Taken by Darkness

For a couple hours after they finished breakfast, Andy found himself forced to bide his time and play the generous host. His parents were busy welcoming some of the early triennial guests, all of whom were some level of nobility. There was no only a way they expected, but also deserved to be treated…for the most part.

Instead of sitting around twiddling his thumbs and showing his anxiety, he chose to spend more quality time with his intended. Ashley had shown an interest in learning how to play a musical instrument, and since he’d been playing piano since he was three or four, he felt it was a good opportunity to teach him something new. Granted, he couldn’t play as well, nor as many instruments, as Jeremy could, but he certainly wasn’t a beginner. Besides, what he lacked in skill, talent, or both with a physical instrument, he more than made up for with his vocal ability.

As they sat in the music room before the piano, the Prince showed the utmost patience with his unsuspected new student. The young cross-dressing man had never touched a musical instrument before, so he couldn’t even run a simple scale. It was a slow, frustrating process, but he worked with him until he could run through an F, B-flat, and E-flat scale. This brought a bright smile to his beautiful face, which was contagious.

“Let us take a break,” Andy said after his success with the scales.

“I like that idea,” his companion said. “My hands and arms are beginning to ache.”

“’Tis a common occurrence as a beginner,” the Prince chuckled. “With more practice, you will notice less aches and pains as you grow more accustomed to playing.”

“I cannot wait for that day,” Ashley giggled, flexing his hands. “In the meanwhile, I shall just enjoy the time I get to spend with you.”

“Awww, Lady Ashley. You are as sweet as a lump of sugar,” he teased him playfully.

The adolescent blushed furiously and ducked his head as a means of hiding behind his hair.

“There is no need to be embarrassed,” Andy chuckled, gently kissing his temple. “But I will admit you look absolutely stunning when you blush so becomingly.”

“Oh, shush, you!” he admonished, giggling as he gently slapped at his chest.

Laughing merrily, the Prince kissed his temple again before escorting him back to the guest chambers so he could relieve himself and freshen up. Dinnertime was fast approaching, and he knew that, because of his position, he would be expected to be downstairs for the meal. If triennial guests weren’t beginning to arrive, he knew his parents could care less if he took his meals elsewhere. But such wasn’t the case, and it would be shameful if he were absent since he wasn’t ill.

After assuring Ashley he’d return for him after taking care of his own needs, he headed back to his own suite just down the hall from that of his parents. While what he was already wearing would be acceptable on a normal day, it wasn’t with visiting nobles in the palace. He wasn’t going to go overboard like he would later that evening at supper, but he still needed something a bit fancier than what he currently wore. Considering that, he decided to change only his vest and overcoat, deciding that his shirt, breeches, and boots were fine as they were. It wasn’t like he’d spent his morning on horseback, out hunting, or anything otherwise overly strenuous.

Once he was freshened up and had relieved himself, Andy left his suite so he could return to the guest chambers. He’d promised the adolescent he’d return as soon as he could so as to escort him down to the formal dining room, and he meant to keep that promise. That was the thought that made him hasten his steps as he walked from the North wing to the East, although not so much that he was running. In fact, he wasn’t even really short of breath by the time he reached the guest chambers again, which would’ve belied those hasty movements he’d used.

“What is amiss, Ashley?” he asked, entering the guest chambers when given permission to find him worked almost into a frenzy.

“I feel like a peasant, dressed like this with nobles about,” the adolescent answered, barely looking up at him.

“You are not a peasant, but rather nobility yourself,” Andy assured him.

“Still…I feel as though my gown is too plain,” he told him.

“’Tis perfectly appropriate for the noon meal,” the Prince said. “Yea, you will need a fancier gown for supper, but we will have time to find you one that will do, even for then.”

“If you are certain,” Ashley reluctantly agreed, sighing as he took his elbow so he could escort him down to the dining room.

Once downstairs, as was typical of him, the adolescent clammed up and didn’t speak unless spoken to. Had it not been for having Andy at his side, he doubted he’d have responded to any of the nobles introduced to him with more than a shy, awkward smile and nod. But because he was there, he managed to find the courage to give them a shy, soft-spoken greeting in return.

The next couple hours were spent greeting and keeping the company of the nobles, but the Prince managed to pull his father aside for a moment. Chris agreed to a private meeting between Ashley and the royal ruling family that evening after supper since they didn’t have a free moment sooner. Breathing a sigh of relief, he nodded his agreement and thanked his father before returning to the side of his newly betrothed. He might’ve wanted a private audience with his father sooner, but he understood he couldn’t always have his way.

A beautiful, yet relieved smile from the adolescent greeted him, and he was all too happy to return it. He knew his shy nature made being left alone with so many unfamiliar people made him feel uncomfortable and vulnerable, so he tried not to do that whenever he could help it. Sometimes it just wasn’t avoidable, and thankfully, Ashley seemed more understanding about that than Andy could’ve ever dreamt or prayed for.



Later that evening after supper, Chris kept his promise and gathered his family and the adolescent in his private study. Although he highly doubted the King would deny their request to wed by special license, Ashley still found himself incredibly nervous. It was a major, life-changing event, whether he masqueraded as a woman or not, and he intended this to be the only time he wed in his life.

The other complication he intended to discuss with Andy when they were alone together was that of consummating their marriage. Without the giving of his virginity, he knew the Church wouldn’t consider their marriage legal, and no matter how much he loved him, he was by no means ready to take such a step. He already had far too many changes to adjust to, as far as he was concerned, should the King give his blessing. If he had his way about it, the adolescent wanted to hold off on starting their own family, which would mean holding off on gifting him with his virginity—and the ultimate trust.

For now, he put those thoughts aside. Ashley was far from being a little harlot, and since he knew the Prince would never force himself upon him, they had to get past the wedding before he gave too much more thought to such things. That helped him take slightly deeper breaths as his betrothed took a seat on the sofa next to him. While the King and Queen settled on the other sofa across from them, he grabbed the other young man’s hand and squeezed it tightly.

“So…what did you wish to have a private meeting about, son?” Chris asked curiously.

“Ashley has accepted my proposal,” the Prince announced with a grin as he squeezed his hand in return.

“That is wonderful news!” Lady Amy cried, jumping up to hug them both tightly.

“Am I to assume you intend to wed soon?” the King asked as he, too, hugged them.

“Yea. Preferablly during the triennial, but the sooner, the better,” Andy answered. “Unless I am mistaken, during the triennial would be best since all the nobles we would invite would already be here.”

“Yea, ’twould,” his father agreed. “What have you to say about all this, Lady Ashley?”

“Like his for me, my love for him knows no bounds,” the adolescent answered. “Yea, I am anxious, but who is not when faced with such a life-changing event?”

“True enough. I will have the necessary documents drawn up post haste,” Chris said. “My love, if you will begin preparations for the ceremony and short reception…?”

“’Twill be my pleasure and honor,” the Queen agreed as she rose.

It was only moments later that Ashley found himself alone with the Prince. “I suppose this means we are truly betrothed, yea?” he asked.

“Not that we were not after our conversation this morn, as far as I am concerned, but yea, we are now, for certain,” Andy chuckled.

“There is no one within this Kingdom, nor the next neighboring three, that I would rather wed,” the adolescent said. “I love you, my dearest Andy…forever and always.”

“Just as I love you, my sweet Ashley…always and forever.”

Notes