Queen's disGrace Bk. 01 Ch. 05

Jacqueline gasped in shock. "Blackmail? Your Grace, I would never! Please, I certainly have no grounds for that. I would be just as liable for anything I could hold over you."

"Except you're not married. You don't have a husband to anger. Nor, if I may be so crass, are you a Duchess." Jessica retorted.

"True, but that works against me as well. You're high in the nobility already, and I'm a maiden. I would be ruined for a good marriage if my secret were out. You would still be a Duchess." Jacqueline assured her. "No, I didn't come here for blackmail. Nonetheless, there is a bond between us, Jessica. I hoped we might talk. If you'll forgive me, I intend to capitalize on that connection to try and sway you to our Queen's cause."

Jessica stared at Jacqueline for a long moment then laughed. "Are you being serious? Oh, darling, I cannot decide whether to be charmed or appalled at your naivete. What do I care about the affairs of the Queen? Or those of Buiscard, though at least I can say I have a passing relationship with him. Do you think you could manipulate me to your side because we have played together a few times?"

"No! Not exactly." Jacqueline was flustered but took a deep breath to calm herself. I need to act more like a Domina outside the bedroom, or at least more confident. "I don't believe that just because I dominated you at the club I can dominate you in your house. That is not what this is about. Rather, I think as two women with similar interests, we might have more in common than we think."

"I doubt that." Jessica watched Jacqueline for a while before her anger began to fade. "You're not what I expected. When Buiscard brought us together in the club, you seemed like a scared mouse who would become a submissive slut plaything like me. Instead, you held your ground and asserted yourself. I was impressed. You took to being a domme like a natural."

"Thank you. I must confess I can't imagine where I am getting it from, but it is a lot more fun than I anticipated. Well, relatively speaking, since I never imagined anything like this in a marriage, let alone outside of a marriage."

Jessica laughed. "I suppose not. It's not something our mothers prepared us for, is it?"

"If I may ask, how did you come to be introduced to the Silver Belle and those sorts of activities?" Jacqueline asked.

"I married the Duke of Thiems at 16. He was 55 and in need of heirs, desperately. He was attentive enough for the first few years until I gave him the two sons he required, but after that, he retreated to his estate and began to ignore me, not that I minded. I was younger than you are now, I'd guess, and didn't want to be locked in a country estate forever." Jessica sighed. "It's a typical story, I'm sure; a young woman marries an older man, gives him heirs, and then has to find something to do with the rest of her life."

That could easily be my life, Jacqueline thought, if I hadn't entered Marguerite's service. Except I've given my youth to the Queen instead of a husband. Her thoughts drifted to Stephan, but perhaps I'll get a husband who wants more than just heirs from me.

"This was after the Queen had taken the throne, in truth and not that fiction of a Regency. My husband wanted to hide in Thiems until things settled and saw which way the wind was blowing, but I was attracted to the chaos and excitement in the city. I thought I might find a position in Court, but I didn't know the right people and was a little too old to have been one of Marguerite's peers." Jessica looked at Jacqueline contemplatively.

"I was fortunate," Jacqueline said, breaking the silence, "having been selected as a companion for the Queen as a child." She smiled bitterly. "The Regency Council knew my father wasn't rich or powerful enough to meaningfully support the Queen, so I was seen as a safe pick. I didn't realize then that I'd get a life-long friend or be so swept into the politics of the Kingdom."

Jessica nodded absently. "That is life, I suppose. The One God's plan for each of us is different. Since I couldn't enter politics, I took up with men. One of the lovers I met introduced me to the activities at the Silver Belle. One thing seemed to lead to another as I chased ever more depraved activities to try and find satisfaction and meaning."

"Jessica, things in Parce are getting as exciting as they were back then. Hoehn is threatening war, and the Queen plans a campaign against Tinnis. The Queen is balancing the support of the Church, Buiscard's faction, and the DoCasta Bank. If you want another chance at exploring the chaos of the times, this is your chance."

"What would you have me do?"

"As I said, the Queen is planning an expedition against Tinnis..."

****

Marguerite approached the stables with trepidation. This isn't like me, she thought; normally, I'm not afraid to confront problems. This whole business has me out of sorts, acting in ways I never thought I would. Images of Jacqueline's naked sex flashed through her mind, but she shook it off. She was due to meet Prince Gailen so they could go for a ride, but after hearing the steward's tale she dreaded facing the stablehand.

He knows what I did, she thought, but then, so did Denis, and I confronted him, humiliating though it was. I can get through this. Marguerite took a deep breath as she entered the stables. She enjoyed the smell of horses, more so since her stables were regularly mucked out and the horses groomed. The Prince and the groom waited for her, and the lustful looks in their eyes as they saw her low-cut dress made her self-conscious again. I cannot believe I'm wearing this gown for Gailen before Lorenzo, she realized suddenly, this isn't very appropriate at all! He'll almost certainly get the wrong idea, but then, I am supposed to prolong this 'courtship' and make it seem genuine.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," Gailen said as Marguerite approached, "you're looking ravishing today." His eyes briefly dropped to the offered cleavage. "Is this new outfit for me? I am flattered. It is quite becoming on you. I had no idea that fashion in LaRend was so forward." The Prince's eyes glinted with amusement.

The stable-hand, what was his name again, Marguerite wondered, said nothing, of course, but his eyes were transfixed on the Queen's tits. The tightness of her silk dress hugged her body, perfectly outlining the parts that weren't exposed. She tried to meet his eyes to glare, but he wasn't tearing his gaze away from her bosom. She gave up and turned back to Gailen. "It is the height of fashion in Latia," she said, "and was a gift. It pleases me you like it since we are embarking on a courtship."

"A gift? Should I be jealous?" His eyes flickered to her diamond necklace, with the pendant dropping down to the valley between her breasts. "It seems you have been enjoying finer things of late, so I also have a gift to offer." He pulled out a small pouch and emptied it into Marguerite's hand revealing a set of diamond pendant earrings styled to match the choker necklace she wore.

"They're lovely!" Marguerite exclaimed, looking at the set. They were much nicer than the small diamond studs she currently wore. Should I be accepting gifts from him? I suppose I don't have much choice. It wasn't hard to convince herself, and she placed them in her ears. "Thank you. It is quite kind and quite unexpected."

"We are courting, aren't we?" He asked, looking down at her sharply. "It is to be expected." Gailen relaxed slightly and forced a smile. "There will doubtless be more before the end. So, shall we begin?" The Prince mounted his charger, a large muscular warhorse that looked better suited to the battlefield than a leisurely walk.

Marguerite's horse was a much smaller, dappled grey courser. She stepped onto the stirrup and leaned over to mount the horse, but realized her tits threatened to spill out of the dress. The Queen felt the stable hand's gaze on her, making her blush. How much can he see? She wondered. Can he see my nipples?

He stepped behind her, grasped her waist in his strong hands, and lifted her onto the side-saddle. "Allow me to help, Your Majesty." Once the Queen was in place, the groom took the reins to guide the horse on the walk.

This wasn't the first time she had been led on a side-saddle, but it was the first time she found it hard to ignore the stable-hand holding the reins. Probably because he's seen my breasts, maybe, or no, actually it's because he knows I've drank a tankard of semen. She flushed again, and was glad she was positioned away from him, so she didn't have to meet his eyes. They rode in silence as they left the stables then down a circular path along the wall of the city towards the gate.

The silence was not awkward, however, as she and the Prince were content to wait until leaving the city to begin any meaningful conversation. Meanwhile, the groom was on his best behavior, guiding the Queen's horse through the streets and not taking any further liberties or looking at her presumptuously.

Marguerite used the quiet to think about the expedition to Tinnis, or at least the men departing on the campaign. The only other time she had ordered men to war had been the invasion of the Freighen Lands which had hardly been a war. Her men had moved in and subdued the petty bandit kings without facing much resistance. They restored order to a chaotic mess and improved the lives of the people there.

This new campaign, however, was pure opportunism. Oh sure, we'll be liberating Faithful slaves, but that's not the reason; I'm doing it for the gold. I'm sending men to die for treasure. Is this for the good of the Kingdom, or is it for my benefit? Marguerite sighed to herself. But isn't that the same thing? The Queen is the Kingdom.

As they cleared the city and began walking through the countryside, Gailen looked over to Marguerite and asked, "What shall we converse about, Your Majesty?"

"Why did your brother decide to unify the Hoehns; was it ambition and glory, or did he truly think he was doing the right thing by establishing a Kingdom for your people?"

Gailen looked startled for a brief moment before masking his expression again. "Can it not be both?"

"A lot of people died for that dream. Maybe more will die over the Freighen Lands. Is it worth it?" They reached a small grove just outside the city where the stablehand helped Marguerite dismount, then Gailen took her arm and escorted her beneath a large tree.

"It is a matter of perspective, like everything. For the peasant fighting in the front rank, the question of Lordship over a piece of land probably doesn't seem important. From the greater view of history, it is pivotal. Time will record the historical meaning long after the peasant is dead and forgotten. Shouldn't it then be the historical assessment we concern ourselves with?"

"Forgive me for saying so, but that seems a little callous. Surely the lives of our people, even the common ones, count for something?" Marguerite's eyes icily flashed as she glared at the Prince.

"We embarked on this journey almost 15 years ago. I was a young man, a boy really, following my older brother, the King. I had been training for war all my life. I had the best teachers and equipment that money could buy, and I thought I was invincible." Gailen turned Marguerite to face him. "My first battle was against the Sacsen, and young fool that I was, I insisted on being in the vanguard. Victor turned me over to an old retainer, Gerd, a sergeant in the household guard and told him to keep me safe."

Gailen looked away for a moment, gathering his thoughts or, perhaps, steeling himself. "Gerd had served my family for years. He lived in the keep with his wife, and I had trained with his sons, who were also to become warriors. The Sacsens were waiting for us in a thick forest, so thick that we couldn't form proper lines. I was so eager to prove myself that I charged ahead at the tip of the spear, cutting down their warriors like a hero of old. I was unstoppable!"

The Prince sighed sadly. "Then I realized how far from the rest of the men I was. I had pushed too deep into the forest and was cut off. I was able to back myself against a tree, but I was still surrounded by enemy spearmen." A bitter laugh escaped him. "I resolved to go down fighting, never to surrender even though they would gladly have taken me hostage. Before I got the chance, though, Gerd crashed into them from behind. He killed two before I knew he was there, cut a hole right through their lines."

"Somehow, he pulled me back with one hand while fending them off with the other. We fought side by side back to our lines, and the moment I was safe he collapsed. Blood was pouring out of the joints of his armor. I tried to get it off him, tried to find a way to staunch the wounds, but it was too late. He was dead."

"Gerd was stabbed three times, pulling my fat out of the fire. He died due to my vainglory and recklessness. His sons and his wife lost him because of me." Gailen looked Marguerite directly in the eyes. "He wasn't the last, just the first. I've fought in every battle of my brother's wars. I've personally known the men who died to make his dream come true. I understand what their lives counted for far better than you."

Impulsively Marguerite leaned forward and kissed the Prince. His eyes widened in surprise, and he stood there in shock before returning the kiss. He gripped the Queen's waist, holding her in place as he took control of the embrace. His tongue snaked into her mouth as his fingertips stroked along the thin material of Marguerite's maroon dress.

Marguerite flushed deeply as her brain caught up to her body and recognized she was smooching Prince Gailen. This is the second man I've kissed in two days, she thought, feeling ashamed. Then she felt eyes burning into the back of her head and realized the groom was watching her kiss the foreign prince. More than that though, as soon she felt Gailen's hand creeping up her body to squeeze her breast.

The massaging of her tit made her gasp into the Prince's mouth, and a moment later, she moaned as he slipped beneath the silk to touch her breast directly. The feeling of the Prince's rough, calloused hand on her hard nipple electrified her. She pressed closer against him, grinding her tit against his palm as she sucked on his tongue. I can't believe I'm doing this, and in front of the stablehand, no less! He must already think I'm a degenerate whore for drinking that cum, and now I'm letting him see me get groped and kissed by a foreigner!

As Marguerite surrendered to Gailen's advances, the more he took. One hand reached around to cup her backside, shamelessly squeezing the Queen's ass while the other massaged her breast before becoming so bold as to pull it out of the gown completely. Another quiver of delight ran through her as she felt herself flesh revealed, felt the groom's eyes take in the sight of her bare tit.

Gailen pinched her nipple and gently worked it between his fingertips as he kept his lips planted firmly on Marguerite's. His fingers on her rear pushed the silk skirt between her ass cheeks and probed at her puckered rosebud, teasing the entrance to her bottom. He smiled in satisfaction at the sensation of her bare tit rubbing up and down against his muscular chest while they embraced.

I can't let this go any further, Marguerite thought, as she felt her pussy moisten in anticipation of being closer to the Prince. He's the enemy; I have to remember that. She cursed her weak body again for betraying her as it always did. May the One God forgive me. Her hands stroked his biceps as her heart thumped against his chest. The feeling of the warm air on her exposed bosom sent a rush of pleasure through her. Why do I get so excited from being exposed? Why can't I be normal?

Despite her internal protestations, she glanced at the groom again and groaned as she saw him massaging his cock through his breeches while staring at her bare tits. As Gailen started to hike up her skirt, she broke off the kiss and pushed him back. "I think that's enough, Prince Gailen. After all, we're only courting and not yet betrothed."

For a moment Gailen looked like he was going to press the issue, but then it passed from his eyes, and he nodded. "Indeed." He looked at Marguerite for a long moment as the Queen fixed her gown. "Perhaps you are sincere in this courtship, Your Majesty. Come, let us return to the city."

After they returned to the stables, Marguerite bid Gailen goodbye but lingered so she could interrogate the stable-hand about who hired him to procure the mug of semen. Marguerite could tell he was expecting something from the lecherous grin on his face as he stood watching the Queen expectantly as soon as the Prince had departed.

How do I even begin to address this? Marguerite wondered. Finally, She drew herself up and made a demand. "Tell me who paid you to deliver the mug to the chef."

Somehow the stable-hand's smile grew larger as Marguerite confirmed for him that she had received the mug. "Did you enjoy it, Your Majesty? Did you savor every last drop?"

Marguerite flushed but continued to stare at him imperiously. "I asked you a question!"

"You've had my cum in your mouth, Majesty, not to mention the seed of how many others. I've seen your tits. You can save the tone. I know what you are." The groom took a step forward, closing the distance between them.

"I could have your head!" She snarled.

"Aye, you could, but then you wouldn't learn who hired me, would you?"

"I expect my torturers could get some answers from you!" Marguerite replied.

"Maybe, but what a song I could sing them first! But let's not fight Majesty. I don't want too much. I'll tell you who hired me; I just want a little consideration first." The man licked his lips as his eyes drifted down to Marguerite's semi-revealed chest. "I think it will be something you'll enjoy, too, Majesty."

I'm going to have him killed, she promised herself, eventually. But he needs to tell me who hired him to collect the cum. Through clenched teeth, she asked, "What did you have in mind?"

"I want to see your titties, up close and personal like, and touch myself while I look at them. Let me do that, and I'll tell you everything." The stable-hand grinned, "I'll even give you that dessert you like so much."

He's a dead man. But damn me, by the One God, why is it turning me on? It's not even so outrageous a suggestion compared to what I've already done. It's a small enough sacrifice if it gets me the name I need without spreading any further rumors.

"Fine." She glared at him again, then squared herself and ran her fingers down the neckline of her gown before pulling the thin material aside to let her pert tits spill free. A tremor of excitement ran up her spine in spite of herself as she intentionally exposed herself to the lowly stable-hand.

"Oh yeah, that's really fucking nice," the groom grunted as he reached into his pants and rubbed his cock. "So pale, and not a bit of sag to them. Real royal titties." The commoner salivated as he watched them bounce with every breath the Queen took. He fished his dick out of his breeches and began to stroke it faster as he enjoyed the sight.

Marguerite's eyes lowered to his shaft, and found herself enraptured with the sight of his hand sliding up and down the dick. Despite all her experiences, she hadn't seen a man's member before, at least not that she could clearly remember. The closest she had been was when the blackmailer rubbed it between her breasts, but then she was in a hood. It's bigger than I expected. That's supposed to fit inside a woman?