"So, now that this business is done with, I like to request to speak with the rest of the House of Lords in attendance," the King spoke, and everyone turned their attention to the King.

  As the Major Lords began gathering their belongings and preparing to depart, the King’s voice rang out with a commanding authority that halted them in their tracks. Curiosity piqued, they turned to listen, drawn in by the weight of his words.

  "What does our King wish to speak to us about?" Earl Nathaniel asked King Cyndre, who nodded.

  "I want to know where the House of Lords' stance on my son's possible wife being a Dark Elf or someone else... And I'll tell you all beforehand that I am leaning towards marrying Princess Rya to my son Quinus," Cyndre told them, and they started to whisper amongst themselves. "So, where does the House of Lords stand?"

  Baron Zellin was the first to speak. "I am for the Crown Prince's marriage to Saintess Rya. I've seen her fight and heal my army when the Bck Roses tried to invade Ironside. With her by the Prince's side, no one with half of a brain will want to cross our Kingdom."

  Baron Johnathan Dule winced at his friend's comment but then sighed. He was the most loyal to the royal family. He didn't like the idea of a Dark Elf marrying Quinus. He didn't mind her staying within the kingdom. But her race would always cause problems. But he couldn't ignore his loyalty to the King and his friend.

  "I-I don't know how to put it, my King... I worry that having Princess Rya as Prince Quinus' wife would bring us more attention than it might be worth... We're just starting to rebuild our retionship with the other races and what would the High Elves do if she were to become the future Queen?... And I worry that her carrying the next heir will be difficult. The Prince would have to make sure to bed with her every night just to have a chance for her to conceive," Baron Johnathan expressed his concerns and Baron Zellin erupted with ughter.

  Johnathan was surprised by his friend's outburst while Cyndre and Rianna looked a little embarrassed as they knew why the dwarf was ughing, but the rest of the Lords were confused.

  "Well, that's a concern we don't have to worry about... The Crown Prince's stamina is that of a dragon's. It's not if Saintess Rya would have the Crown Prince's child. It's when she'll have the Crown Prince's child," Baron Zellin chuckled, and the King coughed as he was still not used to the dwarven way of thinking.

  Baron Johnathan blushed, "You don't have to be so explicit."

  "Well, you brought it up," Baron Zellin ughed.

  Johnathan sighed and was about to say something but stopped when Earl Nathaniel grabbed his shoulder.

  "Johnathan... Lord Zellin is far more restrained than his father... Just be happy that it wasn't Arathar talking about the Crown Prince's bedroom habits," Nathaniel told him, and Johnathan nodded.

  "I'm sorry for my comment, Lord Zellin," Johnathan said, and Zellin nodded.

  "It's fine... I just wanted to alleviate any fears that any of you have about the Saintess and the Prince's commitment to each other," Baron Zellin replied, and his words had the intended effect.

  Baron Johnathan was now less worried about Rya becoming the next Queen and more interested in the future heirs. But he still would prefer the Prince take a human wife as well.

  "Ahem... Thank you for the input Baron Zellin Coldforge... Nathaniel?... What are your thoughts about Princess Rya's suitability for the role of future Queen?" the King asked.

  "My King... I believe she would make a great Queen. She's kind, compassionate, and is well liked by the popuce. And her ability to outsmart your older brother is a plus... My only issue is her ability to conceive the next heir," Nathaniel replied.

  "You don't think she can conceive the next heir?... Do you think she's sterile?" the King asked, and Nathaniel shook his head.

  "No, that's not it, sire. I believe Princess Rya can give us at least one heir but what if it's a girl?... The other Kingdoms that think they can use her to make their sons the next King of Fiafyr and force her out of Fiafyrian business. There are far more patriarchal Kingdoms in the North, and they won't take kindly to the fact that we have a Matriarchal Queen," Nathaniel expined, and the King sighed.

  "So, you're worried about our northern neighbors trying to take our Kingdom from us?"

  "It's more a future problem than anything else, sire... A foreign king might not care for the Kingdom's well-being of the next heir is a woman... It's a tough truth that we must deal with... Therefore, I would accept Princess Rya as Prince Quinus' wife and Queen, if she was willing to allow him a mistress or multiple wives. She is too good of a asset to let slip away, but she needs to be willing to bend to our conditions a little," Nathaniel replied.

  The King and the others were silent as they thought about what Nathaniel said.

  "It's not a bad idea. Having an heir from a second wife is commonpce in most families, especially Royal ones. I-I would be willing to have Princess Rya marry Prince Quinus with she agrees to this condition..." Johnathan finally said.

  Queen Rianna didn't like the idea of telling Rya that she had to share her son, but she did warn her that this might be possible.

  Baron Thaddeus frowned, "Well?... That seems all well and good, but what if the Ladies of the Court refuse to see her as a proper Royal?... I know she has been adopted by a Royal Wood Elf, but isn't... Um... What was the name of the Princess Wood Elf again?..."

  "Princess Yuliana Velnax," Lord Brice chimed in, and Thaddeus nodded.

  "Ah, yes, Princess Yuliana Velnax... I heard that she adopted Princess Rya as her daughter almost a month ago and she only had a month of etiquette training the month prior with Baron Zellin's mother, corret?"

  "That's correct, Lord Thaddeus," Baron Zellin confirmed.

  "So, she might not be cut out for the Royal Court life... If Princess Rya can't develop a rapport with the dies, then we might have an uprising on our hands. I know it seems silly but it isn't wise to have the nobility distancing themselves from the Royal Family because Princess Rya doesn't know how to behave or how to aid the Ladies of the Court with their duties, parties, and charities. It is not a good start if the nobles see her as an outsider and a potential threat."

  "And is that way the Ladies of the Court fear me, Baron?" Queen Rianna asked as she could no longer hold her tongue, and Thaddeus winced at his blunder.

  "N-No, your majesty! Most of the Ladies of the Court trust you but you've kept your distance from them over the years... I can understand after the assassination attempt on Prince Quinus' life made you distrust the Ladies. But some of the Ladies have never felt your approval and they don't know you, so they might be fearful of Rya."

  "Then I guess I'll have to change that," Rianna said with a determined look.

  Cyndre knew that look from his wife's eyes and he didn't know if he should stop or continue the meeting. In the end, he decided to continue and hoped his wife didn't get angrier.

  "So, if Princess Rya gets the approval of the Ladies of the Court and they can accept her into their inner circle. Would you approve of her marrying our son and her being his future Queen?"

  "Of course, Your Majesty... But Earl Nathaniel brings up a good point about the next Heir. She would have to allow the Crown Prince a mistress, and a possible concubine, to keep the Royal bloodline going. I wouldn't make them take a second wife immediately, but the Crown Prince would need an heir and the nobility would feel reassured if he were to produce an heir in case anything happened," Thaddeus expined while Baron Eamon nodded in agreement.

  "So you two would agree to have Princess Rya become Queen as long as she gets the Ladies of the Court's approval, and a mistress to produce an heir if she cannot, correct?" King Cyndre asked.

  "Yes, your majesty," both Thaddeus and Eamon answered.

  Cyndre nodded his head and looked at Baroness Ysandra.

  "What's your thoughts, Baroness? If Rya were to be Quinus' Queen, would you approve?"

  Ysandra had her arms crossed underneath her chest, and she was sitting back in her chair, "I believe that Princess Rya needs to be married to Prince Quinus at all cost. Personally, I think she can conceive the next heir with little issue. But if the rest of you wish to have the Crown Prince have a mistress and possibly a concubine. I'll accept that. It's a bit outdated, but I can deal with it as long as Rya becomes the Queen."

  Cyndre was impressed by how bold the Baroness was and Rianna trust in her was well pced. She was going to need her help to get the Ladies of the Court on Rya's side.

  "Thank you, for your honesty, Baroness. I hope that you'll be able to help me win the Ladies of the Court over once the engagement is announced," Rianna stated with a slight nod.

  "It will be my pleasure, your majesty," Ysandra replied while slightly bowing her head.

  Cyndre smirked at the exchange. Ysandra was a shrewd and cunning woman and she was definitely a person Rianna needed on her side. But then he noticed the st two Lords sitting on the far end of Duval's coalition table. Viscount Octavius Bckwood and Baron Caldorian Montcir had unsure looks on their faces.

  "Baron, Viscount, where do you stand?" Cyndre inquired.

  "I have no problems with Princess Rya becoming a citizen of Fiafyr... But I wish to have Princess Hilda Stoneworthh as the next Queen... If the Crown Prince still fancies himself being with Rya, then she can be his concubine. I'm fine with that. But Princess Hilda needs to be the next Queen. And I know this is a long shot. But if Hilda was to be married then there is the small possibility that the Holy Alliance would honor the Peace Treaty and if she were to give birth to an heir then they would have to honor it," Caldorian expined.

  Octavius was looking at the Baron with a surprised look. Caldorian was a smart man that's why he was the Minister of Justice. But the other's were staring at him with a bewildered look.

  "You think they would honor the treaty if the Crown Prince has Princess Rya as a mistress?" Cyndre asked in a surprised tone.

  The Baron grimaced, "Like I said... It's a long shot, my liege. And if they don't honor the Peace Treaty... Well?... I see no issue having Princess Rya becoming the second wife of Fiafyr. That way she doesn't need the Ladies of the Court's approval," the Baron shrugged his shoulders.

  Cyndre had a thoughtful look on his face as he rubbed his chin, "Hmm, that's an interesting perspective. But would you be fine if Rya were to become the Queen and Hilda to be the second wife of Fiafyr if the Ladies of the Court were to approve of the match?" Cyndre inquired.

  Caldorian grimaced, "That wouldn't be my ideal scenario... But, I can live with it," he stated.

  "Are you in a simir situation, Viscount?" the King asked.

  "Yes, my liege. I can live with it... But I would feel better if Hilda was the new Queen. Even if the Holy Alliance decres war on us. She is a Princess by birth were as the Dark—"

  "Say her name and not her race, Octavius," Cyndre reprimanded.

  Octavius grimaced, "I apologize, my liege. Princess Rya, from what we know wasn't born a Princess... Frankly, I don't know if Dark Elven Society has nobility. But Princess Rya has no experience being a royal, and I fear that she will alienate herself from the people. I think if Princess Hilda was the new Queen she could help smooth things over with the other Minor Nobles," the Viscount expined.

  Cyndre sighed, "But you could live with Rya becoming the new Queen of push came to shove," the King reaffirmed.

  "Yes, my liege. Even though I would prefer the Crown Prince to marry the Princess of the Alliance, I can't ignore the fact that Hilda has no political power within her own country," Octavius responded.

  Cyndre took in this information and he sighed. "Alright... My sister-in-w is having a coming of age party for my niece Victoria Revelia... It is a Ladies of the Court party only, and if Rya gets their approval during the party then I wish for you all to approve of her marriage to my son... If Princess Hilda gets their approval over Rya, then I will ask you all to approve the arranged marriage her, but if my son demands it then Rya must be approved to become the second wife of Fiafyr. Am I clear?" Cyndre commanded.

  "Yes, your majesty!" the Lords answered in unison.

  "Alright... Your are all dismissed. Have a good afternoon," the King ordered.

  "Thank you, my liege!" the Lords answered.

  Viscount Octavius, Thaddeus, Eamon, and Caldorian went on their separate ways while Nathaniel, Zellin, Ysandra, and Johnathan stayed behind with the King and Queen.

  "Hm? What is it?" Cyndre asked.

  "If I may, could we join you for dinner?... We would like to see how Prince Quinus will react to the news. And it will be a chance to meet the future Queen of the Fiafyr Kingdom," Ysandra inquired.

  The King chuckled and replied, "Of course. It's only proper that you should dine with us after everything you all have done for the Royal Family. Please feel free to join us in the Royal Dining Hall at 6 o'clock sharp."

  "Thank you, my liege," the lords answered before bowing and walking out the door.

  Cyndre stood up and offered his hand to the Queen, which she took, and he helped her up off her throne.

  "Well, Rianna... Looks like you have your work cut out for you. Do you think you can convince the Ladies of the Court to accept Rya?" Cyndre teased.

  Rianna gave him a deadpan look and said, "I'm not even worried about Rya, my dear husband. She is a very capable woman... But I'll be there to help her in case things get a little too... difficult."

  "Oh? Is that so?" Cyndre asked as he gave his wife a knowing smirk.

  "You'll see soon enough, my love. Leandra has another thing coming to her if she thinks that she can stop our son's marriage," Rianna expined.

  Cyndre loved seeing his wife like this. She was a strong and confident woman who wouldn't take any crap from anyone, even him. He chuckled and pinched her butt through the skirt of her Victorian style dress.

  "Mmh! You naughty boy!" Rianna purred before returning the favor, which made the king ugh harder. He started tickling her, which made her drop her tough girl act and she burst into ughter.

  "Ahahaha! S-Stop that!" Rianna giggled as the two ughed together.

  ***

  The King and Queen were a lot closer than they were before ever since Quinus came back with Rya. Rianna didn't want to admit it, but she was falling for Cyndre all over again. He was a handsome man, but the love and affection that he showed towards her was something she couldn't ignore. Before she knew it, Cyndre herded her to their bedroom chamber and was starting to disrobe her.

  "W-What are you doing, my love?" Rianna stammered.

  "Isn't it obvious? I'm going to have my way with you, my dearest," Cyndre answered as he pulled down the front of her dress, revealing her ample bosom. He then leaned in and licked her right nipple before nibbling it gently.

  "Mmm~! You tease!" Rianna whimpered.

  Cyndre just smirked and continued his teasing until Rianna's panties were soaked with her juices.

  "Now then... We can't be too long... We are having guests for dinner, after all."

  Cyndre's hand found its way between her thighs and began rubbing her moist womanhood. She squirmed under his touch, moaning softly as he worked her towards climax.

  "I-I wasn't the one to start this," Rianna panted.

  "Yes... But you'll be the one finishing it," Cyndre said as he kissed her lips, then slipped his tongue into her mouth, and started massaging her breasts.

  The Queen Royal demeanor crumbled at that point and she returned his kiss, wrapping her arms around him, and pulling him close. The two shared a passionate embrace as they explored each other's bodies, touching, kissing, and exploring every inch of skin they could reach. It only took ten minutes before Rianna screamed with ecstasy as Cyndre came deep inside her.

  The two cuddled on the bed and held each other until the time for dinner was called.