Queendom 11: Original Offense

"Can't we just cover it with make-up?"

Elanor enjoyed how these silly questions get on her nerves.

"The pristine Royal skin.?! Are you kidding? Not to mention, the concentrated ink won't fade easily. I've seen farmhands mixing dye, whose fingers darkened permanently, for all purposes. So please Highness, just stay in, its only a week."

"I've been lying on my belly, on a block of ice essentially, Bella, while the sun cooked half my skin, and lying again the other way, in warm water, facing the moon this time. My spine feels odd. Like I'd rather sleep sitting up."

"You had enough time to stretch, Nora. What about that sword-practice you did all morning? Speaking of which, do you really want young Miss Requina staying with us now?"

Elanor had that childish grin.

"It was either her, or Instructor Drubin himself, Bella. And you chose her"

"I didn't know you were this committed to swordplay."

"I'm getting out. My back is tired."

"Sit!"

Bella said sternly, as she slipped off her shift. Elanor's eyes bulged. She wasn't expecting to see her Mistress in the nude all of a sudden.

"Scooch over!" Bellatrix commanded while getting into the tub.

"What do you think you are doing?"

Elanor had an awkward smile. She would feel at home, amidst a dozen dangling dicks, but the nudity of a dear friend suddenly makes it weird. Bella replied, smiling.

"What else? Giving you a back massage.."

"I didn't ask for a.. No, wait.. Aaaahhh..."

Elanor felt her entire musculature droop, as her nails dug into the neck.

"Ahh.. wow.. Ouch, that hurts.."

"It's alright, Princess. A little sting is warranted."

Even as she complained, Elanor couldn't help but sink in, back to her friend.

"Awww.. Ow! I'm sorry.."

Two cold nubs poked her back, which made her self-conscious again. It felt good, like a small squishy balloon. Had she grown? I always thought Bella had such small breasts.. Elanor's thoughts ran amuck, as she adjusted herself in the tub. Bella didn't mind the accidental skinship, she was too used to petting and rubbing mares growing up, that such touches of affection had long been innocent to her. Besides, even the slightest sensual thought had one face in her mind. Tarquin. Her Tarquin. Should I write to him? She wondered, just as she had been, for the past few weeks.

Elanor leaned forward and hooked her elbows over knees, and gently exhaled. Wow, that feels so calming. The warm water. The pressure of Bella's fingers. The moon shining up above. The stars seemed shy, but that's alright. Shyness is fine. Give it time, and they'll show. Elanor smiled as her eyes slowly closed.

"Oh, Bella. Those fingers feel magical.."

"Eh..?! Not like Ishikawa's, I hope.. Hehe.."

"Oh, don't mention him now. I know we postponed this week's session, so please.."

Bella angled her shin, so the Queen may rest her back. As Elanor got comfortable, Bella looked over to see if she had dozed off again, while massaging her neck. She hadn't. But Bella's eyes got fixed on the Queen's hefty bosoms. Floating up in the water, they resembled some fruit, plucked fresh from the orchard below. Bellatrix couldn't help but compare, looking down at her own naked chest. She had been developing lately. The cold made her nipples jut out inappropriately, making the bosoms seem relatively small. The firmer breast-form made her feel inadequate.

"It's alright. I like mine not more than a handful."

A familiar voice whispered, as she looked down to find two hands crawling up from behind, pinching both her nipples. My Tarquin. Feeling him nuzzle against her nape, Bella shook her head. Am I the one dozing off now? Or wildly daydreaming?! Splashing water over the face that wouldn't stop smiling, Bella asked.

"Highness, what's bothering you?"

"Are we doing something wrong, Bella?"

That's new.

"Are you questioning the odd nature of the tasks? Is this about the dreams?"

Odd nature.?! Haha. That's an oversimplification.

"Highness, if bloodletting had been a sufficient cure, I'm sure you'd rather go that way. It isn't like this was our primary choice, if anything we stumbled into it by luck. And trial and error. Lots of it. Please don't doubt the moral grounds when we are this deep into the.."

"That's not what I meant, Bella." Maybe a little. But not entirely.

Turning around to look her in the eye, Elanor continued.

"I'm talking about the morality of risking the sanctity of the Imperial throne, for sake of the individual. By no means am I holding you responsible. This is simply on me. Should I just step away, and let someone else take charge? We can resume the treatment in privacy, without risk of.."

"Highness! More privacy than that is allocated to the True-ruling Monarch?! Are you joking? Besides, who'd you rather trust with the throne now? Who would the various factions of court allow, to ascend to the throne? You are deeply underestimating how much of a unifying factor you are, Highness. Besides, wouldn't it be irresponsible of you, on the flip side, to prioritize personal health, over the wellness of the kingdom. I'm not saying you are, but I know that it'd be your next dilemma, if you were to step away."

"May be.. But are you seriously suggesting that our last outing wasn't so risky.?!"

That's a tough one. Bella exhaled.

"In execution, perhaps. But not in premise. A party to dress-up as the historic Queens. The best you could get accused of in there, is doing too good a job. Highness, believe me.. Nothing smelled fishy that night. Sure there where some hiccups, but in a hall full of drunken Lordships, would anyone expect the true-ruling monarch herself to show up? Not even in dreams. Highness, do you seriously think that you were, at any point in the night, in danger of jeopardizing things."

I can think of one hot glowing clan-brand, and an arrogant Fredereich, but no.. Bella, I'd rather not burden you with it. Elanor simply nodded.

"See, it isn't so risky then.. Besides Highness, had all of them been supremely sober, I'd bet still, that in a sea of Queens, they'd never suspect their true-unifier to be acting so wantonly. You may prowl the streets in nude, and they'd still have a hard time pegging you for their dear Queen. I'd put all my money on that bet."

"Bella, seriously.?! Did you sneak into the cellar and get drunk or something? May be the Horse-whisperer should turn in for the night. You are sounding way too nonsensical."

"No, I mean it. Highness.."

"How so? If it were a man I'd understand. Wench-hunting isn't just expected, but demanded, for being boisterous and building camaraderie. Not to mention the various extra-marital shenanigans of most royals. I just had to reprimand an Abbess last week, Bella, defending the right to prostitute, of all things. Something I wouldn't have even dared to think of, mere months ago. I'm afraid what this is doing to my morals, on the one hand, and worried how much of these beliefs will last, if I were to make it to the other end, but I digress.. I'm not a man, Bella, to walk away with a renewed reputation, if things were to get out of hand. You have any idea the number of dames who lost their place, their power in the high society, from the hint of a scandal?! This is something commoners would never understand, the cost of losing face. Things like disrespect and ill-repute.. It's easy to walk-off, when you are a street-walker. Just move a couple towns, marry a good, religious man. You can re-invent your life in a blink. It wouldn't be easy, nor pain-free, but its doable. But, not for the high-born.. Alliances getting broken, family names tarnished, getting disowned or worse. Unless.."

"Unless.?"

"Unless you scoff it all off, as rumors. And wear on your sleeve, the nastiest ones. Like my dear sister Veramour does, so effortlessly. Even her husband does the same, speak of a match made in heaven. If you have the stomach to it, to not just ignore the judging stares, but take pride in it, perhaps. Bella, I'm.. I'm not like that. Which wasn't exactly your point, but still. I don't think people look so highly on the royals, that they ignore the blatantly obvious. No, Bella. If anything it'd be too easy for them to see me tarnished. Especially with groups like the Order of Swords."

Bella interjected.

"I wasn't.. I'd never compare you to your sister, Highness. Not that I'm judging her. Not that I know nearly enough to be judging, but.. Do not fear for the baggage from your sibling, or your mother for that matter. My point was.. Okay, let me put it this way. What is your best memory as a family, back from Vankenbraum? Before you ever came to Wolkenshire."

Elanor didn't have to think at all.

"As a family, that'd be my seventeenth birthday. Even Vera was in her best behavior. And Papa.. He was brimming with joy, from all the festivities. The fireworks, the long dinner and dancing. The whole extended family came in, even distant relatives from across the seas, the Araaphan dunes. Now it seems like a life-time ago.."

"Close your eyes, Highness. Just hold on to that memory, meditate on the happiness, live it for a moment. Can you see yourself? Yes.. Now think back, of another memory that's a close second."

Elanor leaned back in again, against Bella's knees, letting out a long, deep exhale, her eyes still closed.

"The ballroom performance, from when I was thirteen. My both parents appearing together, truly happy in public, after a separation of many months. Vera was there too, and truly being supportive. That was my first performance by the way, they say I looked like a doll in blue. Snow was the theme, and we had these frilly puffy bottoms, that was soft and flowy, yet dense. It felt so good to perform for Papa, he was so proud.."

These were all strange to Bella. She couldn't even pretend to relate, being an orphan. She said.

"Think of his pride, Highness. Think of what that moment felt like, as a little girl. What your presence, and smile, was enough to bring both your parents together. How happy all three of them were, with you around. Cherish that feeling for a moment."

Elanor didn't respond. It seemed as if she had slept. She looked so peaceful. Bella continued.

"Now I want you to imagine, Nora. About how happy little Princess Vera was to watch over her three year old sister take a nap. Feel your mother, resting by the side, gently tapping your skin, lulling you to sleep. Your Papa, watching from the doorstep."

"Mmm.. I can see it."

"Cherish that thought. Now go further. Imagine little Vera figuring out, that she's going to be a big sister, in a couple of months. Her leaning against Queen Esmeralda's bulging tummy, and smiling at the vague sounds. King Ribert embracing the mother of his treasures from behind. Imagine that sacred moment, Highness. And cherish that thought."

"It's beautiful. Mmm, it's so beautiful.."

"Good! Now picture yourself watching, as King Ribert bows at the altar, praying for another child to share their bliss. His loving wife by the side. Watch over, as he lulls a very young Vera to sleep with a song-story, and silently leave her to her dreams. Watch him walk back to his chamber, to the loving embrace of his sweet wife. His gentle kiss of affection, ignite with passion in no time. Watch him rip apart her negligee, and thrust his pelvis into the womb of.."

"BELLA..?!"

The Queen jumped up, startled.

"What.?!"

"What was that? What's wrong with you?"

"I don't understand, Highness. It's a sweet moment. Something to cherish forever, your moment of conception. Why are you getting so.."

Elanor looked like she just swallowed something horrible. Bella looked genuinely puzzled by the reaction.

"What are you on about? It's weird, it's sacred. You don't talk to a child about.."

"Nora, you are no child!"

"That's not the point.. Arrrgghhh..!! My eyes are burning.."

Elanor started splashing water into her face, and rubbing her eyes in frustration, as Bella dropped the act.

"I'm sorry.. Hahaha.. I didn't think you'd actually picture..Hoho.. God, I'm sorry Highness."

"What's the matter with you? I'm trying to figure out the flaws in our approach, and you want me to dream about my Papa having sex?! What the hell?!"

"He must have had sex, right? For you to.."

"Oh shut it.. We don't talk about it."

"I didn't ask to talk. I asked to simply picture."

"What.?! Why would I even want to picture it?!"

"It's hard on you, isn't it? To imagine even."

"Hard.?! It's hellish.!! My eyes are still burning.. Euwww.."

Elanor splashed on some more water, as Bella muffled her laughs and said.

"You know right, that it probably went down like you imagined? He must do certain things to impregnate a woman, and your mother is no different."

"Why are we still on this?"

"Nora.. You were simply picturing what you have always known to have happened. So what's with this sudden visceral revulsion?"

"Bella, do you really want me to spell out why?!"

"So long as you know why, I wouldn't. You can't even verbalize it, can you?"

"Okay, is torture now part of the treatment as well?!" Elanor felt mad at Bella, for making such a joke. Is she even joking? Bellatrix explained.

"You just viscerally rejected a simple thought, Nora. That's my point. You loved imagining everything you remembered, even things you had no memory of. But you couldn't go through picturing certain things, you simply couldn't. Or say, wouldn't. That is my point."

"Point about what?!"

"About what I said earlier, Highness. Why I'm so confident about your anonymity. Why I wouldn't worry for the Queen's good name, even if you were to prowl the streets naked. Why I'm comfortable risking your true identity."

"What does that have to do with making me picture all those..?!"

Elanor struggled with the lingering distaste of the thought. Bella said.

"Because you know now, that you can't. Your mind simply won't desecrate that which is sacred. That which is truly, deeply sanctified, to everything that is core to you. That is the same for you, and it is for each single subject of yours. They simply can't picture their True-ruling Monarch, their dear Queen Elanor, the blushing bride of their sweet Prince Barthomius, in any circumstance that is improper. They can't accept it, they won't believe it. Because that's what you mean, to the larger soul of Wolkenshire, even if you fail to grasp it yourself. They adore you Highness. Like they have never loved a Queen. Like they haven't, a King."

Elanor looked back skeptically. You can't be serious, Bella. The Horse Whisperer continued.

"You aren't the ruling Queen, just from being next in line. You are the fruit of the prayers, from all levels of your people, wealthy and vagrant, uptight and libertine, all unified by a single emotion. To those who wondered of an alternative to a King. To those who were doubtful of the competence of a Queen.."

"Bella, that's an exaggeration. Half of it, plain nonsense."

"No my Queen. Forget the Order of Swords, go perform at the Desert Rose unmasked. At worst some drunk would tell, you look pretty, like the Great Chaste. Go spend a day at the Heavensworth whorehouse, take a few customers even. Worse case, they'd take you for.. Pardon my tongue. For one of the many bastards of King Ribert, down on luck. They may even pay extra for the likeness. Highness, I can have you parade the streets, nude as the day you were born, except for the crown and royal red robe for effect.. With heralds crying out your honorifics, to the streets packed and cheering.. And yet I bet, no one would think that you are anymore than an imposter. A crude prank perhaps, to which they may laugh along and leer, or chase you out, if it were some particularly puritanical neighborhood, but no.. No one would take you for the Elanor they adore. You are their personal pride, you.. You are too sacred, to fantasize. That, my Queen, is my confidence."

Elanor sat silently for a moment, then got up.

"I need to stretch."

Bellatrix couldn't help but marvel at the sight of water dripping from the magnificent curves of her Queen. That was no attempt to entice, but perhaps the lessons so far had drilled in seductivity to the her very core. The rear globes looked way round and meaty, with moon backlighting the curves. As the Queen arched her spine and quickly flipped the hair back, there was a moment Bella could glimpse the lamp, at the far corner of the roof, shine through the gap between her both inner thighs. That bright negative space of a triangle, the camel-toe cleft of the royal nether, leaving her mesmerized. As droplets from her hair-flip rained down, Bellatrix felt goosebumps and looked away, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"Highness, there's a towel by the.."

She blurted out, but Elanor didn't hear the rest. She was in no mood to listen, not when her mind kept replaying what her friend just explained so passionately. She didn't feel the cold of the night, as her bare soles made wet prints along the roof-top. Water kept dripping down as she walked towards the edge of the circular roof. To her right was an open parapet walk, about seventy foot long, connecting the circular roof of the flanking tower, directly to the main body, which had the trap door to her chamber. Standing three feet away from the edge, Elanor looked over.

The breeze continued to tickle, as moonlight added to her budding shame. Still it felt remarkably good, wearing just droplets and goosebumps, especially in a place so far from home. The requirements of the medicinal bath, like an open area with access to direct sun and moon light, made it clear from early on, that it can't be the Royal Castle grounds. May be for a day or two, but an entire week was out of question. Bella had considered a dozen remote locations before settling on the Sanctum Fort, by the small town Hillsdale. Perhaps motivated by the recent rumors about a certain decoy program, the royal double Gertha had put in considerable time and effort to getting in shape, which turned out to be a boon. Now Elanor may leave in peace, in secrecy, knowing that Gertha would manage the scheduled appearances. In fact, finding Gertha in a much spiffy and slimmer shape than before, only made Elanor more self-conscious, considering she had a kid.

Originally an ancient heathen moon shrine, the fort got deconsecrated once the Church gained enough following. The town served as a midway point for the fruit-exports, from orchards nearby and up the hills. The population was relatively low, most of them ardent followers of the Southern Clerics, which meant none of the busy chaos of the Capitol. The fort itself was situated upon a hill, making it the highest point in vicinity, meaning the rooftop couldn't be more private, even at peak noon. The East-quarter of the fort had been open to townspeople, for storage and such.

Elanor remembered looking down from the same vantage point, her very first day. Feeling a lot more nervous, kneeling behind the merlon, and her single towel wrap-around drenched in full, not just from the sun. The breathtaking view didn't take away the initial tension, for her prior bouts of daytime nudity had all been strangely traumatic. But looking down she could see the entire idyllic countryside, resembling an intricate miniature. The Chimes river snaking through the greenery, spreading out to a couple minor tributaries, and vanishing by the far mountains. A recently upgraded dock, to her left, meant for the barges from up the mountain-orchards to stop and unload. The long vessels looked like tiny toy boats from up there, and little men were taking goods to the storage, and splitting it up to send to various places. There was a bee-line of mules and carts taking goods to various city centers, all slowing down by the Sanctum Hill monastery. The shimmering Lake Iverna right next, resembled a strange hand-mirror, which she feared funnily would reflect her absolute state to the world. Farmlands of varying crops looked like little square patches, changing shades as the wind blew past the blades playfully. She restrained from standing up, for shame and fear of vertigo, for the town look so far down from the rooftop, that even birds rarely came up so high.