PSL for red_peril

[ill_take_bottom]

[Past lives AU. In a past life, Napoleon was the Duke of Suffolk under King Henry the Eighth. Illya was the Prince of Valencia. They had met when the Duke was visiting Valencia to attend a ball in the King's name. Incidentally they met before the ball due to the Duke being on the grounds hunting and rescuing the Prince from an assassination attempt while he'd been out for a walk. The Duke had seen the Prince drowning and dove into a small lake after him. Soon after this they began an affair and fell in love, but it ended tragically when the Duke was killed in battle. Now they have found one another again. During the first chase, Napoleon felt like he knew the man chasing them and this was why he didn't shoot him. During the meeting the next day, when they were fighting, suddenly Napoleon remembered, but he kept it t himself sine he didn't want anyone to think he was crazy. Illya remembered after he almost drowned and Napoleon saved him. Of course, Napoleon knew that he knew when Illya called him by the name of the man he had been, Charles. After this, Napoleon tried to act like it was nothing, pushing Illya away even though Illya tried his hardest to get closer.)


Charles frowned as the rabbit he'd been aiming at turned and took off as the sounds of what could only be a struggle reached his ears. He turned himself, looking back towards the palace grounds before humming and heading in the same direction they were coming from. He'd only been in Valencia for two days and already he'd fallen in love with it. The city was absolutely beautiful from what he had seen so far and the game was plentiful. When he'd been given permission to do a little hunting, he'd certainly taken the opportunity. Though now he was beginning to wonder if perhaps he should have left the palace grounds themselves.

As he was stepping out of the forest he frowned when he saw a robed man hitting another over the head before quickly dumping him over the edge of a nearby bridge and into what looked to be a deep pond. "You there! Stop!" He shouted, running as quickly as he could towards the bridge. He raised his bow, aiming carefully and managing to embed the arrow he loosed into the attacker's leg, though he doubted that would stop the man completely from running. It might still help them identify him later. He turned, throwing the bow and his quiver down then, turning to the edge of the bridge and without a second thought he dove in, grabbing the other once he found him.

He pulled them both above the surface, gasping for air as he tried to force the other man to breath. "Come on. Breath. Breath!" He shouted, but nothing. So he swam for shore, carefully laying the man out and frowning. He was carefully as he tilted his head, pressing against his chest. It was a new technique, one that had recently made news from Amsterdam and he hoped like hell that it actually worked. He pressed a few times before pressing his mouth over the others, blowing to try and get him to breath again.

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[ill_take_bottom]

He took the juice, looking at it and at Andrew with a raised eyebrow. "No. I mean, I know there have been times the King has managed to get a couple, but I've never had one myself." He said, taking a sip of the juice.

He looked surprised after, licking his lips. "Its good. Very strong though. I like it." He smiled, starting in on the food. "I do hope we have the chance to...meet again. Before I leave." He said, unsure if possibly someone could hear them.

"How is your father feeling? I was told you had gone to see him this morning."

[red_peril]

"He is doing better," Andrew sat and served himself. "He was sitting up and eating some broth when I visited this morning. He even managed a smile." Andrew tucked into his own breakfast. "The groves you see on the hills there," he indicated the vista of green and orange orchards. "Is where we grow the oranges. I'm glad you like it. It's the juice of our oranges."

He ate for a moment, enjoying the view. Andrew leaned close to Charles so he could speak softly, "When you saved me, I did not know who you were. If you were working for my uncle. I had to be very careful." He sighed. "I hope you will forgive me for the deception."

[ill_take_bottom]

"Thats good. I'm glad he is feeling better. I do hope that I can meet him at least once during my time here." He said with a soft smile, turning his head to look out over the orchards. "Its beautiful."

Then he looked back, nodding as he spoke quietly. "Yes I had a feeling. I did foil an assassination attempt, after all." He said pointedly. "You have nothing to fear from me, Andrew."

[red_peril]

"Thank you," he said in normal tones after Charles remarked on his father. "I know, Charles. I trust you." When he'd said that he hated politics, it was true. He had no wish to be king. Nor could he let his uncle take the throne. Ferdinand would be a tyrant. "We have many more things to trade than just oranges. Our tiny country is an excellent trade port for goods from the east and from Africa. "When we are done eating, I will see if my father is up for a visit. After that we could go riding, if you have no other engagements."

On horseback away from the palace, they would have better chance to talk more openly.

[ill_take_bottom]

"I would love to go riding. I want to see more of Valencia. Not just the palace and the city. So it will be a wonderful opportunity." He said, smiling warmly and nodding. "Plus, I know my King has discussed, if an alliance can be made and agreed upon, possibly coming for visits. We have heard Valencia has many festivals. He is very interested in learning of them."

[red_peril]

"I have heard your King Henry likes a good party," Andrew said, smiling. He told Charles of the several festivals they had throughout the year and they continued talking about trivial things until they finished. He set down his fork when he was done. "I think I would be very interested in signing an alliance with your King. For now, let us go see if my father is up to meeting you."

He rose, leaving his napkin over his plate. The servants would take care of the table. He lead Charles to the door of his father's private chambers. "Wait here, I will ask if he feels well enough to entertain a guest."

[ill_take_bottom]

"Oh yes, that he does. His queen does as well." He same, making a very slight face before smiling.

Once they made it to the king's chambers he nodded, letting Andrew go in before him and waiting politely. He looked around, studying the different artworks in the hallway as he waited.

[red_peril]

He came back out quietly, "Come in, Charles. He would like to meet you."

Andrew took him inside the king's chamber. In a large bed, there was a thin, frail old man. His hair was white. The man looked like a small shriveled version of Andrew. "Father, this is Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. He's the emissary of King Henry of England."

"Charles, this is my father, Phillip III, King of Valencia," Andrew said.

"My son tells me that you saved his life," He gave Charles a weak smile. "Thank you. He is my only child and heir to the throne."

[ill_take_bottom]

Charles followed Andrew into the room, smiling when he saw the king. He bowed low, moving to take the man's hand. "It is an honor to be able to meet you, Your Majesty." He said softly, stepping back a moment later. "Yes I did. I'm happy that I was able to be at the right place at the right time. He has been a gracious host."

"Your kingdom is so beautiful and I'm so glad to have the chance to learn about your customs. I hope that I can come to see more and perhaps even come back again."

[red_peril]

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I'm glad you have been enjoying your time here. Henry made a clever choice in sending such a charming young man as his representative. If it weren't for Henry's contemptible treatment of our cousin Katherine, we might have had a treaty with England long before now," Phillip said, his voice full of regret. "I have come to a time in my life when courtly intrigues are more tiresome than interesting. I know you are not responsible for the actions of your king. Times are changing and such things I will leave to my son." His mind was obviously still sharp. "Thank you for coming in to see me. Do tell Henry I send him my greetings and wish him well."

"Let us go now and let father rest," Andrew said.

[ill_take_bottom]

"Yes I know. I have....tried to speak with him on the matter, but there is absolutely no trying to convince him that he is taking the wrong actions. I am truly sorry that Katherine has been through the ordeal that she has." He said, bowing his head again. "I will do just that. He will be happy to receive them."

He turned then, looking at Andrew and nodding, following him out of the room. "Now, I believe you mentioned something about going riding?"

[red_peril]

"So I did," Andrew led the way to the stables and had two of the horses saddled for them. He leaned close to Charles before mounting his horse, "And I think conversation will be less likely to be overheard." He mounted his horse and waited for Charles to do the same. When a retainer brought out another horse, Andrew stopped him. "I would ride with our honored guest without an escort."

"Yes, your highness," the man led the horse back to it's stall. He wasn't a child, nor was Andrew incapable of defending himself. Besides, Charles would be with him and had saved his life once already.

[ill_take_bottom]

He nodded, mounting the horse he'd been given and waiting as the attendant went back inside. Then he turned his horse, riding after Andrew.

He smiled, laughing as they urged their horses to run through the fields and forests. He wasn't sure how far they had gone, but he slowed after a time to allow his own horse to rest for a moment. They reached a stream and he dismounted, walking around. The lands were beautiful.

[red_peril]

It was a beautiful day. They had ridden for quite a while, through olive and orange groves. Andrew dismounted too, letting his horse drink from the stream.

"You ride well, Charles," Andrew said, petting his horse's neck. "I'm sure we are far enough it would be safe to speak of private things without being overheard.."

[ill_take_bottom]

They had stopped close enough to an orange grove for him to walk to a nearby tree. He looked at Andrew before reaching up and picking one of the large fruits. Then he walked back to the prince.

"I want to see you again. I don't want...that to be our only night together." He said softly, moving in even closer as he started peeling the orange. He sectioned it out, the juice dripping over his fingers as he held one of the pieces up for Andrew.

[red_peril]

He watched Charles pick the orange and open it.

"I want to see you again too. I want many more nights with you." Perhaps it was just because this experience was new and shiny. But Andrew didn't think that was the only reason. He wanted more of Charles. Once could not be enough. He smiled when Charles offered him the section of orange. Andrew smiled and took hold of Charles' hand to eat the slice of fruit from his lover's fingers gently. Looking at his eyes, Andrew licked and sucked the sweet juice from Charles' hand.

[ill_take_bottom]

His eyes widened a bit, eyes going dark before he slid his free hand around the back of Andrew's neck, pulling him in for a deep and heated kiss. His eyes slipped shut as he kissed the man, sighing softly and resting their foreheads together when the kiss broke.

"We will find a way. I still have time here and there is always the chance you can come to England as well." He breathed out, wetting his lips as he opened his eyes to stare into Andrew's. "Is there someplace we can go now? Where no one will happen upon us?"

[red_peril]

Andrew smiled into that kiss and closed his eyes. He pressed his forehead to Charles'. "Yes," Andrew moved apart from Charles and remounted his horse and waited for Charles to do the same. "Follow me." Andrew turned his horse South, toward the sea.

[ill_take_bottom]

He followed Andrew to a small beach and a cove that had a hidden cave in the back. Unless you really knew what you were looking for, you'd never find it. He looked excited before turning his head to smile at Andrew.

"This is beautiful." He continued to follow, leaving his horse with Andrew's where they would not be seen. "And you're sure no one will find us here?"

[red_peril]

"No, it is difficult to see the cave and people stay out of the cove because they are afraid of being caught by the high tide," Andrew said, leading Charles further into the cave. They worked their way farther from the light at the entrance. "Ah, here we are," Andrew said, striking a flint to light an oil lamp that sat on a natural shelf. The cave opened up into a cavern with a high ceiling. The lamp lit up sparkling crystals in the ceiling which bounced the light around. Beautiful colors of red and green painted the walls. "I found this place when I was a child. The high tide doesn't come this far up this time of year. Only in Winter storms does the sea come up this high."

Andrew turned to Charles. Smiling, he drew Charles into his arms and kissed him hungrily.

[ill_take_bottom]

He followed him deeper into the cave, smiling before the man lit the oil lamp. Then his mouth fell open as he looked around in absolute awe. "This is beautiful..." He murmured, walking over to him.

He pressed into Andrew's arms, pulling him into a deep kiss. He moved, pulling him down to the ground.