I wanted to put something here and then I - Oh! If you didn't read my note in the first chapter, I did mention this story is Jeanne D'Arc and France .. just making sure you guys remember that, kay~ 'cause I love that couple XD

I start my job today! XD so excited~

Kismet

Chapter Twenty: Haven't We Had Enough?

A few days passed and Antonio didn't come back. Lovino would sit at a window, watching and waiting. For the most part, his fears were unrecognized as the old queen asked him to do things here and there, but mostly ordered him to just stay out of her way. Femke was doing much better than before. Christian had kissed her and she was on cloud nine so not even Lizeth's biting words could bring her down. Even that day Femke had 'accidentally' spilled wine down her new dress and had gotten verbally reprimanded by the former queen, Isabella, couldn't bring her down.

Lovino felt a mixture of emotion building up over the next few weeks. Anger, fear, longing, sadness, confusion, worry … so many more. What had happened to him? Was he alright? Was he … dead?

"I'm sure he's just fine, Lovi … maybe he got caught up in business?" Femke offered weakly.

Lovino crossed his arms, "As if I care what happens to him!" he snapped. He knew it was all lies, but he hated Femke seeing him in such a weakened state. Hell, he hated that he was like this. But when nearly two months had passed and fall was already set in, how could he not worry for his lover.

Nighttime was hell trying to sleep. When he managed to fall asleep in his foreign bed, his dreams were fraught with images of Antonio's demise. Sometimes it was a dragon, others it was bandits. At one point, he even dreamed that Antonio had secretly run away with Francis, found Gilbert and they all lived happily together in the eastern waters as mermen.

"I know you …" Femke sighed, "I know you're worried, but I promise he'll come back to you."

"It's been nearly two months!" he snapped, finally letting tears brim his eyes, "He hasn't written and there's been no word about anything. I just … I have no idea what to do, but I know sitting here isn't helping. I don't know where he is so I can't just write to him. Winter is just around the corner and the reports are reading that the dragons have ceased migrating into Sverran. Things are all perfect except that he's not here." he let his hands cover his face. Femke rested her hand on his shoulder.

"Lovi, worrying about it like this isn't going to help you, just make you sick. Take your mind off of it, okay? How about we go into the marketplace with Christian? We can buy a new paint set with some of my savings and just color paper like we used to, remember? Come on! You should get your mind off Toni for a little bit." she pulled him off the chair, "He would hate seeing you like this!"

He didn't protest as she dragged him outside to meet up with Christian, "Hey, I brought Lovi. He needs some cheering up~!"

Christian nodded, "Okay, Femke."

The three walked into the marketplace and Femke dragged the two men all over the streets to every shop and food stand, trying to find the perfect little trinkets to buy.

"Hey, Lovino … I need some advice," Christian asked, clutching a box that Femke bought close to him.

"Hm?" the Illonian looked at him.

The nobleman chewed his lower lip for a moment before continuing, "I want to ask Femke's hand in marriage, but … I don't know that she would want that. My father wouldn't be happy, so I'd lose my title, so I have nothing to offer her, except my love." his eyes softened seeing Femke purchase a small treat and wave at them as she ate it.

Lovino rolled his eyes, wondering what was so great about getting married anyway, "She wouldn't … she wouldn't care about any of that stuff. Femke's too nice to love someone for a title or money. Just … go with it I suppose." he shrugged.

Christian sighed in relief, "Thank you so much, Lovino! I'll ask her as soon as I can. Maybe I could even get a job working in the castle first! I'm so excited now!" he rambled on about keeping it a secret until he proposed. Lovino shrugged, promising not to tell. He silently wondered to himself why he was getting worked up like that when he'd only known her a few months.

The conversation fell and Femke came back to their side some time later, holding treats for the men. After eating the snacks, they decided to head back to the castle. As they entered the courtyard, Lovino's heart sped up. Antonio's carriage was sitting in front of the castle steps, being separated from the horses. Antonio was back! He hurried into the castle, wondering where he should look first.

Antonio sighed, sitting in his office. He had been greeted on the steps by his mother and Lizeth, but the one face he'd been dreaming of seeing, the one face he wanted to see, had not been there. Worry built up inside him, wondering what his mother had done to Lovino. He looked across his desk, "Yes, you can stay here until Fayldyr is considered safe, but please stop touching my book shelf … I don't keep dirty things up there like you think I do."

Francis Bonnefoy, crowned king of Fayldyr laughed, "Sorry, my friend, I was just looking. With Jeanne in our room, I guess I was just trying to find something to do. Speaking of, now that we are here, are you courting that lovely young woman I met earlier?" the man sat down, refusing to leave Antonio alone.

The Sverran king shook his head, "No, I am not. She's a guest of my mother's staying in the castle for a short while. Though, I was hoping she would have been gone by the time I got back …"

"Oh? And why is that? She is young and beautiful. If I wasn't already married, I'd make her my own in a heartbeat!" the blonde man squealed happily.

"Well, I just don't like her like that … I guess … that and …" he sighed softly, wondering where his Lovi was.

"Is there someone else, perhaps? Another young flower has stolen your heart? How romantic~! I want to meet her right away! I have to make sure she is good for my old friend, no?" he stood up and wrapped his arms around himself and cooed about a young beauty stealing hearts.

The door to the study opened and a shy blonde shuffled in, speaking softly in Fayldyren, "Queen Jeanne requests that you come immediately to the room. Dinner is going to be served soon and she wants to walk with you there since this place is foreign to her."

"Thank you, Matthew. Tell the queen I'll be there shortly." the boy nodded and shuffled out.

Antonio bit his lip, wishing his Lovi would come crashing through that door to hug him and greet him.

"The boy is right. Dinner will be served soon, so we should go wash up. We'll meet again in the din-" Antonio was suddenly cut off by the door opening again, this time being slammed shut behind the person. Lovi stood there, angrily glaring daggers at the king. The Sverran king's heart swelled happily.

"Lovino?" Francis' eyes widened in recognition of the young man, "I haven't seen you since you were so much smaller! Is this the servant you talk about all the time? Where is your little brother?" but Francis's words were unheard as Lovi stormed right up to Antonio and punched him in the stomach.

"You bastard! You were only supposed to be away a few days! Not two fucking months!" the younger man's voice cracked. Antonio felt guilty, but also confused.

"But, Lovi! I-"

Lovi wrapped his arms around him tightly, "Don't scare me like that again, bastard. You can't just leave me alone like that!"

Francis looked on with confusion at why a servant would be so open to assault his king, but it soon made perfect sense and he smiled, "Oh~! Now I see, Tonio, this is the young heart that has taken yours~! So cute!" he pulled a rose out of nowhere and winked at Lovi, "Don't break his heart now, Lovi~!" with that, the king left the study to find his wife.

"Who the fuck was that?" Lovi asked. Antonio didn't answer right away, just held Lovi close to him, having missed the man's scent, soft flesh, soft hair … everything.

"That is the king of Fayldyr, Francis." He laughed.

Lovino stared at the closed door or a moment, "That was that pervert? He has barely fucking changed …"

"Yeah. He's going to be staying here for a while until he knows Fayldyr is safe to go back to."

Lovi looked up in confusion, "Safe? Just what the fuck happened, bastard? Nearly two months and not a god-damned word about why you were late coming home …"

Antonio's eyes softened, seeing the trace of worry in his lover's eyes, "You did miss me, didn't you?"

"N-no! I was getting bored, is all!" he blushed, looking away.

"I see~ my love, but what do you mean 'not a word' I wrote many times … did no one tell you I was extending my stay for a few more days for Francis's wedding?"

"A few more days? You call that a few more days?" Lovi hit his chest, trying to pry himself from the older man's grasp.

"Well, no, but it was at the reception … a strange man with sandy hair and dark purple eyes had been at the wedding and queen's coronation. No one seemed to know him, but he claimed he was a noble from further east, come to celebrate the king and queen. Of course, at the reception, Arthur, crowned prince of Evenna, was busy talking. His servant … Alfred … you remember him, don't you? From the island?"

Lovi strained for a moment, but remembered the fairy from the island and nodded.

"Well, that's a story for another time, but he was Arthur's servant. Anyway, this man turned out to be a snow dragon and ruined the party while trying to do something. Francis and I joined the fight against him, and had almost won, but another, female snow dragon broke through the walls and defended him while he grabbed several hostages in his claws. Alfred was one of them.

"I stayed a bit longer to help keep watch over the castle while they tried to hunt down the dragons, but no luck. Finally, we decided that we had to get Francis out of there until they knew where the dragon was and could deem the kingdom safe for his return."

Lovi nodded, understanding, but feeling sick to his stomach with the thought of Antonio fighting a dragon. Images of that day at the cave came flooding back to him.

"Lovi~? Lovi! I'm okay, see?" he took his lover's hand and pressed it onto his chest, "I didn't even get injured in the fight, love~ perfectly healthy~!" he lifted his Lovi up and let him wrap his legs around his waist, before making sure the study was locked. He sat down with Lovi in his lap and lifted his chin to stare into his watery hazel eyes.

"Don't cry, my Lovi~!" he wiped away a falling tear, but Lovi's expression changed to one of anger and insult.

"I wasn't crying! I had something in my eye, damn it!" he wiped his eyes, "It hurt, bastard!" he glared at Antonio.

Antonio smiled and kicked his leg up onto the desk, causing Lovi to fall forward against his chest, "I see~" their lips met in a searing, longing kiss.

"I missed you so much, Lovi~! You have no idea how much I've waited to kiss you again." their lips met again and again. Lovi melted a little more with each kiss until he finally broke down and admitted that he had also missed Antonio much more than he would ever let on.

The king sighed in anger as a knock interrupted them, "Your majesty, dinner is being served." Antonio exchanged a look with Lovi and smiled softly, "Have it brought to my room. I'm feeling particularly tired and will be wishing to retire as soon as possible."

"Yes, your highness, but what of your guests? Isn't it a bit … unsociable …?"

"Tell king Francis that if he knows what's best for him, he'll keep his mouth shut and not disturb me."

The servant confirmed the order and left to deliver the message, "So how about it, my love, my life, my Lovi~? Shall we retire to our room?" he caressed the side of Lovi's face.

"I don't care. But I don't have a bath waiting for you, you know? Bastard …" Lovi glared.

Antonio smiled and kissed him, "I don't mind. I'll help you draw one after dinner."

The two of them walked down the halls to the large bedroom Lovino hadn't been in in such a long time … since it made him miss his king that much more. Dinner was brought to the door, which Lovino took from them and carried over to Antonio. The king had already made himself at home, but stripping down to only his pants-and crown-.

Lovino rolled his eyes and set the tray down, then he seated himself on his side of the bed, already feeling better.

Antonio offered Lovino some of the food, but Lovino declined saying he'd eaten in the market with Femke. After dinner, the two of them drew a bath and Lovino was all too happy to finally be back in the hot waters of Antonio's bath, especially now that he was pressed against Antonio's chest getting his arms washed.

"You're so spoiled, my Lovi~" Antonio whispered, rubbing the soapy cloth in little circles over Lovino's shoulder.

"And I like it that way." Lovino smiled, turning his head to get a kiss.

Lovino sighed contentedly and leaned his head back onto Antonio's shoulder. It was a slight mistake on his part as Antonio took the opening and began kissing and nibbling the soft skin of his neck. The Illonian mewled as Antonio hungrily licked his skin.

"I missed you, Lovi~" he smiled, biting down lightly. Lovino hummed in pleasure and felt Antonio's member pressing against his back. He couldn't deny it. He'd missed him as well.

The king stopped assaulting his neck to attack something a little more precious. His fingers twirled into Lovino's curl, sending the younger man to moan.

Antonio lifted him from the water and carried him to the bed, where he prepared Lovino and wasted no time sinking into his lover. He groaned, having Lovino's warmth surround him once again. Lovino wriggled beneath him, urging him to move. He quickly complied with his love's wishes and began roughly thrusting into him.

He relished in the noise he brought forth and even more so when he hit Lovino's spot. He felt Lovino's nails digging into his back and it only brought forth his animalistic side. The smell of his blood hit his senses and he growled, thrusting harder. He'd missed this, claiming his Lovi, making the man scream out his name.

A knocking came at the door and he covered Lovino's mouth to keep the moaning down, but didn't cease his movements.

"What?" he growled angrily at being interrupted.

An accented female voice floated in, "Um … y-your majesty … k-king Francis w-wants you to kn-know that he'll be waiti-"

"I don't fucking care. Go away." Lovino felt a jolt run through him. He'd never heard Antonio curse like that before. He kind of liked it.

He heard her squeak, "Yes your maj-"

"Now!" her footsteps retreated and he smiled down at his Lovi, releasing his mouth so that he could once again hear his name from those beautiful swollen lips.

He thrust again and Lovino cried out, shooting his seed onto their bodies, before Antonio thrust a few more times, releasing himself.

Lovino whimpered, his head completely foggy and swimming. He felt Antonio pull him closer to him, pressing a soft kiss to his head and he felt himself slipping into the first peaceful sleep in a while, "I love you, Antonio …" he whispered, feeling the king cleaning up their mess.

"I love you, too, my Lovi~"

Lovino awoke the next morning entirely sore. His backside ached horribly and he didn't want to get up, but now that Antonio was back, he would have to get back to work on all his old chores.

He woke up the king. And limped into his room to get dressed. Antonio continued to lay in bed, watching him walk around the room, gathering his clothes for the day. He felt a bit of guilt course through him when he noticed Lovi's slight limp, but Lovi wouldn't accept any of his apologies, so he dressed and kissed his Lovi goodbye.

Lovino slipped on his boots and made his way to breakfast. Femke was sitting at their table, eating and hand taken the liberty of picking up Lovino's tray as well.

"Thanks," he muttered, sitting down.

"Did you get to see Toni?" she asked, taking a bite out of her bread. Lovino nodded, pushing away the stupid grin that tried to force its way onto his face.

Femke smiled, "That's good! Why was he gone for so long? Did he tell you?" Lovino told her what he'd been told.

She frowned, "That's terrible, but that explains the weirdly dressed staff that's joining us." she pointed to an extra table that had several people on it. Some of them weren't even human. He recognized one immediately as 'Mattie', the fairy from the island.

"I know him." Lovino pointed him out to Femke.

"Really? How?" she raised her brow quizzically.

He turned back to her, "I told you about him, remember? One of those boys that found me and Toni on the island." Femke 'ohed' and finished her food, "Well, I have to take breakfast to lady Lizeth. Take care, Lovi. I'll see you when I see you." she waved him off.

He finished his food, but when he turned, he came face to face with a young girl, about a year older than him or so. Her skin was tanned and her dark hair pulled into twin ponytails. She stumbled back, "I'm sorry!" her accent was strange, yet ... familiar ...

She looked up and her face went scarlet, "You! You're the Sverran king's personal servant, no?"

Lovino nodded slowly, and she turned on her heel and scurried away.

"Don't mind her …" Mattie walked up, "long time, no see, eh?"

The Illonian nodded, awkwardly, "Yeah, it has been a long time. What's her problem?"

Matthew laughed, "Last night she got yelled at by your king. Said she heard some pretty interesting things before she worked up the courage to knock on his door." it was Lovino's turn to go scarlet, "She what?" he hissed in a low whisper.

The fairy shifted his eyes and raised his brow, "She heard the Sverran king having relations last night and got yelled at. I honestly didn't know your king was … how would you put it? I don't really know … I mean … oh maple … I'm sorry if I insulted you. I'm sorry!" he squeaked.

Lovino shook his head and groaned. Damn that Fayldyren king, sending that girl to Antonio's chambers. Now, all of his servant's knew of Antonio's sleeping with 'someone' and it was only a matter of time before everyone else found out. He'd be the first suspect and then it would be all over.

"Um … I was wondering if you could help me out … I don't know anyone else here and I was thinking you could help me … you know … since I know you and you know this place."

"Uh … I guess. What do you need help with?" Lovino bit his lip, hoping he wasn't being too obvious in front of Matthew. The girl knew, but it looks like she hadn't shared her suspicions, yet.

"I need to find the kitchen. His majesty and her majesty need breakfast …" he shifted.

"I was on my way there now … I can show you the way …" they walked down the halls, finally reaching their destination.

The chefs looked up, "You're late, Vargas. So unlike you, hurry up and get this to his majesty. He's having breakfast outside today with that Fayldyren king, so don't mess up or anything." Matthew picked up the two trays left for his king and queen and followed Lovino to the gardens, where Antonio was sitting at a table underneath the morning sun.

"Lovi~!" Lovino rolled his eyes and dropped the tray haphazardly. He noticed a young woman, with blonde hair staring at Lovino with a worried expression. He bowed lightly, "I'm sorry, your majesty. One such as yourself should never have to see such an outburst, but if you'll excuse me, I must have word with my king." he grabbed Antonio's ear and pulled him a good distance away.

"Hey bastard! One of that pervert's servants knows what you did last night and I'm pretty sure she knows with who. This whole fucking thing is falling apart, tomato bastard."

Antonio smiled, "I'm sorry if you're worried, Lovi~ but don't be. Francis has promised to keep our secret and has instructed his servants not to say anything if they see anything. She won't tell."

"This is getting ridiculous! Too many fucking people are finding out about us! I'm beginning to wonder why it's even a secret still! Fuck, Antonio … don't you think we've had enough?" he felt his heart breaking, "I just … I love you, but why do we even do this to ourselves? I'm tired of this worrying about everyone else finding out.

"And what if noble bastard or that servant don't keep their mouths shut? What if those guards let it slip? Everything will be ruined." he looked back and bit his lip. He'd never seen the look he was getting right now. Antonio's pupils were small and an angry smile was on his face.

"I don't give a fuck about any of that, Lovi~ I'm happy being with you and even if the world found out I love you, I still wouldn't care." he smiled too happily. Lovino shivered lightly, a mix of fear and excitement ran through him. This Antonio, this darker, possessive self, scared Lovino. He'd said it many times, but it never got any easier to deal with when this mood came about.

Antonio looked at him, his features returning to normal, "I love you, so very much. I should have rethought eating outside … I want to kiss my Lovi~" he pouted. Lovino rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "You can't just laugh this off, bastard. I wasn't planning on leaving you, but it's still important that you at least take this problem somewhat seriously."

The king sighed, "I do, Lovi … I really do, but I …" he couldn't finish. Lovino was right. If things went too far and people found out, his kingdom might not respect him anymore and things might turn to chaos. Well … maybe not that far, but still … he was just going to have to be more careful.

TBC

Sorry the whole Antonio foreshadowing thing kind of sucked ... I couldn't honestly think of much Lovino could do while Antonio was away since the former queen can't touch him so ... yeah ... lol XD

~Lady Pyrien