Sundown

With no further business to attend to, I retire to our Chambers.

I am exhausted. Taking a seat on the velveteen couch, I remove my heels and tenderly rub my feet, stretching the arches and massaging the ankles.

Perhaps if I just lie down.. the fire is inviting, and I could use a bit of rest..

I close my eyes and drift off to a dreamless sleep.

Several hours later, I am awoken by the subtle sound of whispering and a soft musical clink.

I remain still on the sofa, pretending to be asleep. An intimate giggle escapes a woman's mouth.

"Sebastián! You are such a devil!"

Fabric rustles, as I hear my husband growl. His voice unmistakable. "You are too irresistible. I cannot help myself. Have Mercy on this poor king. I am but a man. You are what I Need, Estelle."

She toastily giggles. They have captured each other's mouths. Wet sounds of kissing fill the room. He lets out another guttural growl. "Oh, Estelle. Look what you have done. How will you Serve your king now?"

Her voice lowers into that of a sultry siren. "Oh my lonesome king, I will be your naughty queen." I hear the sounds of fabrics fall to the ground.

"Mmm, yes, Estelle. Show me how a real queen should behave."

"Oh Sebastián! Take me here and now!"

The scene revolts me. Suddenly I am face to face with Estelle. I rise from my position slowly, Estelle bent naked over our bedroom couch.

"Sebastián." I say cooly. Rage flashing dangerously across my eyes. My blood boils.

Estelle frozen in horror, the king positioned to enter her from behind. I lower myself, my face inches from hers.

"What a pretty face." Fire blazing behind my collected expression. I run my finger down the hollow of her cheek, then diagonally across her mouth. "Hmm. Yes. I Believe that would leave a pretty mark. What do you think, Sebastián? Shall I send for the Guard?"

Estelle trembles and lets out a sob. "Your Majesty! Your Grace! Please! Your Highness!"

"Silence."

Her bottom lip quivered pathetically.

I pick up her clothes and drop them on the couch. "Get dressed."

Sebastián still frozen behind her taking in the scene that has unfolded before him, finally moves - reaching for his pants.

I open the doors and approach The Royal Guard stationed outside our Chambers.

"Landon. Send for an escort to Accompany the king's guest back to the Village."

"Right away, my QUEEN."

I return to the bedroom, slowly approaching Estelle cowering on the sofa.

"Rise." She stands at attention. I sweep her shoulder-length blonde curls gently aside and unlace her bodice, removing the string.

"Turn around." I order. Estelle complies, as I tie her wrists together behind her back using the string in my hands.

I move to face her once again, surveying her body. She shamefully flushes, trying to hide her eyes.

"Look at me." She fearfully meets my line of Sight. Her entire body trembling in fright.

"You may keep your pretty little face. THIS Time." I pause, ripping her blouse open and exposing her breasts before continuing. "THIS is Mercy."

I walk to my Armoire, sliding a dagger from my cloak. I proceed. "BUT. Should I find you anywhere near The Royal Estate for ANY Reason." I dragged the dagger down her lower abdomen, letting the tip fall loosely until it reached her now hidden folds. Estelle flinched. "Your face will be the least of your worries." I finished, grabbing the fabrics of her full skirt and slashing it - her undergarments in clear view.

"My QUEEN." The escort had arrived.

"You are dismissed."

The Guard took Estelle by her wrists, pushing her forward to be publicly escorted back to the Village - the doors to our Chambers closing behind them.

I turn to Sebastián. He flashes a smile.

"You are getting careless. You are a king."

He shrugs nonchalantly. "You could have joined."

I struggled to maintain my Composure.

The king shirtlessly struts over to where I am standing, pulling my hips solidly against his length.

I glare into his eyes.

"Sooner rather than later, you will be the mother of my child. I am merely perfecting my skills." He grinds his hardening member into my mound. I clench my jaw. The heat of my anger rising.

"My Duty lies to my QUEENDOM. How many children have you already sired?"

He blinked dumbfounded, releasing his grip.

I moved away toward the exit. "Your women would do anything for money. What an Honor it would be to Bless the QUEEN with their Child to one day RULE - to Lead."

"You would not dare.." The king stared incredulously.

"Are you certain?"

The king stood speechless.

"I take my leave. I have Business to Attend to."

I was late to my Meeting with Xavier.