Author's Note: I am glad that everyone liked the last chapter, and especially the 'crossbow' comment. Some of this chapter reflects my frustrated interior designer; you are welcome to skip over it if you want. The chapter does contain some adult content, but the rest of it is just interactions between our team members.
KathDMD & E.M. Blaine – Thank you for your very kind words!
Reactions – Part One
Anna was in Her Ladyship's room, getting her ready to go to a lunch meeting in town. Normally Lady Larmina didn't do any public engagements. Her Majesty was always worried about what Her Ladyship might say, or do, if someone criticized Arus. However, this one concerned the art museum, which Her Majesty thought would be safe enough. Anna knew that the Queen was not interested in art, and had gladly turned the museum over to Her Ladyship. Lady Larmina took the responsibility very seriously. She was very artistic herself, and very much concerned with promoting Arus.
She was arranging Her Ladyship's hair, and trying to figure out how to say what she needed to say. Anna's mother had been a lady's maid, and she knew the code of the job. It was a fine line to walk; on one hand you knew all the secrets, but unless your lady spoke to you about the matter you did not comment. You also did not judge your lady, or gossip with the other servants.
Anna was very close to Lady Larmina, and had always admired her spirit. She knew that Her Ladyship had not been pleased at first, thinking she was getting another Nanny. Anna though, showed her that she was just there to help the young girl, not run her life. Anna privately thought that Her Majesty did too much of that anyway. She was pretty sure that Her Majesty saw her niece as a little girl, and not a young woman.
It had been a week since that morning when Anna saw that Her Ladyship had had company. That is how she referred to it, in her mind. She came in, saw the bed, and knew exactly what had gone on. However, she didn't say anything, just changed the sheets. Anna wasn't sure whether it was a onetime thing or not, but she couldn't ask.
But, every morning since then, when Anna came in, the bed told the same story. She could also see that Her Ladyship was in love and very happy. Obviously this was not a onetime thing. Anna did not know yet who the man was, but knew she would eventually find out. She was quite impressed at how discrete he was being though. Anna had not heard anything from the other servants, and in this place that was an achievement!
Anna did hope that Her Ladyship had chosen well. She also knew that this man was now part of Lady Larmina's life, and indirectly, part of hers too. Anna was pretty sure that Lady Larmina had not given any thought to domestic matters. After all, she had grown up with servants who automatically took care of everything. Anna knew that she would need to take care of this matter.
Having decided that matter of fact was the best approach, she said "Your Ladyship?" Larmina looked at Anna in the mirror and said "Yes, what is it?" Anna made it a point to be not looking at Her Ladyship when she asked "Would you like me to rearrange your closet to make more room?" She thought by phrasing it like that, it would skirt the reason why she was asking. It would also give Anna insight into just how serious this relationship was.
She saw Lady Larmina looking puzzled for a minute, and then Anna saw that she understood what was being asked. "Yes, that would be a good idea, Anna. Thank you for thinking of it." Her Ladyship said, while looking at something on the dressing table. "Yes, M'Lady. I'll take of it." Anna gave the hair a final pin and said "I think you are ready to go."
Larmina smiled at the memory of the conversation, as she and Pidge were cuddling in her bed that evening. They had already made love once, and Larmina knew that they would again soon. Pidge had been with her every night, and every time it had been amazing! She said to Pidge "I don't know if it would help, but there is room in my closet and drawers if you would like to keep some extra clothes up here." Larmina was glad that Anna had brought it up, because she would never have thought of it.
Pidge had been in the habit of sneaking out very early, to get back downstairs to get ready. He could see how having stuff up here meant he would not have to leave quite so early. He was concerned about something though, so he asked "Won't your maid say something if she sees my clothes up here? I thought we were trying to be discrete?"
"Anna rearranged the closet!" Larmina said, and Pidge looked surprised. "She knows about us? How? Will she tell your Aunt?" He was thinking of Hunk's remark about the crossbow as he said it. Larmina laughed and said "I'm sure she knows from the bed! Haven't you noticed that we have clean sheets every night?"
In truth, Pidge just had assumed that up here on the family floor, sheets got changed every day. He had been impressed with how comfortable Larmina's bed was, and how pleasant the room was. It was decorated in yellows, purples, and white, with just small touches of green. It was a large room, with a bathroom, and closet off to the side. Pidge liked how the bathroom smelled like the floral scent that Larmina wore. Most of the main room was bedroom, but one end had been bumped out and the whole wall was a bay window.
In that area was a sitting room type arrangement, with an oriental rug that echoed the colors of the room. There was a sofa, low table, chairs, and a desk. He knew the sofa was very comfortable; they had made love on it once already. He looked over and saw a huge bunch of yellow flowers in a crystal vase, which echoed the small crystal chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. They were graceful and he knew they sparkled when the sun hit them.
Pidge had been amazed at how different this room looked from the others on the floor. They were all formal, and cold, while this one felt fresh and welcoming. He had asked her about that the first night he was up here, and she said it was because she did the decorating herself. She added that she had offered to do her Aunt's room, but that her Aunt had turned her down because she didn't want to upset the castle staff. Pidge was surprised to hear that, not having thought interior design would be an interest of hers. She was constantly surprising him, and in more ways than one.
"I just assumed they changed the sheets every day up here." He said to her and then "She didn't say anything about me?" Larmina laughed, and explained how the lady's maid code worked. She went on "Anna wouldn't tell my Aunt, because that would be betraying my trust. Plus, I don't know if she knows if it is you or not. I'm sure she is wondering though!"
Larmina had positioned herself on top of Pidge as she said it, straddling his thighs. He looked up at her, admiring how great she looked naked, and said "Do you think she will approve of me?" He watched as she tossed her head, which made her loose red hair glow in the low light. He reached up and took a piece, twirling it around his finger. "It doesn't matter whether she does or not. Just as long as I do!" Larmina told him.
She had started slowly stroking his manhood with one of her fingers, up and down. Pidge groaned a bit as she did it. Larmina had read about something, and she wanted to try it, but she wanted to surprise him. She said in a forceful tone "Close your eyes!"
Pidge did so, saying "Yes, Your Ladyship." He lay there, wondering what she was going to do. He knew that whatever it was, it would be totally unexpected. However, he was not expecting to feel what he did next!
He almost sat straight up as he felt her tongue licking his erection. Larmina looked at him startled, and said "You don't like it?" From what she had read, this was supposed to be a major fantasy for guys. Pidge got a big smile on his face "Oh, I like it! I just wasn't expecting it!" She giggled and said "That is how surprises are supposed to be. Would you like me to continue?"
Pidge lay back down, as she started licking his shaft again. After going up and down a couple of times, she took her tongue and lightly circled his tip with it. He let out a moan, and then an exclamation, as her tongue flicked his top back and forth. Larmina heard the noises he was making as she kept going, so she figured she must be doing it right.
When she took his erection into her mouth and closed around it, he made fists with his hands, as he growled with pleasure and excitement. Larmina heard him growl, which always made her hot and wet. She went down on his manhood, and then started sucking, which pushed him over the edge.
"Mina, oh god, I'm about to!" He never finished the sentence, as her sucking on his erection was too much. Just before he climaxed, he thought of Hunk's comment, about dying a happy man. Pidge decided anything was worth this feeling.
It was several days after that, and Lance was finishing his breakfast when Larmina came in. He looked at her, and thought how wonderful she looked. Lance adored women, especially good looking ones, and Larmina was certainly that. He always enjoyed watching her at breakfast, because her eyes were sparkling, and her skin glowing. She smiled at everyone and went to get some food.
At the back of Lance's mind he thought 'if it was anyone else I would think she was having great sex every night!' As he had that thought, he looked at her again, as she was chatting to Keith, Hunk, Daniel, and Vince. 'Oh my god, she is having great sex every night!' Lance realized, knowing what a woman looks like when she is being made love to all the time.
Lance had secret chuckle thinking about what a wad Allura would have her panties in if she knew! He remembered at dinner that night, about how Allura had reacted about Larmina being too young for a relationship. Lance then wondered who she was having sex with.
Pidge came in just then, talking into his voltcom about some water project for the Southern Dominion. He looked even more pleased than usual, and Lance saw he had a satisfied smile on his face. 'No one would look that happy talking about pipe lines' Lance thought. He smiled, having figured out who was making Larmina look so good.
He was happy for them both, thinking that they were a good match. Pidge, he knew, would relate well to Larmina, liking a lot of the same things. He also knew that Pidge was a good man. Lance had always admired Larmina, knowing that she was a girl who knew how to have fun. Pidge would appreciate it, and enjoy sharing it with her. For a fleeting moment, he wished that her Aunt took after her. He would love to take Allura somewhere and have her loosen up.
Lance had another thought, and smiled again. He would never tell Allura about them, and was too much of a gentleman to tease Larmina. However, the great genius was fair game! He finished his coffee as he thought about how this would all play out.
That afternoon, he went to the hanger bay, where Pidge was with Black Lion. He was inside Black's head, working on some wiring, when he heard Lance's voice calling him. He raised his head and looked at Lance, who had come up on the scaffolding with him.
"I assume your affairs are in order?" Lance asked, as he casually leaned against Black. Pidge looked at Lance, standing there with a big grin on his face. Pidge sighed and said "And you are asking?" He wanted to see what Lance knew, or thought he knew before he said anything else.
"Sleeping with the Queen's niece is probably a capital offense in Arus!" Lance stopped and then said "Actually that sounds like one of the books my Mom writes. Maybe you can be her next best seller!" Lance's mother was a distinguished history professor, with an impeccable record of research. However, research didn't pay that well, so in her spare time she wrote lurid historical romances. She had, under her nom de plume, done almost every royal house in the galaxy, spewing sex and blood as she did so.
"Larmina is 18, and other than being mad I don't think there is too much Allura can do." Pidge said, with more bravado than he felt. He could see the crossbow in his mind. Lance snorted and said "Mad, oh buddy, try furious and out for blood!"
"Keith and I got a whole lecture from her about how Larmina was too young for a relationship." Lance said and Pidge looked at him with interest. "When did she tell you that?" Pidge asked, and Lance replied "While you were in Dradin! I bet that was a fun trip!" In truth Lance had to admire Pidge for pulling it off under Allura's nose.
Lance had another thought and said "If nothing else, Allura will force you to marry Larmina! Are you ready for that?" Pidge gave Lance an intent look, and said "I have already asked her to marry me!" Lance looked surprised and then said "Congratulations! I'll do the bachelor party!"
Pidge got a wry look on his face, and said "Larmina said no!" Lance looked shocked and Pidge went on "She is willing to marry me, but thinks it would be embarrassing of she got married before her Aunt." Lance sighed and said "Oh, I'm sorry! What are you going to do if Allura never gets married?"
That was the thought at the back of Pidge's mind when ever Allura was going on about something in a sanctimonious tone of voice. He said "Trust me; I think about that a lot!" Lance decided he had teased Pidge enough for the time being.
"If I were you, I'd get going on getting Allura married. You'd better hope Coran finds a prince under a rock or something!" Lance said, and turned to walk away. Pidge had a thought and said "Lance?" He turned around and Pidge said "You could marry her!"
Lance looked at Pidge in shock, and thought 'he knows I love her!' Lance could barely admit it to himself most of the time. Hearing someone actually voice what he had thought about was way too personal. "Genius, I'd take care of your own love life, and not worry about mine!" He started walking away again, saying as he did so "If Allura finds out though and kills you, don't worry. Instead of a rip roaring bachelor party, I can throw a rip roaring funeral for you!"
Lance was gone, and Pidge thought that it was the second time in less than a month that he had been promised a great funeral!
That evening Lance went to Keith's room, to let him know the situation. He knew that Keith would keep quiet, but that as team leader he should know what was going on. 'Keith is rather obtuse a lot of the time,' thought Lance. As he thought that, he remembered what Pidge had told him about Larmina wanting Allura married first.
'I love her, but maybe she would do better with Keith, considering how high minded she is.' Lance thought, and then felt dejected as he did. He put the thought out of his mind as he knocked on Keith's door. After being told to come in, he opened the door.
Lance always wanted to laugh when he saw Keith's room. He liked to joke that Keith's decorating style was 'Academy 101'! Keith's room would have passed inspection at any time, and was devoid of color and life. "Hey, Keith, do you have a couple of minutes?" Lance asked as he sat down on a hard, upright chair.
"Have you thought about getting some comfortable furniture in here, now that you are back? Honestly, how do you entertain women?" Lance said, stretching his long legs and trying to get comfortable. Keith was working on some memos, and didn't even look at Lance saying "I don't entertain women here!" Keith knew Lance too well to be offended.
"Maybe you should! It would help your mood!" Lance said, and then "Or, you can do what Pidge has done, and take up with a girl who lives in a castle. I bet he is sleeping in a great room, at least when he gets to sleep!" Lance waited for Keith to connect the dots; he was mentally timing it to see how long it took him.
Keith had been reading, and only paying half attention to Lance. He noticed that Lance had stopped talking, and thought about what he had just said. "Really? I assume Allura doesn't know?" Keith asked, once he put it all together.
"Well Pidge is still alive, so I guess not!" Lance laughed. "I personally have no problem with it; he would be a good match for her. Better than Bandor!" Keith said, remembering the conversation they'd had with Allura.
Lance smiled and said "I don't think Allura liked you calling her cousin a twerp!" Keith snorted and said "You referred to him as a pompous ass hole the last time he came!" Lance sighed and said "But I did not do it in Allura's hearing." He thought about something and then said "Poor Sven, between a wife who tried to kill you, and Bandor as your brother-in-law, no wonder he was happy to get to Crydor!"
Keith thought about that and nodded his head in agreement. He then said "What are we going to do about Allura? You heard her that night!" Lance did remember the conversation and said "It won't be pretty. I did tell Pidge I would give him a great funeral if she killed him though." Keith grimaced and said "She just might, she'll be so mad!"
Lance stood up and said "I just thought you should be aware of the situation!" Keith shook his head and said "Thanks a lot! I'll nominate you to jump in front of Allura when she comes after Pidge!"
"Sorry buddy boy, but you are the leader so you that job!" Lance told him laughing, and then looking around the room said "Keith, you need to get a rug, comfortable seating, and some throw pillows! That would do wonders for this place!" Keith sighed and got back to his memos, not wanting to think about Allura.