Queendom 03: Trial of Celibacy

"King Barthomius had a dog, right?" She asked, as the Queen stared back quizzically.

"Yes, you may answer." Bella nodded.

"He had an old black Saint Bernard for years, Buck. And he was lovely. He smelled and shed all around but he was the sweetest. Sadly, he died one year after we met. Bard had wanted a new dog, but I wasn't ready to replace Buck yet." Elanor answered without looking. When she finally did, she saw Bella looking back, not convinced.

"Okay, he hated me!" Elanor put her hands up. "It was sad, but part of me was relieved when he finally.."

"Then why not other pets? You could raise one to love you." Bella dug deeper.

"I'm not the biggest fan. I love horses, those are my kind! But cats, and dogs?! Roaming around the dirt and dragging it back in. Walking on four legs, and climbing on to my dress, waving the dirty tail. I mean, what's so adorable about something that can't even use their hands to eat?! I find even monkeys far more interesting. What can I say, it's not my thing."

Bellatrix made mental notes of it all. She didn't yet knew how to use it, but she knew it'd come in handy in the later tasks. She had a few ideas. She had always noted how rude Elanor can be when treating her staff, both servants and guards alike. Whether it's how she constantly screamed at Jokshun, the driver. Or the way she utterly embarrassed those two guards the other night, by reprimanding them in front of their peers. She remembered how upset Elanor sounded mentioning Tabitha in her recounting of that old memory. The same Tabitha who had walked in, when she was locked in the cabinet naked.

Then again it's one thing to toy with her annoyances, the surface level arrogances. Bella knew the Queen well enough to realize there sure was a no go zone underneath. Her chastity, for instance. Whether she preserved it for her next true love, or truly wished to keep it untouched in honor of her late husband, she was very clear on that point. Her chastity was to stay pristine. Bella also figured the same applied for her core beliefs. Like the honor of her country. The sanctity of her family. Even her relationship with His Holiness Bishop Benedictus. She shall not go near any of those, even by mistake.

There was a lot of material to work with. Then again Bella knew, even if she gave the most menial task, the Queen's luck now seemed such that she'll make it a humiliating experience on her on. The fate at play, as she called it. Bellatrix realized her main challenge was not going to be coming up with new tasks, but reeling the Queen in before she exhausted herself with the simplest of tasks. Elanor asked suddenly.

"Mistress, is it necessary that I attend her classes daily.? Doesn't it seem a little too risky?"

"Fair point. Let's do it by the book." Bella inhaled deeply, collecting her thoughts. Then she rolled out a piece of parchment from her pocket. "Imperial Special Training Contract, clause 9. The employer may choose to opt out of any tasks if, and only if, the probable outcome meets the following criteria. So answer me Harlot. (i) Does task compromise your identity in anyway?"

Elanor shook her head.

"Okay. (ii) Does the task risk serious bodily harm to your Highness?"

"Nope."

"Of course not. Now (iii) Does the task impede with your ability to preserve your chastity?"

Putting the spoon down, Elanor looked at her Mistress, in defeat. "No, it doesn't." Her plate was empty.

"That settles it then." Bella stood up putting the dishes back to the tray. "Tomorrow onward you'll go there on your own, with Jokshun of course. It's arranged such that no one else will visit the estate an hour before and after your appointment. Just make sure your mask is secured at all times. I know it can be hard. Remember why we started this in the first place. I wouldn't ask for it if I had no faith in the plan. Now go wash up fast, you need to rest."

As Elanor got up and walked towards the side room Bella said. "Wait."

The Queen stopped and looked back confused. Bella spoke.

"You speak as if you didn't enjoy the task today the least bit. Tell me, was it because you had to stay naked in front of Adriana?"

"That too.." Elanor mumbled like a kid.

"Well, you are naked now..! Tell me, as irritating as it was, did you feel better when you detailed it to me a little earlier. Or was the recounting even harder to go through?"

"What do you mean?" Elanor's gestures suited more of a teenager now. "I hated it then, and I hated saying those now. Even thinking of it gets my blood boiling..!"

"Oh, I believe you Harlot!" Bella smirked, and turned the chair towards Elanor. "Of that, I have no doubt."

Elanor looked down confused what she meant. It was the same cushioned chair she had been sitting all this while, having dinner. As she looked between Bella and the chair, her eyes locked in on the unmistakable dark patch in the middle of the light yellow seat cushion. Right were Elanor's thighs separated while sitting, a clear glistening patch, still wet and dripping at the edges.

"That is not.. I did not.." Elanor was truly at a loss for words. She felt the blood run out of her extremities, her fingers growing cold, her feet sweating all of a sudden. The blush on her cheek was so red, she shook her head annoyed. She didn't know what to make of it, the way her body behaved. And why it did so. Bella too wondered the same, though she never showed it on her face. Like an angry teenager evading an argument, the Queen shrugged her shoulders and dashed off to wash her hands.

By the time she returned, Bella had made the bed. For tonight's sleeping position, both her arms and legs were bound to the bedpost. Sleeping spread eagle wasn't as hard as she had expected, yet it made her feel extremely vulnerable. The ropes were loose enough to not cut the blood flow, nor did it stretch her limbs too tight. But there was no way she could close her thighs, nor cover her breasts. The Queen felt like she was for the taking for anyone who happened to walk right in.

Bella said, "My Queen. There is a chance I might send the guards back to your chamber doors later in the night. I will come and untie the ropes by morning, till then try to get some rest. Now I hope for your sake you don't get a nightmare. Because if you wake up screaming in the middle of the night... You know, your loyal guards will rush in. So again, try to have a peaceful sleep. If you don't want your men to get an eyeful, that is. It's not like you'll be able to cover up even."

Saying this Bellatrix left the room through the main entrance, leaving the Queen to a troubled sleep.

The next few days went just as planned for Elanor. She had long stopped resisting the fate. By the third day, to her surprise, she had begun to enjoy Adriana's tutoring. Her language bordered on crass, and her fingers still dipped and lingered at the unwelcomed parts of her skin. Yet nothing spoke like results, and Elanor enjoyed the progress she made in a handful of days. She wasn't sure if she had always loved it, or merely learned to. But dancing had always been her favorite outlet, so much that she had even changed her childhood music classes to dance lessons. Since the events that lead to her Queendom, she never had a chance to return to that mental space. The space where she used to dance senseless. To her heart's content, till she dropped down breathless.

A minor difference though, Adriana made sure none of her steps was a result of expressing oneself. She had high hopes on this new student, known to her as 'Demura'. And she instilled in her from the very beginning. This is a dance emerging from loins, and resulting in loins. Elanor's least favorite part though was how by the end of each session, she made her smell the soiled clothes of her partner for the day. Adriana would say. "Breathe in the pre-cum, and remember it's scent. If the room isn't filled with it by the time you finish, consider your performance wasteful..!!" She was a tough taskmaster, and had very high standards. And it played perfectly well into Elanor's psychology. She never had a teacher who didn't brim with pride by her performance.

Whatever it is that Bella had planned, it seemed to be working. Elanor never had an episode of existential doubt, or a case of chaotic indecisiveness the whole week. Not even in dreams, as uncomfortable as it felt sleeping tied up. And the methods got increasingly complex, her latest sleeping posture resembling more of a contortionist by the time Bella was done tying her up. One night during supper, she couldn't help but ask.

"Mistress, if I may? The way you tie me up every night, how do you know so many knots? I mean, most of them can't be found even in the archives."

Bellatrix just smiled.

"What's the next doubt? How many students have I forced to ride a horse naked through the streets.?"

They both just laughed a little, as Elanor corrected herself. "That's not how I meant.."

"You, my Queen.." Bella interjected. "I've been running a hundred different ways, thinking up thousand distinct tasks, all of which had never even crossed my mind before. Things I never even knew existed.. All for you. Your good health. Your peace of mind. And for this great Kingdom. All of it, including the knots."

Elanor just nodded. She was expecting Bella's usual taunt, her persona as the Mistress had grown quite powerful the last week. The last thing she expected was the heartfelt truth. Bella continued.

"And as for how I know.. Have you ever met Hattori Ishikawa?"

Elanor had no idea if that was even a person.

"It's okay. You will, tomorrow. It's the next task."

The Queen was intrigued. After all she had been preparing for this for almost a week now. Not knowing what's expected of her the whole while. She asked, "So Mistress, we are not going dancing tomorrow?"

"No." Said Bellatrix, "Tomorrow, we go to the church..!"

Church.? The church.?! It can't be the Cathedral. No, Bella wouldn't do that. Not with the High Priest present. Wait, does the Bishop know of this? Are we to meet Father Benedictus tomorrow? No, that can't be it. He's like a father to me, like a father to Bella. Wait, am I to confess to father tomorrow, all that happened so far, in all it's entirety?

God no, please no. That would be so humiliating. So soul crushing. And not just for me, for him too. After all, it was his idea, for Bella to take this case. No, Bella wouldn't do that. Then again, what if she thought, she absolutely believed, it was the only way to help me. After all, who can predict what goes on in that brilliant little head of hers. Still, let that surprise not be Father Benedictus. Anyone but him, oh God! Anyone but him..

With a head full of queries, Elanor washed herself, and waited at the bed. For her mistress to tie her up.

"Not tonight Elanor." Bella said. "Ishikawa asked specifically to let you sleep freely tonight, no more tying up. He says it's part of the preparation. Get some sleep."

"Wait.." Elanor said. She knew she won't get any answers about the task. Yet she had to ask something. "Earlier this week, before meeting Lady Adriana, before going to Ormangrad Estate. On the road, you asked me which way to go, left or right."

"And you chose right, you chose Lady Adriana.."

"What if I had chosen left? What was the other option?"

"Well.. remember Clause 9 (ii), the one about risking serious bodily harm.. Let's just say I'm glad you chose to go right. Else we would have really pushed clause 9(ii) to it's extreme."

"Would it have helped?" Elanor asked without blinking. "..with my condition. Would it have helped it substantially.?"

What is with this woman, Bella was baffled. Every time I draw a line, she just wants to jump over and run a mile. "It was a long shot, and probably would have lasted only a day. But I'm extremely pleased that you chose the other. Especially in light of my meeting with Adriana today. She thinks you are a new rising star.!"

Elanor smiled with her already sleepy eyes. She had a grueling dance session earlier that evening. She asked. "Will I at least get to dance tomorrow?"

Bellatrix smiled back, pulling the blanket over her bare skin. "My Queen, I doubt you'll get to move an inch even."

Elanor didn't know when she drifted into dreams. But there sure were a many migrant workers. All dirty, sweaty, and chatty with their foreign tongues. And surely she made her way through them, holding on to the tiny towel wrapped around her chest.

And it felt wonderful.

***

**

*

The Task At last

The next morning.

Elanor walked up the Cathedral stairs, followed by Bellatrix. She took of her hat, causing her lush hair to unfurl. It looked blonde now, freshly dyed and treated. Bella had managed to convince her this was the best disguise. She used an experimental dye, much like the one from the Knighthood ceremony. Add to it her face veil, and no one would mistake her for the Queen now.

As they walked up, an older priest was standing at the entrance, against the huge teak doors. He was clearly from the far eastern lands of Yamato, across the seas far from the six Kingdoms. Port towns of Wolkenshire had always been a cultural hub, so it wasn't unusual to run into men of all tribes and kinds. But to see a Yamatan in the clergy was utterly surprising to Elanor.

He looked middle aged, with a few greys. And that is old, compared to the young clergymen that occupied most positions. He held his neck high, like a sailor, and his posture had a peculiar sense of stability. Like he could face off anything and not move an inch. An absolute rock. His long dark robes covered most of his physique, but his long veiny weathered fingers couldn't help but tell, there wasn't much these hands hadn't been through.

He introduced himself as Hattori Ishikawa, an ordained deacon to the ministerial manager. They bowed to each other in respect, and he led them both to the inner sanctums of the cathedral, to the ancient crypts. Elanor felt like she was being watched as they walked the corridors, but she thought it's probably her paranoia acting up. After all, she had no idea what was expected of her. It also felt very odd and wrong, anticipating for something essentially carnal, not just in so sacred a space, but at such early hours of the day break.

As overwhelming as they seemed at the time, all the tasks so far had felt natural, the shame and sensuality of it experienced under the comforting blanket of the night. This is peak time, the most precious hours of the day. She would be preparing for the royal court in most days. And now she prepared her mind to call upon the lust in her. It all seemed untimely and mildly wasteful. But it never stopped her from listening keenly as the clergyman explained. It's not like then lust in her ever slept. Especially lately.

Ishikawa said. "Lady Agrafena told me you volunteered. Lady Demira..?"

'Oh, did I?!' Elanor shot a look at her smiling Mistress, as she corrected. "It's Demura, Father."

"Well Demura, I'm sure you know it very well, the ritual. After all you are a native, unlike me. Still, it's the tradition for the Chief erotician of the ceremony to enlighten the 'Sacrificial Pure' of the ritual, the ordained celibates, and of course the Ultimate Trial of Celibacy."

'Trial of Celibacy?! Oh no!' Elanor remembered that word, it's something Barthomius had mentioned as the weirdest things he came across as a King. Elanor never gave it much weight, thinking it was him simply pulling her leg, quite sure it couldn't be more than a mere myth. As they reached the stairs leading underground, the clergyman pointed towards a small room next to it.

"Ladies, I'm afraid you have to change in there. Only traditional attire is permitted within the crypt, you'll find robes and stola inside. I'll wait by the stairs. And Lady Demura, on Agrafena's request I've procured a ceremonial leather mask for you. We don't wish to violate your privacy after all. So please put in on as well."

As the clergymen left, Bella hurried helping the Queen undress, stating they were already running late. Elanor was conflicted, though not for the normal reasons. As she changed into a simple stola, Bellatrix put on the robes, and proceeded to buckle up the leather mask on to the Queen's face. From the quality of the thread work on the mask alone, it was evident that they weren't the first visitors asking for anonymity. It covered half her face, like a domino mask, only bigger. With thick mesh covering even the eyes, which made the visibility of the wearer questionable. It also had an elastic detachable gag hanging from one side of the buckle.

"Mistress, I'm not so sure about this..?"

"Hmm.. That isn't new." Bellatrix replied in her stoic tone.

"Mistress, it the 'Trial of Celibacy'.. I don't know if you are aware, but it's supposed to include men.. As in multiple men. More than a handful even."

Bella fixed her hair and mask, smirking. "So.? There will be a couple, so what? You'll manage. It's a ceremonial task, they are not going to pounce upon you, relax.. Besides, you seemed to handle that handful of vagrants very well, the other night. These ones will behave better at least."

"But Mistress.."

"Hey.. Your identity, safety and chastity. Those are my responsibilities. Meaning anything else, is fair game.. Hmm, you know what." Bella yanked the elastic gag, and placed it over the Queen's parted lips.

"That'd shut you up for now."

She led the distressed submissive down into the darkness of the crypt, accompanied by an eager clergyman. He led them through the underground cave system towards the sacred cellar. It was dark, and dimly lit, yet somehow had surprisingly good ventilation. Otherwise Elanor would have fainted, she had a hard enough time from the paranoia alone. Still she wasn't surprised when he approached her with a stack of thick white ropes. She was quite used to it, from all the nights spend tied up. If anything the certainty of it helped her relax.

With gleeful eyes, Ishikawa got to work. He continued to talk to Bella about himself, as he worked on the gagged speechless Queen. He used to be a shibari artist and trainer in his homeland, in what he called another lifetime. He had traveled the lands and seas, traded, warred, and did all things under the sun. Finally finding solace in the Cathedral, giving himself to faith. He said he owed it all to Bishop Benedictus, and his now Brother Lupsink. So even after cutting all ties to his previous life, when the church needed a new erotician, he felt compelled to take it on himself. The old shibari artist in him finding a final outlet.

By the time he used up all his ropes, the Queen had both her forearms secured behind against the hilt of her lower spine. Bella recognized the binding. Box-tie. Her torso was hung freely from the ceiling, her left toe barely grazing the ground for balance. Her right leg had been folded at the knee, and bound tight and apart that her nether remained exposed. That would be a simple Futo-momo, Bella noted. She had tied her up enough times to recognize at least the simple knots.

Elanor still had her stola on, but it barely covered her skin, part of the breasts and ass hanging out. Even with all the week's training, this was beyond what Elanor could envision. As soon as Ishikawa left the cellar to get additional ropes, she called upon Bellatrix for help.

"Mistress please.. It's broad daylight. In the church grounds.. Participating in this one puts me really on the edge." With her eyes pleading, Elanor managed to speak through the rope, though it was mostly unintelligible.

Bella felt amused, they way the ruling monarch spoke in barely legible tongue, shaking like an excited puppy. Pinching her lips shut, Bella said.

"Shh... Don't you get it Queenie. The task isn't to participate in the Trial! Hanging tied as horny men ogle at your shame, any tart could do that. There is no challenge there. The aim of the trial if for the celibates to excite your body, with out staining your chastity of course, but excite you so much, that you'd just give in to them all and orgasm. That is the culmination of the trial.. And your task, Highness, is to not give in. Endure the trial of celibacy without having an orgasm, that my Queen, is the actual task. And this time, if you fail, you might lose your privileges within the Castle. Privileges that I had explained on the new draft of the employment contract, which I'm sure you never read. But don't worry. You don't have to read it. All you have to do, is to not orgasm."