Bridget Bundy - The Secret Weapon

All of the women had showered and changed into the new clothes they were given. They loved all the colorful garments and showed off their new outfits to one another with oohs and aahs. It was a complete difference from the bland clothing everyone else wore around Erato.

Coraset disappeared into the gardens beyond the pool. It was quiet and seemed far away from the chatter of the excited concubines. She slowly walked through the colors of nature, taking in the blooming spirea as they took up an entire section, and the flowering carpet scarlet grew around them in splendid red. The nerium oleanders were on the other side mixed in with velvet cloak smokebushes. Even the bees danced around the blooms barely noticing Coraset. She continued through the stone path and saw a granite bench. In the center was a white dendrobium orchid sitting in a handcrafted red pot. It seemed like it was out of place, even in its natural beauty, among other flowering plants, it pulled her attention. It looked like the many orchids she used to grow back in the greenhouses in the Barat Region. She went to the bench and sat down beside it. It was tall and gorgeous.

“I was told you grew orchids.” A male voice spoke. Chancellor Erato strolled from behind a tall rose bush. He stopped and pulled at a delicate petal. “My mother loved them.”

Coraset curtsied respectfully without speaking.

“Your name is Coraset Prescott?”

“It is.” She answered with a guarded smile. “How did you know I would come out here?”

“I didn’t. I just happened to see you from my bedroom. I have a view of the garden and the harem, of course.” Chancellor Erato pointed towards his window on the other side of the garden.

Coraset looked in the direction he pointed at. His window was in another building, but it had a perfect view of everything.

“You like orchids?” He asked.

“Yes, I do. They’re my favorite flower.”

Chancellor Erato stared at Coraset from head to toe. She didn’t think very much of him, but she knew he was finding his amusement simply by staring at her.

He cleared his throat and said, “I have a session with the Senators this morning. I will send for you afterwards. We’ll have lunch in my personal quarters.”

Coraset smiled and remarked, “I will be ready whenever you are.”

“I love that dress.” He put his hands in his pockets as he moved around her.

“I won’t change.” She turned so her back wouldn’t be to him.

Chancellor Erato smiled and walked away.

Coraset waited until he was out of sight, and she stepped into the grounds where the oleander was planted. She looked around making sure no one was watching her. Quickly, she removed her underwear, and she laid the biggest part of the fabric over her hand and fingertips. She broke off a piece of the flower and wrapped it in her underwear. Coraset placed it in the orchid pot. She held the orchid as close to her chest as possible as she went back towards the harem. She rushed passed the pool area hoping no one saw what she had, and she went inside to prepare for her date with Chancellor Erato.

Sekai entered the harem. Everyone that was inside the great room turned their attention to her. Katarin stood and rushed over to Sekai before the other women could reach her. Coraset remained in her seat, knowing full well why Sekai was there.

Katarin asked in an excited tone, “Where is the Chancellor?”

Sekai saw Coraset sitting, with her back to them. She excused herself through the small crowd of ladies and went directly over to her. She rounded the sofa and said, “The Chancellor wishes to see you.”

Coraset looked at Katarin who was now standing behind Sekai. She looked disappointed. Katarin pulled at Sekai’s shirt sleeve and asked, “When will I get to see him?”

Sekai turned impatiently and said, “When he asks for you.”

Katarin ran around Sekai and slid beside Coraset. She grabbed her arm and pleaded, “Tell him about me, okay, Coraset. Tell him everything about me, okay. So, he’ll want to see me next.”

Coraset didn’t know anything about her really. Only that she was obsessed with seeing the Chancellor, and she was childish and impatient.

“Okay,” she agreed as she patted her hand and rose from the seat.

“Tell him what I’m wearing, and tell him how much I love him.”

She smiled assuredly at Katarin and slipped her arm out of her grasp.

“We’ll walk through the gardens.” Sekai revealed.

Aisling bumped into Coraset when she walked out the entryway. Coraset turned quickly back to her. Sekai wasn’t expecting Coraset to react at all, and she watched to see what was going to happen.

Aisling faced Coraset angrily when she approached. Coraset was close, almost nose to nose, when she threatened calmly, “The last thing you want to do is mess with me. You don’t know me, and you don’t know what I’m capable of. Bump me again, and I will show what you don’t know. If you think I won’t follow through with my threats, try me again.”

Aisling cut her eyes from side to side to see who was watching. She was shaken, embarrassed to have the wrong kind of attention. Most of the women were watching. Some of them holding their mouths, others smirking wishing for the two to fight, and there was one that simply shook her head, thinking it was total nonsense.

Sekai approached the two women carefully, and she stood between them, facing Coraset. She said in an easy tone, “The Chancellor is waiting, Coraset.”

“This is your last warning.” Coraset warned and stepped back to allow some breathing room between them.

Sekai motioned her hand towards the stony path that led out to the garden, and Coraset walked away first slowly. Sekai gave one last look to Aisling, and she saw her fear in her eyes. She smirked at Aisling before leaving her standing alone. The two walked slowly out of sight of the pool and harem area.

“You have a short temper.” Sekai noted.

“Only with immature people,” Coraset commented as she brushed her hair back.

The women walked side by side through the garden. Coraset had a feeling Sekai had something to say, but she didn’t push her to ask. She simply prepared herself mentally for what was to come. There was no question the Chancellor was going to make her sleep with him, and Coraset knew she couldn’t deny him. When they got to the stained glass arched doors, Coraset stopped to really think about what she was about to do.

“Are you ready?” Sekai asked as she reached for the gold latch.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Sekai opened the glass door and remarked, “Go up the flight of stairs, and you’ll be in his bedroom. I’ll meet you down here when you’re done.”

Coraset walked into the foyer and slowly up the steps. She breathed in deep trying to calm her nerves and prepare her mind for his presence. She had to show that she wanted his company, that she respected him and wanted only to make him happy. It was hard to get to that point, but when she finally got to the top of the steps and saw him standing in his crisp blue suit, looking debonair, she was ready.

“Come, Coraset, have a seat.” Chancellor Erato stepped aside revealing a small round table with a large salad bowl, small bread squares, and champagne.

She sauntered over to him, making sure her hips swayed. The Chancellor met her halfway, and he took her hand gently into his. He pressed the back of her hand to his lips gently. Chancellor Erato kept eye contact with her as he led her to the table and pulled out a chair. Coraset moved slowly and deliberately into her seat.

Chancellor Erato pulled his chair closer to her and sat down. He eyed her neck and soft shoulders. The dress she had on was sleeveless and strapless and just the top of her breasts were showing.