"Se-Sebastian…Kiss me."
Those softly spoken words brought back a flood of memories. He stood outside the bedroom door, listening. He had returned to find Rosalina already asleep. Knowing that she had a tendency to talk, his curiosity peaked and the butler found himself planted in front of those doors for nearly three hours.
She was dreaming of him, of that time so many years ago, that first kiss. He had been surprised when she'd ordered him to do so, but he'd obliged without question as commanded. Being a demon, of course he found himself attracted to such a beautiful girl, especially one so innocent. Her lips had been like soft silk against his own. He'd done so gently, brushing her cheek with his fingertips. Sensing the immediate arousal, he'd pulled away, purposefully leaving her wanting more. Unfortunately, it had left him wanting more as well.
With his curiosity quelled, he left the threshold of her bedroom and made his way back to the stairwell. The butler knew that Rosalina was keeping so much of herself from him. He could tell that there were many things that had happened to change her throughout the years. He wanted to know those things, to comfort her in some way. Is it because she's a demon now or do I feel an obligation because she was my mistress?
Rose sat up immediately, startled by her dream. She raised her fingers to her lips, which still tingled from the memory. That kiss had been her breaking point. It was that very moment that she saw her butler in a new light.
She raked her fingers through her hair and let out a frustrated sigh. Opening her eyes, she stared at the window and watched the drops of rain pouring down the glass. The rhythmic pecking lulled her eyes shut again before she let herself fall into her pillow. Sleep was a horrible idea…
The spice of her arousal brought an unusual feeling into his stomach. Pulling away, noticing a little disappointment, he reveled in the fact that she would be left still wanting him. The butler returned to his task.
"Henry has invited me to Court on Saturday," she said suddenly. "I'm not sure if I should continue with my original plan…," she questioned herself, thinking about Henry's actions.
"If it is working, then it only makes sense to continue," the butler noted, a sliver of doubt lingered in the back of his mind.
Looking into the mirror, she saw Sebastian's apparent indifference as he brushed strand by strand through her hair. "Yes, I suppose you're right," she replied coldly.
Sebastian had known about Rosalina's attraction to him, but had always shown variable shades of indifference. The only emotions he held were those of a sinful nature. He thoroughly enjoyed leaving his own mistress excited and yearning for more. However, it would've made his job easier to allow her to continue leading the King on.
He lie in bed, jacket hung carefully on the back of the door, thinking about the past and the future. Dragus Verrine…as problematic as he'd been before, always getting in the way. How annoying.
"Your Majesty," she curtsied before the throne.
"Duchess, I'm delighted you could come," he said. "I'd be pleased if I could have a dance later in the evening."
"Of course, my Lord." She replied before inserting herself into a group of girls in one corner of the room. Her butler remained distant, standing near a window on the far side of the room. Whenever Rosalina found a chance, she would glance in both directions, keeping one eye on the King and the other on the handsome demon.
It wasn't long before another entered the room, a girl who grabbed the attention of many…including the King. She watched as a man, probably the girl's father, introduced her and another boy to His Majesty.
Rose sensed the air in the room constrict around her. Glancing at Sebastian, she noticed an expression she'd never seen him with before, utter shock. Excusing herself, she strolled over to her butler as she followed his gaze to the other side of the room. Another butler stood there, focused solely on Sebastian who seemed to be doing the same.
The other butler was tall and just as stoic as her own Sebastian. He wore a uniform that was nearly an exact match; however, Sebastian looked much more debonair. His brown hair held a slight wave and his square jaw made him appear more masculine. Rose saw his eyes flash a brilliant blue before he turned his attention elsewhere.
"Sebastian," she whispered, drawing his attention. "Should I be worried?"
"There is no need for you to worry, my Lady," he said with a cunning smile.
She returned to her friends whose favorite topic of the moment was the new girl. They spoke, in obvious jealousy, of her dark hair and tanned skin. Rose waited for the King to ask her to dance, but the moment never came. Instead, he danced with this lively girl…dance after dance.
After seeing him ask to dance with her five times already, she finally had enough. She made an excuse to her friends about feeling a little under the weather, which, of course, was a complete lie. Rose headed towards Sebastian, who was already collecting their coats.
Once seated in the carriage, Sebastian spoke, "Is that a tinge of jealousy I sense?"
"Of course not; I simply refuse to be ignored," she hissed, adjusting her coat. Rose took a deep breath before continuing. "How will this affect my plan?"
"I doubt the Queen will be returning to the King's favor if his eye is on someone else."
"Yes, but it will not be because I'm doing it. I wanted to be the one who ruined her life for good, not stand by and allow some foolish girl do it for me."
They had arrived back at the Tourmaline manor and Rosaline held her untied corset in place as Sebastian pulled her nightgown over her head. Once the fabric was past her bust, she let the corset fall, pushing her arms through the sleeves. The last thing to do was to untie her final skirt before pulling it the rest of the way down. It had become second nature to her, having Sebastian doing these very things for her and her being modest in the process. Secretly, however, she yearned for another kiss.
"Sebastian?"
"Yes, my Lady?" he answered, folding the clothing in neat piles on the corner seat.
"You know you can stop calling me that when we aren't in public," she said casually.
"Yes, my Lady."
"I mean it. I don't actually like it. Would you please just call me Rose?" She crawled into her bed, pushing her feet under the covers.
"Yes, my Lady," he said with a smile.
She growled at him, playfully, but annoyed. "Don't make me order you to do as I ask."
"A compromise then…Rosalina."
"Fine," she sighed. "I want you to do something for me."
The butler pulled the blankets up as she settled into them, folding them down across her shoulders. He looked at her questioningly as he grabbed the candelabra next to the bed.
"I want you to get any information you can on that girl by tomorrow," she said. "I want to know every detail about…what was her name?"
"Anne. Anne Boleyn," he answered, standing with her worn clothes folded over one arm, ready to close the door.
A/N: Sorry, this one has taken me awhile. I got stuck. It's mostly just filler fluff, but I'm trying to get to some good stuff soon, I promise.
I'm still looking for another Beta so message me if you're interested. Please review so I know how it's coming along.
