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Two seasons have passed since they confirmed their feelings for each other, and the rumors extended to the neighboring countries. Many people had opinions and things to say with their relationship becoming official.
Among those was his family, Count Frontera almost had a heart attack when Lloyd told him, his mom was happy and a little worried at the prospect of their son possibly marrying the queen, but Lloyd assured them they were going to take it slow and see if it worked.
Nobody aside from Lloyd has any doubt in their minds that they'll end up marrying and the nobles have started to walk eggshells around him, some tried to complain about the Frontera family having too much power but it all quickly fell on deaf ears.
Queen Alicia Magentano does not allow for any objection rewarding her relationship, Lloyd would mostly keep to himself but even though he's not a fan of the noble's social gatherings he's beginning to attend some of them, being all smiles and reassuring everyone.
These days they often meet in her office to chat, play, and do anything they can find to entertain the other.
The smell of books and elegance permeates the room, the sound of pages turning, ink, and quill writing on paper. The calming atmosphere accompanies them both.
Lloyd and Alicia are in her office. Lloyd wants her to spend more time with her and keeps coming every few days. He was hesitant about helping her head-on with complicated tasks but now has resolved himself to study and commit to their future, if he's to be with her he'll make her kingdom stand strong.
Hundreds of thoughts permeate his mind constantly. Lloyd isn't a fool, he knows the kind of power he has can rival any nation, possessing a mythically powerful bonedragon and the only grand swordmaster in the continent -possibly the world-, his relationships and alliances with; the orc tribe, the elves, the mermaids, the king of hell, the centaurs and even in some capacity the dragons. Any monarch would consider him a threat, even though his only motive is and has always been living comfortably with his loved ones in peace, the power only being a bargaining chip to make sure his opinions and stance are upheld.
He didn't know it would end up with him falling in love with the queen, the same queen that always sought to have him as an ally and took his side on every occasion, no matter the circumstances and his outrageous demands, she would always deliver. He hesitated every time they became closer, fearing getting his first broken heart at the ripe age of thirty, but Alicia was so sure and open about her feelings that most of his fears had been dealt with. Most.
Lloyd's been reading her books to understand the subjects he's not familiar with, even at home he has his library, he has reading glasses on most of the time.
Now, in her office, the couch has become unofficially his. He gets up and walks around to prepare tea for them both, puts the teacup in an empty spot on her busy desk, and wonders whether or not he can kiss her.
Alicia's hair hangs on her face, eyes concentrated on her papers and signing documents, relentlessly planning many procedures to make her empire thrive.
She looks so tired, I don't want to distract her
She feels him next to her and moves her chair closer to where he's standing, lifting her head and giving him a gentle but tired smile, the corners of her eyes speak of her worries and tribulations, and he decides just to give her a peck on the head and makes his way back to the couch.
Aw, going back already?
Alicia blinks. "You didn't even let me say, 'thank you"
"yes?"
She holds her hand out "Let me thank you properly"
He approaches Alicia.
"Too far"
Heh, I was holding back for nothing
Again, he comes closer and bends down to eye level resting his hands on the arms of her chair, she grabs him by the back of his neck and plays leisurely with his hair, Lloyd closes his eyes concentrating on her every touch.
I feel like jumping out of my skin when she does that.
She then pulls him down and kisses him. Lloyd smiles, building up, encompassing her lips like a gentle wave. Alicia reciprocates in kind, leaning more into it. Smiling.
"The tea was nice, but, I wanted the whole kettle" She ruffles his hair.
"..." Lloyd feels patronized but doesn't let it hurt his pride "I'll take note of that"
"It was sweet, I love sweets, just wish I could have more of it" She gives him the most beautiful smile.
"I see. More sweets"
Looking into her eyes convincing his unsure mind of her sincerity and appreciation, he shakes his head off. Maybe he's not organized all his thoughts just yet.
Why am I feeling dejected?
Lloyd goes behind her and begins massaging her shoulders, feeling the tension dissolve under his fingers, rhythmic movements in sync with her breathing with just enough strength to melt her worries away.
He hears her sigh and humm with satisfaction, softly, his hands caress their way to the back of her neck pressing small circles with his knuckles, he continues until he feels she's relaxed enough. Alicia has her eyes closed while she immerses herself in his care.
Jumm, I like that look, I should do this more often
He circles and kisses her softly, kisses the bridge of her nose and the corners of her eyes, feeling better already. With a warm feeling in his chest goes back to the couch to his reading and Alicia to her papers.
Not even five minutes later Lloyd's attention is completely on the book, Alicia glances up to him while touching her nose with a silly smile, and she drinks her tea happily.
_____
Time goes by in serene silence, Lloyd is writing diligently in a notebook; point by point, making notes and writing down questions, diligently studying like he was back in his dorm room in Korea, not once taking his eyes off the pages of Administrative Management, his head is back in his university student days, the world has disappeared around him.
His summons are doing anything but staying still, coming in and out of his clothes while running and jumping around.
There's a loud noise. Ppodong throws a couple of books from a cabinet to the floor while running behind Hamang, Bangul is scolding both of them and Gyouming is looking outside the window, it's a bright day outside.
Lloyd didn't hear or pay any attention, it is Alicia who gets up, opens the window, and talks to the summons
"I see the office is too small for you. Want to play outside instead?"
"Ppodong" "Hamang!" "Bangul" "Gyouming…"
"Well you certainly sound cute, umm" she looks up at Lloyd who's still reading attendly "The garden looks nice, makes you want to take a stroll"
"Ppodong?" "Hamang" "Bangul!" "Gyouming!"
"... I'm thinking of commissioning a playground for you. How about scanning the garden, and coming back with ideas?
"Ppodong!" "Hamang!" "Bangul!" "Gyouming!"
"I'll leave it to you"
The summons bolt towards the garden and Alice sighs
"They're a bit of a handful, aren't they?"
Alicia sits by his side and rests her head on his shoulder, lightly hugging him from the side, and looks at him with endearing eyes. His eyebrows are wrinkling downward and his eyes squinting, glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. His mind is somewhere else.
She doesn't want to interrupt him but a mischievous thought crosses her mind, Alicia entertains herself by carefully undoing his collar, finding it hilarious that he wouldn't notice, and next unbuttons one, two, she gets to three buttons before she hears him cursing low.
"...this, doesn't make any sense"
Lloyd is now frowning while rapidly scribbling something down, putting the quill on the table, finally, he closes his eyes and grabs his face seemingly defeated.
Alicia pokes his cheek.
"Huh? You're here? Are you tired?" he says looking at her desk
She shakes her head "What's on your mind?"
I don't want to come off as needy
He takes a deep breath.
"It'd be faster if it was the two of us"
He's saying that again…
"I didn't ask you to date me to make my job easier" She looks a little hurt
No, how do I explain this?
"I'm being selfish. If I step up now you'll have more time on your hands" he takes her hand
"Hah, should I hire a new aid?"
"I do think delegating is the privilege of those in charge, but there are things only you can handle"
"Then I'll think about it carefully, lest your visits become studying sessions"
"I don't mind really"
"But I do. Sit back with me, I already finished"
Since she said it's okay, I'll stop for now
Lloyd looks at his notes and writings once before closing the books, and putting his glasses down.
He leans on the couch and Alicia rests on his chest comfortably, his arms around her pulling her into a hug.
"Your summons want a playground in the garden"
"They told you?"
"I just guessed"
"Heh, they've been asking for one for a while now, even threatening to destroy my room back home hehe"
"Naughty kids"
"I'm impressed, you came up with the same idea"
"Well, all this sitting still has them stressed out"
Sigh "We all need a good vacation, that's for sure"
I need to work hard, so we can get away for a while…
As he's closing his eyes and starting to doze off, Lloyd feels her hair tickling against his skin, and is surprised, to find his shirt unbuttoned halfway through.
Ah, what? did she- I didn't even feel it
"When did you..?"
"Huhu I was stealthy"
"I… um … it's embarrassing"
Oh?
Alicia's eyes widen and scan him, Lloyd's blushing and covering his face with one hand, something inside of her compelling her to take it further and make him more embarrassed.
What expression would he make? If I mess him up…
She had always imagined his reactions, every time he would bow down out of formality she imagined what him being really flustered would look like, when he used to say 'I'm eternally grateful' she wanted a warm smile instead, and now after roughly five months of being together, she has the means to get the reactions she wants.
What if it's just me? Would he like it too?
Fire burning in her eyes and with strong resolve, she turns around moving a little closer, her body resting on top of his, thighs hugging him lightly, upper body closing in, until he could feel her breath on his skin.
She plants one long kiss on his neck and another on this Adam's apple, making him jolt, Lloyd's brain is working on double time trying to organize his thoughts, his natural body reacts faster than his mind can keep up with, saliva forms on his mouth, multiple thoughts assault him but he stays still.
Alicia lingers on his neck watching him closely; with quivering eyes he looks at her from the space between his fingers, Alicia waiting for him to confirm if she can keep going, Lloyd mutters a raspy "Hmm hum"
Alicia kisses him passionately as she supports herself on the couch while finishing unbuttoning the rest of his shirt, his toned abdomen greets her, fingers tracing his muscles one by one admiring all the hard work behind them.
What's…All of a sudden? We were talking just now. I wanted to tell her… She's so… smooth about it, I love that, ah it feels…
Lloyd shifts on the couch, she can feel his body trembling, his breathing becoming erratic, and hears him gulping.
He looks so irresistible
Alicia continues placing kisses on his chest, sucking fractions of his skin under her lips leaving red marks all over. She's slowly lowering making her way down and kissing his stomach, her fingers sliding to the belt of his pants.
"Ha-!" Lloyd covers his mouth, she can see him biting one finger, his other hand on her shoulder. "Wait"
She approaches his face and carefully removes his hand. His eyes are burning with desire, shaking erratically. His eyebrows, however, look rather upset.
"You're so… so good at this"
"Huhu only because you are too alluring"
"What should I do? I kinda want you to lead me on uhg"
Alicia picks up the seriousness of his voice, how it went from flustered to frustrated, and backs away a little to give him space.
He straightens his posture and takes in small breaths of air to calm down, he looks conflicted.
"Sorry to break the mood"
"Was I going too fast?"
"Not sure" he looks at the floor
"Something on your mind?"
"is this ok? With you leading? Are you not mad at me?"
"No? Why would I be?"
Alicia observes his face closely not wanting to miss any detail in case he wants to keep to himself.
"I really enjoy being pampered like this, you have this look in your eyes…"
"So do you"
His eyes find themselves shining for a second then turning mellow.
"But, I'm wondering if I'm doing this wrong, feel pressured to perform"
"Pressured, by whom?
"Huh?"
"Who is pressuring you?"
Is this pressure not something everyone feels? the male standard to take the lead? I'm still a Korean man at heart. How do relationships work in the empire? What should I have done in this context? Just go with the flow? But I didn't want to now…I never had to wonder about these things while working on my projects. I did things naturally as they came, is this something that comes to light only when you're in a relationship? Am I closing myself off for no reason?
"No one, me I guess" he sighs in defeat.
"Do you like it when I do that or not? Don't worry about anything else, it's just you and me"
"Sounds simple enough"
"I want to shower you with affection, do you feel the same way?"
"I do, I like it, I love how you reassure me and invite me to go farther, I want to touch you too just… not right now"
"Yes of course. So, what can we do? Was what I did today too far?"
Lloyd looks down at his shirt, multiple marks of kisses and hickeys on his torso, and laughs.
"I wouldn't mind if you did it again. Just got too nervous at the end, my head was not in it at the moment"
Alicia holds his hands and nods "Thank you for trusting me. Can you tell me what's worrying you?"
Sigh, Lloyd rubs his face and pulls his hair back.
"I want you all to myself and... I can't bear to look at you being tired knowing I could do something about it"
"… you still hold your wish of wanting to rest, close to your heart, right? I don't want to object to that"
"I still wish that, I do, but now you're part of it too. If we stay together until the end I will do everything in my power to make it possible"
Alicia looks at him with surprise.
"Are you proposing to me?"
Lloyd's eyes widened at the realization of his own words, something he thought on the back of his mind now coming to light in a casual manner.
Committed, with no take backs, now he has to deliver in confidence even if he lacks it.
No use wishing I could have done things differently.
"Yes I am" he holds his hands as if praying.
"Is this why you're so adamant about studying and even started going to the noble's social gatherings?"
"Yeah…" he lies on her lap burying his face on her legs.
"You're so lovely, you know that?"
Chuckles: "I am?"
"Yes you are. I'll gladly take you up on that offer"
He looks up to her, and caresses her face.
"That's a relief"
Alicia laughs, Lloyd's acting like she wasn't the one who proposed to marry him from the beginning.
Hah I love this fool.
"Have I told you that I love your hair?" she says as the ruffles his hair.
"Oh? so that's what it was" he touches her eyes and nose delicately with his fingers "I like your eyes, honest and reassuring, your nose is cute"
They look into each other's eyes in complete understanding of one another.
"Thank you for telling me"
"Well you asked"
They laugh comfortably as the summons come back to the office and rush to the couch, they run around them before settling down for a nap. The two chuckle and follow, hugging each other dearly.
"My queen"
"My king"