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“You can’t possibly think you’re all different. This long and still no wife?! And not even a husband, if the rumors are to be true.”
You sucked in your breath as your corset was tightened by a handmaiden. Off to another one of King Boo’s grand parties. Another night of debauchery and heavy drinking, for the King and your friends at least. Not really having a taste for the wine they served, you opted to sip your only glass for the night in your corner. A party at the royal kingdom was always a great excuse to get out of home. You weren’t that different from the other women, and sometimes men, who would surround the King with their bodies, inviting him to touch, kiss, perhaps more. King Boo didn’t always take it to the bedroom, but when he did you knew you were not seeing that person for at least an hour. This was not him finding someone to wed, only to bed.
“Hello? Are you listening?” you gruffly asked your friends, all chittering as they adjusted their busts in their dresses. No doubt to get Boo’s attention when they arrived.
“Sounds like the talk of someone giving up on a beautiful, rich husband to us!”
“Can’t you let loose for one night? You should really try to talk to the king.”
“I wish he would pick me to take to his chambers, I’ve been trying to get into his arms for months! I swear he has favorites, and none of us have even been taken even once!”
You rolled your eyes. There was no denying that the king was incredibly handsome, and if his brother wasn’t so cursed, perhaps he would be as well. You bit your lip as you were tied into the tight cage of a corset, your skirts and sleeves being adjusted. A small pat of perfume was applied to your neck, a scent your mother had specially purchased for you. A simple string of pearls was fastened behind your neck. Just a few small tugs of fabric and you felt you were ready to go. Your friends, however, still needed to finish getting ready. You saw yourself out of the room, calling back “Come to the foyer when you’re all done becoming harlots!”
You said this last part half joking, knowing their type of humor.
Loud music, dark room only illuminated by candles and flames of varying colors. As usual, you stood in your corner, goblet in hand, watching your friends ogle the King. He never had less than 2 people on him at any given moment. He was handed drink after drink, two of your friends being his arm candy for the moment. They made eye contact with you through the crowd, their eyes screaming “I did it!”.
You raise your glass to them before taking a small sip. The wine this night was sweeter than it had normally been, better suited to your palette. What was that…strawberry? Possibly. You had another drink when you realized your cup was empty. You didn’t realize how much you had actually enjoyed it. The music filled the room as couples kissed, friends danced. Somewhere between getting your 3rd cup and finding a spot to sit for the time being, King Boo had disappeared somewhere. Probably took a maiden (or two) to his room. The ballroom had become stuffy due to all the hot and boozed up bodies, so you slipped out of the ballroom to get some fresh air. As the door closed behind you, you sighed deeply. The cool air from the hallways of the castle felt great on your warm cheeks. You walked down the hallway, fanning yourself. The muffled sounds of the ballroom activities echoed down the hallway. You found a lavatory to relieve yourself and freshen up. A blurry reflection of your red face greeted you as you washed your hands. Lipstick still intact, cheeks bright red, a small patch of sweat had formed at your temples. Rubbing your cold, wet hands on your exposed collarbone, you took a deep breath. You didn’t know how much longer you’d be here, but it shouldn’t be long until your remaining friends decided it wasn’t their turn tonight and left with their heads high but egos crushed. No doubt they would continue to return to each party, even if they were every night for the next year, just to get a touch of the king. Then you’d have to wait for whichever friends were whisked away to his room, and listen to raunchy details of what kind of lover King Boo was.
Lover…fucker. It all had to be fucking. There was a gentle passion to making love, but fucking. Well, it’s a different world. An almost animalistic fire in one’s eyes as they ravaged their partner, leaving them a babbling mess and not a single thought in their brain. You dried your hands and left the restroom, letting the door close behind you as you stared at the floor, wondering if you should just start walking to the foyer of the castle. Two white shoes, expensive ones for sure at that, entered your field of vision. You froze, looking up at the owner. Cream trousers, black and grey vest with gold trim…white hair and stone eyes. King Boo.
You probably looked scared to death, judging by his surprised look. “Normally a lady like you would be groveling to be in my presence… I see that’s not the case.”
You stuttered out “I-I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you o-on my way out, I…”
You gave him a shaky curtsey and told him your name, only getting up from your low bow as he took your hand. “I’m sure I don’t need to tell you who I am…”
“King Boo.”
His hands were warm and soft, and as he raised your knuckle to his lips you could see the stain of red wine in his mouth. No doubt he’s probably tipsy at this point if not outright drunk. He let your name roll off his tongue, locking eyes with you. “Lovely name for a lovely face.”
The heat radiating from him was intoxicating, his cologne taking up space in your mind. He let your hand go and gestured to the empty hallway.
“Why don’t you come walk with me, I need to get away from everyone in there.”
You nodded silently and followed him down the hall.
You walked with him in silence for a short while before he broke it. “What brings you here? I don’t think I’ve seen your face before.”
“This isn’t my first time, I usually come with friends. In fact, they were on your arm at some point tonight.”
“That's who you came with?” he chuckled. “Those broads were practically throwing themself at me like every other woman that walks through those doors.”
You grimace at his rather sexist comment. Sure they were a horny bunch of girls, but you had to admit, the King was rather handsome. “Would explain why I don’t recognize you then, seeing as you’ve been here several times. But I remember faces, if you had been trying to flirt with me on any of those nights, I surely would have recognized you.”
He gives you a side glance with a smirk. “I would never forget a face like yours, it’s too pretty to forget.”
You felt yourself blush, and attempted to shake it off. Here you are on a leisurely stroll through the palace with the King, and you didn’t want to start tripping over yourself now. What would another woman do in your place? Wrap themselves around his arm, purposefully pushing their breasts against his bicep and batting their lashes? Showering him with compliments and praise, probably. You knew what this walk meant. Where it would end. And there it was. A giant black door, decorated with silver and gold trim and intricate woodwork stood before you, depicting royalty and commoners of the kingdom below them. Boo’s room, perhaps. He placed his hand on the doorknob. Giving you a sly look, he asked you if you would like to come in.
“I only bring one lucky girl…or boy… here during a party. Of course, you’re a first for me. Not throwing yourself at my feet, urging me to unlock the door and pushing me in. However, I’m not a scumbag.”
He lowers his voice. “I wouldn’t push a lady, or anyone for that matter, to do something they aren’t comfortable with.”
So, he didn’t just sweep maidens off their feet and toss them onto a mattress. You tilted your head at him, covering his hand on the doorknob with your own.
“I appreciate you asking at least,” you replied. Standing on tiptoe, you brushed your lips against his. “I’ll let you know when to stop, your highness.”
And with that, he opened his door and pulled you inside.
He was upon you once the door clicked shut, incredibly fast hands on your waist, pulling up your skirts to rip off your garters and stockings. Stained lips crashed against yours, you matched his eagerness by slipping your hands under his coat to push it off, where it landed with a soft but heavy thud. The buttons on his vest were ice cold to the touch, making you gasp as you slid your hand down his chest.
“Careful…” he moaned. “One of those costs more than your entire outfit.”
With shaky hands you slowly, carefully, undid the king’s vest, feeling the heat of his body from under his shirt. You stopped your hands at the hem of his trousers. He was drunk. You were drunk. This is what you wanted, right? This is how your night was going to go. So why did it feel wrong? You kissed him again, pulling his hips against yours to drown out whatever tiny voice was trying to speak to you. You began to undo the button on his pants, but stopped. He felt you hesitate and pulled himself away from you, giving a confused look.
“Isn’t this what you want?”
It was as if he read your mind. You looked into his eyes, really looked at them. They were hooded, the whites a little red, pupils dilated. You moved your hands to his cheeks, cupping them gently. His beard slightly scratched your hand as he relaxed into your palms, his arms holding you close. This wasn’t right. A knot twisted in your stomach. There was something behind those stone eyes of his and he wouldn’t tell you. He won’t. He’s the King, you’re just some lower socialite who lucked out and ended in a position most girls in the kingdom would envy. He looked to you for an answer. No…
“My Lord…” you began, and swallowed hard. “Is this what -you- want?”
He froze. His eyes searched yours for something. His brow furrowed and he gave a low growl. You tensed your body, afraid that he was reading this as you refusing him. And it’s not that you were, you’re not a complete stranger to one night stands, but usually your partner's eyes had a bit more excitement to them. “What I want…” he starts. “No one asks me what I want. They just give. Of course this is what I want, I wouldn’t have brought you here otherwise.”
“You brought me here because you thought it was what I wanted, right?”
You swallow hard again. He relaxes into your hands, moving his head to kiss your palms.
“It’s what everyone wants from me. Women like you who come here…”
Something inside you screamed to leave, to let him go and walk out of there with your clothes still on. He was not a danger to you but you were so uncomfortable with the proposition that was handed to you without words. You can’t have sex with him. He’s so insistent on letting you do what you want to him, as if he’s not letting himself think about it. Numb to it all.
“My Lord, forgive me.”
He looks at you again, this time his eyes are shiny, threatening to burst if you continue to coddle him like a scared child. “You don’t have to tell me anything. Not a damn thing. I’m just a patron of one of your lavish parties. There’s something…something telling me that you feel like you have to sleep with me.”
He snarled and ripped your hands away from his face, holding you by the wrist. “Don’t you talk down to me, wench!”
His hot breath tickled your nostrils, the smell of old wine permeating the air as he continued his verbal assault. “I KNOW how you all are, if you want to fuck me, then FUCK ME! You are not a court appointed shrink, you’re not my fucking mother, I know what people like you want, it’s right in front of you and you’re saying NO?!”
His eyes narrowed as you trembled in his grasp. “What the fuck are you playing at. What’s your fucking angle?”
It was your turn to cry. His hands were hurting your wrists, crushed together and threatening to bruise. You wondered how many others had seen that sadness behind his eyes and ignored it, if they saw it at all.
“Please…King Boo. You’re hurting me…my wrists…”
He let you go, never leaving you however. You cried out in relief, massaging your joints. Powerful, handsome, strong…and an asshole. Boo’s chest heaved as a single tear slid its way down his cheek, a choked sob following soon after. More tears spilled from his eyes, bringing him down from an angry man to a frustrated and upset child, cheeks red and nostrils flaring. What did you do wrong?
“What did I do?”
He wiped his face with his sleeve, finally turning away from you for the first time since you entered his room.
“N-nothing. Nothing. You didn’t do anything. I’m so sorry. I…”
“You don’t have to explain anything to me.”
You fixed your clothes, and felt behind you for the handle.
“I’m sorry I upset you, King Boo. I’ll take my leave now.”
He didn’t look back as you opened the door and left. When the door clicked shut, an agonizing, gut wrenching yell rang out from somewhere deep inside the king’s soul, echoing in your head.