Bridget Bundy - The Secret Weapon

On her way back to the front of the room, Sekai spoke in a raised tone, “Everyone, please, line up against the wall. The Chancellor will be here shortly to make his final selections. Ladies, I recommend all of you show utmost respect to Chancellor Erato. This may be your first and last chance to make an impression on him.”

All of the women rushed for a spot. They all started adjusting their dresses and hair. A few took out mirrors from their purses to check hair and make-up. Perfume was being sprayed. Coraset and Katarin were the only ones who didn’t make a move at primping at all, and they were the last of the women standing at the far end of the room.

Coraset was absolutely bored with the charade and wondered why she was chosen by Xavier and Malie in the first place. She figured she would fail before she could even get close enough to plant the lethal dosage.

Katarin leaned towards Coraset and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Coraset,” she answered with a soft smile.

“It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for helping me.”

She nodded and just as she was about speak, a mahogany door swung open from the far side of the room. Two Elite Guards entered wearing perfectly fitting wool uniforms with gold embroidered stripes on the shoulders and the end of their sleeves. Their utility belts were pulled tight with pistols holstered on each hip, batons, and handcuffs. They wore berets on their head with their crest set under the high peak of the hat. The Elite Guards were fit and tall, proud and alert. They took post at the door, and Chancellor Erato walked in. He wore a crisp black suit, and he sported a gold lined red ribbon across his chest. His black hair was combed back, glowing with health. The grey hair that Coraset remembered from the picture was gone. He looked younger. His smiled glowed when he saw all the women waiting for him against the wall.

The five women that tested the women stood in a straight line in the center of the room facing in the direction of the Chancellor. Sekai stood in front with her hands clasped together in front. Chancellor Erato approached her first, and she lowered her head slightly in respect. He took her hand gently and held it in his as he spoke softly. Coraset was too far away to hear their conversation.

Sekai led the Chancellor to the first woman on the other side of the room. Coraset was actually glad that he started on the other end. She wondered what he was going to say. Was he going to question her? If she had to lie, could she think of one on the spot? Coraset wanted to leave, but she had to remember she wasn’t doing it for Malie or Xavier or even for herself. It was for Brecco. She didn’t want him to get hurt.

As Chancellor Erato moved on, some of the women remained and others had to leave. Some ran out of the room crying, and others stormed out of the room furiously. Coraset wondered why he let some of the women go. Was she going to be one of them?

Aisling was approached by Chancellor Erato, who was on the other side of Katarin. She posed with confidence, making sure she was flashing a leg to him. He noticed immediately, taking in every bit of her, and he stepped forward. He whispered something in her ear, and she giggled. Coraset rolled her eyes. It was obvious she wasn’t going anywhere.

Chancellor Erato finally moved on to Katarin, and she curtsied as far down as she could. She looked awkward in her torn dress and lanky body. He watched her with amusement as she came back up slowly. Katarin pulled her strap back onto her shoulder, still looking down.

Sekai whispered to him, and he looked at the woman amazed. He stared at the girl, and he smirked. He nodded in approval, and he moved to Coraset. She lowered her head in respect, and she could feel his heat emulating towards her. His cologne smelled spicy with musky undertones.

Coraset spoke softly, “Chancellor, my condolences to you and your family. Your mother was a great leader to Erato.”

None of the women said a word about his mother or her death, and he liked the fact that Coraset gave her sympathies. He was impressed and curious. She knew exactly what to say to grab his attention.

“What is your name?” He asked as he stepped closer.

“Coraset Prescott,” she answered as she peered heavily into his eyes.

There was a silence between them. Coraset didn’t know what to think, but Chancellor Erato was getting turned on. He wanted to kiss her, just to taste her lips one time, but he refrained. He gently touched her cheek with the back of his closed fingers. The Chancellor nodded at Sekai, approving of Coraset.

She pulled a small square glass pad out of her jacket pocket and checked off Coraset’s name. Chancellor Erato went back to Aisling. He offered his arm to her, and her bright smile broke through her red lipstick as she took it excitedly. Chancellor Erato escorted her to another set of doors where the Elite Guards were ready to lead them into the great hall. Trumpets began to sound on cue, and a large set of doors swung open to an awaiting crowd that was applauding the Chancellor Erato.

Sekai went back to her constituents in the middle of the room, and they began directing the women that were left in the room towards another door away from the great hall. Coraset and Katarin were among them, and they were taken down a corridor with tall thin windows, heavy red velvet curtains and golden trimmed tables in between them.

Fifteen ladies were led outside behind the Doric temple, through a maze garden of red potentilla shrubs, white rock roses, and tall smoke bushes. Coraset loved the floral smell of the garden, and she stopped taking in the beautiful scenery, nearly forgetting where she was. The women continued moving, and Coraset had to kick off her heels to rush and catch up. They entered a side door into the palace.

After going through numerous doors, hallways, and stairs, they were finally led into a white spacious room with perfectly lined up white armless chairs. All of the women were directed to sit down. Coraset made sure she sat in the back row. The goal was to stay out of sight and out of the mind of the four women that led them to the room. All of the women were quiet as they filed in and found a seat.

Sekai closed the door once her last constituent walked in. The four other women in suits stood behind her against the wall, facing the sitting women. The room remained quiet as everyone waited for Sekai to speak.

Sekai stood straight like a stone statue in front of the ladies. She had an expression of seriousness as she spoke, “My name is Sekai. On my far left are Jorda, Hanako, Lacey and Reyna. We are the Chancellor’s staff. In order to be in the harem, you must pass your pap smear, pelvic exam, and a physical. I understand that some of you have already been to your own physicians. Chancellor Erato only trusts his own doctor, and he will be seeing all of you today.”

The women eyed each other silently.

“If you are positive for any kind of illnesses, you will be sent home. There is no exception to this rule. The moment you step into the harem, you belong to Chancellor Erato. No man including your father, brother, and/or uncles are allowed to see you, talk to you, or touch you. There is no exception to this rule, either.”

The moans erupted from the group of women along with a barrage of complaints.

A sandy blonde raised her hand and stated, “I have a question.”

Sekai continued, “There will be times when Chancellor Erato will request one or more of you in his bedroom at one time. You must comply. If you refuse, you will be executed.”

“Executed,” a brunette bellowed from beside Coraset.

“Yes,” Sekai answered as she glared at the brunette. “Like I said before you will be his property, and he will not allow you to just live in his harem or go home after you’ve refused him. Mind you, he won’t force you, but he will expect you to do his bidding.”