Royal Dilemma (o/o Closed)

Eleanor slipped easily out of his hold as she stopped to examine a bush of pale-yellow flowers along the cobblestone path they were walking down.

“I’m glad your husband invited us,” Sirus said from behind her.

Eleanor bit her lip and straightened. When she turned to face Sirus, he was much closer to her than she anticipated. She backed up quickly… into the flower bush. “Oh!” she cried out in surprise. The leaves grabbed at her dress, and she brushed them off as quickly as she could.

The man looked amused by her fumbling. “My apologies, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean to startle you.” His amusement quickly turned into something else, however. There was something predatorial behind his gaze. Like he would devour Eleanor if given the chance. The queen failed to notice it, still brushing petals from her skirt.

Thomas, however, did notice the look and took another step closer, making sure he was visible to Sirus. His hand lightly tapping the hilt of his sword in what could have been considered a very casual way. Though this time it was a warning to both, for Eleanor to be careful and for Sirus to back off.

Eleanor heard the tap and looked up. She noticed Thomas' demeanor before turning back to Sirus, whose eyes were narrowed.

"Well, Your Majesty, perhaps you can show me your favorite part of the garden next?" he suggested in a flat tone.

Eleanor straightened and nodded in agreement. "Yes. The fountain. It's this way." She began walking to the center of the garden where all of the miscellaneous pathways converged.

Thomas let out a brief breath of relief when Eleanor caught Sirus. Though given the glare he was seeing on the royal visitor's face, he would be surprised if he didn't get into some kind of trouble from his interference. But it would be worth it if it meant he was able to keep Eleanor safe.

Without taking his hand off his sword, he followed them and maintained the respectable distance.

“Your guard is diligent,” Sirus remarked, though the way he said it didn’t make it sound like a compliment.

“Yes,” Eleanor agreed passively. “All of our guards are trained diligently to protect myself and my husband.” As if she wanted to be married to Marcellus…

“I can only imagine the strictness of their regiments,” Sirus muttered.

Eleanor smiled briefly.

Thomas did his best not to smirk at Eleanor’s quick defense. Though neither of them truly knew how strict a training routine the new soldiers were put through. But overall, he had to admit that she was doing quite well after the near incident with the bush.

Eleanor reached the fountain and motioned to it with an elegant lift of her hand. “If you must know, Lord Grives, this is my most treasured spot in the gardens,” she said.

The clear water pooled before them, pure enough to see their own reflections.

Sirus grinned, taking her hand and leading her closer. “It’s beautiful. Tell me, Eleanor… how do you plan on paying for the pleasure of my company?” he asked in a lowered voice.

Any kindness on her face (false or genuine) instantly vanished. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that I’m loosing time for doing other things and spending it with you. Surely, there must be some way you can earn the time I’ve given you?”

You rat! she wanted to cry out. Instead, she lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “You want money?”

Sirus laughed dryly. “I haven't dealt in anything as common as money in years.”

Eleanor curled her fingers into fists at her sides. “Then how do people pay for the pleasure of your company?”

“With secrets,” Sirus hissed, drawing closer to her. “What about you, Flower of Versia? Any secrets worth my time?”

Eleanor took a step back as he leaned toward her. “Of course not,” she retorted quietly.

Sirus smirked. “Shame.”

Then, before Eleanor knew what was happening, she felt Sirus’s hands on her waist shoving her backwards. Her calves connected with the edge of the fountain, and the world spun through her vision as she fell, flailing, into the fountain. Water splashed around her, and she came up gasping for air. Shock surged through her, and almost immediately, she began to shiver. The water in the fountain was unbearably cold.

(Okay, I maybe probably definitely stole some lines from Catching Fire 😂)

(😆 they actually work very well here though!)

Thomas so badly wanted to move closer when their voices lowered but made himself stay. Talking quietly wasn't a sign of anything wrong… Though seeing the look on Eleanor’s face certainly was. As soon as Sirus put his hands on her waist, the guard all but charged forward and stood between his Queen and her assailant. “Are you alright, your Majesty?” he asked in a surprisingly professional tone though he was concerned.

(I know right! I was writing the scene and I was like, I can see where this is going lmao)

Sirus backed away easily, his hands in the air. His dark eyes stayed evenly on Thomas’.

Eleanor, however, was another matter. It took her a moment to regain her footing, since the fountain’s inner tiles were not made for people walking on then and, therefore, were incredibly slippery. She finally made her way over to the edge and held onto the stone with a trembling grip.

“I’m fine,” she answered, looking past Thomas and narrowing her eyes at Sirus. Every inch of her was soaking wet, and her beautiful gown now stuck to her skin, causing another shiver to pass through her. “Escort me back to my quarters,” she commanded as regally as possible.

Thomas barely spared Sirus a second glance after he put his hands up in surrender. Whether it was real or not, he would worry later. “Of course, my Queen.” he nodded briefly and put out his arm to help her out of the fountain.

Eleanor reached for his arm and grasped it firmly. She used the help to step over the stone rim and back onto the garden’s cobblestone path.

She didn’t waste another moment looking at Sirus as she hurried off. Her wet skirt began to gather dirt and leaves and dead flower petals in its wake.

“Farewell, my flower!” Sirus called from behind her, and she shut her eyes tightly to ignore him.

Thomas kept his arm steady as she climbed out, not taking his eyes off her. Because if he looked at the despicable man, he wouldn't be able to remain as calm as he appeared.

He easily matched her speed, understanding her desire to get away from Sirus. Though he had to bite his tongue to keep from growling at the man’s last comment.

Once they were safely out of earshot, he leaned just a little bit closer toward her. “Are you sure you’re alright?” he whispered.

“No,” Eleanor quickly replied in a weak, shaky voice that didn't in any way resemble the tone she'd taken with Sirus just mere seconds ago. She was vulnerable now. “Of course, I’m not. I’m cold, wet, and humiliated.” Her cheeks were bright pink and her hand on his arm was trembling, though she was barely touching him. She didn’t want to get him all wet. "I can't believe I fell for that… rat's little scheme."

Thomas nodded sympathetically and gently pulled her a little closer, not caring if he got wet. “It's not your fault.” he assured. “I have a feeling that he's used this tactic before.”

She couldn’t help but lean into his warmth. Her body was already shaking, and she was rubbing at her arms frantically to dry herself any faster. “Likely,” she whispered. “Hurry please. I can’t be seen like this.”

“Of course.” he nodded, picking up the pace to a speed she was still comfortable with. He didn't want her to feel more embarrassed or to get sick.

Eleanor begged any gods who were listening that no one else would see her before they got back to her room.

Finally, the door was in sight, and the queen breathed an immense sigh of relief. “Thank the gods,” she breathed, opening it quickly and practically running inside.

Thomas let go of her when she ran but quickly followed. “Eleanor?” he asked, once he caught up with her and closed the door behind him.

Once in her room, the queen sunk to her knees and buried her face in her hands. Her shoulders heaved with quiet sobs. “Thomas,” she whimpered. “I can’t do this anymore.”

“I’m here. I’m here.” he whispered soothingly as he knelt beside her, placing a hand on her back. “It's alright. You’re safe now.”

Eleanor leaned into him, trembling and crying. “Why do people always make me out to be a fool?” she asked weakly. “I’m tired of it.”

Thomas wrapped his arm around her in a gentle embrace as she leaned against him. “I… I don't know. But I don't think you are a fool. That man was just a… just an ill-bred skunk.” he said, faltering at the insult.

Eleanor wanted to laugh, but she couldn’t stop the sobs that racked her body. “I need to get changed,” she finally said, her arms wrapped around her body to try and keep her warm. “I’m going to freeze.”

“Alright.” he nodded, keeping his arm around her as he helped her back to her feet. “Do you want me to wait outside? Maybe I can see if we can find Lucy to help you get cleaned up.” he offered.

“No,” Eleanor whispered as she rose to her feet with Thomas’ support. “Please stay. I’ll change behind the screen. Lucy can’t know or everyone in the castle will within the hour.”

She walked over to her wardrobe, selected a simple pale blue gown, and disappeared behind her changing screen in the corner.

“Then I'll stay.” Thomas assured with a nod, understanding her meaning. There was no need for anyone else to know exactly what happened. Though he felt someone should deal with Sirus's disrespectful treatment of the Queen.

It took her a few minutes to strip out of the soaked dress and dry herself off before slipping into the new one.

Though her hair was still wet, Eleanor came out with her eyes still red-rimmed. “What am I supposed to do now?” she asked quietly. “I can’t tell Marcellus.”

Thomas stood patiently as he waited for her to change, not caring about the dampness on his clothes.

“No.” he sighed. “I don't think… we need to tell anyone. It might depend on if he says anything but if he doesn't then you don't have to say anything either.”

Eleanor nodded and folded her hands together to keep them from shaking. She was still cold.

“Alright… can you hold me?” she asked quietly. “Please?”

“Of course.” he smiled softly, taking a step towards her and wrapping his arms around her. “Is this better?” he teased lightly.