[! Warning - Mature Content Ahead]
The sprawling halls of Duke Findlay Windsor's estate were quiet in the late hours of the evening, the grand mansion cast in the glow of flickering candlelight. Inside, shadows crept along the walls, mirroring the machinations of the nobles within. Duke Findlay was no stranger to ambition, and as the kingdom of Ustaria teetered on the brink of succession, he knew that now, more than ever, was the time to solidify his own position. The throne was in play, and though Harris Pennington believed himself to have Findlay's full support, the truth was far more complex.
For Findlay, the throne was the ultimate prize. And he was more than willing to play both sides, using anyone necessary to achieve his goal. Princess Lilliana Pennington, one of the most cunning players in the court, was no exception. To Findlay, Lilliana was a useful ally, a powerful asset in the political web he had spun. But as much as he enjoyed their encounters, he never forgot that in this game, she was just another piece on the board.
Lilliana, for her part, knew better than to trust Findlay. She had never trusted him. The duke had his own ambitions, and while he played the role of loyal ally, Lilliana had seen enough of the court to know that men like Findlay were always playing their own game. Still, she kept him close, using their relationship as a way to gather information and ensure that she was never blindsided by his maneuvers.
Tonight, they would continue their dangerous dance, each believing they were the one in control.
---
The Duke's Private Chambers
Lilliana arrived at Findlay's estate under the cover of night, her cloak wrapped tightly around her as she slipped inside through the side entrance. She had long since mastered the art of discretion, and few knew of her visits to the duke's private quarters. Tonight, like many nights before, their meeting would be more than just a political discussion. There was always an unspoken agreement between them—business and pleasure mixed in equal measure.
Findlay was waiting for her in his chambers, the large fireplace casting a warm glow over the room as he poured himself a glass of wine. His tall, commanding figure stood near the hearth, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as Lilliana entered.
"Right on time," Findlay remarked, his voice smooth and confident as he turned to face her. "I always appreciate your punctuality, Lilliana."
Lilliana smiled faintly, her eyes narrowing slightly as she removed her cloak and draped it over the back of a chair. "I'm never late when there's something to gain," she replied, her voice carrying the same calm control she always exuded.
Findlay's gaze lingered on her as she approached, his thoughts flickering between the political machinations at hand and the far more personal matter of the moment. Lilliana was beautiful, sharp, and manipulative—a combination that both intrigued and frustrated him. She was a challenge, and Findlay had always enjoyed challenges. But as much as he appreciated their time together, he never forgot that he was using her. To him, Lilliana's ambitions were far smaller than his own. She wasn't after the throne—she was merely a player in the larger game, useful for her connections and intelligence, but ultimately, expendable.
"Wine?" Findlay offered, pouring a second glass and holding it out to her.
Lilliana took the glass from his hand, her fingers brushing against his briefly before she brought the glass to her lips. Her movements were graceful, deliberate, and Findlay couldn't help but admire the way she carried herself. She always exuded a sense of control, even in situations where others might falter.
"Thank you," she said, taking a sip. "But I'm not here just for wine."
Findlay chuckled softly, setting his own glass down on the table as he took a step closer to her. "Of course not. You're here because we both have something to gain, aren't you?"
Lilliana met his gaze, her expression unreadable as she took another sip of wine before placing the glass on the table beside her. "You know I never waste time, Findlay. I'm always here for a reason."
The duke smiled, his eyes darkening with intent as he closed the distance between them, his hand slipping around her waist as he pulled her closer. "Then let's not waste any more of it."
---
The First Encounter
Lilliana's body tensed for only a moment as Findlay's hands moved to her waist, pulling her against him with a practiced ease. She had been through this dance many times before, each encounter with Findlay both a means of gaining information and a way to keep him close enough to watch. She let him think he had control, let him believe that she was nothing more than a pawn in his game, but Lilliana had long since mastered the art of deception.
Findlay's lips met hers in a heated kiss, his hands roaming over her body with the same confidence he used in court. He believed he was using her, believed that their relationship gave him the upper hand in the political arena. But Lilliana had no illusions about who Findlay really was—he was a man driven by ambition, just like Harris, and he would discard her the moment she was no longer useful.
But for now, she would let him have his moment.
Findlay's hands moved swiftly, pulling at the ties of her gown as he kissed her with increasing intensity. Lilliana responded in kind, her fingers sliding into his hair as she deepened the kiss, her body pressing against his. She knew exactly how to play this game—how to give just enough to keep him hooked, but never more than she was willing to offer.
As her gown fell to the floor in a soft whisper of fabric, Findlay wasted no time in lifting her onto the large bed that dominated the room. His movements were quick, efficient, as he began to strip away the rest of his clothing, his eyes never leaving hers.
Lilliana lay back on the bed, her body bare and exposed, but her mind was already working, calculating the next steps in their game. She knew that Findlay would never reveal his true intentions to her—not directly—but she didn't need him to. She had ways of extracting information, ways of making him talk without even realizing he was doing it.
Findlay joined her on the bed, his hands immediately moving to her thighs as he positioned himself between them. His touch was firm, demanding, as he leaned down to capture her lips in another heated kiss. Lilliana's body responded to his touch, her breath quickening as his hands roamed over her skin, exploring every inch of her with a hunger that was both familiar and predictable.
But even as her body reacted to his touch, Lilliana's mind remained focused. She had learned long ago how to separate physical pleasure from emotion, how to use her body as a tool to achieve her goals. Findlay believed he was in control, but in reality, Lilliana was always the one pulling the strings.
His hands gripped her hips as he thrust into her, his movements quick and powerful, each one sending a jolt of pleasure through her body. Lilliana's back arched, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she let out a soft moan, her mind calculating every movement, every reaction.
"Tell me what you want," Findlay whispered, his breath hot against her ear as he continued to move inside her.
Lilliana's lips curled into a smile as she whispered back, her voice filled with a mixture of seduction and control. "I want you to give me everything."
Findlay groaned, his pace quickening as he gripped her hips tighter, his body responding to her words with an almost frantic intensity. Lilliana could feel his control slipping, feel the way his body trembled with the effort of holding himself together as he brought them both closer to the edge.
With a final, powerful thrust, Findlay reached his peak, his body shuddering as he found his release. Lilliana followed shortly after, her own body trembling as waves of pleasure washed over her, though her mind remained as sharp and focused as ever.
---
The Game Continues
They lay tangled together for a brief moment, their breathing heavy and uneven in the aftermath of their encounter. But Lilliana didn't linger in the moment for long. She had never been one for sentimentality, especially when it came to men like Findlay.
Slowly, she pulled herself away from him, sitting up on the edge of the bed as she reached for her discarded gown. Her movements were graceful, deliberate, as she redressed, her eyes flicking toward Findlay, who still lay sprawled on the bed, watching her with a satisfied smile.
"You never fail to surprise me, Lilliana," Findlay said, his voice still thick with desire as he propped himself up on one elbow. "You always know exactly what you want."
Lilliana glanced at him, her expression unreadable as she fastened the ties of her gown. "And you always give it to me."
Findlay chuckled softly, his eyes lingering on her as she stood from the bed, adjusting the fabric of her gown with practiced ease. "You make it very hard to say no."
Lilliana turned to face him, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "I know."
Findlay's gaze darkened with desire as he watched her, but Lilliana knew that his mind was already turning back to his true ambitions. Findlay Windsor wasn't the type to let a fleeting moment of passion distract him from the larger game. He was aiming for the throne, and Lilliana knew it. She could see it in the way his eyes narrowed as he regarded her, calculating his next move even as the memory of their intimacy still lingered between them.
But she had her own plans, and as much as Findlay believed he was using her, Lilliana was never one to let herself be anyone's pawn.
She stood tall in her gown, her expression serene but her mind racing as she weighed the next step. The information she had already gathered from their previous encounters had been valuable, but tonight she sought more than just his attention. Tonight, she needed him to slip—just enough to give her an edge in this political war that was brewing.
Findlay's deep, lazy voice broke through the quiet that had settled between them. "You've been careful, Lilliana. I like that about you. It's why I trust you."
Lilliana gave him a small, knowing smile, the flicker of amusement in her green eyes barely noticeable. "You trust me, Findlay?" She tilted her head slightly, letting her tone carry the subtle challenge of her question.
Findlay sat up fully now, resting his arms on his knees, his eyes gleaming with a mix of hunger and calculation. "You've never given me a reason not to."
Lilliana slowly approached the small table where they had set their wine, taking her time to pour herself another glass. She lifted the glass to her lips, savoring the rich taste as she looked over at him, her expression still controlled, but her words laced with hidden meanings.
"And yet trust is such a fragile thing, isn't it?" she said softly, letting the words hang in the air between them. "In Ustaria, loyalty changes as quickly as the tides. You and I both know that."
Findlay's smile didn't falter, but Lilliana could see the flicker of something darker behind his eyes. His ambitions. He thought she was merely an ally in his climb toward the throne, someone he could use to solidify his power, but Lilliana knew better. She had never trusted him fully, and she had always known he had his own designs on the crown. But Findlay also underestimated her, believing she had no interest in the throne itself.
As she drained the last of her wine, she placed the glass back on the table, her movements slow and deliberate as she crossed the room to stand in front of him once again.
Findlay's gaze raked over her, his smirk widening. "You're full of surprises tonight, Princess. Are you trying to play games with me?"
Lilliana's eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned forward slightly, placing a hand on his chest and pushing him back down onto the bed. "I don't play games, Findlay. I always know exactly what I want."
---
The Second Encounter
Findlay's smirk deepened as Lilliana climbed onto the bed once more, her body poised and confident above him. He had always enjoyed their encounters, each one more intense and seductive than the last, but tonight, there was a certain edge to her, a sharpness that made his pulse race. He liked that about Lilliana—her unpredictability. But he also believed that he was in control, that whatever games she thought she was playing, he was the one truly holding the cards.
Lilliana straddled him, her hands resting lightly on his chest as she looked down at him, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of seduction and something darker. Findlay reached up, his hands gripping her hips as he pulled her down onto him, his breath hitching slightly at the intensity of the sensation.
"You always know how to get my attention," Findlay murmured, his voice thick with desire as he moved his hands up her waist, tracing the curves of her body.
Lilliana smiled, her movements slow and deliberate as she began to rock her hips against him. "That's because I understand you, Findlay. I know what you want... and I know how to give it to you."
Findlay groaned, his hands tightening on her hips as she rode him with increasing intensity, her body moving in perfect rhythm with his. Each movement was calculated, precise, designed to draw out the pleasure and keep him on the edge for as long as possible. Lilliana had mastered the art of control, even in moments like this, when most would lose themselves to the heat of the moment.
But not Lilliana.
She could feel Findlay's control slipping, feel the way his body responded to her every movement. He liked to believe that he was in control, that he was the one using her to further his ambitions, but Lilliana had learned long ago how to make men think they were in charge while she quietly pulled the strings.
Findlay's breathing grew heavier, his hands moving up to cup her breasts as he thrust up into her, his movements becoming more urgent as his need for release built. But Lilliana didn't rush. She kept her pace steady, deliberate, her own pleasure building in waves as she rode him with precision.
"Tell me what you want," Lilliana whispered, her voice low and seductive as she leaned down, her lips brushing against his ear.
Findlay's breath hitched, his hands gripping her harder as he thrust up into her. "I want... you," he gasped, his control slipping further as his body moved beneath hers, chasing the release that she kept just out of reach.
Lilliana's smile widened as she increased her pace, her hips grinding down against him as they both moved toward the edge. "Good," she whispered, her breath hot against his skin. "Because I always get what I want."
With one final, powerful thrust, Findlay let out a guttural moan as his body shuddered with release, his hands digging into her hips as he climaxed. Lilliana followed shortly after, her own body trembling with pleasure as she reached her peak, though her mind remained sharp, calculating every moment.
For a long moment, they remained tangled together, their bodies pressed against each other as their breathing slowed. But Lilliana didn't linger in the moment for long. As always, she pulled away first, sitting up and adjusting her gown with practiced ease. She was never one to let herself be vulnerable for too long.
Findlay lay back on the bed, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he watched her. "You're always full of surprises, Lilliana. One of the many things I admire about you."
Lilliana gave him a small, knowing smile as she stood, smoothing the fabric of her gown as she made her way to the door. "I'm sure you admire a great many things about me, Findlay. But remember, admiration only gets you so far."
Findlay chuckled, his eyes following her every movement. "You always know how to keep me guessing."
Lilliana paused at the door, her hand resting lightly on the handle as she turned to face him one last time. "And I always know how to get what I want."
With that, she slipped out of the room, her mind already turning to the next steps in her plan. Findlay may believe that he was using her, but Lilliana knew the truth. She had never trusted him, never believed for a moment that he was truly on her side. But for now, he was useful. And in this game of power and ambition, usefulness was the only currency that mattered.