Royal Dilemma (o/o Closed)

"I know," Eleanor whispered. She closed her eyes and sighed as his lips pressed against her skin while he bid her goodnight. "Sleep well," she murmured. Once he was gone, she would change into her nightgown and hopefully fall asleep.

Thomas smiled lovingly as he backed away and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. He didn't really want to leave. A part of him just wanted to go back into the room and hold her all night. But he knew it would be even more dangerous to give in to that dream. It would raise too many questions and, even with Queen Irene supporting them, who knew what King Marcellus or Sirus would do.

Eleanor waited for the door to shut before changing into her nightgown and twirling around with excitement. She not only now had a best friend in Irene, but also… a boyfriend? A courtier? What was Thomas? A lover?

The queen wasn't sure, but she was more than happy to consider him something more than friends. They'd kissed and confessed their love for each other, for stars sake! She fell into bed that night happier than she'd been since she first arrived at the palace. Happier than she'd ever been in her entire life, for that matter.

Thomas sighed as he tried to bring his expression back to normal and what was expected of any guard. He couldn't afford to let anyone think there was something worth asking questions and risk getting Eleanor in any trouble.

(Want to timeskip to the morning lol)

(sure lol)

(You want to go first, or do you want me to? :))

(you can. If you want)

Eleanor awoke in the morning feeling properly relaxed in her own bed. She blinked awake and sighed as her mind ran through her conversation with Thomas the night before. On instinct, she drew up her left hand and studied the blossoming diamond on her ring finger. How many women would kill to be in her position? And she didn't want it at all. She wanted what she knew; her family, her friends, her life before the palace. And she wanted Thomas.

Thomas sighed as he walked toward Eleanor’s room, a little sore and stiff from the morning training he had to take since the rest of his day was busy watching her. He wasn't complaining, not at all, but he had a suspicion that his sparing partner was either jealous of his new position or just plain trying to remind him that he was still just a guard and no one special.

Eleanor sat up and tapped her fingers impatiently on her leg. Should she get dressed now? Or should she wait for Thomas? Hoping they could have more time to talk, the queen decided on the former and hurried to her wardrobe. She wanted to be ready when he arrived, so she quickly selected a pale orange gown with a modest neckline and short sleeves to change into. Once she was in her new dress, Eleanor sat at her vanity to brush her hair out. Usually, a maid would have done it, but she'd been adamant about getting herself ready in the mornings. That much, at least, she could control.

Thomas sighed, feeling himself starting to relax more when he approached Eleanor's door. He smiled softly as he knocked and waited for her to let him in.

Eleanor jumped up eagerly and headed to the door. "Thomas?" she asked quietly, placing her hand on the wood. She just wanted to make sure it was who she thought it was before opening it.

“Yes, my Queen. It's me.” he smiled at hearing her voice. The reply may have been more friendly than it was supposed to be but he didn't see anyone else in the hallway to overhear it.

Eleanor's expression instantly broke into a smile, and she opened the door for him. "Come in," she urged, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice in seeing him again.

Thomas smiled warmly and walked in, barely resisting the desire to hug her. “Did you sleep well, my Queen?”

"Well enough," Eleanor answered simply. She sat back down at her vanity and continued to brush her hair while smiling at him in the mirror. "And yourself?"

“The same.” he nodded, smiling back at her reflection. “Are you looking forward to your meetings today?”

Eleanor smiled back at him, then pursed her lips at his question. “I’m not sure how I feel about them, to be completely honest with you,” she answered. “I’m excited to see Irene, but I’m afraid Génévieve will rip me to shreds at first sight.”

Thomas gently took her hand and shook his head slightly. “I doubt Irene would allow that to happen. And I wouldn't either.” he assured. “Besides, once you explain everything, I’m sure Queen Génévieve will be understanding.”

Eleanor looked up at him as he took her hand in a gentle grip. “I know,” she sighed. “I still have my worries. Irene was easy to make friends with. Génévieve won’t be the same. And she already doesn’t like me. I suppose I’ll just have to make the best of it. And if I can’t amend things with Génévieve, I think it would be best not to have a meeting with Lionel.”

“Which sounds like it should be the other way around.” he chuckled, thinking of the two Queen’s reputations. “But I have to agree with the idea of forgoing the meeting with her husband if meeting Queen Génévieve doesn't go well.” Thomas nodded. “I doubt, however, that she likes… that snake any more than your friends do. That should give you something to agree on.”

Eleanor giggled quietly. “Indeed,” she agreed easily. Though her sweet expression turned sour for a moment at just the thought of Sirus. “That vile man,” she hissed as she brushed her hair. “I do wish he’d leave and never come back.”

Thomas smiled as she laughed softly, though he walked closer when her expression faltered. “I’m sorry for bringing him up. I wish the same. I just thought that having some form of common ground would help with your meeting.” he explained as he stood beside her.

Eleanor shook her head and set her hairbrush down. Her eyes met Thomas’s in the mirror as she spoke. “No, it’s not your fault. You’re right. I can’t imagine Génévieve would have anything nice to say about so wretched a man.”

The queen sighed and reached for a bit of makeup for her face. It wouldn’t hurt to look a bit extra beautiful today. “But enough about him,” she urged the conversation forward. “How did you sleep?”

Thomas smiled softly at her assurance and nodded gratefully when she changed the topic. “I slept well enough. Though I have to admit I was eager to see you again.” he told her honestly, not wanting to bother her with his morning training.

Eleanor beamed excitedly at his words. "I was eager to see you as well," she replied, a sparkle of joy dancing in her dark eyes. "I still am." She smiled at him in the mirror as she brushed rouge across her cheeks.

Thomas blushed, grinning wider at her expression but not knowing what to say. Though he was so focused on her and her reflection that he didn't notice the same spark in his eyes.

He may not have noticed the spark in his eyes, but Eleanor certainly did. Her expression softened, and in the morning light, she looked like a hazy dream of a woman. Slowly, she rose to her feet and paced the short distance over to him. "I'd very much like to kiss you," she whispered, reaching her hands toward his chest but stopping just short of touching his uniform.

“I will not stop you, my Queen.” Thomas murmured just as softly, gently raising his hands and placing them on her upper arms. “I like it when you kiss me.” he admitted.