Just dominate me queen

The late afternoon sun bathed the castle gardens in golden light as Liora led me through a winding path lined with hedges and flowering bushes. The air was fragrant with the scent of roses and jasmine, but I couldn't fully appreciate it. My back was still sore from yesterday, and my mood wasn't exactly cheerful after spending half the day watching her dismiss genuine concerns with a flick of her wrist.
She threw her hands up dramatically as the last advisor tried to argue their case. "Enough!" she declared. "The court is dismissed for the day. I'm tired of all this nonsense."
The advisors exchanged uneasy glances but bowed and filed out of the chamber. Before I could follow them, she turned to me, her piercing blue eyes narrowing.
"You," she said sharply, pointing at me. "Come with me."
I sighed inwardly but nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."
We walked in silence for a while, the sound of our footsteps muffled by the soft grass underfoot. The garden was expansive, with tall hedges forming intricate patterns and marble statues of past rulers standing proudly among the flowers. At the center of it all was a large, open field where several figures were gathered.
It took me a moment to process what I was seeing. A group of male servants was kneeling on the grass, their hands and knees sinking slightly into the dirt. Perched on their backs were maids dressed in traditional uniforms, each holding a feathered broom like it was a lance. The maids giggled and whispered to each other, their feathered weapons twitching in anticipation.
"What...the fuck is this?" I muttered under my breath.
Liora must have heard me because she smirked over her shoulder. "It's war games," she said matter-of-factly. "A long-standing tradition here. Surely even someone as dim as you can appreciate the entertainment value."
"Entertainment value," I repeated, staring at the scene. "You've got grown men crawling around on their hands and knees while women whack each other with brooms. Seems...efficient."
She ignored my sarcasm and clapped her hands sharply. The servants and maids immediately stopped their chatter and straightened, their eyes turning to her with a mix of reverence and fear.
"Prepare yourselves!" Liora called, her voice carrying across the field. "Your queen is joining today's match."
The maids cheered, while the men simply bowed their heads in silent acknowledgment. I watched, dumbfounded, as one of the kneeling men crawled over to Liora, clearly expecting her to mount him. She dismissed him with a wave of her hand and turned to me instead.
"Get on your knees," she commanded.
I stared at her, unsure if she was serious. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Get. On. Your. Knees."
I hesitated for a moment, my pride warring with the knowledge that refusing her would likely end badly. With a resigned sigh, I knelt down, the grass cool and damp beneath my hands.
"Good," she said, stepping behind me. A second later, I felt her weight settle on my back, her petite frame surprisingly light but still enough to make my arms strain slightly. "Now, forward!"
"Forward where?" I asked, gritting my teeth as I started crawling.
"Into battle, of course," she said with a laugh. "You'll follow my commands and do exactly as I say. If you perform well, I might even reward you."
I rolled my eyes but kept moving, following the line of other men who were already shuffling toward the center of the field. The maids on their backs sat poised, their brooms held high like knights preparing for a joust.
Liora leaned down, her voice a low whisper in my ear. "Try not to embarrass me, Alec. I have a reputation to uphold."
"Yeah, wouldn't want to tarnish your sterling reputation," I muttered under my breath.
She either didn't hear me or chose to ignore it because she straightened up and clapped her hands. "Let the war games begin!"
The field erupted into chaos. The maids giggled and squealed as they jabbed at each other with the feathered ends of their brooms, trying to knock their opponents off balance. The men crawled forward at various speeds, their faces set in grim determination or resigned acceptance.
"Left!" Liora commanded, tugging slightly on my shirt as if I were a horse.
I turned left, trying not to wince as the movement sent a twinge of pain through my already sore back. Another pair passed us, the maid on top letting out a victorious cheer as she managed to dislodge her opponent with a well-placed poke.
"Faster!" Liora snapped, her tone sharp.
I gritted my teeth and picked up the pace, my palms pressing into the soft ground with every step. My shirt clung to my skin, damp with sweat, but Liora seemed completely unfazed. She sat perched on my back like a queen surveying her domain, her voice carrying over the din as she barked orders.
"Watch out on the right!" she called, and I barely had time to adjust before another pair came barreling toward us. The maid's broom swooped toward Liora, but she ducked gracefully, her pigtails swinging as she retaliated with a swift jab of her own.
"Amateurs," she muttered as her opponent tumbled to the ground, the maid letting out a frustrated huff as she dusted herself off.
I couldn't help but glance at the man who had been carrying her. He looked utterly defeated, his head bowed as he helped her to her feet. For a brief moment, our eyes met, and I saw a flicker of understanding pass between us. We were both trapped in this ridiculous charade, powerless to do anything but endure it.
"Focus!" Liora snapped, and I quickly turned my attention back to the game.
Despite the chaos, it became clear pretty quickly that none of the other participants were putting up much of a fight against her. The maids aimed their brooms half-heartedly, their jabs slow and hesitant. Even the men carrying them seemed to steer their mounts away from Liora, giving her a wide berth.
"Why aren't they trying?" I muttered under my breath.
"Because they know better," Liora replied smugly. "No one challenges the queen and expects to win."
"Right," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Must be nice to play a game where everyone lets you win."
She tugged on my shirt again, her nails grazing my skin. "Careful, Alec. You wouldn't want to lose your position as my steed."
"God forbid," I muttered, crawling forward again.
By the end of the match, the field was littered with maids and their toppled mounts, all bowing their heads in defeat as Liora declared herself the victor. She stood atop my back, raising her broom triumphantly like a conquering hero.
"Victory is mine!" she proclaimed, her voice ringing out over the garden.
The remaining maids clapped politely, while the men simply knelt in silence. I stayed on all fours, my back aching and my palms raw, as she finally dismounted and dusted off her skirts.
"Not bad, Alec," she said, patting my head like I was some kind of pet. "You performed adequately."
"Glad to hear it," I muttered, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.
"Now, be a dear and fetch me some water," she said, waving dismissively as she walked toward a bench near the edge of the field.
I stayed kneeling for a moment, my hands curling into fists against the grass. This world and its twisted dynamics were starting to wear on me, but I knew better than to push back too hard. For now, I'd play along. But one day, I'd find a way to turn the tables.
"Coming right up, Your Majesty," I said, forcing a smile as I stood and made my way toward the castle.
***
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the castle garden. The war games had ended, and the maids and their mounts had dispersed, leaving Liora and me alone amidst the perfectly manicured hedges and the soft hum of evening birdsong. She sat on a marble bench, her petite frame dwarfed by its grandeur, her golden ribbons catching the fading light.
Her usual smug demeanor had faltered. She rested her elbows on her knees, her chin propped on her hands, and let out a sigh that seemed far too heavy for someone her size. For a moment, she looked more like a tired teenager than a queen.
"Politics," she muttered, her tone bitter. "It's all so fucking exhausting."
I stayed quiet, unsure if I should respond. She didn't seem to notice my hesitation and continued, her voice growing more frustrated.
"Every day, it's the same bullshit. Advisors squabbling over scraps of power, nobles whining about their privileges, peasants begging for scraps. And I'm supposed to fix it all while pretending I give a damn about their petty problems."
I leaned against a nearby tree, watching her carefully. "Sounds like a lot to deal with."
Her sharp blue eyes flicked toward me, narrowing slightly. "What would you know about it? You're just a clueless little man from another world."
"True," I said, shrugging. "But maybe that's why I can help."
She snorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Help? You?" Her laugh was short and cutting. "What could you possibly do?"
I smiled, stepping closer. "Exactly. I'm a nobody. Just some guy who looks like he doesn't belong. No one would suspect me of anything, which makes me perfect for certain...tasks."
Her expression turned skeptical, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "Tasks? Like what?"
"Like gathering information," I said, keeping my tone casual. "Or influencing people without them realizing it. You'd be surprised what you can learn when no one thinks you're a threat."
She leaned back on the bench, studying me intently. "And why would you want to help me?"
"Because I need something in return," I said honestly. "If I help you deal with your political mess, I want you to do something for me."
Her eyes narrowed, her voice turning cold. "If you're lying to me, I'll make you regret it. Now, what do you want?"
I took a deep breath, meeting her gaze head-on. "When this is over—when I've helped you clean up whatever mess you're dealing with—I need you to give me an elite party to assist me in getting back to my world."
She raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a faint smirk. "An elite party? You mean my best knights, mages, and advisors?"
"Exactly," I said. "If anyone can help me find the materials I need and survive long enough to use them, it's them. But I can't do it alone."
Her smirk faded, replaced by a more thoughtful expression. "And you think I'll just hand them over to you because you're willing to play spy?"
"Not just because of that," I said carefully. "But because it benefits you, too. I'm not asking for charity—I'm offering a trade. My loyalty and skills for your support."
She was quiet for a long moment, her sharp gaze never leaving mine. I could practically see the gears turning in her head, weighing the risks and rewards. Finally, she spoke.
"You're not as dumb as you look," she said, her tone grudgingly impressed.
"Thanks," I said with a small smile. "I think."
She stood, her petite frame radiating authority despite her size. "If you're going to work for me, you'll need to prove yourself. I can't trust someone who hasn't earned it."
"That's fair," I said. "But let's be honest—you wouldn't trust me if I didn't ask for something in return. You'd think I was up to something."
Her smirk returned, sharper this time. "You're not wrong. If you'd offered to help me out of the kindness of your heart, I'd have thrown you in the dungeons."
"Well, glad we cleared that up," I said dryly. "So, do we have a deal?"
She stepped closer, her blue eyes narrowing. "You'll do exactly as I say. No questions, no hesitation. If you even think about betraying me, I'll make you regret it in ways you can't imagine."
"Understood," I said, keeping my voice steady. "And when I've proven myself, you'll help me get home."
She nodded slowly. "Agreed. For now, I'll name you my personal spy. But don't think for a second that I fully trust you."
"I wouldn't dream of it," I said with a grin.
She stared at me for a moment longer, then turned and began walking back toward the castle. "Come on. We've got work to do."
I followed her, my mind racing. This was a gamble—a dangerous one—but it was the only way to get what I needed. And maybe, just maybe, it would help me get a little closer to understanding Liora and the world she ruled.
Q: Would you want to be Liora's stead?