[It's an open secret in his court, that for some reason none of his enemies ever seem to catch on to. Maybe it's because Mako rarely takes off her mask in public, and she keeps her hair short and that there's not a lot of people who cross her who live to tell the tale. But he knows for a fact that no one that comes after him, and his land and his wealth, who threaten his people and their safety, not a single one of them knows that his best knight and bodyguard-- is actually a woman.
Raleigh's known her father for years, ever since he was a young boy sent to foster at the Pentecost hearth. He grew up under his tutelage, learning everything he could before he was brought back to court when his brother assumed the throne. He'd heard that some time after that, Pentecost had adopted an orphaned girl, didn't think much of it until that girl showed up at court, swearing allegiance to him and the crown that he'd had for a few short hours at that point.
The only reason he agreed was because she mentioned her foster father's name and he figured that she wouldn't last long, or that she'd marry a nobleman within a few months and that would be that.
Only when she was the only one left standing of his personal guard, after an assassin's attempt to get rid of him, when his ten best men were dead on the ground and Mako was covered in blood that wasn't hers but still standing did he realize he was wrong about that. She's been at his side ever since. Literally, she even sleeps in his chambers every night, insistent and stubborn about it, that she was here to protect him, not wait outside, so Mako has her own little bed in the corner, she sleeps with her sword all the time and that's that, he supposes.
No one's said anything to his face but he's sure there's rumors about them. That even if people have seen her separate bed, there's the assumption that she's sharing his and it would be a lie to say that he hasn't considered it. Wondered what it'd be like. If she fights the same way that she gives pleasure, or if she's even known a man and if he was a betting man, he'd say no. No she hasn't.
If only because she'd probably castrate anyone who tried.
Winters are usually quiet, no wars or squabbles or border raids because it's too cold for that. Just tax reports from the harvest and petty complaints to be solved at his leisure and some of them, Raleigh considers just tossing into the fire burning behind him because they're so idiotic. And he still might but first he wants to share it with Mako, because she is his knight but he's come to rely on her advice as well. She can listen and sharpen her blade at the same time.]
[ Mako probably wouldn't castrate him if he tried, just saying.
It's a point of pride that Mako adheres to, that she can easily best any man in battle, even without the advantage of brute strength on her side. No, she is water, she is light as the wind, she is the storm that rages through the field when angered -- she is a woman and she is Raleigh's kingsguard, her life vowed in service to him, to her last breath.
She had proven herself many times over, since the last time an assassin had come for her king's head and had almost succeeded. Mako earned his trust and his confidence eventually, no matter the rumours that fly fierce and wild -- that their obvious chemistry would lead to something a lot more behind closed doors. She doesn't bother with any of it; only for Raleigh's well-being, that he stays safe in her care, and maybe there is some truth to the words, too.
It's difficult not to be drawn to the king and his understated charms; Raleigh doesn't try, which is what makes it all the more potent. The weight and joy of his attention, the sweetness of his approval and the genuine smile that comes with it is rare and coveted, and perhaps even Mako is not immune.
He sleeps alone, always alone, and Mako had, on more than one occasion, contemplated on what it would be like to share his bed, instead of curling in hers at the corner of his room.
Tonight, however, he's telling her about the inane reports he's receiving while she sharpens her blade, noticing how on edge he is but making no comment -- she's learned to read him well, to understand him, and better advise according to his moods.
Coming over, she leans over his shoulder to eye the report, amused. ] Maybe they went for a walk and never came back.
[He hums in something like agreement, looking sideways at her with a small smile. If that's the case, he doesn't really blame the chickens because they were clearly better off on their own than with owners who would waste their time writing to him about this. What's he supposed to do? Replace the chickens?
He's going to replace the chickens. And he's going to assign someone to sort through these in the future.
Raleigh tosses the page back to the desk, leaning back in his chair.]
Perhaps my people are trying to drive me to do the same.
[ Mako cracks a smile at that in answer; frankly, she doesn't care about the chickens, they're painfully trivial -- but it's evenings like these that she gets to spend time with him without the distraction of others, where she can be just a little more at ease.
There's something about him that takes her breath away at the most inexplicable moments, and she finds her gaze lingering on him; it's getting harder to not get caught looking, but she takes her chances anyway. ]
Perhaps decree them to build a sturdy coop for the chickens. With steel, not mesh. [ A pause. ] The rigors of being a monarch, Your Majesty.
Where are they going to get steel if I don't provide it to them?
[They both know that he will, on top of replacing the chickens that were stolen and/or lost. He's rich enough for it, he'd hardly even notice the dent that it'll make to his stores. But he still thinks it's stupid he should have to deal with this at all.
It's chickens.
He snorts softly, smiling at her for a moment, catching her eye as he does and he'd swear that something passes between them right then. Something he doesn't want to name, because he doesn't want to scare her off, or make her feel like she's obligated to. She's not, not in any way, he would never treat her like that.]
It's been quiet lately, perhaps I should make you deal with these appeals. Give you something to do.
[ Mako's smile widens, innocent and teasing -- and it's impossible for her heart not to skip a beat when he smiles and catches her eye (he knows, she thinks, he knows she's looking at him for more than she should). Mako's been dwelling on it for awhile, the unfounded affections she keeps repressed, the blossoming fondness for her king that extends beyond loyalty.
She'd pledged her entire life to him, for better for worse, and she would happily stay by his side to the exclusion of all else if it means that she gets to keep him safe and happy. There's something growing between them, something she can't quite put her finger on. It's a pleasant sort of tension that keeps her awake some nights, listening to his breathing. She holds his gaze, unwilling to break the moment. ]
Guarding your life is a full-time occupation, and I have even less patience for chickens than you.
[Raleigh doesn't think she realizes how beautiful she is when she smiles. She is a fierce warrior, yes and she's respected throughout his court as one, but when she smiles at him, like that in the privacy of his quarters, she's more than just his knight and bodyguard. She's a beautiful woman.
He finds himself smiling back at her, the longer she holds his gaze, like he can't help it. She draws it out of him.]
Hardly possible. You have far more patience than I do about most things.
[ She's not the most self-aware of her appearance -- Mako doesn't have time for business like that when her pride in her skills are all that matters. But what she does know, increasingly, is that she manages to draw out the sweetest smiles from him, that somehow his smiles are more genuine with her.
Mako knows to treasure that, silently cherishing every blessed moment it happens, and her gaze gentles. ]
Then I must say that you are biased, sire. [ Her fingers brush inadvertently against his when she moves to shift the parchment, sending a tingle down her spine at the contact. ] You just haven't seen me angry.
[Raleigh glances down at their hands, unable to help drawing attention to the fact that she touched his fingers. He stares there for a second, actually thinking about what would happen if he linked their fingers together right now but it could also look like he's irritated by the contact.
At least-- until he moves to tap her hand with his. Not quite what he wanted, not as personal but still more than just a king and his servant.]
The last time someone tried to kill me, you seemed pretty angry.
[ That's a good thing, because Mako was right about to pull away, keenly aware of the fact that she'd crossed a line or ten, and it would be well within Raleigh's rights to be offended.
She draws away anyway, not rejected but confused by that half-measure; but it's something she can think about later. ]
Someone trying to murder your king tends to have that effect. [ She says dryly nonetheless. ] Why wouldn't I be?
[Raleigh catches the note of confusion in her expression, and figures that he crossed a boundary himself, that perhaps he just pushed her too far, crossed a line that she was comfortable with, from king and his knight to something more like friends.]
I'm saying that your anger is an impressive sight. One I wouldn't want to bring on myself.
[ Uncertainty is a curious, wonderful thing -- for the first time in a long, long while, Mako's not quite sure how to act; does she pretend it hadn't happened, or...? It seems wrong, to push her boundaries with the king with it looks like he doesn't approve, but why -- ? ]
You won't have to worry about that, sire. [ The idea of him not wanting her wrath amuses her in a hundred tiny little ways. ] You can have me arrested, you know.
Arrested by who? You're my best knight. [Raleigh replies quietly, sincere and honest. He can't imagine that there'd ever be a situation where she would turn on him, she's loyal to the bone and even if she did? He'd be completely out of luck since she could take down everyone else by herself.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
medieval AU
[ in which raleigh is a young king, and mako is his knight. ]
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Raleigh's known her father for years, ever since he was a young boy sent to foster at the Pentecost hearth. He grew up under his tutelage, learning everything he could before he was brought back to court when his brother assumed the throne. He'd heard that some time after that, Pentecost had adopted an orphaned girl, didn't think much of it until that girl showed up at court, swearing allegiance to him and the crown that he'd had for a few short hours at that point.
The only reason he agreed was because she mentioned her foster father's name and he figured that she wouldn't last long, or that she'd marry a nobleman within a few months and that would be that.
Only when she was the only one left standing of his personal guard, after an assassin's attempt to get rid of him, when his ten best men were dead on the ground and Mako was covered in blood that wasn't hers but still standing did he realize he was wrong about that. She's been at his side ever since. Literally, she even sleeps in his chambers every night, insistent and stubborn about it, that she was here to protect him, not wait outside, so Mako has her own little bed in the corner, she sleeps with her sword all the time and that's that, he supposes.
No one's said anything to his face but he's sure there's rumors about them. That even if people have seen her separate bed, there's the assumption that she's sharing his and it would be a lie to say that he hasn't considered it. Wondered what it'd be like. If she fights the same way that she gives pleasure, or if she's even known a man and if he was a betting man, he'd say no. No she hasn't.
If only because she'd probably castrate anyone who tried.
Winters are usually quiet, no wars or squabbles or border raids because it's too cold for that. Just tax reports from the harvest and petty complaints to be solved at his leisure and some of them, Raleigh considers just tossing into the fire burning behind him because they're so idiotic. And he still might but first he wants to share it with Mako, because she is his knight but he's come to rely on her advice as well. She can listen and sharpen her blade at the same time.]
This one is about chickens. Stolen chickens.
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It's a point of pride that Mako adheres to, that she can easily best any man in battle, even without the advantage of brute strength on her side. No, she is water, she is light as the wind, she is the storm that rages through the field when angered -- she is a woman and she is Raleigh's kingsguard, her life vowed in service to him, to her last breath.
She had proven herself many times over, since the last time an assassin had come for her king's head and had almost succeeded. Mako earned his trust and his confidence eventually, no matter the rumours that fly fierce and wild -- that their obvious chemistry would lead to something a lot more behind closed doors. She doesn't bother with any of it; only for Raleigh's well-being, that he stays safe in her care, and maybe there is some truth to the words, too.
It's difficult not to be drawn to the king and his understated charms; Raleigh doesn't try, which is what makes it all the more potent. The weight and joy of his attention, the sweetness of his approval and the genuine smile that comes with it is rare and coveted, and perhaps even Mako is not immune.
He sleeps alone, always alone, and Mako had, on more than one occasion, contemplated on what it would be like to share his bed, instead of curling in hers at the corner of his room.
Tonight, however, he's telling her about the inane reports he's receiving while she sharpens her blade, noticing how on edge he is but making no comment -- she's learned to read him well, to understand him, and better advise according to his moods.
Coming over, she leans over his shoulder to eye the report, amused. ] Maybe they went for a walk and never came back.
no subject
He's going to replace the chickens. And he's going to assign someone to sort through these in the future.
Raleigh tosses the page back to the desk, leaning back in his chair.]
Perhaps my people are trying to drive me to do the same.
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There's something about him that takes her breath away at the most inexplicable moments, and she finds her gaze lingering on him; it's getting harder to not get caught looking, but she takes her chances anyway. ]
Perhaps decree them to build a sturdy coop for the chickens. With steel, not mesh. [ A pause. ] The rigors of being a monarch, Your Majesty.
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[They both know that he will, on top of replacing the chickens that were stolen and/or lost. He's rich enough for it, he'd hardly even notice the dent that it'll make to his stores. But he still thinks it's stupid he should have to deal with this at all.
It's chickens.
He snorts softly, smiling at her for a moment, catching her eye as he does and he'd swear that something passes between them right then. Something he doesn't want to name, because he doesn't want to scare her off, or make her feel like she's obligated to. She's not, not in any way, he would never treat her like that.]
It's been quiet lately, perhaps I should make you deal with these appeals. Give you something to do.
no subject
[ Mako's smile widens, innocent and teasing -- and it's impossible for her heart not to skip a beat when he smiles and catches her eye (he knows, she thinks, he knows she's looking at him for more than she should). Mako's been dwelling on it for awhile, the unfounded affections she keeps repressed, the blossoming fondness for her king that extends beyond loyalty.
She'd pledged her entire life to him, for better for worse, and she would happily stay by his side to the exclusion of all else if it means that she gets to keep him safe and happy. There's something growing between them, something she can't quite put her finger on. It's a pleasant sort of tension that keeps her awake some nights, listening to his breathing. She holds his gaze, unwilling to break the moment. ]
Guarding your life is a full-time occupation, and I have even less patience for chickens than you.
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He finds himself smiling back at her, the longer she holds his gaze, like he can't help it. She draws it out of him.]
Hardly possible. You have far more patience than I do about most things.
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Mako knows to treasure that, silently cherishing every blessed moment it happens, and her gaze gentles. ]
Then I must say that you are biased, sire. [ Her fingers brush inadvertently against his when she moves to shift the parchment, sending a tingle down her spine at the contact. ] You just haven't seen me angry.
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[Raleigh glances down at their hands, unable to help drawing attention to the fact that she touched his fingers. He stares there for a second, actually thinking about what would happen if he linked their fingers together right now but it could also look like he's irritated by the contact.
At least-- until he moves to tap her hand with his. Not quite what he wanted, not as personal but still more than just a king and his servant.]
The last time someone tried to kill me, you seemed pretty angry.
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She draws away anyway, not rejected but confused by that half-measure; but it's something she can think about later. ]
Someone trying to murder your king tends to have that effect. [ She says dryly nonetheless. ] Why wouldn't I be?
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I'm saying that your anger is an impressive sight. One I wouldn't want to bring on myself.
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You won't have to worry about that, sire. [ The idea of him not wanting her wrath amuses her in a hundred tiny little ways. ] You can have me arrested, you know.
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I count myself lucky you chose my side.