My Little Collection

Original Prompt: In a medieval fantasy world, you’re one of the first female lords of your kingdom. What’s worse? You’ve been assigned to reform a traitor who almost took over the entire kingdom but was captured and turned into a prisoner.

She watched impassively as the man was escorted into her private audience chamber. Waiting until the guards had their fun of forcing him to kneel despite the fact they refused to do so in her presence.

"Leave us." Her voice rang crisply through the room, earning a chuckle from the older guardsman.

"My Lady, you can't expect us to leave you with such a violent criminal-"

"You can't expect me to overlook my guard defying their Lord's direct order, can you?" She asked coldly. "Leave us, or leave my estate. Immediately." The man gave a huff, but complied. Soon leaving them alone in a tense silence. Two sets of calculating eyes taking in an unanticipated and frankly unwanted opponent.

"So you are the one they intend to use as my downfall." She mused, finally. "I must admit to being a bit disappointed now that I see my doom is truly naught but a man."

"My deepest apologies?" The man offered wearily, not really sure what was happening for the first time in years. His coupe had failed, he was captured, his execution date set...then he had been told two days ago that he was no longer performing the hangman's jig before being thrown in a dark, enclosed carriage and brought here.

"I trust you found my welcome gifts acceptable?" He simply stared, confused at the question. To be fair, no one would be much of a quick thinker after months of malnourishment alone in a tiny cell. She sighed, rising from her seat to meander over, reaching down to tilt up his head.

"I prefer a tidier appearance, but it would have been unwise to allow you access to anything...sharp." She offered, one long, delicate nail lightly rasping against his cheekbone above the unkempt beard's scraggly borders. "I do hope the other provided amenities were acceptable?"

The man nodded, finally catching on. "Breathtakingly so, my Lady." He offered blandly, recalling how the guard had laughed at how weak he'd been. The once mighty general now reduced to the strength of a lad still on leading strings as he was held nearly too long under the freezing water of the bath provided. At least thrice. A bit of genuine thanks slipped into his tone. "The clothing is much appreciated. You are a most excellent hostess." It was hard not to be thankful after being stripped bare and left to rot in his own filth for such a long time. The bath and clothing brought him the closest to feeling human than he had in quite some time.

"Your gratitude is noted. Though my title is Lord. You shall do well to remember that. I shall forgive it this once due to your lack of knowledge." Stepping away from him, she returned to her prior place on an elegant settee. Settling with all the grace of a queen. "You may sit, rather than kneel." A slight smirk flitted at the edges of her lips as he settled back on his heels rather than move from his place. "You are a smart one, indeed. They warned me. Do you know why you are here?"

"No, your La-Lordship." He admitted, too tired to play mind games. Besides, he'd gain nothing from playing coy.

"I am the first woman to gain true political power as a recognized Lord of the land." She explained. "As one may imagine, this choice by my father to recognize me as his lawful heir is...displeasing. His royal Majesty, however, wished to grant me a most gracious boon and display his support of my new office and capabilities. As such, he has entrusted me with your reformation." She watched as the dusty cogs in the man's mind began to slowly turn.

"I see."

"I am certain you do, considering your illustrious former career under His Majesty's ever generous command." She mused. "I care not if you live or die, only that my position is maintained. I have half a thought to simply replace you with an identical beggar off the street. Mold the eager creature into a decent puppet. However, finding one as charismatic and intellectually inclined as reports claim you to be would prove difficult."

"All valid conclusions, my Lord." The man offered, simply watching her eyes seemingly strip him bare down to the blackened soul the priests claimed he had. It was a bit of a novel thing, really, to find a gaze that made him feel more vulnerable than he would with a blade to his throat.

"As such, I believe I have two other viable options." Her tone was nearly bored. "I can do as expected. Torture and utterly break you before attempting to rebuild you with the help of a priest willing to guide your wayward soul to the light."

"Priests and I never have gotten along terribly well, my Lord."

"The trail of razed temples in your wake certainly indicated such to me." She mused. "My other option I anticipate to yield far more exemplary results. You are no fool. You know you failed. That you are now worth less than the dirt that may accumulate upon my shoes. You have been sentenced once more to die after another pointless struggle. However, as you have noticed I, indeed, strive to be an excellent hostess. As such, I have decided to graciously extend to you an unheard of opportunity. Serve me as my most loyal vassal. My ever dutiful shadow and perfectly heeled dog."

The man's gaze grew wary. "What do I gain from such an offer?"

"Your life, for one. As far as I allow it, at least. I treat my pets well. My most loyal are doted upon. You shall have every need met quite well." She stood once more, coming to stand before him. The man was surprised when she knelt, tenderly cupping the back of his head as she pulled him closer, her whispered words sending chills skittering across his skin as much as the delicate nails that now lightly dug into his nape like dagger tips did. "I will give you the revenge you desire. Follow my commands without faltering, remain blindly devoted to me and my causes, and you shall bathe in the blood and misery of those who sought to destroy you." The daggers turned into a soothing caress as she smiled gently at him. "What option shall you choose?"

He considered, observing silently for a long moment before speaking. "Might I request that your loyal dog not be made to wear a collar, my Lord? I find they catch on things quite easily." She laughed delicately as she stood, her hand carding sweetly through his hair as if she couldn't feel the still-engrained grime the cold dunking from before hadn't been able to banish.

"I shall take your request under consideration, my pet."