Chapter Eighty Six: Two Weeks in the Queen’s Bed
Christina's Arc: Bend or Break
I followed Christina down the hall. The sun and Jun had departed, but Jun walked with Ayame now, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt.
"Christina, what's going to happen to Jun now that Ayame is sucking the life out of him?"
She slowed down until I was beside her. She reached for my hand and interlocked our fingers.
"Ah, hani, did you make friends? Well, I'll ask Tetsuzaki to bring him by, and you'll see him at their ceremony. However, you may have to wait until Ayame breaks Jun in."
There is that phrase again.
"What do you mean by break him in, and doesn't she have to wait thirty days?"
As we walked, paintings started appearing on the walls.
"The boys here don't have sisters, so their families send them for training and protection. Imagine some nobody claiming a young noble boy."
…
"Imagine some royal pain claiming some nobody boy."
She giggled, as if what I said wasn't true.
"Breaking in a boy is what I'm going to do to you after your time is up. I'm going to lock you in our room for two weeks, and we are going to fu—"
I covered her mouth and then moved my hand quickly.
"I think I got it, Christina."
She grinned, and we continued walking.
"Are you excited, hani?"
"Ecstatic," I whimpered. "Why two weeks? Isn't that excessive?"
She reached out with her free hand and dragged it along the wall, under the pictures of past queens.
"No. Every queen has done it. It gives us time to learn from each other, train you, and ensure that a baby will be produced."
There is no "us," and why does everything have to end in a baby?
"I'll make you a deal, Antwon."
I glanced from the corner of my eye.
I don't think what she is describing is humanly possible.
"What's the deal?"
"I'll give you a two-hour break between sessions for the entire two weeks, but you have to sleep nude with me from this point forward."
She let go of my hand and reached up to undo her bun. I hadn't noticed, but this was the first time I'd seen her hair like that. It was nice wrapped up, but I like it better down.
"What's your obsession with touching me?"
"Is there something wrong with wanting to be close to you?"
"Yes."
"Oh.
…
"Antwon, are you not attracted to me?"
We passed by pictures of former queens, each caught between a smile and a soul-wrenching frown; even the white-haired queen was sad.
"Christina, are you sad?"
"What do you mean?" She asked, stepping to her room door.
"I'm going to take a shower. You should change out of the servants' attire unless you want to be mistaken for one."
***
I sat on the bed after changing into my fancy pajamas. Steam emitted from the bathroom. But Christina's question stayed with me. Do I find her attractive? Obviously. However, I can't tell her that. No. I have to keep focusing on the future.
The water stopped.
I must stay strong, just fifteen more years…
I crawled under the sheets and closed my eyes. I pretended to be asleep to dissuade Christina from bothering me, and then I'd…I don't know what I'd do.
The lights turned off, and the bed dipped.
"Antwon, you can't be sleeping already, and without cuddles?"
I felt the sheets lift and then fall.
"I guess you don't want a two-hour break."
I sighed.
She keeps saying that like she's already beaten Sakura again. Well, just in case.
I started removing my pajamas.
"I knew it."
I rolled over and was met with blue eyes.
…
I raised the sheets, creating space between us, and she scooted over and hugged me, pressing her head to my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her upper back. Every time Christina moved, I could feel toned muscles beneath her skin.
Like mother, like daughter.
She was warm, and holding her felt nice—
She inhaled me.
Now it's awkward.
"Do you have to keep doing that, Christina?"
…
"Christina."
She looked up, and when her eyes found me, I questioned if this was okay.
"Thanks for helping Ayame Tetsuzaki claim a boy. The gods know that she wouldn't have done it if not pushed."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Without a push, she would have blushed her way past every opportunity. She was really bad at talking to boys, and so was I."
She slid her leg between mine.
"No kidding. You should have seen her with one of the kitchen servants… Did you say I was?"
"What, you don't remember? You learned my scent in Igarashi's classroom."
…
What is she talking about?
The warmth of her thigh and the motion of her leg were causing a reaction.
"Antwon, do you find me attractive? I asked earlier, but you never answered me."
She pressed herself against me.
"Christina, why does it—"
She scooted up until I couldn't avoid her gaze. She looked so soft and far away.
"Can I touch your face, Antwon?"
…
"Sure."
Christina touched my cheek.
"So are you…turned on, Antwon? If that's your answer—"
"Twenty-four days, Christina."
She smiled. "Can I kiss you?"
She pressed her forehead against mine.
…
"No. I'm already overstimulated; just hug me and go to sleep."
She giggled and hugged me.
"Christina… Stop squeezing me."