I heard a knock on my bedroom door.

“Yes?”

“Your highness, a gift from you.”

The royal vizier? She’s not normally one to hand out gifts.

“Um… yes, come in.”

I wasn’t doing anything particularly important as she came in, simply reading a fanciful book and lounging in a chair to pass the time.

“You look unusually cheerful,” I said. “What’s this about?”

“Our team of spies recently claimed a mine,” she said. “There were so many spectacular jewels that I simply had to fashion you a new crown. After all, a princess like you deserves only the finest.”

She carried the crown on a fancy cushion, and it was indeed dazzling. Though, it was strange. One red jewel sat prominently at the center, the largest on the crown by far.

I pointed at it. “What kind of jewel is this? It doesn’t look like any ruby I’ve ever seen.”

“I’m not sure, my lady,” the vizier uttered awkwardly. “It’s like no other gem I’ve studied. A spy told me it seemed to emanate power.” She chuckled. “Perhaps it will make you a more confident leader.”

“Interesting,” I muttered cautiously, picking the crown up.

“Well?” the vizier said expectantly. “Let’s see how it looks on you.”

I put it on, and I could certainly feel it. It felt… good. Euphoric. Strange…

“How do you feel, my lady?”

“Uhhhhh…” Words felt hard to come by. “Odd…”

“But good?”

“Good…?”

I kind of felt a little dizzy…

“Good,” she asserted. “You feel good.”

The words felt like something I could center myself on as I felt more dizzy…

“I feel good…”

“You feel the jewel’s power.”

I felt the jewel’s power…

I distantly heard a thud. Did something fall from my lap? I remember… a book…?

“That’s good. It looks like it’s taking hold. Your mind is quiet. Your body is still. You are becoming very receptive.”

Her words made sense… I was… receptive…

“Hm hm… take off your clothes. But keep the crown on.”

I obeyed before I realized I was going to obey. This thought felt distant and comfortable.

I felt a gentle stroke between my legs. It felt… really good…

“Lie down on the bed, slave.”

Slave… a name for me…?

“Excellent.” I was lying down. “You will obey me.”

I will obey her.

“You will do as you are told.”

I will do as I am told.

“Your mind is asleep. You are wandering through a wonderful, magical, obedient dream. You do not need to understand, you will simply obey. Now, you will spread your legs for me...”

The commands stopped registering in my brain. My mind was asleep. I did not need to understand. I will simply obey...