Even in the dark of night, there seem to be people at work. The notorious room that many deemed as hell. Others saw it as a place of peace. The king's office was a room with gold-plated trim. Often more luxury than most people get to see in a lifetime.  Yet it was a place that was complacent being vacant.   Unlike the servants who enter every day for the usual cleaning.

The lined-up papers load the once wonderful oak desk that centered the room perfectly.  Now stands as a paper holder for the enormous amount of unseen documents that the king neglects every day.  The negligence that caused this "soiree" of unfortunate events.  But despite the clutter, there was always a refreshing scent that overpowered the room. A bergamot fragrance that consisted of a naturally sweet, floral, pungent aroma that consumed the objects or bodies that sat amongst it.  Causing that once fond fear to exit the minds of those who thought it. 

 ~Emmett~

It became overwhelming because of the amount of items that needed to be arranged. Not only the enormous pile of papers that lined the edges of the desk. It was the dreadful amount of trinkets and papers that flushed the feet of the desk. All things that needed to be burned from existence.

As he pooled the papers into his hands there seemed to be a knock at the door. 

*Knock*                 *Knock*

"Come in," he said as he became acclimated to the room. 

As the door came open there stood the body that he waited patiently for. An existence that caused his body to tense just from the presence of it. Yet here he stood straighter than any man could.  But the once-pooled papers quickly were placed into the drawers of the desk. Along with a treaty and map. Giant rolled-up amounts of paper. Forcing all the room on the table to be consumed by it.  Even a rolled-up black-colored map. Now used as a cover-up for the anatomy board he consumed most nights. After clearing his throat he gestured for her to sit. Even forcing himself to mimic her movements. 

As he looked forward he seemed to shift into his serious posture. Causing the room to become more strict. Maybe even the air to settle around his nostrils.  Even making himself forget about disguising his fear. A fear that wasn't detrimental but enough that sent shivers down his spine. 

"I'm glad that you joined me. I see you didn't leave in the midst of the night." causing a grin to plaster his face for a moment. While the liquor chest sat on the opposite side of the room. Closer to the large cascading windows that allowed the moonlight to illuminate the castle's opaque shadows. He stood and steered straight for the plethora of liquor that needed exploring. 

 After pouring two narrow stemmed glasses he redirected his attention back to her. 

There was silence...

For a while, it seemed embarrassing. A woman could look him in the eyes and act as if his power was nothing.  Ida stared at that glass almost watching the drink settle to the sudden commotion of placing it down. "Not interested in the pleasantries? I understand I wouldn't want to be here either" he said as he stared into her eyes. "I bet you are curious about what I might say next. Maybe even longing for my words?"

Yet his words seeped into the abyss of nothingness. Leaving so much room for the thought that anyone could conjure up entire worlds in its place. But on her face sat an expression that was deemed an emotionless sack of shit. 

"Nothing? Not even a single word? Not even about your treaty" he pulled it out of one of the piles on the floor. 

"It is the only thing that seems sensible at this hour and even then it could wait till later." Ida said whilst she shifted in her seat. 

"I have plenty of questions. Such as; When will my family receive these benefits? What will be the amount? Will it be a genero - 

"Although those are fantastic questions I have an important matter to bring to you. As you know we are to marry in a few days. This is why we must go over the Marital contract. Causing him to discard the treaty and replace it with a new stack of papers. 

As he shifts to the first page he orders for her attention. 

"As you may know any fellow relatives, friends and even business partners will be in attendance at our consummation.  That may be a bit odd for you but it is by law that we do it." As he flipped through those pages he felt an undeniable heat radiate off this woman. 

"Something wrong?" as he placed his eyes over her. She had a face of contentment but a body that expelled so much heat that it was confusing. "I'm excellent, Continue." Gesturing for him to resume with his spill. 

"Great. During the consummation the priest will bless the bed, then the entire room will drink a spiced wine filled with Spanish herbs. Also, there will be our royal court surrounding our bed. Focusing on everything they can. Even checking for blood on the sheets,  Then we will finish and the night will be over. Everyone will return to the ballroom or carriages." gesturing towards the door causing her to dial back her smile 

"I'm glad you think I am a virgin. Yet that isn't so your majesty. I simply can't fake something I don't have.  Motioning towards her mid-drift and looking at him stunned. 

The king looked at her for a while. He started thinking of something that wouldn't cause chaos. Even flipping through a few files.  "How about your sister? What's her name?" as he searched for a document among his drawers and floor. 

"Athena Ensley. A perfect example of a poised, dainty, beautiful woman." he focused on the paper. 

Sending a twitching down her body. Those words weren't uncommon to be placed alongside Athena's name.  Regardless being alone was a way to escape the constant verbiage that backed her title.  "If she is only to stay for the night then that is fine. Yet after the consummation, she must be sent on her way." she lifted up from her seat and headed towards the fireplace. 

"Some way to treat a relative." he looked over at her.

Ida just stared at the embers as they continued to fuel the roaring fire that filled the room with warmth.  The fireplace stood far larger than anything in the room. It loaded the room with a consistent amount of wonder. Keeping the weary from perishing and even the wealthy from fluttering.

"Why did you agree to come?" questioned her with his ears perked for an answer. 

"I'm doing this for my family and the wealth It can give them. Although I hate Athena, I hate to see my family suffer even more." Forcing her to glance at him. He sat there with his leg crossed over and hanging on to her words. Something was different this time. It wasn't power reigning over him just a sense that there was more. 

"Why did you choose me? Out of all the women you could have by your side... you choose me."

"It's quite simple. You were easy to persuade and here you are" driving his fingers to be placed over his mouth. 

"Is that all? There must be more than just simply having an easy pick." she hurriedly walked over to him. 

He glanced up at her and proceeded to stand. "Your right I simply didn't pick you because you were easy. I picked you because I could trust you." allowing for their eyes to connect and just as quickly unlock from each other. 

"Trust?... trust me with what? I have nothing that could possibly be of help to you." 

"You are helping me save my family's lineage. It is crumbling because I haven't married. Forcing me to decide for the sake of my people and not just my heart." This made him come from behind the desk and walk towards those moonlit windows. 

"Even if I don't love you or even find interest in you, I must do it anyway." 

Ida Ensley had nothing to say. Just a blank canvas for the first time in her life. A rare occurrence that came every millennium. She could sit there and contemplate the outcomes 1000 times in her head yet there wasn't any formulating. A person who could stretch themselves thin enough and still have the will to stand there as if their world wasn't falling apart. 

"I will help you. But not because I love you but because you help me in ways others can't. She said with a grin."

*Knock*                             *Knock*

"You may enter." as he fixed his garments to look presentable. 

"You requested for me sire." the well-dressed woman said as she entered with two other women.

"I did. You may proceed with what you must do." he turned around and allowed the women to do their job. 

"Thank you sire." bowing towards him even though he turned his back. They were quick to bring their instruments along with them. 

As they came closer to her they gestured for Ida to follow. Once they got closer they wrapped their devices around her. Measuring her multiple times to be accurate. 

They measured her waist, arms, and breasts. Along with shouting out numbers that sounded almost toxic. 

"38, 18, and 42" with plenty of other numbers following. 

"Why are you doing this?"  she demanded their answer. 

"Madam we are getting measurements for your wedding gown." whilst she stopped and curtsied to her. 

"Your Majesty I don't think this is acceptable at this hour. You couldn't find any other time to do this?" questioned as she faced him for an answer.

"So quick with questions. They are almost finished." He said as they took their last measurement and waited by the door. 

"Lady Ida, what are your favorite flowers?" there was hesitation in the answers but it was soon met with a sigh 

"It is Peony" she said as she stared at him. 

"Peony is an excellent choice. Can be seen as shy or delicate. Although it comes in various amounts of colors it is very distinguishable. That is all you may leave now." he said as he moved them away. 

As he walked towards her there was a chuckle that escaped his lips. 

"Peony in Latin is  Paeonia." as he walked by her he picked up his glass and downs the rest.  Even finishing off her glass. 

"I think I should leave now. Can I?" She asked gritted through her teeth. 

He looked her up and down and nodded his head. Then decided to pour another cup of that clear liquid. "Sure you don't want any? But before he could get a complete answer she was gone. 

"Mmm. Interesting women."

Ida walked down those familiar corridors. Still empty as before and settled on the door that was familiar.  As she opened the door she saw a single candle lit. Nearly dulled down to it last bit of wick. The tray was filled with wax and causing the handle to become warm. It was familiar and intoxicating. 

Once she allowed the candle to roam around her she set sight of the bed. An odd shape pooled in the bed to create humps.  With a few steps, she came close to the bed and lifted up the duvet. There laid James Oakley her servant sound asleep in her bed.  Sprawled out to overtake the bed in its entirety. 

After tapping him vigorously with no avail he didn't wake. 

"Fuck you James." she pushed his limbs out of the way and forced him on the other side.  Once out of the way, there was plenty of space for the comfort of the night to please her.  

As she lay there waiting for sleep to devour her she thought of all the vigorous things to come.

~

Thank you all for supporting me. It's been long enough and I hope that you enjoy it. 

Tell me what you think of the new Cover art. Love you all! :}