Others might have found his mother harsh but Bellamy knew better than to take it personally. When he got into this sort of trouble, his mother was only has harsh as he needed to. Bellamy had messed up. More than once, clearly, and he needed to learn from that. Making more mistakes would only lead to him looking worse and by default bringing the family down as well. He never wanted to run there name through the dirt and Toni was right. People talked. Gossip spread like wild fire from kingdom to kingdom. Even if it never reached Bellamy’s ears, that didn’t mean something wasn’t being talked about. He felt guilt turn in him but simply nodded along with what his mother said. “Leaving without telling you was a mistake, mother. It wont happen again.” Bellamy promised. Making his mother worry was the last thing that he wanted. Especially with Benjamin still having no memories and the blizzard… He didn’t want to think of that now. 

Although, it would have been a better topic than what his mother started to explain about Henri. Bellamy stayed quite and simply furrowed his brow as emotions began to swirl in his head. He felt his throat tighten for a moment, his heart beat picking up rather rapidly as the story unfolded. He had no idea that Benjamin and Henri were set to marry one another or that Ben had been so involved with Henri. He knew they were friends but never would have guessed this much. And for Henri to turn his back on Ben… For Solomon but still keep Bellamy strung along. Guilt. Poor Ben. His brother was hurting, heart broken, and Bellamy had been to busy to realize it. To comfort him and now he had no idea who he was. The gods were truly cruel. Anger. Henri was using him. He had tried it with Benjamin and it hadn’t worked so he jumped to Solomon and now to Bellamy. Perhaps it wasn’t the gods that were so cruel as just men. His fists tightened for a moment, white knuckles straining before he looked up at his mother once more. Sadness. Was this all just a game to Henri? See who he could marry in the highest spot? Damn anyone who gets hurt along the way. Damn anyone who gets in his way. It was a long play and Bellamy had to give it to him, he was a good actor. 

“I will not see him again.” Bellamy promised, shoulders sagging. “Never. I’d kill him if I saw him again.” His jaw set around his words and he looked away from his mother. His chest felt heavy and his stomach sick. There where truly no great men left. No one to trust. Not outside of his own family. He moved back to sit on the edge of his bed. Ran a hand through his hair and down his face. Riddled with stress and hurt, Bellamy looked to his mother once more. “Thank you for telling me.” He managed in a smaller voice. Though it was clear that Henri had already manipulated his way into Bellamy’s heart. The hurt in his tone gave that much away. Still, it was better to know than to find out later. 

the queen had been in the courts his entire life, he had run into every kind of royal and noble in his forty something years. antonin liked to believe he was fairly intelligent and sharp enough with his charisma, others paled in comparison and the queen could niff a status climber like henri pryor. the boy thought he was a lot smoother than he was but if you were going to achieve anything in the royal courts, you had to be discreet with your endeavors and not build a reputation. the boy not letting his parents pick a suitor for him and going between two crown princes proved enough that henri only cared for power - which antonin could perhaps understand but his methods were messy and unpolished.. on top of that, he broke one of his sons hearts and manipulated the other... as far as antonin was concerned, henri pryor was dead. 

Alistair crawled into bed next to his Queen and rubbed the man’s growing belly he leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. “Of course. Anything you want. I’ll tighten the punishment surrounding him.” he said with a little smiled. One hand combed through his husband’s hair gently. “Some of it concerns the supplies and men we are going to be sending to aid Medes.” he said with a little smile as he nuzzled against the beautiful man he was married to. “And I brought you a herbal tea to help with nausea and for nutrients.” 

“No that is fine. No need to apologize, any man would be more than lucky to have your eye upon them.” Alder smiled and moved to the other man and gave him a kiss, taking one of the glasses of wine and drinking from the sweet wine. “Hormonal. Is there a joyous cause for such hormones my lord? Or is it just the changing of the moon.” he said with a soft smile as he flexed his chest, bouncing his large pecs for the other’s amusement. 

not quite yet but they will soon enough.

Eadric gestured for Antonin to give him the basket so he could hold it in one hand while the other settled at the small of his queen’s back. “I wouldn’t mind, of course. Consider me your companion for the evening.” He beamed up at the queen as he helped her out of the workshop assigned to himself. Eadric walked beside Antonin and couldn’t help but admire her as they went. “You’re positively glowing with this, my queen. I’m excited to see how you develop.” Eadric realized that could have been taken as him flirting. “Health-wise, I mean! I’m excited to see how your health develops.” He cleared his throat, though he couldn’t help but imagine those large breasts straining against her regal looking clothing more and more as he pregnancy progressed.”–I apologize. I must be making quite a fool of myself.” 

Alder laughed softly as the Queen kept rubbing on his chest like that. He didn’t mind at all, he even kissed back though protocol would say not to. “Of course my liege. Let me take us somewhere more private.” he said with hushed breath, taking the queen by the hand he kissed the back of it gently. He moved to the bookcase and pulled a book, the case swinging open, revealing a staircase to his chamber. He led the monarch up, behind a tapestry into the room. “You are more intoxicating than any wine my Queen. Please make yourself at home.” 

Alistair was trying his best to shoulder as much as he could without bothering his Queen. Of course Antonin was fiercely independent and always doing his duties. But there were things in the past he’d bother the other man with if he didn’t want to deal with them alone. But with the pregnancy, and of course their sons after the storm he was trying to keep him from overworking. “Hey love. I just…have a couple things I need you to see before I sign them.” he said coming into the room, carrying with him a few scrolls, and a large container of warm tea for his lover to have. I should be good for the life he grew in him. 

@remesqueen​

“I don’t like being weak, I don’t want to be weak,” he admits, choking up a bit. He’s so dehydrated though that tears don’t really form at all. “I’m just wary of trusting any of you, or anyone. Especially the one you call Cullen, he was in my dreams, he has… there’s a darkness in him and it’s unsettling, it calls to something in me,” he confesses. Looking down as the water is filled he slides the cup over to Antonin to try some again first. He shakes his head at the offer of meats, “No,” he quickly answers. “I don’t like that much, I was given it a few times. I’m fine with just the fruit on your plate. Or maybe some nuts? Do we have those?”

The raven-haired male inwardly wondered what the man in front of him saw in him; how much of the worth he had on the blonde’s eyes came because of his own work and reputation as a Knight and how much came from the fact that he was related to the Queen of Bergia and the other’s best friend? He wanted so badly to believe that he had earned the right to be requested personally by the Queen of Valtolia but there would always be that shade of doubt “If my Queen wills it so, there is nothing I would not gladly do.” Dahler answered steadfast and without missing a beat; his duty came first then whatever feelings he had and that was something that was both a blessing and a curse in a way. He met up the man’s eyes with his, his head minutely tilted to a side in curiosity “Just say the words and I will do as much as I possibly can to see it done.” he waited for the words to come, feeling both apprehensive and expectant even if he remained perfectly put together and showing nothing of his inner turmoil.

He was in a rut. Bellamy knew that. The stress of all the changes happening around him was getting the best of him. Only he was not like his brothers. He never had been. Not as the first born. He was not allowed to break under the stress. He was now allowed to have a night of drinking and miss a meeting with the court. No, Bellamy was a future king and nothing else mattered. Not sickness of the body or mind. Still, he had managed to make this mistake and he knew that his mother was right. This was bad. “Of course. I will hand write the letters and send them out at once.” He agreed with a nod of his head. His stomach twisting with guilt. As a child, Bellamy had always been the sort that would much rather be yelled at then hear those calmly spoken three words. ‘You’ve disappointed me.’ They killed him and his mother had an amazing way of saying that with just a look. 

Watching Antonin circle him, Bellamy turned to follow his mother around just a bit. “What? Why?” He asked feeling his nerves creep up his throat. If Antonin wasn’t happy with him sleeping around this could get ugly. Of course he had no idea what had happened between Ben and Henri. His head had been so filled with other problems. Other issues. Taking the crown, finding a queen, making sure his brothers married well, and getting to know his people, how to care for them, had blocked out any other gossip. Besides that, his parents had dealt with it. “I-” He stopped and realized there was no good excuse for breaking his promise not to leave without letting his mother know. “I am sorry if I worried you, mother. Truly.” Bellamy promised before swallowing. His eyes trying to find his mothers gaze once more. 

“Hold on,” Bellamy raised his hands. “What happened with Henri and Benjamin?” He asked looking at his mother with nothing but pure confusion on his face. “I had no idea that they where ever together, mother. Nor that it had ended badly. Surely you know me well enough to know I would never hurt my brother like that.” He defended himself quickly. “When did this happen?” Bellamy pressed on needing to know when Henri had decided to leave breaking his brothers heart out of the conversation. 

the queen had always been rather direct with his children and although he could be motherly and warm to the point he was smothering his children, the queen could also be cold and blunt as well with his words as he was with bellamy right now. the queen expected much from his children - they were representatives of their family and of valtolia and any misstep would be a poor reflection. the queens words might hurt but in reality, he wanted to stop the harsh words from outsiders looking in who might be more critical. it was for their best and at times, his children could be exhausting and ungrateful for everything the queen did for them. 

“i don’t wish to control you boys but considering benjamin was gone for a month and eirian almost died in a blizzard... i feel as though my paranoia for you boys is justified.” antonin knew they were young and reckless but the queen had never been granted the freedom to be reckless, bellamy was born by the time antonin was sixteen and locked away in a castle in the midst of a war. 

“you did not know?” the queen cocked a brow, surprised by bellamys ignorance on the topic. “i suppose i can excuse your actions for being blissfully unaware but your brother was lovers with him right up until the medesi festivals. ben was causing me great distress about being permitted to marry henri and henri did the same... you see, benjamin made king ezekiel... unpleased with him and finally i was able to convince him and pandora to allow for a union” the queen began to retell everything to bellamy. “but he decided to court prince solomon of sollia and not tell benjamin for some time. he wasted my time and lead your brother on. he dug his claws into the closest crown prince he could get, a desperate status climber and without telling either of his parents..” the queen had found that part disrespectful - it went against tradition to have an arranged marriage and showed henri carried more for his personal gain versus the well being of his family. 

“he has tried to contact benjamin a few times via letters and i have intercepted them all, burning them.. your brother is not ready for the outside world yet and i don’t want that scum trying to use your brothers current state to manipulate him.. and as far as i’m concerned, he’ll never be close enough to benjamin again. he doesn’t deserve my little warrior and certainly can’t try to paint himself sympathetic after he made his bed.” 

Pregnancy would lead to the queen looking much more curvaceous than she already was. Antonin already had a lovely figure and a baby would add to it further. Eadric silenced those thoughts before they could go any further. She was his queen and he was going to treat her with the utmost respect even within the confines of his own mind. “I’ll get some potions for you that’ll help you sleep at night. I’ll be sure to add some nutritional supplements as well to make sure you and your unborn child remain healthy.” Eadric was gone for a second before he returned with a basket of potions in tow. “Remember, if you need anything from me I’m here. Be it conversation, company or more potions. I am but your humble servant.” It was dramatic but Eadric dipped down into another bow.

“My queen,” Tybolt groaned as he sat up and ran his hands through his hair, his head was pounding. “Aye, I am aware, your grace. I assure you that I did not act as sloppy as you found me. I had a mind to get out before things were too far gone.” He kept his head down for a moment before looking up at Antonin. He had grown to care about how the royals thought of him, he didn’t want to disappoint anyone. But he was human, he was young, things slipped his mind often. “Are you upset with me?”

Seeing his mother on the the other side of the door, Bellamy’s heart sank. The last person he wanted to see him hung over, tired, and messy was his mother. As a child, a teenager, and now an adult, he had always stuck close to his mothers side. Bellamy looked up to him. Both in how he held himself and how he raised the family. Having him here, with Bellamy’s room a mess and some stranger in his bed… It was embarrassing to say the least. He felt his face flush slightly, eyes widening a bit as he stepped back so that he could come into the room. Swallowing Bellamy looked at the window again. 

“I am so sorry, Mother.” Bellamy started as he laced up the front of his pants and dressed himself quickly. “I completely forgot about the meeting.” He admitted with a guilty look crossing his face. Bellamy thought it was tomorrow morning that he had to be up early to go to the small counsel meeting. Gods be damned, this did look bad on him. He glanced over at Lord Dayne’s boy, who was thankfully dressing just as quickly. “How can I make it up to you and the small counsel for missing out meeting?” Bellamy asked as he reached out to touch his mothers arm. The man from his bed now quickly heading out the door behind Antonin. Bellamy’s gut twisted. “This wont ever happen again, I swear. I did not think I had any meetings till late this evening.” He went on hoping that his mother would help make this right. 

the queen watched as the boy quickly grabbed the garments and tried to put them on. “for gods sake, boy. hurry up and keep your mouth shut. i don’t want any snakes gossiping about this in my court” the dirty blonde nodded and rushed out, leaving antonin alone with his son. slamming the doors shut behind them, the queen turned to face his son who he wasn’t happy with. “you will send them all apologies via raven and ask for a reschedule. i told them you were filling ill and i believe they bought it but i am disappointed in you, bellamy” he said, crossing his arms. the queen expected this from benjamin, even eirian.. but not bellamy.

this was the least of his worries though, the queen had been informed by his spies that bellamy had traveled to bergia unescorted and spent personal time with henri pryor... somebody antonin personally despised and wanted his children nowhere near. “that is the least of your worries, boy” he said as he crossed the boy, going around in a circle. “my men followed you to bergia, which you went to unescorted after i explicitly forbid anyone from leaving me without warning” antonin had lost a lot and his sons didn’t seem to care for their mothers worry and concern. “and worst off, you were off trolloping with that sorry excuse for a prince, henri.” after what he did to benjamin and the disrespect antonin felt from it, the queen would never henri near his kingdom or family again.