Deadly Beautiful (SuperCorp Medieval AU)

Part 3

  or the one where Maggie and Lena banter. Lena is kinda sick at her stomach and probably is fantasizing about punching Lex in the nose right about now.  

Maggie had told Lena more than once how much of a better, more compassionate ruler she would be in comparison to her brother. Lena had learned from watching their father and Lex be terrible leaders. Maggie was really the only person she knew who had ever instilled any confidence in her. Lena respected Maggie's opinion above that of anyone else. She wished more than anything she could do something to help her friend. Maggie was a servant and they had to keep their friendship essentially a secret for Maggie's protection, but that did not mean it was any less real.

Lex dismissed the rows of gladiators to prepare for their group and individual bouts. Lena ground her teeth in response as she retrieved her book and took her seat. She was not sure she could bear to watch the rest of the tournament. Lena hated the sight of blood and was not a fan of violence either. She wanted to be anywhere but there.

Lena did her best to block out the sounds of the swords clashing and the people screaming. What made her even more sick was the fact people were cheering on the violence. Maggie did her best to reach forward when no one else paid any attention. She was darkly used to these tourneys and other such events. Unlike Lena she was made to pay attention. It became totally normalized to her. In some ways she had even become invested in a few of the fighters. She had watched the fighter Lena had been checking out come up from the bottom rankings.

Maggie could definitely see the appeal. Even from that far off, the gladiator was incredibly attractive. When she stepped out onto the field, Maggie gestured for Lena to pay attention. Maggie knew that watching the games was hard on Lena but she felt like she knew where Lex was heading with his comments. She knew Lena needed to see what was about to happen.

"Her name is Kara. I have watched her come up from the bottom rankings and put an end to every other fighter to put up a fight." Maggie whispered from where she was seated directly behind Lena.

"Do you have a crush on her or something?" Lena asked, teasingly. She was one of the very few people in the castle who knew Maggie preferred women. It was well known in regards to the Crown Princess, but it was also well known it was forbidden to speak ill of the royalty. Lena hated the idea it would be possible for someone to start a mob because of who she loved. It was the only time Lena appreciated her brother cracking down on the kingdom's freedom of speech. She was not inclined towards losing her head anytime soon. "I would not blame you, Mags. Even from this distance she is stunning."

"No crush on my end but you may want to keep an eye on your end." Maggie scoffed as a slight smirk started to tug at her lips. "She is not someone for you to be taking an interest in romantically, Kara's a gladiator and you do not even know what kind of issues a fling like that could pose."

"I have never even met the woman, Mags. Do not worry yourself. There is no need to jump to any sudden conclusions. "

"I know, my lady. It is just that I also know your weakness for the pretty blondes." Maggie said, tugging lightly at a lock of Lena's long raven black hair."

"I have no such weaknesses." Lena hissed under her breath, with an undertone of embarrassment in her voice.

"Well that is a ton of bull and you know it. Your brother might be too blind to see, but we both know you will never willingly choose one of the tall dark and handsome men Lex Luthor had been pushing onto you. He acknowledges and even supports your sexuality but has never bothered to get to know you well enough to see you would never be able to survive living with someone you did not love. I can not understand why he has never presented you with a female suitor, I can think of several candidates off the top of my head." Maggie grumbled, whispering so as not to draw the attention of Lex Luthor.

"Yes, but if I am to wed someone, I would really appreciate the chance to know them beforehand. I will not marry without first having love. It is the only issue I ever plan to put my foot down on. You know I have not met Kara Danvers either." Lena laughed, barely under her breath. "I will watch and cheer her on if it is going to make you feel better."

"Okay then, Lena. If it makes you sick or you feel as though it would be too much for you to handle, then that is really okay too." Maggie said, suddenly worried she was asking too much of the other woman.

"It is really quite brave of her to keep the long hair, is it not?" Lex said with a raise of his brows, a lot more loudly than Lena felt was strictly necessary. "That is an amazing shade of gold, despite the danger it poses. I hope it does not cause her more trouble just because she is vain."

"I do not believe it to be vanity, brother. I believe it to be a statement, a visual representation of the fact she can do all of this; she can be strong and she can fight without letting go of her femininity." Lena said, clenching her jaw. She knew as soon as the words she would pay for them at a later date. Maggie reached forward and squeezed Lena's shoulder in encouragement. She knew what a risk Lena had taken, even if it had not been completely purposeful.