Joko44
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Royal Seduction Ch. 01 (Surprise Story Sneak Peek!)
🕑 Added 2024-05-24 22:21:31 +0000 UTCAuthor's Note: I've been wanting to write a fantasy story for some time. Here's a quick peek so far. Let me know what you think! I've attached a muse for this story's character too.
The sounds of aristocratic chatters filled the large, great hall. Queen Lyanna disinterestedly perched on the center seat of the high table with her legs crossed, slowly sipping on her chalice of wine.
Peering through the crowds of well-dressed nobility, she spotted her husband, Roderick, boisterously thundering with his posse of friends and fellow knights alike with a wooden goblet, spilling his meed about as he chanted songs about great heroes of times past.
“In lands where shadows lie, we rise up with spirits high! Through the mist and mountain pass, we march forth a fearless mass! Dragons fierce with fiery breath, we’ll face them, defy death!”
Lyanna rolled her alluring, violet eyes as she slouched onto her chair. The monarch twirled her long braided, silver-blonde hair with her fingers. She wasn’t very fond of such festivities because while her husband went about frolicking, and enjoying the evening, the responsibility of meeting with nobles for political and trade discussions fell on her shoulders.
Sitting away from the main floor, Lyanna made every effort not to appear uninterested in formal talks, however, her efforts would become undone when her servant appeared by her side to inform her of something.
“Your majesty,” the servant began, bowing their head.
Letting out an annoyed sigh seeing that it was time to make due on her duties, Lyanna sat up and replied, “Yes?”
“There is someone who would like to grant an audience to you.” Lyanna’s violet eyes went weary as she attempted to slither her way out of this potential meeting.
“Is there any chance that I may adjourn this dialogue for another time? I’m terribly not in the mood to discuss any more trade dealings for tonight,” Lyanna told her servant.
“I understand, Your Majesty. However, may I stress the importance of this particular person?”
“Hmm, fine. Who is it?” Lyanna murmured, sipping her chalice.
“The Duke Sylvanport, Oberon Winthrop,” the servant revealed.
Lyanna’s eyes widened as she was filled with displeasure, feeling the extremity of this calling. Duke Oberon was a noble of one of the most, if not the most wealthy kingdoms of the realm due to it being a mercantile hub for many neighboring nations. Given Sylvanport’s vast wealth, that also meant the Duke carried himself a certain way that Lyanna found distasteful…
However, the queen understood the importance of his calling since a trade agreement with him would prove to be very beneficial to her kingdom since there had been a minor shortage of food due to a recent string of raids from orc tribes from the east.
Downing the rest of her wine, Lyanna took a deep breath and got up from her chair. “Very well, I will meet this Duke,” the elegant monarch said, gesturing for her servant to lead the way.
“Of course, Your Majesty. This way…”
Sifting through the crowds of people Lyanna was eventually led to the man who had coveted for her presence. “Lord Winthrop,” Lyanna’s servant announced, gaining his attention. “May I present, Your Majesty, Lyanna Talus of Verdantia.”
The silver-haired queen’s violet eyes quickly scrutinized the man before her. Oberon, an older man in his mid-fifties or early sixties possessed a head of balding, black hair with a thick aristocratic mustache. He stood a bit shorter than Lyanna, his eye line around her chin. His form matched what she had imagined: on the heavier side, his gluttony was apparent in his plump cheeks, double chin, and protruding belly, emphasizing his fancy doublet.
“Your Majesty…” the Duke bowed, carefully taking the queen's right hand and kissing it. “You are as beautiful as they say!”
The Duke raised his head and hastily took in Lyanna’s radiant figure before she noticed his lingering stare. The older man licked his lips observing her tall, modest stature, full, shapely bust, and distinguishable silver hair styled in a long braided ponytail. Here serene white skin accentuated her hypnotizing violet eyes. The queen wore a graceful white dress with open legs that revealed her exposed shoulders and flashed a tasteful amount of cleavage. The dress flowed elegantly, spilling at the sides to allow for ease of movement and a glimpse of her long, graceful legs. Her ensemble was completed with a subtle silver crown headband, open-toed heels with laces that wrapped up to her upper calves, and other stylish accessories. To Oberon, she was a goddess in the flesh.
Lyanna offered a measured smile, her violet eyes sharpening as she assessed the Duke. “I thank you for your compliment, Duke Oberon,” she responded, her voice steady and composed. “Let us hope that your praise extends to the prosperity of our realms as does to courtly pleasantries.” Her words were measured, ensuring the conversation’s focus shifted toward state matters.
The Duke straightened up as he registered the queen’s subtle reprimand. “My apologies, Your Majesty. Surely you can understand my awe at your radiance. I simply can’t help myself, heh!” Oberon replied, letting go of Lyanna’s hand.
The sliver-haired queen cautiously squinted at the Duke’s flattery. It would appear that the rumors about his thirst for women were true. “No need to worry, my lord. Let’s just get to the matter at hand,” Lynna refocused the conversation. “It has come to my attention that you wanted to discuss trade between our kingdoms?”
Oberon took a swig from his wine glass and curiously arched his brow. “Ah, mhm, I seek to open some dialogue for commerce between our two great nations,” the Duke responded with a pleasant smile. “However, the evening is still young and I just got here! Why don’t we spend this time getting better acquainted with one another before we begin serious talk, yes?”
