Duchess Mona of Remnia paced the floor of her private apartment in the grand castle. She swept back her long brown hair and then released it. She took a look in the mirror and saw a lovely, tall, blue eyed woman with a porcelain countenance and a stunning figure. Even at a time like this she could remain focused on looking her best. Behind the bowed lips and strong chin, however, she grieved. From what she could tell the news of the battle was not good. The last messenger informed the palace that the Remnia troops were crumbling under the assault by the Kingdom of Herin. There had not been another messenger for hours. Mona could not help but feel that this costly war could have been avoided. She felt that her husband, Duke Rikard had been goaded into the war. She loved her husband a great deal but felt that he should have ignored the insults of King Peter of Herin but her beloved duke simply could not let his enemy's taunts stand.
The Kingdom of Herin had been lusting after Remnia for decades but the Duke's father Renthro had always maintained the peace through diplomacy and by forming an alliance with the nearby Kingdom of Franvia. But Renthro was two years dead and Rikard lacked his father skills in diplomacy and tact.
Mona loved her husband deeply but his anger often frustrated her. Still, he was a wonderful lover who was giving and kind in the bed chamber. But there he was under Mona's influence. Away from the side of his wife the Duke of Remnia was short tempered and hot blooded. King Peter had set a clever, yet obvious trap and Mona wept with despair when her husband plunged headlong into it.
First Peter had engaged in a diplomatic tour de force and made extensive concessions so that Franvia broke its ancient alliance with Remnia. Not only did they break the alliance but they promised that they would not intervene in Remnia's affairs no matter what events might transpire. Next he began a vicious whisper campaign against her husband. Rumors were planted that Duke was less than a man. That he consorted with necromancers to consult with his late father as he was incapable of governing on his own. The rumors were not true but they did prey upon Rikard's weaknesses. In truth the Duke WAS lost without his father's guidance. Despite being well trained by his father, Rikard was plagued with doubts about his abilities and self worth. Nothing Mona said could convince her husband that he was a worthy heir of his father. That he was in fact a good ruler
The Herin had also spread lies about Mona. The word was sent out that Mona was the real power behind the throne, that Rikard was powerless to act on his own, that Rikard's manhood was firmly in the hands of his wife. These stung her because they were not too far from the truth. Mona DID obey and submit to her husband's authority; yet it was also true that she could often get her husband do the things that SHE wanted.
The campaigns launched by the foul King Peter had all been designed to nettle Rikard, to play on his insecurities and to make him behave in a rash manner. Peter had played things brilliantly Three months ago Rikard had mustered his nation's army. They spent the next two months drilling and now they were in the process of invading Herin. Mona had tried to explain to Rikard that Herin was well defended, that a frontal assault such as he was planning was doomed to failure but her husband became angry and refused to believe her.
"I need no advice from a woman on military affairs!" He snapped. Mona had her own network of communications in Remnia and the messages it relayed made Mona gasp. Rikard's generals were urging him into the war because Peter had promised them untold riches. Mona did not want to believe it but all of the evidence was pointing that way. None of the generals was advising against Rikard's plan. Mona felt certain that more was at play than the military leaders simply being deferential to the Duke.
Mona paced her chambers restlessly. She could no longer hear the distant retorts of cannon. That seemed ominous. Mona looked at her ladies in waiting. The grand castle was relatively lightly defended. Rikard felt that his plan was sure to succeed so he wanted as many men as possible to participate in "the great victory" with him.
Mona stepped out of her apartments and gazed down into the main room of the castle. All at once the doors burst open and a haggard, mud streaked messenger strode in and told the soldiers gathered there, "Remnia has fallen and Duke Rikard is a captive of the Kingdom of Herin!"
Word spread quickly through the castle. Mona's ladies in waiting were terrified. If truth be told, so was she. The captain of the royal guards approached Mona.
"Have no fear your excellency my men will defend you to the last."
Mona looked at the brave captain and knew instantly that such a gesture and herculean effort was pointless.
"No captain, enough blood has been spilled today. You will throw open the castle doors and offer no resistance. The best move now is to throw ourselves on the mercy of our vanquishers."
"But your excellency... " The captain sputtered.
"With my husband's capture am I not ruler of this dukedom?" She replied hotly, "Obey your ruler!"
"Yes your excellency."
Glumly the captain told his men to offer no resistance. Everyone was morose as they stared out the open door of the castle. The twilight turned into gloom as night approached. At last the sound of approaching mounted troops was heard off in the distance.
Mona had to prevent panic from overtaking her ladies in waiting some of whom wanted to swallow poison. They feared rape and violence to their persons.
"King Peter is a foul creature but I am sure that he is no monster. I give you my assurance that you will all be well treated."
There was grumbling but Mona was now, for all intents and purposes, the law and had to be obeyed.
At last the foreign soldiers were at the door of the castle.
"In the name of peace, lay down your weapons." A Herin herald yelled. The captain and his men set down their arms. Ringed by guards King Peter strode into the grand castle of Remnia. Mona was not prepared to meet such a handsome man. He was tall and broad and wore a well trimmed beard and mustache. His hair was dark black and his eyes hazel and piercing. His armor shone like a mirror, To Mona it seemed that King Peter had not even exerted himself this day. He looked as fresh and new as though it were morning.
The captain and his guards were quickly rounded up and secured with ropes. Mona came forward.
"Your excellency, King Peter, my home and its contents are at your disposal, Our only concern is peace."
King Peter, drank in Mona's beauty as his eyes toured her body. Mona did not like the way he leered at her.
"Madame, your needs and wishes are not my concern. I have some very firm plans for this dukedom and I will do with it and with you as I please."
King Peter made a gesture and a commotion ensued. Mona's heart fell. Being dragged into the castle was her husband, Duke Rikard. He was filthy and naked save for a chastity device encircling his loins. Rikard fell in heap at Peter's feet.
Peter spat on Mona's husband. Then he spoke.
"Secure him in the castle tower. At noon on the day after the next full moon he will be castrated in the plaza that encircles this castle. I will have a change purse made from his balls!"
Mona stared, almost not comprehending as her husband, spewing invective, was forced up the steps to the tower at sword point. Surely her ears and eyes were deceiving her. Peter watched as his rival was led off and then turned to face Mona.
"Your husband is a fool, But he has excellent taste in women. I give you a conundrum, woman. I can either carry out the sentence I just pronounced upon the man who was once your husband or you can spare his manhood by submitting to me and agreeing to become my concubine. Consent to that and Rikard shall live unmutilated and your ladies in waiting will be permitted to leave this castle without being searched. They will be completely unmolested. Your guards will be released and not one item will be disturbed in this castle."
Mona's mouth dropped open in terror and she struggled for her breath. Surely this was some ruse. It must be a dream she thought. But the look on Peter's face was deadly serious.