The Puppet Master and the Princess (closed)

[haremfaery]

Princess Willa sat in the throne room listening to petitions from courtiers and peasants, making judgments, granting boons, settling disputes. Her father, the king was away brokering peace on the Northern border, and if peace could not be made, then it would be war. Before he left, her father had made her Regent in his absence and being his only heir, should anything befall him, she would take the throne. There had been some grumbling from her father's advisers, but she would not be the first to be Queen Regnant of Cambria. She was strong-willed enough to keep the nobles in check. Although since she had turned 20, many wanted her to marry as swiftly as possible so she could produce an heir, preferably a male. Her mother had died in childbirth and her father had never remarried despite what his advisers had to say.

She was wearing a gown of royal purple, her long red-gold hair was braided and gathered up in the latest fashion. A simple circlet of gold and pearls rested on her head.

She knew she had much to learn, but she had spent the better part of the week putting the Privy Council in their place. When she eventually took the throne, she would not be a figurehead. For most of her life, she remembered all of those at court presenting their sons of all ages as prospective suitors. Princes from all across the continent had visited trying to make alliances.

She had been raised by her father and raised to rule. Her mother had died in childbirth, and while her nannies and ladies-in-waiting tried to teach her a woman's place, her father instilled a fierce independence in her.

After a day in the throne room, the evening was spent in the great hall for dinner and entertainment. Most of the Privy Council and court attended. It was a less formal way to gain the Princess's ear. And for her to speak her preferences as well.

Willa sat at the head table under a cloth of gold canopy. She surveyed the court. Most of the Privy Council were rather old men, but one of the newest was a Mage, thought to be one of the greatest of this age. Not too young, not too old, he was mature and handsome in an intense way. She had to admit that. He rarely joined in the dancing or other entertainments, but always seemed to be watching. Like a cat. It made her feel like an object he admired, or coveted, the way he looked at her. On one level she was flattered, but he made her feel apprehensive.

When she married, she wanted it to be at least for affection and with someone closer to her own age.

When the dishes were cleared away, the musicians played and the dancing began. Willa danced with some of the courtiers. It felt good to dance after a long day of sitting and making decisions.

 

[BassPlayerRob]

Mage Benedict had spent his life being told he would never reach his ambitions. In the Academy of Magic he was told that his level of magic would never amount to anything beyond placing him as an entertainer for nobles. He was told his "magical strings" would never advance beyond cheap parlor tricks and his alchemy would never advance beyond selling fraudulent love potions to gullible farmers. He proved them all wrong. Benedict's dedication to his studies pushed him beyond all the other students, who were all busy fraternizing and placing themselves within the right social circles while Benedict perfected his art. By the time he turned 16, Benedict had graduated the Academy of Magic with the highest honors and the title of Mage.

Instead of following the usual route of mages by setting up shops to sell their enchanted wares or taking on apprentices, Benedict decided to enroll himself in Cambria's Military Officer Academy. Once again performing the impossible, the young mage had stepped into the backroom with the general and somehow convinced him that he was a perfect candidate for the officer's school. Within 5 years Benedict's work ethic had pushed him to the rank of general and from there he himself had lead several successful campaigns for the King.

Now at the age of 27, all of this success had pushed the mage right where he wanted to be, inside the King's inner circle, the Privy Council. The High Mage should have been content with his lot in life, but his ambition demanded more, especially after he met the princess. Benedict saw the most beautiful and powerful woman in the nation, and he was absolutely enthralled with her. The High Mage had done everything in his power to hide his desires from the King, but Willa herself probably knew by now. The hunger in his eyes over the past couple weeks in the King's absence had probably struck her very soul.

As the Princess spun from partner to partner in the council, Benedict decided to set his machinations in motion. Princess spun near him his hands reached and caught her in perfect position, one hand at her waist, the other entangled with her own. The rest of the courtiers stopped as the music continued on, gaping at this rare spectacle. "Your highness, I hope you don't mind if I step in for this dance." And so the dance began, him leading her around the room to the rhythm of the strings with the practiced grace of a man who knew what he was doing. If she looked at him this close she might notice how classically handsome he was, with his cleft chin, his flowing brown hair, and his piercing green eyes. Those eyes belied his true intentions, as she could see the oncoming tide of his machinations through his wicked eyes.

As he spun her again, he spoke softly, warmly into her ear. "Tell me your majesty, do you think you are prepared and ready at a moments notice to lead your people into battle" He paused for a moment as if to let her think it over before continuing. "Could you command the very souls of men that they would die for you? Consider it carefully, your highness." His green eyes danced with delight as he set forth the challenge, ready to begin the game.

 

[haremfaery]

"What a strange question to ask, sir. Although I expect we are all thinking that war is a possibility if the king is not able to make peace." She looked at him wondering what was going on behind those green eyes. He was one of the most handsome men at court, and yet something about him always made her wary. She sometimes caught him looking at her as if she were a choice morsel.

"My grandmother was Queen Militant for a time. Grandfather was commanding on one front and she on the other. I would like to think I would be as capable as she. My father and tutors have taught me well. Although, I would rely on my military advisors as well. I would always prefer a peaceful resolution to any conflicts, but I am not so naive to think I may never have to go to war. I am prepared to take whatever actions are necessary. You know our people are loyal, if there is a call for more to take up arms, they would do so." She was quiet for a bit while they continued to dance. "I must say, I did not know you were such a good dancer. I imagined that you spent all of your time practicing your craft, not learning court dances." She might like him more if he didn't always seem to have a hidden agenda.

 

[BassPlayerRob]

He remained silent during the duration of her questions listening to the sound of her voice, the ebb and flow of the music and the sounds of their steps across the marble floor. He was enjoying this conversation as much as a lion seems to enjoy the chase of a gazelle, and it showed in his eyes. He spun her to the music and at her last remark about his dancing prowess he chuckled, then outright guffawed with laughter. He dipped her to the swell of the music, her back arching and head coming within a foot of the floor, highlighting her physical flexibility. Benedict held her there, one hand holding her aloft at the small of her back while the other was still entangled with hers. He leaned in close so that his mouth was only inches from hear ear before whispering to her. "Your highness I will give you a word of advice that every adversary I've ever faced learned far to late. EVERYTHING is a practice of my craft. Even the pleasurable opportunity to dance with someone as regal as yourself is an opportunity to practice my magic."

To demonstrate this, his hands completely left her body and he stepped away from her to the rhythm of the song, as the princess remained in that prone position. To an unknowing spectator, it appeared that Benedict and Princess Willa were putting on quite a show as the princess seemed impossibly perched on the tip of her toes, supporting her entire frame bending backwards. The Princess slowly raised herself up as the music swelled once more, seemingly on her own, and her momentum carried forward back into the arms of Benedict who once again spun her around the room to the rhythm of the song.

A few of the Privy Council looked on nervously as Benedict smoothly glided with the Princess across the floor. If the Princess was at all confused or put off by that little display, it seemed to have little consequence on Benedict as he continued his lecture from earlier. "You see your highness, just as every activity is a practice of my arts, so too must you be aware of the battles in everything. Every snide remark in court, every supplication, every decree that your subjects have you sign is a part of the ebb and flow of battle. Only instead of swords and arrows, the weapons are much more subtle. So in the event of war your highness, could you really fight that war on two fronts? Can you win the war on the battle field and the royal court?"

 

[haremfaery]

"My Lord Mage, are you saying we are adversaries? I thought as a member of my father's counsel that we are on the same side. To do what is best for our country and it's people." It was a shame, Benedict was handsome and close to her age. She could like him if he weren't so smug all the time.

She gasped a little when he bent her back and left her there. For a moment, she had no control over her body. She feared to struggled against it lest she fall to the floor. But then she righted herself, gracefully and they continued to dance. A few watching them applauded what they saw as a fine performance.

Princess Willa frowned. "Are you saying there are those at court that I cannot trust? Those who would undermine the king?" Did he really know of some conspiracy or was he trying to goad her to make himself seem more wise and worldly? Or was this his strange way of trying to help her understand about court politics? "If there is something you know, please ... you must tell me. We could meet tomorrow morning."

Perhaps her opinion of the mage had been unkind. He was a scholar of magic and as such, not the best at courtly manners. Being so adept at such a young age, she was sure he had been disrespected by some jealous of his gifts. The thought made her more forgiving of his tone. He was speaking that was to shield himself from the scorn of others.

 

[BassPlayerRob]

Prompted by the air of secrecy and the promise of a hidden secret ready to be revealed, their dance had become much closer as their whispers of conversation were buried by the roar of the music. One hand wrapped tightly in an embrace with hers, one hand lightly caressing her hip, their faces now only inches apart from each other to hear the most concealed secrets of court. As Princess Willa inquired about who she could trust among the council, among those standing in this very room, Benedict's lips were only a hair's breadth from her own. His green eyes shone directly into hers as he listened to her worried whispers, and a sense of suspicion that the Princess didn't have about the Privy Council prior to this moment. To an outside observer the closeness of the two dancers was like the prelude to a kiss, and appeared quite scandalous.

The music was building to its climax as he moved faster in time to the music but maintained the intimacy of their semi-embrace. "My time to teach you this evening has run short, your Majesty. If you truly want to learn it would be my greatest pleasure as your servant to teach you." He spun her to face away from him and whispered directly into her ear. "Tomorrow morning I will begin my day in the alchemy laboratory. Meet me there and let no one else know where you are going. I will tell you everything." He spun her back around and struck a regal pose with her arm outstretched at a distance at the end of the song. As the whole room had been watching them, applause broke out across the chamber. Benedict bowed deeply to the Princess, then the crowd, and quickly departed from the room, leaving the Princess to her suspicions.

. . .

The following morning, Benedict woke early to complete his preparations in the alchemical laboratory. He had spent the night poring over many different old tomes in his private chambers with silly titles such as "Love Potions and You" to "The Heightening of Tactile Sensations and the Sex Drive through Alchemy," combining several different formula and researching a recipe to perfection. When the Princess arrived to his place of study he would finally be ready to make his move. Behind him a simple wood stove was roaring with a simple kettle of tea placed on top. He placed two simple mugs upon the table, seemingly completely ordinary and awaited the arrival of Willa, the target of all his ambition and lust. The act he put on in this room would either lead him one step closer to the throne, or one step closer to execution. The table was set and the kettle was almost boiling. The time was right.

 

[haremfaery]

Willa's cheeks were flushed when the dance ended. Both from her exertion and from the intimacy that the mage had shown her. His hint that someone in the Council could be a traitor had her upset. She wondered if it was as dire as Benedict implied. The man did have a flair for the dramatic.

She put on her "court" smile and went back to her dais gesturing to let the musicians and dancers know they should continue without her. When she thought enough time had passed for her to leave without seeming abrupt, she stood and said goodnight. Her ladies followed her. The evening's entertainment was over. The rest of the court trickled out to go to their chambers, or stood chatting in small groups.

~~~~~​

The next morning, Willa's ladies dressed her. She ate a light breakfast while they teased her about dancing with Benedict the night before.

"Pish. I am trying to get to know those on the Council while Father is away. In fact, I am meeting with Master Benedict this morning to discuss some council business." He had told her not to tell anyone, but that was silly. There was no reason to make their meeting a secret, the content of the meeting was another matter. She knew how the court loved gossip, and if she tried to hide their meeting, people would jump to conclusions.

The mage's workshop or laboratory as he called it, was as far from the kitchen and living areas as possible since the fumes from some of his creations were unpleasant to say the least. She hoped he wasn't working on any potions, but just in case, she had a lavender-scented lace hanky tucked into her sleeve.

She found the door slightly ajar and pushed it open. "Hello? Mage Benedict, good morning." She looked around curiously at all the jars and containers and strange pieces of equipment. "How wondrous strange this is." She smiled at him and held out her hand.

 

[BassPlayerRob]

When Princess Willa arrived to his laboratory, the Mage immediately rose from his seat. Without thinking his eyes scanned her body admiring the perfection born of the royal bloodline. He averted his gaze downward and knelt before her, taking her outstretched hand and kissing the royal sigil worn around her right ring finger. "Not nearly as wondrous as your beauty gracing my humble sanctuary, your highness." His fingers lingered over her hand for a moment before he rose again, this time to answer to the high pitched calling of the kettle. He gestured for her to take the seat across from him at the table before he turned to fetch the kettle of tea.

He turned back to her and poured the simple concoction of black tea leaves and orange peel into her mug first, followed by his own. The smell of the fresh brewed beverage would permeate the air, enticing Willa to drink from the mug and concealing the sweet concoction lining the Princess' mug. Last night the mage had studied well and brewed a potion to line the inside of the glass that was odorless and almost tasteless, with a slight aftertaste of honey and ginger root. The potion would slowly raise the libido of the drinker to reach levels possessed only by the sex crazed and slowly make the user increasingly sensitive to human contact. Perhaps the best part about this little potion is that only a good night's sleep could dispel it. It was ingenious in its simplicity, but required a master alchemist to execute at this level.

The mage drank deep from his own mug, naturally free of any reagents, and began addressing his royal companion. "Your highness, please join me, it's the least amount of hospitality I can show to someone of your station." As he watched her drink from the mug his mind again drifted to how dangerous this ploy was and how he needed to execute the plan perfectly for him to avoid the gallows for his ambitions. "Your highness you come to me seeking knowledge of the high court and the motives of your most trusted advisers. I trust you will never reveal to any of the Privy Council that I gave you this information." He waited for her to affirm this claim before continuing. "Every member of the court has their own agenda that they wish to push before the throne. For instance, me." The mage pointed to himself dramatically. "I wish to use my position to insure that our nation continues to allow magical studies and institutions to thrive, and to further prove that mages DO have a place in the Royal military." His fingers met hers in the middle of the table gripping them as he looked deep into her eyes. "You see your highness, those goals don't conflict with those of your father and are rather benign. I assure you of that." He reluctantly released her hand before continuing. "The military advisers are the ones you should really watch out for, your highness. Are you beginning to understand?"

 

[haremfaery]

"Please. There is no need to kneel. This is an informal meeting." If only there wasn't something predatory about the man, Willa would like him more.

She sat at his table and took the offered tea. "It smells delicious." She breathed in the fragrance then took a sip.

She cocked her head. "Mage, you must think me very naive. Of course I know everyone, from Privy Council members to the lowest peasant who comes before has something they wish to gain from me. That is nothing new. And you always speak of how magic is a boon to our kingdom and can be used in so many ways to protect it. But," she paused and took another sip. "What are you implying about the military advisers? They have been on the council for years. They love our kingdom and my father. They are more than counselors, they are friends."