A Fae of the Utmost Standing

[Quiet One]

Eseldor yelped as Serena jumped to her feet. As she came to terms with last night his ears went flat. He didn't like hearing her blame herself. This was more his fault than hers.

"Serena don't blame yourself. I should have insisted more that you leave..." Still as a beagle he put his head down, standing on the bed. "But I was enjoying your holding me. It felt so nice. This is my fault..."

When she opened the door and suddenly came back, bracing against the back of the door, he realized the problem immediately.

"Alright, don't worry," he said softly. "I know what to do..."

He jumped off the bed and waddled over to a dresser, pulling it open and dragging out a pair of trousers. He crawled into them and abruptly transformed into his human form, getting up and adjusting himself.

"I'll go out first and clear the hall," he said. He got a shirt and started buttoning it. Another pair of arms emerged from under and got a pair of suspenders. "After a few minutes, you can return to your room and get dressed. No one need be the wiser."

His extra arms disappeared and he was well presented. He placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry I keep making things difficult for you," he said. "This will not add to our problems. I promise."

 

[Suga]

The kiss on her forehead made her blush harder than anything she could remember. He had done it once before yet her body was reacting differently this time. It was as if she didn't want his lips to never not be on her skin. Forever stuck to her that would make her happy. Blushing she watched him leave out the door talking to someone from behind it.

Waiting a few seconds she head a little knock then the sounds of steps walking away. Opening the door slowly she poked her head out not seeing or hearing anyone coming. Stepping out of the door she quickly ran to her room and shut the door behindd her.

Letting out a sigh she relaxed she had gotten away with it.
"Hey." Serena squealed from the sound of someone in her room. "Hey, its me Reya!" She said running up to her and hugging her feeling bad for scaring her. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"You startled me."
Laughing she appologized then looked at her.
"Did those girls do something?"

Turning to look in the mirror she got a glimpse of what she looked like her clothing was all sidewase her coreset was visible underneath. Hair a mess blushing she hide her face that Eseldor saw her like this. It had to be the most embaressing thing.
"Serena are you okay?" Reya asked conserned from the reaction.
"Yes, Im just a bit embaressed, I feel asleep in the kitchen when cook left and I guess I rolled around a bit. When I came up here I saw Eseldor so i am bit embaressed about the condition he saw me in."

Reya just laughed hugging her close to her her breasts squishing her. "Your so cute, like he cares if anything the big pervert would just thank you for the show." She looked down and cupped one of her breasts. "Your a lot bigger than I thought you would be, the uniform hides them pretty well. Well since you can't wear the uniform I will let you borrow one of my dresses."

Taking her hand Reya brought her to her room looking through her closet. "Her, Eseldor bought me this for my birthday and I have never warn it. I am not much of a dress person but I asked him for one anyway just to see what it would be like and I hated it." Laughing she passed it to Serena.

"Get dressed."

It didn't take Serena long to dress, the dress was beatiful and a wonderful length up to her knees showing off her petitie feet and soft curves of her body. It wrapped around her shoulders hanging loose almost like a strapless and was a beautiful light red color with yellow flowers something that would have complimented Reya so well if she wore it.
"Are you sure you are okay with me wearing this?" Serena asked a bit nervous about wearing something so beautiful.
"Yes, now let me do your hair so we can go get breakfast."

Once she was done they walked arms linked giggling to each other down the hall. Being with Reya was like being with a sister and Serena could not love that enough. As they walked into the breakfast hall everyone turned for they were late. Immeditely her eyes went to Eseldor as her face shined a light pink color. This was so embaressing she thought as she went to sit inbetween Cook and Reya.

"Yea, I know Eseldor, I make them cute don't I?" She teased into his ear. "Your drooling..." laughing she went to sit in her chair and immeditely started eating smiling devilishly at Luna.

 

[Quiet One]

He looked up from his breakfast and his jaw dropped open. "Serena..."

She was beautiful in that dress. The red made her curves pop and the way Reya dressed her hair was stunning. She looked like a goddess. She might even surpass Luna in awe inspiring beauty. Luna saw it, too.

"Why all gussied up?" she asked with sickening sweetness. "Expecting to go to some fancy ball? Shall we announce the princess and her escort?"

"Don't you go giving venom, bitch," Reya retorted. "You're just jealous."

The table fell silent. Luna, the queen of the house, the most beautiful woman in Eseldor's company who seduced all of them at one time or another - jealous?

She chuckled softly to herself and went back to eating. "The day I'm envious of anyone for their beauty is the day I get a grey hair. And that won't be anytime soon."

Reya stared daggers at her, but seemed satisfied that the conflict was over.

"Reya?" Eseldor asked, still looking at them. "Did you give Serena the dress I got you?"

She gave him a sympathetic smile and nodded. "Sorry, but you know I'm not one for dresses and such. Plus, she looks so much better in it, don't you think?"

"You would have looked beautiful in the dress," he insisted. He smiled at Serena, his cheeks red. "But you look...amazing, Serena."

The other maids slowly nod and murmur their agreement. All except Luna, who has chosen to ignore everyone for the rest of breakfast.

 

[Suga]

All the attention was making her feel uncomfortable, as she ate her meal she did her best to ignore Luna but for some reason kept looking back at Eseldor as she made sweet little eye contact with him trying not to smile in front of everyone. She couldn't lie having his attention was very nice.

As she ate she felt a hand on hers under the table blushing she looked to see cook holding her hand. He brought it up to his lips and kissed her hand gently leaning into her ear.
"You look beautiful. Ignore Luna you have to be the most beautiful girl."

Biting her bottom lip she blushed red thanking him and biting her bottom lip. Once breakfast was over she got up and started on her chores because of the amount of work she did yesterday there was no much for her to do today. So instead she decided to find that book and read it quietly.

Heading to the library she grabbed her favorite book and got comfy on one of the chairs opening it and starting to read. When it got to the picture of the man that looked like Eseldor she stopped and smiled caressing a light finger along the picture.

 

[Quiet One]

With little to do himself, Eseldor often wandered his house aimlessly. He felt happier than he had in the last few days. There wasn't as much fighting, and the girls seemed to be slowly settling into the new routine. Bethany still missed the library, but she and another maid tended to the laundry downstairs together, smiling. When he went down there to check on them, they just gave him a friendly hello and went about their work. Upstairs, Lucinda was helping Cook put together lunch and keep things in order in the kitchen. They bumped into each other a few times and laughed it off. This was good. This was a house he could be happy with.

He decided at around eleven that he would go to the library. A quiet house meant a quiet afternoon, and possibly a quiet evening. He opened the doors and immediately began searching the volumes, when he stopped and noticed Serena comfortable on one of the armchairs.

"Ah...Serena. I didn't expect you," he said, feeling awkward. He was far less confident around her, he began to notice. He was more concerned about doing the right thing with her here. "Done with your chores, I assume..."

He blushed and sat across from her with his own book. He held it up and chuckled. "A collection of short stories, telling of legends between humans and Fae. Not considered just fiction anymore. Many of these actually happened. And there's a few with changelings as well. I think if you told my side of the story, it would look quite different."

He lapsed back into silence and stared down at his book, not opening it. Finally he confided what was on his mind.

"I really enjoyed last night," he said. "I know it wasn't right, it wasn't proper...but I melted in your arms. I loved the attention, the affection, and the fact that none of it was sexual only made it that much more intimate. I'm sorry if I'm being too forward, but I just wanted to let you know I appreciated it."

 

[Suga]

So into thought about her book she was surprised when she noticed someone else was in the room with her. Expecting to see Bythany trying to sneak into the library she was surprised to see Eseldor. Smiling she sat up as he sat across from her. Getting comfy again she looked down to read her book again but looked up when he started to talk about what he was going to be reading.

After a few minutes she was starting to think that he was a bit nervous by the way he talked and stumbled on his own words. Smiling she sat and listened to him talk. "I might have to read that after my book, it sounds interesting." Giggling she lowered her head again to start reading when he blurted out the last thing she thought he would say.

Blushing she sat there not entierly sure what to say to his comment about enjoying sleeping with her. Not be able to think about it she blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "I really enjoyed it too, it was the first night I actually felt safe and wanted here." Her face was beat red from admitting that.

 

[Quiet One]

He smiled and blushed as well. He knew he was stepping into awkward territory with her, and treaded delicately.

"I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it, too, and that you could have at least one good night's sleep from it," he said. He still left the book in his hand. Time to bring up what was really on his mind. "I was wondering...about doing it again sometime. Just sleeping. Maybe me as a beagle again. I'm sorry if that's asking a lot."

He looked down, then, feeling like he'd just ruined something special.

 

[Suga]

Looking away from how embaressing this moment was she fiddled with the book in her hand. Looking up to see he was most likely feeling the exact same way she was feeling. It made a bit more calm to know she was not alone. When he asked what she felt he really wanted to say biting her lip she thought about it for a few seconds.
"Okay, t..that sounds nice to me, but what about the other girls?"

A part of her felt if they found out the house would turn upside down ten times more than it already have. Even then she still wanted this, even if it was dangerous and awkward being with Eseldor was the first time she felt truly safe even before she came to the house.

"If you really want to do this, then we will have to keep it a secret. I wouldn't want the other girls thinking that we are" she froze on her next choice of words blushing. "Lovers." It was embaressing saying this word though she could not deny saying that and thinking of Eseldor gave her a bit of a nice feeling inside of herself.

 

[Quiet One]

It felt like an age had gone by before Serena replied. He held his tongue as he waited. When she expressed her worries about being caught, at first he foolishly jumped to the conclusion that she was making excuses. But then he remembered that the house wasn't running like it used to; this would cause problems.

He nodded as she told them this would have to be secret. Reya might be convinced to keep that secret, but Eseldor thought about his unofficial competition with Cook. He knew there would be no vengeful repercussions, but he didn't want that sideways glance he knew he'd get over the table.

He looked up as she mentioned lovers. Serena was so red, and he was sure he'd turned red, too. Lovers. That word had meant something to him before. Now...what would it mean now that everything was changing?

"Yes. This will have to stay secret," he agreed, sparing Serena further embarrassment by bypassing the "lover" comment. "Perhaps...Reya can help. Or...maybe not. I fear her lecture...If you want to tonight, then I'll meet you at the door to my room."

 

[Suga]

Smiling she wanted to try and make this moment a little less awkward. Grabbing her book she sat up and sat on the floor right next to his legs puttin gher book on his lap. "I shall see you tonight." A light blush on her cheeks she pointed to her book.

"Read this with me. I believe you will love it."

Time went by as she read the book to Eseldor, spending this time with him was nice, a lot nicer than she thought. Before she knew it the time for dinner was here getting up she went her seperate way away from Eseldor. Getting ready to go to dinner. When she got to her room, she saw Reya laying across her bed.

"Time for dinner!" She sang as she got up taking her hand and bringing her.
"Reya, wait." Turning Reya looked at her curious, Serena wanted to tell her what was happening between Eseldor and her but in the end she couldn't. "I just wanted to tell you how much I really have loved meeting you."

Her words made Reya sore as she wrapped her arms around her hugging her close telling her that she Loved Serena and happy she was that she was home. Continuing to dinner she ate as quickly as she could trying horribly not to look at Eseldor and blush.

Finally dinner was over the usual reactions as it had been since she came to the house. Before she knew it, it was time to meet Eseldor. Putting her pj's on she looked at herself in the mirror as she worse her night gown. It was white with blue lace, that fell to her mid thigh. Taking everything out of her hair she let it fall all around her shoulders. Looking at herself in the mirror she felt as if she was getting ready to spend the night with a lover.

Shaking the thought away she snuck outside her door making sure no one caught her. Before long she was infront of her door. Holding her hand up she gulped the air not making it to her throat. "Eseldor..."she whispered afraid knocking would be to loud.

 

[Quiet One]

Eseldor listened intently as she read him the story she loved so much. He was tempted to become a little boy and have her read to him like a childhood story time. She looked like she would make a perfect governess, in fact. But he restrained that urge to keep her comfortable.

He was enjoying the story, and the time alone with her, so he was sad when it was time for dinner and they would have to act as though nothing happened. Admittedly, he may not have done this well; he kept his head down over his meal most of the time, and the conversation around him faded out of his attention from time to time.

After dinner he went to his room. If he'd paid more attention at dinner, he would have noticed Luna quietly grumbling at the table, but that everyone else seemed to be adjusting. If he wasn't so distracted, he'd be happy about what was going on with his house.

At a loss of what to wear for his night with Serena, he searched his drawers for the sleepwear he never used. Finding it he put it on and looked at his reflection. White and blue striped shirt and bottoms. After a minute he frowned and pulled off the shirt. He preferred his bare chest, even if he planned on turning into a dog again at her request.

He turned. He thought he heard something. He quietly padded to the door and peeked through the gap. "Serena..." He looked her up and down. "Do you look beautiful in everything?"

He blushed as he realized he was turning on the charm a bit too much. "Um...sorry about that. Please, c-come in."

He opened the door and let her in. He picked up the book he'd gotten from the library earlier. "I think since you read to me earlier, it's only fair I do the same...um...Is this form alright with you? I rather liked being a beagle with you."

 

[Suga]

When he opened the door quietly she looked up at him her face red and blushing as she pulled at her nightgown to cover more of herself. Entering into the room before anyone saw her she hugged herself feeling slightly embaressed. His comment made her feel slightly embaressed about her beauty. Playing with the tip of her hair she looked at his bare chest not sure how to respond.

When he showed her the book she got excited, reading before bed was amazing. "I'm fine with whatever form but turning the pages might be hard with paws." she giggled. Trying to be a bit bold she walked over to the bed crawling in her nightgown caressing just above her upper thigh as she sat on the bed. Her innocence adding such a sexual touch to her sitting there.

"You coming?" she asked him holding a hand up for him to join her. As he got into the bed she sat there next to him her legs under her as she went close to him, his heat falling on to her. As she leaned foward on of her sleeves fell exposing a very delicate shoulder a bit of her cleavage exposed as she wwaited eagerly to be read too.

"No one has read to me since I was a little girl. My father use to read to me every night before bed." Looking up at him she bit her lip. "Is that something weird to say?"

 

[Quiet One]

He watched her climb onto his bed and had to adjust his loose bottoms at the sight of her bottom swaying slightly while she got comfortable. He took a deep breath, having to remind himself that they were just going to share the bed, not do anything in it.

He smiled at how innocent, yet oh so sexy she looked and took her hand when he came up to the bed. As he lay down he pressed his back against the pillows and wall.

"You know, you can turn the pages while I read to you, if you wanted," he said. When she leaned forward he grabbed the strap of her nightgown that slid and very slowly put it back where it belonged. His eyes lingered on her perfect chest for a moment, and his fingers traced her skin as he fixed her clothes.

He smiled and kissed the top of her head again. "I think it's weird only because I never had anyone to do it for me. For you, I think it's very sweet. Now...there are several stories in here I think you might like. Not as romantic as yours, but very engaging..." He opened the book to the table of contents. "I'll let you choose..."

The Felled Nymph.....................page 3
The Orphaned Devil.................page 7
Miracle in the Tavern..............page 13
The Lady Knight and the Handsome
Siren............................................page 25
The Creature in the Cradle.....page 59
The Princess of Perfection......page 70
The Cries of the UnderTroll....page 91
The WishMistress.....................page 103
Lovers of the Forest.................page 111

 

[Suga]

Leaning over and looking at the book she was taken back from how pretty the binding was. Biting her lip she looked it over when she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. Looking she saw him lifting her nightgown up. Blushing she turned noticing how close his face was. Without realizing her lips trailed down to his lips. They looked soft surrounded by a very scruffy rouged face.

Even Serena could not deny how handsome he really was. In a way she could see why the girls all went crazy for him there was something about his mismatched eyes that made you want to lean into him or even let him do what he wished.

When he mentioned her picking the chapter she looked them over reading them all. Smiling she used her finger tracing the chapters until she read the last one. "Either The Orphaned Devil, or Lovers of the Forest. I can't decide, you choose, I am happy with either." Sitting back her shoulder touched his as she lightly leaned in ready to be read too, almost excited.

 

[Quiet One]

Eseldor leaned over and rested his head on hers for a second, then straightened up. He smiled at her. "Well, perhaps we can read it backwards...

'Lovers of the Forest

'Within the country of Gaul there was a forest called the Amieu, where travelers passed through from one city to another. It was a hard path, that forest, and many avoided it because there were said to be great dangers. But those who braved it were always rewarded. A stranger from one town and a stranger from another would travel into the forest, and when they came out of the wooded maze they were hand in hand.

'Esekell Deoux lived south of Amieu. He had heard many stories of the forest. Some frightened the young children; stories of humongous wolves and brush that tried to strangle wanderers. But there were also tales of love and finding your soulmate in the forest that put dreamy looks upon the women of his town. Esekell knew many men in town who found their wives while exploring...'"

Eseldor continued. Esekell decided to explore the forest of Amieu for himself. He gathered a bag and followed the path, but quickly got lost. He heard growls in the forest, and had to fend off a pack of vicious wolves larger than most bears. He put his arm around Serena as he read, seeing her get invested in the story...

"'Once he had a fire going he felt much safer in these godforsaken woods. He cursed all of his friends back home. He cursed their good fortune for having survived this place, something he felt he was unlikely to do, in order to sprinkle tales of love through town. He had never been lucky in love, and while he had claimed to be testing the legends surrounding Amieu and make a name for himself for his own bravery, the prospect of finding his true soulmate was what finally drew him into the enchanted forest.

'He threw a pair of writhing twigs on the fire and scowled. They screeched as the crackling flames consumed them. He had never felt so frightened or alone or miserable. A scream pulled him out of his dark thoughts. He looked up and saw a figure tumbling about in the dark. It looked human, which was a great comfort to him trapped in the forest. He went to find them for some company...'"

It was not just another human, but a beautiful woman named Somara. She was less beautiful with dirt covering her and a torn dress and scratches at her ankles, but that didn't matter. The two talked as they returned to the fire. Like him, she had given in to the temptation of the forest, and gone in search of true love. When they got back to the fire, they found Esekell's bag had been ransacked by...something.

"'Childish laughter erupted around them. Somara dug through the debris and grabbed a knife.

'"I have been plagued by that noise for a league and a half!" she told her new companion. "It always precedes some new nightmare of this place!"

'The laughter came again and a path began to illuminate along the forest floor. Esekell looked along it curiously, but didn't see any dangers.

'"I think they are done tormenting us," he said. "Or perhaps they have some other purpose."

'"You would trust these creatures?" Somara asked.

'"No. But our only other avenue is wandering aimlessly. That has not boded well for us..."'

Things got better as they traveled. They came upon fresh water, delicious fruit, and the beasts kept away from them. The forest that had been trying to kill them was now providing for them. The man and woman joined hands as they walked, and they grew closer with each step. At last, they came upon daylight again, and were out of the forest. They stayed together forever afterwards, having fallen in love like the many before and after.

As Eseldor got to the last page, he flipped the book back to the front and looked down at Serena. "What did you think?"

 

[Suga]

Excited Serena got close looking over the words of the book, following along with her eyes as Eseldor read. It was such a nice moment, smiling she felt comfortable just sitting here reading with him. Once he started the joy filled in her as he read on about the forrest, wondering herself if something like that should exsist. A forrest where you come out with your one true love. In a way it made her think if she had a true love as well. It wasn't silly to think Serena was still young, only eighteen of years, in her mind she was not to old to think about the prospects of the fantasy true love.

As the story continued and he read about the darkness of the forrest it made her open her eyes wide. Not thinking at all this was where the story was going. So intrapped by the idea of monsters hiding in the dark she barley felt his hand wrapping around her bringing her close. At any normal time her face would be bright red, and embaressed but she had no time to think of those things when monsters were coming the poor mans way.

Biting her lip she listened to the rest of the story as she yawned fighting her tieredness to keep listening to the story. Wanting to know what happen's next, she needed to know things were going to end up okay. It was when the woman came into the story Serena smiled, was this woman to be his one true love? So enticed by Eseldor's words she smiled layinh her head on his shoulder caressing his arm that was wrapped around him smiling at the story.

Once it was over her mind was rushing with all the thoughts. "That was beautiful." She spoke softly yawning his ear, her hot breath on his neck as she closed her eyes nuzzled into the crorok of his neck.
"I think this story is honest to true love. Love is not something that just happens at first sight. Two people going through something coming out at the end closer it's-" she yawned again. "Beautiful, only when you work for something can heart truly connect." Closing her eyes she started to drift sleeping on his shoulder her hand moving practically on its own she continued to caress his arm.

"Thank you Eseldor, that story was beautiful..."

With those finally words her sleep caught up to her as her breath evened out sleeping in his arms. Her other hand on the book as if she did not want it to end. Warm, and safe she selpt with the thoughts of true love on her finger tips.

 

[Quiet One]

Eseldor looked down as she yawned and nuzzled against him. She was so adorable as she yawned and held him close. He was glad she liked it. A shame the magic forest no longer stood. Gaul became France, and Amieu became Paris. The cherubs that brought couples together now sold love potions. So much had changed. The magic had gone out of magic.

"I had never considered work going into love," he said softly. "Not until I saw how my actions were affecting everyone here..." He nodded sagely and kissed her forehead. Serena looked so tired that he doubted it even registered to her.

A soft sigh. She was asleep. Eseldor looked at her and rubbed her shoulder. He gently guided her back onto the pillow behind her and brushed the hair out of her face. He spared a glance at his locked door, then laid back next to her. He started to shrink, curling up into a beagle again. He felt a pair of arms lazily drop around him and fell asleep, too.

 

[Suga]

The light softly shined in her eyes she gently opened them as she wiped the hair from her face. Yawning she sat up seeing the sleeping puppy in her arms. Smiling she gently lifted his sleeping frame into her arms and kissed his head. "Good morning." Her voice was slow from just waking up as she pulled the blanket off her and crawled out the bed with her puppy. Walking to the door she snuck her head out and looked around nothing smiling she walked out of the door.
"Hey!"

Turning around she saw Bethany coming her way. "What are you doing coming out of the masters room." Looking around Serena started to freak out when she looked down at Eseldor in her arms. Bethany didn't know it was him, grinding her teeth she spoke.

"I found this dog!" Beth looked at the dog. "He was running around the manor like a crazy animal, i chaised him into the masters room but he wasn't in there so I went in to get the dogd out." Holding the dog in her arms she held Eseldor close to her chest whispering to him.
"Wiggle around...and run away."

Smiling at Beth she felt Eseldor fight her arms and dropped to the floor and ran down the hall. "Great Beth! Now I have to catch him again. Sorry but I can't waste time. bye" Running she followed Eseldor pretending to try and cath him.

 

[Quiet One]

Eseldor lazily woke as Serena picked him up. He blinked blearily and his tail wagged as she kissed him. He licked her nose in reply, making her giggle. He didn't bother changing as she carried him out. It was just so comfortable.

He went still as Bethany spotted them. Oh no! They were caught! He looked up at Serena and whimpered. She was brilliant! He jerked about in her arms and broke free, running off to the ballroom that was almost never used. He sat and waited for her, breaking out laughing as soon as she came in.

"That...was some quick thinking, Serena," he chuckled. "And I must admit that was kind of fun. Ha ha..."

He looked up at her, his tail wagging.

 

[Suga]

Trying her best to keep a serious face she ran all the way to the ballroom trying to find her little puppy. When she got there she gently placed her hands on her knees trying to catch her breath from the sudden free run.

"That really was close." She said as she heard someone come to the door.
"What was close?" Turning she saw Reya. "Sorry I saw you run in here and PUPPY!" Like a child she ran to Eseldor and picked him up in her arms. "Awe so cute. Is he your's?"

Reya pet Eseldor as if he were some regular dog giving him kisses and rubbing him behind his ear. It wasn't until she saw him squirming she realized Reya was hugging him very tightly. Reya look beautiful but gentle was not a description she would use to describe her.

"Umm Reya." She looked at Serena. "I think he wasnts to be put down." Giggling she saw her reaction putting him back down on the floor.

"He's cute, we should ask Eseldor if we can keep him, I've always wanted a pet." She said puling a cookie out of her pocket and giving it to puppy Eseldor.

"Something tell me he will be fine with that."

"Serena, go get in your day clothing, I'll watch our little friend for you while you change. You can't keep running around in that. Eseldor will tackle you if he see's you all sexy in that." Reya giggled standing up.

Blushing Serena looked at Reya. "It's fine he's my responcability I will just take him with me."
"No really it's fine."
"Okay.." Looking down at Eseldor she smiled and poked his nose. "Behave." with that she walked out of the ballroom and to her room.