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Being the High Queen of Elfhame was endlessly tiring. The constant twisted words, bargaining, useless propositions. Jude didn’t mind council meetings, she was allowed to argue with people during those. Being a mortal High Queen in a land of fae, who in turn hate humans, was seldom peaceful.
But her most tiresome job in all of Elfhame, was Cardan. No specific job regarding Cardan, just the general shenanigans that constantly trail in his footsteps. Her husband was, in her opinion, the embodiment of chaos.
Sure looking out for Cardan was her most tiring job, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t her favourite.
Making her way to the royal chambers, her feet drag a little bit, lacking the almost silent footsteps the fae possess. She had had a long day of doing practically nothing, sitting in a throne, watching and listening as her subjects gifted an assortment of items. It was boring, but that was her life. Occasionally Cardan’s tail would brush her ankle, or her hand, bringing a slight smile to her face.
Even with her stone cold demeanour, her husband could always see into her core. Noticing the emotions she tries her very best to keep locked away. He always finds a way to make her smile, even if it is just for a few seconds. She wishes she could return the favour.
Getting to her shared room, she finds her husband asleep on one of their arm chairs. She rolls her eyes, of course he fell asleep waiting for her to return. Her rounds around the palace were not required, but she could rest better if she knew everything was as secure as it could be.
She removes all of her armour, another thing not required of her, and changes into her night gown. Using a cloth from the bathroom, she washes the shimmering makeup off of her husband, leaving him looking just as majestic. She carries him to their ridiculously large bed, practically dropping him onto the mattress. She was strong, she prided herself in being able to win an arm wrestle against almost anyone, but Cardan was heavy. Given he was over a head taller than her, she thinks she did great at not dropping him.
She climbs into bed next to him, feeling her tired muscles relax. Cardan’s body instinctively wraps around her, immersing her in warmth. She drifts off to sleep, head resting on Cardan’s chest.
At some point through the night, she hears a voice talking. She quickly sits up, scanning the room, but she is met with nothing, not a single soul out of place. Then she looks down, realising where the voice is coming from.
Her husband was muttering something unintelligible, withering and squirming in his sleep. He didn’t sound mad, he sounded like he was about to cry. He was having a nightmare, this hadn’t happened in ages.
She shook his shoulder. “Cardan.” She whispered into the darkness. “Cardan, dear, wake up.” She shook his entire body, urging his body into consciousness.
He woke with a startled cry, bolting upright. “Jude.” he whispered in a panicked voice. She takes his hand, pressing a kiss to it. His head snaps around to look at her.
“It’s okay, Cardan.” She reassures. “I’m here.” He pulls her into an embrace, squeezing her so hard she’s afraid she might break a rib. She wraps her tan arms around him, massaging in between his shoulder blades, feeling some of the tension leave his body.
Soon he’s just a limp body draped around her, she feels something wet on her neck, a tear. She lifts his face, wiping away the stray tears painting his soft cheeks. He looks away, a mix of misery and shame in face. Jude has never seen him cry. Sure she’s seen him wholly upset, on the verge of a break down, but she’s never seen him shed a tear. Until now that is.
“Hey.” She says softly. He doesn’t met her gaze. “What’s wrong?”
“Same dream as always.” He shrugs. “You being held captive in the Undersea.”
“Cardan.” She forces him to look at her. “You know that’s not what I meant. That look on your face, it’s not just pain.”
“I’m sorry.” He says, his voice breaking slightly. “It’s improper for me to cry.”
“Oh, Cardan.” She hugs him tighter, cradling his face with her body. “You’re allowed to cry, dear.” His face nuzzles into her more. She runs her hands over his inky curls, watching as they spring back.
“But- Balekin said-“ Jude cuts him off, his midnight eyes meet hers.
“I don’t care what Balekin said. I killed him for a reason. You are allowed to cry Cardan, you have reason to cry.”
He cries again, sobbing and heaving in her arms, tail holding onto her like she might disappear forever. Jude lets him cry himself out, stroking his face and hair gently. He finished crying, lying in her arms, breathing slowly retuning to normal.
“I love you, my darling.” He whispers, dried tears, glistening in the moon light.
“I love you too, Cardan.” She returns.
He looks down, seemingly confused. Albeit it doesn’t take much to confuse her husband. He tugs at his white flowing shirt, brows furrowed.
“Why am I wearing clothes to bed?” He asks, entirely astonished.
“You fell asleep in the arm chair.”
“And you didn’t think to undress me?” He almost seems hurt that she didn’t. Taking care of Cardan was definitely tiring.
“No! That would be rude, undressing you without you being conscious.” She argues, flabbergasted at her husband.
“Really Jude?” He quirks an eyebrow. “You can beg on your knees for me to be inside you. But can’t undress your husband? Some morals you have.”
She hits his arm, to which he lets out a laugh. He wraps her up in his arms lulling them both back to sleep. He brushes her chestnut hair out of her face, grinning at the shiver that travels through her body.
“Thank you, Jude.” He says.
“I hate you.”
“You love me.” He cooes in her rounded ear.
“Regrettably.” The sarcasm drips from her voice. Oh, how lies intrigue him.
He laughs again, pressing a soft kiss against her freckled cheek. She lets out a content sigh, curling further around his arms. The High King and Queen drift off to sleep. Behind closed doors, the widely feared Queen of murder isn’t that scary.
Cardan may be tiring to attend to, but unlike her other duties, she gets rewarded. In the few hours they get to themselves each day, Cardan gives her reason to be her favourite thing in Elfhame. Whether it’s by him being watched over, or by their tender moments behind closed doors, she loves him all the same.