Chapter 10
Exhausted, Nicole sighed as she pushed herself to sit up; clearly annoyed of how sleep is eluding her. By the time she found herself donning her robes, she had already given up and had accepted that she will be travelling back to the castle and carry out her regal duties with dark circles around her eyes.
Despite being intoxicated and drained, sleep was evading her for some reason. She kept turning around on her bed, searching for the finest position which can lull her to sleep but to no avail; she was still wide awake and fully aware of the night’s momentous events.
She shook her head, smiling affectionately to no one in the room as she recalled what traversed between her and Lady Wynonna; overjoyed by the fact that she had found a friend out of the mishap that is her mother’s grandiose of a plan – her marriage.
Nicole coughed; a tad amount of wine spluttering out of her mouth as she did so. “I… Wynonna...” She tried to speak but the burning in her throat has yet to subside. The wine was still fiery against her gullet.
“What? You said so, yourself, Waverly is attractive, and you would not be looking at her if you do not find her so. She’s well-informed, elegant and engaging, all the more reasons for you to make her your queen.” Lady Wynonna, keen to expound her sister’s good qualities, stated matter-of-factly. “And again, I see how you look at her when you think no one is looking. You do not look at me like that, or anyone else for that matter.” The older Earp smiled, amused, as she saw the minor change in the king’s demeanor.
“Like what?” Nicole managed to ask. She knew it was futile to even deny, Lady Wynonna was already looking at her as if she had her all figured out, but she has to try.
“Like she was all that you see, and then you would smile, one with pure adoration and pride. Admit it Nicolas, you fancy her.” The older Earp teased and Nicole shook her head.
“Wynonna, have you had any idea that your sister is opposed to being wed as she thinks marriage would allow her nothing such as liberty? Yes, she told me that.” Nicole said in recollection of the previous conversation she had with the younger Earp and seeing the confused look in the older Earp’s face, she added, sternly so, “So even if I do fancy her, I would never ever compel her to do something she’s so obviously against.”
Lady Wynonna smiled, broader than the one she had earlier. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
“What?” Nicole asked, bemused, not knowing exactly what the older Earp conveyed.
Lady Wynonna shrugged, “I need to know if you’re any different than those men who only desire my sister just because she’s beautiful, young and immaculate.” She paused and took her time to stare intently at the King before nodding her head in approval as she added, “And I must say Nicolas, you exceeded my expectation.”
“You were testing me.” Nicole deduced, shaking her head at her own inanity. She had failed to see pass the older Earp’s antics.
“Of course I was. I need to know if you’re trustworthy enough and though I consider you as a friend, I ought to know your intentions with my younger sister.”
Nicole scoffed, shook her head again and laughed. “My mother is quite right about you Earp ladies, you’re all quite a handful.”
The king’s laughter died down soon after as the youngest Earp joined them in the mezzanine. “Oh I beg to differ, your Majesty, as I am quite sure it’s just her. I and Willa was never the trouble maker.” She handed another bottle to her sister who seemed to be taking pleasure in Nicole’s sudden change of disposition.
“Are you quite alright Nicolas?” Lady Wynonna asked, a smirk drawn across her face, taunting and teasing at her so-called friend.
And whilst that conversation with the older Earp has given Nicole nothing but a good laugh and comfort, knowing full well she was in Lady Wynonna’s good grace, it was the affair that happened afterwards that caused Nicole's common sense to work obtusely.
Five bottles of wine and Lady Wynonna proved how far she can hold her alcoholic tolerance; as soon as she gulped down the remaining liquid on her goblet, she was lifeless.
And being left alone in the mezzanine by her Aunt Mercedes that only joined them to bring some more of the alcoholic beverage and to slightly converse with the obviously intoxicated Wynonna before retiring to her own bedchamber, Nicole knew she would be carrying the older Earp by herself.
Lady Waverly emerged though, newly bathe with her hair still dripping wet. “Here, let me help.” She was already standing next to the king, outstretching her hand for the needed aid.
Nicole, who was obviously taken aback, stilled; her mind already reeling in lecherous thoughts as she was reminded by the night she had seen the younger girl splendidly naked on her private bath. She swallowed hard as she tried to pry her eyes off the younger Earp. “I will carry her to her room.”
And that, Nicole did; she carried Lady Wynonna through the flight of stairs to her bedchamber with great struggle, trying not to gaze upon Lady Waverly’s swaying buttocks in front of her as they ascended the stairs.
Once she had carefully laid the older Earp on the bed, she stood awkwardly in front of the younger sister. She cleared her throat, “Make sure she acquires a wardrobe change, she might have spilled some wine on her dress. She’s quite inebriated.”
Nicole announced her leave moments after Lady Waverly thanked her for aiding her drunken older sister. And though she reflected that a peck on her cheek was purely innocent, it was also unnecessary; she was only being a gentleman that she has been raised to be. But before she left the room, she heard the younger girl giggled and she could swear it had everything to do with how her face turned a shade darker than red when Lady Waverly’s lips lightly touched her skin.