For Elle the next year and a half sped by. He workload was lightened considerably thanks to Roger Duken's intervention. Prince Adam's best friend was the one man, aside from Adam's father, the king, who could cause the young prince to heel.
Roger explained that working Elle hard served no useful purpose. Yes, Elle was equal to all other slaves but she had entered her service willingly. To drive her as though she were a convicted criminal was neither fair nor gentlemanly. Roger also pointed out that if he continued to task Elle so thoroughly, she might come to resent Prince Adam and that might effect the passion she had for him and dampen her ardor when she made love to him.
Appealing to both Prince's Adam's honor and libido was the right angle of attack. Roger and Prince Adam had become friends because Roger was the only one of their classmates at their exclusive school who was not awed by Adam's being second in line for the throne. Adam had never before met one who could see through all of the pomp and preening of his position to see Adam the man and not Adam the prince.
The two had enlisted in the army upon graduation and drove each other to excel and make rank early. Like steel and flint, they sharpened each other and had become more than he had previously been. The fathers of both men saw how their shared friendship had matured and strengthened their sons. Both men looked upon their son's friend as another surrogate son. King Julius had advised Prince Adam to always heed Roger's advice. Roger's father had issued the same edict to his own son about Adam.
Seeing the error of his ways Adam apologized to Elle. He gave her as many freedoms as he could, dressed her in finer clothes and became even more tender towards her. Elle was beyond grateful to Roger for improving her life. After Roger's heart to heart talk, Adam truly was a better, more tender lover. Elle found herself falling even more deeply in love with her owner. However, she came to love Roger even more. Elle could not express her gratitude to Roger deeply enough when Adam was recalled to duty and Elle was back in the young man's company.
For Elle, the single most amazing week of her captivity came when Adam stayed for a week at Roger's estate. The three of them took turns sharing their love for each other. Prince Adam and Roger Duken alternated the nights each slept with Elle. The former princess thought that there could be nothing more satisfying than spending the afternoon making love to one man and the evening of the same day making love to the other! With a start Elle realized that her desires would make her seem a wanton woman if she were not a slave! She laughed to herself as she remembered her life as a sheltered princess. "Not that long ago, intimacy was an utter mystery to me. Now I simply can not get enough of it!"
But all such idylls must have their end. Elle thought that her new soft life and sexual fulfillment would end when Prince Adam began courting future mates. Against this fate, Adam could do little. King Julius was adamant that his son select a wife despite his objections.
"I realize that you have a pretty little toy in the form of your slave." he informed his son soberly,"But you are not and never were an ordinary man. You have royal obligations and duties, one of which is to make yourself a marriage that is of the political benefit to our realm. Remember, Adam, in a very real sense you ARE the state."
"But Sire..."
"It will do you no harm to meet these women, some are quite comely. Oh you may have to put your slave aside for a time but a royal wife understands that a husband has needs. Eventually you can pick up with her again."
"But father ..."
"Enough! The decision has been rendered."
Elle found herself in a most precarious position. One she dreaded. Elle begged Adam to send her to Roger's estate until it was safe for her to return to Juriland Castle.
"No, Pet, if I did that the world, and these women, would believe that I am ashamed of you and that I fear them. I fear no man or woman. I am proud of you, Pet and I do not regret even a single moment of out time together. No, any woman who wants to become my princess has to accept you as part of my life. That is non-negotiable."
Elle was proud of Adam but she questioned the wisdom of the prince's noble stand. She feared for her own personal safety."He may not be afraid of these women but I most assuredly AM!" she thought to herself. Poisonings and other "accidents" occurred in royal palaces all the time. Elle vowed to be especially vigilant and beyond solicitous to these women, She knew that she would have to call on all the grace and tact that she possessed in order to survive.
Two weeks later the first, royal suitor arrived. She was Claudia of Kasseria, a minor kingdom with a large treasury. Spying from the shadows, Elle saw a short, plump, raven haired girl about her own age. With an ache, Elle realized that if she were still a princess, she herself would be exploring a political marriage of her own. The thought saddened Elle and she forced it away. Claudia's face was lovely, and she had an endearing smile. Prince Adam towered over her. In all, she was not a great beauty, but many men have settled for far worse.
Claudia toured the castle with Adam as the two chatted and tried to establish a rapport. Elle could tell that her owner and lover was not impressed with this woman but he was polite to a fault and generous with his time. At dinner, Elle was mixed in with the wait staff and assigned to Claudia. While they dined, Adam introduced, Elle as "My slave, my prize possession."
Claudia's eyes crawled over Elle's tall, lithe form and shot back daggers. All the while, Claudia's smile never dimmed. Elle curtsied and smiled at the visiting royal but it was obvious that no love was lost between the women. After dinner, Claudia serenaded Adam on several musical instruments and the two played chess until bedtime. Because it would be her role, if Elle were accepted s part of the marriage, Elle followed Claudia to her quarters to bathe the woman and prepare her for bed.
"Slave, if my senses and intuition do not fail me, I sense that there is a great deal of passion between you and Adam. I am not in the habit of being stripped and bathed by royal whores but I expect you to de an excellent job in seeing to my needs."
Claudia gazed up at Elle, ran her sharp and pointed fingernails along the slave's right cheek and menacingly said,
"It would be a shame if anything were to happen to your loveliness."
Ignoring the threat, Elle carefully undressed Claudia and respectfully hung up her fine silk dress. Naked, Claudia reminded Elle of sawdust-filled doll she had owned as a child. Like that doll, Claudia was round everywhere. Her breasts were plump and ample, not perky and firm like Elle's own. Her belly was round, looking a bit like a woman early in pregnancy, Her legs, hands, and arms were shapely enough but all tended towards roundness. Elle doubted that Adam would find Claudia's body the least bit enticing.
Carefully and dutifully, Elle bathed Claudia in the huge tub in the bathroom off of her bed chamber.
"Whore, how often do you lie with Prince Adam?" Claudia asked while she soaked.
"Perhaps that question is better asked of my Master, your highness." said Elle defensively.
"Oh, you are a sly one. Unveil yourself!"
