Epilogue

"Darling, you never did tell me why Prince Barth called you away from my home, that week you began courting me."

"It was a personal matter, man to man. Having no older brothers, and a father his senior by several years, he has always looked to me for guidance. He felt at that time it was necessary to come speak with me, and he would not even tell his advisor the reason. I gave him the counsel he needed, and we sent him back on his way before his parents could start a war for kidnapping their only child."

"And it is something you cannot share with your wife of two years?"

"It is not so special as you think, my love. It was something many young men his age face, and he needed me to help him understand."

"Well, if you are sure, I will never enquire about it again." She paused, frowning. "Is it something our son will have to face too?"

Roderick chuckled, tightening his embrace. "He is not yet one. It is a little early to be worrying about that."

"But it will concern him one day then?"

How could he be delicate about this? Turning it over in his mind, he focused on his fingers as they stroked her arm. She was resting her head on his shoulder, and their bodies were pressed together, snuggling on a chaise lounge in his private study. The low burning fire on this cold winter's night tickled his exposed skin.

"You are a wonderful mother to worry over him, but this will be something only a father can address. Leave it to me and think nothing more of it."

"As you say my lord." She consented, reaching up to affectionately stroke his face.

He placed his hand over hers, trapping her fingers to his cheek. He craved the feeling of her soft skin, and lately he had been so busy. He hardly saw her but morning and night.

"Have you heard from you brother? I haven't had a letter from him in weeks."

"I have not, though Condor warned he would rarely send word. His ship docks in ports so seldom."

She frowned, but said nothing more. Prince Condor's decision to venture out and visit the kingdoms across the sea, bearing gifts and words of alliance, would perhaps have not been so hastily undertaken if not for his falling out with Alesia.

As King, Roderick made no arguments against his brother courting the maid. Though she was not born of noble birth, and it was not custom of their time, Condor was the younger prince and not directly in line for the thrown, especially after the birth of Roderick's heir. Given silent consent, Condor and Alesia were free.

Sae knew not what had happened and could not bring herself to ask Alesia, who said nothing, nor the other maids, who asked nothing. But something had definitely happened. Both had been miserable the week before Condor's sudden departure, and Alesia had of late hinted at changing her post. Sae dreaded the idea of parting with her, but she didn't want to see her lady's maid in pain either, so she consulted her good friend, Thea, who had a younger sister to be married in the spring. The Royal Advisor's wife recommended that Alesia begin a new post as a lady's maid to her sister, and the matter had been settled. Alesia would be leaving at the month's end.

"I hope he makes it back, soon and safe." Sae answered at last.

"He'll be fine, and after seeing some of the world, more grown."

"He's already twenty," Sae laughed. "I do not think he has much growing left to do."

"Not in body, but in mind."

"I only hope he comes back healed." She sighed, playing with the folds in his shirt. "Condor never told you…?"

"You know he didn't, Sae. I've told you everything I know."

They sat in silence for a turn, listening to the low embers burn away. Sae's head sank a little from Roderick's shoulder to his chest, and she became drowsy listening to the beating of his heart.

"I noticed you writing a letter to your sister before," Roderick remarked a while after. "How is she?"

Sae smiled. "As well as any girl her age can be. She'll be turning twelve next month and she wants to visit us for her birthday. Mother and Father have already agreed to a palace visit, but I was thinking of throwing her a party."

He kissed her head and she could feel him smiling into her hair. "That would be a nice surprise. Mother would enjoy helping you organize that."

"Oh, I know, I've already consulted with her. We're going to invite all the young noble children in the kingdom to the party so Mealina can make some new friends. And of course, the palace children will be invited as well."

"Somehow I can't picture Cornelia and Mealina getting along too well."

"Oh, you'd be surprised. Mealina can make anyone like her. I just hope Thea has her child before then or we may have to contend with a party and a birthing at once."

"And I'm sure Sevastian wouldn't like that." Roderick said dryly. "He's been extremely protective of Thea since she's been with child."

Sae laughed, hugging him closer. "You were the same with me. I couldn't take two steps without you there to make sure I was alright."

"A man's got to take care of his wife, especially as he is responsible for her pregnant condition."

"Yes, and as thankful as I am for our baby, bringing him into this world was a hardship I will not be undergoing again for a while."

Roderick jerked forward. "It has almost been a year. Does the occurrence still haunt your memory?"

"The months leading up to it, the anticipation of being a mother, and to your child, I would not trade for the world. But the hours before he was born—oh! Seeing his smiling face at the end of it was my balm to the trauma. You will find I am quite resistant to you putting me in that position again, at least for another year."

A rare wicked grin donned his face, and the serious King turned his wife's face to his so she could catch his low voice. "You were not so resistant to me last night, my love. Nor many other nights since our son was born, that I can recall."

He cherished that, even after two years, he could still make her blush with the right words.

"Tis not fair when you speak to me like that."

"Like what?" He asked innocently.

"In that voice, that tone, that you never show anyone else. Like you have very lewd thoughts of me, and you would like to show me."

"Is that so wrong of a husband?"

"It is when his wife is trying not to get pregnant so soon again!"

"It took us months the first time. I do not think it is such an easy task for us. The royal physician told me all men and women are different, and for some it is easier than others."

"But it can happen if we engage in those…activities too much. We know that now, from experience."

"Sae…" He breathed, leaning in and kissing her forehead. "Sae," He repeated kissing her cheek, then her lips.

She tried to kiss him back but he had already moved down to her throat. "Sae…" he sighed.

She could hardly hold back a moan. He knew her throat was a very sensitive place. He wasn't playing fair!

"Roderick, please…" she sighed, resisting the urge to close her eyes.

"Please?" He asked, caressing her curves and placing more kisses along her collarbone.

"Please!" She cried, grabbing his arms and pushing him back into the ornate silk pillows.

He grinned, and let his queen take control.

Fin.

Author's note: Thank you for reading this!

(And Happy Thanksgiving, if you are in Canada :D Having the holiday gave me the chance to post this!)

As promised, here is the title of the manga this story is inspired by:
Iinazuke Ryokan (Fiancée Inn).

It was never released in English officially. Thankfully, some kind people translated it into English online, so you can read it. Just google the name.

Side note:
Tihs tlae is oevr but tihs is nto the ned of my wirintg. Smoe yraes ago I wotre a srtoy nad nveer fnesihid it. Wtih smoe mntohs I paln on fxniig it up nad fnhisihng the srtoy. Wehn it's dnoe I'll sartt psitong it hree. Paesle be pteinat nad tnahk yuo! ;)

Until next time,

Fable's Temptress