Speak with Duncan

“Adella, there are matters I must discuss with Duncan. Will you excuse us?”

Adella sighs in exasperation. Stewart knows what she is going to say before the words come out of her mouth. “Things that only men can understand, right? Goodness knows I can’t possibly grasp such weighty things because I am burdened with ovaries!”

Stewart opens his mouth to say something, but Adella holds up a hand, cutting him off. “I know.... It’s how things are done around here. Well, perhaps, Your Majesty, you might give some thought to giving women a better position in your kingdom!”

With that, the Princess Royal storms out of the room.

Duncan grins as she leaves. “I know a few positions I’d like to try with the women of this kingdom! And truthfully, if our dear sister would try a few, she would not be as tightly wound as she is.”

“Don’t let her hear you suggest that,” cautions Stewart. “You know how unfair she thinks it is that she is expected to retain her virginity until she is offered in marriage.”

Duncan scoffs. “Do we seriously expect to retain that stale tradition? I suspect Adella is the oldest virgin in this realm. I do not recall the last time I even encountered a virgin.”

“Not from lack of looking, I’m sure,” replies the king, with a smirk.

“What did you need to see me about, Brother?” asks Duncan, still lazily tossing and catching the coin.

“Well, now that you are the Crown Prince, it has been brought to my attention that you should probably comport yourself a little more regally — that it’s time to grow up, in other words.”

Duncan looks at his brother suspiciously. “What is that supposed to mean? You’re not going to suggest I start wearing frockcoats and cumberbunds everywhere, are you?”

“No, but it would help if you keep your pants on — or at least be much more discreet in your sexual conquests. The kingdom is looking to both of us to give them confidence about the stability of government, and that can’t happen if you are seen bedding every skirt that falls for your lines.”

Duncan scowls. “So basically, you want me to settle down, marry some gal, and spend the rest of my life in one bed, like our father? Look what that kind of life got him — an early grave!”

Stewart considers his next words carefully. “Father was more adventurous than either of us knew, but he understood the importance of discretion.”

“What do you mean?” Duncan sat up in the chair, for once interested in something other than his coin.

Stewart explained what he learned that day about the concubines and the secret chambers off the Records Repository. He explained how the practice went back several generations.

When he finished, Duncan let out a long whistle. “Why, that sly old dog! All this time, and we never knew! Twenty women, you say? How did he ever have time to govern?”

“I have no idea,” says Stewart. “And I have no idea what, if anything, Mother knows about any of this. I just know that I have to find new homes for these women and do so very discreetly.”

“New homes? Is there an old folks’ home for the king’s sluts somewhere in the outer provinces?” chuckles Duncan.

“I don’t know what arrangements Father made for Grandfather’s concubines. I just know I can’t have a bunch of my father’s old girlfriends living here in the palace.”

Duncan nods. “Naturally. You will need to make room for your own.”

His words hit Stewart hard. “My own? What are you talking about?”

“Oh come, now, Brother! You and I are not that much different! Of course you will gather your own harem. Why wouldn’t you? Look at you — you’ve been king for just a few hours, and you already look like you have aged ten years. If you don’t find a way to relieve the stress, you won’t make it to your thirtieth birthday, and what better way to relieve the stress after a long day on the throne than to throw yourself into a big pile of sensuous, naked, adoring female flesh?”

Stewart shakes his head at Duncan’s crassness, but even as he does, he cannot help but entertain the logic in the suggestion.

“Be that as it may, I’ve got to do something about these women of father’s,” he says.

“Why don’t you leave it to me?” asks Duncan.

“You?”

“You said I need to take more responsibility. This is a big task. It will take a load off your shoulders. Let me find homes for them.”

Stewart regards his brother suspiciously. “I don’t know. Entrusting you with a harem? That sounds about as wise as entrusting a bunch of chickens to a fox.”

“Honestly, Stewart! We’re talking about women that Father has been banging! They’re probably all 100 years old and need assistance from two pages just to spread their legs! My job will be to clear them out of there so you can fill the rooms with ladies closer to your own liking. Oh, and before you ask, yes, I would love to help you with the selection of the new crop!”

“One thing at a time,” says Stewart, considering his brother’s offer.