Part 2

Context: You, a noble, were married off to Prince Ignatius a little over a year ago. He was a kind but slightly incompetent man, but you were happy to help clean up some of his messes. You love your people, and they are good to you in turn, even though tension looms with talks of a very dangerous man coming to visit soon...

Setting: A flashback to a castle that no longer exists/Gaius's castle

Tags:[MM4F][Enemies to Lovers][Dead King Speaker][Elven Conqueror Speaker][Widowed Queen Listener][Fantasy][War/Invasion][Tension/Spicy][Cold]to[Gentle][Comfort][Confession][Obsessed?][TW: Death/Mentions of Child Trafficking/War/Invasion]

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[I] = Ignatius, your deceased husband/King

[G] = Gaius, the Conqueror

[Scene opens in a flashback - castle]

[SFX: Echoing footsteps/castle ambiance]

[You remember what he had told you before it all went wrong]

[Note: All of this is a flashback until an ending to said flashback is noted. Rec. an echo or effect to denote as much]

[I] “I must admit to being nervous, my new Queen… As much as you assure me all will be well. The man that we will be negotiating with is the most dangerous man alive…”

[Pause?]

[SFX: Faint screams/Medieval soldiers attacking]

[I] “I fear I am not jesting… General Gaius is a savage, ruthless man at the head of a savage, ruthless army. He began his career by single-handedly conquering a small kingdom with only guile and wit, amassed soldiers of fortune, and conquered another kingdom and then another… King Marlos snatched him up and made him the head of the Imperial Army, and everyone knows it is because Marlos feared having to one day face him…”

[...]

[SFX: More chaos/invasion noises]

[I] “Yes… I thought the talk went fairly well, but… Darling, I have to ask you something.”

[Pause?]

[SFX: More invasion/bloodshed]

[I] “Did you… say something to offend General Gaius?”

[SFX: Yet more violence, the intensity increasing]

[Pause?]

[I] “I’m not accusing you, it’s just… he was staring at you all throughout dinner… He almost always wears that helm but his eyes somewhat betrayed his displeasure… How he kept asking you questions of how you govern our people certainly felt like disrespect…”

[SFX: The carnage increasing]

[I, panicked] “He’s here! Run, my Queen! Run-!”

[SFX: Ignatius presumably being killed off-screen/the Queen trying to escape]

[G] “Seize her and have her sent to my castle in Yiris, safely. I will deal with her there.”

[SFX: The Queen being chased down]

[You remember something hitting you in the back of the head as you tried to flee. Remember crashing to the ground and then… Nothing]

[Sharp Cut to Time Jump]

[Pause - VA’s discretion]

[Fade in]

[Scene opens in Gaius’s writing room in Castle Yiris]

[SFX: A gentle fire cracking/a quill scratching across parchment/the Listener sitting up in a hurry]

[G] “Hm? Ah, good morning, my Queen. You collapsed in my writing room when they brought you here, it seems. I didn’t wish to disturb you so I simply gave you a pillow, and blanket, and sat down to work…”

[...]

[G] “The castle floor couldn’t have been comfortable ...You looked a little banged up as well. Did my men harm you, my lady?”

[...]

[The Conqueror stands and crosses the room, towering above you, his eyes radiating power]

[G] “Here. Rise.”

[SFX: Gaius helping the Listener stand]

[G] “There you are… Now… breathe.”

[P-Pause…?]

[G] “Calm yourself, my lady. I do not intend to strike you down, no…”

[Pause?!]

[G] “...Come. We will speak in my quarters.”

[SFX: Them walking down the halls/general castle business/a heavy door opening then shutting/a gentle fire]

[He leads you through his castle and to his quarters. None of the people working in the castle even look your way]

[G] “Here we are… Please, sit… Pour yourself a stiff drink, if you wish. Whatever helps, but we must not waste any more time not establishing some things…”

[SFX: A stiff drink being poured / Gaius sitting in his armchair]

[You pour that drink while Gaius appraises you from a regal leather armchair]

[G] “...I will admit, I do not know how to congratulate you on how well you played the game. It feels like anything I say will come across as belittling… And, yes, I am aware you had no desire to play in the first place. The fault for that fell on Ignatius.”

[Pause.]

[G] “I cannot keep your ex-husband’s name out of my mouth. It is necessary to the discussion.”

[...]

[G] “No. He is your ex-husband, my lady, like it or not. You are a war prisoner, my prisoner, and I made certain of these details to the last letter of the order to attack I signed… Let me explain myself, alright?”

[...]

[He pauses at your silence]

[G] “...If I showed some vulnerability to you… removed my helm… would you hear me?”

[...]

[G] “A wise choice… You stand to gain insight into my weaknesses with no real drawbacks… Here. I tip my hand to you.”

[SFX: Gaius removing his helm]

[He reaches up and pulls the helm free. Underneath is an older, heavily scarred elf]

[G] “There. I am but a simple, older elf. No more or less.”

[...Pause]

[His eyes pierce through you but he almost seems to smile]

[G] “... I am a Rusalki elf, yes… How is it such a pragmatic, intelligent, clever woman was married off to such a bumbling fool?”

[Pause!]

[G] “It is not about disrespecting his memory… It is about you being a pawn in a game you did not sign up for and no one being polite enough to tell you, my lady. They sent you to him to keep you busy… You’ve had so many messes to clean up that you never even realized the fool was poised to try and attack Amberward with a diminished army.”

[...]

[G] “...A year ago, you sent a report in with concerns about children that had gone missing from your kingdom. King Marlos tasked me with investigating, which is why I even agreed to meet with Ignatius in the first place. When I arrived, I questioned you without you realizing to ascertain your involvement… and I saw your character laid out before me. No ego, no pride, just a good person trying to do right by her people…”

[...?]

[He glances away, eyes dark]

[G] “...Listen to me, my Queen… It wasn’t your fault.”

[Pause…?]

[He looks back at you with what you think might be sympathy, but it’s impossible to tell. He’s so cold that you feel like you’re speaking to a wraith]

[G] “...The mines that Auroris benefitted so much from… Your mines… The workers there were never dwarves. A spell had simply been cast so people would see dwarves when they saw the workers… who were the missing children…”

[...]

[G] “...Your husband knew. He told me as much when I questioned him in the same way I did you, even if he didn’t know it. I didn’t invade your kingdom to prove a point, I did it because it was the only way to shut down a child trafficking ring bigger than even our kingdom.”

[. . .]

[G] “...we saved… most of them…”

[ . . . . . .]

[SFX: The bed creaking]

[Before you realize it, he’s sitting next to you on the bed, arm around you]

[G] “Shh… I have you.”

[Pause…]

[G] “...You did not fail them, and they were not crying out for help while you smiled stupidly at them. From what my men can tell, they thought they were dwarves, too. The spell kept them feeling drunk and happy… It’s alright… I can hold you…”

[....]

[G] “Of course I can… Don’t say no one would want to hold a wretch like yourself, please…”

[Pause…]

[G] “I want to hold you, my Queen.”

[Pause?!]

[G, with a subtle snarl in his voice] “I want you.”

[...]

[He draws you to him, holding your palms to his strong chest]

[G] “That is what I am trying to say. I want you. I wish to have you as my wife, as my Queen! Ignatius didn’t deserve you, he NEVER did, and you were just too polite to say otherwise… Of all the queens I have seen fall to their knees before me, you are the only one who cared for her people… I need that. I need you.”

[...]

[G] “I am being sincere… Ignatius blathered on about the accomplishments of himself, and you told me about the accomplishments of your people with a pride that is sorely lacking in most places. People need a Queen that cares for them and I need a partner that has the strength to stand at my side without fear. You…”

[...Pause…]

[G] “If people ask how you could marry your ex-husband’s murderer, simply tell them your husband is the Conqueror and you had no choice… I am a villain, after all, hmm?”

[...]

[At your uncertainty, he adds:]

[G] “Think, my dear… Being able to boast that you conquered the Conqueror? Money, status, anything your heart desires, including a husband who truly loves and lusts for you. A thing that is most rare, as well…”

[...]

[His expression twists into mild surprise then thoughtfulness]

[G] “...You ask time to grieve your fallen and then you shall grant me my desire…?”

[...Pause…]

[This powerful, terrifying figure studies you for a moment before, to your surprise, he places a gentle kiss on your forehead and murmurs:]

[G] “Mmh, a kiss for your forehead… My castle is yours, my Queen. Take what time you need.”

[...]

[G] “I need to meet with my lieutenants, but I shall make time to check in with you, as will the butler. Whatever you need, do not hesitate to ask.”

[...]

[He pauses but, to your surprise, smiles]

[G] “...Hm. I will be careful. I promise.”

[SFX: Fade out on him leaving / door opening and shutting]

[With that… he is gone]

[To be continued]