Big (Royal) Fan

“Maya, we would like you to serve as the hand to the princess as she begins her accession to the throne.”

The first thing I realized was that it wasn't a question.

“I-hand?” I managed to stammer out, my jaw practically on the floor.

“The royal family has heard much about your political expertise, especially with the guidance you provided Lord Harris on his pursuit to increase food supply across his burgage and increase his favor with the smallfolk.” The older man who had introduced himself as one of the royal family’s councilmen explained. “The Princess would like to utilize your talents on a much larger scale.”

“I-I don’t know what to say. I’m,” I struggled to find my next words. “I’m-” Words escaped me. Terrified, concerned, bewildered came to mind. “-flattered. Absolutely flattered. Though I will admit, my inexperience makes me an interesting choice. Are you sure?”

The letter I had received via pigeon about a visit from one of the Princess's council members hadn’t come as much of a shock since I had been heavily involved in the political dealings of the kingdom for years. Still, I would have never guessed that this was what his visit was going to entail.

“I’ve never advised the Princess or Her Majesty's family once, let alone sat on her council and provided guidance. Now she wants me as her hand?” I questioned.

In fact, I could only ever recall a singular time I had ever even seen anyone even close to the Princess. And it had absolutely nothing to do with either of our political endeavors.

“The princess is most certainly sure. She wants you to make the move to the castle to start your role as quickly as you are able. The coronation is rapidly approaching and your advice is most needed.

She’ll be sure to explain more of the details at a later time but wanted this position offered to you promptly.”

My mind raced back to that one night I had seen him. The cousin of the soon-to-be queen. The dark tavern, cast in flickering candlelight. The taste of a light ale dancing across my tongue. The strum of a guitar ringing out through the room before a rough, but somehow delicate voice accompanying it. Looking up to find that enchanting voice belonged to one of the top leaders of the realm and I being the only one to recognize him because of my position of employment. His eyes briefly looking up to meet mine.

Why had he been away from the castle and in that small town pub? Why was I being sought out now, all these years later? Were either of those things connected? I had a feeling I was about to find out.

The job was clearly a rise in station for me and I knew what I had to do. The next words flowed easily off my tongue. “I humbly accept.”

My move to the castle happened almost immediately after Councilman Henry informed me of my new position. I spent my remaining days packing up my quaint country home and bidding goodbyes to the owners of my favorite local establishments before a horse-drawn carriage arrived on my doorstep exactly three days later. The footman quickly helped me load my trunks into the bed of the carriage and just like that, I was off.

I had made my home in a relatively small village, about a two-day carriage trip from the castle. I had many fellow advisors and mentors suggest over the years I move closer to the city that surrounded the castle but I always shook my head. I loved being a good distance away since the small village life often gave me incredibly valuable insight into what the everyday commoners of the kingdom were experiencing.

I took my occupation as a political advisor and strategist for many lords and distant royalty very seriously, especially as one of few women in my field. I fully believed where I lived was part of what helped shape me into the successful advisor I am today.

The journey to the castle was long but I occupied most of my time planning out what advice I would give to the incoming Queen first. Was she passionate about increasing access to affordable healers across the kingdom? Or did she want to improve access to food like I had helped Lord Harris do that had gotten her attention? Maybe she was even more radical and would want to hear about the universal basic allowance concept I had recently thought of.

These thoughts kept me entertained until we arrived at the gates of the castle, a knight waiving us through until we stopped at the palace’s front door, where a small group of servants helped me out of the carriage and into the grandest foyer I had ever seen.

“Her Majesty is waiting to meet you in the throne room,” one of the servant girls informed me before gesturing for me to follow her. “The other girls will unpack your things in your private quarters.”

I nodded, following the girl as she led us through a series of equally grand rooms until we came upon the doors of the throne room.

“She’s inside.” She nodded as the guards pushed open the doors.

My eyes immediately registered the princess sitting upon an incredible throne made of golden vines and branches as I crossed the large room as quickly as possible before stopping at the small flight of stairs that led up to her seat.

“Your Majesty,” I quickly bent down onto one knee and bowed my head. I heard the shuffle of clothing and from my kneeled position, could see her heeled feet descending the steps before me.

“Please Maya,” I felt the princess place her hand gently upon my shoulder and guide me to stand back up. “Call me Teresa.”

“Oh, I could never-” But I didn’t finish my sentence, because once I lifted my head to meet the Queen’s gaze, I found myself staring over her shoulder, directly at the cousin I had seen years ago in that tiny tavern.

Charlie.

My stare must have lasted a beat too long because the Princess smiled. “You're acquainted with my cousin Charles?” She asked.

“Charlie, Teresa, I’ve told you -” He spit out, his eyes not leaving mine.

“Oh no, your Majesty I don’t-” I spoke over him, rushing out words to deflect from my recognition of him, sure he wouldn’t recognize me.

“We met once,” Charlie interrupted. “A long time ago.” I was silent. He remembered that night?

“Wonderful!” Princess Teresa exclaimed. “I’ve already decided that whatever new policies we decide to implement across the kingdom I want Charlie to help be the face of. It’s time my little cousin steps into the spotlight and speaks on behalf of our family.”

I swallow. “Of course, your Majesty.” I want so badly to look at Charlie’s face, but I resist the temptation and train my gaze upon the princess’s face.

“Teresa,” She corrects me. “But otherwise, excellent. We’ll let you freshen up and see your new living quarters now. We can talk more general strategy at dinner later tonight.”

I nod and lift my skirt, curtsying goodbye before one of her maids starts to lead me out of the room.

My head was spinning. I had just met the leader of my kingdom in the flesh, and she had even insisted we be on a first name basis, but all I could think about as I left the throne room was the stare of the boy I had seen at a pub one night.

Charlie.

A few hours later after I had bathed and dressed in more formal evening attire, I sat at the table of the soon-to-be Queen herself, waiting for her and the rest of her guests to join.

Moments ticked by as I analyzed the lavish array of food spread out before me. I was just about to place the most decadent looking chocolate tart I had ever seen on my plate as someone suddenly barreled in through the doors at the other end of the room, hurried and breathless. Looking up, my eyes found Charlie.

“My apologies,” He started as he walked towards the chair at the other end of the table, placing his hands on the back of it. “Teresa has just informed me that she’s unable to attend dinner tonight.”

I quickly stood to greet him, abandoning my fork that I had already stuck halfway into the tart. “That’s fine. We can still discuss potential strategies with the other advisors joining us.”

Charlie swallowed, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. “I’m afraid they won’t be joining us either. In fact, Teresa sent me to discuss politics and dine with you alone.”

“Alone?”

He nods. “She has a vision for me to become a sort of ambassador with the common folk on behalf of the royal family. A new position that benefits all, she says.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea! She seems incredibly open to making changes as she steps into the crown.”

He nods. “She’s much more forward thinking than her father. God rest his soul, but he was often incredibly resistant to newer, innovative policies. He was a… difficult ruler to advise.”

“Understandable,” I nod in agreement, choosing my next words carefully.“However, there is a concept I would love to see the royal family support. But I don’t know if it’s too outlandish at this present time.”

He shakes his head. “No, Teresa wants something unique. Something that will make her stand out as a new ruler and have the people trust her immediately.”

I reach for the wine glass in front of me, taking a slow sip. “Have you heard about a universal basic income, supplemented by the crown, for all the people of the kingdom? The concept is newer but promising additional coin as she ascends the throne would immediately earn favor in the people’s eyes.”

“I love it.” “You do?”

After finally finding someone to share my deepest passion with, our conversation lasted hours. We ate and drank and debated strategies of how to best implement the plan.

The conversation was slowing, and a few moments of silence passed before Charlie opened his mouth and brought up the drama that’s been dominating my life for the past few months.

“I heard you and your husband separated.”

I blink, surprised he would have heard such a thing. That he would remember me enough to care. I take a deep breath, and say, “You and everyone else in the kingdom, it appears.”

“Hmm,” He hums, then pauses for a beat. “I’m sorry - that was deeply personal. I shouldn’t have brought it up.” Embarrassment clouds his features as a deep blush climbs up his neck. “It’s the wine.” he huffs.

I shake my head. “It is what it is. He made a fool of the both of us by cheating with one of his younger employees. The way I see it, I’m just grateful the more recent policies allowed me to make the choice to divorce him. Besides, he’s a man, they’re easily replaceable enough.”

He laughs, taking another sip from his goblet. “Fair enough. Now I think you get to ask me something deeply personal about myself.”

I swallowed. Tried to think of something else to say before the next words came out of my mouth. “That night I saw you at the pub. You remember that.”

“I remember you.” He counters.

“I-” I stumble over my words. His comment catching me off guard. “Why were you there?”

“You mean why was I singing and playing guitar in a tiny town, hours from the castle I’m supposed to be guarded all hours of the day in?”

I nod.

He smiles slightly. “Maybe I just like to sing. Somewhere real. Somewhere unknown, where I’m unknown. Where I can focus only on the music and nothing else.”

“I can’t lie,” I start, taking another swig of my wine, needing the liquid courage. “You were excellent. Your voice and guitar playing. Maybe a career in politics isn’t where you need to be.”

“No,” He pauses. Then, slowly, so slowly it feels like time momentarily pauses, he drags his gaze from me, down my neck and chest, and then back up to meet my eyes. “I think I’m exactly where I need to be.”

Just from his gaze alone, my nipples immediately tighten and my pulse quickens.

He abruptly stands and crosses the room to my side of the table, now only inches from me. I keep my eyes trained on him but in my peripheral, I see him reach across the table and then he’s pushing the end of a fork past my lips.

I open, my mouth immediately tasting the chocolate tart I had my eyes on earlier. I slowly chew the sweet dessert, maintaining eye contact with him.

As I swallow he groans, dropping the fork onto my plate and pulls me to my feet. “Leave us.” He commands the guards stationed on either side of the room.

The second the door clicks closed behind them he’s cupping my jaw and pressing his lips to mine.

My hands immediately thread into his hair as he starts to guide me away from the table and deeper into the room near the crackling fireplace.

Maybe it’s the heat from the fire or maybe it’s the pulse coming from my core but the kiss begins to grow more frantic, sloppy even as I arch closer into him.

“Tell me to stop.” He says, pushing against me slightly until my back is flush against the wall next to the fireplace. “I’ll stop and we can forget this ever happened.”

“I-” His lips start to trail down my neck and down my collarbone, treacherously making their way down my stomach.

“Words, Maya.” He chastises as he presses a kiss directly over my core. Even through the fabric of my dress, I feel like I’m suddenly on fire.

“Don’t stop.” I gasp out. “Please don’t stop.”

Groaning, Charlie brings his fingers to my mouth, prompting me to suck them, my mouth opening and enveloping his digit.

“Need these nice and wet.” He mutters as his other hand reaches for the bottom of my dress, bunching it up tight around my waist, and he yanks down my petticoat and underwear.

Then he’s suddenly inside of me and all of the tension I’ve been holding on to since I was offered this position at the castle melts away.

His fingers work at me and before I know it, I’m about to crest over the edge. I’m panting, begging him to keep going as I screw my eyes shut in pleasure. Just as I’m about to peak, he slides his hand out, leaving me empty.

I whine immediately, seeing Charlie smirk in response through the haze of my pleasure.

“Charlie, please, keep going.” I moan out, reaching to unbutton his pants, desperate to have any part of him inside me again.

“So eager,” He teases but doesn’t push my hands away as I remove him from his pants. All of him. And there’s quite a lot.

Just as he’s angling one of my legs up and higher against the wall, a loud bang sounds outside the door, but doesn’t get any closer.

“Going to have to make this quick.” Charlie mutters before suddenly sliding in right to the hilt. “But don’t worry Maya, we’ll have plenty of time to continue this while you’re under my roof.”

And then he starts to move. First, at an agonizingly slow pace that feels like he’s trying to stretch me out even more. I look up to him, silently pleading and somehow he knows exactly what I’m asking because he starts to gradually speed up, driving into me harder and harder with every thrust.

We’re both a mess, panting and moaning accompanied by the sounds of skin slapping and the fire next to us crackling.

“I’m, I’m close.” I stutter.

He shakes his head. “You can give me more sweet girl. I know you can.”

He leans in to cover my mouth with his, the kiss just as messy as the rest of us is.

“Does it scare you how easy it is for someone to walk in and see us like this? A royal family member, a prince, pounding into the crown’s newest aid. Someone of your power, bent over and reduced to a panting, pathetic mess under me?” His pace somehow picks up even more and I have to turn my head into my shoulder to muffle my moans. “I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about this since I saw you at that pub. Dreamed about it even. Waking up painfully hard for weeks after it, imagining exactly what’s happening right now. I just had no idea that dream would come true.”

His words are enough to send me over the edge and as I tighten my walls around him, I hear him let out a grunt and release as well as we both ride out our highs.

"That was,” I pant, my head falling back to rest against the wall.

"Great?” Charlie asks.

“Incredibly unprofessional.” I finish.

Charlie smirks down at me in response. “I think this partnership is going to work out just fine.”