The Birds and the Bees

"Did you sleep in his bed?!"

Nadine sat on the edge of Corina's bed with her shoulders slumped forward, her fingertips pressed against her forehead. She had heard of couples moving fast, but that had to be a record among the members of the royal court.

"So, he claimed you?"

If a question mark could manifest, there would have been one above Corina's head. 

"Did you have sex?" Nadine asked.

"What? No. I fell asleep by him, so he tucked me into his bed."

"That's a relief," Nadine sighed. "I'm glad you're not floozy."

"Eh?!" Corina groaned. "What does that word mean?"

The princess was seated next to Nadine, squinting her eyes, her hands resting on her knees.

"It means you're a loose woman," Nadine explained.

"I don't know what that means, either," Corina expressed.

"Do you know what a whore is?"

"Not a clue."

Nadine tossed her head back and closed her eyes as she tried to think of a better way to explain it. "Do you know anything?"

"I know some things," Corina replied with a smile. "Mama explained to me the best time to pick apples is late fall!"

Nadine smacked her forehead. The girl was impossible. The visiting knight, Jeffrey, had warned her that she would have her work cut out for her, but the level of difficulty might be more than she had anticipated having to handle.

"Is that wrong?" The princess asked as her face turned into an expression akin to a pufferfish.

"No, she was correct."

Corina furrowed her brow and shook her head. She was unable to comprehend anything Nadine had said to her. Though she couldn't understand, she could tell the words had a negative connotation. "Could you please explain?"

Nadine brushed a loose strand of her own hair behind her ear, then looked at the princess. "Yes. "Do you even know what sex is?"

"Oh, yes," Corina nodded. "When two people are married, they dance in bed?"

"Dance?"

Corina nodded. 

"No."

"No?"

"It's when a man puts his thing inside a woman."

Corina filtered her head to the side as she placed her hand on her chin. "Okay."

"You're clueless. Didn't your mother ever teach you about your reproductive organs?"

"Um, she told me to sit when I pee," Corina explained. "And I know the baby comes out of a hole after nine months."

"That's a start, I guess," Nadine groaned. "I've never met a full-grown woman to whom I've had to explain this. This is a new one. Frankly, I'm impressed."

Corina nodded and smiled. "I'm glad I'm impressive!"

Nadine chuckled. "In a way, yes, you most definitely are."

Corina collapsed backwards on the bed, her blue eyes tracking the pattern on the ceiling wall. "You know, the bumps on the ceiling look as if a hen stepped in paint and pranced about."

"Umm," Nadine paused for a moment. "That's completely off topic."

"It's simply an observation."

Nadine looked up. The princess wasn't wrong. It wasn't something she'd taken the time to think about or pay much attention to before.

"Okay," Nadine said, then took a deep breath. "Humans need sex to reproduce. When an extraordinary urge arises within you, you are aware that you desire sexual intercourse."

"How do I know what the urge feels like?"

"Oh, you'll know, trust me."

Corina nodded, though she didn't trust she would know. As it was, she questioned if she knew much of anything. 

"So, you take off your clothes," Nadine continued.

"What?!" Corina gasped. "I have to get naked in front of the duke?"

"Yes," Nadine confirmed. "Then, when you're naked, you'll kiss a lot, and he'll get on top of you, sticking his penis in your hole a few times. The baby emerges from this hole."

Corina grinned. The hole in her body wasn't particularly large. She pondered the intricacies of how something could enter and exit it, yet she had faith in her ability to figure it out in due time.

"It sounds like it'll hurt," Corina said with a frown.

"It won't really hurt," Nadine assured her. 

"So, what's a penis?" Corina asked.

"A male sexual organ," the lady in waiting replied. "It's kind of long and weird-looking."

Corina had a long thing of her own. Corina found it peculiar that a long object was inserted into another long object. She deduced that a man's body needed to have a pencil-like shape to accommodate the act.

"I think I understand."

"Thank goodness," Nadine said with a sigh of relief. "I'm glad this conversation is done. It was rather awkward for me."

Corina giggled. She didn't mean to make the woman feel uncomfortable with her lack of knowledge.

The two stayed there in silence for several minutes. After such a strange topic of conversation, Corina was unable to think of anything else to ask. Her unfamiliarity with her new home prevented her from venturing out and becoming lost.

"I'm bored," Corina said, breaking the silence.

"Why don't we visit the palace's library?" Nadine suggested. "If you want to learn more, I'm sure there's a book that could better explain the topic we discussed."

"I would enjoy visiting the library," Corina agreed as she moved from the bed. 

The two went to the hall. Corina followed the lady in waiting through said halls until they reached a large room full of bookcases. 

The princess felt joy as her eyes scanned row upon row of books neatly organized into sections on the shelf. Before Nadine could even think, Corina had run forward to read the titles of the books.

"Come this way," Nadine said to get the blonde's attention.

Corina followed Nadine to the back of the library. She watched as Nadine looked at a shelf at the very back. She places a hand on her chin as she looked over the titles. Finally, she found one of interest, pulled it out, and handed it to the princess.

"Oh, do I need to read through this?" Corina asked, taking the book.

"Yes."

Corina looked at the title on the cover. "'Human Sexuality and the Process of Reproduction.'"

"It should be a very detailed explanation," Nadine began. "Any question you may have should be explained within the text."

"Thank you," Corina whispered.

"You're welcome, dear," Nadine replied with a smile.

"May I take the time to look around some more?"

"Yes, feel free," the woman agreed. "I'll head out, assuming you are able to find your way back to the chambers?"

"Yes, I should be fine."

With a wave, Nadine left the library. 

Corina spent several hours looking around the massive shelves at the books. She found a few fiction novels that seemed interesting, but she left them on the shelves. She figured after reading through the book Nadine suggested she would return to the library to read the others.

As she walked out of the library, she hummed a lovely tune and skipped down the hallway. The halls were so long, and she didn't notice anyone currently walking through them by, so she closed her eyes, continuing her path forward.

Her stroll was interrupted when she accidentally ran into someone. She was able to keep her balance, simply skipping backwards a few steps from the impact, but she accidentally dropped her book on the floor. 

"Aaah!" The princess gasped, clutching the fabric against her chest in shock.

Her green eyes fluttered open to see Alexander standing before her with a look of concern. "Corina. Are you alright?"

"I'm so sorry," Corina said with a sad look. "I was lost in my head. I didn't mean to run into you. This is my fault."

Alexander walked over to pick up the book that Corina had dropped. His eyes widened when he saw the title, and his cheeks immediately flushed. Without looking at the woman, he handed the book back, nervously running his fingers through his hair. 

His thoughts were a mess. He didn't expect to find her in possession of a book with such a title.

"Thank you," she whispered, noticing his embarrassment. 

Alexander felt a tug on his sleeve. He glanced over to see Corina nearby, looking up at him. The fabric remained tucked between her small fist, her blue eyes listening intently in his direction. Something about the action made his heart soar with affection. 

"Ah, is something wrong, Corina?"

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I just wanted to look at your face."

With a smile, Alexander brushed his fingers against her cheek. The skin against his fingertips was soft and smooth, though he was surprised when she leaned into the touch and closed her eyes.

Her hand moved from the sleeve up to his own. She felt at ease from the warmth of his hand. The warmth of his touch was so blissful, her eyes closed, and she pressed her cheek against his hand.

Corina's reaction evoked intense emotions for Alexander. He slid his hand to the back of her head, his fingertips brushing through the blonde locks. Slowly, he leaned down, his gaze fixed on her luscious lips. 

When Corina opened her eyes, she saw the Duke had moved his face closer to hers. She felt a shiver run through her from the close proximity. 

Was he going to actually kiss her?