Lycan's Affection
Just A Man

"Did something happen?" Eleanor's voice was laced with concern, and it showed in the way her eyes went wide, the way she could not wait for Conaan to come back up to her. It looked like she had only changed dresses to a slightly more conservative one.

He turned, a slight command to Brandon in his actions, before he wore a small smile. "Of course not. Brandon is simply worried for me."

She raised a brow. "I do not believe you would intentionally lie to me."

He nodded, his smile a little bigger. "Sure, Eleanor. I would not lie to you for no reason."

He slowly covered the distance, his eyes searching hers. She gulped nervously, then nodded.

"I will choose to believe you."

He said nothing, his fingers giving hers a small squeeze. "Thank you. I will take a much needed bath now."

She nodded and watched as he started to leave, his steps slow. Silently, she watched him climb the stairs one after the other, a small sigh escaping her lips.

He was doing it again. That thing he always did when he abstained from touching her whenever he refuses to tell her something like the guilt wouldn't allow him to.

She closed her eyes briefly, trying to push down the small stain of blood that had stained the white drapes. She had not seen who it belonged to, but she did have a suspicion.

Alexander had, afterall, tried deploying soldiers before. What if he had succeeded in planting a few spies in the palace? What would that mean for both of them?

She turned, and Conaan was no longer within sight. Drawing a resolve, she turned to the stairs, and climbed it too.

Conaan sat with his eyes closed, his legs dangling into the water, his hands holding the edges of the bath. He took a few slow breaths.

Things were starting to look up, even though it was getting a lot riskier. He had not unraveled the mystery of the scroll yet, and the scar on his face. He wondered what that had to do with anything at all.

He took a small, shaky breath again, feeling a headache start to come on. He knew for sure if Alexander and Anderson wanted an alliance, and that servant had sent a message, they would wait till he grew weaker.

That would ensure more success than any other thing they could have planned. On the other hand, they would need to ensure he does not find a cure. No matter what, and that would buy him more time, and at least give him a lead. He hoped it would work out the way he envisioned it. He hoped he would not have to leave Eleanor with his dead weight.

A knock suddenly came on the door, accompanied by Eleanor's strong scent. He swallowed hard. He did not really want to face her right now, knowing there was not much he could tell her, for her own protection.

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"Come on," he said, finding it even harder to turn her away.

He heard the door open and she walked in, then stood by the door, her eyes fixed on his back.

"Is something bothering you?"

He shrugged. "I am a King. Peace of mind may sometimes elude me."

She went quiet for some time, then slowly walked to the small shelf. It held different essential oils and soaps and petals for his bath, and she grabbed a few.

"Let me make you feel better," she said, then slowly covered the distance.

He said nothing as she sat beside him, then gently took his hand. He turned to her, meeting her eyes. There was a small sadness behind hers, mixed with a bit of helplessness.

"Do not look at me that way," he said, averting his gaze. "I am not able to stomach it."

She sighed, her feet dangling in the water with him. "What is my love able to stomach then? Definitely not the sweets you like so much."

He said nothing. He had only seen them in passing and had paid no attention because he was so excited to see her. Now, he had no appetite at all.

Suddenly, he felt water sprinkle on his face, causing him to instinctively close his eyes, his brows furrowing.

"What..."

Before he finished, another splash of water hit his face, this time even bigger, the drops hitting his face and sprinkling over his hair.

He turned to Eleanor's small smile, her eyes watching him.

"Wgat are you doing?" He asked, a small snicker escaping him.

She shrugged. "I was just wondering, if you had more courage to say something to me then instead of climbing fences, we could have done things like these at the lake."

He raised a brow as she suddenly moved away from the edge, driving straight into the clear, petal filled water.

He watched her, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"You do not want to find out?"

He shrugged. "I might need a little more convincing."

She raised a brow as she waded through the water, till she was right beneath him, her face tilted upwards to meet his. Before he could say a word, her hands wrapped around his and she pulled him into the water, forming a big splash of the water and the petals around them.

"Eleanor," he gasped when he turned around and she was not around him.

Suddenly, she was in front of him again, her finger on his lips. His eyes took her in, her hair flattened by the water, her lashes lightly dripping.

She let her fingers leave his lips, then slowly drop to his arm, and to his fingers. She held his hand in hers, pulling him further till he was fully standing, his hand tight around hers.

Slowly, he pulled her body close, his hand lightly twirling her. She have a small laugh, her body fitting right in his arms as he brought her close, her fingers searching for every bit of his skin.

She moved slowly, her back turning to him, his hands wrapping around her, his face coming to nuzzle between her neck and her shoulders.

A moment of silence passed between them, his head resting comfortably on her shoulder, his hand holding her tight.

"We can not do everything as kids," he whispered, a small laugh escaping him.

She gave an exaggerated gasp, releasing herself from his arms. "How very scandalous of His Highness!"

He laughed, temporarily forgetting everything else. "The king is just a man and at some point, all he could think about was women."

She laughed, using her fingers to splash a few droplets of water around him, her steps taking her back.

Her back hit the concrete edge, and he gave a small laugh as he covered the distance, his arms resting on either side of her.

His eyes met hers, his lips parting, his chest slightly heaving.

He said nothing, as he slowly straightened, and his fingers gently curled up on the small sleeve of her dress. Slowly, he pulled them down till they were merely hanging down her shoulder, barely holding the dress up.

"Revenge?" She chuckled when she felt his lips slowly brush her neck, knowing he was going for more, deeper marks.

He shook his head. "Teaser."

She gave a small laugh, saying nothing more, hoping she had at least made him as happy as was possible even if the moment would not last.

In the large estate, Lucas nodded as the last candidate walked away, her head bowed, her hand clasped in front of her.

"What do you think?" He asked, his eyes scanning the rest.

"I think the third one is perfect. She is supposed to be a breeder, comes from a very good, healthy family with lots of children." One answered, his eyes darting across to the rest of them, seeking approval.

They all nodded, and one spoke up, mischief lacing his tone. "Besides, look at her. Very endowed in all the right places. Just a dress to show that off will do. The king is afterall, a red blooded man."

They burst into laughter, Lucas asking his head at their jeering.

"Perfect then. We will send a letter before us. And we will go next tomorrow itself. The festival is soon, and we have to replace Eleanor before then."

They all nodded in agreement, Lucas giving a small sigh. It was set, and they would soon implement the right of continuity.

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