Betrothed

"I hope I have the time to get to know him better and love him as much as you do." Elaina replied to Pipa with a bright smile. Pipa was so sweet and how much she cared about Evan showed in every word she was brave enough to speak! It did make Elaina a little guilty in considering to go back home, especially with how hard Pipa was trying to keep her there.

The air was still frosty cold, but with all the exertion of walking, Elaina barely noticed. She ran an arm across her forehead, wishing so much that they could take a short break. But they were so close to a nearby village, it was better to push on and get there as quickly as possible! She Pipa couldn't keep up with the others, which amazed her. Those men could carry the extra weight and still move so fast. For the time being, Elaina held tight to Pipa's hand. Feeling that renewed energy the moment their path through the forest turned in to an actual road through the trees. That meant civilization wasn't too far at all!
 

Pipa nodded solemnly, her dark eyes unwavering as they focused on Elaina. "You do care for him, very much, don't you?" there was worry there, an a longing that was like a spark constantly doused in water. She was a child, and Evan liked her as he might a small animal that briefly caught his attention. It was humiliating to know this, to know that he would in time treat her like a sister and these were the thoughts she harbored. Wistfully, Pipa glanced around, the well-worn road belying the activity of the town they were about to enter.

"It doesn't seem fair sometimes... I seem to be the only girl who doesn't prefer Peter, and just my luck" tendrils of hair had escaped her bonnet and whipped at her face, causing her to lose the dreamy air she had taken and just in time, it seemed. Will came puffing down the road toward them, his sweaty face jubilant.

"They've got him..." he inhaled deeply "I just saw them take him into a house... they'll have a man to look at him in no time. Beds..." he was wheezing a little from the exertion "beds for everyone in the village. They're being ever so kind. Just a little further this way". Already, the peaked roof of the town's chapel was coming in to view. The statue of the Harvest Goddess was peeking above the trees as well, her serene expression and flowing gown carefully carved in the stone.

"Will you be wanting to check on him?"
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"Oh Pipa..." Elaina's apologetic tone was interrupted as Will appeared to give them the good news. The Princess nodded quickly in response. "Yes, please. I do want to check on him."

Though she wanted to rush, they kept an easy pace that Pipa could keep up with. Pipa, who Elaina was starting to suspect may have more than just feelings of loyalty for Prince Evan. This new thought had her nibbling on her bottom lip lost in thought. Even when her eyes passed over the Harvest Goddess statue or the quaint and friendly little houses of the village town, Elaina hadn't noticed. Jeffry thought she was going to break the man's heart, and now was she going to break Pipa's too? Was she getting in the middle of a young woman's potential romantic destiny...?

Elaina didn't snap back to attention until the entered a medium size home made of good solid wood. It was built to house a large sized family, but all the children had long since grown and built their own homes. Leaving the place in the care of their elderly parents. There was an old woman who looked kind and sweet and her husband, who seemed much more surly yet content to sit down by the fire and grunt as they past.

The old woman escorted them upstairs to the room Evan occupied. He was lain down in bed, stripped of most his clothes, but he was freshly bandaged and looking much better than he had earlier in the day. His men must have ran their way all in to town with him and a doctor had already given him a look over. Elaina leaned over him, only taking a moment to pull the blanket up higher and tuck him in.

She wanted to talk to him. Really talk! There was so much confusion rattling around in her head, she just didn't know what to think. But for now, the man needed his rest. All of them needed a little rest.

"Come come, sweetie, we have a room prepared for you as well." the older woman beckoned. Elaina followed obediently until the reached the end of the hall. A door was opened for her revealing a small, but comfortable looking room. It was certainly a step up from sleeping outside! "There you are! An' you sweetie," the old lady now spoke to Pipa, "You may have the room right here next door. You come on right downstairs an' ask if you need anythin'. Anythin' at all! We'll be havin' a nice dinner later for sure."

"Thank you so much." Elaina replied.
 
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Pipa smiled brightly at the woman, curtseying down as deeply as she could. Her blond hair was slightly messy now from the trek through the woods, but all the same she was pleased to be back indoors. Pipa had begun to settle in, letting her hair fall from her bonnet so that she could begin to work out the tangles with her fingers when she heard a gentle rap at the door. Expecting Elaina, Pipa rushed over to open it without a second thought but standing in front of her was instead Peter.

"Oh, Philippa, you always look so dour, so serious" he was frowning, his gaze scanning her thick woolen dress and her surprised expression. "I like your hair down, but I'm surprised you didn't overheat from exertion in that dress... " he clucked at her, his distaste for the garment evident. "I just came to check and see how you were after the trip. I'll come and tell you when there's dinner ready. Will is resting while watching over Evan, so please don't bother them..."

With that, he had gone, disappearing down the stairs - more than likely on his way to go and help the elderly couple with something, perfect Peter. With a sigh, Pipa looked in the smooth glass over the washbasin. It was true, she looked less like a young woman and more like an old servant of the Goddess. Everything had happened so quickly, she felt a pang of jealousy at the hands that had been drawn. Most any woman would prefer perfect Peter...

Nearly in tears, Pipa undressed from her sweaty gown and into a lightweight dress made from green material. Pipa spun in the mirror, wondering if she was pretty at all like Elaina. It seemed that everyone adored her and found her lovely. Putting her jealousy aside, Pipa realized that Elaina was probably as upset as she was but without the sobering experience of being chided by Peter to change her mood. Quietly, Pipa slipped from her room to the next door where she knocked politely.

"Princess?"
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Elaina too had changed her clothes, but not to a dress or skirt. No, that wasn't going to be practical for traveling on foot like they were. Or by horse if they managed to get them. ...Or running back home in the middle of the night if she finally couldn't take it anymore! It was a wicked thought, but she was so tired and perplexed that it was beginning to get hard even for her to keep up the cheery mood. Opting for a simple corset shirt, some loose pants and a jacket, if her mother were alive today and saw her she'd have a fit! But it did feel a little better to be in fresh clothes, wash her face, and smooth out the mess of her hair.

She was laying in bed when she heard the knocked on the door and Pipa's quiet voice behind it. Elaina was almost tempted to pretend she was asleep. Though she liked Pipa, if the girl really did have feelings for Evan, having to talk to her and be a servant for her was probably making it so much worse! Just like it was making it worse for Evan's men, and... who knows what it was going to do with his family!

There was a small wave of panic at the thought. Elaina glanced at the window, the fleeting desire to crawl out and save everyone the trouble of dealing with her anymore. But... leaving unannounced was such a cowardly way to go.

With a sigh, Elaina finally rose from the bed and moved to open the door. On sight of Pipa, she looked surprised! Wearing a fresh dress and with her hair different, the girl looked so different! Elaina smiled.

"You look so pretty, Pipa! Are you feeling better with the rest...?" she stepped to the side so the girl could enter the room. Pipa was adorable. She'd make the cutest princess! ...it wasn't helping Elaina feel any better at all!
 

"Ahhh" Pipa trailed off, blushing down to the roots of her hair. She looked down at herself, the gentle rustle of her dress as she moved seemed foreign to her. She ran her fingers over the fabric, knowing from Elaina's expression she had made her a little uncomfortable. Pipa looked up at her with a forced smile.

"I wouldn't try to take the prince from you, you know..." she twirled a blond strand of hair between her fingertips. She did not want to divulge why just yet, worried that perhaps someone might treat her differently. She could not bring herself to be as happy as she thought she ought to, at any rate. Brushing her hair back from her face, Pipa nodded happily.

"You really think I look pretty? i've been told my dress is too homely and this is much less hot, anyway. How are you feeling?"
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This time Elaina looked startled and immediately apologetic. Her hands resting at her stomach to still that queasy feeling of thinking she might have had her mind read, or accidentally said her thoughts out loud. After a quick second she realized that was just plain ridiculous. Obviously Pipa was a very perceptive young woman!

Elaina laughed and smiled again, and though it was a little awkward, it was genuine. "Yes, I do think you look very pretty. The color is beautiful for you." Chewing on her bottom lip, she couldn't help but ask now that Pipa voiced the thought out loud.

"He doesn't belong to me, Prince Evan, I mean. If you... if you did care about him. Or um.." Bother, she didn't want to make this embarrassing or more awkward than it was but, it was so important to know! "Or were in love with him and he loved you too, I wouldn't want to prevent you from being together. It's important to be with the person you love. He doesn't have to marry me."
 

Pipa stumbled over her next words, blushing deeply. "No, no, you don't...." she chuckled nervously, wringing her hands. The soft green of the dress offset her wide jade eyes, now searching for the right words. Pipa twirled in place, her blush now deeply crimson. The smell of the food cooking downstairs could not distract her even, though she was deeply hungry. For once, once, she wished Peter were here to rescue her from this embarrassment. He could have explained it so much better.

"W-well, I don't really love Evan... and he only thinks of me as a child sister because... well, like you, engaged to Evan since childhood... I have also been tied into a contract. I serve under Evan by choice, really more his mother in fact, to wait out time until I am considered an adult woman" she looked down at her feet, her dress billowing at her ankles to let her feet be seen only every so often. It was hard to explain how she felt about the situation, but looking earnestly up at Elaina she chimed "I really do want you two to be very happy!"

It was harder to try to tell Elaina that she was the wrong sort, that she could not possibly be a good match for her betrothed, not like Elaina was to Evan who already seemed so fond of her. Another knock at the door, Will looking less fatigued now.

"Evan, the prince, he's requesting your presence, princess. He's finally woken up".
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Elaina was fully prepared to argue with Pipa about the entire thing. Love was more important than any foreign princess and a Betrothal. Pip deserved the chance to ask Evan what he thought himself! But not the moment she opened her mouth to tell the girl, Will was knocking on the door. It was such a relief to know the Prince was waking. ...and asking for her. That was it. She would clear all of this up tonight. About Jeffry and about Pipa and then it would be done and settled!

"Pipa, you are a beautiful young woman and you deserve a prince just as much as I do! If you won't ask him what he thinks of you - I will! Contracts can be broken, but love is so much more!" With that statement, she that inner determination to open up the door and face Will.

"I am ready to see him!"
 

Evan sat up weakly, still feeling very ill. His muscles were weak, and even the small amount of light shining in pounded against his temples. When he saw Elaina walk in, he couldn't help but smile at her. She looked so worried, so determined, and so very vibrantly alive. He scooted the bedding away so that he could swing his legs over the side of the bed, all of the anxiety of the previous night laid to rest as he tried to stand to greet her and fell back to the bed.

"Elaina, I was so worried about you. I woke up and the only person here was old Will, looking ever so solemn, I thought that you had really gone" he smiled at her apologetically as he tried to stand once more and failed. "I'm terribly sorry, I just can't seem to manage it..." he sighed, looking around the darkness. "I don't know where his chair went, but it's here somewhere so that you can sit... I wanted to talk with you".
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"You just stay put! There's no need to stand and heaven forbid we have to call the doctor back!" Her hands were gentle but firm as she ushered him back in to the bed. There was no light beyond what shone in through the crack in the window curtains, but it was enough for her to get a vague outline of the room and where everything was. Elaina shifted away from the bed long enough to retrieve a chair, then sat it down nearby.

"I wanted to speak with you too." she said, as she took a seat, then interrupted before he spoke again. "No, no, let me speak first! So I can explain." Elaina took a deep breath. Where to start? With Jeffry was probably best.

"I did leave for a little bit. It was stupid of me, but I was so frustrated..." she hesitated while she tried to find a delicate way to explain. "While we were sleeping Jeffry... talked to me. He scared me a bit, but mostly he was just angry. He thinks that I am like your sister and that I'm fond of Peter. He was so worried that I would betray and hurt you that he... well, he made it look like I pounced on him for an affair in the middle of the night! I really didn't, I would never. And I don't want you to be mad at him. It was awful, but he did it because he loves you. That is when I was upset and left, but Pipa was wonderfully sweet and convinced me to come back and talk to you."

She held up her hands to stay his words before he commented, she wasn't finished. "...and there is one more thing! Did you know that Pipa is fond of you? I think more than just loyalty and fondness, she may even love you! Pipa is beautiful, kind, and sweet, and I know she is a servant, but if you had feelings for her too I don't think that should stand in the way. Nor should I stand in the way! You don't have to marry me if you love another woman. Love is so much more important than anyone ever gives it credit for and I think she deserves the chance for it too and..."

By now she realized she had let her mouth get away with her. But there was no regrets! Just that feeling of release and faint wave of weariness.

"I'm sorry. It's so much to put on you at once when you're still injured. But I had to tell you. Maybe we aren't meant to be married... "
 

Evan laughed, a low sound the reverberated through the room. The whole hurried and hectic explanation had left him confused for a few moments but quickly he regained his composure. Evan eased himself back into bed, weariness overtaking his limbs as he sank down. Rubbing the stubble he had accumulated with his hand, Evan watched her intently, a certain quickening of his heartbeat when he saw her face, hardly distinguishable in the dim lighting but clearly flushed with emotion.

"I'll start with the most important of these matters.... Jeffry. I have known for some time that my sister's act hurt him very deeply. I suppose I thought that simply being retained as one of my men would somehow bandage the wound. It was foolish of me and I am so very sorry that he managed to take it out on you. I will convince the other men to talk to him in my stead, since it might be easier for him to listen to them". He beckoned her to come closer and sit on the edge of his bed, wishing to talk more closely with her now that the matter with Jeffry was (he hoped) cleared.

"As for Pipa, she could never be more than a precocious little sister to me. Why, it's the same reason that I trust Peter implicitly. Peter and I are closer to brothers than he is to his own blood sibling. Pipa surely must have told you that. You're under my wing, unless you're trying so desperately to leave. There's not much I could do for Pipa, even if I wanted to do something. Peter has a lousy way of showing it sometimes, but he is unwilling to part. I do hope that you don't worry terribly, I trust that eventually, when he can finally see her as a woman, he'll win her heart without contest". Evan smiled fondly, thinking of his womanizing best friend attempting to convince the chaste, pure Philippa to come to his bed.

"If you don't dislike me, would you please stop trying to run away from me?" he added with a sigh, quirking his eyebrow.
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"Peter and... Oh, oh!" That was something entirely new to think about! Elaina had been so self absorbed within her own problems that she hadn't even thought to pay more attention. She scooted off the chair to sit on the edge of the bed at his beckoning, if only so he could hear her better while they spoke. Now that the urgency of spilling everything out in the open was over, and that her understood, she felt so much better.

"Now I want to apologize again, but I've sorry so often the past two days." Elaina grinned with a light shrug of her shoulders. "Of course I'm not trying to run away from you. It's just... well, I guess the journey has been harder than I want to admit. One thing after another with no chance to catch our breath." She lift a hand to brush over his forehead and check again to see that the bandage was all right. She didn't have too, and the doctor surely would have made sure he was well cared for. ...but with their luck, who knew!
 

Evan leaned forward without thinking, dizzy from the pain and perhaps delirious, or maybe just thinking straight for once. In an almost awkward movement, he had wrapped his arms around her, encircling her around her elbows with his head against her back. She was comforting and he felt lost in some sort of haze, sleepy and still clouded in his mind. The immediate stiffening of her back told him he had caught her unaware.

"'M sorry" he apologized to her, still not letting her go. He instead buried his face into the soft fabric of her shirt. "You looked so warm and so weary..." he murmured. Finally, he let her go. "You seem tired, and I am very fatigued. No one will bother me much to jostle me about if you sleep next to me" he looked hopeful, entreating. His body was beginning to fall asleep on him, muscles responding sluggishly. He hoped that she would trust him enough to know that he wouldn't force himself, but if he had to he could probably prove himself incapable to even turn himself over on the bed, let alone much else.
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How could she say no to such a look. That sleepy, hopeful expression across his face and the way his hair was tousled. It was sweet, boyish and endearing all at the same time. Whatever tomorrow or the next day would be like, it was that moment Elaina knew they could be very dear friends.

Her smile was warm. "And what if I jostle you, dear Prince? Steal the covers and roll you from the bed?" The bed was just barely large enough for the both of them, and what if someone were to come peeking? Granted, dozing in bed with your future husband was no crime but... Elaina was still nibbling on her bottom lip, even as she nudge him to scoot over so she could curl up next to him. "For a few moments, a nap then. Dinner is soon and you need to eat."

Yet, laying down in bed did feel good and she couldn't hold back that relieved weary sigh once she settled. ...it wouldn't be too bad if they were late for dinner.
 

Evan was startled, he really had not expected acquiescence and here she was, a warm length of an entirely different species curled against his body. He hesitated before edging her closer by putting his arm around her back and scooting her toward him. Her easily moved form, so soft and sweetly scented enticed him beyond anything that he had ever felt.

Tilting his face to inhale the perfume of her hair, he felt unexpectedly overwhelmed with the desire to pull her close to him and to kiss that elegantly arched neck with its skin in pale fawn taut over her neck. The faintly tensed muscles indicated to Evan that he was not alone in his heartbeat quickening its pace or his face growing a little flush. Embarrassed, Evan did his best to edge his lower body from pressing against her gently sloping hips, hips that until now he had not realized seemed inviting.

The arm that had been curled protectively around her back ached to pull her against him so that he could taste that luscious yielding, he restrained himself but the effort of it was making him feel oddly drained. Perhaps it had not been a good idea to invite her here, he seemed to be winding up embarrassing himself in a rather.... large way.
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Her heart was beating both quick and slow at the same time! His arm wrapped snugly around her felt so safe and warm. But to lay with him like this in the soft dim light of the room, with only the quiet sounds of their breathing was strangely intimate. No, not strange... it was pleasant.

Curling closer to Evan, a hand snuck upwards to his face. Curious fingers brushed over the stubble of his chin. Rough under her fingertips, it was such a unique contrast! Realizing she was taking advantage of him to be touching while he was still so tired, she retracted her hand with an apologetic grin. Elaina closed her eyes before she tucked her head under his chin. A nap like this may not have been such a good idea! How could she sleep?
 

Evan's heart felt nearly ready to burst from his chest as she touched him with those pillow soft hands. Then, as though to further his torment, she curled so sweet and innocent into his grasp. The discomfort he was experiencing left him in a dilemma of whether to squirm and displace her or to lay there and go mad. A warmth, heady and inviting, seemed to call from the hollow he knew lay between her legs. He was only too keen to answer, but she was acting as though she needed protection, not to be ravaged. Weak limbs or not, if he could force them to comply, he would.

Finally, Evan could bear it no longer. He twisted a little, trying to distance his hips from hers in order to spare himself a great deal of embarrassment. She did not seem to have noticed, but she chose that moment to try and be more adorable, to turn in toward him to cuddle and ended up pressing the length of her body against his. Evan felt most of his self-restraint slip away and he sucked in a breath.

Tilting his head down, Evan pressed his mouth against Elaina's, his hard kiss meeting the softly surprised flesh of her lips which he took mercilessly. A small moan escaped him as he broke his mouth away from her, feeling as guilty as scum, as though he had taken advantage of her in the worst way.​
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Her eyes fluttered open in surprise when he kissed her, only to fall closed again. The first kiss she had ever received, it wasn't how she imagined it would happened! Especially with her Betrothed fiance. Yet, in so many was it was much better than she daydreamed about. It made her toes curl and her breath stop. Like even time had stopped it's motion.

When he pulled away, her eyes were still closed and there was a faint wistful look across her face. She touched her mouth where his had been there just moments ago. As her eyes opened and she examined his face, he looked almost regretful.

Elaina tapped her finger on his chin as she leaned forward. Hesitant and shy, she brushed her mouth against his. In sharp contrast to his, she kissed soft and curious before she finally broke away.
 

Evan bit back a moan, this woman was eliciting a burning through his veins he didn't know existed before now. He felt alive with the energy, his body seemed to both be electrified and on fire, all at the same time. There was the urge that pressed below the surface of his mind of rolling over on to her soft figure, but he still hesitated. She had proven intimacy yes, but would she flee if he were to press?

Those velvet fingers of slender torment grazed his hair and caressed his face, filling him more and more with barely hidden desire. Her innocent kiss almost warned him off entirely, not wanting to rupture her sweet naivety. The kiss deepened though, Evan did not want to let her go. Instead, he pulled his arms in, tugging her closer to his body where he had before been distancing it. Reaching his hands to tangle in her hair, kissing her with unrestrained passion, he let the world fall away from him.

Evan tugged her pants to her ankles and his fingers deftly found the warmth between her legs. The gasp that escaped her lips filled him with thoughts of desire, the intense need to fill her with himself, but he knew that this was her first time. For her, he restrained himself and instead bit lightly on her lip. The small sounds she made as she melted beneath his fingertips was another layer to his difficulty in taking her gently, yet he continued to work his fingers, moving in and out of her vagina first with practiced tenderness and a hesitant speed but gradually increasing pace.

Elaina's back arched and she cried out, which caused Evan to withdraw his hand. Evan kicked off his boots and his pants at the edge of the bed and returned to Elaina, positioning his body over hers and lowering himself. Another kiss was pressed to Elaina's lips, quieting her little gasp as he began to penetrate, legs straddling her hips to ease down on top of her. Her bosom lifted in a deep breath she took, capturing Evan's attention. While he rested inside her, getting her accustomed to him, he caressed her chest with his hands, stroking her nipples until they stood erect against his fingertips.

With as much care as he could infuse into the primal movements, Evan began to rock her hips in time with his. His heartbeat raced and their breathing matched, becoming heavy and rapid together. The tightness of her, the sounds she made that he kissed into quieting for fear someone would investigate, and the sweet nothings he whispered in her ear all melded together for him in his mind, blurring and pleasing him. He was determined, she would be pleased at least once more.

Without having to wait long, Evan felt her throb, heard her cry of pleasure. Another thrust and he was consumed by the release, ecstasy gripping his body. Not wanting to crush her beneath his weight, he rolled to the side of the bed, gasping for air. He was unable to lace together coherent thought, but a part of him panicked. What if this made her run away?
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