<span style="font-style: italic"> "Would..you like to come in..for a moment?  You don't have too."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“I would like nothing more!” </span>Motto’s eyes were squeezed shut and his voice tight.<span style="color: #00BF40"> “I shall stir up your fireplace and see to your every desire.  Need.  Both.  No.”    </span>He opened the chamber door and rushed her inside.  The door closed and he stood with his hands upon it and the Princess very close to himself.    The young King spent a selfish moment in the darkness with Genevieve so perfect and<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">his</span></span>.   He turned and tended the bed of coals in her fireplace.  He was quiet for a short while until he had his words in order.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“I do not wish to neglect the things you have said, but I feel it is important to tell you.” </span>He stood and approached the Lady where she might have settled or moved to.<span style="color: #00BF40">“I have intended to explain matters from the very beginning.  I shall do so this night.”  </span>His jaw was set and his expression was determined.<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: optima;">Previously:</span></span></span><br/><br/>He was on his knee and about to sob with shame.  He was not the man he was supposed to be and it was unfortunate.  Genevieve was more deserving of a strong King.  He was no longer a child dammit.  He would put away his whimpering and his foolishness.  He would take command of himself and behave like he was meant to!<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">"Motto?”</span><br/><br/>Her gentle touch.  That sweet voice.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“You could escort me to my chambers?"</span>His heart doubled in size with utter joy.  Her choice.. was to her chamber!  Motto’s want screamed up within him, but he had expected it and stifled it.  He was going to master himself!  For her!  He offered his arm and stood strong before her.  Calm and ready to protect her.  He would see her to her chamber like a true gentleman and think not on any intimate possibilities.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I am learning my way around, however I am fairly unfamiliar with the castle and still need an escort most of the time." </span><br/><br/>Motto’s enlarged heart ached to see how sincerely his soon-to-be-wife meant not to discuss the frightening episode she endured in the forest.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I was wondering, Your Majesty, would you mind introducing me to some of the nobles about the castle? I met a few my first day here, but I would love for you to introduce me.  I think it would be nice for them to see us together." </span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“It would be my distinct pleasure, My Lady.” </span>He managed to sound composed even though he was madly in love with her.  His admiration was only climbing higher for her with each passing moment!  How she smiled at him and meant all of her dear sentiments!  All while setting aside her confusion and ...likely fear.  He wanted to stop and turn to her and beg her for forgiveness.  To kiss her.  To explain himself.  ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!  But Motto needed to suppress his weak inclinations and keep walking.  He would listen with full ear to her every word, dammit!<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I had fun today.  Even if we were....interrupted.  The swim was brilliant! I still can't believe you just jumped right in!"</span><br/><br/>The King screamed internally.  She was so precious and small and happy!  She was speaking of dear things in tender way and he wanted to tear her gown from her body and kiss her without stopping and float with her in his arms into eternal bliss.  It was then they reached her chamber door.<br/><br/>In the present moment, he had come to stand before with his arms to his sides and chin high.    He would calmly discuss anything she wished and be a perfect gentleman.  Motto could feel himself losing ground with his uninhibited traits but if he were to be her King, then it was absolutely necessary for him to never frighten her again.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“I do not wish to neglect the things you have said, but I feel it is important to tell you.  I have intended to explain matters from the very beginning.  I shall do so this night.  I will gladly talk of how we are to meet with nobles and how also to better acquaint you with the castle as well as Gilthlore.”</span>His gaze fell to her night clothes and a powerful tremor seized his core.  The need to copulate was roaring from his depths.  Motto guided his eyes away and fought down the growing urge<span style="color: #00BF40">.  “I am also ready to tell you about myself...fully.”</span>She had asked him in the boat and ..she was wise indeed!  If only he had obliged her then!<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://i.imgur.com/W3mwOQH.jpg">[ img ]</a>