Chapter 3. Bath
Ethel woke up to the faint sound of the commotion, slowly realizing that morning had already arrived. Disoriented, he blinked his eyes open, gradually becoming aware of his surroundings. Sunlight spilled into the room. It was then that Ethel's gaze fell upon his mother, who stood by the ornate mirror. She was struggling to put on her dress.
A flood of memories from the previous night rushed back to Ethel's mind, a vivid recollection of the intimate encounter he had shared with his beloved mother, his queen. She lovingly attended to his needs, providing comfort with her gentle touch. It was a night that blurred the lines between forbidden desire and a tender connection. In the moment of climax, their gazes locked, and Ethel felt a complicated mix of love and confusion. These memories, though surreal, were undeniably real.
Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, Ethel's eyes met Beatrice's reflection in the mirror.
"Good morning" she said awkwardly.
Sensing his mother's struggle, Ethel rose from the bed and approached her, his footsteps silent on the plush carpet.
They remained enveloped in silence as he assisted her in donning an elegant dress, its fabric cascading like a waterfall against her skin. "Today, envoys from Atraxia will be arriving," she finally spoke, her voice laden with a hint of apprehension. Ethel continued his gentle ministrations, his fingers grazing her back and collarbones. "Counselors asked me to keep the truth of our familial ties hidden, and pretend that we are a genuine couple."
"Understood," Ethel murmured, completing the task with utmost care.
"Thank you, Ethel. I must go now. We can talk later," she whispered, and soon he found himself alone once more, as he watched his mom leaving. He couldn't help but look at her private parts, the movements of her hips, and how the dress fit her firm round ass.
He watched the city from the window, recalling what had happened yesterday.
"Thank you, Alfred," he thought. "But it's still not enough."
===
He reclined in the grandeur of the council room, an opulent space adorned with tapestries and gilded accents. Their discussion centered around the kingdom's affairs, but King Ethel's thoughts kept drifting to his mother. Her resplendent dress, meticulously crafted, accentuated the curves of her form, weaving an intricate tapestry of delicate silk and embellishments that whispered of her innate grace. Jewels adorned her neck and wrists.
What would it be like to hold her in his arms, to taste the sweetness of her lips? The mere thought sent an electric shiver down his spine. He tried to sneak a peak of her deep cleavage. What he wouldn't sacrifice to see her breasts again. The weight of their shared heritage, their intertwined destinies, only added fuel to the forbidden flame that burned within him. He yearned to bridge the boundaries that should forever separate them, to experience an intimacy that fate had cruelly denied.
"Your Majesty?" Krubach's voice interrupted Ethel's daydream.
"Yes, what is it?" Ethel snapped out of his trance.
"The envoys from Atraxia will arrive shortly. Should we make any preparations?" Krubach asked.
Ethel nodded. "Yes, we should ensure that our guests are well-received and comfortable during their stay."
"Are you okay, Your Highness?" asked the redhead advisor, whose name was Tork. "You are weirdly quiet today"
"I'm just tired. That's all"
"As you say"
As the council session ended, Queen Beatrice approached him. "I will go to the royal baths to freshen up before the envoys arrive," she said.
Ethel nodded and started to think. "I wouldn't mind following her in the baths but I need to see Alfred before."
====
He descended the old route through the garden and straight into the kitchen again.
"Alfred! We have visitors!" shouted the head chef immediately. Everyone around bowed respectfully to Ethel. With an unusual delay, Alfred appeared, bowing his head. "Listen, Ethel..."
"You're my savior, Al. Your sexy fern helped me yesterday."
"When will you understand that it's not called a sexy fern... Wait, what do you mean it helped? I was just about to tell you that nothing worked out for me yesterday. The guards kept their eyes on me the whole time, I couldn't slip anything into the Queen's food. I'm sorry."
Ethel's expression changed immediately. "Couldn't slip anything? So... She wasn't influenced by the herbs?"
"Well... what do you mean? Did something happen between you and the Queen?" Alfred's eyes widened.
Ethel smirked at the corner of his mouth and rushed towards the exit, saying, "Save the sexy fern for the future, my friend."
"How many times do I have to say it..."
===
He made his way to the royal baths, his purpose clear: to rendezvous with his mother.
With curiosity and desire, Ethel couldn't resist stealing a glance through the slightly ajar doors. As he did, he was greeted by a sensory overload. The air was thick with the intoxicating fragrances of exotic oils, blending with the ethereal mist rising from the steaming pools that dotted the chamber. The atmosphere seemed to transport him to another realm, a world of opulence and indulgence.
Ethel's gaze immediately fell upon the queen, a regal figure surrounded by a retinue of attendants who were diligently attending to her every need.