"How do you feel?" The Queen's blonde hair turned darker at the tips where it touched the bathwater. Snow White looked away to avoid temptation: she knew her eyes would wander elsewhere if she kept admiring the Queen's beauty. It was best not to forget they were still in a public place. The steam made the room warmer, and the atmosphere held something particularly intimate and sensual: the scent of the candles and the sound of the water shifting with the movement of their naked bodies made the situation more erotic than usual.
"Relaxed." Snow White rested her head on her arms along the edge of the tub. Grimilde was behind her, moving slowly through the water, drawing closer and closer to the princess. When she finally reached her, she gently gathered the strands of Snow White's hair and swept them over one shoulder, leaving the bare skin of her neck exposed. The princess shivered, holding her breath in anticipation. When the Queen's lips pressed against her skin, she let out a soft moan. She was so sensitive to Grimilde's touch. The Queen continued to trail sensual kisses down her neck, wrapping her arms around her waist and pulling her flush against her.
"The night we made love for the first time, I didn't confess everything to you. I wanted you to meet me in our garden..." Those whispers caressed the princess's heart, making her tremble despite the warm temperature of the water.
"Wasn't it to tell me about your origins?"
"Not just that." Grimilde stopped to hold her properly, sighing against her skin. "I wanted to give you a blue rose."
This caught the princess's attention, and she turned around to look properly at her beloved. They separated by just a few inches, avoiding getting lost in a whirlwind of passion from the contact of their heated bodies. "The blue rose? But that's—"
Snow White froze, realizing in that exact moment what receiving that gift from Grimilde would mean. The tales from the northern steppes often spoke of perilous and adventurous journeys, incredible battles, and valiant heroes ready to lay down their lives to protect their people and the ones they loved. It was heartbreaking to read of impossible loves, hindered by the responsibilities and risks that ruled the warriors, forcing them to leave the women they loved, leaving them alone. Their deaths, however, always brought as much honor as they did pain, and the widows could continue to remember their loved ones through the gifts they had received before their departure. Some of the fantasy tales Snow White had read were characterized by a solemn romance, reaffirming the eternity of feelings and the bond of spirits even in the afterlife. The gifts the warriors bestowed upon their women were varied, but one in particular was so significant it was mentioned time and time again. The blue rose was a symbol of eternal love, something that transcended the boundaries of earthly life, and in Nordic traditions, it was a promise that surpassed even the importance of marriage.
"Ilde...? Really?" The princess was moved to tears; her heart began to hammer, her hands trembled, and her eyes grew damp. In response, Grimilde cupped her face, tilting it up to hers, and stroked her cheeks with reverence, almost as if she were touching something divine or immensely precious.
"Really. I know I couldn't marry you today. I know we can't know what awaits us in the future, what dangers we'll have to face... but it doesn't matter, I don't care, because I am yours as long as you'll have me, and I'll be yours even when I no longer walk among the living. I love you deeply; I feel bound to you in an inexplicable way. I won't say I would give my life for you, because I know that hurts you, but I will fight for you. I will save the world, above all, for you."
By then, Snow White was crying: she threw herself into her beloved's arms and kissed her until it was impossible to continue without catching a breath. "I love you, I love you..." the princess whispered against her lover's skin, losing herself in her and their feelings. Even if their life wasn't perfect and many people wouldn't accept their love, Snow White didn't care. She had known death, even if not up close, and because of that, she wouldn't let anything or anyone stop her.
The two lovers decided to leave the baths, and once they had freshened up, Grimilde decided to join the princess in her chambers. The idea of spending the night in the room where Snow White had grown up was thrilling, but she was mostly curious to see the space that belonged to her partner. As she walked through the wing of the castle designated for the princess, she encountered a few members of the staff along the way, who seemed surprised but tried not to show it. Only Rachel was bold enough to address the Queen of Arran.
"Your Majesty." She greeted her with a small curtsy, smiling amicably.
"Hello, Rachel." Grimilde knew that she and Mariella were dear friends of Snow White, and for that reason, she wanted to get to know them and be accepted by them. The princess's handmaiden observed her for a moment, then checked that the corridor was empty and spoke in a hushed voice: "I wouldn't want to appear thoughtless, rude... or nosy... or—"
"Do not worry, tell me." Grimilde barely held back a smile, which could have been perceived as mocking considering how serious Rachel looked.
"As you must know, I care deeply for Snow White and I worry about her. I think about tomorrow and wonder when the Council will start pressuring you to arrange marriages and produce heirs... what I want to ask you is if you are ready to fight for Snow White's happiness. I see that she loves you deeply, and I know she would die if she were to be separated from you." Rachel forced herself to look the beautiful Queen in the eyes, feeling the weight of her gaze but also of the words she was speaking. She knew perfectly well that in the near future, their personal idyll would have to come to terms with the reality of their situation. She feared the Queen would have to compromise with the Council, marrying or forcing the princess to marry a foreign prince.
"Rachel." Grimilde took her hand and stepped closer: she lowered her voice, but remained resolute, just like her eyes, which, however sad they seemed, did not look defeated. "I know it will happen sooner or later, and I know it's what everyone expects from my role or from the Princess of Arran. Producing heirs is the duty of every ruler... I know this, I am aware of it, but I will not allow Snow White to be unhappy. Furthermore, I know what it feels like to live in an unwanted marriage. I will find a solution for this too. The lineage of the royal family of Arran is not ancient, and other noble families might begin contesting for the throne... in that case... I will abdicate and ensure that Snow White and the people she cares about are safe. You have my word."
Rachel's eyes were red, but she held back her tears, though there was no need, since the Queen knew exactly what she was feeling. She was profoundly grateful that Snow White had such loyal and protective friends, who would do anything for her and put her first in the most critical moments.
"Alright... I don't want to take up any more of your time. Snow White is waiting for you." At that, Rachel stepped aside, satisfied with what she had heard, and walked away. Grimilde watched her go, placing a hand over her own heart and sighing. She hoped she had made a good impression: the opinion of Snow White's friends mattered to her, and she knew they could offer a more objective perspective on the situation, just as Rachel had demonstrated.
"Dear?" When she entered the princess's chambers, she made her presence known by calling her name and knocking on the door. She didn't want to catch her off guard; it was her private space, after all. She found her by her desk, intently reading a book, and smiled, touched to see the woman so absorbed in what she was doing that she hadn't noticed her arrival. Grimilde closed the door behind her and walked over to the sofa closest to the desk, sitting down comfortably. She noticed a book tucked under a cushion and grabbed it: judging by the title on the cover, she assumed it was a common tale, but then she flipped through a few pages... apparently, this was the story Snow White kept as her little secret.
It was right at that moment that the princess stood up from her desk and noticed the Queen's presence: "Oh! Ilde, why didn't you say anything?" Snow White rushed over to the sofa, her cheeks flushed crimson.
"Actually, I did knock." Grimilde smiled and closed the book in her hands, which was now impossible to hide from her beloved. When the princess noticed it, her face turned even redder! "W-were you reading it?"
"Only a few pages... I'm sorry." Grimilde pulled the girl into her arms, admiring the beautiful color painting her face. Snow White snatched the book and clutched it in her hands, trying to avoid Grimilde's gaze while she busied herself with suppressing her embarrassment. They were lovers, after all, so why did she always get so shy around Grimilde when it came to sex? The book she was reading described various intimate scenes, highlighting the pleasure the female protagonists found when they came together. At one point, the princess smiled: she felt like a lovestruck teenager, and in moments like these, she remembered the carefree nature she had lost since responsibilities and dangers had forced her to mature.
"I-if you want... I can lend it to you when I'm done."
Grimilde caught her by surprise, cupping her face and stealing a beautiful, passionate, and affectionate kiss. Snow White laughed against her lips, delighted by the Queen's constant, spontaneous gestures, and without realizing it, she soon found herself lying on her bed, wrapped in her Queen's arms. They were both smiling; their eyes were bright and overflowing with love; their chests held fluttering, eager hearts. They exchanged no words; their gazes were enough to understand what was about to happen. In silence, they removed their clothes, letting their eyes wander over each other's bodies, tracking one another's movements. When they were down to their undergarments, the blonde rolled onto her side, admiring with immense love the features of the woman who owned her heart. "I want to talk to you about something."
Snow White turned to her Ilde, taking her hand and interlacing their fingers; mere inches separated their bodies, and they could feel the heat they were generating together.
"At the Oyindar games, there will be other foreign rulers, as you well know... such occasions are perfect for seeking out marriage candidates." Grimilde gauged the princess's reaction, but she didn't seem worried. In fact, a moment later, Snow White took the Queen's face in her hands and moved closer, resting her forehead against her beloved's.
"I know. I know there will be princes and kings trying to tear us apart and ask for our hands in marriage, and I also know the Council will torment us sooner or later... but I'm not afraid. I trust you and what we feel. Besides... am I wrong, or did you make me a proposal?"
Grimilde blushed and smiled. "Yes, I did." And she was truly glad she had: she knew, with absolute certainty, that she could place her complete trust in Snow White, and she didn't fear that she would break their bond. After all, the princess was an open book to her: she saw the love and admiration she held for her, and she was proud of it.
"So... what do you suggest we do?"
"What I would like to do is take you right in front of everyone and steal your breath with a kiss, but since I can't do that... I will make sure everyone understands just how deeply connected we are."
Snow White felt her cheeks catch fire and hid her face against her lover's chest. "If we were just any normal couple... if there were no prejudices against us, would you really do that?"
"Absolutely. Why shouldn't I? You are everything to me."
"In another life, you would have conquered hearts wherever you went..." the princess commented flirtatiously, making the Queen laugh.
"Even in another life, if I had met you, there would have been no escape. You are simply irresistible," the Queen whispered against the princess's ear, trailing soft kisses down her face and neck.
"I want to make love."
"Yes, my Queen."
"Aren't you the Queen?"
"Mh... and yet I know for certain that you are the Queen of my heart." Grimilde smothered the princess's laughter with a kiss, and they disappeared under the covers, unhurriedly shedding the last pieces of fabric covering their bodies. The silence was broken only by the sounds of their amorous exchange, and the night was the sole witness to what the princess's chamber concealed.
In the shadows, two bodies entwined, and the air grew thick with passion; swirling emotions enveloped the two lovers, stealing their breath but leaving behind heat and desire. The Queen introduced the princess to new forms of pleasure, exploring her body with a solemn reverence, as she always did. When she moved to caress her flower, she guided Snow White gently, waiting for her to grow accustomed to the new sensations, to the foreign intrusion. Grimilde's fingers were as delicate as they were resolute, playing the princess's body beautifully, much like an expert musician manipulating their beloved instrument, bringing it to its absolute peak. The music they created together was sensual, enchanting, impossible to resist...
The night was fruitful, but the time soon came to rest, and the two lovers lay beside each other, spent but profoundly happy. Neither of them thought of the obstacles they would face: their hands were intertwined and impossible to separate, and this brought all the comfort in the world to their restless hearts.