Take Me As Your Mistress

[Arthur Pendragon]

Today was a rather lonely dinner. Usually, he and Guinevère tried to eat as often together as they could. But she had some charity work to attend to, which was of course a completely legitimate reason for her absence. Her and a few of the other noblewomen, Lady Marian he believed, were setting up a charity and therefore had frequent meetings. As much as he missed her presence, he was rather glad that she was falling into her role so quickly. He knew that she had been nervous about being queen, and while he was confident she would make a remarkable one . . . he also knew it would take her time to fully adjust. It had after all only been a couple of weeks since her coronation. And he was just thankful that she had found no difficulty in being comfortable in her position as wife. The thought brought a small smile to his lips as he raised his goblet of wine and took a small sip.

Evey-thing was falling together perfectly. The kingdom was in the midst of rebuilding itself, there would be no food shortage -- despite the crops that Morgana had destroyed -- and the people were finding shelter in the castle walls until their homes could be rebuilt. Not to mention . . . he was married. And it would only be a matter of time before she was with child. The idea of parenthood was something that he and Guinevère had long dreamed about. But something that had felt like a distant dream. Even more so when . . . that night had taken place. But alas, they had found a way to work through their differences, learning to appreciate what they had, and could have. Or well, he did more so as it had been his sentence. But the past was behind them, where it belonged and it would never be brought up from his lips, and hopefully . . . no one else's.


_{Setting: In the small dining hall
Time of Day: Evening
Timeline: A few weeks after Guinevère's coronation
Tag: Isadora Theirin Ruby aka The Scarlet Harlot}

[isadora]

This was just the kind of night that Ruby had been waiting for...one where the peasant Queen was absent from her King's side. It had taken some patience, of course, but now was her chance at long last, and Ruby de la Rouge was not about to squander such an opportunity. So she had dressed in her favorite gown --the one with the neckline that made her bosom jump up and say 'huzzah'-- and now she made her way to the dining hall where she knew His Majesty could be found this evening.

After being admitted to the room by the guards, Ruby dropped into a deep curtsy, perhaps deeper than was strictly required of her station, before she smiled lasciviously at the King. "Pardon my intrusion, Sire, but I heard you were dining alone tonight, and I thought you might enjoy some...company?" Her voice was like velvet rubbing on silk, and she batted her eyelashes as she spoke, her eyes behind them locked on the King's fine form, golden hair glinting in the firelight like rays of the sun, eyes so blue they defied the dim lighting to glimmer like the ocean's waves as he gazed back at her.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was pulled from his thoughts as his attentions went to the door when it was opened, revealing one of the noblewoman. He looked at her, trying to recall her name as . . . Ruby! Lady Ruby de la Rouge! That's right. Though it did not answer the question as to what she was doing here. Did she need something? Was there something he could help her with? He rose to his feet respectfully and gave her a small nod. "Lady Ruby," he greeted politely. That must be why she was here; she must need assistance in some way or another. And he would of course offer whatever aid he could . . . for whatever purpose. "Of course," he said, motioning with his hand toward the seat across from him. He of course would not reject her company when she had sought him out for a reason. Still unknown to him, but surely they would discover that by the end of their conversation.

One of the servants pulled out a seat for her and once she was seated, he then poured her a cup of wine and gave a bow before exiting the room. Well, this was every so slightly awkward. Arthur had never quite spoken to Lady Ruby at length before . . . especially alone in the dining hall. It was must quite a pressing matter. Perhaps it best to start with small talk. "How have you been Lady Ruby?" He asked, hoping to eliminate whatever awkwardness existed in the air between them and cause enough comfort to get to the bottom of her presence here. After all, most noblewomen did not offer their company to him . . . now that he was married especially. Then again, perhaps he just had not invited any to dine with him -- unlike his earlier years when he was practically consumed with the need to woo women. But now, he was a happily married man . . . which meant that this dinner would be for strictly business, of some sort.

[isadora]

Ruby gave a smug smile as the King welcomed her into the hall, just as she had expected, for what man alive could resist her not inconsiderable charms? She sauntered across the room, making sure to give each step a little extra swing of the hips to catch and hold the man's attention, as if she needed to. "Why thank you, my Lord." She smiled saucily, taking her seat across from him without any hesitation, and crossing her legs beneath the table.

"Not as well as I would like, I'm afraid." She answered his question with a slight pout of her voluptuous lips, tilting her head to the side slightly and tossing her perfectly curled crimson locks back over her shoulder, even though they fell right back into place mere seconds later. "I find myself terribly, dreadfully

[/u], utterly[/u][/b] lonesome, Sire."[/color] She explained, her expression positively mournful, each word growing in dramatics and pure longing as she spoke. Certainly, it would not take such a keen mind as that possessed of her beloved King to suss out her meaning.[/blockquote][/size]

[Arthur Pendragon]

When she answered his question, it was . . .not the expected response. Granted, he wasn't sure what exactly he was expecting her to say. He only knew that it had left him at a loss for words -- which wasn't a huge rarity. He slightly opened his mouth to speak, leaving it as such for a few seconds, before he closed it . . . deciding that he had no idea how to react to that. Did she . . . want him to help find a companion? Really? He had never quite been faced with this, situation before. Of a woman coming to him and asking aid in finding a suitable match. He knew the knights extremely well, as he trained them and fought alongside them during battle. But . . . this was woman's talk. He was not a woman! He was not one who engaged in such gossips and knew what kind of knight a noblewoman desired. This was really not his forte, and . . . he was no matchmaker.

Is this why she had come to him? What was he to say?! He had better say something, and soon, otherwise . . . he would just keep staring at her like an oblivious buffoon. "I'm . . . sorry to hear that." It was a both a statement and a question of slight uncertainty. What was she expecting to say in return? That he would help her find a man? Guinevère would be far better suited to this kind of . . . female . . . predicament. He was no expert in the fields of matching two suitable mates. "Forgive me, but is that why you have sought me out, to . . . help aid this loneliness?" Because he was not the man for the job! He was already mentally listing out other women who would be better suited for the task. Lady Caitrin. Lady Raieyana. Lady Marian. Just . . . not him.

[isadora]

She nodded somewhat mournfully when he expressed his sympathy at her plight, and picked up her goblet of wine, taking a sip while she waited for her words to sink in. He looked slightly baffled...well, he was certainly just astonished by his fantastically good fortune that someone as completely and totally sensational as Ruby had come along and chosen him to sample of her womanly delights! And he certainly was a lucky bloke, because it wasn't as though she went around bedding any old married sap.

Her lewd smile returned when he reaffirmed what she was offering, and she nodded purposefully, for he was the only man she knew of who would be able to sate her desires and banish her loneliness. Beneath the table, she slipped her delicate foot from her shoe, and stretched her leg out under the table, to brush her toes gently against his calf, traveling steadily upwards along his thigh. "That is certainly my desire, my Lord." She confirmed, her velvety voice husky with passion.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

One moment he was mentally formulating a list of women's names that he could recommend she ask the opinion of . . the next he felt a foot slowly grazing up his thigh. No, not just anyone's foot . . . HER foot! The action was enough to cause Arthur to leap to his feet and take an awkward step back. The abrupt gesture caused his goblet of wine to knock over and fall into his lap . . . which only caused him to stagger back more, slightly tripping on the chair that was not far behind him. Thankfully, he maintained enough balance to keep himself grounded -- and not totally fall over. Though his lack of grace and sudden reaction to her . . . advances, had caused a stain of wine on his, lower region. Still, all he could think about was . . . what she had just done. And, the far too suggestive implications to her words. Was . . . how . . . why . . . too many questions raced through Arthur's minds, and he was unable to bring a single one to voice. Surely he was misunderstanding her! Yet, how did misunderstand when a woman was using her foot to stroke one's leg. Oh. Dear.

As if things were not awkward before, they became ten times more awkward. He had been quite out of practice when it came to flirtation and trying to woo a woman. The last had been Mithian, before that Elena, and before that . . . well, it had been years ago! But now, he was no longer try to charm and woo women. He was a happily married man! Happily married! And so . . . what was Lady Ruby de la Rouge doing?! "I apologize," he quickly got out, looking at the stain on his shirt. He was apologizing for the sudden jolt on the table because . . . well, he wasn't right sure what else to say at the moment! He was at a complete loss of words for he had never quite been placed in this kind of situation before. He picked up a napkin and began to awkwardly wipe the drying beverage on the bottom of his shirt. "It's just, I believe . . ." What if it had been an accident?! Arthur, deep down, knew it was not for he wasn't that naive and oblivious. But . . . "That I may have been mistaken in, your . . . intentions." And still, he could not sit back down, still disturbed by what she had just done.

[isadora]

His reaction was...wholly unexpected, although, Ruby realized as she slipped her bare foot back into its shoe, she probably just startled him. Such a specimen of man as he was, his instincts were formed to battle, and any unexpected touch upon his person likely set him to alarm, startling him into motion. Yes, that was the reasonable explanation to his reaction, for what man could honestly reject the advances of someone so ravishing and entrancing as Ruby?

And he apologized, which clearly told her that her rationalizing was spot-on. Her smile renewed, she stood up, taking her napkin from the table as she stepped around the table, eager to assist with her king's messy predicament. "No need to apologize, Sire," she told him understandingly, kneeling before him to dab enthusiastically at the wine stain on his lap. "Just relax and I will make my intentions clear."

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[Arthur Pendragon]

She was coming closer to him. Why was she coming closer?! The more relevant question: why wasn't he stepping away?! He seemed frozen in place, whether it be the shock of knocking over his drink, or the shock of her actions. Either way, there was undoubtedly shock and . . . oh dear. She was now on her kneels, dabbing an area and . . . well, if anyone were to walk in right at this moment, they would be caught in a rather, suggestive position. Even though there was absolutely nothing intimate about it at all! Regardless, Arthur could not take the risk of any sort of rumors that compromised his fidelity. He took a step back, only making him trip on the chair once again and thus, again, stagger backward. He had to grip the handle of his chair this time from falling to the ground. The last thing he needed was further embarrassment. "Thank you for your, assistance," he quickly got out, as he continued to step away from her, to the other side of the table.

"But it is not necessary." None of this was necessary! It was all completely unnecessary! What did she want from him?! . . . Arthur was quite afraid to ask that very question. For it seemed obvious, and yet, it did not. He didn't want to embarrass her, as she was a noble still and, a woman. Had this been a man -- not that he EVER wanted a man to run his foot along his leg -- Arthur would be able to deal with him more accordingly. But, it was a woman. And . . . well, he was unsure what to do in this situation. "I feel that your behavior, isn't entirely appropriate Lady Ruby," Arthur said, trying to find that proper tone in which to say the words so that he was making sure that her inappropriateness didn't sound like a good thing, but also not wanting to cause her great offense. He wasn't sure what tone came out . . . only that he was trying to find a suitable way to . . . diffuse, whatever this was! And thus far, he was failing miserably.

[isadora]

Ruby gave him a somewhat confused look when he stumbled backwards, surely the King of Camelot should have better coordination than this! She certainly hoped this was no indication of his performance in the bedroom, because given his physical prowess, Ruby was definitely expecting a better showing than all this fumbling. Perhaps it was just nerves...yes, that must be it! Well, he'd get over that soon enough, Ruby was sure enough of that, once they got down to business.

She smiled intoxicatingly as he thanked her, getting back to her feet, batting her eyelashes as he went on to tell her it was unnecessary. "It's just that I seek to please you in all ways, my Lord." She told him unabashedly, she was certain they were on the same page now, and she giggled slightly as he went on about how 'inappropriate' her behavior was. "I certainly hope not," she confirmed his suspicions, and feeling that the moment was just ripe for the plucking, she moved forward to embrace her King, although the motion was perhaps something akin to a lunge, or perhaps a pounce, or something in-between.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Please him?! He didn't need her to please him! He was quite happy with his wife. More than happy! He didn't need . . . oh dear. She was proposing what he thought she was? If he were to lay with her -- which he would NEVER do -- then that would make her his . . . No. NO. Not now not ever! He was in love with his wife, blissfully happy, and he required no reason to seek pleasures elsewhere. Never, had he thought he would ever be placed in this kind of situation though. What did one say in it? What should he tell her? She was looking at him, batting her eyelashes and . . . lunging at him! Arthur silently thanked his upbringing as a combatant, which had sharpened his reflexes. Otherwise, he never would have dodged her attack. He managed to quickly move to the side, which only caused him to collide into the table as it rammed into his waist area. He paused for a moment, silently cringing at the pain before he quickly spun around and made sure the table kept him and her separated.

He then walked on the opposite side of her. The more distance the better.
He couldn't even call the guard! That was just what he needed, for such false rumors to be slowly spread throughout the castle. It was bad enough that others talked of Guinevère after . . . that night. He did not want there to be any doubt in his love for her. He did not want either of them to faced with such humiliating. And clearly, Lady Ruby did not care much for her own reputation. Otherwise, she would not be practically -- and quite literally -- throwing herself at the king. "I must ask that you cease your efforts to . . . " Do what he could not bring himself to say. "Entice me. For I am committed to my wife, and will remain so." He would never lie with another. He would never take a mistress. And, he hoped that with this 'polite' rejection, she would leave him in peace. And not cause further panic to rush through his body.

[isadora]

Ruby closed her eyes as she leapt towards the object of her affection, bracing herself to collide with his warm, hard body, only to be met with...air? She blinked as she flew further than anticipated, and realized too late that the King had moved, and she scrambled to get her arms underneath herself as she fell to the cold, but still hard, stone floor. She gave a yelp of surprise and pain as she hit the ground and then blinked as she pushed herself up into a sitting position slowly, wondering what could possibly have gone wrong. Did she launch herself in the wrong direction? It was the only possible explanation for her King's absence where he ought to be!

Curling her lithe legs beneath her, she turned towards the sound of Arthur's voice, surely he must have an explanation for this...misstep? But his words made no sense. Cease her efforts to entice him? He spoke as if he weren't already enticed, and Ruby knew full well that could not be the case. Every man wanted her...what wasn't there to want? But his words filled her with such profound sorrow, that it blackened her heart and carved a pit as deep and empty as an endlessly spiraling abyss into her very soul. He was...committed to his wife? What kind of nonsense was that?! She looked up at him from the floor as tears welled up in her big, blue eyes, her lip quivering. "But...Sire...you can't mean that!"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Oh no! While Arthur was trying to avoid her advances, he didn't want to see her fall to the ground! Despite her forward behavior, he was brought up to respect women and to protect them to the best of his ability and . . . well right now, he wasn't being very chivalrous. He had just let a woman fall to the cold ground -- granted, the alternative of her latching herself onto him was far worse. He tried to think of something to say, or same way to make sure she was alright . . .without being too suggestive. Then again, would she ever read his tone with anything but suggestive implications? Would he only make this situation worse by trying to offer comfort -- even if it was not in an intimate or romantic way. More so, out of respect. Words had never been Arthur's strong suit, and it was moments like these where he wished he was better with them; more eloquent, better able to say what he needed to rather than just stare in confusion and uncertainty. As if he didn't feel guilty enough, he saw the tears form in her eyes. It was his greatest weakness: to see a woman cry. Even if he did not know her, he still felt bad and never wanted to see a woman upset. How could any man just stand by and not feel sympathetic when they saw tears in a woman's eyes?

For Arthur, sympathy was the very natural reaction. Though he did not regret his words, perhaps there could have been a better way to say them. Less . . . harshly? But would she take a polite hint? He had tried that, when she had rubbed her foot along his leg. A recent memory that caused him to inwardly shudder. Cautiously and very hesitantly, he took a step toward her . . . and then one step became to . . and then it became three . . . until he was standing too close to her, though did not invade her personal space. Though he was more concerned with his own personal space for she seemed to have no concept of it. Especially with her having just leaped at him like that. "Please, do not be upset," he said in a low voice, making sure not to touch her. That could be far too encouraging. "Are you hurt?" He further asked, unsure if she had wounded herself as she collided with the ground. Knowing that was responsible for such an injury and didn't want to cause her such physical pain. Instinctively -- and clearly against his better judgment -- he leaned a bit closer to her, to see if she truly alright.

[isadora]

She sniffled pitifully, blinking her tear-filled eyes up at him as he came around the table, tears glittering at the corners of her eyes but miraculously never falling to mar her flawlessly pale cheeks. She put one delicate hand over her heart, letting her fingers just brush against the tops of her ample bosom swelling against her neckline, certain that at any moment, her heart might just explode with sorrow. He couldn't mean it! She knew he couldn't, and she only wondered at why he would say such hurtful things.

When he implored her not to be upset, she gave a pitious sob, looking away as though scalded by a hot iron. Not be upset? How could he even suggest such a thing! She gave another mournful sob when he asked her if she was hurt, before she turned swiftly and in a single motion, she was on her knees, her arms wrapped around him and her cheek pressed against the front of his...tunic. Her hands found purchase on the shapely curvature of his buttocks, grasping him tightly as though afraid he might fall away into the endless abyss that had become her heart if she let go. "Oh, my Lord Arthur, of course I am hurt! I feel as though my still-beating heart has been torn from my breast, only to be stabbed repeatedly, placed on a skewer, roasted over a flame for an extended length of time, fed upon by ravens and wolves, only to have the torn and tattered, scorched remains returned to my bosom to resume its function! I fear I shall never recover!"

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Seeing the expression on her face made Arthur regret the way he had caused her to fall to the ground. Surely there was a more . . . tactful way to handle this? How would he know though! He had never been in such a position. He didn't even know this woman, to understand how to speak to her in a way that she would not be upset. He was trying to think of the right words to say . . . when the unexpected happened. No, he supposed he shouldn't say the unexpected. More like, the undesired. How could he have not seen this coming?! Though, he wasn't exactly used to being . . . groped in this way. And her cheek . . . on his . . . tunic . . .there! Oh Dear! Oh Dear! Oh Dear! The shock of it was enough to cause him to freeze. Before he regained his senses and the discomfort was strong enough to need to react . . . by pulling away. He pushed her hands off of him and quickly stumbled backward. In all his unease with everything she was doing, saying and suggesting . . . he lacked the other natural grace he had grown to possess.

She left him frazzled, and not in a good way! Taking several steps back, and stumbling -- though managing to catch his balance -- he put a hand out in front of him as if to stop her from advancing toward him. The last thing he needed -- or wanted -- was another woman's hands on . . . such an intimate area! That was horribly awkward and . . . and now she was speaking of her fragile emotions. Really? If he didn't know any better, he would think that she had been enchanted! Either that or she just really, really wanted to lay with the king. Surely he had not done anything to encourage such behavior? His mind desperately searched to see if she had been one of the woman he had engaged in strong flirtations with years ago, when he was lusting after nobles and princesses. His mind did not recall, but he shamefully could not remember all the women. Plus, he would have most certainly remembered her behavior if she acted then as she did now.

"Forgive me Lady Ruby, but I have no interest in . . . what you are proposing." Because clearly, she wanted something from him. Something he was not willing to give. Nor something he would ever ask from her. "I am devoted to my wife. And, I am quite happily married." He didn't want to cause tears in her eyes again . . . but . . . what other choice did he have? She had groped his buttocks! And hugged him close to her! Put her cheek on his tunic! In, such an area! "You are a perfectly lovely woman, and any man would be lucky to have your attentions." Just, not him! "However, I must discourage such behavior for I am not one of these men." Who would be lucky to have her attentions . . . who would seek her out. No. Absolutely not! He loved Guinevère and valued fidelity. He would do nothing to betray her, and never planned to take a mistress. Ever!

[isadora]

Ruby could not believe her ears. What man could refuse her bodacious figure and luscious locks? She knew it could not truly be because of his wife...the lowly servant turned queen? Certainly not! He had likely married her because he felt badly for her lot in life; such was the benevolence of the great King Arthur. Well, Ruby had to admit that she did have some rather impressive cleavage...but it hardly rivalled Ruby's own flawless bosom!

And Ruby knew the nature of men! She knew that they could not be expected to be loyal to a single woman all their lives, it was unreasonable. No, there must be some other reason! She collapsed to the floor, yet again, as he all but tore himself free from her grasp, one hand supporting her weight and the other covering her sobbing mouth...not that she was actually crying. Crying was ugly, and Ruby did not engage in such behaviours. What reason could he have for denying her?!

"Sire...is it me? Am I not...pleasant to look upon?" She choked the words out as if they were poison, but even as she spoke them, she knew they rang false. No, she was the most beautiful woman to ever grace the earth! Many men had told her as much. There must be another cause...and then it occurred to her. The only possible reason a man in his prime would turn away from her. The shock of it made her eyes widen, and her sobbing ceased, and she looked up at the king with sudden understanding. "Is it...oh my...my lord...do you...prefer the company of men?" He did spend an awful lot of time with that manservant of his.