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Keeping A Secret

***

"My Queen," Geoffrey called, hurrying over to Elincia's side. "I heard that Ike's pet was giving you trouble. Anything I can do about it?"

The emeralde smiled up at her dearest friend. "Sir Geoffrey, you are always so kind... always looking out for me." Her gaze fell as she wished her husband would be the same way.

Sensing her distress, the bluenette in front of her rested his hand over her own on her belly. "I am always here for you. You say the word and I'll make that shadow disappear."

"I appreciate your loyalty, Geoffrey, and I always will," Elincia replied, her hand still unmoved underneath the lance knight's. "Have you, by chance, run into the King or know where he might be?"

Geoffrey's expression hardened instantly, though his touch remained gentle. "His majesty should be on his way to a very important meeting. I saw his shadow disappear into the west wing, probably reminding him of his royal affairs," the bluenette noted with some obvious distaste. "Am I keeping you, Elincia? Do you need to go as well?"

"No, you're not keeping me. But I should be attending the meeting. The crow laguz that landed in the farmer's field is being discussed. I shall see you again soon. Good day to you, Sir Geoffrey."

"By your leave, my Queen," Geoffrey replied. Elincia turned and with escorts, proceeded into the east wing for the meeting.

***

Ike put his arms back through his shirt sleeves, and Pit tied the emerald cape around his massive shoulders.

"I wish you didn't have to leave," the Angel said, giving the King soft kisses to his neck.

The bluenette chuckled as Pit's lips sent a ticking sensation through his body. "I promise to visit as soon as I get another opportunity."

The Fallen smiled, "I trust you Ikus."

The larger man leaned and gave the Angel as sweet kiss. "I had a great time today....it has been the best moment I've had in all my life."

The youth blushed, "Mine too."

There was a familiar knock at the door, followed by the presence of Ike's dark robed adviser.

Pit winced as the sage's poorly suppressed jealousy reached his fragile Angel senses. Soren's eyes seemed dull as he took in the state of the room as well as the dressed king. "I'm glad that you remembered to get dressed. You have to be there in five minutes." He set down a pile of robes. "I'll leave these here for the next time you two get carried away together."

The Fallen watched his lover smile, oblivious of his adviser's true feelings. "Thanks, Soren. Want to go to my meeting for me?"

"Don't you put enough of your responsibilities on me already?" the tactician teased. "Besides, I have to guard Pit. Geoffrey's been stalking me lately, and I don't want him to stumble across your treasure, Ike."

Pit wrinkled his nose. "Geoffrey?"

Geoffrey is general of the Crimean Army. He only listens to Queen Elincia and feels it is his utmost duty to protect her. He caters to her every need, even if it means stalking my adviser. Geoffrey knows no lengths. He almost acts like he runs the place."

The Angel looked up at his lover. "I thought Soren ran the place?"

Ike laughed with his tactician at the childlike observation. "Yeah, that's about right, but we don't want Geoffrey to find out," the bluenette said. "I'll see you again soon, sweet Angel," he cooed and placed a loving kiss on the youth's lips.

***

"We've already compensated the farmer. Can't this matter just be dropped?" Ike demanded irritably and the room went quiet. He was sick of the topic of the "fallen Crow" coming up every few days, and he hated even more to refer to Pit as a common Laguz when he was so much more.

Geoffrey clinched his fists and added, "Sir, given the long history of the Crow Laguz, are we wrong to assume that it could have been a spy? Why would you send him back to his homeland with no questions asked?"

Ike stared at the other bluenette. "Because I am King, and I felt that this crow Laguz posed no such threat to Crimea. Is that good enough for you?"

The lance knight looked away. "I just thought you might have some questions but... perhaps you know the Crows better than any of us."

"Not all Crows are bad," Elincia chided, trying to show her husband some support. "Nealuchi helped me greatly during the war, even if he was there to protect Leanne, and I thought that King Naesala had changed since the birth of his first child."

Ike nodded. "I believe he has, and there wasn't any evidence to suggest that the Crows were doing anything to harm us, therefore, there is was no reason to hold it here."

Elincia looked to the King. "I support your decision, Ike."

Geoffrey scoffed and folded his arms. "I'll make sure the army is prepped in case other happenings should arise."

"There is no need," Ike commanded. "Crimea is safe and we have allies just about everywhere."

"Well then. I'll halt the troops," Geoffrey murmured, standing and bowing for the Queen. "By your leave, your majesties." He left the room in a hurry.

"Is this meeting over?" Ike questioned. "I have much to do."

The Crimean Knight halted as he heard Ike's request and paused, if only for a moment to hear out his case for why the meeting needed to end.

Elincia blinked. "Oh? I didn't realize you were so busy today. I was hoping that we could go into town."

"Well... I have something to attend to in the west wing... Official business, and I was really hoping to get back to work on that."

Geoffrey scowled. What in the goddess's name could be so important?! He left once more, this time in search of answers.

"I'm too busy for that today. It will have to wait," the King said.

The other servants and lords exited the room leaving the couple alone.

"Is our baby going to have to wait, Ike?" Elincia asked, her tone quickly growing bitter. "Or are you too busy for that too."

The bluenette turned and glared, then eased up. "You know I care, Elincia. Why do you speak as if I haven't been around."

"You haven't," the Queen snapped back. "Every time I ask for the smallest of favors or affection, you are always too busy."

"It's business; Crimea needs to maintain its strength."

"Enough so that your wife and child are pushed out completely?"

"No," Ike answered.

Elincia seemed reluctant to believe what her husband was telling her. "If I matter, why don't postpone what you have to do in the west wing for tomorrow, and come with me to the healer. I'm getting the baby checked today and I would love it if you were there with me."

The king was silent, his heart being torn by his love for Pit and his rightful oath to his wife. He nodded. "Very well. I will join you."

The Queen smiled. "Thank you Ike." She went over and cupped his face between her hands. "I love you, and you have no idea how much this means."

The former mercenary looked down and smiled. "I know."

The emeralde kissed her husband sweetly on the lips. "Shall we go then?"

Ike nodded. "Let's go."

Elincia grabbed her husband's hand, and led him out of the east wing, and to their grand bedroom where a healer awaited.

***

Soren walked to the west wing, wheeling a lunch cart with two covered trays. He intended on sharing a meal with the Angel, seeing as his schedule allowed for it, and he was certain that Ike would want Pit to have some company.

Before the cart pushed open the double doors, the sage was grabbed roughly from behind and pushed against the wall. His assailant pressed his full, armored weight against the adviser, pinning him.

"And just what are you planning?" Geoffrey demanded. "What about the west wing is so pressing that the King refuses to spend time with his wife and children?"

"None of your damn business," Soren growled.

The bluenette grabbed a fist full of the adviser's ebony locks and pulled the youth's head back to look him in the eyes. "Wrong answer." He smashed the sage face first into the wall. "I'll ask you again, beast, why does the king ignore his wife? Hm? You've prepared a lunch for two-"

Geoffrey froze, suddenly disgusted. "You monster!" he roared and pounded into the sage's back. "It's you isn't it?! You have a spell over the king! You've seduced him and Elinicia's suffering for it!!"

Soren cried out as he felt a rib pop out of place from the assault. "No!" he yelled, holding back tears, not wanting to give the Knight the satisfaction of breaking him. "Ike doesn't love me! Nor will he ever! We're friends; nothing more!"

Admitting this out loud hurt so much more than the beating he had suffered.

However, Geoffrey was far from convinced. "Of course you would say that," he spat and threw the sage aside like he was nothing. "But I'll just have to make sure for myself. What is in the west wing?" he wondered and walked to the double doors.

The Royal Knight never heard Soren stagger to his feet, but as he reached to push open the door, he did feel a knife sink into his right shoulder. Searing pain raged through his body and he whirled on instinct, his left fist connecting with the branded's cheek and sent him reeling to the ground. "You dare attack me?!"

"It's poisoned," Soren informed with the smallest hint of smugness before pulling himself to his feet and staggering off.

Geoffrey did not pursue, as he was already dizzy from the effects of the toxin. His vision blurred and he groaned. The bluenette stumbled and made his way towards the main hall, where a servant would find him if he collapsed.

(End Chapter)

Description
Keeping A Secret

***

"My Queen," Geoffrey called, hurrying over to Elincia's side. "I heard that Ike's pet was giving you trouble. Anything I can do about it?"

The emeralde smiled up at her dearest friend. "Sir Geoffrey, you are always so kind... always looking out for me." Her gaze fell as she wished her husband would be the same way.

Sensing her distress, the bluenette in front of her rested his hand over her own on her belly. "I am always here for you. You say the word and I'll make that shadow disappear."

"I appreciate your loyalty, Geoffrey, and I always will," Elincia replied, her hand still unmoved underneath the lance knight's. "Have you, by chance, run into the King or know where he might be?"

Geoffrey's expression hardened instantly, though his touch remained gentle. "His majesty should be on his way to a very important meeting. I saw his shadow disappear into the west wing, probably reminding him of his royal affairs," the bluenette noted with some obvious distaste. "Am I keeping you, Elincia? Do you need to go as well?"

"No, you're not keeping me. But I should be attending the meeting. The crow laguz that landed in the farmer's field is being discussed. I shall see you again soon. Good day to you, Sir Geoffrey."

"By your leave, my Queen," Geoffrey replied. Elincia turned and with escorts, proceeded into the east wing for the meeting.

***

Ike put his arms back through his shirt sleeves, and Pit tied the emerald cape around his massive shoulders.

"I wish you didn't have to leave," the Angel said, giving the King soft kisses to his neck.

The bluenette chuckled as Pit's lips sent a ticking sensation through his body. "I promise to visit as soon as I get another opportunity."

The Fallen smiled, "I trust you Ikus."

The larger man leaned and gave the Angel as sweet kiss. "I had a great time today....it has been the best moment I've had in all my life."

The youth blushed, "Mine too."

There was a familiar knock at the door, followed by the presence of Ike's dark robed adviser.

Pit winced as the sage's poorly suppressed jealousy reached his fragile Angel senses. Soren's eyes seemed dull as he took in the state of the room as well as the dressed king. "I'm glad that you remembered to get dressed. You have to be there in five minutes." He set down a pile of robes. "I'll leave these here for the next time you two get carried away together."

The Fallen watched his lover smile, oblivious of his adviser's true feelings. "Thanks, Soren. Want to go to my meeting for me?"

"Don't you put enough of your responsibilities on me already?" the tactician teased. "Besides, I have to guard Pit. Geoffrey's been stalking me lately, and I don't want him to stumble across your treasure, Ike."

Pit wrinkled his nose. "Geoffrey?"

Geoffrey is general of the Crimean Army. He only listens to Queen Elincia and feels it is his utmost duty to protect her. He caters to her every need, even if it means stalking my adviser. Geoffrey knows no lengths. He almost acts like he runs the place."

The Angel looked up at his lover. "I thought Soren ran the place?"

Ike laughed with his tactician at the childlike observation. "Yeah, that's about right, but we don't want Geoffrey to find out," the bluenette said. "I'll see you again soon, sweet Angel," he cooed and placed a loving kiss on the youth's lips.

***

"We've already compensated the farmer. Can't this matter just be dropped?" Ike demanded irritably and the room went quiet. He was sick of the topic of the "fallen Crow" coming up every few days, and he hated even more to refer to Pit as a common Laguz when he was so much more.

Geoffrey clinched his fists and added, "Sir, given the long history of the Crow Laguz, are we wrong to assume that it could have been a spy? Why would you send him back to his homeland with no questions asked?"

Ike stared at the other bluenette. "Because I am King, and I felt that this crow Laguz posed no such threat to Crimea. Is that good enough for you?"

The lance knight looked away. "I just thought you might have some questions but... perhaps you know the Crows better than any of us."

"Not all Crows are bad," Elincia chided, trying to show her husband some support. "Nealuchi helped me greatly during the war, even if he was there to protect Leanne, and I thought that King Naesala had changed since the birth of his first child."

Ike nodded. "I believe he has, and there wasn't any evidence to suggest that the Crows were doing anything to harm us, therefore, there is was no reason to hold it here."

Elincia looked to the King. "I support your decision, Ike."

Geoffrey scoffed and folded his arms. "I'll make sure the army is prepped in case other happenings should arise."

"There is no need," Ike commanded. "Crimea is safe and we have allies just about everywhere."

"Well then. I'll halt the troops," Geoffrey murmured, standing and bowing for the Queen. "By your leave, your majesties." He left the room in a hurry.

"Is this meeting over?" Ike questioned. "I have much to do."

The Crimean Knight halted as he heard Ike's request and paused, if only for a moment to hear out his case for why the meeting needed to end.

Elincia blinked. "Oh? I didn't realize you were so busy today. I was hoping that we could go into town."

"Well... I have something to attend to in the west wing... Official business, and I was really hoping to get back to work on that."

Geoffrey scowled. What in the goddess's name could be so important?! He left once more, this time in search of answers.

"I'm too busy for that today. It will have to wait," the King said.

The other servants and lords exited the room leaving the couple alone.

"Is our baby going to have to wait, Ike?" Elincia asked, her tone quickly growing bitter. "Or are you too busy for that too."

The bluenette turned and glared, then eased up. "You know I care, Elincia. Why do you speak as if I haven't been around."

"You haven't," the Queen snapped back. "Every time I ask for the smallest of favors or affection, you are always too busy."

"It's business; Crimea needs to maintain its strength."

"Enough so that your wife and child are pushed out completely?"

"No," Ike answered.

Elincia seemed reluctant to believe what her husband was telling her. "If I matter, why don't postpone what you have to do in the west wing for tomorrow, and come with me to the healer. I'm getting the baby checked today and I would love it if you were there with me."

The king was silent, his heart being torn by his love for Pit and his rightful oath to his wife. He nodded. "Very well. I will join you."

The Queen smiled. "Thank you Ike." She went over and cupped his face between her hands. "I love you, and you have no idea how much this means."

The former mercenary looked down and smiled. "I know."

The emeralde kissed her husband sweetly on the lips. "Shall we go then?"

Ike nodded. "Let's go."

Elincia grabbed her husband's hand, and led him out of the east wing, and to their grand bedroom where a healer awaited.

***

Soren walked to the west wing, wheeling a lunch cart with two covered trays. He intended on sharing a meal with the Angel, seeing as his schedule allowed for it, and he was certain that Ike would want Pit to have some company.

Before the cart pushed open the double doors, the sage was grabbed roughly from behind and pushed against the wall. His assailant pressed his full, armored weight against the adviser, pinning him.

"And just what are you planning?" Geoffrey demanded. "What about the west wing is so pressing that the King refuses to spend time with his wife and children?"

"None of your damn business," Soren growled.

The bluenette grabbed a fist full of the adviser's ebony locks and pulled the youth's head back to look him in the eyes. "Wrong answer." He smashed the sage face first into the wall. "I'll ask you again, beast, why does the king ignore his wife? Hm? You've prepared a lunch for two-"

Geoffrey froze, suddenly disgusted. "You monster!" he roared and pounded into the sage's back. "It's you isn't it?! You have a spell over the king! You've seduced him and Elinicia's suffering for it!!"

Soren cried out as he felt a rib pop out of place from the assault. "No!" he yelled, holding back tears, not wanting to give the Knight the satisfaction of breaking him. "Ike doesn't love me! Nor will he ever! We're friends; nothing more!"

Admitting this out loud hurt so much more than the beating he had suffered.

However, Geoffrey was far from convinced. "Of course you would say that," he spat and threw the sage aside like he was nothing. "But I'll just have to make sure for myself. What is in the west wing?" he wondered and walked to the double doors.

The Royal Knight never heard Soren stagger to his feet, but as he reached to push open the door, he did feel a knife sink into his right shoulder. Searing pain raged through his body and he whirled on instinct, his left fist connecting with the branded's cheek and sent him reeling to the ground. "You dare attack me?!"

"It's poisoned," Soren informed with the smallest hint of smugness before pulling himself to his feet and staggering off.

Geoffrey did not pursue, as he was already dizzy from the effects of the toxin. His vision blurred and he groaned. The bluenette stumbled and made his way towards the main hall, where a servant would find him if he collapsed.

(End Chapter)