Peasant Treasures in the Court of Queen Deirdre

The Queen's smile was glacial. "My husband, finally, you have returned."

Prince Heath bowed deeply. "Your Majesty."

The Queen swept her hand around the room. "The long-awaited day has arrived. The court of Deirdre is joyous in your return."

Heath smirked. "And I am glad to be home."

"Yes." She walked towards him and lifted his chin with her finger. Her eyes glinted. "We have much to discuss. We will begin by dining together in the Great Hall tonight."

Heath licked his lips. "What a pleasant thought." He bowed again and backed away from her. "I must prepare for the feast now."

The Queen smiled sweetly at him as he left the room, then turned to one of her maids who stood nearby holding up a dress. It was a gown made entirely of white silk, but with a thin line of blood red that ran down it from the neckline to the hem, staining it red all the way down. The maid held it out for her mistress. The Queen took it and began to walk back into the dressing room to change; she heard voices behind her saying things like, 'How lovely' and 'An excellent choice.' She smiled and allowed herself to feel just a little bit pleased with how well everything had gone today; Prince Heath would be hers once more, and there was no doubt in her mind that he would be eager to be so: they would make love tonight, before they ate dinner together in the Great Hall - where all of the court's subjects would see them - where she would wear the gown made entirely of white silk but stained with blood red all down the front...

*

"Pleasant evening," said Prince Heath as he entered their bedroom late that night after leaving the Great Hall following dinner there, after sitting beside his wife at their table while she wore her gown made entirely of white silk but stained with blood red all down the front... Deirdre was sitting on their bed at this time, wearing only underclothes; she had been sitting there for some time waiting for him to arrive, thinking about how happy she felt right now, wondering when he would come back home so they could resume their life together now that he was finished with his rebellion... He closed the door behind him and locked it against any who might try to enter uninvited; they were alone now and could speak freely... "My dear," he said as he approached her on their bed and kneeled before her so they were eye level with each other.