hearts on fire

Jasper’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Not having what it takes to rule and wanting the crown are two different things. What if one of them is interested in taking the throne?” Trust wasn’t something that came easily to Jas. Though he loved Sylvia, he didn’t know her sisters well enough to believe that neither of them would try to steal what was rightfully Sylvia’s. “I have a few ideas on who they might be, but I’ve been trying to find the source of the problem, not just the people passing on the rumors.” Jas held Sylvia’s hands and tugged to try and pull her to her feet. Back up toward the bed, he frowned. “Aren’t you concerned about your sisters?”

Sylvia shook her head. “That’s not an issue, neither of my sisters would betray me.” She stated simply, it wasn’t even a possibility in her mind. Sure, they had their squabbles from time to time, but they loved her, and she knew that when it came down to it, they’d support her. “Well, I trust you to find them. You’ll let me know when I need to be involved?” She let him tug her to her feet, following him towards the bed. “Should I be? I don’t think they’ll go along with any of these schemes.”

“Delegate, lover. You might be Oscana’s next Queen, but you aren’t alone.” Gentle reassurances couldn’t be the only thing Jasper said to Sylvia that night. Smooth as ever, he didn’t hid his hesitation to tell her what he’d been dealing with by brushing away her hair and pressing his lips to her neck. “Unfortunately, yes,” he admitted, his warm lips placing teasing kisses on the sensitive skin. “I’m concerned that there may be a small number of nobles who are actively trying to place one of your sisters on the throne.”

“Some things I have to do.” She insisted, although she knew he was right. Some things required her touch, otherwise who knew what those who doubted her abilities might agree to in her stead? Her parents hadn’t left her in a position where she could afford to just trust anyone. “My sisters?” Sylvia scoffed. “Neither of them has what it takes to rule, it would be a disaster.” She stated, turning around in her seat to look up at him. “Any word on who these nobles are?”

“I said in most cases,” Roman grinned, smiling genuinely for the first time in days. If nothing else, at least this country had dogs. “In this case, I think it would have been totally justifiable, but since you insist that you’re a good dog mother…I suppose I’ll return this little guy to your kitchen workers at the end of the day.” He set the dog on the ground and took a few steps backward. “But if I don’t - at least you know where to find me!”

xenia nodded in agreement, trying for a smile. it was a rare moment that she let the worries of the world get to her. her grandmother, though, she always worried for. she’d been thrilled to come to court, but terribly upset to leave her at home by herself. “that’s good to hear,” xenia said with a final smile. “thank you for the kind words, your highness.”

“Of course. If there’s anything you need during your stay at court, please let me know,” Sylvia smiled, she hoped she could make her stay at court a happy one. “And if I ever need a playmate for this little one, I’ll know who to ask!” She smiled, looking at how happy Arlo was in her lap.

“Oh, I’m sure everyone would love that. Though, he is still quite young. Perhaps he may be trained to be a bit more cautious.” Delia chuckled. She knew very little about the dogs at the castle, but she imagined the master of hounds was quite used to it. “Thank you, your highness, I am. She is the light of my life.”

Jas strolled across the room, a little smile still playing on his lips as he came up behind her. He took the brush from her hand and set it down on her vanity before sliding his arms around her from behind. “Are you really suggesting you would rather not be well rested?” he teased, planting a kiss on top of her head. “Because if that’s so, then I have a few ideas on how to keep you tired out.” He twisted one of her long red curls around his finger as he lifted his gaze to the mirror. “I’m sorry I’m late. I had…business to attend to.”

“It’s not that I wouldn’t prefer it, but I just don’t think there are enough hours in the day,” she sighed, letting him set down the brush, she tilted her head back to look up at him after he kissed her head. “I’m sure you do,” she giggled softly, smiling. “Anything I should be aware of?” She asked, stifling a yawn with the back of her hand.

“I fight for my country,” Roman said simply, right as the puppy whined, wiggling about in eagerness to get his feet back on solid ground. As Roman leaned down to set Arlo on the garden path, he added, “Isn’t that enough? I love my country. I believe in it, and fighting in a battle is what gives me purpose. The two go hand in hand. At least I have an outlet for what I love most in the world. A justifiable one. Some people are passionate about thievery, as I’ve noticed in your country, and that’s hardly justifiable in most cases.” 

xenia let her hands move on their own, scratching arlo, while her head got lost in the conversation. “i hope so too,” she said with a small smile. “my grandmother is still at home…” she didn’t need to say more, she was sure. “i have faith we’ll see peace soon.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine... the fortress is well-defended,” Sylvia assured her, although even she knew tensions at the border were rising. There was only so much talking that could be done, before things got out of hand on the frontlines. “As do I, I’m sure we can convince our neighbors to be reasonable.”

“It happens to everyone, I’m sure,” Delia replied as she handed Arlo over. She smiled as the princess spoke her name - a bit of a surprise, if she were honest. “Indeed. And the pleasure is all mine.” She wasn’t entirely sure why the princess had cared to learn her name, but it was a pleasant feeling regardless. “I should think that puppy of yours makes friends quite easily, does he not?”

Animals were so much easier to deal with than humans, they rarely wanted you dead and if they did, they didn’t hide it behind snide remarks and assassination attempts. But Archon wasn’t as attuned with animals like his younger brother was, but he sure as hell was persistent. It may have taken a while- and a few trips through the bushes- to wrap the puppy up in his arms and snuggle into the soft fur but he successfully wrangled the little one up and was content with its company before happening upon the crowned princess, “Princess,” he announced himself, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice “Are you looking for this little one?”

“I’m sure you will.”  She smiled, nodded once.  She had no doubt that Sylvia would be able to live up to this challenge.  “Well, I believe I have taken enough of your time, so I will leave you to the art, but I shall have your remedy for you very soon.”

Aria chuckled when Sylvia brought out the snacks, now that was a tactic she noticed from the cats and it sort of relieved her to know she wasn’t the only one who had resorted to that. “Ah now that should definitely work,”

“Well, you’re welcome to continue, if you wish, but you are wasting your energy when you do.”  She supposed she could understand why Sylvia might feel the need to look after her more right now, but she would still appreciate it if she did not worry so much.  When the seamstress brought the gown out, though, Rosamund’s eyes lit up.  “Oh, that is quite lovely.  Perhaps not quite up to my standards,” she added, clearly teasing, “but I think that you will look very beautiful in it.  It is very you.”

“I will keep in mind that you consider my concern for you a waste,” Sylvia rolled her eyes, what else did she really expect from Rosamund? Maybe she wasn’t so much like Sylvia as she supposed, maybe she truly was just projecting her own worries onto her hapless baby sister. She hoped that was true. She’d like to think at least one member of their family could be truly happy in this court. She chuckled as Rosamund almost complimented the dress, running her fingers over the delicate embroideries and fine silk. “I agree... it is very me. But is it fit for a Queen?” She sighed, keeping her worries that she wasn’t quite enough to rule to herself. What would Rosamund know of insecurities, after all her insistence that she had no worries or troubles?

Delia had been leaning against a tree when the puppy had run over to her. She’d put down her book to play with him until she heard the crown princess calling out. She hurried to stand, the puppy in her arms. “I do believe this is the lost puppy, your highness.”

Jas had to bite his lower lip to stifle the moan that escaped him when his fingers slipped past Sylvia’s many layers to find her dewy folds. It had been days since he touched her at all, let alone this intimately. He needed her, and he wasn’t afraid of her knowing it. “Lucky for me, the future queen happens to love me. You wouldn’t let me rot in the dungeons, especially for this.” His fingers teased her entrance as she finished unlacing his pants. Nothing about them was usually slow - even when they were playing games with one another - but this moment felt even more needy and feverish than usual. The time apart had done nothing but make him want Sylvia more. 

He shoved his pants down, moving his hands to Sylvia’s thighs to spread them apart. Crushing his lips against hers, Jas eased his already hard cock into her sweet pussy, his face scrunching in ecstasy as he sheathed himself inside of her. 

Sylvia let out a soft moan as he touched her, her heart fluttering in her chest. “You’re very confident,” she teased, although he had good reason to be. She’d threatened to throw him into the dungeons many times, but so far she had never actually done it. Although the idea of getting him in chains was kind of hot....

arlo seemed to fit right in her hands and she didn’t mind keeping busy by petting his little head and belly. it occurred to her that maybe she should get a pet. but for now, they were speaking of other things. “well, i wasn’t leaving the fortress very much of late. but no, nothing too terrible. the villages around us have had much more trouble.”

Arlo was small for now, but he wouldn’t stay that way for long. His breed got to be very big, very quickly, and he would one day be big enough to protect her. But for now, he was just a playful pup looking for pets. “Well, hopefully we’ll be able to settle things down soon. In the meantime, we can send more soldiers to help defend the border towns.”