bakerstreet | You're my king, I'm your lionheart

Companion to Royalty Meme

There's one truth you must know of royalty: though power may lay in their hands, the crown is a cage. Whether you've always been noble, came into this position recently by complete surprise, or a simple person caught in the fray, you're realizing that leaders actually lead very little - even down to choosing who they spend their most intimate moments with. From eternal bonds of matrimonies to the distractions provided by courtesans, the people behind the throne make the rules. They cannot risk losing control of their most elevated and strategically placed pawn with a match gone wrong, which could create a domino effect and doom possibly thousands.

So, what part do you play in this game?

Lifetime Royal: This is what you've been raised to do.
Sudden Royal: You just learned of your position, which has been secret from you your entire life, or you unexpectedly inherited the job.
Spouse: You're to be married to nobility.
Concubine or Courtesan: For the royal, you're to be a sexual diversion.
Unaffiliated: You're either a lower-ranking noble or a peasant, but you're free from all the machinations of the shadowy cabal...for now.

How willing are you?

Completely Willing: Either you love the person you know you'll be matched with, or you're excited about the possibilities.
Wary: There's no choice in the matter for you, so you may as well approach this situation cautiously.
Unwilling: You didn't want to be matched up with someone. At all. Ever.

What path will you follow, once you're set upon it (there is, after all, little choice for the chosen ones)?

Prepared for This: Either you're a royal and have been one since birth, or you knew you'd marry or sexually entertain one.
Make Up for Lost Time: This life wasn't the one you lived until now, but times change. You're important or will be a companion to a very important person, like it or not.
A Sacrificial Token: Somewhere along the line, your people royally pissed off someone in a key position. So, in an attempt to smooth out relations, you've been given away as a gift to the highest power, either as a spouse for a political alliance or as a concubine or courtesan.
Pomp and Circumstance: All proper, this arrangement. You're to be married, as you've been promised to each other by your respective families. Consummation on the wedding night is key. Perhaps it's encouraged that the two of you act as if this is really a love match, to add insult to injury.
Genuine Love: Speaking of love matches, congratulations! You're one of the incredible few who gets to marry for love, so your lovemaking should be all the more enthused.
Only a Plaything: Heavy is the head who wears the crown, so you're expected to take on some side entertainment even if that's not your preference. Or you could be the courtesan...such a pretty, perfumed word for what the role really is...
Volunteered: You wanted this position, either of spouse or concubine. Your reasons are your own.
Cruel: You're powerful. You can do what you want to this person, a mere ant in comparison to you.
Forbidden: Even the most powerful can't have everything they want, such as someone who's promised to or with another; taking them for your own would create strife and destroy alliances, even to the point of tempting war.
Work Your Way Up: There's always a right tool for the job and you find no shame in using your own special tools to better your life.
Give Me an Heir: Whether you're legitimate or a concubine used as a surrogate, you must help in continuing the royal line.
Mutual Benefit: Both of you are comfortable with this arrangement because you're either compatible or it takes the pressure off of you otherwise.
Want to be More: Though you've been relegated to courtesan, you want to be there one and only spouse...no matter if that role is already filled or not.
Growing Affection: It may have started as all puppet strings and power plays, but now, you lo- care for them.
Loved Before: Before you became so important and powerful, before you became the focus of all the world, it seems, they were there with you. They were with you then, and you want them to be with you now. They ground you and they care about you for you.
Because You're Normal: They're outside of all the court's nonsense, and that's appealing to you. It's like a breath of fresh air.
WILDCARD

How to Play

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Anthy was a chameleon, adapting to become whatever her current Master needed her to be while she hid her real self behind a pleasant facade, submissive and ready to serve. She played her part well, and few bothered to look below the surface. They didn't care enough to notice the haunted look in her eyes when the king who was Cor's cousin was mentioned, satisfied with the blithe smile she gave them as she served them, whether that meant pouring their tea or spreading her legs for them.

There was no reason for her to believe that her next assignment would be any different, and she knew what was expected of her. Cor's cousin, while publicly gracious and welcoming, was furious. He would not cede the throne to anyone, least of all a commoner awkwardly pretending at royalty. Cor had to be eliminated, and Anthy would be the catalyst for his destruction.

She hadn't felt anything one way or the other about the duty that had been pressed upon her. It was all the same. She thought that part of her had died long ago.

She had been wrong about everything.

The problem was that Cor was good, and while Anthy had been skeptical at first, his actions had proven again and again that it was not an act. He seemed to genuinely care for for her, and despite her reservations, her heart had begun to thaw. In the bedroom, the playful side of her personality had emerged. When she smiled at him now, there was a soft warmth behind her eyes. She hadn't told him everything. How could she? She'd ruined men at the behest of the king, and felt nothing. She was meant to ruin him. She didn't deserve anything that he had given her. The whispered rumors that she was a witch were true, but not in the way Cor thought them to be. It wasn't just health and blessings that she had the power to bestow...

Anthy had arranged herself artfully on the floor level chair next to the throne, her long legs tucked beside her, hands folded in her lap as she listened politely to the exchange, smiling pleasantly at the poor noble who seems to be unable to keep his eyes off her curves and lush dark skin set off by the soft white of the gown she's wearing. Feeling Cor's eyes on her as well, she meets his sidelong gaze with a smile as well, one far more suggestive than the one she'd given the noble.

She won't speak unless he bids her to, but she is ready to tend to whatever needs he might have.

Cor has been thrilled and relieved with Anthy warming up to him, even becoming affectionate in her own little way. It's nice to know that he has a lady dear to him to help look after his needs, but it's also just nice to have someone to love in general. He hasn't had that in years, and he's almost forgotten how wonderful it feels.

He has, however, begun to notice a brief flash of being haunted in her eyes, the last time they talked about his cousin in private. And it's made him uneasy - especially considering the state of this land right now. Having served kings who held themselves accountable to both the Council and his people, he found it rather unsettling that he's been granted so much leeway that he wondered if his cousin isn't hiding some sinister agenda. He scolded himself several times for having such a paranoid side, but his instincts simply wouldn't remain silent about it... He may have to talk to Anthy soon about his concerns.

But not right now. Right now, there's a tiny, wicked smirk tugging at this lips when he sees her suggestive smile. His lady is feeling playful today, and that helps ease the worst of the tension on his nerves. So, he moves his hand to her head, slowly and gently petting her hair. A prearranged signal, agreed upon ahead of time, to inform her that he wants her to tend to him, but she should do so in a slow and doting way. At least she's in the right position in court to get away with this in public; he wouldn't dare embarrass her otherwise.

"Last I checked, she's not the one you're petitioning to, Baron," Cor snaps at the noble staring at her. "Eyes up here and get to the point - why are you claiming that this land's Hunters' Guild should move their headquarters away from your farmlands? Are you suggesting that the Crown should take over their work in your area? Or do you finally have men capable enough of taking out the local daemon's nest?"

The court may grumble all their like about his so-called lack of tact. But being blunt and forward has always gotten him results before, and it definitely gets him some stammering answers out of the poor noble that he's grinding right now. He has no sympathy if he gets distracted by Anthy 'doing her duties', so to speak.

You're my king, I'm your lionheart

Looks good!

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