Chapter Text
The news of the marauder band that was terrorizing my kingdom’s borders was spreading like wildfire. Everywhere was the tale of how one of my general’s men disobeyed direct orders and put forth a brave strategy to defeat the enemy. I gathered the two men together in my castle to hopefully get a better understanding of what took place.
I never did like rumors.
“What is your name,” I ask.
“Ezra, Your Divine Grace” he says kneeling and not daring to look anywhere near my face. His voice is steady, barely. He must think I am angry. No matter. If he doesn’t tell me it isn’t my problem.
“How old?”
“33, Your Divine Grace.”
“Explain the tactic you used to defeat the marauders please.”
He falters for a moment seemingly surprised that I said please. I can see him shake his head lightly before he responds calmly.
Thus being how I got into a three hour conversation about war tactics with Ezra. Remembering that time was important, I dismissed him and called his superior in. Needless to say the general was a disappointment in this regard. He constantly stumbled over his words when trying to explain what happened. He had no idea how to strategize and I honestly wondered how he got the job in the first place. No matter. This was going to be solved quickly.
“Call Ezra back in please,” I tell one of my knights. Ezra walks in and surprisingly Fenris is beside him.
“Fenris,” I call. The large wolf trots over to my side and plops down eyeing the general warily. Meanwhile Ezra looks like he’s seen a ghost he glances at Fenris, then at me, and quickly puts his head down and kneels.
“What does Your Divine Grace desire?”
“Do you have any trainees that could serve my military well in a leadership position?”
“Yes, Your Divine Grace.”
I turn to the general finally remembering his name.
“General Cox, you are released from your privilege of service and are to be replaced by the trainee Ezra chooses,” I said callously.
“What? Your Divine Grace I beg of you to reconsider. My family has been serving yours for generations. Please I won’t fail you again,” Cox pleads wide eyed and voice a little too loud. Fenris sits up and stares at him waiting for him to slip up and for me to give a command.
“Lower your voice,” I demand. “Are you really questioning my decision?”
“…no Your Divine Grace,” he responds sullenly. He walks away, muttering something about friends in high places.
“Good.” Turning to Ezra I smile deviously. I know I look like a villain when Ezra turns from watching the general to look up at me. He freezes and his breath seems to hitch before his wide eyed expression turns to stone and he bows his head low.
“Your Divine Grace–“
“Ezra, if you so choose you may be the first consort in the harem I will create. If there is a duty that you are uncomfortable with please let me know. That is, if you wish to be my concubine,” I stated, my head drowning with ideas and plans.
Ezra looks shocked before his shoulders relax. He must have thought I was angry with him. But I have ideas now and I wish for them to be realized. There is no time for anger towards anyone especially someone who hasn’t done anything wrong.
“Your Divine Grace, I accept your invitation of love. However, I plead that my virginity remain intact.”
“As you wish and you may refer to me as your Grace or some other title or name that you wish,” I said waving my hand dismissively.
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
The next few months are peaceful now that the marauders are gone. During those months me and Ezra have gotten to know each other better.
“Sir Ezra, will you teach me to play your strategy games?”
“Of course Your Majesty.”
“Tell me your taste in music, Sir Ezra.”
“As you wish my Queen.”
“Ezra, do you like this perfume on me?”
“I do, Ms. Kaida.”
“Ezra dear, will you spar with me?”
“Sure Kaida, but I won’t go easy on you,” he teases.
Day after day we find things to do together. We had even slept in the same bed a few times to mess with the servants. The little rumor mongers deserve to be messed with a little. Little, deep, conversations with pointed questions led to greater knowledge, and for the first time in a long time I found someone who I knew had my best interests at heart. Someone aside from Fenris, anyway.