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Arranged for the Best(closed for xanaphia)

Joined
Oct 8, 2012
Location
USA
Arranged for the Best

The king walked with his new bride hand in hand, up to the doors of the hall where their reception was being held. They had just wedded in one of the oldest churches in any kingdom, it was chosen because it was close to the border of both of their kingdoms. Both kingdoms had not been at war with each other in centuries, and for the most part friendly since a time after those wars. It had to do with the hordes of Orc, Goblins and other foul creatures who wish to take what humans had built. Both kingdoms fought to keep them back from their lands, loosing men, having burnt villages, dead commoners and many other atrocities they suffered.

The wedding of King Barclif to one of his neighboring kings daughters was to ensure a more lasting peace and treaty of trust of their common borders. No longer would huge armies need to be stationed close to their common borders, those troops could be spread along other borders. The hope of both kings was to push the marauding bands and villages close by of Orcs, Goblins and the other like mindless creatures, back further. Gaining more land for both kingdoms and hoping to increase the peace and prosperity of both kingdoms in the process.

He held her hand, the only words they had said to each other in years in person was I do, his grip firm but soft with her smaller hand in his. He knew of her pretty well from others, but not from her, other then their constant letters back and forth since their arranged marriage with her father. He had not met her in many years, meeting her in the court of her father in between wars on his own border, as they kept their lasting peace going. It was during one of those such meetings that his brides father, proposed that Barclif could marry one of his daughters. King Barcliff really didn't care when he said yes, it was a total political move to insure a more lasting peace between the two kingdoms. Plus his first wife died in child birth a couple years before that, she was the love of his life, he felt there was no other like her for him. The neighboring kings daughter was a very good looking girl, he said it with the intention that it would be a while and he would wait till she was more mature. Besides he had to run off to war, even before he could talk to her, even before her own father told her that King Barcliff was to be her husband. Now she was a young beautiful women and she was his, but they really didn't know each other that well. He knew more about her from his friends of her fathers court, his spy as one of her ladies that was around her all the time, as well as the countless pictures in the recent couple years he had commissioned as he couldn't see her being off constantly fighting different borders, much like her father.

As they strolled through the big huge oak ornately carved doors into the hall, the huge painted mural of the ceiling had an immaculately painted wars of past long ago. The great-great grandfathers of his own grandfather and older wars were pictured in several different scenes, only separated by huge beams of wood holding the roof above. The hall was lasciviously decorated with flowers and roses of many colors around the room. Those inside already, were not allowed into the wedding as the church was too small for all those in here, they cheered as they heard the couples presence announced before they walked in. They could see the other nobles of both kingdoms in here dressed in their finest attire, all around lavishly decorated tables with the finest serving pieces atop them all, with huge center pieces of flowers. The couples relatives would be following them in from the church as well, right behind them. Only the kings personal guard of four between them, with the addition of one more, the queens personal body guard. The king knew well of him, he could have said that he was no longer needed, but he had better plans for him of which neither the guard or the queen had any idea of.

They walked down a red carpet, littered with flower petals of white and light blue, whispering in her ear, gripping her hand a little tighter, "you are the most beautiful women in here." Leading her to a table cast atop of platform in the center of the room. It had three table on top of it. One big one lined with presents for the couple, one small one with just a huge cake atop of it, and another one just big enough for two with only two chair atop the platform just for them. He took her hand bringing her up the steps as everyone watched, he waved and openly thanked everyone, saying it a few times loudly in different directions. After a couple moments he took her hand again, leading her to her seat, holding the chair for her. "Please believe me, I will try to make you as happy a women as I can... just because we had to be married to help both our kingdoms is no reason that we can not both be happy!" Taking his seat next to her after pushing in her chair.
 
Lorelai's stomach was tied in knots as the King led her to their table. It should have been the happiest day of her life, the day most girls dream of, and yet she was filled with apprehensiveness. She hardly knew this man and she had just sworn to spend the rest of her life with him. To love, honor and, ugh, obey him. It was different when he was away at war, and letters were their means of communication. He didn't seem real then, just words on a page that were far removed away from her.

Of course, this was the price of royalty and all the fine trappings that came along with it, wasn't it? She had lived a life of relative ease, and for that, who she married and shared her body with were not a choice for her to make. It was her duty to her people that she marry the man that would best benefit the kingdom, and King Barcliff was that man. He wasn't bad looking, even if he was old enough to be her father. Strong, square jaw and dark brown wavy hair that almost touched his shoulders. He was very tall and strongly built, towering over her delicate frame. From what she knew of him, he was a good man, and a gentle husband to his first wife. He just didn't excite her passion.

The man who did excite her was standing just behind her table, at attention. Her personal guard and childhood friend, Lucian. His blue eyes pierced her and she made her way towards her table and that look made her body ache with longing. He was the man she would have chosen if she had ever a free choice of her own. It would never fly, of course, him being a common born man, able to rise as far as he did based on his skill with a sword. Even now, as a knight, he was far below her station to be anything more than this.

It was both painful and comforting to have him around. He was the only member of her staff that she was bringing for her home. All her ladies in waiting and other servants were the ones already in place at King Barcliff's castle. Lucian would be the only familiar face, and true confidant she would have. She was truly grateful for this and yet, having him so close and not allowed to be with him left her feeling empty. Even now , as she took her seat next to the king and he whispered to her about happiness, she smiled and nodded, while still wishing it was Lucian sitting next to her.

She had offered herself to him once. When the war had broken out and he was called on to fight, they had met, in secret. He held her tightly to him and she cried, fearful she might lose him forever. In her desperate sorrow she had offered him her virginity, then and there. It was no place for a princess, a dirty stable in the dead of night, and he had told her as much. He did take a kiss, deep and long and she had held on to that kiss for three years now.

Until today, when she kissed her husband during the ceremony. It was nothing like the passionate embrace she had known. Lips hardly parted, it was as chaste as a kiss she might give her own father. And tonight she would give this man her body, as she would every night for the rest of their lives.

“Your words are most kind, my lord,” She said, forcing herself to smile. This was the happiest day of her life, wasn't it? She drank wine until the words didn't feel so hallow anymore.
 
Lucian stood behind the king and queen, it was both heart wrenching and good to be their for the well toned, strong and good looking young man. As he stood at attention, watching as each guest came up to the new king and queen to personally congratulate them. Some of the comments made him gulp hard, especially the ladies asking how long before their would be an heir to the kingdom. Lucian knew from the beginning she was out of his realm, they were friends since childhood, when Lucian started thinking about girls Lorelai was the first and only girl he thought about. They grew to be closer friends, but with the arrangement for marriage, and her high rank, he knew that is all it could ever be. Lucian was jealous, envious of the king, but he did take comfort in knowing his friend would be well taken care of. He just didn't know if he would have the heart to stay as her personal guard, had she not begged him to stay, he would have already gone. The kiss of the king and queen after they said their 'I do's', he had to look away. The kiss was nothing like the ones he was able to share with Lorelai, seeming so long ago, but still stung his heart. Lucian tried his best to just focus on his job, but if there would have been anything to worry about, he would have been slow to respond to it.

The king watched and took in everything from the wedding through the reception. But even as he watched it was but a blur to him, his focus through it all was his new bride, Lorelai. She was everything any man could want in a bride, except for the want. Not that he didn't want her, it was more that he could feel the apprehension behind her respectful attitude towards him. Even if she was not his bride, she would have been respectful from his age as well as his crown. But the plain unexcited words she spoke, those beautiful eyes that looked like she was staring off into nowhere at times. He watched her through the corner of his eye, even when looking away, the king had fantastic peripheral vision, which had saved his life in battle on more than one occasion. He watched for her to fidget, he watched her picking up her cup to drink more wine, still in sips but signs of reluctance, apprehension, and questioning. Barclif also caught sight of the only time her eyes sparkled since she kissed her father before her hand was placed on the kings, catching a look at Lucian. "Maybe you shouldn't drink so much wine so quickly Lorelai, there is still much left to the night", he said laying his hand on top of hers lightly, taking her small hand in his rough hand, his thumb rubbing lightly and gently. The kings touch was remarkably soft, gentle and soothing, for such a strong, rough and well used hands such as his.

The king knew of their long friendship between Lucian and Lorelai, a couple of his confidants questioned his letting Lucian stay on as Lorelai's personal guard. But King Barclif was know for thinking things out and he had been thinking about this for years. The king made up things to say to each guest who congratulated their marriage, the line of people seemed endless to him when he thought about it. It was easier to just make up something to say thanking them, but he really didn't think about what he was saying. His mind was still fixated on his bride, carefully posing to the guests as she was well taught in the art of being proper, it seemed as if she didn't even try, as it was second nature to her as he watched her. The king too was drinking, even more then the queen was, but he was well used to handling his drinks. The king was well versed in negotiating while drinking, he had made many deals better by drinking his negotiating rival under the table into a less advantageous position or into giving out information that might not have been gained while his verbal opponent was sober.

Food was served while the guests were making their way up to say words to the couple, the king ate without even noticing what he was eating. It was some of the best food most of the guest commented about when they got back to their tables to try it. But the king barely noticed as his mind was a flutter of many things of more importance, even more thought pouring through his mind as the night wore on. The king sought to lighten up the mood of his new queen, so he started making fun of a few of a few of the people coming up to the couple. The clothes of some of the men and how they looked, or what someone said to them that was just too weird or a bit off. He kept at it through out the procession of well wishers until he had her laughing.

Lucian could tell the king was trying to make the queen cheerful. Lucian knew of his friend the queen's worry over the marriage, knew that she was going to go through with it even though she didn't want to. He couldn't tell from the back how static her face was, as when he saw her face, it was full of life, with sparkling eyes and wide smile. Now just the face of a young queen only dutifully looking happy for the king and crowd.
 
“Of course, my love,” She answered him in a saccharine tone. She watched him drink down his glass, already far ahead of her, consumption wise. She wanted to get up, wander off, take some short break from being the center of attention. There was a time when she might have enjoyed this pageantry, but now she was exhausted of it. The line of guests wishing to bid them congratulations seemed to never end, if one more woman made a charming comment about producing an heir, she thought she might scream. The men gawked at her, looking her up and down as though she weren't their sovereign. The wedding was beautifully crafted of course, tailored to perfectly suit her lithe frame. It wasn't unusual for men to look at her, but it felt unwelcome under the circumstances.

Just as she thought the pressure of putting up a fake smile was going to overcome her, the King whispered something to her. He mentioned something quite salacious about one of his counts who had come up to speak to him. Something about the man being caught in a corset and gown by some of the kinds servants. Despite her years of formal training, she let out a chortle, loud enough that some nearby guests turned to look at her. She regained her composure quickly, taking a long drink to save some face. The king shared a few more meaty tidbits with her as they shared a few private moments. It took every ounce of restraint she had trained herself in to keep her face from betraying her king's confidence.

She was grateful the food had been served for it was easier to act prim and proper with something to occupy her hands and mouth. It may have been the first time this day she had a genuine smile on her face, for a brief moment she was relieved of the weight of her commitment to King Barclif.

They made it though the meal with little distraction, the food was so exquisite that the guests gave them a moments rest from socializing. The king certainly had spared no expense in this lavish ceremony. She suppose it brought her some comfort to know that she would continue to live a rather privileged existence. If she were a bird caught in a cage, a gilded one was certainly preferable to a shoddy one. Perhaps it was easier to live an empty existence if she never had to want for anything.

Rather than let dark thoughts clouds her mood, the queen stood up, somewhat brazenly and certainly off schedule. “My lord, I do believe we owe our subject a dance, wouldn't you say?” she announced to the cheering crowd.
 
The king noticed the looks from the other men, knowing their was jealousy, knowing the drinks made their eyes stay in place too long, but not bothered by the looks he just whispered to her, "remember, when you want to know something from someone, just have them drink and talk kindly to them till they spill out their mouths what you want to know... or till they pass out", the king finished with a chuckle. Just as the king said that to the queen, a gentleman walking past the couple stumbled almost falling on his face, presumptuously from looking the queens way. The man did regain his balance with only a few nearby seeing, causing a few giggles. The king too couldn't help but admire how the wedding dress that had been made just accentuated her delicate curves, and her lovely lines. The king to couldn't help but take extra seconds to glance over her body, especially with the best view in the place right next to her.

The king was glad that the queen seemed have a bit better mood since his attempt to humor her had slightly worked. He was not sure if it was the drinks or his words or a bit of both, but his was happy either way. Lucian on the other hand was happy she also seemed in a better mood, for her sake. He was her friend after all and he wanted her to be happy, but it was truly harder then he had anticipated. His heart had a wish of another time and place, where station and honoring ones family, oaths and deals didn't matter as much as true love. That was it, Lucian knew he was her true love and she was his, but it would never be and Lucian had his heart in his throat. It took all his self control for his eyes not to well up while his inner thoughts worked his brain into mental turmoil. If she looked his way right, he would turn his head away as if looking at something else going on.

The call by the queen for the opening dance, surprised many including the king, a man who was not surprised by much. But he wasn't about to deny the cheering crowd, slowly rising, his back cracking in a couple places as he arose with only a small moan leaving his mouth that only the queen might have heard. The king took his ladies hand, leading her down the stairs to the area around their raised center stage their table was given. It had previous held the line of well wishers, now it gave a clearing all the way around their private area, ending where a circle of other tables started, including where most of the couple's family members sat around the clearing for the dancing area. The king took his new young lady's hand into his firmly but softly. He felt her soft little hand in his rough hand, from years of sword hilts constantly used in battle and training.

Lucian saw the wedded couple start the dance as the music started to play. He took careful watch of their dance, not that the king was not a good dancer, or couldn't lead his lady as Lucian always thought of her. But it wasn't him, Lucian had been almost the only boy or man that she ever practiced dancing with. Lucian was older then her by a couple years, by a few years of the other boys around the court at the time, he also developed quiet early for boys. As such he was picked first by Lorelai for her dance practice partner, as she had the highest station she always picked first. They knew every dance, how each other liked to dance, when they moved and turned. Lucian cringed as they danced, they looked good, but Lucian would look so much better dancing with her. Lucian saw her face, she seemed pleased but how much was show and how much was she happy, he wanted to know.
 
The queen followed her new husband onto the dance floor, a place were she might demonstrate her expertise. Once they reached the center, they took position, gentle music starting up behind them. It soon became evident to Lorelai that her new husband was not a dancer. He nearly stepped on her dress twice before she took lead, hoping to save him any embarrassment. His body wasn't built for this, and every movement seemed unnatural for him. She did her best to keep it simple, as though she were teaching a novice the dance for the first time. Had she cruelty in her heart she could have easily shamed him publicly here, dancing circles around his ineptitude. She had more grace than that, however, even if this was another in a list of disappointments this day.

Once the couple had finished their first dance, more couples began to join them. Lorelai's mother and father came up, cutting in with the king and queen. Lorelai danced with her father while her mother danced with the king. Her father was a more familiar dance partner, and at his age he still moved elegantly. The king seemed to do better this time,her mother following her example to keep it simple. It was rather pleasant, as long as Lorelai didn't stop to think about the fact that the man she married was terrible at her favorite pastime, and at his age was unlikely to ever improve.

Lucian made his way to the dance floor, and her heart fluttered as he seemed to approach her. His ceremonial armor glistened in the soft candlelight, and in that moment he seemed more than a mere knight. His stride suggested a more important post, and she was as surprised as at the rest of the wedding guests when he walked past her to her mother. The was a twinge of jealousy as she watch him dance with her mother, stealing her away from the king with just a look. A new song was starting, and Her husband seems to already tired of dancing, taking his seat while Lorelei Had another dance with her father. The entire time she watched Lucian, moving with such elegance with her mother. Once more feelings of loss and disappointment filled her, recalling what she losing in marrying Barcliff.

She finished out the song with her father, but her heart was not into it. Her father must have sensed her disillusion, and with a kiss on the cheek he reclaimed his wife from the shinning knight. Now Lucian and Lorelai were both without partners, and their eyes meet in the middle of the dance floor. Neither said a word, but desire radiated from both of them, and it came to a point were not interacting with one another was more telling than connecting could be.

“I seem to be without a dance partner,” Lorelai voiced, extending her hand, “Perhaps you could remedy this?”
 
"Your wish is my command, my Queen", Lucian said with a happy smile following a head bow to her majesty. Taking her hand, hearing the song in full flight already, as well as the other dancers, he started them off. So in tune to each other from years of dancing together, to almost every known song time and time again, they blossomed in the middle of the dance. They immediately were gazed upon by many as both were great dancers, that must know each other and having danced together to any knowledgeable person. Not even trying, they were gaining more and more onlookers as their bodies moved together as one.

Lucian got so into dancing with her, that his dream took over his reality. Gone was the heartbreak, seeing her kiss the king wishing it was him, all he saw was his beautiful friend in her wedding dress looking the most beautiful he had ever seen her. In his mind his dream had her as his wife in her wedding dress, his mind deleted all the people around them, it was just her and him. His hands roamed her body slightly inappropriate as they danced, his hand a little too low on her upper ass in her wedding dress not squeezing but certainly feeling part of her butt a bit as if he deserved it. On occasion his hand brushed against the side of her breast as they changed hand holds, or moved his hand to or from her waist, but his eyes never left hers.

Not once did he look to his feet or to anything around them, they took over the dance floor as more people moved out of the way as he was in his own world, Lucian was dancing with his bride just before they would go off to consummate their marriage. As one song would change to another, his lead to another style of dance changed but no one could see any misunderstanding between Lorelai and Lucians dancing. They changed together so naturally those who didn't know would assume they had danced together many times, those who knew were not that surprised by their familiarity with each other, only how close they danced, and how close their hands were in places. The mischievous band leader was playing songs that created more connect.

King Barcliff was not lost on any of this, some looked at the king to see if he got upset or mad or would cut in or order them to stop the dance. His face showed none of those emotions, his eyes just danced around the room watching them dance, he watched where Lucians hands went, he noted the change in both of their faces. He saw both of their eyes were open more, brighter, both smiling and looking right at each other. He could see how great they looked together and how much they were enjoying the dance more then one should even if it was not the king and queen's wedding.

At one point Lucian said to her, "you look more beautiful then I have ever seen you before", he smiled down on her, "your the bride I have always dreamed of!" As he said it, he leaned down his face slightly, thinking of kissing his bride, when it hit him, 'she wasn't his bride, she was married to Barcliff', in shocked he pulled back trying to make it seem part of the dance. But she of course knew what was on his mind, and anyone who knew dance really well would have known something was amiss as well.
 
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