Thread: The royal harem of Rhodesia (DaveTheHuman x Poppy)

Circes eyes took in the sight of the strapping blonde man who entered the harem. Compared to the former King, who was balding and overweight, this man was a sight to behold. He wasnt dressed in the finery that a typical king would insist on wearing, instead wearing simple clothes. But it was easy to tell, even from her seated position, that he would tower over any woman in the harem. But there was something undeniably familiar about him, but she couldnt place her finger on it. She had taken a break from reading the book she had chosen, putting it down in her lap. It would be for the best to give her new liege her entire attention. It was obvious from the reactions of the assembled women that his attractiveness was admired. But, when he offered that any woman was free to leave the harem, they exchanged looks. Of course, the highest ranking women who still had their family alive were already gone. This left the lower noble girls, whose family couldnt afford to care for them, would receive them with shame, or simply were deceased. But, with news that their travels home would be funded, this changed some of the womens minds towards entertaining the thought of leaving. Once the new King was done speaking, one of the oldest women in the harem got to her feet and approached the treasurer. This was a woman who many in the harem looked up to. She was past her prime years for child bearing, having been brought into the harem the year that the last Rinali King was crowned. She walked with a silent grace, the first one to begin to inform the Treasurer that she wished to return home. This gave the majority of the girls the bravery to come forward as well and stand in the line in order to be allowed to leave and have the money to do so. After all, funding their travels and providing a small stipend for their service was certainly cheaper than having to feed and outfit them and possible children they could now birth in the harem. Circe went back to her book, opening it and silently returning to the task of reading. There was no point in leaving the harem. Every blood relative of hers had been executed long ago. She had no family, her home given away to more loyal nobles. By the time the women lined up, there were less than ten left in the large room. The harem was designed to house 100 women, in addition to the servants and guards they required. And then, there was even more space for any children that could be bone. The women were spread out in the room, obviously not a part of the same social circles that existed in the harem. They were of varying ages and appearances. One of the girls who remained was young and beautiful, the last harem wife the former King had taken. She wore the most vibrant clothing and the best jewelry. The dark haired beauty had been well loved, and her family were nobles who served the King by acting as advisors. They had chosen to have her stay versus bringing her home, as she could serve the new King and perhaps even become Queen if she performed up to the task. If she were to birth his first son, that would be even better. Her name was Aurelia. Then we will be the ones to stay, and serve the new monarch. I am Sorrell, the eldest of the harem. The woman who spoke was the eldest out of the assembled, in her early thirties. From what she could surmise, she was now the oldest and in the hierarchy of the harem, expected to be the mother figure to the girls. At least, until the King might choose a wife from their numbers. Then, the wife would rule over the harem as her personal court, the women her handmaidens in a way. The former King had not chosen a wife, so the oldest member of the harem took the job. She was in an unfortunate situation, her family having been in the Holy Church, the personal priests for the former King. There was no way they would allow her back into the family, seeing her as nothing more than a whore who was an embarrassment to them. She had long, thick and curly rust colored hair and emerald green eyes. It will be our honor to help propagate your lineage. A woman with whispy blonde hair and a soft voice added, a little older than Circe. She was the most skilled at hand crafts, excelling in sewing and any other similar task. Her work was treasured in the harem, seen for the works of art that they were. She was busy setting to the task at hand, working on decorating a handkerchief that would be a gift to the new King. She honestly was thin enough to appear unhealthy, lithe in form. Her name was Germaine. The white haired girl said nothing, instead choosing to stay silent and watch everything. The other girls in the harem that remained did the same, in order to figure out the new King.