The Courier
Copyright 2008 by EC
EC's Erotic Fiction - /~caligula97030/

(warnings: erotic discipline, sex between adults, public nudity)


Chapter 16 – The Prime Minister’s Dilemma

The Sunday evening before Criminal # 101025 was to be transferred; 
Spokeswoman Kimberly Lee-Dolkivna sat alone in her office. She watched 
the news, catching a glimpse of her former host-sister and future nemesis as 
she attended a dedication ceremony with her husband, the Grand Duke. Also 
present was the country’s Prime Minister, along with the country’s first lady, 
as they celebrated the opening of an important bridge in the northeastern part 
of Danubia. The ceremony marked an important event for the country, 
because the new bridge would cross a canyon and cut travel time between the 
eastern city of Rika Chorna and the country’s northern border by more than an 
hour. 

In spite of the importance of her husband and her father, it was Grand 
Duchess Anyia who commanded the adoration among the local residents. The 
crowds surged towards her as she passed out flowers to all of the children 
within her reach. She did not hesitate to kiss any child who came up to her. 
The flowers were significant for those receiving them, because each had a 
ribbon tied to it that contained a Church blessing. Yes… the lovely Grand 
Duchess… so young… smiling so kindly with her arms full of flowers… 
surrounded by crowds of happy and well-behaved children… while her 
husband and her father stood in the background chatting with the bridge’s 
engineers. It was a pleasant event and a flawless photo-op, a happy moment 
for a nation that was moving forward in the world. And… as the news 
commentator noted, the bridge already was paid for. No money needed to be 
borrowed to build it, so all tolls would go directly to local schools and road 
repairs. A totally satisfying moment for the country, epitomized by the 
country’s lovely young Duchess.

Kim wondered how long the illusion could last, how long before Anyia’s split 
existence caught up with her, and more importantly, with her father’s 
government. There was no question that Anyia was good at what she did; the 
act she presented to common citizens was perfect. There were times it seemed 
she really did embody the soul of a nation obsessed with tradition and yet 
confidently finding its proper place in the world and among its neighbors in 
Europe. There were times even Kim felt convinced… but she knew Anyia 
well enough to know that ultimately it couldn’t last. Not with the direction she 
was moving.

Kim turned off the television and buried her face in her hands. The Grand 
Duchess Anyia that the public knew was not the one the Spokeswoman knew. 
Anyia smiled much less in private. The way she carried herself was different. 
Her voice was different. The way she talked to people was different. The kind 
expressions and tender kisses for cheering school children were absent in the 
Royal Residence. The Anyia that Kim had to deal with was not the pleasant 
girl passing out flowers on that bridge. She was very different in private.

Kim picked up her desk phone, but then remembered she had forgotten 
something important. Because she faced taking action against another person, 
her faith required her to pray. She would seek the guidance of the Ancients, of 
the ancestral spirits that watched over the ancient land of Danubia. She 
understood that she was being forced to do something that easily could expose 
her to false visions of The Destroyer and the thought of that terrified her.

She got on her knees and closed her eyes:

“Oh Creator and the spirits of those who came before me… I wish to speak 
the truth… let me speak with honesty… I ask of you to keep the Destroyer’s 
visions from entering my thoughts and speech… to protect those to whom I 
wish to speak… I ask of you… to let me speak with humility… but to use my 
words to bear honest witness to the time in which you have placed my life… 
If any evil from my actions should befall anyone… please let it fall on me 
alone. That is what I ask of you… Oh, Creator, and the spirits of those who 
came before me.”

Once she finished praying, Kim took a deep breath and dialed the private line 
of the residence of Prime Minister Vladim Dukov. He picked up, on a phone 
that was exclusively for family members and a few of his most trusted 
advisors. With a shaky voice, the Spokeswoman told the nation’s Prime 
Minister that she needed to talk to him and the first lady about his daughter, 
and talk to them in private.

----------

Kim left the Central Police Station and crossed the Central Plaza. She entered 
the National Parliament Building and a minute later was standing in the 
reception area of the Prime Minister’s Office. Vladim and Maritza arrived a 
few moments later, brought over in a police van. A pair of cops escorted them, 
which was the only security they needed or wanted. As demanded by protocol, 
Kim snapped to attention and saluted. The First Couple saluted back before 
inviting the Spokeswoman into the back office.

Kim’s hands shook, because she didn’t know how to begin. Indeed, even if 
you are close to him, just how do you tell a Prime Minister that you think the 
country’s Grand Duchess, who just happens to be his daughter, is demented 
and should not be allowed a Royal courtesy that is an 800-year old tradition? 
Finally the Spokeswoman began with:

“Prime Minister, I… I need to ask if you remember my client, Criminal # 
101025?”

“The Colombian girl?”

“Yes, Prime Minister. The Colombian girl.”

“Indeed, Kimberly, I do remember her. If I am not mistaken, she is the 
criminal that you have chosen to keep at the house of my brother.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“… and the one who, if I might add, you represented admirably during trial. I 
was impressed when I reviewed that case, by how well you defended her 
interests.”

“I suppose, Prime Minister… yes... thank you.”

“… and the one my brother has fallen in love with.”

Kim’s face went pale and her heart pounded.

“Yes, Prime Minister … the criminal that Merchant Victor Dukov has fallen 
in love with.”

“Is that what you wish to discuss with me, Kimberly?”

“No, Prime Minister, I’ve got a different problem. I… the problem is that... 
Anyia… the Grand Duchess… Grand Duchess Anyia… wants my client to go 
to the Royal House… take her out of Victor’s house… transfer custody… and 
take her tomorrow… and I… I don’t think she ought to go.”

The Prime Minister and his wife exchanged glances. Maritza tightened her 
lips.

“She should not go... because of my brother, or because of Anyia?”

“Because of Anyia… and the whole Royal House. I don’t think that’s where 
she ought to go.”

“… and the issue of my brother is of no concern to you?”

“Not at this time, Prime Minister… I’m not worried about that right now.”

"You will understand, Kimberly, that I am indeed concerned about my 
brother's behavior. What he is doing is not appropriate at all."

"I... I understand that, Prime Minister. If... I... if Merchant Dukov were my 
only problem I'd be trying to address it right now... but... the Grand Duchess is 
what I'm worried about. I don't want her to have custody of Criminal # 101025. 
I really don't think she should have custody of any criminals and I think the 
ones she already has… ought to be taken out of her house and turned back 
over to the Ministry. She may be your daughter, but I believe her soul is 
damaged and she's not suited to hold custody over anyone, and I don't want 
my client to live under her control."

Kim shook and went pale, because it had not been her intention to express her 
opinion so forcefully.

Dukov exchanged glances with Maritza... but stayed silent for a moment 
trying to think how to respond. Finally he sat back and tapped his fingertips 
together as he answered:

"You will understand that I am indeed aware of the situation in my daughter's 
house. One of the guards assigned to protect the Royal Residence recently 
enlisted in the Secret Service of the National Police. His new duties include 
reporting anything unbecoming in that household. I have since heard many 
unpleasant things about my daughter and my son-in-law. You will understand 
that I am distressed about my daughter's behavior, and I feel that is an 
unfortunate reflection upon myself."

Kim interrupted: "No Prime Minister, it's not a reflection on you, really it 
isn't."

Dukov gave his guest a harsh look: "Kimberly, you must accept that if 
Maritza and I brought Anyia into the world and nurtured her, ultimately we 
are responsible for what she does."

The Prime Minister continued: "You will understand that my position, and my 
ability to moderate Anyia's behavior, is compromised by a clause in the 
Constitution of 1780. You will understand that the Grand Duke reserves the 
right to adjourn Parliament. By tradition that is a mere formality, never to be 
exercised. However, my daughter has threatened to ask her husband to do just 
that, dismiss the government and rule by decree. Such an action would 
precipitate a constitutional crisis. In theory I would not be allowed to serve as 
Prime Minister until the crisis is resolved, and if I do attempt to serve, my 
administration would be illegal. You will understand to what extent this 
nation's enemies would be pleased with such a development."

"But would the Grand Duke actually do such a thing? Dismiss your 
government?"

"If Anyia tells him to, he would."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that, Kimberly. Just like that. I know her... I know both of them, and 
I know she's capable of doing such a thing... on nothing more than a whim...”

The Prime Minister paused for a moment, and continued:

"You are aware that my daughter's thinking is detached from reality. Her Path 
in Life is to serve the nation, but her belief is that the nation's Path in Life is to 
serve her. That includes all of us: Criminal # 101025, you, and even myself 
and my ministers. According to her thinking the purpose of our existence is to 
serve her. She exercises emotional control over the Grand Duke that I do not 
understand, but that control is such that he will do her bidding."

"Even if it destroys the government…”

"Yes. Even if it destroys the Danubian nation."

"What about changing the Constitution and getting rid of that part about the 
Grand Duke dismissing Parliament?"

Dukov smiled sadly.

"To change the Constitution requires a unanimous vote in the Parliament, 
approval by all of the nation's provincial governors, and a signature by the 
Grand Duke. There is no possibility that such a thing could happen. You will 
understand, at my daughter's urging, our monarch has expressed a desire to 
reassert the role of the Royal House as the supreme secular authority in 
Danubia, not see it diminished. Among other things, Anyia has expressed that 
she wishes to have the country's name changed back to "the Grand Duchy of 
Upper Danubia". I am convinced such an action would defy reality and 
damage this country's reputation among its neighbors. That is an example of 
what she wants that concerns me." 

"But... so... you're just trapped? You can't do anything?"

"I did not say that, Kimberly. I did not say that I have no intention of 
countering my daughter and her husband, and I do believe the Creator has 
enlightened me concerning what I must do. My hope is that I can resolve the 
conflict with my daughter with minimal harm to her, to my son-in-law, and to 
the nation. But I also am aware that I must exercise restraint, and I cannot 
counter her as quickly as I would like."

Noting that Kim was increasingly confused by what he was saying, Dukov 
decided he needed to get to the point.

"Earlier today I was visited by a Priestess from the Temple of the Ancients. I 
believe you know her; she is the custodian of your sister and of your friend 
Jason Schmidt. She also recently became the spiritual mentor of your client. 
She described to me the conversation she had with Criminal # 101025. She 
also related to me a vision of enlightenment that the Creator provided her last 
night. The Priestess explained that when the moment comes for me to 
confront Anyia and my son-in-law, I will have the backing of the Church. 
However, for the Clergy to take sides in such a dispute, there must be clear 
evidence that one side is following the will of the Creator and the other side is 
following the will of the Destroyer. The Priestess must have such proof before 
she or her superiors can take any action to assist me. But once I have their 
support, no one, not even the Grand Duke, will be able to act against orders 
issued by the Clergy.”

“You will understand that the Danubian Church normally refrains from 
interference in the affairs of the government. The Clergy are fully aware of the 
corrupting influence that politics invariably has on people of authority, and 
they have no desire to sully their relationship with the Realm of the Ancients 
by mixing with those of us who lust for power and material wealth. And yet, 
in times of extreme moral crisis, the Clergy can arbitrate. The Priestess 
expressed to me that she believes my conflict with my daughter and my son in 
law presents such a crisis. When the time is right, she and her superiors will 
confront the Grand Duke and tell him that his household will no longer enjoy 
the blessing of the Church unless he and my daughter desist from their 
ambitions. Should the Grand Duke not comply, the Church has the authority 
to abrogate his title. It is an authority the Church has used sparingly. The 
deposing of a monarch has happened only three times in this nation’s history, 
but those three incidences serve as an important reminder to the Royal Family 
that they must be humble in their service to the nation. Anyia has failed to 
uphold the burden the Creator has placed upon her, so the Clergy will need to 
remind her.”

“Thus, the issue will be resolved... quietly and with minimal risk to the nation. 
But to exercise such extreme authority, the Clergy must first feel justified, and 
I understand their concern. They cannot act unless they have firm proof 
concerning Anyia's troubles. So in my confrontation with my daughter I must 
exercise restraint until the proper moment arrives. I must leave that decision in 
the hands of the Creator."

"You are concerned about your client's well-being. I am concerned about your 
client's well-being as well. I wish I could allay the unpleasantness that awaits 
her, but her Priestess believes it is her Path in Life to serve the nation by 
living in the presence of my daughter. The Priestess believes that even before 
she boarded the plane in Panama, the Creator chose her for the task she is 
about to undertake. Once the Creator is satisfied her task is completed, 
Criminal # 101025 will leave the Royal Residence. She will return to your 
custody and re-enter the house of my brother."

Kim took a deep breath. "So... did she pray with you... the Priestess, I mean?"

"Yes. She prayed with me, actually with both me and Maritza. She also 
obligated us to be present at the Temple of the Ancients every Sunday for the 
ringing of the Sunset bell. We are to assist with the ringing of the bell, and 
then we will consult with her about the situation with my daughter. We are 
obligated to do that every Sunday until our troubles have been resolved."

Dukov paused, and his wife spoke next.

"Kimberly, we would be honored if you could come with us, every Sunday 
when we go to the Temple. It is appropriate that you pray on behalf of your 
client, just as we must pray on behalf of our daughter."

"I would be happy to accompany you, Historian Orskt-Dukovna."

----------

Kim left the Parliament Building with a heavy heart, because the gravity of 
what was going on with Anyia was far more serious than she could have 
imagined. However, at least one of her fears was resolved; the worry that the 
Prime Minister would not take her seriously. It was obvious he took the threat 
from his daughter seriously indeed.

Kim struggled not to feel hatred towards Grand Duchess Anyia. Her behavior 
was completely odious, but given the circumstances under which she became 
Grand Duchess, it was not surprising that she would see herself the way she 
did. If only she could have had the chance to train for her job as the Crown 
Princess for several years under the old Grand Duchess, probably she would 
have been alright. Sadly, she never had any opportunity to prepare for the 
position into which she had married. Her lack of maturity left her vulnerable 
to the false visions of the Destroyer. Really... how much could she be blamed?

Compounding Anyia's delusional behavior was the obvious personal 
weakness of the Grand Duke, who seemed to be an even more helpless 
figurehead than his father. The Grand Duke was a handsome and dashing man, 
but in reality he was nothing more than an amateur sportsman. If he was not 
riding his horses or playing golf or mountain climbing or playing soccer, he 
was restless and bored with life. He escaped to his various activities, leaving 
Anyia in charge. He adored his wife, in part because she was so supportive of 
his life of leisure. A deadly combination... a malleable week-willed monarch 
and a megalomaniac wife... how many times in history did such a combination 
wreck a country?

Marie Antoinette... yes, thought Kim, that comparison is appropriate... or 
worse yet, a better comparison would have been Czar Nicolas II and 
Alexandra... and Rasputin…

The Spokeswoman shuddered at the thought of what could happen. Things in 
Danubia could go terribly wrong, thanks to Anyia. 

----------

The next morning Kim and Carmen passed by Merchant Victor Dukov's house 
to take Criminal # 101025 to the Central Courthouse. Victor could not bring 
himself to witness the official transfer ceremony, nor did he have any desire to 
risk a confrontation with the Grand Duchess and her staff. Therefore he and 
Maria Elena agreed that they should say goodbye at the house and she would 
depart with her Spokeswoman alone. Cecilia Sanchez also would go, to 
perform her duties as Maria Elena's translator one last time.  


Maria Elena and Victor Dukov gave each other one long last kiss while the 
other three women nervously stood by. The couple no longer was concerned 
about what the others thought, given that they were going to be separated 
anyway. Victor squeezed Maria Elena's hand a final time and she walked off 
his property without looking back. The others caught up with her on the street 
and with that four women, two of them naked with collars and two of them 
dressed in fine linen, walked to the trolley stop.

When they arrived at the Central Courthouse, they noticed a minivan from the 
Royal House parked in front. Seeing that van dashed Maria Elena’s last hope, 
a vague thought that maybe the Royal Family would simply not bother to send 
anyone to pick her up. 

There was to be a brief ceremony to celebrate the transition of custody. In the 
past such a transition was an important event in a criminal's life; the 
abandonment of a harsh sentence of heavy physical labor and periodic 
switchings in exchange for one that was clean, relatively easy, and for a 
criminal, honorable. Maria Elena and her companions saw her transfer as 
precisely the opposite, a productive life forsaken for a much harsher one under 
an abusive Mistress. It certainly was nothing to celebrate.

Lord Horskti and Lord Vidmarkt were present, still wearing their ridiculous 
hats with those huge feathers. Accompanying them was a doctor from the 
Royal House. One of the Lords was holding a Royal House collar while the 
other was holding a chain and shackles. The thought of being shackled 
terrified Maria Elena, but tradition mandated that a criminal being transferred 
to the Royal House had to be restrained while en route to her new life.

With Cecilia standing and Carmen kneeling off to the side of the room, Kim 
led her client before the judge. She motioned with her fingertips for Maria 
Elena to kneel and place her head on the floor. She ordered her client to arch 
her back and spread her legs to fully display her genitalia, which unfortunately 
was part of protocol for a criminal being transferred.

The judge entered the courtroom. Immediately everyone saluted and shouted 
"Doc-doc Danube!" Maria Elena trembled slightly, but otherwise remained 
silent. The judge addressed Kim:

"Spokeswoman Lee-Dolkivna. This court understands that you wish to honor 
Criminal # 101025 by nominating her to serve in the house of the Grand Duke 
of Danubia?"

Bristling with resentment that the judge was implying that she was the one 
who had suggested the transfer, Kim struggled to respond: "Yes, Your Honor. 
I wish to nominate my client for service in the house of the Grand Duke."

"Lord Horskti and Lord Vidmarkt! Please step forward!"

The two Lords stepped forward.

"Do you accept the nomination of Criminal # 101025 to serve in the house of 
the Grand Duke?

"Yes, Your Honor! The Royal House gladly accepts this criminal into the 
midst of those privileged to serve the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess!"

"Very well. Lords, you will examine the criminal, and if she suits the needs of 
the Royal Household, you may take custody of her."

The Lords and the doctor approached Maria Elena and ordered her to stand up. 
The doctor gave her a quick examination, making sure that no teeth were 
missing, no bones were broken, that her sight and hearing were normal, and 
that her heart rate was healthy. The doctor ordered her to bend over and gave 
her a quick rectal exam, in full view of the trial judge and everyone else in the 
courtroom. Finally the medical examiner spread her vagina and looked inside 
to ensure that she was free from venereal disease and infection. Later Maria 
Elena would learn that the medical inspection simply was part of the transfer 
ceremony protocol, because much more thorough exam would be conducted 
at the clinic in the Royal Residence. The courtroom examination used to be 
much more important for choosing a healthy servant, but now was nothing 
more than yet another public humiliation to endure. The doctor turned to his 
companions:

"Criminal # 101025 appears to be in suitable physical condition to serve the 
Grand Duchess, Lords."

"Excellent. Your Honor, please inform Spokeswoman Lee-Dolkivna that the 
Royal House will accept transfer of the criminal."

The judge then asked the Spokeswoman for the documents that Lord Horskti 
and Lord Vidmarkt had forced her to sign a few days before, along with Maria 
Elena's criminal record. He removed the papers from their Ministry of Justice 
folder and put them into a leather case marked with the Royal Family logo. He 
handed the paperwork to the Lord who was holding the shackles.

The next step in the transfer was changing Maria Elena's collar. She was 
wearing a Ministry of Justice collar, which no longer was valid because no 
longer did she belong to the Ministry of Justice. The collar had to be taken off 
and replaced with a collar marking her as property of the Royal Family.

Cecilia was called forward to instruct the criminal what she needed to do to 
have the Ministry of Justice collar taken off without risking injury. The collar 
was a sturdy device that had a permanent latch. The collar was designed to 
last indefinitely and be impossible to take off without a special collar extractor. 
The extractor was a scary-looking piece of equipment that looked like an 
enormous pair of pliers with a multitude of clamps and levers. Once the 
extractor was attached to the collar, it first shot a firing pin into the latch to 
break it, and then gripped around the collar's edges to force it open. The 
criminal had to kneel facing a meter-high metal post and hold onto hand grips 
while the collar technician mounted the extractor. The key moment was when 
the firing pin was launched; because the criminal had to stay perfectly still to 
ensure a direct hit and a clean break of the latch. Most criminals had no 
problem carefully following instructions and staying still during the firing, 
because to remove the collar meant the end of their sentence.

As Criminal # 101025 knelt to have her Ministry of Justice collar removed, 
there was no joy felt by either her or her Spokeswoman. As much as she hated 
the drab metal device, she knew that she would grow to hate its successor 
much more. She closed her eyes and held her breath as she waited for the 
firing pin to snap the latch. A second later she felt the cool air of the 
courtroom on her neck as her collar was taken off, but she knew that feeling 
would only be momentary. She remained kneeling with her hands gripping the 
post while the collar technician placed a decorated brass and silver collar 
around her neck and latched it in place. It was much more attractive than the 
Ministry collar, but Maria Elena would have given anything not to be wearing 
it.

With tears running down her cheeks, the Colombian stood up and knelt in 
front of the Lords. Now it was official. Criminal # 101025 was property of the 
Royal House. The Lords ordered her to stand up and assume the prisoner's 
stance while they put metal cuffs on her wrists and ankles. They latched her 
hands behind her back and attached a short chain to her leg cuffs that forced 
her to walk with short steps. Finally, a Lord attached a metal chain to the loop 
in her new collar. He gave it a sharp tug to let the criminal know that she 
needed to follow him out of the building and into the waiting minivan.

Thus, naked, collared, shackled, and leashed, Maria Elena Rodriguez-Torres 
was ready to be delivered to her new custodian.