When a Princess Loves a... Princess {Queen Lioness & Fate}

The hug felt good. Safe. Even more importantly, Cecile could tell that the other girl loved her, wanted her. Evelyn didn't want Edward, despite the circumstances. She wanted Cecile, and not some imaginary princess version, but the real thing. A little more of Cecile fell in love with the redhead princess.

"Good, because I barely know you and I'm falling in love with you too," replied Cecile, smiling. "You have to be one of the most beautiful people I've ever met, Evelyn. We'll just... have to be careful is all."

And being careful probably meant actually going back to the party. It was far too tempting to throw Evelyn on the bed and introduce her to the pleasures of the flesh then and there. The other girl had no idea what was in store for her. Cecile would most certainly be able to help her new love reach that wonderful bliss. For now though, she moved to help Evelyn lace up the dress, not bothering to hide her gaze as she watched the corset push and enhance Evelyn's form. Leaning over, Cecile let her hair fall over the other princess as she kissed softly upon her neck.

"Later then," she offered. Smiling, she moved around to Evelyn's front, teasing her hair and helping adjust the dress. "Edward's a fool not to see you, Evelyn. Remember that. Remember that someone already loves you an walk with pride."

Cecile fought her own urge to blush, and wound up nodding. Her hand slid into Evelyn's, giving it a squeeze before she turned. "Let's get you to your banquet then."

Evelyn's eyes followed Cecile out the door. She took a deep breath and sat on the bed. Trying to sort out things. So this was love? That beautiful feeling you felt when you are around someone. How every time you saw them smiling was all you could ever do...Nothing they can say could really anger you. She lived this feeling and for those few moments she savored them than got up. Cecile brightened her mood and made her entirely ready for the dinner.

She put on some more eye liner, then put on her best face and walked out the hall in her new dress and ribbon collar. When she got to the hall she noticed how lonely of a walk it was but when she huge hall and was met with clapping and people greeting her. Her eyes searched for Cecile but with all the attention she couldn't too much concentrate on looking around.

When she sat down she was placed next to Edward, all the while thinking about Cecile. She felt the side of her neck to where she last kissed her and blushed. "I hope you had fun at the dance, Edward. I was hoping that maybe sometime we can sit alone and..." She was interrupted by more people coming in with plates of food, her mouth watering.

Turkey, fish, wines, fruits...all you can eat and it smelled so good but now it was really a problem seeing Cecile. She had to be across the table from her...This sucked.

At first, Cecile had fully intended to walk with Evelyn to the ball. Chances were the newly arrived princess would need an escort. There was also the chance that they could sneak one or two more of those wonderful kisses in. Cecile almost danced in the halls to think of it. She hadn't felt this good for years, not since she'd let that knight fool her into thinking he loved her. But Evelyn actually did.

However, she eventually decided that for the sake of propriety, she had to at least pretend like she wasn't interested in Evelyn in that way. So, leaving noticed with a servant, she headed to the banquet hall first. There she returned to her chair, smiling at Edward and telling him that Evelyn would be here shortly.

If the first dress had gotten attention, Evelyn's second got more. The people did indeed applaud, and more than one person approached to compliment her. Those of the older crowd were especially impressed with how well she handled herself, and more than one person told her so.

Edward smiled over at his fiance, taking her hand in his. "You look even more ravishing, if that's possible," he insisted, bringing the hand up to lightly kiss. Her next words were essentially ignored as he turned for the foods, loading a plate.

Cecile nearly rolled her eyes at her brother's words. Now that she was all the more convinced that Evelyn was hers, she thought her brother's actions were just... childish. She felt like making faces at Evelyn just to get her to laugh at Edward. Her tongue had already snaked out just thinking about it, which certainly got an odd look from a serving girl.

Evelyn's hunger vanished with a kiss and her eyes teared up. She instantly put a napkin to her face and removed the tears. She was wanted but in the wrong way. Her next words would pierce like venom, at least she hoped they would, "So Edward, ever do any of the servants?" Her words were of quick whispers that only he heard due to all clicking and exchanging of pots, "I saw this cute one in the hall." She looked up at Cecile and gave her a grinch like smile, "Maybe it's my hot body you want or my sweet breasts but let's face it, Edward. You don't have to be so god damn sweet to me if you don't actually like me you egotistical bastard." She got up from the table and walked off. "Please excuse me, I am not feeling so great right now. My stomach hurts. I will resign for the night. I am so sorry I ruined your great evening, I just...Can't right now."

She didn't walk out as respectfully, she ran out of the room and ran as quickly as she could to her room, crying the whole way. He didn't give her a chance, didn't hear her words. He was deaf to her. Only viewing her from an angle that was of more benefit to her.

She lay in her bed, curled up and tired. Not hungry. She just wanted to sleep now. Just drift off into a world to where everything can mend and see to her liking. She hated Edward, there was no way Cecile and Edward were brother and sister.

Edward sat in shock at Evelyn's words. His mouth dropped open and he stared at the girl. What happened to the needy little klutz? This girl was... abrasive, shocking, and downright deplorable. Not to mention the actual words. Nobody talked to a prince like that. All Edward could do was open and close his mouth several times, not quite believing that. He wasn't even married to her yet! Thankfully, the only one who'd actually heard all that was Cecile. Though Edward's sister almost managed to look smug about the whole thing.

Indeed, Cecile found she was nearly happy that Evelyn had told her brother off. Nearly, because she was concerned about what would happen to Evelyn now. Chances were she could still salvage things, but if Edward thought it was too bad of a match... Well, actually, this was arranged. Money had exchanged hands and talks of alliances had been given. Politically they really couldn't afford to back out. which technically made what Evelyn did very much a bad thing.

"It's the travel," insisted Cecile, rising herself. Like she could sit there and eat when Evelyn was so obviously upset. "She must not be feeling well, and she has to adjust."

Edward raised his brow. "Or she's already fancying someone else."

Cecile opened and closed her mouth a few times, before saying, "I'll make sure she's okay. wouldn't want our new princess to be upset..."

At least Cecile knew the way to Evelyn's room by now. she stopped at the door, unsure of what she should do. So she knocked, saying, "Do you want me to come in?"

For the longest time she just lay there and tried to find sleep within all the anger she felt. How powerless she was against all of this. It sucked. Edward sucked. She still had to marry him and do all the lovely things they would have to, after all the world was watching them and her privacy and freedom was much limited.

Her eyes were cried out, eye liner run down her face and her pillow. She looked a wreck. When Cecile knocked she jumped up and wiped her face clean, but she still looked like hell. She grabbed the honey jar and wrote a simple note on it. 'The flower is beautiful but it will never outshine yours." She opened her door, handed Cecile the jar and shook her head. "No, not right now. I'm not in the mood, I'm too tired...I made that for you though..I hope you like it." She closed the door gently after letting Robert in, he had followed Cecile. Maybe it was that her scent lingered on her.

After she closed the door she stripped entirely and put on a nightgown. Once she lay down sleep came too quickly for her to even get up and maybe consider letting Cecile in. If they spent the night together people would talk, and after what happened with Edward it wasn't safe. So she slept a dreamless sleep, she only didn't dream when emotions were boiling over...tomorrow would be better. Much better.

Oh, how horrible Evelyn looked. Once more, Cecile felt the desire to just take the other girl in her arms and hold her. It wasn't fair. It was such a cruel, cruel fate that put them in these circumstances.

She looked at the jar, smiling. So very Evelyn. The precious water lily floating in honey, preserved. Knowing Evelyn, she'd probably coaxed the honey out herself, picked her own flower, and even processed it. Truly, the girl was a treasure. And treasuring was exactly what Cecile planned on doing with this.

She stepped aside to let Robert through, smiling at the dog. Thankfully the animal seemed to like her almost as much as his master did. She could have sworn she saw him smile back before heading into Evelyn's room.

"At least one of us gets to comfort her," muttered Cecile. She held the jar tightly to her chest, taking a deep sigh. It wasn't fair. With that, and perhaps a slightly dreamy look upon her face, Cecile headed back toward her room. Unlike Evelyn, Cecile had sweet dreams. A beautiful princess kissed her in those dreams, and they whispered sweet nothings amid a field of flowers.

Morning eventually came, and lo and behold, the maid, that same one who'd been meddling all along, was standing beside Evelyn's bed.

"Rise an' shine, your highness. Time ta greet the day!" she chirped. She'd already thrown the curtains back, laid out an "out and about" dress, and a tray for breakfast sat cooling on a stool. Robert's dish had even been filled.

The dreams crept in and began to fade away from her slowly through the night. Weird dreams that started out happy and went violent. Lustful dreams of her and the only one she loved. When she woke up from the last dream she looked over to see the maid from yesterday but none of that mattered, the food smelled good. She grabbed the tray and began to shove eggs and bacon into her mouth. Not eating a lunch or dinner hit her hard.

She slowed down and looked at the maid, chewing for a while before smiling. "Thank you....Please call me Evelyn though, no need to be so formal." She said softly and continued to eat a little slower. "I am sure by now you have heard about last night. Edward most likely wants nothing to do with me and I feel so helpless because I want Cecile. We are gonna get married soon and our marriage will be a lie. I want to tell him about my his sister and I but I think he would take it the wrong way...." She realized today was the first day officials would start planning the wedding. It made her feel sick again but she kept eating anyway, taking in what she needed.

"I need Cecile. She is good for me I know...but maybe she doesn't want me as--" She was cut off by the thoughts of the kiss they shared just the night before, she blushed a little. "Then again maybe she does." She looked over at the maid and then at Robert, "What is your name, miss?" She didn't have any gold coins on her to give so she made a mental note about it later.

The maid nodded, agreeing at least silently with the princess's commands. It would be hard for her to call a princess by first name. The staff didn't even do that for Cecile, and she'd more than earned her reputation. Probably a respect thing.

As it was, the maid mostly smiled as she heard Evelyn's confessions. The princess had gotten lucky with her personal servant. Things could have worse. A handful of the staff would have protested quite vocally against the relationship. Even more would have at least ignored it. This maid wanted the two to get together. And she grinned as she heard Evelyn's confession.

"Righ', knew you fancied th' princess I did," insisted the maid. She nodded confidently. "Why did ye think I had you dress up all nice an' pretty like in her favorite color? An' don't you fret none, she fancies you too. Ain't too good at hidin' it neither."

the maid paused, studying the princess for a while. Shouldn't be too hard to dress her up. Maybe she could even convince her to get good and physical with the princess. Once those two had sealed their love in a coupling, things would be much better.

"My name? It's Betsy, it is," offered the maid. she dropped into a curtsy, again smiling. "An' you already paid me more than enough lately. Don't fret none about pullin' more coin."

Betsy moved to do some last minute arranged, also taking her share from the breakfast tray. she also went ahead and tossed a piece of bacon to Robert.

"An' most marriages are a lie. 'least that's what me mum says. So don't fret none about that. Why, you might even get lucky, if you talk to him about it. I'd bed his sister first though,' insisted Betsy. Another grin ,and she took a large bite of bacon, almost chewing noisily.

Evelyn pushed the plate aside when she was done, watching Robert for a moment as he tried his best to chew on the bacon. "Well you have been the greatest of help, Betsy...and the coins mean nothing to me because I have everything but nothing to me is more of everything to you. Just take the coins and buy something nice." She smiled and got up, stretching slightly.

"Can you get me some light clothes for today? I am..." Her face went sad and she sighed, "I have to be fitted for my wedding dress and pick out colors for the wedding." She hoped Cecile would attend these basic things with her before they went to the play. The wedding would be ready in about a week. How delightful? Right after that they were to sleep in the same bed then consummate their marriage. She might have to fake it all and pretend happy. Meanwhile Edward got to be fitted for a tux and, well that was about it. Since her mom and dad were paying for the wedding there was no need for him to do much.

"I am gonna go take a bath..." She slid into the bathroom and began her ritual process of cleaning herself.

"Aye, an' I plan to," agreed Betsy. Indeed, she'd already been daydreaming about a new dress or even a necklace of sorts. One coin ought to be more than enough for that; the other would go to her family, to help them with the basic necessities. Not that Evelyn needed to know any of that, of course.

"Light clothes it is. Already 'eard about th' fittin', so went an' laid out the righ' proper stuff for ya. Sent word ta th' princess tha' you be wantin' her presence as well. Should be right fun, I believe," Betsy nodded, again grinning. It was almost too much fun, setting these two girls up. They'd be utterly hopeless without someone giving them the right nudges along. And then Betsy could crow when they finally did get together. So beautiful it would be too.

"Righ', a bath," the maid actually looked a little flustered, "o' course you'd be wantin' another bath. Shoulda thought tha' meself. I'll go draw it real quick like."

And Betsy hurried to do just that, cursing herself for not thinking of it sooner. At least she manged it easily enough, not delaying Evelyn more than the slightest. Betsy was all smiles the entire while, though she also offered to call the other princess.

"Ye could bathe together," she suggested. "Save time an' get you two a bondin'." And make them see each other naked. A little.

Evelyn blushed a little, "Oh sure. You can go get her, but if she is sleeping then leave her be. I don't want to disturb her..." Her thoughts didn't travel the way most did, bathing with Cecile was more than an honor. "I will start to prepare the bath now! I have to look through my bath soaps and stuff. Maybe I have something for her skin." Evelyn's had always been smooth since she made, or ordered a special blend to be made, of her own soaps and perfumes. "It might take a while to settle the water and stuff so I can wait for her to get there. I will be in the bathroom. Kay?"

She hurried inside, picking through tiny bottles and then gathered empty ones and put them in an empty water bucket. She found jasmine and lavender soaps, oils, and shampoo that her mom had given her. It was perfect and smelled absolutely delightful. She let the water run, letting the steam fill the bathroom.

She got up and opened the window ever so slightly to let out some of the steam. She put her long red hair into a bun and sat in her bra and underwear, just letting the steam clean out her pores.

Betsy nodded and grinned as she heard Evelyn's orders. The girl still sounded so very innocent. Didn't even think that Betsy might have been suggesting a bit of a tryst. Well, it would make hiding the relationship that much easier. No one would believe that the doe-eyed princess slept with her fiance's sister. Almost too perfect, it was.

So Betsy slid out to fetch Cecile. The older princess had just awoken herself, and certainly looked it. Her hair became a mess, looking for all the world like a Gorgon dipped in chocolate. Still she threw on a gown and made the short distance to Evelyn's room. wasn't hard to figure out where to go from there; Cecile just had to follow the steam.

She entered the bathroom cautiously, unsure of what she would find. The heat from the steam hit her first, naturally, the wetness and heat making her overshirt cling to her frame. One could easily see the lacy underthings underneath, not to mention the slim body. Shortly after feeling the steam, Cecile smelled the oils. The mixture of feminine scents almost immediately brought Evelyn to Cecile's mind. This proved fortuitous, as Evelyn herself was the next thing to behold. She sat there, hair up, nearly nude and looking like something from a myth. And there stood Cecile, feeling for all the world like an awkward girl spying upon someone.

"Uh, the maid said you wanted to bathe with me?" ventured Cecile. Unlike Evelyn, she understood the connotation, and what the maid had most likely meant. It brought a deep color to her cheeks, and she found herself trying to avert her eyes even as she stared at the loveliness that was Evelyn.

Evelyn gave into her thoughts and started to think about what it was like at home. Were mama and daddy okay? She hadn't mailed her sisters and brothers in a while. She wasn't worried or anything, she just needed someone to talk to about Cecile.

She sat for a while in this state and let the mist wet her hair. Her skin gleamed with sweat. When Cecile spoke she jumped a little and smiled. "Yay you came. I didn't know if you would come 'cause you might be sleeping but I am happy you came." She blushed a little when Cecile blushed. What could she be thinking? "Umm, here is a hair tie..." She pulled one from around her wrist and handed it to her. "You can get in whenever..."

Slowly but surely she walked over to the steps of the tub and started to strip. She through her bra and undies over to the far side of the bathroom then covered her chest with her arms. "Sorry if my body is too much." She quickly stepped into the water and sat down, watching Cecile curiously. It took her a lot not to touch Cecile and sharing a bath with her was new.

Her face went bright pink when she realized what the maid was doing. Did Cecile want to...? She didn't know if she was ready to get this close to her but if Cecile was ready then so was she.

"Of course I came; you invited me," Cecile pointed out. That was how it worked in her mind as well. If Evelyn invited her, then she would go and do as she asked, assuming it wasn't anything horrendous. But seeing as this was Evelyn, it was unlikely that the girl would ask anything too horrible of Cecile. Best to not even think on such things now. Besides, Cecile had enough to content with, what with her nearly openly staring at Evelyn now.

She hurried over to grab the tie, and yanked her brunette girls into a high twist. it took several wrappings to get the overlong hair high enough to not trail into the water, but she still managed it. She then sank into the hot water, moving to sit across from the other princess. Her own undergarments had been tossed to the side as well, landing in a heap near Evelyn's. There they were. Both were nude. Both were blushing fiercely.

"Your body is perfect," whispered Cecile. her eyes were diverted though, forcing herself not to stare at the beauty before her. And this was supposed to be her brother's? She couldn't allow that. Wouldn't. She'd tell him that she loved Evelyn before she allowed him to even touch her. Edward may have been a fabulous lover, even gentle from the sounds of it. But he wouldn't have Evelyn.

"Um, uh, did you invite me to your bath to..." began Cecile. She had to turn and look at Evelyn as she said that. "Because nobody's going to come in on us while we're bathing, and, um," she bit her lip. This was far, far too difficult, not to mention slightly embarrassing. But Evelyn had invited her here, right?

"Did you," she licked her lips, "want me? in a more... you know..."

Oh she wanted to just sink into the water. Either that or start making out with the other princess.

The only things Evelyn really knew about sex was it hurt, a lot and usually the men didn't care how badly it hurt if they didn't really care for you...which was the case a lot of the time. But with a girl? It had never came up and in the class it was a thing that was not to be mentioned because then you were punished. Royal Academies was just has hard as normal schools.

But with Cecile it was different. She wanted nothing more to be so gentle with her. She watched her enter the tub for a moment then turned away, cleaning out the little-to-no dirt under her nails. When Cecile got closer she started to blush again and listened. "I-I..." Was that secretly her intention? "What do you mean by 'in a more...'? I'm lost...Of course I want you, Cecile...I love you." Then she caught the message.

She moved closer to her and moved some of the loose strings of hair from her face. For a moment she simply looked into her eyes then kissed her. Unlike their first there was no confusion or hesitation. She broke away and smiled a little. "Of course I want you, just...j-just I don't know what to do...and Edward..." She didn't know why her thoughts went back to that pig but if he knew he would surely tell everyone.