Note: While the eroticism of the story is self-contained, this story is the second of a series, and the readers are encouraged to read the first part in order to appreciate the characters and understand how they ended up in the specific situations in which they are. As always, your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Celeste looked out of the carriage at the approaching palace that served as the seat of King Philip Benedict while he was alive. Lion's Gate Citadel was so much more majestic than it appeared from a distance. As the caravan of horse driven buggies crossed the drawbridge, Celeste looked down at the moat that surrounded the citadel. The crystal clear water was home to graceful swans and red and white fish swam in circles.
On the other side of the drawbridge was the courtyard, a riot of color! Roses, lilies and exotic flowers spread across the blooming garden and she could see the peacocks strutting proudly, their vibrant feathers shimmering in the sunlight. There were no soldiers here as they all held their positions on the outer parameter. The courtyard was filled with the royal pikemen who formed the personal guard unit for the Prince. They all stood tall and proud, and it was obvious that each member of the guard had been selected for his towering height.
Celeste had no idea what fate awaited her. It would be a life in the dungeons for sure with painful manual labor such as brick making or construction work. Three years of such a life can change a person forever and she wondered what she would become. But why was she here? The caravan stopped at the main entrance and Celeste could see the prince disembark. After a moment, the carriage moved again and went all around the citadel's main structure until it was at the rear entrance.
"Personal Quarters. Residence of His Majesty!" said the coachman in a loud, announcing voice and the door of the carriage was opened. A courtier stood holding the door for Celeste. Surprised by the protocol, Celeste looked at him. He had no facial expression except a cold and serene calm about him. She gently stepped outside to see a graceful, middle aged woman approach.
"My my ... what a gem! I can see why he went to arrest you in person," said the woman as she approached her.
Not knowing who this was, Celeste bent one knee slightly to lower herself. "Oh rise please. No need for such formalities here," said the woman. "I am Lady Constance, mistress of the Keep."
A few minutes later, Celeste found herself inside the Lion's Gate Citadel, a world of opulence and grandeur. She followed Lady Constance with long and fast strides as they made their way over the marble floor. As they ventured deeper into the palace, she found herself dwarfed in front of the giant windows draped with velvet curtains. These windows looked so tiny from a distance but once inside, they were so overpowering and so majestic. The Intricately carved pillars rose to support a soaring ceiling painted with elaborate frescoes that depicted scenes from mythology and history.
By this time, Celeste was starting to feel like she would be a royal maid and the thought of that excited her. "Lady Constance. May I know the nature of my penance?" she asked.
Constance rolled her eyes. "Oh my God! Are you really that stupid?"
"Perhaps I am but can you please tell me what is in store for me?" Celeste asked as they came to a bathroom and stopped.
There were three other women, preparing a bath. Constance turned towards them and said, "She wants to know what will become of her!" The three maids giggled and Celeste looked at matron Constance. She was a well-maintained woman, unwilling to let go of her beauty as she aged.. "My sweet Celeste. Look at the inward curve of your waist. Why do you think the prince traveled all the way to the red light district to take you in his custody? The money you stole has no value for him but look at the way your narrow waist connects with your wide hips. The sight will definitely excite a man ... and some women too. Right ladies?" Mistress Constance said as she looked at the maids and they giggled. "Now look at your bust. Your breasts, my begonia, are so well developed, round and well pronounced! When you wear these tight fitting clothes, they announce themselves to the world and prince or no prince, no man can resist such feminine charms" Then she looked at the maids and said. "Some women are equally eager to get you out of your clothes," and the maids laughed.
Then the three women approached and Celeste found their hands working on her body as they removed her clothing, one after the other. Soon she was in the lukewarm tub, being bathed in rose water by the three women. One continued to deep cleanse her hair, while the other soaped her body. The third one would assist by offering soaps and oils and often pouring water on her.
Constance stood in front of the mirror, fixing her makeup as she spoke. "You come from a profession where pleasing a man would be nothing new to you. But Prince Leopold is not a customer. He is royalty and you must remember that at all times. Always bow when you see him. Always look down when you are with him unless you are spoken to. Then you may raised your eyes to maintain eye contact but only for as long as you are spoken to. You must always address him as "your highness" or "my lord," and you must never raise your voice louder than the prince. No matter how passionate things become in bed, this royal protocol must never, ever be broken! Do you understand?"
"Yes." Celeste said.
"The prince has sixteen concubines. You will be his seventeenth one. Before withdrawing to his bedroom, he will decide which of them he would like to take to bed with him. You must always be ready and assume that it would be you."
As the maids rubbed, caressed and prepared her body for sex, Celeste was somewhere else. In a trance-like state she considered her situation. She had succeeded in seducing the most powerful man in the kingdom without even knowing it. This man wanted her! She sensed lust in him the moment she fell in his arms from the buckboard. After her time in the bordello, Celeste recognized lust when she encountered it, especially from such close proximity.
Now here she was, being instructed to be a submissive concubine to him, but she knew the nature of lust. She knew that if she played the respectful concubine, the prince would quickly grow tired of her. He would be out on the prowl looking for another woman to conquer, one who would treat him as his equal, until he had subdued her. Celeste understood that whenever a man desires a woman, she holds a certain power over him and he would eventually allow her certain liberties that otherwise would not be entertained. This power was stronger than royalty itself and Celeste would own him.
***
Stratagem Hall was bursting with important people, as all the loyal banners had gathered to answer the call of Prince Leopold. The Stratagem was a cavernous chamber, situated deep within the basement of the Lion's Gate Citadel. With its ancient stone floor and heavy oak doors, Its ambience was much different from the rest of the palace. The air hung heavy with the scent of aged parchment, candle wax, and the faint tang of metal from all the ancient weaponry adorning the walls.
Elders from different houses now gathered under the vaulted ceiling, adorned with faded banners and the cracked remnants of once-glorious tapestries. The only light was from the torches and the faint glow of moonlight filtering through narrow windows, casting long shadows that seem to reach out like grasping fingers.
When Prince Leopold spoke, there was an authoritative echo in his voice. "And thus my loyal elders, the situation is quite clear. All ships are being seized at various Vicarian ports and soon the princess will move into position to cut off all our ports. With Thogon and Latveria blocking our land access, and the princess blocking our ports, we will be forced into a famine.
There was a roll of murmur around the hall and then Lord Thorneside from the House of Black Spears roared like a lion. "Attack sire! Elrick Thorneside from the House of Black Spears says to you that we attack! We have waited long enough for our enemies to grow stronger and the time to act is now. The Black Spears are with you!"
Hundreds of fists hammered the tables in a sign of approval while too many voices attempted to speak at exactly the same time. "I disagree my lord," a familiar voice rose from the back of the hall causing everyone to stop and turn. A tall aging man, with white beard but a strong built and upright posture stood up. "No one here has fought more battles than I, my lord. The House of Grimshaw will always be at your service but going on the offensive would be unwise. We have enough troops to defend a Vicarian invasion of our towns and cities but not enough to mount an attack on theirs with the same success. The Grimshaws have given more blood to the throne of your father than any other house my Lord and should you choose to advance, we will march with you just like we have marched with your father, our beloved guardian but I am obligated to share with you my honest assessment. It would not be wise."
Elrick Thorneside turned around and spoke, "Lord Grimshaw. The realms are indebted to your service and the sacrifice that your house has given over the ages but, you are now of the age where jumping into the mud trenches and slugging with these dogs is no longer expected from you. It is time now for us all here to follow in your legacy."
There was the thunder of applause once again and a few pulled out their swords to wave them in the air as a show of support. Prince Leopold raised his hands to calm the mood and then gave his decision. "My Lords, it was exactly at this spot that my father stood before you twenty years ago at a moment when the fate of our Kingdom hung in balance. On his call, you all came and you rode against the mighty Kingdom of Thogon. You are all warriors here and there is not a single house among us today that is not forged in the crucible of hardship and tempered by the fires of adversity. Today, we are confronted, not by the mighty Kingdom of Thogon but one of our own. My elder sister is flesh and blood to me. There is no one in this hall on whom this war will lay a burden as heavy as it does on my own shoulders. But, I want to see you all prosper and I want to see your children flourish. For the collective interest of us all, I must now declare war!" The hall exploded with loud cheers of support and rumbling of tables being hammered upon by fists.
As the prince nodded in appreciation of the support, a court messenger walked in and whispered in his ear, "My lord, her highness the queen mother has arrived. She wishes to see you most urgently."
