Arranged Marriage (MxMxM)

Chapter Twenty-Four

"No, no. Your back needs to be a little straighter. Good. A princess may walk with grace, but a queen walks with elegance and beauty."

Queen Beth walked around until she was once again in my line of sight, the older woman nodding as she tapped my shoulder and pursed her lips. "Perfect. Now, another thing a queen requires is clothing made out of only the finest of silks. I'll have a seamstress come take your measurements in a week's time. And, if you are in need of a fine gown before then, don't hesitate to ask me."

I felt a small smile form on my lips. "I will definitely keep that in mind, thank you."

Queen Beth's smile widened and she took a step away from me, clapping her hands together. "That shall be enough lessons for you today. I fear the information may overwhelm you if I try to teach you any more. In any case, come sit with me. There's something I would like to discuss with you, woman to woman."

Feeling my heartrate accelerate, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and nodded, following the regal woman over to her little lounge area. When I sat down, I felt a bit uncomfortable at the way she was staring at me. So, to avoid that feeling from growing, I turned my attention away, twiddling my fingers nervously. "So, your Highness, what is it you wish to speak to me about?"

"Please, Beth is fine. And, as you know, my Henry is adamant about a grandchild and I was merely wondering if you feel you have conceived, or not. Seeing as you and William have been married for about a week, surely you've been spending nights of passion together, yes?"

My face was burning in embarrassment when I finally looked at Beth, the woman smiling slightly as she stared at me expectantly. Sweet Mary what was I going to tell her? She still believed me to be a woman, and I couldn't exactly tell her it wasn't true without risking the lives of my entire family. What do I say? Goodness this was so nerve wrecking.

"Ah, I-I don't believe I have conceived, yet. B-But William and I are not giving up hope."

"I see. I will most definitely pray for the both of you. Henry and I are getting older and we want to be relieved in knowing the future of our kingdom is in good hands after William's reign." She then cracked a smile. "Besides, a little one would most definitely spice things up in the castle, especially since most here are dreadfully old, or boring."

I chuckled and nodded my head. "That is quite true. I hear some of them had dinosaurs as pets."

Beth erupted in laughter, those sage eyes twinkling as she placed a delicate hand over her lips. "Goodness Melani, you are quite a funny woman. I'm glad it was you who married my son and not some plain faced bore. My William really is a lucky man."

I couldn't help the dark blush from darting across my cheeks, shyness filling me from her kind words. "I'm so happy you feel that way about me. Truly, it means a lot."

Beth nodded. "Why of course. And if there's ever a time William is away on business, don't feel shy about giving me a visit."

"Of course, Your Maj...I mean Beth." I jumped when I heard a light knock on the door, and when it opened, I witnessed as a smiling William walked inside, the man just as handsome as ever with that honeyed hair spilling down to his shoulders.

My heart began beating faster in my chest when he walked over to me, those sage eyes twinkling. "We've found him."

My heart erupted in joy as tears formed in my eyes, a breath of relief escaping me as I threw my arms around his neck and held him tightly. "W-Where did you find him?" I wondered when I pulled away from him, my eyes on his as his warm hands remained on my waist.

"In the one place we wouldn't think to look. The dungeons." He pulled away from me and ran his fingers through his hair. "He paid one of the guards to disguise him as a prisoner, but Marvin knew something was amiss when they brought him in, and when he went to investigate further, it was that bastard."

"William you are in front of two ladies. Language." Beth spoke, stealing William's attention away.

William blushed darkly and averted his eyes. "I apologize, Mother. I'm just happy that this horrid ma is caught."

"You know, Lady Mary is not going to be happy about this. Arthur is her son, and because of that, she is shielded from whatever wrong, or wrongs he has committed. I'm more than sure she will put up a fight."

William sighed and placed his hands on his hips, the man nibbling at his bottom lip. "Well, Father is adamant about giving justice to poor Melani. So, he's not going to be swayed from his decisions."

Beth snorted. "Good. I've never liked his sister, nor those little snot nosed brats of hers."

William's brows darted up while I tried to hide an amused smile with the sleeve of my dress. "Mother!"

Beth scoffed and stood up, wiping the palms of her hands against her dress. "What, it's true. Especially about those children. You of all people should know that."

William looked troubled for a moment, those sage eyes turning away as the man rubbed at his upper arm. "I do." He then inhaled deeply and gathered his composure before looking at me. "In any case, I think we should celebrate Arthur's capturing. Now that he's been caught, you don't have to be scared of him anymore."

Smiling at the other man, I drew him closer to me and hugged him tightly, my heart pounding in my chest. "Thank you William, truly. I have been so terrified about running into him that I began having nightmares. I was so scared he was going to come after me and finish what he had started."

I felt William's hold on me tighten. "You know I'd never allow that to happen." He then pulled away from me, eyes on me as he gently squeezed my shoulders. "You're safe now. That's all that matters. Arthur will pay for his crimes, and I assure you he will never be in your presence again."

Later that night I found myself lying in bed, my heart a steady drum as I stared up at my reflections, my eyes drifting across my features. Arthur had been found. Finally, I could breathe without worry, sleep without nightmares. I was free. Well...maybe. What was Elliot going to do now that his brother was locked up for real? Would he come after me? Seek revenge for imprisoning his brother?

"Mel, you are thinking so loud I can practically hear you." I felt William shift beside me, and from his reflection, I could see that he was staring at me. "What's worrying you?"

Sighing, I turned my attention towards him, those sage eyes filled worry. "I-I'm worried about Elliot seeking revenge for his brother. I know I should be happy he was captured...I don't know, I guess I'm still plagued with worry."

William gently placed his hand against my cheek. "Elliot wouldn't dare touch you. He's too much of a piss pot to get his hands dirty. No. He'll retreat into the shadows until this whole mess blows over." He shifted closer to me, placing his left hand against my hip. "Besides, neither man is fond for the other. So do not worry yourself much longer, ok."

I looked between both of his eyes, staring deeply within those sage depths. And feeling a surge of courage, I leaned forward and gently placed my lips against his, the other man sighing as he began kissing me back. He moved his hand from my waist and placed it against my cheek, causing me to close my eyes. My heart raced wildly in my chest, but I didn't care as William gently shoved his tongue in between my lips, causing me to shiver. Already I could feel my arousal rising as William rubbed my sides, the man shifting until he was directly above me. After a couple more intense, pleasurable seconds of kissing, he pulled away from me, his lips slightly swollen as he stared down at me.

Slowly, he placed his hand back against my cheek. "Are you...do you wish to go further than this? I-It is alright if you don't, I will understand."

I smiled softly and placed my hand against his before I turned my head and gently pressed a kiss against his palm. "W-Well...you are my husband, aren't you? We've been married for a week and yet we have not touched one another. A-And I want you to have me. I-If you want to, o-of course."

*****Dirty scene in Frozen Treats*****