It was very funny really, when Beatrice thought about it. The one thing she wished for more than anything was to stay by her Princess’s side. It had come true, but not in the way she imagined.
They weren’t sure how it happened. They had been attending Queen’s Mayfaire Academy, going on missions. There was talk of strange illness spreading. Beatrice had been worried about it, but Dorothy had eased her troubles. Illness often happened, but they would be prepared for anything, as they always were.
Beatrice tried to move on, but she secretly still worried. She kept a cloth over her face when passing through large crowds, and encouraged her friends to do the same. They did, even if it was only to humor her.
They began to take it seriously when people began disappearing. Classmates, maids, instructors. The commonwealth had planned out a meeting, only to withdraw it. Claiming putting their best spies out in the crossfire would be foolish.
The girls were left with little information to go on. They didn’t receive any news from the kingdom, they kept her poor Princess in the dark.
Princess held her tightly, shushing her as she tossed in bed.
“It’s going to be alright Beato, I promise. We just have to be careful. Like we have been.”
Beatrice leaned into the hand Princess placed on her cheek.
“But what if it’s not? I can’t stop thinking about it. What are they hiding? What is so dangerous that they had to lock you away? It’s been a week.”
Princess faltered, Beatrice wasn’t trying to be difficult. She knew her Princess was worried too. Especially when the guards had arrived at the Academy, swooping in to seal her away. Princess had pleaded to have Beatrice with her, swearing to bring harm upon herself if not allowed. Beatrice was glad they were together.
“Ange, Chise and Dorothy are gathering information as we speak, we’ll know soon enough!” Princess leaned down, her lips pressing against Beatrice’s own.
“Or maybe sooner.” Came a familiar voice.
Princess gasped as she pulled away, running over to press her lips to someone else’s. Beatrice grumbled as she peeled herself off from the bed, though she was glad to see her friends.
“I’ve missed you all! Are you alright? What’s going on?”
Ange drew Princess under her arm, while Dorothy enveloped Beatrice in an embrace, with Chise joining.
“It’s bad.” Chise stated.
Their three friends looked haggard. Their hair singed with dirt and clothes rumpled from their time scouting.
If Beatrice was panicking before, what she felt now was worse. Was the whole kingdom going to go down? How bad was bad?!!
“People are losing it! We saw a mother eat her child! She just took a bite of him!” Dorothy said, horrified.
It happened quickly, that’s all Beatrice could say. Packing always helped her to feel better. Bags were packed and put together in a timely manner. They decided they couldn’t stay long. The kingdom wasn’t safe, they could help better outside of its walls.
The illness had spread inside the palace walls. As they prepared to make their escape, Beatrice saw it. One of the guardsmen, hulking his way over.
Dorothy had prepared the c-ball, Chise wrapped around her waist as they lowered off the balcony.
“Princess!” Beatrice squeaked.
“Beato what’s wrong?” Princess whispered.
“He’s coming!”
His eyes were strange, milky white veering on yellow. His skin sapped of colour as he growled.
He was fast, but Ange was faster. She darted forwards, shoving Princess back as she appeared beside Beatrice. Beatrice was gathered close in one arm as Ange shielded her inside her cloak.
The trigger ran out in the dark hallway as the guard fell down.
Ange turned away as quickly as it happened, taking a hold of Beatrice and Princess’s hands.
“What on earth happened?!” Dorothy floated up.
“It’s in the palace as well. It’s spreading.” Ange remarked dryly. Though Beatrice could see the fear in her eyes.
“I knew him,” Princess relayed. “He had a family.”
Ange rested her hand on Princess’s shoulder, guiding her closer to the balcony.
“I’m sorry about him, but we have to go now. Dorothy, take Princess.”
Her princess was quiet as she fell into Dorothy’s waiting arms.
“Beatrice?” Ange asked.
Beatrice was still clutched within her cloak, surprised to discover she felt comfort from it. Tucked away from the rest of the world.
“I know that was scary, and I’m sorry. It’s most likely going to get scarier, I can’t promise that it won’t. I can promise that I’ll do everything I can to protect you.”
Beatrice was even more surprised by the way her heart fluttered. Such a declaration! Her princess always brought her comfort and safety, but not like this. Princess was strong in the emotional sense, but she couldn’t protect Beatrice, not like this. She knew that her love loved more than just her, perhaps she could see the appeal.
As Ange floated her down with the c-ball, Beatrice allowed herself to bask in the feeling of safety.
There existed a base out in the forest, far away from the kingdom's walls. They travelled throughout the land to reach it, witnessing sights Beatrice will never forget.
They had to kill those who suffered. Whether that was from being half eaten or those who were eating. Shooting in the heart didn’t work, nor the stomach or anywhere below.
The head was the key. One clean shot would do, then it was over.
“We’ll teach you once we reach the cottage.” Chise had said.
You’ll be pros in no time!” Dorothy added with a wink.
When night came Beatrice found herself encased by two instead of one. Princess against her front with Ange at her back. She slept peacefully those nights, trading lazy kisses when Chise and Dorothy fell asleep.
Eventually they did make it to the cottage, and things fell into place.
“You need to hold it steady Beato,” Ange corrected her hand, holding it straight.
Perhaps she could, except for the fact that Ange’s hand was on her back with the other on her wrist.
“Like this!” Princess piped up before shooting directly at the target.
Of course, she’d expect no less than perfect from her princess, but Beatrice on the other hand…
She was struggling to feel useful in their new setup. The others were almost naturals in this new world. Strong, independent. Chise was quick, striking when needed and holding her own. Dorothy kept them going, pushing them to do their best. Ange was the impenetrable wall, keeping everything at bay. Princess was the heart, leading them to victory.
Beatrice was….useless.
Her skills weren’t for this world, she didn’t know how to survive. The only thing she could do was help to slow them down.
There was also the other thing of being….distracted.
“Well done princess.” Beatrice congratulated.
Princess beamed, holding up her gun excitedly before squeezing Beatrice’s arm.
“You’ll get it Beato! We just have to keep practicing!”
“You also need to focus. You're looking but your mind’s not there.”
Ange took a hold of her once more, a firm hand on her back, lips dusting over the shell of her ear.
“Look at your target, pretend that’s a lurker.”
Ange brought her closer.
“Keep your eyes on it,” breath on her cheek, Beatrice released the trigger.
The noise startled her, and so Beatrice fell back.
As the silence ran out, Princess took a hold of Beatrice’s hand.
“You’ll get it next time for sure Beatrice!”
Ange sighed, taking the gun to tuck it away.
“We’ll have to try tomorrow, it’s getting dark out.”
“Surely we can try one more time.” Princess argued.
Ange shook her head. “We’re already out far enough, we don’t want to attract too much attention. We’ve been lucky so far, they don’t seem to travel this far.”
Princess opened her mouth, but Ange rested a finger against her lips.
“We need to conserve her ammo as well. We’re stocked for now, but that may not last.”
It was then Princess’s time to sigh.
“Let’s get going Beato.”
Beatrice allowed herself to be led away, two hands holding hers as they stalked through the woods.
The cabin was well stocked. Canned rations, packaged too. Emergency supplies and weapons. Ange did raise good concerns. It was only a matter of time before there was nothing. Then what could Beatrice do? She couldn’t cook anything without any food. Nothing to keep the group fed or safe.
The forest was quiet as they walked through it. Princess chatted less out in the open, heading Ange’s warnings.
The only noises were the animals. Birds singing, squirrels chirping from the trees.
It reminded Beatrice of wandering the Academy with Princess, of feeding birds seeds from her hands.
Feeling reminiscent, Beatrice let out a trill to a nearby bird, inviting it to join in.
To her delight, it did.
“That’s neat,” Ange remarked.
“Beatrice is great at it! She makes the loveliest sounds.” Princess raised a hand to her throat, thumbing at her collarbone.
“She does.” Ange winked at her.
Beatrice ignored them both as her face flushed, the two trading grins with each other.
A thought did occur to her. If she could use her one skill for the greater good, maybe she could contribute.
It wasn’t something she liked to use, but she would make an exception for this.
Ange took her out the following days, working with her until her aim was right, or passable really.
As she went out Beatrice listened to the world around her. She learned the animals, their sounds, their footsteps.
Ange was growing intrigued with the bleats she let out.
“What are you doing-“ Ange was cut off as Beatrice yanked her behind the foliage. She held her hand over Ange’s mouth as a doe approached from the trees.
Ange protested as Beatrice swiftly removed her gun.
Ange’s confusion settled when she noticed, allowing Beatrice to take her shot.
The doe fell to the ground, jerking until it fell still.
“You did it! That was marvellous!”
Beatrice dusted off her dress, a sense of warmth spreading through her. Her work paid off! Her friends would be fed handsomely tonight! When they ran out of rations she could fend for them!
“Oooof!” Beatrice squeaked as she was lifted off the ground.
“Ah!” She squeaked again when her world spun.
Ange let Beatrice fall against her chest, holding her thighs over Ange’s hips.
“Everything is spinning,” Beatrice giggled.
Ange bounced her, before taking a hold of Beatrice’s chin.
“Do I have something on my face-“ Lips were firmly pressed against her own, cutting Beatrice off entirely.
Beatrice felt a different warmth spreading through her. She wrapped her legs around Ange with a renewal of energy. In the weeks past they had been sharing a bed, a partner, and with that each other.
Beatrice’s first love was her princess. She knew that Princess had love for her, that it was strong. She also knew Ange was Princess’s first love.
It hurt sometimes, even though Princess had enough love to pass around.
Beatrice could see why Princess loved Ange. She was beautiful. A quiet confidence and grace Beatrice envied, admired.
She was also soft, and strong. Ange was certainly very strong as she tilted Beatrice down, a tongue finding its way along Beatrice’s own.
Beatrice gave in, closing her eyes. She was lowered to the ground, a hand finding its way to her undergarments. Ange thumbed at the band, a silent request.
Beatrice nodded then gasped as Ange gave a quick tap to her masked mound. Her hand rested on the ground, holding the grass as rapid circles were pressed along the fabric.
“That’s nice isn’t it? Do you like that?” Ange questioned.
Beatrice moaned, her vision white.
“Beatrice, you need to answer me.” A thumb pressed along herself, causing her to arch into it.
“I can’t-t,” Ange tutted.
“That’s a shame.” Ange took a hold of her chin once more.
“I’m going to finish you off okay? Then we’ll drag your kill back to the cabin.”
Beatrice shook her head frantically. Please, god please yes.
Ange couldn’t reach into her corset, her breast kept away. Beatrice had to bear with having her corset pinched.
They found their pace. Beatrice squirming on the ground as Ange had a brisk hand rubbing against her clothed mound. The other had found her laces, pulling her corset tighter than before.
Ange covered her screams, brushing the tears from her eyes.
“Shh, we don’t want anyone to hear.”
Ange helped Beatrice to her feet, brushing dirt and twigs alike from her garments.
Beatrice stumbled forwards, only steadied by Ange’s grip.
“Now, let’s get this back in time for supper.”
Her friends were overjoyed to see the surprise brought before them.
“This is wonderful!” Chise said to Beatrice.
“Real meat!” Dorothy clasped her shoulder.
“Well done Beato!” Princess praised her, kissing her cheek.
Beatrice fell asleep that night. Stomach full as she was pressed in from both sides.
Just like she loved it.