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This one's for Fantasia Lillith.
Her Majesty the Queen accepted the flask of wine presented to her by one of her servants and took a long sip. From her throne upon the dais, she admired the two parallel rows of striking young men below her, adorned in the requisite colors of her Kingdom, blood red and royal blue, with a touch of gold. Within a few weeks' time, the Queen would choose a favorite amongst this new batch of knights-to-be, though all would have to endure rigorous tests to prove they were worthy of the title.
"Welcome to my castle, men," she began, uncrossing her legs and smoothing down her long gown, the royal blue of the velvet and silk fabric emphasizing the sapphires that glimmered around her slender neck. "This eve you have been introduced to some of the most powerful members of my Kingdom, and feasted on the best offerings of our land. Have you enjoyed yourselves, sirs?"
"Yes, my Queen," they chorused, their eyes focused on her eagerly, making her wonder if they had heard any rumors regarding the way they were to be initiated. It was a tradition passed down by generations of Queens before her, including her mother Anne, who had recently passed away. As per custom, the newly crowned Queen was to initiate a dozen new knights within her army's ranks following the transfer of power. The sovereign's right to perform the initiation on these men was sacred, the secret of which was only passed on from mother to daughter.
The ritual would begin and end in this chamber, where the Queen normally conducted her political meetings, in order for her knights to always be reminded of their submissiveness to her. The grandeur of the room itself was intimidating, dark except for the torches upon the walls, set between each of the imposing tapestries, all of which bore the kingdom's colors and coat of arms. The chamber appeared even more spacious on this eve, since its only occupants were the Queen, her knights-to-be, and two of her most trustworthy servants, Gregory and Madeleine.
"The time has come for your initiation into one of the most prestigious knighthoods in the land. As your Queen, it is my right and obligation to ensure that you are true to myself and to this kingdom. Your patience, restraint and loyalty will be tested until you have sufficiently proven yourselves worthy to serve as one of my knights." Her Majesty stood from her throne and Madeleine lifted the Queen's long dress to allow her to descend the stairs to stand among her knights-to-be. The men kneeled immediately.
"Rise, so I can see your faces." She paused in front of each of them, looking them in the eyes to convey the gravity of their impending rites. "The rules are simple. Anyone who refuses to obey my commands will be immediately punished as I see fit. You may feel proud that you have been chosen to become my knights, but until your initiation is complete, you are no better than a stable boy. You will not speak, eat, move, or experience pleasure of any kind until I instruct it so. Your days will be spent in isolation, thinking only of how you can please me."
The Queen smiled, her hands on her hips. "By the end of your initiation, I will choose one among you gallant men to be my personal protector and lead our army into battle. He who emerges with the strongest character and most loyal devotion to me will be my favored knight and enjoy special privileges. Is that clear?"
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