The King's Suspicions

Typically at this point in the mating process rumors and grudges may be inclined to come to light in full force, however this cycle was different. As each of the women involved were equally shocked about the information they had received and unsure of what it would mean for their futures none of them were very keen to speak on these matters. Instead they navigated the estate with great care, making any and every attempt to avoid any contact with the other women whom had become pregnant in this cycle.

This behavior did not go unnoticed, however. Instead the other women observing were equally unsure of how to react. Seeing as no apparent conflicts had arisen from the situation most of the other women felt content to leave things as they were. With this life moved forward in it's normal flow, or as close to it as could be expected. For Maria this meant returning to her rendezvous with the king.

This wasn't something that she could have ever predicted getting messy. Afterall, her relationship with the king was not only unique but it was as solid as they come, even compared to historical standards. The couple was very much in love, but they had something more than than that. They had trust, a friendship that transended any desires they had for each other.

One day after they had spent the better part of the morning together, in a lazy, but somehow still inquisitive mood he asked her. "Maria, what do you know of the women involved in this mating cycle?"

While his inquisitive nature sometimes caught her off guard she knew well enough at this point that his question was more or less related to the gentlemen that were chosen in this most recent selection. Perhaps a younger version of herself may have been concerned with her position in this moment, however she was fully confident in her love's intentions in the moment. As such, she thought carefully and answered as honestly as she could while recognizing the needs of the women involved. "From oldest to youngest." She said, "There are three women involved. First is a rather maticulous woman, who actively avoids high society and drama, but has a weakness for strong men with gentile demeanor." The king tried to hide the somewhat amused smile he had at the thought of such a woman pairing with such a well known figure. Still, he hoped this wouldn't effect too much. Maria continued. "The second is nothing to be concerned with. She's young and ambitious, but lacks good sense. She's always one who brings ample trouble, yet generally means well." Maria pouted at the thought. As harsh as her words were, she couldn't deny the truth, only hope that she would mature with age. Some never did. Maria let out a big sigh before getting to the last woman, even as the king leaned in curiously and asked if she was ok. As Maria continued she furrowed her brows as if deep in contemplation. "The last woman is the youngest, yet at times she may not seem it."

"An old soul?" The king questioned.

Maria smiled brightly at his words before continuing in a much more cheerful tone. "Yes, exactly! She's much smarter than she lets on and has enough control over her emotions to consider the hard decisions. Take this cycle for example. She had a choice between a man she believed she may be very much in love with and a man who she grew fond of when he saved her life during the pandemic. She considered her options and knowing how fleeting love often is she chose to repay a debt owed rather than explore feelings that would likely never be open to being explored. She's a very considerate woman, and at only 17." Maria found herself rambling to some extent and did not mean to expose so much. Usually she was a very calculating woman, but when faced with Jakob she so easily became emotional that sometimes things slipped out. Normally this was of little to no importance, but today the information revealed too much about another woman of Rose Palace and that worried Maria greatly. As such she clasped her hands over her mouth and quietly pleaded with her love not to reveal what she had said to him to anyone.

While he had heard her plead Jakob was lost in thought for a moment before replying. Afterall, the information she had just provided was a big revelation for him. He knew very well how Leopold felt about the young woman in question, but to hear so clearly that the feelings were mutual was something he had not expected. He had hoped to leave this with ample reasons to hate the woman who broke his friend's heart, yet now it would seem that it was possible that she broke her own heart as well. "Maria, why would she do that? What could she gain? Is she so heartless?" He questioned, fumbling over his own thoughts as the questions poored from his mouth.

Maria was quite confused by Jakob's questions. Why did he care so much? Still, she answered earnestly. In this situation she knew that honesty would do more than secrecy. "I have no idea what you mean. While Elisabeth seemed quite taken with him he hardly seemed to be someone worth pursuing, yet somehow after there second meeting her desires for him only grew. I can only guess that there's more to the man than she can adequately express, or that she lacks adequate taste in men. Her interest in Bill on the other hand was heartfelt and naive. She was almost childlike in her description. She was like a child with a crush."

This description would have been lacking for Jakob if he himself were not such a reader. It was only because of his affinity for books surrounding the days before the fall of women that he could even understand this concept, as most men had no concept of love or desire before meeting a woman for the first time. Everything else pailed in comparison to the angelic figure he was holding in that moment. "And what of the other?" He questioned.

Maria answered with ease, no longer holding to formality. "She said he was borish, selfish, and arrogant, yet she also described him as curious, doting, and true to himself and what he believed in. Her words were such a contradiction. He was everything and nothing all at once, and somehow her desire for him only grew, until..." Maria paused. Jakob didn't miss this, but simply rubbed her hand and nodded hoping she'd continue. She did, but uncertain of her next words. "She acted as I did when I first met you. She saw his flaws but wanted him anyway, in a way she could not deny or predict. It was wonderful, but sad." The king did not understand the sadness here. As such, Maria answered readily. "She saw him and loved him for what she saw, all of him, but also feered the pain of losing him. I feered that I once felt with you and for most unlucky enough to know love it's a death sentence. No one else could ever compare."

Jakob wanted to ask if love was that bad, but knew the answer. For a woman love could never be. It was a longing that they could never be free of. The sooner that it was cut off the better. He had chosen to stay by Maria depite this and still felt guilty because of it. She may be satisfied now, but if things changed her life could be cut short, while his life would thrive despite it, yet he felt more each day that he was the one who couldn't live without her. It made him question whether he needed her or the other way around. Little could he know it was both. They alone may have realized the the impossible, the ability of mankind to love and be loved unconditionally. The thought of someone denying this possibility instead plagued him. "What's her name?" He asked, a trace of bitterness in his tone.

This trace did not escape his love's notice. Instead she asked another question. "What does it matter to you the name of my friend?" Perhaps she would not have answered this way, but since their first conversation they had discovered mutual interest, specifically in literature and exercise. As such she had gotten to know Elisabeth fairly well. They may not have spoken about the selection since her choice, but they talked about most everything else. As such, she could not abandon her, even for her own relationship.

He did not know how to respond to his love's confrontational nature, but found words anyway. "it's Leopold." He said. He couldn't believe that such a truth was coming from his mouth, but felt no remorse in telling her. "Leopold is the man she rejected. Please?" He pleaded.

"Elizabeth." She said. "I'll say no more, but that she doesn't deserve your wrath. If it's meant to be it will. Don't you believe that?" As strange as it may be the king did believe that life brought people together. He had to. How else could he be deserving of an angel like Maria. " Ok" he said, content for the time being.