Private Tales The First of All Pleasures

[Gwynevere]

-Elliant Castle, East Wing-
Sunrise



Painfully bright rays of sunshine began to poke through the darkened curtains, illuminating a large bed with one of its two occupants remaining. Sunrise in Fainraeth was generally brutal, but all the more for those residing within the palace that towered over the capital of the Day Court. At least the less fortunate could hide in the shadows.​

They say those who were born in the east wing would be destined for leadership- the sunlight bestowing upon them the many hidden powers of the LaRoe bloodline.

Gwynevere LaRoe was the last of six children. The runt. A sickly child who would have been better off abandoned at some peasant's doorstep. She would never be capable of ruling anything, nonetheless an entire court. She was the only child born under the rising sun, and thus she would be the only one to inherit the illusions.

Until recently, she was unaware what or who the illusions were. Like the others residing within the Day Court, she accepted that it was simply a perfect place. She was unaware of the crumbling ruins it truly was and that her father, the king, was meant to keep the illusion alive.

"Illusion is the first of all pleasures." He would tell her.

Regardless, she could sense the changes in the air. The castle was quieter than usual as her father sat on the throne, his atrophied body nearly motionless. His remaining life was dedicated to maintaining the illusions until it was Gwynevere's turn to take over.

Who wouldn't want to be queen? Women were jealous of her. Men begged for the opportunity to have her hand in marriage (which she was sure her boyfriend was very fond of). What point is there to such a status if you are unable to enjoy it? Being tethered to one location- one throne- until your death was not something she looked forward to. There would be no more trips to other courts, no more escaping the cities walls in the middle of the night with Araphel.

Araphel....

Gwynevere knew he was smart, but even he hadn't a clue about the truth behind the Day Court. She presumed he would be crushed when he found out her fate. Could she even tell him the truth or her plans to change it all? Maybe. Maybe not. Nevertheless, she enjoyed the last few moments of silence from her balcony, her eyes shut as she leaned over the stone rail. That was a problem for another rapidly approaching day.​

Araphel

 

[Zaire]

Whenever Araphel was beside Gwyn, he always had the sweetest dreams. With a arm wrapped languidly around his lover he slept as innocently and easily as a child could. His well-chiseled face full of harsh and narrow lines had a softer look to it when he slept, his pale hair framing his face just so so that the deep contours were more rounded.

He lazily reached out and when his hands felt nothing but cool sheets was when Araphel began to awaken. Slowly, with his eyes still closed, a hand still feeling around the bed in hopes of touching Gwyn. After a few pats he finally opened his icy eyes, seeing nothing but the other half of the bed. Empty.

He yawned, finally sitting up and pulling the sheets off of him, getting off of the bed and standing up to his impressive height. His gaze turned towards the only place he knew she could be. Languidly he strode over to the open double doors that led out to the white balcony and with a raised hand to his brow to cover his eyes from the bright rays of the sun. Blinking a few times to get adjusted to the radiant light, he saw the figure of Gwynevere.

“Good morning,” he said, coming up behind her to wrap his strong arms around her waist, bending his head down low to kiss the top of her head.

Gwynevere

 

[Gwynevere]

Conflicting thoughts disturbed her moment of silence before she felt his arms wrap around her. She was stressed. Surely the stiffness of her posture would give that away before she relaxed in his arms. "Good morning." She returned the greeting, looking up at him after he kissed the top of her head.

Before he could question the sleepless nights, she would question him. "Did you sleep well?" She pulled him forward slightly as she moved to rest her elbows on the stone parapet in front of her. "You must have. You snore very loudly when you sleep well." It wasn't a lie. He did snore... but that was not what kept her up. She could only hope he'd take that as a sufficient excuse.

She allowed him a moment to speak before she'd force herself out of the chair and guide him back to their room. "My father is not well." Her tone shifted as she changed the topic to the man that Araphel hadn't even met. No one had met him in person aside from servants and family. The man had never set foot outside of the throne room. "I don't think many people know that yet. It has not been announced to the public, but even most people in the palace are unaware of his health." She moved behind a screen and began dressing in the outfit one of the servants had set out for her. "Mother told me his passing will likely be soon."

She was unsure if Araphel understood what she was telling him. No one would assume her to be the next ruler. After all, there were five others in the family that were older, wiser, and well respected by the people. Maybe feared. Regardless, she was the only one who hadn't made a name for herself.

Araphel