My King, His Lover, and Me

In the therial world, there are very few who can stand before the Estrios Alight. Rarer still was for those who managed to ascend to that place to use their newfound platform to insult him, and expect to live.

“Ya heard me! Ah said ye’re nothin but a pompous, flighty, fairy bastard!”

The young man’s voice rang out again, and from my hiding place, I flinch as I heard the guards getting rougher with the guy. Peeking out, I see his flashing emerald eyes, and mussy dark brown hair, and his flailing fists and legs as the guards forcibly shoved him to his knees. I push my glasses back up, and shiver as the Estrios studied the vagrant before him. His left hand beckoned, and I crept out from my hiding spot. My steps were hurried, as I wanted to give him the package and notes as soon as possible, then retreat again. I reached the dais, and bowed, then walked up the steps to the Estrios’ side. I handed over the items in order of least importance to most, saving the package for last. Then I bowed once more, and turned to retreat to my hiding place once more, and my foot caught in the hem of my outer robe. I descended the stair head first.

Sad to say, no wonderful arms wrapped around me to break my fall, but I did manage to throw my arms up and twist so I landed on my upper arm and side instead of my face and hands. Pain shot up my left arm, but I stifled a cry, and pushed myself back to my feet. Opening my eyes, the world was very blurry, and when I reached down to get my spectacles, the touch of broken glass and sharp wire were answer enough. I crouched, and began picking up the pieces, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from wincing or crying whenever I got pricked. The Court continued on, oblivious to me.

“Ye’re a Fairy Queen, and ya’ll nevah be able ta intimidate me! Ah bet ye even have loose standards! Tell me, Yer Eminence, do ye sleep wit all the guards or do ya have yer favorite regiments?”

I froze, and squinted over my shoulder at him, shocked that he would even mention such a thing while being held by said guards, who growled and tightened their grips. Then the Voice of the Estrios flowed out. Calm, collected, the golden tone had such dark promise under the diplomatic words.

“Captain, I believe our guest wishes to see the Inner Chamber of the Blue Velvet Room. Kindly escort him there, and have the Hands draw a bath in the Ivory Pool.”

I let my breath out silently, then finished picking up the remains of my poor specs. The Velvet rooms were the ones used to discuss diplomacy, and the Ivory Pool was one of the largest baths in the Reanour Palaces. In other words, The Estrios was going to teach the young man his place in the world; under him.

- - -

Later, I was found in the Handmaidens’ Common waiting for my newly heated and fixed specs to cool and practicing my invisibility. I was excellent at it, and I listened as the Hands returned from delivering food to the Blue Velvet Room, blushing and talking in the squeaky way they do.

“Did you see? He was all like, flushed and superior and satisfied! I almost fainted!”

“No kidding! And did you see the brunette on the bed? He was flushed too, and he was worshipping His Eminence with his eyes!” So on and so forth. Listening to them reminded me of my own first encounter with The Estrios, and I grabbed my glasses and slipped past them before the door shut.

I walked down the hall, then paused and looked out over the gardens. The setting sun cast a rosy hue to the serene view, and I leaned against a column. My arrival had been much different…

Flashback:

The rain had been torrential, and the night black. Our lights were barely cutting through the gloom, and we’d already lost twenty of our meager twenty and five to the Dwellers. The betrothal gifts and dowry had been lost as well, over the Niathren Cliffs, the divide between my country and the Main Palaces. The lights of the Gate had finally come into view, and we quickened our paces, sure that safety was within our reach. Within a stone’s throw, the Pack descended. The Gate opened and the Guard ran out, but only managed to save Aleandra and myself. She was rushed to the Royal Infirmary, and I to the Servant’s, but she did not last the night. A fortnight later, I stood before The Estrios, and stated the events that had taken place, listing the items and the entourage members. I reached the Royals, and was interrupted by the slow, velvet voice that belonged to Him.

“The Betrothed was pronounced dead the day after your arrival, and the notice sent out to the Court while you were recovering. You have not listed your rank, or placement of the entourage, so I can only assume that you were of low rank, and little consequence. Therefore, you shall join the ranks of Page in My Palaces. You are dismissed.” I was shocked, but I bowed and backed out of the room, and into my new life.

End Flashback.

I snapped myself out of my reverie, and continued on to the Archival Wing, my braid swinging slightly with my steps, and my lenses glinting in the last rays of the sun.

“Page! Page!” I stop, and turn to face a Lesser Housemadam. She came to a stop, and thrust some documents into my empty arms. “His Eminence needs to see these right away! He’s in The Blue Velvet Room, and remember, these are of Highest Priority! He must see these immediately.” She turned and strode away, leaving me with several bundles of documents and juggling scrolls, my mouth slightly open. I snap it shut, took a bracing breath, and then I slipped behind a Statue to the Servants Stair.

On the way to the Room, I started practicing my invisibility again, praying that by the time I got there, I would have perfected it enough to not be remembered, although I doubted he would recall my existence anyhow. Three levels, five Stair shifts, and Twelve Halls later, I arrived at the door to the Blue Velvet Room, and after much shifting, I managed to free one arm long enough to knock. When I heard an “Enter.” I simply did so, not thinking on whose voice it had been. I pushed the door open, and turned and closed it behind me before turning to see the room itself. The room was decadent, but not garishly so. Soft, dark blues were everywhere, and the floor was a thick carpet the color of the deep sea of my home. The ceiling was a brighter blue, much like a midmorning sky, and the furnishings were….larger than usual. I blinked, and then heard a command to enter again, coming from a door on my left. I walked to it, and pushed it open.

“Sire, these documents need looking……over……?” I stumbled to a halt, faced with two very naked men entwined in the largest bed I have ever seen. The Estrios looked over his shoulder at me, while the young man from before looked out from under him. I felt my face heating, and I prayed that I could just leave. I started to do just that, when I heard the Estrios voice, dark velvet over steel.

“I did not dismiss you, Page. Approach and finish your job.” I gulped, and then turned slowly to look again. They hadn’t moved much, simply sitting side by side rather than entwined. I bit my lower lip, and started towards the Estrios’ side. Upon reaching him, I fell to my knees; head bowed, and offered the documents. Silence from above, and I hesitantly looked up from between my bangs. I met a pair of smiling emerald eyes, and jerked back, landing on my rear and the documents spilling around me. He was leaning over the Estrios’ lap, and smiling at me. I gulped, feeling my face grow hot.

“Hey, Rion, should we invite this'un? Seems like a good change o' pace, yeah?” I blinked, startled at the sound of the Estrios’ Name, and a shortened version at that. I heard a sigh, and watched with shock as His hand came up to toy with the man’s red hair.

“Ryos, you know how easily young ones break, to have a Page enter our games is almost too cruel.” The dark gaze of Estrios came to mine, and I scooted back. The room was filled by the sound of ripping cloth. I froze, and my eyes slowly looked down, knowing that two more pairs of eyes were doing the same. I saw the ugly tear going from the front groin seam of my pants, and followed it to the back left cuff. I stifled a sniff, and shifted my legs, stopping when another rip sounded out. Then I heard it; a laugh. I looked up, and Green Eyes had his face in his hand, shaking. The Estrios was looking down and away, shaking slightly as well. I felt the tears gather, and snapped my legs shut, instinctively going into a kneeling position, trying to tug my shirt and waistcoat just a tad bit lower to try and cover my lower half.

“S-s-s-Sire? May I be dismissed?” I stuttered out my request, feeling a tear slip down to fall on my hand. A warm hand came to my chin, and my face was lifted. I met soft green eyes, and felt my tears get wiped.

“Sorry, li’l one. No need fer these an’ no worries.” I look at him, and see him get a big grin. “Ah promise ta try and no’ break ya until the seventh or eighth round.”

Wait, what? I stare at him, not quite comprehending. The next thing I knew, I was scooped up and dumped on the bed.

“Oof!” I look at him, and then scoot back to the headboard as he advanced.

“Hey, Rion, he’s awfully light, how old do ya think he is?” The Estrios leaned in, and I leaned away.

“Well, he is a Page, so no more than twelve or thirteen summers, mayhap fourteen if he joined late. Page, how long have you worked as a Page and at what age did you join.” I blinked, and looked away. Truly, he was an impossible man. Was he really so blind to the serving staff? Then again, after three years of wandering around the Palaces in shapeless livery, I sometimes even forgot myself.

“Sire, do you not recall? I was entered into the Page Ranks the year of Black Veil. I was sixteen at the time.” He was silent, for the Year of Black Veil had been three years ago.

“What kept you from advancing to Squire?” His voice was deadly calm, and I shivered. Well, better now then never. Perhaps the time had come to tell my greatest secret.

“Well, my sex.” They were both silent, and I still did not meet their eyes, but I did slip out of the bed and stand. “Sire, you made me the First and Only Female Page in your Palaces. Now, I will take my leave, if you do not mind.” I spun, and left the room, easily slipping into the shoes of my true heritage. 'Hello, Regal Pride. You've been missed.' I thought wryly.

I heard no calls for my return and I expected none, but I did expect to receive a summons later, and readied myself. This time I was not under Healing draughts and could actually speak for myself. The Estrios was about to learn who I was, and I was going to either be shipped back to my country, or have an elevated status, or be dead. Whatever happens, tomorrow was going to be interesting.

The Princess Betrothed, Erianna Dal Treas was alive, and not happy.