And Then Comes Gilbert's Flirting And His Sensual Speaking To Mercia - Tumblr Posts
For The Kingdom Chapter 4
Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3
Summary: The only Princess of Rhodolite, Mercia Michael is content fluttering around the castle. But that changes when a letter is received from Obsidian. In order to prevent war there, she must marry Gilbert. Raising her head, she takes on the new challenge, this is For her Kingdom.
Pairing: Mercia Michael x Gilbert Von Obsidian
AN: He is finally here! It took so long. These chapters run away with m eand I never seem to stop when I plan to. XD
Tagging: @thewitchofbooks,@toloveawarlord, @scorchieart- If your name is crossed out I was unable to tag you. If you want to be tagged/untagged please let me know.
“Leon” seeing her brother, Mercia smiles softly. Accepting his offered arm, he helps her weave through the crowd, many nobles parting to let the royal siblings pass.
“Great minds think alike” arm wrapped lazily around her shoulders, Nokto appears with a glass in his hands.
“Haven’t found any ladies yet Nokto?” Mercia teases her brother, flicking his wrist off her shoulder as she grabs a dessert. Her eyes wander around the ballroom to spot her other brothers as well. Chevalier is in the corner with nobles, bored as ever. Jin and Luke are making their way toward the buffet. Licht, Clavis, and the foreign princes have not made an appearance yet.
“A penny for your thoughts Pixie?” Leon looks over at her and she shakes her head with a smile.
“Just seeing where everyone was. I don’t like going into the crowd blind” Mercia shrugs off the ideas buzzing in her head as Jin and Luke appear. Giving her brothers each a hug, the siblings look over the gathering nobles.
“Hey Mer, how are you feeling?” Jin immediately asks, a protectiveness in his burgundy gaze.
“I am fine, why?” Feeling alert all of a sudden, Mercia’s eyes snap around the room.
“We are just worried after what happened this afternoon” Nokto cuts in, smoothing over her fears and Mercia nods.
“I see, how did you guys hear about that already, it didn’t happen that long ago” Mercia’s eyebrows furrowed as she tries to process how fast the knowledge got to her other brothers. She thought only Yves, Licht, Chevalier, and maybe Clavis knew, depending on where her troublemaking brother was in the garden at the time.
“I have the best network in the palace Pixie, trust me, if a royal was threatened we’d find out quickly.” Nokto reminds the princess, and the surprise leaves Mercia’s face.
“Right, it had everything to do with your network and not the fact that Chevalier pulled us all aside while she was at the tea party to tell us.” Leon snorts, and Mercia rolls her eyes.
“It wasn’t worth pulling you guys aside. We still don’t know where or why the maid wanted me to follow her. Besides, Chev and Lucius would have never let anything happen to me. I am smarter than I look you know. I wouldn’t go with a strange maid without Lucius. Besides I knew Yves and Licht had a tea party planned.” Mercia soothes her brothers.
“It isn’t a big deal to you maybe. But we find it very unsettling that someone tried to take and separate you from everyone else. Keep your guard up Princess. We can’t have anything happen to you.” Leon urges, darkness passing over his face. Mercia sighs, a reassuring smile gracing her face.
“Of course, I’ll be careful. You guys be careful t-” Voices interrupt the princess as a group of young men come over.
“Princess Mercia, will you dance with me?” Bowing before her, she recognizes them as sons of high-ranking nobles seeking favors with her brothers. The orchestra starts the ball music right then and Jin cuts easily through the crowd, bowing before Mercia.
“I am sorry to disappoint you gentlemen but, the Princess’s first dance shall go to her oldest brother” Jin announces with a smirk and Mercia playfully rolls her eyes, taking his hand. Pulling her onto the floor, Jin spins her around under the bright lights, their steps perfectly in sync.
“Remember when Sariel and I taught you how to dance? You looked so cute in your frilly dresses” Jon whispers in her ears and Mercia lets out a squeal.
“No! There will be no talk of when I was learning how to dance” Embarrassment flooding her cheeks and Jin just laughs, his burgundy eyes twinkling in amusement. Thankfully the song ends just then and Mercia moves off the dance floor.
“Princess Mercia, Will you dance with me?” Bowing before her, Prince Keith takes her hand and places a kiss on the back of it.
“Of Course, Prince Keith, I am so happy to see you.” Letting him pull her into his arms, they waltz around the ballroom, smiles on their faces.
“You look beautiful Princess” Keith murmurs softly, his amber eyes seek out hers and she blushes under his gaze.
“Thank you, Prince Keith, you look good too” trying to keep from stuttering under her flush, Mercia casts her gaze down as she wills the blush from her cheeks to fade. Their bodies are pressed together, and Mercia takes comfort in the feeling of his warmth. Falling into a comfortable silence, the two dance close, and Mercia is aware of the gazes of her brothers on them. As the dance ends, Keith walks her back over to the buffet, still conversing with her.
“Princess Mercia, Dance with me” The order comes from her right, and Mercia turns to see a figure in all black approaching, a crimson eye focused only on her.
“Why should she dance with you? I bet she would like to dance with me more.” A second voice cuts in, Silvio appearing just behind Gilbert. Taking a deep breath, Mercia feels Keith let go of her arm and retreat slightly and she immediately misses his warm. Turning to the two Princes, Mercia extends her arm to Prince GIlbert, feeling the hair on the back of her neck stand up as he takes it.
“I apologize Prince Silvio, but Prince Gilbert did ask first.” Mercia curtsies to the foreign Prince before she is pulled back on the dance floor.
“I’ve missed you little bunny. It’s been so long since we have been able to talk” Gilbert speaks lowly, not letting anyone else hear his words.
“Prince Gilbert, it has been a long time” Mercia murmurs back just as low, she catches Nokto and Jin dancing nearby, their attention clearly on her as they dance with their partners.
“Please, call me Gilbert, or Gil if you would prefer.” Looking up at him, Mercia gives him a shy smile.
“I would rather not Prince Gilbert” Mercia gives him a shy smile and his crimson eyes widen.
“That isn’t very nice Princess, when someone asks you to refer to them like a friend, shouldn’t you do it?”
“It would also be nice to ask people to dance instead of ordering them around” Mercia answers, challenging the Obsidian Prince. Smiling down at her, Gilbert's hand comes up to stroke her cheek, grasping her chin in his fingers.
“Oh you are an absolute treat,” He pulls her closer to him and whispers in her ear. Watching her eyes darken and she shakes her head in response. “Well, that is a shame” The dance ends and the Prince takes her arm, leading her to the edge of the room. Seeing Silvio and a few other nobles making their way toward the couple, Gilbert turns to the Princess.
“Take a walk with me. I wish for fresh air and do not want to get lost in your gardens” The hand tightens on her forearms and Mercia nods her head, letting the Prince guide her out of the room. Once they are away from all the prying eyes he lets go of her arm, properly offering his arm.
“Show me your favorite part of the garden” Gilbert commands, though it seems more like a request than an order and Mercia starts walking. She takes him through the various areas until they are by a fountain surrounded by red and white roses.
“This is my favorite part of the garden, I helped design this area, the fountain and everything” Mercia comments softly, sitting on a bench near the fountain. Still standing Gilbert walks over to one of the Rose bushes, a bush with roses almost crimson in color.
“These roses-” He starts, and Mercia stands up, going to his side, her fingers tenderly stroke the petals of one of the roses, pride, and serenity in her gaze.
“They are one of the rares breeds of roses. It took a long time to get my hands on the seeds of these roses. They require extra resources, and much more care, but are one of my absolute favorites.” Gilbert studies the Princess as she talks about the roses. His hand wraps around hers, tracing the soft petals as well. Going lower on the stem, he picks a single crimson rose from the bush. Bringing the rose up closer to examine, Mercia observes it is the same color as his eye and her smile softens slightly. Bringing the rose down, Mercia feels his hand graze her hair as he sticks the rose amongst her tiara and golden waves.
“Absolutely beautiful” Gilbert murmurs, and Mercia starts at his words, the Prince’s gaze meets hers and she swallows, heart pounding at his proximity
“Princess Mercia?” A voice cuts through the garden, startling the princess as she steps back from Gilbert, disconnecting their hands just as Chevalier’s bodyguard interrupts the conversation. “Forgive the interruption, Prince Chevalier has requested your presence” He bows low before them and Mercia lets out a soft sigh.
“Very well, I’ll be right there Lucian” Mercia agrees, turning to the Obsidian Prince with a curtsey.
“I apologize for running off on you Prince Gilbert, my brother requires my attention. Follow this path out of the garden and it will bring you right to the steps of the ballroom.” Mercia explains, bringing the Prince to a well-lit path. “I appreciate the fresh air and I hope you enjoy your stay in our castle.” Not waiting for the Prince’s response, Mercia moves down the path that Lucian set down, nearly running into the bodyguard.
“Oh!” Letting out a startled squeak, she looks up into familiar silver eyes as his arms reach out and steady her.
“Careful Princess, His highness would kill me if you got injured” Lucian murmurs softly, and Mercia lets out a reassuring smile. She slips her arm through his as they start heading back to the castle. Neither turns back to notice the Obsidian Prince leave the garden, melting into the darkness. The only proof of his presence is the red rose in Mercia’s hair and the pounding of Mercia’s heart.
“Thank you, dearest Lucian, have you seen Lucius? I was just looking for him” She asks and a voice interrupts her.
“I’m right here Princess” Appearing on her other side with his hand on his sword, Lucius gives her a little bow and Mercia’s face lights up as she gets closer to the castle with her guards, grinning at them.
“Well thank you for the save” She murmurs, squeezing Lucian’s arm and he smiles at her.
“Of course Princess, his highness was not happy when you were escorted out of the ball with the Obsidian Prince, especially after the events of earlier.” Lucian explains and Mercia tilts her head in wonder.
“How did you already hear about the garden incident Lucian? I know Chevalier told my other brothers, but for you to know too” Mercia furrows her brow and Lucian smoothes it back out with the pad of his thumb.
“I was there Princess, just in the shadows. Had you left with the maid, I had orders to follow and keep you safe.” Lucian replies and warmth spreads through Mercia’s body. Letting her smile spread across her face, she squeezes Lucian’s arm.
“You two always take such good care of me” The appreciation in her voice warms the hearts of the twin bodyguards, both looking down at her with affection in their silver gazes.
“That’s because you are an absolute delight to protect, Rhodolite's own little ray of sunshine.” Lucius wraps an arm around her protectively, lowering his head above her ear. She giggles when his breath caresses her ear, a flush covering her face.
“Come on Lucius, Prince Chevalier is waiting for the princess.” Lucian cust into the moment, a smile playing on his lips as they accompany her to the library. Not bothering to knock, she goes in first to see her brother sitting in his section of the library in his chair.
“Hey” Mercia curtsies as she enters the room, a smile on her lips as she approaches her brother, his attention down to the book in his lap.
“Mercia” The book snaps closed and Mercia can hear the ice in his voice.
“Yes, Chevalier?” Her voice is even, meeting her brother's eyes and his expression darkens.
“What was that about earlier?”