"And our future." I rubbed my face by the blanket covering her thighs. Touching her was gratifying. As always.
"I want to grow old by your side. Promise me you will be careful, I refuse to live longer than you do."
"Oh, my dear wife." I chuckled and sat to be able to look her in the eyes "Why are you crying?" I asked when I noticed her tears welled up in her eyes.
"I don't know!" she laughed "I feel like crying all the time."
"Is there anything I could do to make you happy? You made me the happiest man today. Anything you wish for." I pulled her face in my shirt to dry her tears.
"I want a wolf." She lifted her eyes to me, pleading so desperately for something so small.
I got excited about her wish. I had no idea she lacked a winter coat.
"Only one? I'll kill ten, no - hundred of them for you. But you have to wait for the winter, their fur will be softer and they will be easier to hunt -"
"Max, what would I do with a hundred dead wolves? I want a puppy." Valleria laughed again and pulled me back to bed.
I left her soon after to rest some more and found Jake in his chambers. Still in bed. Entwined together with that maid, still sleeping. Mark stood frozen in mid-movement, only half dressed. It took me a minute to understand what I just witnessed.
"You two raped her?" I said the first thing I could come up with, after trying to put the puzzles together in my mind.
"No! No, Your Majesty! She was more than willing." Mark spurted out half-loudly, trying not to wake these two up "We helped young sir to his chambers and as we were leading him in between us, they started to kiss suddenly and - and - "
"And?" I chuckled, as I watched the blanket move a bit before she sat up with eyes widened with horror.
"They reached the bed and she asked me to join them." He finished with a trembling voice.
"Is that true? You know what kind of punishment awaits you for seducing a royal member?" I raised my voice but my smile gave me out.
"Don't bully her." Jake stretched his arm and tried to pull her body back to the sheets, then she jumped up and quickly tried to get dressed. "She was just showing me how hospitable people in these lands are. Mark was a good help, too. I fell asleep for a moment and he kept her busy until I was able to join them again."
"If she bears a child, you have to marry her, he is already in a wedlock." I sighed, scolding Mark this time, frustrated by his actions, as she quickly gathered her belongings and left the room.
"We were careful, wasn't we?" Jake growled and sat up, looking at Mark as he waited for his answer.
"Yes, my lord, we were." Mark replied, finally composed enough to take accountability for their actions.
"Get from my sigh." I allowed him to leave, unable to punish anyone on this blessed day.
But I halted my excited bragging and instead of sharing the joyful news with my old friend, I forced myself to say: "Are you done spoiling my knights?"
It was not safe. No one should know.