Inspect the harem

The fact that he had just inherited a harem was the most peculiar news of a very peculiar day. His curiosity afforded the new king the perfect opportunity to distract himself from his newfound somber responsibilities.

“I wish to see this place immediately and meet this ‘harem,’” says Stewart. When Norbier raises his eyebrows in surprise and begins to speak, Stewart cuts him off and says, “If I am going to be responsible for uprooting 20 women and sending them away from the place they have called home, it only seems proper that I meet them and tell them this news myself.”

Norbier nods. “As you wish, my liege. If you wish, I will take you there now.”

In response, the king strides toward the door, happy to leave behind — at least for a few minutes — the heavy responsibilities that have suddenly come to rest on his young shoulders.

As the two men walk toward the Records Repository, Stewart is reminded again of how much his life has just changed. Until a short time ago, anyone who met him in the hallway would greet him with a bow from the neck and the words, “Your Highness.” Now, everyone he encounters stops in their tracks. Men bow at the waist, and women perform a full curtesy. “Your Highness” is replaced with, “Your Majesty.”

Even the household staff whom has has known much more informally change the way they react to his presence. Catalia, a chambermaid he had been screwing on a regular basis before Chantelle came into his life, stopped her work, turned toward him and dropped into a deep curtesy. As he saw her bending her knees, he thought, “Is she going to try to blow me right here, in front of Norbier?” Only when she said, “Your Majesty,” with lowered eyes, did he realize her true intentions.

The men continue their journey toward the room identified as “Records Repository.” They enter the unimpressive room, and Stewart finds it much the way it was in the few times he had visited. Long rows of shelves, files, and boxes filled the room. The walls were almost completely obscured by the collection of uninteresting records.

Norbier proceeds toward the center of the room where a large table affords opportunity to spread out papers for perusal. Norbier reaches under the edge of the table, and Stewart hears a click as a switch is activated. With a gentle push, Norbier swivels the table and the portion of floor on which it rests, revealing a circular staircase leading down.

As the table moves out of the way, Stewart hears a bell from below. He looks questioningly at Norbier, who says, “That is just a notification to the ladies that the king is arriving. You will find them gathering even as we speak.”

Norbier gestures toward the stairs. “After you, Sire.”