Treasures of Grovengar

The Boring Parts of Rule

Tessiana and Mathias had a bet going about who would break first when it came to getting their portrait painted. Would the twins get bored and run amuck before the artist was finished or would Tessiana get frustrated with how long it was taking and storm off into her office.

'You are a queen. The Queen. You can sit through a portrait.' Tessiana thought to herself as she fidgeted, noticing her husband chuckle as her realized that she would be the first to break. Tessiana did not think it was fair because she had not realized that Mathias had told Valenna to bring a book and Vahario to bring his sketches. Mathias elbowed Tess when he realized that she was glaring at the artist and her glaring eyes are frightening.

"Fuck this. I am done. I have a tournament to go arrange." Mathias laughed as Tessiana threw her regal cloak onto the floor and stormed out of the room. The twins didnt even look up from their work and Mathias motioned for the artist to keep painting. They would just fill Tess in later. The painting took only three hours to get Mathias and the kids done and they left as the painter filled in the background.

"Mom!" Valenna shouted, unsure where exactly to find her mother at this point. Vahario went back towards his room to get ready for his weekly ride into town. The entire family was going this time, as was their tradition. Once a month, the whole family goes into town and hands out more food and gold to those who need it. They make their purchases from the local shops and get a chance to interact with the traders. Valenna and Mathias walked up to Tessiana's and Mathias's room where they found Tessiana in her riding gear.

"Was the sitting really that awful mom?" Valenna smirked.

"One day Lenna." Tess pulled on her riding boots. "You shall have the weight of an entire country on your shoulders and you will decide that sitting for that long is absurd if there are not politics involved." Mathias grinned as he walked up to Tess and kissed her temple.

"You are a terrible influence on our children darling." He said as Valenna left to go get herself ready.

"Oh shush you. Youre the one making bets against your own family." Tessiana tried to look stern but she gave into the laughter quickly.

"Oh I am sure I can make it up to you." Mathias whispered as he placed his lips on her neck. She closed her eyes as he trailed kisses up her neck and to her jawbone, finally landing on her lips. She kissed him back passionatly and pulled him closer to her. Her fingers undoing the clasp of his cloak and untying his shirt.

Suddenly a cough filled the room and they stopped kissing. With their foreheads pressing together, Tess looked at her son.

"Yes Vahario?" She asked.

"Dad. Youre supposed to be getting ready." He pointed out in a matter of fact attitude.

"Your mother was helping." Mathias said innocently. Vahario made a disgusted face and turned on his heel.

"I am ordering the retinue to leave in ten minutes." And he walked out of the room.

"Lucky I only need nine." Mathias said as both of them chuckled. Tessiana watched her husband get dressed and she was thrilled that their marriage was still as passionate and full of love as when the first got married. After the marriage and then becoming royalty and finally having the twins, Tess had been worried that they would drift apart like her parents did. However Mathias stayed by her side and supported her through all her endeavors, as she did with his. He quickly rose up the ranks in the military and the populace had elected him to be General. The two of them made a wonderful power couple and it was invigorating. Valenna appeared in their door and the three of them walked down to the stables where Vahario was already sitting upon his horse. The four of them rose out of the stables, Mathias and Tessiana in the lead, the twins and then the guards picking up the rear. They continued in this pattern as they entered the town and made their way to the city guard station and they tied their horses up. Mathias and Tess had agreed that it was time for the kids to start seeing how royals do things so instead of letting them go do their shopping and play with the village children, they decided that on family trips down, they would have to stick around for matters of state. They all entered the station and everyone stood and bowed to Tessiana and then saluted to Mathias.