Devotion

by the Legendary Armor

The war was over, and Crimea was finally at peace. There was no more bloodshed, no more danger... at least, not on the scale of what they'd never even imagined they would face. The Royal Knights were still needed from time to time, but it was never anything serious. Perhaps that peace was what spurred Geoffrey to what he was doing now--to kneeling in front of his beloved queen, prepared to ask her something he had wanted to ask for far too long.

His heart beat furiously in his chest, his blood pumping through his veins as nervous fire. She spoke with her angelic smile, "You need not kneel before me, Geoffrey. You know this... especially when we're alone. There is no need for such formality between us--"

"Your Majesty... Elincia... I am not kneeling because of my knightly station." He forced the words out smoothly, and he could swear his senses were heightened in his state of anxiety; he felt the solid stone beneath his boot and knee, felt the warm air clutching at his being and could swear he heard Elincia's quiet, even breathing even past the ruckus of his own heartbeat.

She looked confused for a moment, and moved from her bed where she sat to kneel down in front of Geoffrey so that they were both level with each other. "What do you mean, Geoffrey? Is something the matter?" Gently, so very gently she laid a hand on his cheek and smiled. "I would have you tell me your troubles..."

His breath caught in his throat at her touch, his gaze suddenly locking with her own. "Elincia... please..." He shuddered slightly before composing himself. "Forgive me. I have come to ask you a question... not as the commander of the Royal Knights, but simply as a man." His azure eyes watched her carefully, and she seemed to ponder his meaning. A small, hopeful smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and she bade him to continue with a nod of her head. She did not move her hand from his face, and laid the other over one of his own.

It was now or never. Every nerve throughout his body sang in anticipation as he whispered softly, "I would like to know if... if you would honor me by allowing me to be more than your knight, to be more than your friend. My fondest dream, my deepest desire, is to be nothing less than your husband."

He felt his breath taken away as she embraced him roughly, holding him as closely to her as she could. He blushed sweetly, embarassed at the contact. "Geoffrey... oh, Geoffrey. You should know my answer. Of course... it is my desire as well..." She stroked his hair gently as she spoke, and he felt a tear from her eye slide from her cheek to his... joining with the one already sliding down his own warm skin.

That embrace did not end for quite some time; the stars sang in the sky much later as they shared their first kiss...

(end)