His muscular frame glistening with sweat, Mandrake called out to his most trusted head guard and chief of security " Get me a rag to wipe all this filth!"
Chuckling at his master's obvious disgust, Arian handed his sire a towel. The other guards,Finn and Esteban also exchanged mischievous glances with one another.It was a known fact that the king worshipped his cleanliness and anything less than that, was a taint to his true perfection as a person.
Mandrake had just finished his daily sword fights with his cousin Jethro and as usual, he won. The King's skills were amongst the best in the kingdom and grew better by the day.
With a look that promised mischief, Jethro remarked " Cousin dearest, if you walk around the palace looking like that , our young maidens will have a cardiac arrest!"
The King always trained bare chested with his black training pants;his guards chuckled even louder at Jethro's remark. Everyone in the palace; including the guards and servants, knew the King was rarely interested in women, including his own wife, Queen Geraldine.
"Stop your shenanigans Jethro, I am your King " Mandrake replied with a warning look.
Lifting his hands up in resignation, Jethro said " I beg your pardon my lord, but I am your cousin; and know for a fact you would never harm a hair on my head "
Despite Mandrake's growl, he knew his cousin was right. He valued his only remaining family, Lady Juniper ,Jethro and Sierra, his only sister after he had lost his parents and would rather die than let anything happen to his family.
Smirking, Jethro left the training grounds after bumping Mandrake roughly just to emit a low annoyed growl.
Shortly after, a messenger rushed in with a scroll, looking apprehensive.
"Your Majesty greetings,I bring word from Lord Thistle " the messenger said with a bit of nervousness.
Arching an eyebrow in question, he signaled Arian who sprung into action and brought the scroll to the King. Mandrake read the scroll, his emotions slowly changing from indifference to hardly concealed annoyance.
Looking up sharply from the scroll,Mandrake asked "What is this madness?!"
" Your Majesty,Lord Thistle has asked that you consider his request cautiously; he has only asked for Princess Sierra's hand in marriage and a place in the council as he feels it is long overdue "the messenger explained, sweating profusely.
"Does he realize that he is asking for the hand of the crowned princess?My sister?!She is a woman at her prime and that lecherous widower dare ask for her hand ?! " Mandrake fumed.
"But Your Majesty...."
"Begone you messenger of chaos!Tell your lord I said my sister shall never be his bride and that his request to be on the council has been rejected! Now begone!" Mandrake raged.
Bowing in fright, the messenger scampered away in haste. Mandrake raked his hand through his long luscious hair in annoyance; Lord Thistle was one of the most powerful men in the kingdom and he had the only brewery available to the people. But Mandrake despised the widowed Lord for his greed and craftiness.
" Your Majesty, shall we visit the lord and deliver a message?" Arian said, upset that the message had upset his master and withdrawing his sword from its sheath.
Mandrake was ever grateful for Arian and knew he could count on the chief guard who was also his best friend.The other guards also withdrew their swords, ready for action.
Shaking his head slowly, Mandrake replied "Put down thy weapons, I have already given the audacious lord a befitting reply, there is no need for any more.....confrontations "
Nodding slightly, Arian put back his sword and Finn and Esteban followed suit. Mandrake went back into the palace with his guards through an entrance only the royals and his guards knew about. Soon he was in his quarters, eager to get a long soak and clear his head of the troubling thoughts of Lord Thistle and his demands.
As soon as he entered his room, he was greeted with the sight of Geraldine,sprawled across his bed in a red silk night dress that was a bit transparent. The brown eyed queen eyed the King lustfully as she drank a glass of red wine,licking her lips seductively.
Shuddering with something akin to disgust,he shut his bedroom door where his guards stood, ready for any course of action and to protect their King.
Turning slowly to face Geraldine, Mandrake asked carefully "Queen Geraldine,to what do I owe this.....surprise?"
Dropping her glass on the his bedside drawer,Geraldine stood from his bed and approached the king like a tiger stalking it's prey.
Finally face to face with Mandrake, Geraldine said slyly "Oh Mandrake..!You wound me with your formal address of Queen at all times, I am also your wife and you,my husband although.....we hardly spend time together"
"My Queen,you still have not told me what you're doing in my chambers despite having your own " Mandrake, said with warning.
Sighing with disappointment, Geraldine held his hand and placed it on her waist , looking into his eyes as she whispered with mischief " You are yet to claim me fully Your Majesty....I crave your soft touch and our bodies aligning with passion so fierce, the walls of the palace would shake to it's foundation "
Removing his hand from her waist forcefully,
Mandrake warned " Do not repeat this mistake again, I have told you time without count that I, King Mandrake III,ruler of this kingdom and your King , am not interested in your.....indulgences"
"And I have desires!I wasn't brought here just to be your queen but also your wife and the mother of your heir! I refuse to be sidelined and one way or the other ,I will get all my rights from you ,mark my words ,King!" Geraldine said scornfully,leaving his room after banging his door open .
Rushing in in haste, Arian asked " Is anything the matter, Your Majesty?"
" Just women's tantrums, lock the door from outside and don't let anyone in without my permission "Mandrake replied dismissively.
Quietly, Arian left the room and bolted the door from outside, fulfilling his master's wishes.