***AUTHOR'S NOTE***
This work will continue to feature themes of fictional rough, reluctant, dubiously consensual, or non-consensual sexual scenarios. All characters are 18 years or older. Thank you for reading!
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Chapter 5: Royal Pain (Part 2)
PREVIOUSLY...
I spared a thought wondering if he was going to relieve himself or if he'd maybe seek out the company of a comely courtier. Unlike me, would they willingly seek his bed? If he wasn't seeking the company of another young man, I had a week to find a way to convince him to do just that and abandon this mad idea of getting me pregnant. Once he sought his lover elsewhere, I'd be able to focus on helping him gain political power and complete my objective of making him the Crown Prince. Then, surely, I'd be able to escape this game.
NOW...
Without being able to fuck or otherwise use me, Hubriste didn't have much interest in seeing me, so I had the rest of the day to myself. My asshole was sore and my prick was hard as stone, but I felt relieved knowing that I would be left alone until tomorrow morning. And Sir Videre had been outside the room the entire time we'd had our little "medical procedure," so I didn't need to see him at least.
Flos, having brought me my special tea, was the only person in the receiving room with me after the prince left; it was odd to have her quiet presence around so often. What did she feel about everything that was happening?
As ever, she was perfectly put together, her black hair pulled back tight in an unforgiving bun, not a strand out of place. She had a plain face: dark brown eyes, a narrow nose, and thin lips that turned downward slightly at the corners. The most striking thing about her was her prominent widow's peak. "Is there something you need, Lady Saint?"
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to stare," averting my eyes, I fidgeted nervously. I hadn't found anything useful when I'd explored my suite of rooms, but maybe if I could investigate other areas of the palace I'd be able to find something. But how would Flos react to my request? Tentatively, I asked her.
"We could visit the main library if your own doesn't please you, My Lady? Or perhaps the northern gardens?"
Her mention of the gardens reminded me of the night before, the prince holding me down and taking me under a blanket of floral scents. The memory made me feel nauseous for a moment. "The library, please."
The walk was surprisingly long, or maybe it felt that way because I was in heels. Both, I decided. A long walk made worse by heels. Flos directed me from the rear. We passed maids and servants here and there, going about their day-to-day lives. How many of them had watched my walk of shame last night? 'They're just NPCs in a video game,' I thought to myself. 'It doesn't matter what they think of me. I shouldn't feel so embarrassed.'
As I was left pondering that, we approached the entrance to the main library, which had a guard at either side. There was plush, blue carpeting with gold floral patterns, staggeringly tall domed ceilings supported by marble columns, and what must have been millions of books on hundreds--perhaps even thousands of bookcases lining the walls and free-standing.
Just past the entrance was a reading area with a large, wooden table and chairs, as well as big, cushioned loveseats. I wanted some privacy to investigate the area, but I doubted Flos would take a seat here and wait for me if I asked her. So instead, I asked her to go get a pot of tea and some cakes that I might enjoy once I find something to read. With the size of the palace and how long it would take to prepare the tea, she should be gone for about half an hour at least. Bowing, she took her leave once she reminded me to stay inside the confines of the library until she returned.
At first, I started to carefully peruse the shelves, stroking the spine of each book in case I was prompted to translate something. But as the progress for that was slow and I had limited time until Flos returned, I started to speed up. I was convinced I would know if one of the books was special to me in some way by quick glance or touch.
Among the many free-standing bookcases, I was stopped dead in my tracks as I came face-to-face with a strange woman. There was no mistaking who she was. Curly, blonde tresses cascading down her back, ice blue eyes, and an angelic face. She was taller than me by a head, even in my heels. The woman who would be empress, Regina Filia. Hubriste's loathed older sister.
I was frozen in place, gawking at her. "Lady?" Her voice was low and sultry. Then as she looked me up and down it was like something dawned on her and her eyes widened in surprise before her brow furrowed and they narrowed, regarding me with hostility. "You're the Herald of Intacta?" she scoffed, her tone conveying just how little she believed the words coming out of her own mouth. Filia's eyes settled on my pushed up tits pointedly.
I shrunk under her gaze, unsure of what to do with myself. I wasn't being prompted with any dialogue options, so I was afraid to say the wrong thing and get myself in trouble. "I-I am," I confirmed, bowing deeply. I held that position for a moment as awkward silence stretched between us, staring at the hem of her light blue dress. As I stood again, I couldn't help but notice that though her bosom was quite ample, the top of her dress was far more modest than my own. She looked classy and sensual, I realized, whereas I looked like a slut. It made me feel inferior to this beautiful woman, but also resentful, knowing that in my real body I'd actually have a shot with a babe like this.
Right, my real body! Eyes on the prize! There's no way it was a coincidence I ran into her. This was a video game, after all. There had to be something to learn or gain here. Forcing my shoulders back and my chin up, I continued, "I am Saint Valroy. It's an honor to meet you Princess Filia."
"And an honor it is to meet the Chosen of my faith," she replied stiffly. "I was surprised when I learned that Intacta bestowed her favor on a man, but now that I've had a look at you, I suppose I understand better."
Ouch.
"Let me give you some advice, Saint Valroy, in the interest of protecting the dignity of my faith. You're clinging to a rotten rope. My father may support my feckless brother and the church may support you, but both nobility and commoner alike would rally behind my banners in an instant if I called. And Prince Hubriste won't be able to maintain the support of the church, even with your allegiance, I'm certain of it. Just judging by this," she made a sweeping motion towards me, "and the incident with the high priest, I won't have to wait too long." She paused and stared at me before reaching forward to stroke my cheek gently with the back of her fingers. It reminded me of Prince Hubriste doing the same thing and it felt just as condescending as when he did it.