Chapter 4
Nicole, despite being raised as a man, knows that she’s still a woman, physically and should be emotionally as well, so she’s a bit perplexed as to why she’s feeling more for a woman than she’s supposed to feel for a man. Her entire life, she’s surrounded with beautiful men – men that were both exceedingly capable and captivating and all are worth being called a husband – but not a single one caught her attention. She even thought she only had a lofty paradigm when it comes to the likes of men, but as it seem so; she may have just an unlikely preference, one that shift towards women, or in this case, woman.
Lady Waverly Earp, in a length of between night and day, had managed to clamber her way to Nicole’s eccentric dreams in the most sensuous way possible where Nicole woke up the day after drenched with sweat and with a dull ache below her midriff, just about between her lengthy legs. She never had that sort of dreams before, one that was so vivid she actually recalled the morning after; and it being about the woman she had been timidly peering at over the dining mess hall during the entire dinner, doesn’t make it any more sensible to her.
Why, in all its absurdity, does she even feel physically attracted to the youngest Earp?
Somehow, Nicole pondered if it has something to do with Waverly’s luscious smile and honeyed voice. Probably, how else can she explain the skittish beat of her heart whenever the younger girl would smile at something she had said over the course of their dinner or whenever the younger Earp would say something she was so enthusiastic about; Nicole would feel like she got her heart stuck under her throat, unable to form words.
“You seem awfully quiet earlier.” Waverly stated once they were alone in the garden. The younger girl had suggested for a walk some time after dinner to which her sister declined and had convinced Nicole to accompany her instead, citing that it’s not always safe to wander alone in an unfamiliar place. Knight Xavier offered to accompany her knowing that the King usually stays in her quarters to read but Nicole insisted that there’s no one to be safer to wander with than the King herself; and she doesn’t want to pass the opportunity to be alone with the youngest Earp - just them, alone, together. “Have I offended you?”
“Oh no, no.” Nicole shook her head vigorously. “No, you did not. I was just merely observing you and your sister, her straightforwardness is refreshing.” She stated, remembering on how many times the older sister had unabashedly voiced out her thoughts during dinner.
“I do apologize on her behalf, your Majesty. I’m quite sure you’re not used to women being so independent with their minds. Our family had always favored our way of thinking, never had discouraged us on anything, really.”
“Must be nice.” Nicole unconsciously said out loud. “I mean, having your freedom without anyone telling you how to live your life.”
“It’s not every time. They cut our wings once they marry us off.” She did not miss the sadness that was drawn on Waverly’s face, she wanted to reach out, cup her cheeks and smooth out the dents that formed on her eyebrows, but decided not to. “It’s unjust really, why let us roam free and then cage us after.”
“Is that how you feel about marriage?” Nicole asked carefully, wanting to know if the youngest Earp even wants to be there in her castle with her, knowing that there’s a chance she’ll be chosen for a wife.
“Willa does.” Right, she remembered the letter Xavier handed to her upon the arrival of Duke Ward Earp’s daughters. It was a letter of regret – one that cites how the Duke had failed to send his eldest daughter because she was set to marry Baron Robert Svane of Scotland – not that Nicole even cared, if truth be told; Willa never struck anything within her unlike the two younger Earps, though quite differently.
“But do you?” Nicole persisted. She wanted to know if Waverly would even like the idea of marriage.
“If I do love the person, I think I can compromise. But I’d really rather have my independence than be wed at all.” Waverly smiled, it didn’t quite reach her eyes not like the ones that had Nicole speechless in more occasions than one. “I mean I’m still young. I’m barely prepared to be a wife.” Of course, the queen mother had thought of that already even before her decision, now Nicole understand why her mother was so adamant to have her meet the Earp Sisters after 2 years; Waverly is still not of age, yet.
And to confirm her deduction, Nicole asked, “You are going to be a year older this year, right? 18?” to which the younger girl nodded in affirmation, then there was silence till Nicole asked again. “But if it’s with me… I mean if you were to be married to me, would you compromise?”
“I believe I and my sister are here to get to know you more, your Majesty.” Waverly did not say anything after that, leaving Nicole to ponder with the possibility of the younger girl shifting her mentality.
And whilst that had so little to do with her erotic dream, she can only speculate that the incident that happened hours before she fell into slumber was the sole reason for her mind to conjure up such scandal.
Nicole was heading towards her bath, anticipating to wash off the edginess she had been feeling ever since the Earp siblings’ arrival. It’s barely been a day but she’s been more stressed than she’s ever been of her entire existence; and to think that the siblings ought to stay longer, how can she endure a whole holy month?
Distracted, she entered her bath only to halt at the entrance, hearing a splashing sound coming from within. Surely, no one dared to take a plunge to her private bath now, would they? It is for the King and the King alone, it is as sacred to the King as her loyal subjects she ruled upon, and if one would dare to touch something that belongs to the King, let alone use, death is the only retribution.
Nicole fixed her bathrobe and was about to announce her presence when she had a glimpse of the person utilizing her bath; with droplets of water, Lady Waverly Earp stood at the edge of the bath, in all her nakedness and glory.