Sometimes, a queen just needed a distraction. A release. From the court, from the family, from her own mind. Just a fleeting moment of relief, of joy, of indulgence. You called her name softly, pulling her out of her thoughts.

—"Yes? What is it?."

You sighed. Ever since you arrived to give your report, she hadn’t truly been listening. Her gaze had been fixed on your lips the entire time, responding only with the occasional murmured "mm", barely acknowledging your words. And she wasn’t even trying to hide it. When you finally confronted her, she shook her head, feigning innocence with shameless ease.

—"I’m not staring at your lips."—The audacity. Especially since she said it while staring at your lips.—"Not all the time."

"My eyes are up here." yoy say and she smiled then. A slow, knowing smile, amusement glinting in her eyes.

—"That’s true."—she murmured—"but what I want is down here."

Her hand lifted, fingers cradling your cheek with a touch that was both firm and gentle. Her thumb brushed against your lips, a featherlight touch that made your breath catch for just a second.