Chapter 33 Sex Counsellors.

I opened up to Lola, "Tell me all about you and your mother!"

Lola froze, surprised, "I thought you were going to ask about Prince Leon!"

"I just want to know why your mother whipped you?" I softened my tone toward Lola, "Does she hit you often?"

I do not know why, but I have always felt a surge of sympathy and compassion for Lola. For I did not see any maternal love in Mrs. Bowyer's eyes for Lola. My gut told me that Lola's mother had done more than flog her. She must have suffered a great deal.

"To my mother, I'm just a whore!" Lola smiled wryly, "My father was a gambler, and he died unexpectedly after leaving a large gambling debt. My mother gave my 14-year-old sister to a duke who was said to have several idiosyncrasies. No virgin can leave his castle in one piece. The next day a box of gold was brought to my mother by the duke's servant, who told her that if she wished my sister to die, she would not take advantage of it. Sometimes she tries to kill me for money.

"Damn Mrs. Bower!" I couldn't help cursing, "Don't you ever think about rebelling against your mother?"

"I can't! I don't know how to fight!" Lola hung her head, and the tears trickled from her eyes down her skirts.

Poor Lola, so tormented by her own mother that she could not even resist!

"So, why did your mother ask you to stay with me?" " I asked, pressing my impatient curiosity. "

"My mother is a friend of Queen Catherland, and she often helps her find male favors. During a conversation with the queen, she learned that the queen wished to have a maid by her side. So my mother thought of me, and she wanted me to return to Prince Lyon." Lola said truthfully.

I sneered, "I'm afraid she's going to be disappointed!"

"I told my mother that Prince Leon had no feelings for me. He would not recycle a mistress he had already given away. But my mother did not think so."

"So you want to go back to Leon?" I asked Lola tentatively.

"No, of course I don't." Lola hastened to deny, "In Prince Leon's mind, I'm just a plaything. He never even kissed me when we were together. Prince Leon would never let any woman sleep in his bed. Except for you, of course!"

"Really?" My insides tingled, so Leon was merely using his mistresses for his sexual gratification, but had he never loved these women?

Damn me, why should I be glad of anything like that? Yes, Leon cared for me. He kissed me, he even held me till dawn. I am unlike any of his former mistresses!

"Why didn't your mother give you to the king, who would have been a better choice than a mistress to the prince?" I blurted it out, but when I realized how much it might hurt Lola, I rushed to ask her to apologize.

"I'm sorry!"

"Never mind!" Lola wiped her eyes as she forced a smile, "If the King liked women, my mother would have sent me to the King's bed!"

"The king doesn't like women?" I lowered my voice and asked, "So he likes men?"

Lola glanced around warily, making sure no one else was passing before she said in a voice only I could hear, "The King likes boys! My mother sometimes hunts for him! But not here, usually the King's male pets are kept on his private estate!"

When I heard these words I was shocked beyond measure. I could not even speak for a few seconds. I was beginning to understand why Leon was so cruel and insecure. But what was it about the Cistercians and the king? Will all marriages go sour, and will Leon and I end up sour?

It reminded me of my parents' marriage, and growing up I saw my parents fight over trivial things until my father stormed out the door, leaving my mother to hold me and cry. I would often hear my mother's friends and her complain of the misfortunes of their marriages. It was all about the husband's treachery. Even marriage with a partner does not stop a married man from lusting after another woman.

No! Leon was the man. I could not let anyone take him from me. I must keep him firmly in my hands. By whatever means!

"Lola!" I called her.

"What?"

"I'm sure you know a lot about men, you even know what kind of sex they like best, right?" I asked.

"Yes.!" Lola nodded awkwardly.

"Ask me, then." I blushed, "Teach me how to please a man, I need to know!"

"Miss Emily, I don't think you need to learn this, you and Prince Leon are meant to be mates and you will love each other for the rest of your lives!" Lola looked nervous, "You just need to learn court manners!"

"No, Lola, ask me!" I took Lola's hand and said seriously, "Teach me everything you know, and in return, I will offer Leon your freedom."

Lola hesitated, but at last she nodded her assent.

"Okay, so which part do you want to start with?"

I thought, "Tongue!"