Steam filled the room as the doors to the elevator opened. Sir Lorch Stanley stepped in before I followed him. The doors closed with a loud screech. Our slow descent began.
I looked through the passing windows the lands of my father, lands of farmers cultivating wheat and fruits with their automated machines, mostly, as people of higher nobility worked within the Copper Castle, if you could even call it work, since almost everything was done by automatons and their arms of steel.
We finally arrived o the 17th floor of the castle. Sir Stanley walked slowly in the hall, spear raised, looking out for giant rats. Since the poison Autodispenser had stopped working, these beasts were roaming everywhere in the castle, and I could go anywhere by my own now -- Not that I minded, because I had never liked going out of my room. The castle offered nothing interesting to do for a princess like me. People never even wanted to accomplish any kind of activities with me, since I was of higher nobility than them. I spent most of my days sowing, reading books, and playing with the mechanical doll my mother had given me on my 20th name-day.
Hopefully, we didn't encounter any giant rat on our way to the alchemist's laboratory. This was due thanks to the efforts of the Copper Guard who patrolled day and night to eliminate the rodents they found and protect the people, especially the royal family. I don't think that as much effort was done towards the halls of the lower nobles.
Sir Stanley opened the door to the alchemist's office and I entered to see a small man with a sly grin and a thick red mustache greeting me. I sat in a small uncomfortable chair and rested my hands on my knees. I didn't say anything. I knew, already, why I was here, and I saw no use to that.
My father thought that I was unable to feel sexual tension, which was completely false. If anything, it was his fault I didn't engage in any sexual activity. You see, he married me to a High Born, a Lord of the Purple Fort. Lord Maurice Wayton was a powerful politician, full of ambition and intelligence. However, he was old, terribly old. His white hair fell like ripe lemons from a tree, his skin was rippled like the sea when the wind blows strong. His penis was frail, like a twig he could barely use properly. The man himself, although strong of mind, was weak of body. Sex with him was horrendous, and I had done many things to avoid his touch. Thus, he thought, and my father thought, that I had sexual incapacity. They couldn't have been further away from the truth. Everyday at night, alone in my bedroom, I masturbated, thinking of a proper young man who could actually fill my needs. I had filled myself with many objects, pretending they were a large and powerful dick pounding me.
The alchemist studied me and began explaining why my father had called to him for help. I listened patiently, as the well-mannered lady that I was. However, as soon as he had finished his speech, I had to intervene.
"I am sorry, good Lord, but this is a mistake. I am in no need of help. At least, none of which you would be the person to provide."
The alchemist smile, exposing his shiny golden teeth. "You think you are fine the way you are, but I assure you, you are mistaken. I will provide you with an aphrodisiac, with effects that will completely change you. You will see the world differently. Once your sexual drive appears, you will discover a world of new possibilities. You only fear your sexuality because you haven't explored it yet."
Obviously, the alchemist didn't understand my situation. How could he? I could not explain what I lived through, as it would be ill-mannered. My father would be furious if he found out I spoke wicked words of my noble husband. Thus, I kept silence, as the alchemist took a flask from inside a small drawer.
"This should do the trick," he said, handing me the small flask over. It contained a few drops of a pinkish liquid that let no light through. It smelled of strawberries. "Take a sip of this beverage every night for the next seven days and you shall become a new woman. I suggest you taste it now, to make sure you don't suffer any immediate side effect. Not that it should be the case, of course, I have done proper work on this one..."
I really wanted to decline the offer, but what choice did I have? I approached the potion to my lips and took a small sip. It tasted, too, of strawberries. I supposed that it couldn't hurt me much. Taking a medicine when you are not sick does not kill you, right? For a long minute, nothing happened. The alchemist just stared awkwardly at me. As time went by, his smile grew larger. After some eternity, he said:
"Good. You will be fine for the evening. Come see me back tomorrow, we will discuss how effective my craft has been."
I respectfully thanked the alchemist and took the small flask with me. As I followed Sir Stanley back to the elevator, I felt stirring in my stomach. I thought I would throw up. I stopped walking and Sir Stanley looked at me, worried. "Are you alright, princess?" he said. "If this man gave you a poison, I will escort you to the infirmary and pierce the impostor with my blade."
I shook my head. "It will not be necessary, good Sir. I do not digest strawberries well, that is all."
Sir Stanley frowned, but did not insist. We continued to the elevator, and I once again looked through the window as we went up. Would I really feel the want to fuck my husband tonight? I hope not, I was still planning on escaping his bed as I always did. The doors of the elevator opened on the 38th floor, filling the room with steam. I started to feel weak. Maybe sick, even, or just flustered. It was the anticipation of the upcoming evening, I convinced myself.
We arrived at my chambers. Sir Stanley opened the door. I walked in, feeling dizzy. I could barely walk straight. Then, I just stood in the middle of the room, my head being empty of any thought.
"Is everything alright, Princess?" asked my knight again. I figured that something must have indeed been wrong. I turned to face him. Awe struck me. My eyes fell in Sir Lorch Stanley's. They were sweet and of a deep brown, like the chocolate that my father imported from countries very far away. He had a square, well defined-chin. His muscles were showing, big and strong. His armor was shining like stars on a beautiful night. Had Lorch Stanley always been that hot? It was the first time I noticed it.