Theresa stood perched on her balcony with her hands sprawled out on the railing in front of her. Her eyes peered down below as she looked at the entrance of many Dukes, Duchesses, Barons, Baronesses and so forth. Theresa smirked slightly as she turned heel to walk back over to her bed, which she climbed into as she was still in her nightly wear. She leaned over to see her little side piece, Pike, was sleeping soundly and certainly did not want to wake him but she had to so that she could get ready for the social event of the season.
βPike.β She said his name softly while shaking him in order to try and wake him up. Theresa tried once more though with the little force she could muster up in her body then just sighed. He was much stronger than her so she just gave up. With the simple shrug of her shoulders, she removed herself from the bed and went back over towards the balcony to watch the entrances.
Pike awoke a few moments after Theresa returned to her balcony, eyes snapping open to stare up blearily at the ornate ceiling he had grown so accustomed to staring at recently. Last night was a blur of questions and answers, blankets and bodies. The moon had been full and gleaning beautifully through the Queenβs grand windows, bathing the red room in silver light. Now, in the morning sunlight, everything was oversaturated and much too rich for his still rather poor tastes.
βGood morning, my dearest Queen.β Pike called out towards the balcony, slowly raising up and stretching out the kinks in his back. He slipped from the silken sheets of the bed and immediately began to dress, still finding his bare nakedness within the palace to be offensive for whatever reason. Once his pants were fastened he slipped silently towards the balcony, pausing on the threshold as he usually does.
βItβs a beautiful day to meet some beautiful people, is it not?β He said with a chuckle, leaning against the balcony doors, βWould you like to draw a card, your Grace, to gauge what the day will hold?β
Her ears twitched at the stirring that was going on behind her. She turned heel to face Pike now, blushing as he was still bare naked before her eyes and before he had fastened himself in a pair of pants. She walked closer towards him as he leaned upon the threshold now and she stood mere inches from him. βIt is, Pike. A day that I have been waiting for.β Theresa adored the social season and cannot wait to see who was all going to be present at the event.
βI would rather be in for a surprise, my love.β She stood on her tippy toes and delivered a quick peck to his lips and grazed her nails delicately upon his muscular chest and abs. She then walked back towards the bedroom from the balcony. βI still want you to remain close though, Pike. Itβs hard trusting people these days.β Theresa spoke as she sat down on the edge of her bed now, looking over towards him now.
βMy maidens will be here soon to get me ready, Pike.β She informed him but was not really ready for him to leave quite yet.
βA surprise it shall be for you, then.β Pikeβs jaw twitched and he was a half second late when responding to the kiss. Affection was not something he was used too. He was used to sex, to carnal urges, to smoke and mirrors and alcohol. He was not used to anything to come from after the fact, but, then again, Theresa was certainly unexpected in countless ways. He smiled sweetly as Theresa dragged her hand down his bare chest, eyes narrowing.
βI will remain as close as I can, Your Grace. It is my job to, after all.β His smirk was vibrant and all-consuming, turning his handsome face into a visage of dark deeds to be done. As Theresa drifted back into the bedroom and sat on her bed he followed after, instead of rounding about the mattress in search of his shirt and vest.
βIβll be out of your hair soon, Your Grace. Have you seen my vest?β Pike moved from the floor, combing through the carpet and beneath the bed, to the tangled sheets on the bed. He pulled at the satin fabric to no avail, pouting when the navy-colored overclothes failed to make themselves known. βI would leave without it but that would be rather damning evidence, donβt you agree?β He said, expression full of pure humor and playfulness.
She had completely forgotten that what was going on between herself and Pike was strictly business along with sexual, nothing more or less. Theresa felt some type of way about the thought as she tuned back into listening to Pike as he spoke. Her eyes widened as it seemed like he was searching for the top layer of his clothing. βOh, are these what you are looking for?β
Theresa playfully held up Pikeβs shirt along with his vest. She smirked a little while she continuously eyed him. βCome and get them, Pike.β She dangled the clothing pieces and spoke with a sultry tone now.
Pikeβs eyebrow rose quizzically, and his play smile turned into a devious smirk as he crawled back onto the bed. He tilted his head like a cat, curious and innocent, and he reached out for his clothes half-heartedly.
βYou shouldnβt tease me, my Queen. Especially when the time is not on our side.β He purred and tried, again, to grab his shirt and vest without really even reaching out. Pike crawled closer yet, his smile as coy as the Queenβs honey-sweet tones, and he found himself eventually pressing his forehead against Theresaβs. His right hand had grasped her free wrist, while his left reached out to try and grab his garments.
βLet us end the merriment here, for now, before rumors start to spread.β
Theresa scoffed at Pikeβs words though him being this close to her for the moment did something to her. Though she could not act upon until their next private meeting. βI guess you are right, Pike. Tonight then?β She asked. Theresa really did need to get ready before Theodoro started to wonder where she was. She had already missed almost half of the entrances and even greeting them, which was sort of her job. She did not really care because she got what she wanted from Pike and then some.
She gasped as a knock came upon her chamber door and she stood, tying her robe up now. Theresa asked who it was and it was her maidens to help her get ready for the event. βOh, come on in.β They entered the chambers now and was shocked to see Pike in there. βNo worries, Pike. These are my most trusted maidens. They would never defy their queen.β
Theresa said as she linked her arm with Pikeβs, walking them over to the door. βMake sure you wear fresh clothes tonight.β She said as she leaned against the door now, wondering if he was going to say anything or not.
Pike had leaped up at the first sound of knocking, very much prepared to scale down the side of the palace from the balcony if he had to. At the Queenβs insistence, though, he relaxed and dressed in quick abandon, not even bothering to button his vest closed. He eyed the maidens with a particularly hard glance, instilling their faces and silhouettes into his memory as quickly as he could without appearing rude.
βIf there is no worry then, Your Grace, then I shall head to my chambers and dress for the dayβs festivities.β He bowed low, respectful as always, and when he rose he flashed the other women a brilliant and brutal smile. βLadies, I hope you have a wonderful day.β When arm in arm with the Queen, he turned his head forward, chin high, and he quickly fell into his long-studied posture of a noble.
βI will wear something easy to remove, perhaps.β He whispered to the Queen as he passed, βAnd in the meantime, shall I keep my ears open to any interesting gossip?β
Hearing his comment about wearing something easy to remove made her knees buckle underneath her at the thought. She literally had to look at him to read his lips to understand his next words because it seemed like she was in a trance from his previous words. βYeah, yeah. Now go.β She closed her chamber door and leaned against it for a moment, her maidens letting out a chuckle. βYou ladies keep quiet about this or I will have your head on a pike.β Theresa said in a serious tone as they both bowed towards her and she stripped down to nothingness, showing off her naked body. From there, she slipped into the bath and enjoyed the warmth of the water as she leaned back for a moment to take it all in.
After her bathe and her handmaidens helping her get dressed, Theresa then made her way towards Chateau de Monfort. Her trek wasn't that far, simply because she knew certain shortcuts around the building. Upon her entrance, a fanfare sounded off, just to let people know that their Queen Regent had arrived. She really did not meet and greet anyone quite yet as she went straight towards the table assigned to herself and her son.
Theresa managed to make it there without her seeing her slip in so late and she sat down, waving for the servant to pour her some wine into her goblet. She looked at Theodoro made his way to the table now and sat right next to her. Hearing him apologize for his tardiness, she smirked a little then turned her head towards him. "It's fine, my son." She said as she leaned over to touch his hand then sat upright in her chair again.
"I trust that the guests are well?" Theresa asked Theodoro since he was the one that greeted the guests earlier. "You should make sure that they are. Don't want your crown to be in jeopardy." She informed her son with her straightforwardness before she took a small sip from her goblet.