Loyalty and Lust

[saedo]

Closed for Emma Morely

"I don't like it," rumbled Darius. Darius always rumbled. He was tall and broad, even for a noble. Every sound billowing out of that thick chest had a substantial bass tone.

Ariel rolled her blue eyes - perhaps the most familiar of her many expressions of disdain. "Of course, you do not! It requires you to consider an alternative to tradition, so naturally you are reluctant."

"Tradition that has served our people well for nearly two centuries," he replied, a defensive tone creeping in.

Another eye roll, plus an exasperated sigh. "Fine. Stick with tradition. I am sure that the other lords will take your dedication into consideration when deciding whether the Duke with no heirs is vulnerable."

Darius said nothing, his dark eyebrows furrowed as he brooded. Ariel liked to style him a clueless oaf, but he was not unintelligent. Damn if the shrill harpy wasn't right on that point. Their marriage was still sufficiently young for the lack of a male heir and only a single daughter to be considered unusual. But if the situation persisted, the Royal Court would inevitably become involved. A duke dying without male heirs would create a power vacuum that would invite war. The Royal Court disliked the chaos inherent with internal conflict, so they would pressure Darius to prevent that by arranging an alternate succession. Darius could resist for a time, but ultimately he'd have to accede. The result would at the very least divide his holdings and weaken his family's power; at worst, the centuries of his family's name would die with him.

Ariel was right. They had a year or two at most before the vultures started circling. Darius and she could only prevent that by producing a male heir.

"But if perhaps we tried again, with more frequency...," Darius ventured.

"For the thousandth time, no!" Ariel exclaimed. She clenched her fists in frustration. "You know that will not work!"

Of course, Darius was not entirely wrong. It might work. The midwives were uncertain as to the exact source of the couple's fertility problems, but they thought the infrequency of their attempts might be part of the explanation.

But despite her best efforts, Ariel could not overcome her own nature. Ever since she was a young maiden, she found men rather tiresome. She found it inexplicable how many females seemed agog over her broad-shouldered, square-jawed hulk of a husband. The midwives assured her that a man would leave any woman's nether regions damp with desire and quivering for his seed.

But that had never been true for Ariel. The Duchess found herself drawn to the soft, smooth skin and delicate touch of another woman. The passion she felt in the company of a female lover was entirely absent when Darius' hairy, muscular body lay against hers. Her smooth canal did not good with wet desire when his blunt manhood entered her. Her womb did not clutch and tremble when he spilled his seed in her. She felt naught but pain and nausea with him. Enduring it once a month was the most she could bring herself to tolerate.

Still, she could not quite fully despise Darius. He had valiantly tried to accommodate her predilection as best he could, but to no avail. Moreover, that he tolerated their limited sessions was a testament to his kindness; a less forgiving husband might simply force himself upon her as often as he wished, regardless of her pain. Perhaps that is why she still put up with Darius.

"I cannot withstand more of your boorish affections than I already do," she said with forced calm. "You know this. If the frequency cannot be changed, then the potency must. And you know what that requires."

"Dark alchemy," Darius muttered. "Dangerous forces to meddle with. Do you not fear the risk?"

Ariel laughed. "Don't think me daft. I'll not gamble our future and my health on something so unproven. We shall test it first."

Darius' visage contorted in confusion. "Upon whom?"

"Emma, of course. She would do anything for me."

Darius shook his head. Emma had been but a homeless waif in the street when a young Ariel had decreed that she wanted the girl as a pet. Over the years, she had become Ariel's most trusted servant and companion. But still.... "She is loyal - this is true - but will even she risk so much for you?"

Ariel smiled. "Yes. But if you doubt me, ask her yourself. She is right outside." Ariel stepped to the door and opened it. "Emma, please come inside. The Duke has something to discuss with you."

 

[Emma_Morely]

Emma was outside lightly pacing back and forth hearing the murmurs echo into the empty hallway wondering just what might be happening. Her shoulder length blonde locks of hair bounced and waved freely in the breeze she was making in her pacing. This could indeed be a very touchy talk, and depending on the Duke's mood it could go well, or him going into a rampage pretending this subject was never brought up. Ariel talked to her about the possible proposal to assist in making sure the next heir was a son, and Emma without missing a beat volunteered to assist. Afterall, Ariel was the reason she was no longer in the streets, and living in such a plush castle never knowing what hunger was. Sure, she did some light chores and mundane tasks, but compared to what the streets offered her, this was indeed a blessing. Plus, Emma saw Ariel as a close friend, almost a sister ... a much older sister, but that might be the best way to summarize it. "Please tell me the Duke is alright with this," she softly commented to herself just in time to see the heavy wooden door slowly creep open.

Rushing over to the Duchess' side once she exited the room Emma beamed a warm smile responding with, "Of course, my Lady." Already the voluptuous, well dressed servant could feel a warm blush taking over her face knowing just what was about to be discussed. Ariel talked with her about this issue yesterday as soon as another trusted adviser caught wind of a famous alchemist that lived nearby specializing in such issues. It also meant that in order to make sure this dark art worked properly she would have to finally bed with a man and reproduce. Emma's sweet voice cracked slightly trying to keep her blueish orbs on the Duke as she softly added, "Duke, sir, I ... I just wanted to say that I would do anything to help Ariel, and help out this prestigious family."

Darius walked up to the lovely female servant and circled around her a few times, eying her, drinking in the sight of the beautiful youth presented before himself. A few grunts could be heard, and muffled inquires as his mind reeled with just how to start this discussion. Finally, he cleared his throat and simply asked, "are you aware of the full picture of what might happen?"

Emma simply nodded and replied with, "yes, Duke, sir, I understand that it would mean that you would have to sleep with me in order to make sure all offspring produced are male. I also understand that it means that this would have to go to my grave in order to protect said offspring and your honor. I ... will do anything for Ariel, and it would be an honor to help out." She slowly took in another breath waiting on his reaction, filling up her corset making her DD cup breasts rise up, pushing the limits of her outfit. Darius took notice of that and did see the one bright side of this arrangement, finally seeing that delicate flower exposed and his for the taking.

As the silence seemed to never end, Darius stopped circling his prey and responded with, "I just wanted to make sure you understood everything and that this was not an order, but a choice." After a small pause he looked back at his wife as well as Emma, "alright, Ariel go ahead with the arrangement, but please make sure you take no part in it until it has been thoroughly tested." While losing Emma would hurt a tiny bit, losing his wife would tear his heart to shreds, and cost him the title and keeping honor and the legacy of the family name alive.

The servant was just about to excuse herself when she overheard one last reminder from the Duke. "And, remember, Emma, that this was a choice and you chose this path, there is no turning back or regrets." Emma gave one last firm nod while giving that warm smile she always beamed in almost any situation. She took her leave and waited outside the door, for Ariel to give more information once she was done talking with her husband.

 

[saedo]

Darius watched Emma leave. He could not deny he took some pleasure in the prospect of bedding her. Emma, while rather petite compared to his many other conquests, had a very shapely form. Even the curve of her buttocks beneath her dress excited him.

Of course, more than anything, Emma tantalized him because she had forever been forbidden fruit. After a disastrous few months, the fractious newlyweds found a limited accord. Since neither fulfilled the other's sexual desires, they tenuously agreed to look the other way should the other seek satisfaction outside the marriage bed. Darius suspected that one or both of them would be dead at the other's hand absent this narrow detente.

However, over the past few years in which all manner of female servants, prostitutes, anf, only one person remained exclusively forbidden: Emma. Ariel swore she herself had never touched her closest companion in a sexual manner and that she would not permit Darius to do so either. Darius would occasionally openly flirt with idea just to annoy his wife, but he'd never crossed that line. Consequently, the prospect now of finally bedding the buxom companion delighted him.

Still, the Duke remained troubled. "I note that Emma made no mention of the other consequences that the magus described." Description was perhaps too generous; the elderly practitioner was difficult to understand. His concoctions bespoke his technical brilliance, but his rambling diatribes tended to verge into incoherent conversations with himself. Even so, Darius had pieced enough together to know that the promised fertility improvements would not likely be pleasantly acquired. Anything purchased through dark alchemy would have a significant cost.

Ariel's eyes glared at him. "Your misplaced sense of propriety could yet unsettle this arrangement, dear husband. The magus made clear that the potion's efficacy would be enhanced by a willing participant. Emma is willing. Knowing more would only burden her with information she has no use for."

"Yet you would foist this treatment on her precisely to obtain this information for yourself."

Ariel straightened herself up to her full height. (After centuries of breeding and better food, the nobility tended to noticeably larger than commoners.) "Do not make light of my decision, husband! Emma is a dear and trusted friend. I do not place her at risk on a mere whim! But you and I both know that if we do not soon produce a male heir, the future of this House becomes grim.

" But likewise we cannot commit to a solution that might fail. So yes, I place Emma in jeopardy. If she takes the magus' concoction and it fails horribly, then she will suffer. But better her than I. I alone can produce a legitimate heir; to risk my fate is to risk us all. But if it is only Emma...., " Ariel shrugged. "She is only a servant."

Darius grunted. His wife's cold logic was cruel, but accurate. As Duke, sometimes sacrifices must be made - for the good of the House. To do nothing but wish futilely for things to be different was a fool's path. "Very well. We will use Emma. May the gods be merciful to her."

Ariel nodded and joined Emma in the hall. "Follow me," she directed. The Duchess lead her companion back to her personal chambers. Ariel uncovered a heavy, ironbound chest hidden at the rear of her room. From a delicate gold chain at her neck, she withdrew a slender key of black metal from her cleavage. She inserted it into the lock and twisted; several clanking noises followed.

Ariel reached within the chest and produced a glass vial about the size of her fist. "This is the first concoction that you must take. Each morning, you will meet me here before breakfast and I will administer the dosage.

" The magus indicated that aside from the immediate taste, you may not notice any differences right away. However, after one to two weeks, you should notice some odd sensations in your breasts. Perhaps being warm for no reason, an unusual heaviness, a strange tingling in your nipples - it may take various forms and the sensations may fade away or linger. Regardless, when you start to feel anything unusual, you must inform me directly without delay."

Ariel produced a silver spoon and opened the vial. A faint whiff of pumpkin filled the vicinity. "Well, at least it doesn't smell as horrible as what the Duke is taking," Ariel mused. She poured out nearly a spoonful. "If you have no further questions, Emma, then time for your medicine."