#i need to be working on the heir but im lazzyyy

[catsdaydreams]

Matters of the Crown Preview

If you’ve been following my blog for any amount of time then you know, I stan satan herself a queen @drakewalkerwhipped. 

Her latest fic Linked here pls read and cry with me is actually causing me physical pain. So here’s a drabble to make my life a little brighter.

Pairing: Kendra x ?

who knows. My whimsical writing kind of does its own thing.  I just really needed something to ease the pain. Ill be honest, I didn’t plan for this to be a When the crown calls extension yet here we are.

     I watched the crowd mingle with a bored sip of my champagne, watching as the same boring show would play out over the course of a few hours. Nobles would slip in and out and pretend they weren't slipping quickies in the hallway. Across the ballroom I met the blue eyes of a certain blonde haired king. He too was taking the crowd in from a distance, and he pointed his chin to the far corner of the room. There I spotted my own husband joining in the mix, whispering something into the ear of some visiting nobles son. The brunette boy he was conversing with threw his head back in earnest laughter and I caught Maxwell’s attention over the mans shoulder. Maxwell flashed me his mega watt smile and rose a toast to me, his universal way of inviting me to the conversation. Instead of joining him I rose my glass in response and blew him a kiss, and he winked in response.

I hadn’t noticed Liam settling in beside me until he cleared his throat, “You aren’t going to join him?” Liam asked politely. Maxwell and I’s shared bed was hardly a secret in Cordonia, however our private side discretion's were a little less public. “There’s no need, I’m not really in the mood to entertain tonight, and Max knows where he comes home to at night.” I said, ignoring the way Liam never took his eyes off me as I stared into my champagne. “It doesn’t bother you?” He asked, turning to watch the two boys in the corner. I shrugged, “why would it? Max has always loved a party, and there are somethings I can’t offer him. It doesn’t make him love me less, and honestly neither of us are possessive, so it works.” 

Liam sipped on his drink and I finally dared to glance at him, noticing his longing look towards Olivia. The emerald gems set into her crown accented her freckles and red hair perfectly. Everything about her screamed poise and perfection, and it was in my own hazy state that I realized that Liam must have hated that. Our own history reminded me how much he hated decorum and perfection. I nudged Liam with my shoulder, “I imagine that she doesn’t like the maze as much.” I said, attempting to contain my giggle.

Liam met my gaze, some of the earlier shadow lifted as his eyes crinkled from his smile. “Oh, everyone enjoys the maze,” he said, as he nodded towards Kiara. “Livvy just doesn’t enjoy it with me, it appears.” He stated and it took Liam’s suggestive comment for me to notice the looks that Kiara kept sneaking at Olivia and then the clock. He downed he drink in his hand, and although the staff profusely denied any basis there always seemed to be a waiter lurking near by when Liam finished his drink. He graciously accepted with a nod towards the waiter. “They’ll wait until the party dies down and then I wont see Olivia again until the next social outing.” 

My small smile died at his words, “What? Why didn’t you tell us about this?” I gasped at him. He gave a sad smile, “I didn’t want to ruin your honeymoon glow.” I glanced back at Max, who had disappeared into the night. I had been so caught up in our own doings in the last month I hadn’t given much thought to Olivia and Liam being thrown together in a rapid manner after he all but left me at the metaphorical alter. 

“I’m sorry Liam.” I said quietly, ignoring the pang in my chest at the memory. “You don’t wear a crown with love.” He responded and the pang in my chest deepened. Out of my peripherals I spotted max tugging the brunette man from earlier towards our spot at the edge of the room. Both of their lips swollen and hair lightly disheveled. 

“Kenzie!” Max said with delight, but I didn’t miss the sharp glance he gave to Liam’s proximity. I shuffled uncomfortably at the look of jealousy on his face. “This is Parker Bright,” he said gesturing to the confused brunette beside him. Max wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me close before pressing a deep kiss on my lips in greeting. “Max,” I giggled shoving his chest lightly, “don’t embarrass your guest. You know you cant kiss like that inside the ball room, not to mention addressing the king.” I shook my head at him playfully. Shadows hung behind Maxwell’s eyes as he nodded a greeting to Liam, “King Liam,” he addressed, his voice hardening just enough for only Liam and I to notice, and we exchanged a glance. Liam took a subtle step away from me.

Parker looked confused as he watched the exchange, quickly issuing an awkward greeting once he took note of Liam. “Parker, this is my wife Duchess Kendra.” Max said beaming at the man. Parker’s face fell and he forced a smile and an outstretched hand to me. “Duchess Kendra, I apologize, I didn’t realize that I had stolen the Dukes time from you.” He said, stressing the word Duke at Maxwell, who simply beamed wider. “Don’t worry, Kenzie doesn't mind, and hopefully we can all get a pizza tonight.” He said suggestively, and Parker visibly relaxed.

 “Probably not tonight my love, however you know the way back to the suite in the dark?” I said, and he pressed his forehead to mine. “Of course. I love you little blossom. I’ll see you in the morning.” He said pressing a kiss to both of my checks and sparing a glace at Liam. “And I trust that you’ll be waiting for me.” He said and turned to leave. “Always,” I responded in earnest “ Love you.”

Parker leaned in as well to kiss my cheeks in farewell, and dropped his voice low enough to only be heard by me “I apologize, I didn’t realize he was a married Duke.” I laughed pulling back to switch sides, “Would it have made a difference? He is free to follow his own desires.”

The man smiled at me and took Maxwell’s hand allowing himself to be tugged towards the large double doors that lead to the rest of the palace as Max blew me a kiss over his shoulder. Max and I did not have rules, however I suspected my prior engagement to Liam made him wary of the two of us together, not that we’d ever crossed that line. Liam had made his feelings towards me explicitly known when he left me for Olivia, stating that she would make a far superior wife and queen. Maxwell had made his own engagement with Penelope to spite me when Liam and I announced ours. It was a dark point in our relationship that we didn’t like to reflect on. 

Our bed had been private until a drunken trip to Greece with Leo, his wife, and the rest of our crew to include Madeline. Max happened to bring some kind of drug with him that imitated ecstasy, one thing led to another and we ended up in some yurt on the beach cuddled up with Leo and Madison in the morning. Leo had sheepishly announced his divorce and subsequent new relationship with Madeline, and after they left Maxwell and I were left with our own awkward conversation about where our relationship stood after the previous night.

As it turned out, neither of us were possessive, and the idea of physically sharing didn’t bother us. However the emotional line was a boundary neither of us were willing to let the other cross. So we set about our ways, exploring this new world of possibilities together, and it had been great for the last few years. “So if she has a side piece why don’t you?” I asked, noticing Drakes hand subtly rubbing Penelope’s lower back in the crowd. The two of them obviously trying- and failing- to be discreet about their new relationship. “To what end?” Liam sighed, his eyes scanning the crowd as well.

“I never wanted to marry a women who’s heart wasn’t mine. It’s why I could never marry Madeline, or-” He stopped, swirling his champagne and taking a long sip. Heat flushed outwards from my chest as anger stirred within me. “Don’t even give me the pity act, Liam Ryhs. My heart was yours and you decided that you didn’t want it.” I snapped, the buzz in my veins spurring me on. I swallowed the memories threatening to surface at the reminder of what had been. 

Liam turned to me in shock, my outburst catching him off guard. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up the past.” He said awkwardly. I glared up at him unflinchingly, “Yes well, you did. And I was merely correcting you.” I said stiffly. I had loved Liam then. Perhaps not as much as I loved Maxwell, but I loved him all the same. For him to claim that he left me because of my lack of emotion towards him instead of just admitting his own cowardice of his father stirred an anger that I hadn’t revisited in a long time. 

Liam’s shock hardened, “Your heart always belonged to Max, Ken.” He responded, his voice low and laced with emotion. My anger softened at the old nickname. I hadn’t heard it in years. “Well King Liam.” I said promptly, “I think its getting rather late. I’m going to turn in for the night.” I didn’t give him the chance to respond as I set off towards the large ornate doors and followed the corridors I knew by heart to reach the large suite Max and I were assigned. 

I changed into one of Max’s tee-shirts as I lingered by the edge of the bed. I let my mind wander back to a long forgotten memory of Liam and I curled together in the bed. I could almost smell his cologne as I shifted under the covers and curled up, my mind spinning with thoughts and emotions from long ago. My eyes closing in a drunken haze as I let the memories drift over me guiding me into sleep.