Subtle Sovereignty | Chapter I: Simmered Innuendos | By Twisted Eternal Wolvetta
"Tonight is our second anniversary." The remark was incredibly sultry as it escaped the monarch's lips. A wine glass sat within her palm; its stem jutting between her index and middle fingers. "It felt like yesterday when she presented herself to me." Her gaze clouded over in reminiscence, her free palm rising upwards. Grazing her fingertips across her lips, she dragged crimson upon her companion. Beneath the table, she delicately brushed her bare foot across skin. "...Right, Natsuki?"
This woman would never relent with her innuendos, would she? "A-ah…" Natsuki helplessly sat on the other end of the balcony table. "Stop saying it like that." She mumbled, a tingle tracing along her calf as toes skimmed across. Her Majesty of House Viola—Shizuru—in private, was a seductress. For three months now, the Queen had been targeting her. Why? Defiant viridian stared back at the sovereign.
"Why ever not?" A chuckle rasped on over, frying Natsuki's nerves. "...I confessed before, did I not?" The monarch wet her lips before pressing them to her glass. Taking a languid sip, she cooed: "Natsuki is so cute. Besides..." Placing her drink down, the glass clinked against stone. Edging against the table, she extended an arm. "...I have seen those looks." Fingertips briefly brushed against silk ruffles before entwining against the shirt. "Of yearning—you are enticed."
Surely less than her? Natsuki stared at the temptress whose grip latched to her collar. Dragged forward, she swallowed roughly. "I-I… but why… me?" She stuttered lamely, on the edge of her seat. "You're the Queen! I'm the daughter of a minor-noblewoman!"
"...So? Such a weak response from my cute Spymaster."
"Don't you have suitors?" Natsuki tried in vain. "I'm ju—"
"—What about them?" She had already informed Parliament she would never marry any men they threw her way. Anyway, her Zipangese cousin was second in line. Drawing Natsuki closer, a genuine laugh bubbled from Shizuru. "Am I not allowed to treasure her as I see fit? Natsuki has been by my side through thick and thin. Not even my ladies in waiting have rivalled your dedication." Wouldn't anyone fall in love with that? She lovingly stared into wary green. Crossing an arm beneath her, the other laxed against Natsuki's collar. "I cherish Natsuki and desperately want to make her mine." Grazing her fingertips along Natsuki's jaw, she cooed as the younger woman exploded into a blush. "Am I not allowed?"
That had happened two days ago now.
Looking within the cheval mirror, Natsuki stared at her reflection. Reaching for the cloth within the basin beside her, she sighed. Shizuru hadn't said a thing about it since. But Gods', the stares. Squeezing excess water from the cloth, she smeared the fabric against her face. Parliament was yet to suspect a thing and she prayed they never would. If that happened, then…
Sliding the cloth against the side of her face, her fingertips rose. Grazing them across her jaw, she thought back to that night. N-no, it wasn't the time to get absorbed within this mess! She had a job to do. Specifically that meant interacting with the Queen. Another sigh released from her lips as she dumped the cloth back into the basin. That woman was going to be her death, wasn't she?
Later, the Spymaster was ready—least, that's what she told herself—and slipped on her knee-length jacket. There was very little she could do to mentally prepare herself. But regardless, today was important, for she would reveal her latest work to Shizuru. Heading for her door, the Spymaster exited into the corridor. The royal quarters were right beside hers. Manoeuvring over, she nodded to the guards who barred the entrance with their spears. Slipping beneath as the weapons were angled away, she rapped her knuckles against solid oak. "Is Her Majesty prepared for an audience?"
"...Yes, come in." She strained to hear a voice.
Opening the door cautiously, the Queen's ladies in waiting departed from the room. Within its centre stood Shizuru who was clothed within a rouge dress. A folded fan was within her grip, hands by her hips. Swallowing nervously, Natsuki twisted her arm backwards; her hand still attached to the handle. "Your Majesty." She shut the door, keeping her forearm pressed to her back. Bending a leg forward, her other remained in place. Bowing forward, she outstretched her free arm towards Shizuru. "I have arrived to take you to Cou—"
"—We are alone, Natsuki." The Queen rebuked with amusement, having tapped Natsuki atop the head with her fan. "But please, take me." The innuendo was clearer than day, and it caused her Spymaster to splutter. Adoringly, Shizuru observed as Natsuki spun for the door, opening it for her. So cute. Bypassing her, she grazed her fan along the blushing Spymaster's jaw. "Are you sure you can come to Court?" She asked suddenly, confusing Natsuki as they stood within the doorway. Beside them were the guards. "You appear feverish." But the Spymaster wasn't, because she needed to imply, else their beautiful secret would be discovered.
A/N: Ever since editing Mai-Youkai for Abandoned Concepts I've wanted to write Shizuru in a royal role. I had no plans when writing this, but decided to include Tudor themes (1485-1603 England). Elizabeth (1533-1603) in particular suits Shizuru best and is the Tudor monarch I've taken inspiration from most.