Chapter 76
Nerissea climbed into the carriage and took the seat opposite in silence. Though Yseldra had been so consumed with jealousy but moments before, she shifted without hesitation, moving to Nerissea's side and drawing her into a firm embrace. The sight warmed my heart.
"Remain at the palace with us," Yseldra said. "I may not be able to remove the seal upon your neck, yet I shall grant you a position of standing. I could even replace Faelor with you. I believe you would aid me in achieving far greater things."
"Yseldra," I said, moving to sit at Nerissea's other side, "grant her time."
She pulled away and cast me a narrowed look. "I granted you time, and six years passed? I granted her time, and she has not spoken a single word to me?"
"Even so, she has only just agreed to leave the temple. You press her too quickly."
She smirked. "I did not grant you time this time, and I succeeded in putting my cock where I pleased, did I not?"
I… what manner of woman?
Nerissea and I turned our gazes toward the window in unspoken accord. She need not say a word. I knew well that we shared the same silent judgment.
Truly, when Yseldra was sweet, she was so in excess. Yet when such crude words passed her lips, I found myself, at times, questioning the wisdom of my choice to remain by her.
Florence's remark of heavenly slaps returned to my mind. I glanced at Yseldra's smug expression and wondered if such correction might serve her well.
My gaze lowered to my palms, truly considering it as the carriage began to move.
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"So pretty…" Aelunira breathed in quiet wonder, her gaze fixed upon Nerissea.
The moment we returned to the palace, Aelunira had taken Nerissea by the hand and drawn her into one of her grand forts, fashioned from stacked furniture and draped bedsheets within the main hall.
Nerissea smiled, soft and genuine. It was the first I had seen since our reunion. "You are most adorable," she said, her voice gentle.
Aelunira reached out with curiosity and slipped her fingers into Nerissea's pale pink hair. "You are prettier than Mother Yseldra."
I had given thought to how I might introduce them, yet it seemed Aelunira required no guidance at all.
"Perhaps I ought to dye my hair pink," Yseldra muttered, displeased.
That settled it. If we were to ease the air and draw Nerissea from her silence, we required an activity. Shared moments had ever been the surest bridge between hearts. At the House of Gab, such things never failed, save for Ed.
"Then let us all dye our hair pink," I declared with bright resolve.
"Your Majesty," a maid interjected, "Her Ladyship has arrived. She has made use of the portal."
Yseldra's eyes narrowed. "Who granted her leave to do so?"
"Millicent did," came Florence's voice as she stepped into view. "I have a new skill to show you-"
Her words halted the instant her gaze fell upon Nerissea. She drew in a sharp breath. "Good heavens, who is this vision?"
A blush rose upon Nerissea's cheeks.
"This is Nerissea," I replied with pride.
Florence came forward and seated herself beside her, studying her with the same open admiration Aelunira displayed. "I have heard much of you. I can scarcely believe we meet only now. My dear angel, I am Florence. It is a pleasure at last."
"Spare us the theatrics," Yseldra said with sharp impatience. "What are you doing here? Now the portals now lie in cooldown! If Naevia wishes to attend to the House of Gab, she must wait!"
"Would you cease your rudeness?" Florence returned at once. "I came to show you the technique you taught me. I have at last succeeded. You ought to commend me."
"Small mind. It took you long enough."
I moved swiftly between them, placing myself as a barrier. Nerissea had only just returned, and if these two began their quarrel, she would surely be made uneasy. In truth, I could not fathom how they called one another friend, given the manner in which they spoke.
"Your Ladyship," I said, turning to Florence, "we were about to dye our hair to match Nerissea's. Would you care to join us? I believe the result would suit you exceedingly well, given your natural color."
Florence leaned slightly to the side, peering past me at Yseldra. "You intend to dye your hair pink? Have you grown weary of your villainess appearance?"
Yseldra drew me behind her. "What do you mean by that?"
"You resemble a villainess from a romance tale. The sort who delights in troubling the heroine at every turn."
Their exchange sharpened without pause. Nerissea and I glanced at one another in shared uncertainty. Before I could intervene again, they were now at a distant. Yseldra held a dagger. Florence, a sword.
Were they truly prepared to duel here, in the very heart of the palace?!
The staff gathered with interest, some even wagering coin upon the outcome. Sir Lorcan declared, with notable enthusiasm, that his bet lay with Yseldra, and placed fifty gold coins upon it.
"I place one gold coin upon Mother Yseldra," Aelunira said with bright excitement. "What of you, Nerissea?"
"I… I am unsure," Nerissea replied, her voice touched with hesitation. "I must beg your pardon, Aelunira. I possess no coin…"
I moved closer to her. "I shall provide it," I said, my tone lifting with an eagerness I did not trouble to conceal. "Place your wager."
Aelunira nodded with confidence. "My mother is very wealthy. Wager with me, pretty lady."
"Then…" Nerissea glanced at me for reassurance. "I shall place one gold coin and one copper upon Her Ladyship."
"I up it to one hundred gold coins," Aelunira announced without pause.
…Why did it feel as though my own child had turned upon my purse?
Soon enough, cheers rose and filled the hall as Yseldra and Florence engaged one another. The wagers climbed with each passing moment. Florence's breath grew labored, whilst Yseldra remained composed, untouched by strain. Even I, untrained in such matters, could see she held herself back.
Yet my gaze did not remain upon them alone. At intervals, I turned to Nerissea, and my heart swelled at the sight. She laughed, she cheered, her voice mingling with Aelunira's in simple delight. Though my intended activity had been set aside, this proved far more precious.
At last, the bout came to its end, and the victor was Florence. She stood with evident pride, whilst Yseldra lay upon the floor, uttering a string of most unrefined curses. Florence had struck her squarely between the legs.
In the aftermath, Aelunira found herself indebted to Nerissea in the sum of one hundred and twenty two gold coins, and Sir Lorcan shook his head in disappointment toward Yseldra.
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The weather was most agreeable. A gentle breeze moved through the air, easing the warmth of summer upon our skin. The palace of Dunverra was filled with nobles, and nowhere more so than within the garden prepared for the ceremony. Around us, white stars of magic drifted and shone even beneath the sun, whilst doves wrought of light circled above, lending the scene a quiet splendor.
Soft music carried through the air. Guests stood on either side of the aisle, some smiling with true delight, others concealing their displeasure behind practiced civility.
At the far end, beneath a grand white arch that shimmered in the light, Yseldra awaited me. She wore a wedding gown of striking boldness, adorned with gold and diamonds, its design leaving her left leg exposed, her bare skin unhidden by any stocking. I had opposed such a choice, yet in the end I yielded, for she regarded the dress as though it were a treasure of the century.
Upon her head rested her crown, unchallenged and wholly her own.
On this day, she would become my wife.
And despite her shameless attire, my heart quickened for her as I walked the aisle at my father's side, my hand resting upon his arm.
We came to a halt before Uncle Helmer, who stood to the left. "You have grown," he said, resting a hand upon my shoulder. "I am proud of you, child."
"Thank you, Uncle Helmer," I replied, a pride rising within me. "I feared you would not come. I did not see you among the guests."
"Never would I miss my dearest niece's wedding day. Go on. Your bride awaits."
"We shall speak after this," my father said, a restrained note of displeasure in his voice. "You were nearly late."
A soft laugh escaped me as I gave my father's arm a gentle tug. "It is quite all right, Father."
His expression eased when he looked upon me, and we resumed our walk. To the right, near Yseldra, my mother stood with tears of joy. Beside her, Nerissea offered a gentle touch at her back. When Nerissea's gaze met mine, she smiled, and I could see clearly the happiness she held for me.
We passed Florence and Millicent, who stood together in matching gowns of soft violet, their presence striking and unmissable, as though they had stepped from a grand painting. Clad in that same hue were Vincent and little Alice.
Beyond them stood Princess Charlotte of the Landfox Kingdom, accompanied by her wife, Cecilia. Upon Cecilia's neck lay the mark of a slave's seal. Though her past was unknown to me, I found solace in seeing her stand beside a princess. She had been Florence's companion in youth.
Beside them was Issac, Millicent's personal aide, accompanied by his wife, Laura. Laura was said to have once served Florence as her maid, and now stood at her side as a lifelong companion. Their daughter, of an age with Vincent, stood beside them.
When we reached Yseldra, my father fixed her with a hard glare. "Mistreat my daughter again, and I shall see your eyes torn from you, Your Majesty."
Yseldra tilted her head with a smile. "There will be no need. I would sooner do it myself."
I quickly placed a calming hand upon my father's arm and guided him toward my mother before returning to Yseldra's side. This day was too precious to be marred by discord. When I had written to my parents of my intent to marry her, their reply had been filled with disapproval. Yet, as ever, they yielded to me in the end.
"You are especially alluring today," Yseldra murmured as she drew me close. "I have every intention of fucking you in these very garments."
"Not today," I whispered in return.
"Why not?"
"My monthly cycle has begun."
At once, her expression fell into utter defeat, and I found myself delighting in it far more than I ought. I struggled to contain my laughter. Even as the priest spoke, his words faded into nothing, for Yseldra looked as though her world had come undone. I doubted she heard him any more than I did.
When Aelunira approached with our rings, Yseldra, still in despair, slid mine upon my finger. I returned the gesture, placing hers upon her finger with a heart that trembled with quiet amusement. There was something most delightful in watching her suffer so.
In truth, my cycle was yet a week away. Yet what harm was there in allowing her to wait, and then wait a little longer still?
---
I regret.
I awoke this morning to find myself entirely bare, my limbs secured to each of the four bedposts. Yseldra knelt before me. She too was unclothed, and about her waist was fastened a belt bearing a false cock, fashioned to rival her own beneath it. She smiled at me with a disarming sweetness, and a shiver passed through me.
"Two weeks is rather excessive, would you not agree, my dearest Naevia?" she asked, leaning close. "I shall ram the false cock into your arse, and bury the real one deep in your cunt."
"Y-Yseldra, w-where did you acquire such a device? It appears to have been crafted for one already in possession of such a form…"
"I obtained it from G Spot Entertainment. Worry not, sweet thing. It has not been used upon another."
I drew in upon myself as much as my bonds allowed, though there was nowhere to retreat.
"Y-Yseldra… perhaps we might speak? Allow me to explain…"
She answered by slowly covering my eyes with a soft cloth, robbing me of sight.
"Enjoy…" she whispered most wickedly.
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Author's Note: We have reached the end of Far Too Noble, Your Majesty: A Sister in the Sheets.
I would like to thank all of you for giving this story a chance!
A special thanks to Alethea (you know who you are) and my apologies for killing you off!!