The Courier
Copyright 2008 by EC
EC's Erotic Art & Fiction - http://www.ecgraphicarts.com/

(warnings: erotic discipline, sex between adults, medical fetish, 
forced public nudity, harsh police interrogation)


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 very 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 very 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, 
very different in private.

Kim picked up her desk phone, but then remembered she had 
forgotten something very 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 very 
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 sir.”

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

“I suppose, sir…yes...thank you.”

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

Kim’s face went pale and her heart pounded.

“Yes sir…the criminal that Merchant Victor has fallen in love 
with.”

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

“No sir, 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, sir…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, sir.  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, sir, 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 she 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.  The guards assigned to protect the Royal 
Residence are required to report anything unbecoming and I have 
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 sir, 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..."

Dukov and Maritza exchanged glances again, and she nodded 
slightly.  The Prime Minister 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 very 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."

"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, that 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 is the 
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 
fully understand 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 very 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 very 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 
very seriously.

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...

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

Kim knew that the Prime Minister was a patient man.  He always 
held back before striking, carefully collecting information and 
calculating the best way to attack his opponents.  He was able to 
empathize, to assess what his rival was thinking and how he or 
she was likely to react.  Typically, after careful planning, 
Dukov struck quickly, with the objective of making sure that not 
only was his opponent defeated, but also unable to pose any 
further danger.  He must have been truly grateful to the 
Priestess when she approached him.  She was offering him the 
solution to his problem that he so desperately needed.  Anyia 
might be able to argue with her father, but in Danubian society 
there was no way she could expect to continue with her ambitions 
if the Church opposed them.  Doubtless the moment of the 
confrontation would be extremely unpleasant, but its result would 
be certain.  If Anyia did not yield, she and her husband would 
lose their crowns.  There would be absolutely nothing she could 
do about it.

As she made her way back to her house, Kim pondered the awful 
dilemma in which the Prime Minister found himself.  To be under 
such a threat from his own daughter…what could be more painful 
than that?  And yet, in spite of what she was doing and what she 
had become, Kim understood that Dukov still loved Anyia and was 
desperate to protect her.  He wanted not only to physically 
protect her, but also hoped to spare her any public humiliation.  

Unfortunately for Maria Elena, Dukov’s patience with his daughter 
meant that the criminal’s life would have to be sacrificed, at 
least in the short term.  In a way she resented the fact that her 
client’s well-being meant so little, but she also understood that 
had she been in the Prime Minister’s situation, she would have 
reacted in the exact same manner. 

----------

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 watching 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 forget and 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.

The two Lords 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."

"Lords!  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 very 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 the 
Lords 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 an extremely 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 device 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 the 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 very 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 deliver to her new custodian.  


