Henry

"Henry!" Jane gasps as I rocked into her tiny form. My heavy pants filled the humid room as she held onto my arms, trying to find her balance against my violent thrusts.
Although fucking was a pastime I relished in, my mind couldn't focus on the task at hand; instead, it roamed to unsolicited thoughts of my imminent death. It had been 6 days since the lastest attempt on my life and I was restless.

I remember Jane's words of encouragement just a few days before. "Four days? That is almost a week Henry! The longest length of time since winter!

She probably thought it would be my time to relax but I only worried more, distancing myself from everything while distrusting everyone. I had enemies in lands that I had not even stepped foot in and now someone in my kingdom was trying to kill me.

The people hated me ever since the beheading of their beloved Queen Anne. Why did they care so much about a woman who had nothing to offer?

Either way, I need an heir to the throne swiftly. A legitimate heir. I was only 19 but my legacy would not continue on without an heir...especially if i died unexpectedly.

Jane's breathy pants snapped me from my distant thoughts and I quickly finish my high, pulling out and standing to bathe in the washroom. I follow my reflection in the mirror, picking apart every gaunt feature while grimacing at the dark circles that were cemented under my eyes.

"Henry... " Jane sighs, gently running her hands over my chest. I pull them off, too angered at her eager understanding.

"How can you love a king like me?" I cursed, pushing off a board of wine, letting it crash to the floor. The servants had brought it in to calm me.

She of course is unmoved by my unhinged nature and goes to call a servant to clean up the mess. "Henry" she whispered, lifting my chin to meet her gaze. The soft glimmer in her green eyes used to pacify me once so long ago...but not anymore.

She grabs my jaw, running a palm against my cheek before dragging a lazy hand against my curls. "I am in love with a man who has shown me nothing but kindness. I love you for you Henry."

"Flaws and all?" I curse, making sure she understood the implications of her words.

"You have no flaws, my king. You are the best ruler Eragonia has had and anyone who disagrees can be ordered by your hand to be killed" she smiles, kissing my lips. I forced a lazy smile to my lips, taking relish in her attempt to cheer me up. Nothing worked these days, not even her, but I appreciated her, for at least she attempted.

——

Anna

I bend and take another herb from the castle grounds as the hot rays of the afternoon sun glimmers against my skin. The sweat from my back made sure to work it's way down my spine, making my dress cling to my flushed skin.

It was a hot day indeed in the kingdom of Eragonia. Soft, gentle breezes of air flowed sparsely, momentarily relieving me of the humidity that clung to my face but even despite the heat, it was moments like this I cherished; having free time to explore and travel among the fields.

As I ran across the lush pastures and into the woodlands of the kingdom, I see a tall white horse drinking near a quaint pond in the center. It had elegant purple robe with the distinctive emblem of the king.

Perhaps he had ventured far enough to escape the bustle of the palace? He had every reason to. No one favored him there so I supposed having silence in the fields was the only peace he could cherish.

My feet press against the soft grass of the forest, making their way to approach the tall horse. I was curious to see where the king was and his reason for venture so far. As I went to pet its luscious mane, I see the distinctive figure of the king. He was leaning against the tree taking in the bright sun as a cool breeze flew through the air.

(He the type of dude that only looks good in ONE  pic😕😕)

Despite his weakened deameaner, he looked as valiant as he did when he barged into the kitchen. He pulled away and bent to drink from the waters. A lazy arm met his lips as he wiped his mouth clean before taking off his crown, looking back near the palace to make sure his horse was secured.
I ducked of course, trying my best to stay hidden behind his horse.

He turned again to face the waters then stood, traveling to a small bushel of purple berries that had caught his eye.

I couldn't help but smile, watching his boy like nature as he discovered nature's own fruit. He was like a small child who had ventured into unfamiliar surroundings and had found a delicious snack. Seeing him forage for food made him seem human?

I continue to watch him but instantly freeze as I see the color of the leaves around the berries. They were bright and green but their undersides were brown and withered. These were not any ordinary berry but poisonous mongeese berries.

He would die if he ate them!

And how perfect it would be.

I clapped excitedly, crouching lower to watch his imminent demise.
How perfect! 
The great king of Eragonia dying from a shrub of silly mongeese berries.
He would not die by the hand of a jealous lover or a troubled cook, but by his very own.

I anticipated the show, tiptoeing over the tall stature of the horse but as I saw him tilt his head to taste the first mound, something in my spirit prohibited me from rejoicing.
But why?
This was the moment Eragonia had been waiting for!
It was certainly a moment I had imagined many days before to pass my time in the kitchen; the outcome was always the same except all my fantasies, I was the one who would do it.

If the king died by berries, I would never be at peace knowing I could have been the very woman in charge of inflicting his death. I didn't want his demise to based on a simple technicality. I had to stop him for the sake of my own sanity!

Just before he plopped a few into his mouth, I shuffled from behind the horse. "Wait!" I shouted.

He looked up, started by the unexpected voice before inspecting me carefully. Silence filled the forest as he watched me, impatient for my introduction. "Those berries are poisoned" I finally say.

"Are they?" he sighs, tilting his head curiously. The calmness of his demeanor influenced me to believe this was something of the norm for him.

"Yes, my king. It will induce vomit and a spell of paralysis" I say, trying to provide my knowledge. I learned about different herbs and shrubs from my father. He used to be the towns best undertaker (mortician) until King Enri ended his life. I knew all about death and gore thanks to him.

"Were they poisoned by you?" he asks, taking in my figure. He leaned his head lazily against the trunk of the tree, waiting for my reply.

"No. I did not poison them. I would never be so...foolish to do so your majesty " I tried my best to hide my interest fantasizing about his murder.

He dropped the fruit and looked away to the waters. Silence filled the peaceful meadows before he spoke again. "You could have watched me eat them and let me die. Isn't that what the kingdom wants?" he suggests, bending to skip a rock into the waters. I didn't reject his words for it was an accurate statement.

He turned his gaze over to watch me before letting out a lazy chuckle. "Silence?" he asks, lifting a handsome brow.

"Of course your majesty. We are trained to limit our speech around the king and his royal allies" I frown, clutching the handle of my basket a bit tighter.

He leaned over again and bent down to the waters. I couldn't help but observe him. He still looked tired, even more tired than before. His body looked  healthy but his skin looked dull. You could tell he hadn't eaten a true meal since the attempt on his life just days ago. He was too paranoid to rule or even function.

"Anna!" I hear the distant shouts of Catherine paired with the calm ringing of church bells signaling me to leave.

I looked at him again as he watched the waters. Maybe it was a pity? Or maybe it was the distant shouts of Catherine beckoning me to return but I shuffle among my herbs of the basket and pull out a couple of nuts. I walk over to where he stood, lifting my palm to face his chest. "Here," I say passing a small bundle to him. He looks at my palm carefully then lifted his blue eyes to meet my gaze before grasping my shoulders and pushing me against the hard surface of the tree.

I dropped my basket and all its contents, startled by his unexpected actions.

"Are you crazy?" he yells, grasping my neck before pushing me against the bark of the tree. I couldn't stop my heart from racing at his domineering touch. He could kill me in an instant...

____

Author Note:

It's been a LONG minute since you readers asked for my face claim's Instagram.

Quarantine got my taste all the way together.
Model Instagram is: joubellini 👀