The foyer wasmy favorite location in the castle to meet my gentlemen. The natural stone floors accentuated the sound of my heels when I walked. My slow, but purposeful walk echoed in the stillness of thefoyer.
My three handsome young men waited side by side for me. I walked in front of them and randomly ran my hands along their chests and abdomens. All three were very fit and muscular. As my hand grazed over Michan’s backside, I imagined him in the stable. I squeezed his firm ass before giving it a playful smack. I remained behind him until I heard what I had expected tohear.
“Thank you, my Queen,” Michan saidquietly.
“You are welcome, my sweet one,” Isighed.
I walked back around to the front and faced them onceagain.
“Gentlemen, you look very handsome. When we return tonight, we will have another with us. I expect each of you to welcome him and be kind. Each of you were once new, so you understand the kind of uncertainty and apprehension that he will have. Ugliness, jealousy, and anger will not be tolerated.” I looked each of them in the eyes, “Is thatunderstood?”
“Yes, my Queen,” the three chanted inunison.
My three gentlemen accompanied me in the carriage to Town Square for the pageant and on the way we discussed the new inductee. I had seen the final list during the last few weeks as to which young men were entering the pageant. Each of them had something to offer, and all were from a unique background. There were a total of five entrants. Neil and Kasey were from well to do families, while Thomas and Gabriel were from families that were neither wealthy or poor. Sean recently moved here with his father from the war-torn coastal town ofStonebridge.
“Are you leaning toward one guy over another, Queen?” Michanasked.
“Yes, tell us, my Queen,” Liamadded.
“Are you selecting one of the rich boys?” Ethanasked.
I sensed that each of them were concerned, though they had no reason to be. They should know that each of them had a special place in my heart, though I know that I was not the best at telling them things like that. I hoped some of my actions showed through. Eventually. I listened to the young men ramble on about the candidates that waited for us in TownSquare.
“That tall guy is a workhorse. I saw him moving hay in town yesterday,” Ethan said as I pictured Thomas’ muscular body doing manuallabor.
I knew Ethan had been speaking of Thomas because only Thomas and Gabriel worked to help support their family. And Thomas was taller thanGabriel.
“Now, now, there is nothing wrong with manual labor and hard work. Each of you do your fair share of hard work at the stable,” I declared over theirchatter.
“Are you picking one of the rich boys, Queen?” Michan asked, mimicking Ethan’s question fromearlier.
“Neil and Kasey are both polite young men,” I answered their question with thatcomment.
“Which of them has the bigger dick?” Liam asked as the three of them laughed and carriedon.
Thomas clearly did. I recalled my visits to each of the boys’ homes. I spoke to each of their parents and had seen each of the young men naked during an exam by a doctor. I only wanted a healthy young man. Thomas had a cock on him that I felt could keep me occupied fordays.
I never shared my intent with anyone before my selection, but I had every intention on Thomas joining us in the carriage on the way home. The carriage pulled up to the drop off area and I exited first with my young men following behind me. Klyn fell into step beside me and strolled with me to the elevated platform. Liam, Michan, and Ethan all took their places on the platform just to the left of mythrone.
“Well, the time has drawn near, Queen,” Klyn murmured so that only I could hear him. “Please, fill me in on which of these lads you will be taking to your private quarters thisevening.”
“Now, Klyn, what fun would it be if I told youearly?”
“Oh, it would be a lot of fun. That way I can begin devising my nickname forhim.”
I tilted my head back and laughed at Klyn’s honesty. He had a nickname for each of my young gentlemen. We slowed our walk until we stopped and faced the platform where the menwaited.
“Ah, I am glad to see Sean showed up,” Klynannounced.
I wasconfused.
“Why? He knew tonight was the pageant and selection,” I reminded Klyn. “If he no longer wanted to be up for selection, then he could have removed himself from the list ofcandidates.”
“Queen—” Klyn attempted to gain my attention, but I continued to voice my suddenannoyance.
“Do not interrupt me, Klyn! Does he not know that young men begin putting in their interest the moment they turn seventeen? Does he not understand how fortunate he is to be one of the five finalists? Doeshe—”
“Queen Octavia,” Klyn said firmly and I turned to look at him. “His father died three weeks ago. Do you notrecall?”
