honey, I'm very surprised." commented Queen Imelda, looking at her daughter. "Surprised that you began development so early like at the age of 9."
"You told me one time that you started development at the age of 11." added Anastasia, before looking down at her chest.
"Still, you've really developed around there." As Queen Imelda spoke, she reached over and laid a hand onto her daughter's left breast. "I mean, you're only 16 and you've already gotten slightly more developed than I am."
"I don't know why puberty's been so kind to me." sighed Anastasia. "Either way, I don't like it all that much... It's been getting me some not-so-good attention from different princes." She then shuddered at the most recent one. "Especially from Prince Randolph."
"I know. I don't like that pervert either, but what can we do? The marriage arrangement was your Father's idea."
"I only wish there was a prince out there who would love me for who I am as a person, and not for my looks alone." wished Anastasia.
Soon, Joan and Esther both returned with sketches to show their respective mistress.
(new scene...)
Queen Imelda had always been keeping an eye on Anastasia's development through puberty. Needless to say, she was surprised when Anastasia started puberty at the age of 9, the earliest age that puberty can begin for girls, when Imelda began puberty around the age of 11. She was particularly surprised at how much the princess's breasts had developed so quickly to the point that at the age of 16, Anastasia's bust was already slightly larger than Queen Imelda's current bust size. By the time Anastasia was 18, her bust had grown even bigger than her Mother's current cup size. Now at 38 years of age, Queen Imelda's breasts and figure, while they were certainly nothing to scoff at, were completely outsized by her own daughter, who was only 20 years younger than her. Queen Imelda even had to ask herself how Anastasia could have had such incredible development so quickly. Some of Anastasia's development naturally and realistically HAD to have come from her own Mother, but this was something else entirely. She certainly wasn't jealous of her daughter, if anything she felt immensely sorry for her thanks to the unwanted attention from Prince Randolph.
"Yo, baby!" hooted Prince Randolph, watching as his 'love interest' walked down one hallway.
"Go away, you sexist pig!" hissed Anastasia.
The prince was, without a doubt, the most perverted person Queen Imelda had ever met in her life; he was constantly trying to seduce Anastasia every time they met regardless of much she expressed her sheer, unrelenting hatred for him - refusing to even refer to him by actual name - and regardless of how many times she rejected and even physically attacked him in his privates, he seemed to enjoy it and would not let up on his relentless flirting. It was so infamous that Prince Randolph had earned himself a nickname - Randy. Queen Imelda hated him as much as her daughter, and Anakin especially hated him. Heck, even every single other woman in the entire kingdom despised him, and Queen Imelda refused to accept him as part of the family - especially as her son-in-law, a fact she made clear to Esther, Joan, and Leonardo. But no matter how much Anastasia cried and how much Queen Imelda comforted and sympathized with her, there was nothing that could be done.
(earlier on...)
Back when Anastasia was 16...
"Just because I'm a lady, it doesn't mean I have to be dainty and weak." said Anastasia only to herself, taking an arrow out of the quiver on her back.
Currently, the brunette-haired girl was decked out in a modified version of her royal gown with added greaves, a fauld, gauntlets, pauldrons, and even a breastplate armor, while her long hair was tied back into a ponytail. Currently, Anastasia was outside the castle practicing with the bow and arrow.
"I'll show that perverted prince I'm not a piece of meat he can take advantage of, easily."
Raising the bow up, she let loose an arrow...
*WHOOSH!*
...and Anastasia got a bulls-eye.
"Alright!" The brunette-haired girl cheered, before raising the bow up with a fresh arrow. "Let's try again..."
She aimed, and let it loose.
*WHOOSH!*
And another arrow...
*WHOOSH!*
And a fourth one...
*WHOOSH!*
Anastasia got four bulls-eyes in a row, much to her happiness! Just then, there was the sound of clapping...
"Huh?" gasped Anastasia, looking around. "Who's there?"
The clapping was coming from...that manchild-like prince.
"Bravo, Anastasia." Prince Randolph congratulated genuinely, emerging from behind a nearby alleyway. "Quite an impressive display. I guess it would seem that you're not only a beautiful princess, but a dead sexy archer, too."
Anastasia scowled. "Go away, I'm busy."
"Sure, I'll leave you alone..." The perverted prince replied, walking closer to his 'supposed' love interest. Oh, but if only he had finished there... "But only if you have dinner with me tonight... What do you say?"
As soon as he laid a hand onto Prince Randolph's shoulder, Anastasia responded by punching the selfish prince in the gut, grabbing his arm and throwing him to the ground.
"Forget it!" The brunette-haired girl refused. "I'd rather rot in the dungeons for a whole year than have dinner with you!"
It was during this two year period that Anastasia had become dedicated to training herself in combat, and, despite King Reginald's objections, she refused to stop for anyone who did not wish to see her do such actions. Soon enough, Anakin was personally training her himself, just as she had personally trained him in playing Duel Monsters. Unlike King Reginald, Queen Imelda was actually proud of Anastasia for wanting to go down this path, but unfortunately, it only fueled Prince Randolph's lust for her even more - and it also made him jealous of Anakin whenever he (Prince Randolph) saw that he (Anakin) and Anastasia were hanging out.
"Hey! Loser!" Prince Randolph called out, speaking to Anakin. "You really think you're so good at playing Duel Monsters?"
"Well, I'm at least better at it than you are at being likable." Anakin retorted.
"Is that a challenge, I hear?" The manchild-like prince questioned, getting red in the face. "Don't answer, because I believe it is! Face me in a duel, punk!" He then shot Anastasia a flirting-like smile. "See me win, babe!"
Sadly, Prince Randolph was beaten in less than four turns.
"No fair!" he whined, stomping the ground in a tantrum.
"All's fair in battle." shrugged Anakin. "Maybe when you grow up and act your age, you'll stand a better chance one day."
No matter how many times, Prince Randolph dueled Anakin, he always lost. Of course, he always responded well to those losses (not really). And even when he dueled Anastasia a couple of times, he always got his butt kicked. Unlike the example with Anakin, the prince always responded well to his losses to Anastasia (because he thought he would score with her soon enough).
(new scene...)
Back at the time she turned 18, Anastasia, humming a little tune, was walking down the dark, damp hallways leading to her private chambers. She was nearly there, when suddenly...
*WHAM!*
The poor princess fell down flat onto the ground. Sitting atop of her was...a very miffed-looking prince.
"H-Hey!" spluttered Anastasia. "What's the big idea jumping onto me in the dark?"
Silence...
"Well? What's going on? Why did you jump me?"
"I want you, Princess Anastasia." hissed Prince Randolph, with his right eye twitching madly. "I don't care if you hate me for who I am... You are my fiance, and you WILL be mine—whether you like it or not!"
Seeing the insanity in that perverted manchild's eyes made Anastasia feel and grow very uncomfortable and afraid.
"W-What are you going to do to me?" she asked, growing increasingly frightened.
"If I can't win you over willingly, then I will ravish your land by force!" Prince Randolph continued, taking a knife out. "I'll start with how you really look..."
He motioned the knife down until was over Anastasia's clothed chest. Snickering sinisterly, Prince Randolph proceeded to, against Anastasia's will, cut and tear a portion of the princess's top off (although not all the way) until she was sporting tons of breast cleavage. The sight and size of Anastasia's bust made the perverted prince's eyes widen with excitement at how well-developed she truly was for her age.
"Oh... Oh, yes... NOW I can see your tracks of land more clearly!" Prince Randolph drooled greedily, staring at Anastasia's slightly exposed cleavage as he began to reach and grab hold of them. "Yes... YESSSSS! They look so large and soft, that I could just grab and squeeze them with my own two hands..."
"Get off me, you disgusting pig!" screamed Anastasia, trying to struggle out of Prince Randolph's strong grip and weight. Unfortunately, she was failing to break free from his powerful hold, leaving her forced to do one other thing about it... "HELP! SOMEBODY! RAPE! RAPE!"
Prince Randolph was then just about to tear off more of Anastasia's royal gown and sexually assault her (by thrusting into between her legs, and NOT with a knife), when all of a sudden...
*SMASH!*
Anakin had suddenly appeared from the shadows and tackled the pervert viciously, freeing Anastasia from his clutches.
"A-Anakin?!" The princess gasped.
"You-!" recoiled Prince Randolph, trying to get back up.
"HOW FRIGGIN' DARE YOU!" roared Anakin, just as he forcefully dragged Prince Randolph back to his feet and punched him real hard.
Prince Randolph stumbled about until he collided with the wall, but didn't get a chance to recover in time. This was because Anakin had then swiftly grabbed the vile prince by his tunic collar again, pulled him closer, and backhanded him powerfully across the face. The perverted prince smashed into the door leading to Anastasia's private chambers and destroyed it, sending him flying into said chambers.
"S-So, y-y-you wanna fight?" stuttered Prince Randolph, getting back up whilst trying to act brave (when he was truly terrified). "Then l-let's fight here a-and now, bastard!"
"Fine by me." hissed Anakin, with his eyes beginning to flush all red from his dark influence (an aura of darkness also was forming around him), walking into the room. "The gloves are off!"
Eventually, after Prince Randolph slashed at Anakin with a knife and left him unable to fight back, the guards arrived and stopped the fight, with King Reginald and Queen Imelda both arriving to see what was going on.
"What in blue blazes is going on in here?!" demanded the very angry King.
"That monster tried to rape me!" exclaimed Anastasia, pointing angrily at Prince Randolph.
Prince Randolph then got defensive. "Anakin tried to kill me!" he peeped, pointing at Anakin.
"SILENCE, ALL OF YOU!" bellowed King Reginald, quieting down everyone else. He then turned his attention to the wounded Anakin. "Anakin, I want an explanation from you, right this minute."
"I... I heard Anastasia scream while I was heading for my chambers, and came to see what the matter was." explained Anakin, struggling to stand up and explain due to him still being weak and bleeding heavily. "When I got here, I saw this &%$#&%$ trying to rape her, and I tried to protect her like you wanted me to do. Prince Randolph and I fought, and he eventually pulled out a knife and attacked me with it. If the guards hadn't arrived in time, I would have been killed, and Anastasia would have unwillingly lost her virginity."
When Queen Imelda heard of this, she was beyond furious with Prince Randolph for trying to bring harm to her daughter.
"YOU LITTLE WEASEL!" Anastasia's Mother shrieked, slapping the perverted young man across his swollen face—which hurt.
King Reginald was likewise angry! ...but for a whole different reason. What reason was that? Oh, let's find out...
"Did you try to kill Anastasia's fiance?" King Reginald asked slowly (and calmly).
Anakin nodded. "Yes, but it was only to protect your-"
"How dare you?!" roared King Reginald, interrupting the black-haired young man. "Do you have any idea how much trouble we would have been in if you had killed him?! His kingdom would have declared war on ours!"
"Leave him alone, you big bully!" snapped Queen Imelda, attempting to stand up to her husband. "Anakin was only doing what was necessary to protect our daughter!" She then grabbed Prince Randolph by the ear (also swollen), causing him to yell in pain. "It's ithis/i heathen who deserves punishment! I want him to be-"
"SHUT UP!"
Without warning, King Reginald backhanded his own wife across the face, knocking her onto the floor and silencing her into submission. Still seething, Anastasia's Father turned back to face his daughter.
"While I don't approve of what this prince tried to do to you, Anastasia-" he said harshly. "-he will STILL marry you."
And even though Prince Randolph had tried to rape Anastasia, King Reginald merely sent him to spend a full day in the dungeon. Pretty much a slap on the wrist. Queen Imelda, however, was truly furious. Not just with the manchild-like prince's act, but with her husband's ignorance.
(new scene...)
A week had passed since the event transpired, and Queen Imelda was alone in her bed chambers. Of course, she wasn't alone; Leonardo was there to talk to her.
"I can't understand why my husband would merely sentence that weasel to a full day in the dungeons instead of banishing or executing him." The Queen was saying. "Ever since that night, I've been thinking about my daughter's well being."
"Why don't you just have the King killed in his sleep?" Leonardo suggested. "Then you could make the rules, and put an end to the engagement."
"The guards protect my husband's chambers with the greatest of care. They're too loyal to him."
The spiky blonde-haired man sighed, before seeing the nearby door open and reveal Joan. It was sign that it was time for him to leave and go prepare dinner.
"Sorry, Imelda, but I have to go prepare dinner now." he apologized, before leaning in and kissing the Queen's cheek. "I'll check in on you a little later."
Queen Imelda managed a smile when her 'secret' lover left.
"I see you and Leonardo had a good chat?" asked Joan, clearly knowing the answer.
"We have." nodded Queen Imelda, before looking towards her friend in what could be seen as distress. "Joan, I really hope my daughter doesn't go down the same route as I've taken by having a forbidden relationship."
Joan immediately felt uncomfortable; seeing as she and Esther both knew something that their Queen clearly did not. Seeing the look on the dirty blonde-haired woman's face, Queen Imelda grew suspicious and wanted to know what her lady-in-waiting was thinking of...
"Joan? You don't look that good. Is anything the matter?"
"Oh, nothing serious." Joan lied. "Just a little sour stomach."
However, Queen Imelda was far too smart to be fooled; she saw some signs of hesitation on the other woman's face. The Queen wanted answers, and she wanted them now.
"No fibbing, Joan." she said firmly. "You're hiding something from me, and I want to know what it is."
"I promised I would take my secrets to the grave." insisted Joan.
"Joan!" demanded Queen Imelda.
With no other choice, the dirty blonde-haired woman was forced to reveal everything that she and Esther had seen and heard from Anakin and Anastasia making love to each other during that fateful night, and how Esther had also walked up on them kissing the day before. When the explanation was done, Queen Imelda was most shocked.
"T-That can't be." The Queen mumbled, feeling very dizzy. "Anastasia, my sweet little girl, has gone and done exactly what I feared."
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry." apologized Joan. "I know this must be very overwhelming for you, but please try not to lose your cool with-"
"No, Joan, I'm not angry." interrupted Queen Imelda. "But, please, could you leave? I'd like to be alone for a little bit so I can gather my thoughts together."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I also promise to keep this a tight secret; Esther will do so, too."
As soon as the dirty blonde-haired woman left the room, Queen Imelda sat on her bed in tears over what Anastasia and Anakin had done. Her daughter was making love before she was even married, and even to a mere soldier. It was a case of 'like mother like daughter' that she never wanted.
"Oh, Anastasia..." Queen Imelda mumbled. "Why would you do such a thing?"
She knew she should confront Anastasia and scold her for this foolish mistake, but how could she when she herself had committed adultery with Leonardo behind her husbands back. The Queen couldn't bring herself to blackmail her own daughter for sexual deviations when she herself had already done so years prior, and was still doing it to this day. She couldn't blame Anastasia, or Anakin for this, especially not after Anastasia had nearly been raped. Eventually, Queen Imelda calmed down and made herself presentable for dinner and joined Anastasia, with Leonardo, as he always did, watched over them.
"Mmm! This beef steak is delicious." smiled Anastasia, eating some of the prepared meat.
"Thank you, Your Highness." bowed Leonardo, taking a sip of wine from his glass.
During their meal, Anastasia was once again missing and worrying about Anakin. Queen Imelda realized at that point that she should have noticed that Anastasia and Anakin had been happier together after he saved her than they usually were; a clear sign that they had made love to each other and began a relationship. The Queen should have noticed, but she had been in too much shock. She managed to hide any implication that she knew about her daughter's secret and maintained her composure, but inside she was still very disappointed with Anastasia, and knew that her own Father would be beyond furious if he ever discovered the truth, especially since there was still at least a year before the wedding was supposed to take place, and if Anastasia were to become pregnant before then, King Reginald's wrath would be even worse.
"Mother, I really miss Anakin." sighed Anastasia. "Although he's very skilled, I just can't help but worry about him whenever he has to go with Father into battle. What is he gets killed? I might never see him again."
"It is the destiny of all soldiers, I am afraid." Queen Imelda reminded.
"But why can't I fight alongside him?" Anastasia pressed on. "I'm more skilled and intelligent than all of Father's soldiers - Ani was the one who taught me how to fight, after all."
Queen Imelda laid a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Easy, honey. Somehow, someway, I know Anakin will return home safely like he always does. Just have a little faith."
"Are you sure?" asked Anastasia doubtfully.
"I'm sure, honey." smiled Queen Imelda. "Maybe one day, you'll find a way to enter combat and fight alongside your best friend."
"You know something, I really would like that." Anastasia smiled back. "Thanks, Mom."
Alas, Queen Imelda knew full well that her daughter would be a million times happier with Anakin rather than Prince Randolph - in fact, she would gladly prefer if Anakin were to be Anastasia's husband. But the fact it was still an unacceptable relationship, but Queen Imelda, despite how much she loved Leonardo, was just as, if not even guiltier of that. She knew that once Anastasia was married to Prince Randolph, her heart would be full of nothing but anger, hate, and sadness for the rest of her life if she couldn't be with Anakin forever—and Queen Imelda would never forgive herself if she were to let that happen. After dinner, Anastasia said goodnight to her Mother and left the room, while Queen Imelda, very reluctantly, decided to keep her daughter's illicit relationship a secret, if it meant that she could have at least some happiness in her life before it would be ruined forever. A secret the Queen would never be able to tell anyone, not even her forbidden lover Leonardo, as she slept in the comforting arms of her own lover, still in her own illicit affair with a wonderful man.
End Scene