Awaking to a tapping sound, Kit was brought out of his peaceful slumber immediately checking that his queen hadn't suffered the same fate as himself. Kit slowly rose from their shared bed, sunlight attempting to shine through the drawn curtains of the royal chambers. The tapping sound echoed through the room once again, this time louder than before. Crossing the room to the doorway Kit smoothed his robe over his shoulders before opening it slightly only to find his newly appointed Grand Duke, Leonardo.
"Sorry to wake you, your majesty. But it is nearly noon and there are some matters I need to talk to you about" Leonardo muttered quietly aware that the queen may still be asleep.
"No need to apologize, Leonardo, have my servants meet me in the bath chambers to dress and bathe as I do not want to wake Ella just yet." Kit sent off Leonardo and promptly walking to the bathroom chambers, lost in his own mindless thoughts of the night before… Ella's milky skin beneath his lips, her swollen lips from a passionate night of tender kisses and lovemaking. And to think just over 5 months ago they married, it was like it was yesterday. The lack of self-control he had around Ella while in their private chambers was unhealthy.
"Sire? Will these robes please you?" Kit was brought out of his thoughts by Will, a servant he had known since his teen years.
"Hm? Yes, those will do Will… Thank you"
Will retreats and returns with a hot bucket of water, pouring it into the bath. "Your bath is ready sire, please ring shall you require anything else." Kit nodded before discarding his night robes into a basket and sinking into the tub for a quick wash. His thoughts overcome by his golden-haired, earthy eyed maiden he loved unconditionally.
Being clothed and ready for the day Kit returned to the royal chambers to find Ella still fast asleep, he will allow her to sleep a little longer before Prudence wakes her for her royal lessons. Brushing a strand of golden hair out of her face, Kit presses a soft kiss to his queen's cheek before leaving to attend whatever business Leonardo has for him to attend too.
"Your majesty?"
"Your majesty?"
Ella heard the sound of Prudence's voice waking her from a dreamless slumber. Sighing, Ella sat up stretching before opening her eyes to a very distressed Prudence, tapping her foot at the side of the bed.
"Good morning your majesty! You were going to be late for lessons if I didn't wake you now."
"Do I have to attend lessons today? What are we learning? What colour white is best?" Ella giggled before rising,
"Well, what are you to do when Kit is away and you have to host other nobles? Dorothy! Brielle! Come now."
Dorothy and Brielle, Ella's queens' maids rushed in opening the curtains, carrying in towels and hot water for Ella's wash.
"Where is Kit?" Ella asked, slightly remembering the press of his lips to her cheek an hour or so earlier.
"His majesty is attending to matters with the Grand Duke in the study, my lady" Dorothy piped in.
Ella stepped behind the folding screen, shrugging off her robes and stepping into the tub that was prepared for her, lightly singing a song "lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavenders green. When I am Queen, dilly dilly, you shall be King" Stepping out, Ella is immediately wrapped in a towel.
"Will this dress suit you today, your majesty?" Brielle stepped forward holding a pale blue gown, simple but embroidered with floral patterns from the breast to the hem. The seamstress outdid herself this time… it reminded Ella of her dress she wore when she lived with her stepfamily, grated this gown was much more beautiful and put together than her tattered one, after all its all she had to wear.
"Oh, it's simply wonderful, Brielle. I really must have the seamstress teach me to sew like this, then I can assist her in making these beautiful gowns for me…" Ella stepped into her slip, and the gown and allowed Dorothy to button her up. Dismissing the queen's maids, Ella stepped to her vanity and braided her hair, she was in a wonderful mood today and she was sure anyone could tell, she was glowing — but that could just be from the wonderful evening with her Kit, she has surprised him by making dinner for the two of them, choosing not to dine with other Nobles that day, though the kitchen staff even after these 5 months are still surprised to see Ella in the kitchen and wearing an apron, but they know better than to fuss. It has been a stressful day for them both and a nice dinner to unwind and a dash of wine is just what they needed. Kit had gotten news of a rebellion against the crown in a village opposite to the sea, the nobleman that owned the land was unhappy with the decision to have his request to build another grand hall in his palace. After dinner, Kit continued to show Ella his appreciation, and love for her in as many ways possible. A blush raised to Ella's cheeks as she thought about the previous nights' activities.
The day passed slowly, Ella had not seen Kit all day and was being pulled around by Prudence and her instructor to learn where to seat specific Nobels of their kingdom during meals and how if she placed one Nobel with the other they would just argue for a fortnight. While she didn't understand why everyone couldn't put their differences aside and be kind to one another she understood that if she were to impress the Noblemen and women, she couldn't act like a commoner. When it was time to retire for the evening she almost ran out of the study in the Queen's wing and had a half sense to kick off her shoes and run to the secret garden. She found herself outside of Kit's study, wanting to see if he too could retire for the evening.
She knocked softly, before entering the room slowly to find Kit reading a stack of papers almost taller than himself. He looked up from the paper and smiled.
"I wondered when you would come to rescue me for the evening, all this stuff regarding the village of Alcester makes me want to abdicate," Kit laughed standing from his seat "tell me about your day, my darling. I am positive it was better than mine."
Stepping into Kit's outreached arms, Ella giggled "My Kit, I had my lessons were about how stuck up some nobles are that they cannot be seated with one another, and so on and so forth," Ella sighed "I wish I could seat people wherever they wanted to sit!"
Kit laughed, hugging Ella tighter and kissing her cheek "My darling if it were that easy, anyone could be Queen, I know it's hard to grasp trust me, I had to learn when I was fifteen. But I know how strong and resilient my Queen is, therefore I know you can do it."
"You are such a charmer, my Kit. But at least they attempt to listen to my suggestions and debate it with me, I would go mad if they didn't even allow me that. Oh and Prudence has stopped complaining when I go into the kitchen, I think she knows I will never stop."
"I have to say the meals you make are sometimes better than the chef's but don't tell him that, but speaking of which, my darling…Should we ring for dinner? You must be famished, I know I am." Kit sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I could eat, is there something else on your mind my Kit?" Ella cups his face, it troubled her to see her love in so much stress over this village fiasco
"I am afraid I will have to leave tomorrow, the King's Guard and I are venturing to Alcester to attempt and make peace, Leonardo and I both agree that this needs to end and the fear of God needs to be put into the Count." Kit sighs, taking Ella's hand in his. "I hate to leave you darling, especially just five weeks after the wedding, but I am afraid I must… I would bring you if it was safe but that I cannot guarantee based on the Count's most recent letter to me."
"Your kingdom needs you Kit, you don't need to apologize for looking out for your people and ensuring peace is kept— I will be here waiting when you come back to me and maybe we will be able to celebrate the continuation of peace throughout our land, my Kit." Once again Ella's words touched Kit in ways he hadn't even known to be possible, she spoke with such knowledge and poise for being thrown into this life. He was in awe of her. "How long will you need to be there for?" Ella asked as they walked down the hall to the dining room.
"I am not sure, it takes a few days to get there as it is past the shores of Barnstaple. I would guess at the very least eight days — but I shouldn't be more than a fortnight returning to you my darling. I only hope the Count takes our presence humbly and doesn't make a big fret of it."
Ella nodded, Kit pulling out a chair for her at the table and pushing her in. As much as she hated that he has to be gone for that long but she felt confident enough from her lessons that she would be able to manage things, with the help of the staff. While dinner was served the King and Queen shared no words, wanting to make the most of their last evening together for a while but not knowing what to say, this was unlike them. Finally Kit broke the silence,
"Would you like to go for a walk to the secret garden with me after our meal, sweetheart?" Kit reached across the table and took Ella's hand in his.
"I would love to, my Kit. After all, it is a special place for us both and I think it would be a pleasant way to spend our last night together for a while"
After their dinner plates were cleared, Kit and Ella strolled through the halls of the grand palace towards the exit. This palace was truly remarkable, Ella didn't think she would ever get used to it or be able to find her way around completely for a while, maybe that's what she would do on the days she didn't have lessons, she could ask one of the chambermaids to give her a tour around the whole place or maybe if she was lucky Prudence would tolerate showing her around more in-depth, as she really had only had a tour of the Queen's Wing. She hated that it was mostly empty rooms in that wing, minus the library and study where she spent most of her time when Kit was attending important matters but the Queen's chambers were never used as she slept with Kit in the Royal Chambers. A chill shot down her spine thinking of how it could have been in previous marriages of the royal family, the Queen only in the King's chambers for consummation and for the production of an heir, no love and no happiness. She was glad her and Kit were able to marry for love, which only made her that much more thankful for him to be guiding her to the gardens right now.
"After you, my darling Ella" Kit stepped back holding the gate door open for her, the flowers were starting to bloom again now that the snow had melted and it was spring again, she couldn't wait until the bluebirds and the rabbits were back in the garden, as they stayed warm in the greenhouse during the winter.
Ella wondered to the swing and sat gracefully as Kit lightly pushed her, their silence was almost tangible, Ella wondered if it bugged Kit as much as her, which was confirmed by him stopping the swing and kneeling to take her hand,
"Why so quiet my queen? Is everything okay? I know it's not going to be easy but I will write to you as often as I can… Just please know that this is not easy for me either."
"Everything is fine, I know you have to attend to our kingdom and it makes me happy that you are such a devoted and caring King, my Kit. It is more about my own personal worries that are causing my silence… what if I mess something up while you are gone? The nobles are just starting to get used to my presence and accept me if I make a mistake that could change."
Kit smiled running his free hand through strands of Ella's golden hair, his beautiful, smart, caring wife had so little faith in herself, so little confidence that she could be a ruler. Kit blamed her stepfamily, they're months of abuse and unkind words had broken Ella down so much and there was nothing he could do to heal those wounds accept reassure her, and show her the care that she never had. "My love, if I didn't think you could handle the palace while I was gone I would have made arrangements with Prudence to take care of everything, but I know that you rule with dignity and fairness, that every noble should take a few lessons from you. You know how I know you are a great Queen already?"
"How?"
"Because you are so hard on yourself, my darling. Any good ruler is. Now let's stop the worrying and spend our last night together how we want to" Kit squeezed her hand.
"You're right, let's" Ella smiled, now feeling reassured and a weight lifted from her shoulders, "would you like to share a dance with me in our secret garden, my Kit?"
Kit bowed to his Queen as she stood up from the swing "it would be my honour, my Queen. What song will you be singing tonight?" Kit smiled, butterflies rising in his stomach. He loved when Ella sang to him, her voice could put the bluebirds to shame.
Ella smiled and started to softly sing as she and Kit swayed through the grass, around the flower beds "A dream is a wish your heart makes when you are fast asleep. In dreams, you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep" Ella rested her head against Kits chest as they danced, continuing the song "Have faith in your dreams and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing. The dream that you wish will come true…" Ella looked up at her Kit cupping his face softly and smiling, "I love you, my Kit."
"I love you too my darling," Leaning down Kit pressed his lips to Ella's forehead and then to her cheek and to her neck just below her ear, "We should be getting in, the sun is starting to set." Kit mumbled but hesitant to let her go, he could dance with Ella in the secret garden for hours and never tire.
Once they returned to the palace, Kit and Ella turned in for the evening to their chambers. Kit did not care if Leonardo had more stuff to go over or if the chambermaids were asking what he wanted to wear while he was away, all he wanted was to be selfish and spend time with his Ella. He watched as Ella drew the curtains, lit the candles and retired behind the folding screen, he could only see her silhouette through it, Kit felt the familiar tingle throughout his body as he watched her— it was intoxicating and she wasn't even in front of him. She returned with a satin evening dress, exquisitely sewed with lace below her breasts and at the hem of the gown.
"Even in evening robes you never cease to amaze me, Ella, you are the best beautiful maiden I have ever laid eyes on, I doubt that will ever change," Kit discarding his shirt and jacket into the washing basket wrapped his arms around Ella, kissing her rosy lips, travelling to her cheek, and then her neck. Pulling Ellas flush against him, pleasure started consuming him, his want for his Queen causing him to tingle below the belt,
"Oh, Kit!" Ella moaned softly, as he continued kissing her neck, working on giving her a love mark. His hands rubbing up and down her sides, feeling every curve as if he was exploring her body for the first time again, only now he has less restraint then before when it came to giving in to his desires when they were together, especially in their private chambers. When Kit stopped sucking at Ella's neck, one he knew Prudence would get upset at him for but he didn't care, the contrast of her milky skin to the rosy red mark from his assault was beautiful to him.
"I want to worship you, Ella" Kit murmured as he peppered kisses on her collarbone and back up her neck, "Do you want that?"
"Yes, my Kit. More than anything. Please take me to our bed." Kit quickly swept Ella off her feet causing her to squeal and giggle "Kit! The guards in the hall will hear us!" Ella continued to giggle but couldn't help but noticed the feeling of wetness pooling between her thighs. She wanted her husband, her king, her saviour more than ever. Kit set Ella down on the bed and lowered himself to the top of her foot, kissing all the way up her leg to just below her naval causing Ella's breathing to quicken and her body to squirm, continuing his path Kit pushed up Ellas evening gown inch by inch, trailing with kisses until it was over her head and discarded to the floor. Kit stood up, undoing his trousers that were way too tight to continue to hold his desire for her. Taking a moment, he admired his Ella— the way her golden hair fawned out on the bed linens, her dark brown eyes filled with love, and desire for him, her rosy lips and milky pure skin that he loved kissing and touching because it was so soft, Kit took all of her in, exploring her body like it was the first time, all the way down to the fluff of golden hair between her legs. His hands on her hips, he slips over the top of her only taking a moment to suckle on her erect breasts.
"Kit…" Ella breathlessly called to him, "Please…" his loving assault starting to become unbearable, she needed him and he needed her that's how it would always be.
Kit's hands continued to roam Ella's body before sliding to the sensitive spot between her legs causing her to gasp, which only made Kit want to do it more. Every sound and broken moan that left her lips was fuel to his fire, his manhood hard, heavy and ready. He could tell by the sliver through Ella's body that he had found it, the spot that made her shake and cry out his name… Kit put gentle pressure and began to rub.
Ella's hands reached and wound into Kit's hair, pulling him down to kiss her, pleasure consuming her she could no longer control the moans escaping her lips as her body and legs began to shake but before her body could find it's release Kit stopped and buried his manhood into her,
"Uh— Ella" Kit moaned, he could feel all of her desire and how easy it was for him to find a smooth rocking motion. Kit could barely see clearly he was too focused on pleasuring his Queen and finding his own release, Kits hand behind Ella's neck as he kissed her swollen lips and her legs wrapped around his waist. "Oh Ella, I love you so much, you are so dear to me…" Kit whispered to his wife, he felt Ella's hands move to his face and cup it causing him to look into her eyes, bright and early brown.
"I love you too, my Kit," Ella breathed feeling Kits movements become faster and more irregular "I am yours always." She moaned, raising her hips to meet his.
"Ella…" A strangled moan left Kits' lips as his desire overtook him, pushing him over the edge "Oh—" Kit breathed as he found his release and Ella found her's at the same time.
As their sweaty, tangled bodies escaped from each other the aftermath was clear, Ella's rosy flushed cheeks and unruly hair. Kits swollen lips and the wrinkled bedsheets below them.
"Come here," Kit summoned Ella into his arms "My sweet darling Queen" Kit kissed Ella's forehead as Ella hummed softly, tracing the patch of hair on Kit's chest.
"You make it hard to leave tomorrow" Kit laughed.
"I know, but our kingdom needs you—" Ella yawned, her eyelids getting heavier.
"Yes, but it doesn't make it any easier to leave you… Will you be okay with Prudence? You must write to me to so I know how you are doing, darling…" There was no response from Ella.
"Ella?"
Kit looked down to find his Queen fast asleep cuddled into his side. Smiling he stroked her hair softly "Goodnight, my love" Kit whispered before allowing himself to fall into slumber as well.