Queen.
As a noun, it is first and foremost 'the female ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth.'
Celosia Bellemare is the Queen. Ruler of Akrea was seconded only by her husband. Pureblood Vampire. Known by many for her beauty and poise, seen as an inspirational piece for other women.
She had been raised knowing she would marry Keiran. They had known one another for years, having been friends before courting, though unnecessary, Keiran had insisted on the principle of spending their lives together. Like a small child, he stated that he wanted her to fall in love with him. Like an even smaller child she had loved him near the moment she reached teenage years.
They had a lovely royal wedding, her carriage had flowers thrown upon it by the people and cheers rang through the streets. They were glad their King would marry a Pureblood lady. Their thoughts had only gone that far, while the aristocrat's presented more of a problem. Entitled bunch she thought, they approved of a Pureblood, but not one that they couldn't at least attempt to push around. The middle class thought blood was everything, the lower class went along with it, but the upper class...
They would rather ravage and have themselves ravaged than heed to any sort of tradition under the sweet lies. She knows too many women of high society who had their husbands in other beds. Too many times these women had spoken of the possibility of bastards they had sired. But they weren't innocent. Oh no, because it would be idiotic to simply assume that the men were the only ones sneaking about in the dead of night. As if they are so virtuous, so good.
More often Celosia was forced into listening to the jeering gossip of women who should know better. How they pretend to chitter softly, give high seeking giggles as they speak of a butler, knight, or even a friend of their husband whom they had... 'relations' with while he was away or wasn't paying attention. They speak as if their petty revenge or mischief is something to be proud of. As if cheating on someone is justified and they should be praised. As if acting coy and creating a rumor would make the person they swore to cherish hold them tighter in response.
Perhaps it was because she had never had her heartbroken. Or her strength had never been tested.
Perhaps it was simply because she is happy with her life and doesn't want her husband to fly into jealousy or throw away something that isn't broken.
She had never once doubted that her husband loved her. She had never doubted they would always be together, should he reach the afterlife before her, she expects him to wait for as long as he can.
Maybe that was why when she heard the tales of some woman from Raisto, a long-term ally, has sired a child of her husband's cloth, she calmly waited for him in their bedroom. She put a small smile on her face, looked him directly in the eyes, and asked him.
"Did you cheat on me?" And he, sensing danger despite her utter calm answered.
"No."
And that was it... would be a complete lie.
She continued to stare at him, Tyrian purple meeting its match, asking him a similar question.
"Would you?"
And he took her hands, perhaps against better judgment putting his hands into her own which she 'did not' squeeze so hard that, even with their healing, they ached the next morning.
"You are my ever glowing moon, soothing and beautiful. My one true love. My only match in this life and the next should it come. I would never want anyone other than you, no matter the circumstance, no matter the cost."
He did not stumble, he did not falter despite her 'not' breaking his hands. He merely spoke the truth to her. If he sighed in relief when she relinquished her grip on him... that was then.
"Well, some woman in Raisto is claiming your child is in her stomach. She must be high ranking if the whispers have reached this far." She looked him in the eyes once more, reassuring herself with his expression, "What do you know, and what should be done?"
The lack of surprise had been a bit discouraging. Her mind went racing with why he wouldn't be surprised at that. It hurt her now, to know that she thought he lied to her, and she was sure it had hurt him, her lack of trust and understanding at that moment. She had seen the hints of betrayal in her expression through his eyes, and while she apologized for it deeply, she knew it left a scar.
Because a King is a rock, a ruler, a being untouchable by everything in front of his people, but before the Queen, he can crumble. He can break down, unwind, cry, tremble, and make a childish demand here and there. He may spoil himself with her as she may spoil herself with him, they have few secrets, they have no lies. That is the promise they made to one another. The question of that being broken had left the smallest slash on both of them, a hairline fracture on the trust and love. It wouldn't be healed, but it wouldn't be covered either.
Because she loves him. And he loves her, and while they may not say every minuscule thing, they are honest. That is what makes them just that tiny bit different from the others that, even now, with that slight scare, she doesn't understand.
But she remembers the silence he regarded her with for a moment, before finally looking off to the side, not in shame but consideration, never releasing her hands. Those moments felt like weight bearing down on her chest, spreading to the rest of her body. She remembers it feeling burning hot, notably in her lungs but the ice in her hands.
"Nothing. Nothing should be done. If a child is born it isn't mine, but more importantly, no one but you and I may know this."
And she asked him a small 'why', voice sounding croaky and a bit brittle in a way that hadn't happened since she had given birth. She had nearly cried when she was handed a bundle of blankets that squirmed and gave loud wails. Been so proud and emotional that she had near outright sobbed when Keiron held her and she seemed to be so much smaller than him. Laughed through tears of joy as he panicked and looked at her when Lavinia had ceased crying but continued murmurs whenever he so much as twitched.
She thinks that the memory was nearly ruined by the whole situation. Which is dramatic and nonsensical, but she had been reminiscing and that was how she felt.
It wasn't until his next few words that she broke out of her reverie and listened to him.
"So long as you and later Lavinia, when she can understand this, is aware nothing else matters. My silence on the matter will cause others to think it true, my enemies may think they're pulling one over and target that girl, and Lavinia will be safe."
She had gone to argue, say something to refute this because morally... this was not a morally good deed, and she understood that while effective, using another person's child as bait is wrong.
"The wrongness of this is not lost on me. I understand well that this is something heinous and questionable, however..." She closed her mouth, no longer ready to interject, "this woman, whoever she is, had to have understood what those claims would bring to her. Whether or not others think that child is mine will happen even if I deny it, we both know that. I won't say that, should anything happen, I am unaccountable, but those plotting, those spreading this rumor, and the woman herself will come to understand this.
I feel sorry for the child involved, however, in this world, in the society reigned by nobles and royalty, we can never let down our guards."
And she had to think. Because this was phased as something a normal person wouldn't do, but a King whose interest is protecting his family. It was always something she respected him for, the ability to throw away the more humane way of thinking in situations. Kings were not allowed to act upon impulse or their hearts. They must always think for the greater good, no matter the sacrifice.
~
It was later that she gave birth to a little girl, who gave out quiet cries and smelt like buttermilk.
Three years later she rushed to the room of that child whose fangs nearly ended her life.
Nearly three months later her child was down again. This time was caused by those who thought they knew everything, that they owned the world like their family was the one serving them.
Her husband's aid reached out for her immediately, hoping she would be the one to stop him from slaughtering various staff members. If only they knew.
Her husband and herself would always agree to something. Their daughter came first to them, no matter what.