“My my, what have we here?”

I looked upon the fair hero kneeling before me. I knew exactly what he was now. I was playing with my food.

He remained silent.

“Speak.”

“A servant, at your beck and call, your highness.”

“Wonderful!” I gripped his chin. His eyes were dull, his spirit brainwashed completely out of him.

His equally fair and equally brainwashed princess stood next to me. She smiled dimly at her prince.

“Now,” I let go of his chin. “I have a job for you.”

“Yes, your highness.”

“Ah, so eager!” I walked to a table and pulled a scroll from my cloak. “You and your maiden may join me.”

The two obeyed. The knight stood and looked at the table as I unfolded the scroll, revealing a map of a kingdom he was once very, very familiar with.

“You don’t recognize this city, do you?”

“No.”

I snapped my fingers. His eyes briefly widened, then went dull again.

“You remember the central bank, yes?”

“Of course, your highness.”

“Drive everyone out and burn it to the ground. Scatter the gold. Let the people fight over it.”

“Yes, your highness.”

“Go now,” I bid him away. “Your princess awaits you.”

“Fare well, my love,” the princess said, as I had programmed.

The knight stood and left.

I moved behind the princess and whispered an incantation, my hands dancing around her head. The magic did its work, and she let out a soft moan.

“Imagine the shock on their faces when they see their chosen one rending the kingdom asunder from within… Ah, it is truly wonderful to have him around, isn’t it, princess?”

“It is…” she said, her voice a mixture of vacancy, infatuation, and arousal.

“Follow me,” I beckoned, moving to my personal chambers. “I must… warm you up before your beloved returns from his mission.”