A few months have gone by since my agreement with the king. I have slowly been getting to know him better to the point where I call him by his first name now, Alexander. Sometimes I just call him Alex, a pretty common nickname from my era but for some reason he doesn't really like it. Honestly I just keep calling him that to annoy him slightly. To keep peace I have been fulfilling the role of Queen while trying to figure out how to help Qwendalyn. She doesn't seem to be getting worse, in fact I've started getting to know her as well. I'm no doctor so I have no idea what's wrong with her, I was told it's a disease even my world has no knowledge about, but it seems the more time I spend with her the better she gets. It's like we have an unspoken bond. If I was here I'd hate me, like the only reason I'm here is to take her man, but she doesn't seem to mind. This world is so different, I just can't get in tune with the old fashioned women belong in the kitchen with no rights mentality and Alex seems to understand that now. I've spent countless hours telling anyone who will listen about my world, it intrigues women here as they would never in their wildest dreams think women would be equal to men and have the same jobs as them, etc.
"Good Morning Gwen!" I chirp cheerfully, in all honesty Gwen has become a pretty close friend and I look forward to talking with her. It's obvious different environments have shaped our personalities but nevertheless she is like me in many ways. I can even see myself in her when she's having good days and her complexity is clear. I briskly walked over to the window and opened the curtains letting the morning sun in. It would soon be cold as we were entering the winter months. Are heaters a thing here? Man I hope so.
"Kerri! I'm so happy to see you! Have you and Alexander gotten over that silly fight of yours?" Her smile could light up a room, if we're the same person why isn't my smile as captivating.
"Ugh!" I plopped down next to her on the bed ready to go into another tirade. She moved over to make room used to this by now. "That dickbag was all like if we want people to think we're a real couple we need to show affection in public and I'm all like get your dirty ass hands off me you're not my man!" I snapped.
"Language Kerri! Honestly I'll never get used to your foul mouth!"
"Eh where I come from people talk worse in everyday conversation." I retorted.
"Savages!" She gasped.
"Eh not really, it's just we've all gotten so desensitized to it. I'm doing pretty good though, I haven't dropped a single F bomb since I got here. It used to be F this and F that."
"Goodness I should hope so! That's no way for a lady to talk!"
"Yeeeaahhh." I grumbled. "Listen I have to get going or King asswipe will screech." I hopped up and fluffed her pillows before going. "I'll be back later."
"Okay have a good day! I look forward to seeing you later!" Gwen was having a really good day today, which made me happy. At this point I wanted her to get better because we're friends, not because of my contract with Alex. I passed a maid on my way out, quietly closing the door behind me, it squeaked shut. I went on my way to seek out Alex to see the grueling task he had planned for me today. I scratched at the tight uncomfortable clothing Lena had set out for me today, I was still getting used to wearing dresses everyday.
I walked into the throne room where Alex sat, maids were hustling and bustling around the room. Max was there chatting with Alex, he was completely decked out in a knight guard outfit. I haven’t seen Abby in quite some time. She hasn’t come around in about a month after she revealed she just found out she was pregnant. She and Max were ecstatic. I was happy for her, but have no knowledge with babies or expecting mothers so I pretty much kept quiet. It seems motherhood is the ultimate goal for women here, no careers or anything. I mean don’t get me wrong being a mother is extremely difficult but personally I think I’d want to keep working as I think I’d go stir crazy doing nothing but taking care of a little human all day, it’d be so exhausting. From what I can tell the men here don’t really do anything a modern day father would. They don’t change diapers, feed the baby, and from what it seems most fathers in this world don’t even hold the baby, at the very least it’s rare. Max has been pretty over protective of her since she’s gotten pregnant and pretty much wants her at home resting.
Max and Alex’s chatter came to a halt when they saw I had entered the room. “Talking about me Alex?”
“Don’t call me that, and no we were discussing foreign affairs unbefitting for a woman to hear.”
“You would have no interest in such things.” Max chimed in defending Alex.
“Ooooooo I’m sorry I forgot my feeble woman mind can’t handle such things! Anyway what’s on the agenda for today?”
“It appears my older brother is coming for a visit today.” Alex answered.
“Older brother? You have a brother?! Why didn’t I know that?!” I was a bit shocked to hear that.
Alex sighed. “Because he has been regarded as a traitor to the Lee Kingdom and cast away from the family. He had different ideologies. He formed a city north of here and took the throne there. Our kingdoms are not in war but we aren’t on great terms either. We are discussing a treaty between our kingdoms to prevent any future wars.”
“Wow that would have been great to know.” I retorted sarcastically. “What’s his name?”
“Aero.” He responded, smoothing his hair back.
“Awwww! Alex and Aero! It’s so cute you have matching names!” I giggled.
He blushed slightly then coughed into his fist. “‘Ahem, anyway he should be here momentarily, please be on good behavior today. It is extremely important Aero does not find out you are not Gwendalyn.”
“Fine, fine.” I grumbled, plopping down on the throne next to his. I wondered how many times Gwen had taken this throne gracefully, happy to be beside Alex ruling the kingdom. I wish she will do it again in the future too. I held my hand up and glanced momentarily at the ring on my finger, a replica of Gwen’s ring. In fact everything I wore was a replica from the crown to my shoes. I almost didn’t feel like my own person anymore. I’m tired of dressing like a prude.
“Oh before I forget Ms. Kerri, Abby sends her regards. She’d like to come visit sometime for tea but she has morning sickness pretty bad. Hopefully it’ll pass soon.” Max walked over to be on the other side of Alex, awaiting the arrival of King Aero. I gracefully crossed my legs to look polite for Aero’s arrival.
The double doors swung open, a few knights in unfamiliar gear entered followed by a man who looked strikingly similar to Alex but just slightly older. I wasn’t sure of the age difference but he didn’t look to be that much older, maybe just a few years. He was extremely handsome, like movie star good looks with a body to match. He strode in so confidently, being cast away from the family obviously made no difference to him. His blonde hair was longer than Alex’s, it swished around as he walked. Even from the other side of the room I could see his ocean blue eyes, he had a small scar under his right eye, most likely a battle scar. He was tall, probably about six foot two, but being short everyone looked tall to me.
“It’s been awhile dear brother, I almost thought you weren’t going to invite me back.” His voice was deep and sexy. “Damn you’ve grown old. This kingdom not treating you well?
Alex brought a hand up to his temple to massage it. “ I see you haven’t lost your charm. You remember Gwendalyn right?” He gestured toward me. I felt I needed to say something but my mind went blank. “Have you gotten married yet?”
Completely ignoring me Aero answered. “Get married? Why would I want to do a stupid thing like that? Living the single life is so much better, why settle down? That’s where you went wrong dear brother. Ladies would line up around the block to get a piece of you.”
“There’s a lady in the room sir!” Max finally spoke, obviously objecting to the way Aero was describing single life.
“Ah the lady who tied my brother down. Yes I almost forgot about her.” He glared at me, does he have something against Gwendalyn?
“Do not talk to my wife that way!” Alex growled. I was a bit shocked, he’s never stood up for me like that before. I shifted uncomfortably having caused an argument in brothers who haven’t seen each other in awhile.
“You have made the Queen uncomfortable, apologize at once.” Alex demanded.
“Or what?” Aero countered. They were fighting like most brothers fought. Even royalty fought.
Alex got up out of the throne angrily. “Perhaps you would like to show me your sword skills? Have they gotten rusty in your old age?”
“You calling me old now? How disrespectful to your elder brother. I accept your challenge.” Ooooo I get to see a sword fight. Awesome!
I got up as well. “Queen Gwendalyn, perhaps you’d like to return to your chamber for the day.” Max pretty much instructed.
“No thank you, I’d like to see the sword fight as well.” I responded, shrugging off Max’s advice.
Aero glared at me suspiciously, it was pretty hard to miss.
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