Short Stories From The World Of ARTK

The Reign Of Osenne Ashhand, Part Four

It is early in the month Juhna of 3198 A.G.

  Seven years.

  Seven years, and they'd finally make their marriage difficult to annul. Too many people had talked. Too many people had claimed they couldn't stand one another; when that were farthest from the true. He'd thought she were joking when she brought it up, but he'd spent long enough proving he weren't his father. At breakfast, he'd sat at her right- expecting just another day. They'd go over criminal sentences if their were any, look at trade records and greet merchants or trade advisors of other territories- maybe hold court so their people could be heard, as was the burden of a peaceful ruler.

  If Osenne's loyal handmaiden hadn't told her off a rumor amongst the servants.

  "There are rumors again." She'd said.

  "There are always rumors-"

  "No, my lady." She'd interrupted. "These are.... far more vile. They say you and your husband have not shared a bed since your wedding night. They..."

  She'd gulped, unafraid of Osenne but still reluctant to repeat the words.

  "Mabel?" She'd turned around as the girl were pulling on her dress's ties and made them far too tight. "What else?"

  "Apparently when... you had the witch look at your lower half to see if the pimple were something to be concerned about...someone in that room saw that you were still..... intact. That you....have not allowed your husband to touch you because he....because you do not prefer cocks. They also say you lied to him and said... you would lay with him if he dealt with his father. " Manel gulped. That were a word she hated, having grown up in Praris- but she didn't know another way to put it.

"You and the witch were the only ones in that room." Osenne had frowned.

"Yes...my lady." Mabel's words made getting rid of Mareona that much easier, so she'd thanked her and gone to breakfast quickly. She'd repeated each and every word to Tibost, leaning closer with a hand over his.

  "I wouldn't worry too much. These rumors will pass-" he'd started.

  "Yes, they always do- but they get worse with each passing day." She'd gulped. "I do not... you have never forced me. That is more than most noblewomen can say of their husbands. But... seven years is long enough. Each rumor brings me closer and closer to an assassination attempt- and I will not allow myself to be the reason an ancient house dies out. So if you are willing... you may...sleep in my chambers tonight. Make sure you are seen-"

"Of course-" he'd interrupted, placing his free hand over hers. "Whatever you wish for, you will have."

  So she weren't surprised by the knock at her door as the sun were going down, nor by her own shaking hands. Mabel stripped her of the last piece of her day dress- a corset top, and lowered her head. She could not help but smile, her cheeks reddening as she thought of what would happen when she left. She opened the door and stepped sideways past Lord Tibost, who closed it back.

  "My lady." He were already removing the chemise with his eyes, though he moved to her slowly and held her gently. "You are shaking.... Osenne are you-"

"Yes." She gulped. "I am sure."

  *Insert scene here that will only be in Amazon version😏*( I'm just too lazy to write it right now)