The Lord's Right
"It seems our game is mine, My Lord," Lelouch Vi Britannia smiled smugly.
"Indeed, it seems that your reputation as an excellent chess player is not exaggerated," Arturia frowned at the board, going over her moves mentally. He was skilled and it was frustrating to her.
She wasn't exactly a Chessmaster, but she was good at chess. Lancelot and Gawain were known for their skills at chess, she was good, but she didn't have much time for the game since she was busy running her kingdom.
"You did well," Lelouch congratulated her. "You are unpredictable. That made the game entertaining."
"It was a fine game," Arturia Pendragon smiled. "You are a quick thinker and an excellent strategist."
A servant entered the library and bowed before her, "Your Highness, the members of your Council are here. They have many things to discuss with you regarding the realm."
"I see," Arturia spotted her court jester and called to him. He came running, tripped and fell over, causing her to chuckle.
"Your Highness, what would you have me do for you?" he asked in a serious tone after bowing.
"Take Prince Lelouch into the city with you, it was raining yesterday and it might amuse him to see the city and its people."
"As you wish Your Highness," Sir Dagonet bowed. He gestured to Lelouch, "Follow me, my lord."
They headed into the city.
They explored the city, Lelouch noticed the many traders in the marketplace and he noted there were beautiful women in dresses drawing the attention of the men.
"Camelot's Geese, lad, they are beautiful, you can have what you please from them for a price. They sate many a man in this city," Sir Dagonet, Arturia's Court Jester explained.
"Since the King is a woman, wouldn't she outlaw the houses of ill repute?" Lelouch was surprised. Bathhouses that doubled as brothels were something of a staple back in his home country. Clovis had "been made a man" at one of them, with an account so amusing it still made his brother turn red in the face if the matter was brought up.
"No, Your Highness, even she knows men have their vices. She said it was a necessary evil. And the Bishop of Canterbury would never let her hear the end of it if she shut it down. He is a regular client here. The people would revolt if she tried to shut them down."
"Her Bishop?!" Lelouch balked.
"The tales of a city at peace where truth, love and justice reign are exaggerated by many, but it is peaceful here because the King keeps a close watch over the less than savory sections of the city. She also keeps the nobles on a tight leash, if you catch my meaning."
"Does she trust them?" Lelouch asked.
"No, of course not, many resent her for being a woman, the common soldiers are impressed, for she fights on the battlefield as well as any man, but the nobles are jealous because of her claim to the throne that no man can challenge."
"The sword that chooses kings, I thought it was an embellishment," Lelouch raised an eyebrow.
"It was real, but she lost it in battle, it was broken, she now has the sacred sword Excalibur."Tis a fine weapon."
The two continued walking.
"Here's an excellent place to eat and drink, let me buy you something," Dagonet told him.
"No, I have money," Lelouch scowled. "I do not wish to subsist on charity."
They ate some pastries that Lelouch bought with some money he'd won from the chess match with the King.
"How is the court?" Lelouch asked.
"Camelot is the same as any other court, intrigue, plotting, scheming, it happens here too. Every man is trying to either win the King's favor or kill her."
Lelouch kept up with the court jester.
"Sir Dagonet, are you happy in her service?" Lelouch asked the dwarf.
The Court Jester turned to the hostage Prince, "Yes, I am quite happy to serve her Highness. To serve her is a joy. Besides, I am one of the few people in court who can be frank with her."
"I see."
Lelouch's eyes fell on a familiar face, then they widened in surprise. Of all people, he did not expect to see her there.
"Milly Ashford?" Lelouch asked gently.
"Your Highness, Lelouch Vi Britannia," Milly greeted him, bowing.
"I did not expect to see you here," he admitted. She was beautiful, but the last time he'd seen her, her father had been stripped of his titles by Petty King Charles Zi Britannia. His father had been greedy for their lands and decided he would take them because he could. The family had lost everything when his mother had died. They had been her patrons since she was a commoner by birth.
"You don't have to do this, Milly, Camelot is vast and there are many other choices available to you."
"Money is money, Lelouch, and there are always men who need pleasant company. Besides, the King keeps a close eye on both the clientele and the women here. I'll claw by way back up there you'll see, my mother has not found a suitable marriage proposal yet, I'm sure it will work out, so don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
"Milly," Lelouch reached out to her.
"Not that I wouldn't mind your company, but you still have to pay," Milly smiled mischievously.
"I do not have money, but perhaps I will come and visit you when you aren't working," Lelouch smiled.
Milly Ashford gave him one last glance and walked away.
Arturia Pendragon entered the bathhouse; she approached the owner of the bathhouse, the owner stared in surprise, "My King, might we offer you our services? Do you need a bath or…something else? We do have some men here, or women, if that's what you prefer. Eh, don't tell your Bishop."
"My Bishop is your regular client as is many in the clergy; not telling him is rather useless, I'm sure that the nobles would prefer if I desired women over men, even if it were just to see me burnt at the stake. The last thing they want me to have is a child, even a bastard. Lady, I come for business, not pleasure, I am here to inspect your place of business."
"Yes, of course, My Lord, you could just have someone else do it," the owner told her.
"Even I know this place doubles as a brothel," Arturia frowned. "I may disapprove, but I can't have the city in an uproar over this place being shut down. Men have their vices; I cannot make anyone do anything. So I'm going to look around."
Sir Ulfias entered the room; he was in charge of the royal treasury. "Inspect their accounts and collect the taxes. I could send someone else to do this, but I prefer someone I actually trust to handle this matter."
Her steward began looking over the accounts.
Arturia caught the scent of ash and sweat; the women were working, in more ways than one.
A cry split the silence, profanity, male groaning, a female whimper. She could see a man, King Mark, whom she knew, sitting in a round wooden tub, the woman straddling his waist, her lower body hidden by the water.
The woman squealed and whimpered until she sighed. The water splashed onto the muddy ground.
"You owe me 51 silver pennies," she told him.
"No, you told me it was 10, Mark snapped, getting out of the tub.
"No, it's 51, you paid for "extra" services," she retorted.
Milly glanced at the woman, "Don't argue with him, he's a noble, they're all that way."
"You aren't even that good, I only pay if you're good," Mark smirked.
"You can't do that you—" she protested.
He slammed his fist into her face, he raised his fist again. Suddenly, someone grabbed it.
"That's enough, King Mark, that's enough!" Arturia told him sternly. "Pay her what you owe her."
"Why should a man of wit and learning such as I pay a whore who can't even please me?" Petty King Mark smirked.
"If you wish to keep your wit, Your Highness, you'll pay what you owe, or by my faith, I will make you witless!"
She removed her dagger Carnwennan from her belt, pointing it at his "wit", which had gone limp.
"Arturia, you certainly know how to cool a man's ardor," King Mark sneered. "No wonder no noble, let alone a man will marry you, let alone take you to their bed!"
She retorted with a punch of her own that sent him sprawling.
She glowered at him, "Finish your bath and dress, you are still my guest tonight, do make yourself presentable at least. Pay the harlot what you owe her, or I'll tell your Marshal you pay them more than you pay him in gifts."
King Mark growled and then slapped the money into the woman's hand.
She finished bathing him and he dressed, stomping out.
"Are you all right?" the King asked.
"Yes, Your Highness, it's nothing," she said hastily, bowing. "Thank you."
Arturia nodded, turned and left. Ulfius found her.
"Everything is in order, Your Highness," he said.
"Good," she replied. They left the bathhouse and returned to the castle.
Arturia had returned to her bedchambers and remained deep in thought.
"Is something on your mind, Arturia?" a voice asked.
The King turned, looked up to see her mother enter the room.
"Ah, mother! I am glad to see you!" she greeted Igraine, embracing her warmly.
They sat together.
"I ask for your advice, mother. What am I to do with Prince Lelouch Vi Britannia?"
"He is your hostage, but I know little about such things. I suppose Charles Zi Britannia expects you to not harm him in exchange for a peace agreement with him."
"My father began his war with Charles Zi Britannia long ago. I do not expect that man to keep any of his oaths. And I thought you said you knew little of such things Mother."
"That is the extent of my knowledge; you are fond of him, aren't you?" Igraine asked.
Arturia shook her head in fervent denial, "No, no, mother why would you say such things? He's arrogant, egotistical and proud."
"He is handsome enough for you," Igraine smiled lightly.
"So a pretty face washes away all dishonor then, you should know, you—" Arturia stopped. "Apologies, mother. I have spoken out of my own frustration. Forgive me, I—"
"I know, child, I know, I did not know it was Uther who lay with me that night. He had the face of my husband, his voice, his scent. He was sweet, endearing and charming. He behaved as Gorlois always had. I did not know, he deceived me with a lie, but he did love me. He told me that much when you were born."
"That is easy to say when my father is dead," Arturia smiled sadly. "Seeing my face must make you unhappy."
"Nonsense," Igraine touched her cheek, "You are my daughter and you have made me proud. Let not your heart be troubled. Seeing you makes me glad."
Arturia sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "I almost think it would be easier to pretend to be a man, Merlin has ways to hide my gender, then men would stop treating me like I am nothing more than an amusing jest."
"You would cut yourself off from everyone else?" Igraine queried.
"It would make me a good king. I would be able to judge them wisely, and not let my own emotions get in the way."
"They would see you as inhuman, by revealing your gender; you let them understand you better."
"The commoners, yes, the nobles only see my emotions as a weakness they can exploit."
"You are strong, Arturia, and that is why they fear you. You have ideals that you have never strayed from. It is why men admire and love you."
"No man in this entire land loves me. They do not want me to be a person they want me to be a thing. The crown. I wish to have both, but I suppose that's impossible."
"Have you decided whether or not you will be married?" Igraine asked.
"I wish it were so simple, were I a man, many nobles have offered me their hand, a matrilineal marriage is something they will not give me."
"It may work out yet, Arturia," Igraine smiled.
Arturia bowed and left her room; she headed to the feasting hall and took her seat at the table. She bid her bishop to bless the meal.
"Well, my lord, King Mark, you certainly have a magnificent black eye," Maleagant sneered.
"A fight at the local tavern, nothing more than that," King Mark replied.
"It must have been quite a fight, my lord, for someone such as you to be bruised by it," Arturia gave him a knowing smile.
He laughed nervously, "Yes, yes it was."
Lelouch laughed, understanding the truth of the matter.
They began to eat the fine foods set before them as a minstrel stepped forward and announced himself.
The Minstrel stepped forward, he spoke, "I will now sing of King Arthur's war against the 11 Kings."
The crowd clapped and cheered.
The minstrel began his song and sang of King Arthur's magnificent battles. Lelouch paid little attention to the song itself and began examining the nobles' faces. Some were actually listening.
Many were murmuring among themselves. They did not speak too loudly.
The minstrel finished his song and the nobles clapped appreciatively, not being too rowdy.
"I propose a toast to the King, that she may find a man among us worthy of being her husband!" Lancelot called out.
"The only way the King is going to find a man is to evoke ius primae noctis," Maleagant mocked.
"Who do you think I am Sir Maleagant, Gilgamesh the King of Uruk?" Arturia glowered at him.
'The man was a fine King, did whatever he pleased," Maleagant smirked.
"Enkidu was not so pleased, he tracked him down and beat him for it," Arturia reminded him.
"They did become friends after that, if I remember the story correctly," Lelouch added.
"And no one ever mentioned ius primae noctis ever again in that story," Arturia smiled. "I have no admiration for that man or men like him. His arrogance is insufferable to read about. He is not a man I would want to meet."
"Like you would be able to meet someone like him!" Kay laughed. "How would that happen? Magic?"
"I suppose it could happen; it would be a marvelous and extraordinary adventure to speak to great men who have left their mark on the world. It would probably never happen to someone like me, as extraordinary as my own life is."
"How do you know about it, Lelouch?"
"A crusader told us the story, said he heard it while traveling to the Holy Land from the locals."
Merlin is wise and has studied many things, so he told it to me."
"Weren't you conceived by ius primae noctis, you whelp?" Maleagant taunted Lelouch. "Why else would a petty king have children by a commoner?"
"Shut your mouth, Maleagant!" Lelouch snarled, leaping to his feet.
Maleagant moved to confront him, walking around the table to glare at him, grabbing his shirt. "I'll give you a good beating, you whelp! At least your sister won't have to see it!"
Lelouch might not have been physically fit, but he had the element of surprise on his side, he slammed his head into Maleagant, head-butting him.
Maleagant staggered back in shock and moved to strike him with his fist, Lancelot stopped him.
"Stop this, or we will give you umble pie to eat, and you won't like it!" Lancelot said.
The thought of eating the disgusting food made from the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys of the deer they hunted made Maleagant stop. He scowled and sat down.
The Minstrel bowed before her, "My Lord, I shall prove my bravery, here and now!"
He promptly dropped his trousers before the entire court, revealing his virile member. Some of the ladies either reacted in shock or some of them giggled. Arturia's expression did not change.
"You would have to be brave to do that in this place!" Lelouch smirked.
"Bring me some honey!" the minstrel called. A kitchen boy brought him some. He spread it on his manhood, the knights seemed amused.
"Bring out the performing bear!" the minstrel called again. The bear was brought into the dining hall; the poor creature glanced around in confusion as it approached the minstrel.
"You do realize, good minstrel, should this stunt of yours go awry, I cannot guarantee that my physician can aid you with any injuries to your person," Arturia warned him.
"Of course Your Majesty," the minstrel said, smiling confidently.
"I'll wager he keeps his virile member intact," Lelouch smirked.
"I shall wager he loses it, I'll give you a new set of clothes and a chest of gold should I lose." Arturia grinned.
"What shall I give you should you win?" Lelouch smirked.
"A lover's kiss," Arturia smiled devilishly.
The knights roared with laughter.
"I'll take your bet," Lelouch replied.
"Lelouch, is this the trick with the minstrel, the bear, and the honey?" Nunnally asked.
"Yes, it is," he replied.
"How does she know it?" Kay raised an eyebrow.
"It amused our father," Nunnally admitted.
It was a very popular trick among the nobility when it came to minstrels.
"Shall we watch and see what becomes of this poor minstrel?" Arturia asked Lelouch.
The entire court waited with bated breath as the bear started lapping at the honey.