She Made Her Choice
Chapter 4
Waking the next morning to the sun shining in the window. Snuggled into the soft bed and thick blankets she spent a long time just luxuriating. A noise outside broke the silence of the room. She slipped out of bed and opened the large window. She looked out across a vast green lawn with trees dotted about noticing she was on a second floor. Looking down she saw a guard stationed at ground level below her window, probably to keep her from jumping out. Looking back across the lawn she caught sight of what had awakened her: a squad of palace guards in their red coats with white hats and gloves walking on a path in rigid formation all carrying rifles. The cadence caller in the lead kept them in step as they marched inside a tall iron fence.
Beyond the fence was an occasional man or woman going about daily life. Women jogging by in only a snug breast covering, or men in tight shorts, other people in fancy suits or uniforms. She guessed clothing was viewed similarly here as it was in Silvana.
Leaving the window open for fresh air she grabbed her brush to straighten the bed fur. Satisfied she stepped back out into the sitting room still bare of clothing. Dennara was again (still?) sitting on the couch reading. Looking up she said, ``good morning, Melna. Sleep well?''
``Yes, thank you.'' She took her spot in the armchair again. She looked up at the clock, eight fifteen. She felt like she'd slept later than that.
Dennara motioned to the menus still on low table between the chairs. ``If you would like anything to eat we can call on the staff.''
Eggs and sausage did sound good right now. She picked up the menu and flipped to the morning section. There was so many things to choose from, fried sandwiches; egg battered toast with syrup; pan-baked thin cakes with butter, syrup and fruit. Her eyes alighted on something especially tempting, called 'biscuits and sausage gravy.' She'd have to ask if she could get a couple fried eggs as well.
Dennara had her press the button to call the maid, Jenna's shift started later it seemed, and place her order. Sitting back in the armchair she asked Dennara, ``is there anything planned for me today? Something I need to do?''
``No, we thought it best to not have you out and about until the... fervor of what happened yesterday has died down. Is there something you need?''
Melna's ears were hot again as she relaxed into the thick cushions. ``No. The last few days have been so busy and in the tendays before everyone has been on edge. It will be kind of nice to have a day to relax.'' She tapped a claw to her front teeth. ``Actually, there is something. The villa had a big library and reading was about the only thing to do.''
Dennara nodded. ``When the maid returns with your morning meal you can ask for some books from the library.''
Melna brightened. ``Great.''
When the food was delivered she spied Yezni standing guard outside the the door to the room. She'd been slightly embarrassed asking the maid for some fantasy or adventure novels but that just got her a smile and nod. She ate the wonderful food putting the dishes on the tray they had arrived on. She handed them off when the maid returned with a rolling cart of books. There was enough to last her tendays. Thanking the maid she pulled out a copy of 'The Master of the Bracelets' and decided to sit in her room by the open window.
The day passed quietly as she read. The palace guards in formation continued their patrol at regular intervals. Occasionally people would stop by the fence and pose for photographs in front of the palace. She could hear birds that were likely nesting in the trees. It was tranquil here, she could almost forget what was hanging over her head in the near future.
Jenna returned to deliver their midday meals. Melna had been excited to tell her about seeing her on the picture bubble, called a television. Jenna laughed at the memory, saying the actors had been quite affable during their visit to record the episode.
After eating she had returned to her room engrossed in the story she was reading. She was brought back to reality when she could no longer see the words on the page. The febbits had just arrived in Splitdale. Looking out the window she saw the sun had set some time ago. The lawn was lit up brightly, another formation of guards moving past the cadence caller silent this time. Melna stood up to stretch, closing the window, and wandered through the open door of her bedroom back to the sitting room. Dennara had almost finished 'Called Further.' There were several bookmarks hanging off the side of the cart. Marking her place she returned the book to the cart. ``Sorry I'm not a more interesting guest,'' she said to the guard ruefully.
Dennara looked up a corner of her mouth tugged upwards. ``Not at all. Like you said this morning, its nice to have a day to relax. Would you like to have supper soon?''
Melna nodded and sat in the armchair picking up the menu. Choosing a ground meat sandwich topped with leafed vegetables and a large mushroom cap with a side order of grilled vegetables. After supper the two women sat silent, Dennara reading and Melna entranced by the pendulum of the clock on the wall.
She fell asleep in the armchair. Waking up with a shake she looked around confused for a moment. Getting her bearings she stretched. Dennara still sat, reading. Looking up at the clock, twenty-four fifty, she said, ``I think I'm going go to bed.''
Dennara looked up and nodded. Melna retreated to the washroom to brush her teeth, skipping a shower tonight and went back to her bedroom. She didn't spend as long brushing out her fur as she had previously before crawling under the sheets. Tomorrow she was going to see the king again, maybe he would give his answer.
The cadence caller woke her again. She opened the window to breathe in the pine scented air. She could get used to living here. Then it hit her, what was going to happen this evening, supper with the king. She held the window sill to calm her breathing. It would be all right, she could get through this. No, he wouldn't be likely to give his answer tonight, he just wanted to get to know the woman that had asked to be bent over and knocked up. Giggling nervously at the vulgarity of the thought she left the window feeling a mild tickle in her lower body. She quickly ran a brush through her fur.
Walking back into the sitting room she found Dennara still reading. 'Called Further' was set closed on the low table and she was deep into 'The Drake, the Sorceress, and the Closet.' Dennara looked up. ``Good morning, Melna''
``Good morning, Dennara.'' She took a deep breath. ``Is there anything I need to do before this evening?''
Setting down the book with a thoughtful expression. ``Nothing in particular. The king prefers his private dinners to be somewhat informal.''
Melna thought about that, a meeting the might lead to courtship, might lead to her bedr... she shook her head. She hadn't really considered this dinner much yesterday, now that she was thinking about it he mind was going down paths she'd only really traveled when in estrus. Yes, the king was an attractive man but she hardly knew him. He could be a total jerk. She took another deep breath to try to clear her head. ``Thank you, Dennara. I do have lots of nice things to wear, thanks to the maids. I just need to calm down, I think. I just haven't been in this situation before. Adult males were not allowed near me, for obvious reasons.''
Dennara slowly stood up and pulled the much shorter woman into a gentle hug. ``As I said before, his majesty is a good man. He's not going to harm you and he will do what he feels is best for both nations.''
Melna was stunned for a moment before leaning into the hug. She suddenly very much wanted introduce Dennara to momma Sally. The guard released her after a short time. ``Would you like morning meal?''
``Yes, please.''
After they ate Melna took her book and went back to the window in her bedroom. She needed to occupy her time, supper with the king was scheduled for hour twenty-one and it was only nine thirty. She spent the day reading and trying to force down images of what the king might do with her should he accept.
Stopping for midday meal and finally at nineteen thirty she put the book down. She was going to start getting ready. Returning the book to the cart she went to the washroom to shower. She spent a long time making sure every inch of her was clean. She dried herself then went to brush her teeth; can't meet the king with unpleasant breath. She caught her reflection in the mirror. Did the king think she was attractive? He probably had females followi... nope, she wouldn't let herself get pulled into that train of thought. Still looking in the mirror at herself, her fur poofed all over. She smirked at the absurdity of the image.
Returning to her bedroom she pulled out a few sets of clothes. She considered her mother's formal wear again but opted not. Pulling out the teal set she'd first found she set them aside and began a long process of brushing.
She stood before the mirror in her bedroom, brushed, dressed, hair braided and tied at the end with one of her gold ribbons. She looked as good as she could make herself look. As she moved toward the sitting room a glint on top of the dresser caught her eye: her mother's breast chain. Picking it up she whispered, ``mother, please be with me.'' Clipping it to her piercings she was happy to see that even though this gint was longer it was still visible hanging between her breasts.
She stepped into the sitting room to see Dennara and Wilhemina both in their dress reds this time wearing wide-topped white caps with a gold emblem in the front and white gloves. She looked at the clock, twenty forty-five, she was cutting it close. ``Is it time to go?'' she ask.
Dennara nodded. ``Yes, princess, please come this way.'' Melna fell into line behind the guard with Wilhemina bringing up the rear.
The walked down the hall, past the throne room and the conference room finally ending up at a set of tall double doors. Her guards opened them and ushered her in to a large beautiful room with a long table. She was led to the nearest of two places set across from each other at one end of the table. She settled in to wait.
The wait was short, she heard a door on the other side of the room open. In walked the king followed by his two enormous guards. Melna stood as he approached the table. Looking up his step hitched slightly when she caught his eye. ``Good evening, princess. You look quite lovely tonight, that outfit suits you.''
Melna stared back, he was wearing a simple red robe with gold stitching on the hems. His hair and fur looked as if he'd washed as thoroughly as she had, his circlet still perched on his black hair. Her ears were hot again and she looked away feeling shy. ``You can thank miss Massey and the maid staff. They had left some gifts for me when I returned from our meeting.''
An instant of surprise crossed his face before he smiled. ``I'll have to mention it next time I see miss Massey.'' He motioned to the seat beside her. ``Please, sit.''
``Thank you, your majesty.'' She sat. ``Everyone has been very kind since I left the villa. Dennara even showed me how to work the television. I haven't even seen on of those before.'' She had to remind herself not to ramble.
Soup bowls were placed in front of the two. She glanced down at the place setting, exactly the same as home. She looked back up and spotted Jenna supervising from the doorway to the kitchen. She smiled at the woman and looked back to the king. He smiled to her. ``Jenna Massey is something else. She's started here during my father?s reign and worked her way up to the point she's basically running this place. And as I understand its never run smoother. She can make life quite uncomfortable if you upset the maid staff, though.''
``Momma Sally would have me sweeping floors for a tenday if she found out I was unkind to the staff. Once, when I was little, I got a bit too bossy with one of the gardeners. I had to write an apology and was mowing the lawn while the gardener watched from a chair in the shade.'' She took up the soup spoon and began her meal.
The king took a sip as well. ``General Banchet sounds strict.''
Swallowing another spoonful she looked up. ``No more so than I'd think anyone raising children. She always said she wasn't going to raise a brat. I hope she succeeded.''
The king gave her a long look. ``I tend to think so.'' He scooped more soup. ``I think my father felt the same way, though went about it a bit differently. When I was old enough I went to a primary school affiliated with South Crossing Military Academy with strict instructions that I was to be treated like any other student. I didn't attend South Crossing itself but between that school and what my father tried to teach me I like to think I turned out alright.''
The soup finished two red shirted maids took the bowls and returned with a fresh salad with a thin layer of creamy sauce that smelled amazing. ``If I may ask, your majesty, how long have you been king?''
He chewed and swallowed a mouthful of the salad before answering. ``It's only been ten years since my father passed. He reigned a little more than two hundred years. I think he did a decent job so I've been trying to follow his example.''
``Well, if the newspapers momma Sally could get me are anything to go by you've been doing a good job.''
He looked at her curiously. ``You read newspapers from other countries?''
Salad plate empty she set her fork down. ``Yes, momma Sally said that Silvanen news was horribly biased and most likely entirely commissioned by the council of elders. I think I got a better idea of what was going on in Silvana with news from Aldenea and Tiradell than I did from our own.''
He smiled again. ``General Banchet strikes again. I hope I get to meet her someday.''
The salad plates were removed and the main course was placed before them. It was a piece of grilled meat with a side of vegetables. It smelled delicious. ``I think she would like to meet you just as much.''
The night went on, the two speaking of childhoods and and homes. Dessert was a slice of chocolate cake that Melna forced herself to eat slowly. It was so good. After desert hot tea was set out for them as the conversation continued. She was enjoying herself very much. She glanced up at the clock on the wall behind the king surprised to see it was past hour twenty-six. Had they been there that long?
Melna was beginning to feel tired and their conversation was winding down. The king took a last drink of his tea. ``Princess, this night has been most enjoyable. Let's do this again in two days.''
She smiled at the king. ``That is agreeable, your majesty. I shall see you then.''
She and the king stood from the table, he bowed to her and gave her one last lingering look before turning to leave the ornate dining room. The maids quietly made their way to clear the table. Melna caught the eye of one. ``Thank you for your hard work, and tell the chef the food was delicious.''
``Thank you, princess. We will do so.''
Looking around the room one last time she followed Dennara back to her room. It was time for bed.
She spent the next day reading again. Dennara was called away early in the aftermid, Yezni taking her place on the couch. She returned a few hours later revealing nothing abut where she had been, not that Melna would have asked. She went to bed that night excited for another meal with the king.
The next day she woke up much as she had two days ago, amorous thoughts popping into her mind. She ate light for morning and midday meals. This time she picked out a set of clothes in white that almost matched her belly-fur color. It had green and blue beading in nice patterns.
Cleaned and brushed she followed Dennara to the dining room again. The king had arrived first tonight wearing a brown robe with white stitching. The topics of conversation this time centered on books and comics they read as children. They didn't spend as along talking tonight but at the end of the meal the king asked, ``shall we do this again tomorrow, princess?'' looking almost shy.
She stared back, surprise clearly evident. Tomorrow? ``Yes, your majesty, I'd love to.''
On the way back to her rooms she did twirl this time, only twice not every third step. They had supper together every night for the next ten days. She was enjoying her time with the king so much she had almost forgotten the reason she was here. She caught Dennara a time or two with a small smile barely tugging at a corner of her mouth as they'd walk back to her rooms.
Reality swam back into focus midday on the sixteenth day when a page knocked at the door. ``His majesty would like to meet the princess in the conference room.''
Now? She hadn't showered, or brushed, or... She felt panic rising until a firm paw was placed on her shoulder. ``Melna, you look fine, put some clothes on and we'll go meet the king.'' Looking into those soft green eyes, she wondered why she'd ever been afraid of this woman. Nodding she scurried to her bedroom.
She took but a moment to decide to wear her mother's gint and fenner. She sensed this meeting was important and would treat it as such. She dressed and tied her hair with the golden bows. She took a moment to look in the mirror. It looked like she would get her answer.
She turned when she heard a knock on the open bedroom door. ``Let's go, princess.'' Leaving the rooms-- her guards still in their black uniforms-- all three formed the familiar triangle around her. Jenna caught her eye from a doorway in the hall and gave her a nod. Melna smiled back.
The king was already seated at the table when she entered. She was lead to the seat across from him. Sitting she was afraid to look at his face but when she finally did she was met with the easy smile she had grown used to over the last several days. ``I said I would give you my answer in less then two tendays. My answer is, yes, I will, and I would like to continue what we have started as well.'' He looked down at some papers in front of him sliding one across the table to her. ``This form is an official recognition of consort. It will give you functional citizenship of Aldenea. If we complete your plan of annexing Silvana this will be unnecessary but until then you will be able to cross the border into Aldenea freely.''
She read the document carefully finding nothing undesirable written in it. She picked up a pen and signed it and slid the paper across to the king. He took it setting it on top of the small stack. He let out a breath and looked back up at her. ``Now, if I'm to give you a child we should prepare.''
``'A woman's first should not be while she's in heat.''' Melna recited the old adage. Estrus can get intense, and if she didn't know what to expect either of them could get hurt.
He stared into her eyes for a long time. She didn't love him yet, no she hardly knew him. She didn't believe in fairy tales, but... He continued, ``I would like to visit your bedroom tonight, if you are willing.''
Tonight? Her heart felt like it stopped, leapt, and started pounding all at the same time. The tickle in her lower body got stronger. Battling to keep her breathing steady she replied, ``that would be agreeable, your majesty.'' She stared into the golden eyes, what emotions would be in them tonight?
The king stared back mouth working before taking a deep breath. ``I have some other business to attend to, princess. I will see you tonight.'' He got up slowly and moved to the door, guards following. He stopped at the door as if unwilling to leave and looked back giving her a smile. Then he was gone.
Lost in a whirlwind of emotions until a firm paw was again placed on her shoulder. ``Princess, please come with us.'' She looked up and nodded following her guards back in a blissful haze.
Upon returning to her room she almost immediately disrobed. ``Can these be washed before the king comes tonight?'' Wilhemina had remained outside with Yezni and Dennara joining her in the room.
``Yes princess.'' Dennara pushed the call button by the door while Melna dashed into the washroom. She started a shower. Her mind was racing, she needed to clean, she needed to be clean, she felt an ache inside her. The king would be with her tonight. She realized she was standing under the running water with soap in her paw that hadn't been applied any yet. Three deep breaths to calm her heart. She slowed down enough to clean herself properly. Finishing with the soap she just stood in the water for a long time simply trying to relax.
Shutting off the shower she sat on the bench and dried herself. Still forcing herself to move slowly, the longer this took the less time she would be waiting for the king. Moving the towel over her breasts she found she was still wearing the chain. She stopped. She sat like a statue staring at the ruby in the center. ``Mother, I did it. The king will come to me tonight, and on my next estrus he will give me a child. Are you proud of me? Are you still watching over me?'' She remained seated for a long time. The moment only broken by a knock at the door. ``Enter.'' She called out.
To Melna's surprise Jenna entered carrying her formal clothes. The head maid sat next to her. ``I just heard, good job.''
Melna looked into those sparkling blue eyes. With a deep breath she looked down again. ``Am I the gossip of the maid staff now?'' She asked laughing a little.
Putting an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. ``Nothing of the sort. The first rule of the Maids of Palace Alden is discretion. Dennara said you would need some calming down.''
Leaning against Jenna she could feel her heart slowing. ``She's right, and this helps. After the fool I made of myself in the throne room I'm a little surprised I wasn't laughed out of the country. Now I might actually have a chance to save my people.''
Giving the young woman a squeeze Jenna replied, ``I met you when you first arrived because I wanted to size you up. We were told to expect the Princess of Silvana and your father did not leave a good impression. I was expecting a haughty brat to walk in and start making demands. What got out of the limousine was a scared girl with too much responsibility on her shoulders.'' Jenna chuckled quietly. ``And while yes, you did walk in with a demand it was a cry of desperation not selfishness. I've watched king Tomlin grow up, he's a good boy that will treat you right. So you treat him right, OK?''
Melna nodded, she felt a lot better. The king would be with her tonight, and it didn't seem so scary anymore. Looking down she again noticed the swell in Jenna's middle. ``I hope its not rude but I wanted to ask, are you pregnant?''
She heard a happy sigh from the older woman. ``Yes I am, my mate and I decided it was the right time.''
Looking back into her face Melna asked, ``what's it like?''
``I'm only two months in so I haven't gotten to the worst parts yet, but honestly it feels like I'm swelling all over. I don't know why but my ankles are already starting to hurt. Some of my clothes don't fit anymore, makes me glad the uniform here is tights. But, a few days ago I felt the baby move for the first time, and way Ben looks at me when I get home from work in the evenings. It makes it worth it for me.''
Melna leaned in and gave Jenna a hug. ``I hope soon to be feeling those. The war will finally be over, and maybe the king will let me stay with him after all that.''
Jenna leaned back and gave her a tap on the nose. ``Alright, get up, let's get you dried off. We've cleaned your clothes but I want you to lie down for a while, try to take a nap. Then you can get dressed to meet the king.''
Melna did as she was told. Jenna helped her finish drying off and brushed her hair and fur. Guiding her out of the washroom and pointing her to bed. Melna removed the breast chain setting it on the dresser and lay down. Excitement bubbled in her belly at the thought of what was to come but she remained still in the bed till her eyes closed.
She was awakened once again by the cadence caller with the patrol. She stretched, this bed was wonderfully soft. The she remembered what was going to happen. She managed to quash the panic rising in her and looked out the window. The sun was setting, there was still time. Grabbing the brush from the bedside table she began to run it through her fur. The feeling always helped her stay calm. Standing to brush through tail and legs she finally stopped to look in the mirror. Should she braid her hair? That might help to keep it out of the way. Opting for the bows again she tied up her long hair.
Not getting dressed yet she made the bed and went to brush her teeth. Dennara and Yezni were in the sitting room and looked up as she entered. ``Good evening, princess.''
``Good evening. Thank you for earlier, talking with Jenna helped quite a bit.''
Dennara nodded. ``I thought it would. His majesty will be here at hour twenty-two.''
Melna looked looked at the clock, nineteen fifty-three. She took a deep breath and sighed. Two hours. She went to the washroom to brush her teeth very slowly. Rinsing she looked into the mirror above the sink. She stared into the violet eyes that stared back. She didn't love the king, she didn't believe in fairy tales, but she wanted to love the king. She shook her head, there was a war to stop first. Once the current council of elders was dissolved she could focus on her personal life.
She closed her eyes and focused on the air slowly entering and leaving her lungs. Leaving the sink she went back to the sitting room. Glancing at the clock, twenty zero seven, she wanted to scream. Instead she grabbed her book from the cart and retreated to her room.
Time passed slowly, she divided her time between reading and watching the people stroll past outside. Maybe some of them were going home to mates to do what she would be be doing soon. What time was it? Why didn't she have a clock in her room? The tickle was getting stronger again turning into an ache. She managed two more chapters before deciding her mind was too filled with other thoughts to try to continue.
Getting up she put in the book mark. She wandered into the sitting room to return the book to the cart purposefully not looking at the clock and went to use the restroom. Upon exiting she took a deep breath before looking up at the clock: twenty-one thirty-four. A ripple went down the fur of her back, she began to walk stiffly back to her room when a voice stopped her. ``Princess.''
She turned to look into the green eyes of Dennara. ``Yes?''
``I just wanted to make you aware of a few security precautions you will be subject to.''
Melna stared back a bit confused and gave her head a shake. ``Of course.''
``Captain Krinchen and myself will remain in here and the bedroom door must remain open. There's also a guard posted on the ground level outside your window and his majesty will not be staying the night. Understand this is for the security of his majesty for the time being.''
Melna pondered for a moment. She realized the thought of having an audience should bother her but she'd been surrounded by guards her whole life. The idea of 'privacy' was something of a foreign concept. ``I understand, I will do my best make sure any intervention will not be necessary.''
Dennara nodded and Melna returned to her room. It was time to get ready. After giving herself another brushing she dressed. She put on her deep red Silvanen formal attire, and clipped the breast chain back in its place. She looked in the mirror. She was nervous again. What if he was bad? What if SHE was bad? What if it hurt? She shook her head trying to clear the negativity.
She jumped and fur bushed when there was a knock at the door to the hall. She heard the door open and quiet words being shared. After what seemed a painfully long time a voice called out, ``princess, are you ready?''
Heart jumping she barely managed to keep an even tone of voice. ``Yes, I am.'' She stood at the foot of the bed the ache in her lower body had grown into a void that required filling. Please hurry, your majesty, she added silently. She could feel her heart pounding. Soft paw steps could be heard until around the door frame walked the man she had been waiting for. Tonight he wore a black robe with gold and white embroidery on the front and sleeves. He was not wearing his circlet. She bowed slightly as he entered the bedroom. She was trembling. ``Good evening, your majesty.''
He approached and as she stood straight he gently touched a fingertip to her muzzle looking her in the eyes with and expression that mirrored what she was feeling. ``In here you call me Tomlin.''
See ''Chapter 4 SS'' for Sex Scene or continue to skip it
She lay in the bed trembling, she'd never thought it would be like this. Nothing had felt like this before, even when friends helped her when she was in heat. ``Not bad for a first timer?'' She heard him ask and the fur down her back began to rise.
``What do you mean by that?'' she panted through teeth that might soon be clenched.
``Oh gren, that came out wrong. I'm talking about me. You're the first woman I've been to bed with.'' She froze. The king had never...?
She turned around to face him. ``At the risk of being rude, how old are you?''
``I'm only fifty-six. Father always warned of women offering themselves too easily, thought it better to plan on a future with the person you're attaching yourself to.'' He gave a bemused smile before looking away. ``My mother passed soon after giving birth to me. I know he loved her greatly, I never saw him with any other women after her.''
She again stared into the golden eyes that were currently gazing intently at the wall above her head. She didn't know of anything to say, the eyes flicked back down to hers. After a moment he said, ``I meant what I said earlier today. I do like you, Melna. I would like to continue our relationship after we have everything resolved with Silvana.'' She nodded not taking her eyes from his. After a moment he closed his eyes with a frustrated groan. ``Now, most unfortunately, I must depart, security will not allow me to spend the night.''
She gave a tired sigh as well, it would have been nice to snuggle up and go to sleep. He slowly rolled out of the bed and leaned down to pick up his robe pulling it on. She slid to the foot of bed to watch him depart. Turning back to her, ``I look forward to doing this again soon. Maybe we can get supper delivered here and make an evening of it.''
Melna smiled back at him. ``That sounds wonderful.''
Tomlin looked around the room patting himself as if looking for things in pockets he didn't have. He seemed reluctant to leave. His eyes met hers again and he sighed. ``I guess I'm going to have to bid you good night.'' He bent down touching the side of her face with a paw and leaned in to rub his cheek to hers.
``Good night, Tomlin,'' she whispered in his ear. Stood and gave her a smile before heading out the doorway to the bedroom.
She sat for a long time staring after him. Everything was rushing back to her, not the least of which was why she was here. She'd just needed him to give her a child. He could have told her to leave when all was said and done and she'd have been fine as long as her nation was safe. Now? Now there was a chance she would be spending a very long time with this man, and she found the idea agreeable. She didn't love Tomlin yet. She didn't believe in fairy tales. But if she got to do what she'd just done on a regular basis... She shook her head.
Looking down at herself she realized what a mess she was, sweaty and covered in bodily fluids. She moved her formal wear aside with a foot paw to be sure not to drip anything on them and tried to stand. She was sore and her legs were weak. She managed to get through the sitting room, avoiding the gaze of Dennara on the couch, Yezni must have left when the king had. Making it into the washroom and to one of the shower stalls she turned on the water and let the warm stream flow over her.
She spent a long time just letting the heat soak through her soothing her aching body before finally taking the soap and cleaning up. She felt better. Turning off the water she sat on the bench and dried off, it would not be difficult to get to sleep tonight. Leaving the washroom she nodded at Dennara who had moved to ``Prince Aral'' and went to her bedroom. The sheets and blankets had been changed while she was out, she laughed to herself. The efficiency to the maid staff was astounding at this point. Maybe she should bring back some candy baskets for them if she returned from Silvana once this mess of a war was cleaned up.
She crawled into bed thankful for clean sheets and was quickly asleep.
