Imperial Heir
Copyright© 2025 by Ogreface
Chapter 11: Council Business
Science Fiction Sex Story: Chapter 11: Council Business - A story in the Pleiades Empire Universe. This story takes place around a thousand years after humans managed to reach the Pleiades cluster. It is the second book in a trilogy. The story of you young man's path from being disowned to finding his true place in society.
Caution: This Science Fiction Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including mt/ft mt/Fa Cousins
(Imperial Palace, Secundus)
Half an hour later Imperial Marine Colonel Jason Taurus entered the imperial council chambers in the company of one of his concubines as well as all his ADCs. His ‘on-duty’ concubine happened to be Lady Clarissa. She was much more relaxed when she was with him during the day and they were both dressed. She even flirted with him on those occasions.
Greg Delano was still his official Grendel Marine Corps ADC but he was now also a full Imperial Marine Corps lieutenant, with the added responsibilities of commanding the marine platoon tasked to guard the House Taurus residence. On returning to House Taurus with the commission signed by the emperor, he insisted on taking the wand test again, to prove to Jason Taurus that he was forever loyal to the future emperor.
Generally only six of the twelve council members were on Secundus at any time, with the four senior members always being present since they resided on Secundus. The other six members took turns to stay on Secundus for four months at a time, two at a time. The seniority of the non-resident dukes were determined by the order in which their solar systems were colonized. Thus the heir of the duke of Cassini, eighth in seniority, can become the new duke at age eighteen, and assume his place on the council.
When the word went out that the emperor was finally going to claim his empress, and announcing his heir at the same time, the entire Imperial Council made their way to Secundus. For such ‘emergency’ meetings a duke usually asked/demanded the nearest navy frigate to convey him to Secundus.
“I guess you would love to see all your concubines permanently without their panties,” Clarissa whispered as they made their way to their seats in the council chambers.
“Not necessary,” he whispered back. “Most of the time it is a treat to unwrap a gift.” Where any of the other concubines might have giggled at such a comment, Clarissa just blushed.
Other than the night she got drunk, he had not seen her in the nude again. She had seen him nude and aroused at least once when it was her turn to spend the night, along with Lisa and Megan.
“She is beautiful,” Carmen hissed behind Jason. His ADCs were all sitting in the row behind him while he and Clarissa sat in the front row across from where the emperor and empress would sit. Clarissa jerked her head around as emperor Jason Pleiades led his bride down the aisle of the Imperial Council chamber.
The emperor was also dressed in his full ceremonial uniform. To Jason, Lady Olivia looked like a teenager as she smiled at everybody in the chamber. All the viscounts on Secundus were in the chamber already as well as a number of the more important barons.
Once people stopped entering the chamber, a hidden door behind the council table opened and the council members filed in. All of them wore long black robes with their ducal medallions hanging outside the robes. Jason noticed that one of the council chairs stayed empty after the council took their seats.
“Who has business in front of this council?” The bailiff asked in an overly dramatic tone. Seconds later the council doors thudded close.
“I, Jason Pleiades, have business in front of this council,” the emperor said as he stood. He didn’t wait and helped Lady Olivia to stand before escorting her to the podium. “I wish to introduce to the council this woman, Olivia Carmichael, daughter of Duke Richard the Second of Grendel. I took Lady Olivia as my legal wife after receiving permission from her sire, Duke Richard the Second.” Jason noticed that most of the eleven dukes smiled at her as she curtsied to them, with the chairman keeping a neutral look on his face.
“We have one question concerning this marriage,” the chairman of the Imperial Council said. “We have a report that Lady Olivia married a noble, Baron Oscar of Sand Harbor. Is this true?”
“That is true,” the emperor said. “You should also have a report that the marriage was declared null and void.”
“The marriage was declared null and void by whom?” the chairman asked.
“By Viscount Moorefield of Grendel, the heir of Duke Richard the Second,” the emperor said.
“I think we have enough background to declare this marriage legal and proper for the purpose of ensuring the stability of the empire,” Duke Cullum of Graceland announced. Two other dukes agreed. Jason watched as Duke James continued to glare at the couple in front of him. Jason was expecting the chairman to ask for a vote, but he must have noticed the smiles on the faces of the other council members.
“I still want to know, from Lady Olivia herself, if this marriage has her total support,” Duke James said. “Lady Olivia, have you been coerced into asking for the annulment of your marriage to the baron?”
“I have been separated from the baron for the past five and half years, Your Grace,” Lady Olivia said. “During that time, I was busy searching for my first love, and the father of my son. I have not laid eyes on the baron during this time, nor do I want to see or talk to him.”
“Are you saying that you were already pregnant when you married the baron?” Duke James asked.
“Yes, I was already two months pregnant at the time my father decided to marry me off, in an effort to spare me some embarrassment,” Lady Olivia said calmly. “That turned out badly.”
“How sure can we be that your son is the offspring of emperor Jason Pleiades?” Duke James asked.
“I was going to introduce my son to the council after this case but I will do it now,” the emperor said. He turned to wave at Jason. He stood and went standing next to his father.
“You have to be blind not to see the family resemblance between the emperor and his son,” Duke Cullum said. Duke James glared at Jason, but stayed quiet.
“The council hereby acknowledge Lady Olivia Carmichael as the formal wife of emperor Jason Pleiades,” Duke James announced. “From this day on she will be known as Empress Olivia.”
“Stay,” the emperor hissed at Jason as he escorted Empress Olivia back to her seat. Once she was seated the emperor returned to stand next to Jason.
“Anything else, Your Majesty?” The chairman of the Imperial Council asked when the emperor didn’t say anything immediately.
“Yes, I have more,” the emperor said. “If the council membersdo not have any questions for my heir?”
“The council have no reason to doubt the legitimacy of Jason Taurus as the son and heir of Jason Pleiades, Your Majesty,” Duke Cullum said after he glanced at a moody-looking Duke James.
“In that case I will continue,” the emperor said. “A few times in the past there have been incidents where the nobility requested some case to be brought before me, usually when their case falls outside of the jurisdiction of the local duke, or when they were not satisfied with the ruling of the local duke and wanted to appeal to a higher office.
“One such case is now being referred to as the Mynos incident, where the duke of Mynos didn’t leave behind a clear and obvious heir,” the emperor said. “Since Jason Taurus was present when the Electra was asked to investigate this issue, and based on reports of how Jason Taurus handled himself in the past, as well as a rather startling discovery concerning my son, I decided to create a new imperial office, and to appoint Jason Taurus as the first holder of this office. This office will be known as Special Imperial Envoy. The holder of this office will report directly to me, and by extension, to this council. The person holding this office will act as my personal representative in cases where people have the right and want to appeal to the emperor, and the emperor is not readily available. This will be of specific value to outlying systems. Jason Taurus would be available to travel to various systems to represent me. Anybody who appeals to me and end up receiving judgment from the Special Envoy, will still have the ability to appeal directly to me if such a person is not satisfied with the ruling by the Special Envoy. To formalize the authority of this new office, I intend to create a new title, that of duke. I also want to appoint the holder of this office to the Imperial Council, as a new thirteenth member of this council. I have not yet created this new title because I feel the council needs to decide on this.”
“This is a startling new ruling, Your Majesty,” the chairman of the council responded. “We would like to question Jason Taurus, to determine his suitability to assume such an office.” None of the eleven council members seemed at all surprised or startled at the announcement of a new title.
“That is your right,” the emperor said. “To clarify matters, the appointment of Special Imperial Envoy has already been made and will stay in place while Jason is my heir. If the council approves the new title and office, then it will become hereditary. The seat on the council and the accompanying title of Duke has not yet been realized and will require the council’s approval.”
“One last question before the council withdraw to deliberate matters concerning placing a newly appointed Duke of Justice on the council,” Duke James said. “You referred to a startling discovery concerning Jason Taurus. Can you elaborate on that?” The emperor looked at Jason.
“Time to reveal your wand to the council,” he whispered. “Not the Scorpius wand, just your own.” Jason reached into the secret pocket along his upper thigh and pulled out his wand, laying it on the podium in front of him. All the council members leaned forward in surprise.
“There has not been a new wand since the discovery of the latest new crystal type, some six centuries ago,” Duke Cullum added. The was a lot of muttering among the spectators as the implication of a new wand sunk in.
“An active wand?” One of the council members asked.
“There are two pending cases needing judgment,” The emperor replied. “Both cases will prove exactly how active this wand is.” The council members looked at each other in confusion
“This council would now withdraw to deliberate the appointment of a Special Imperial Envoy and the associated title that will go with it,” Duke James finally announced. “We invite Jason Taurus to join us so we can examine his suitability to join this council.” As the eleven dukes stood and bowed to the emperor, he returned the salute and turned back to Empress Olivia. When Jason got back to Clarissa, he was met by the bailiff.
“My Lord, your entourage are invited to join you in taking some refreshments before the council will meet with you in private,” the bailiff said as he also bowed to Clarissa before bowing to Jason’s ADCs.
The bailiff led Jason and his group through another concealed doorway to one side of the room, into the inner sanctum of the Imperial Council. They found themselves in a large indoor garden with a high ceiling. In the middle of the garden was an elaborate indoor fountain, with a buffet table next to it with finger snacks and various beverages.
At the far end was a conference room behind a glass wall, and a number of offices leading off the indoor garden. Jason counted twelve offices, each with the name of a dukedom or solar system on it.
The council members, without their official black robes, were already gathering around the buffet tables. There were a number of other people milling around the garden, Jason realized they were family of the council members.
Duke Russel Acosta of Greenland made a bee-line for Jason, grabbing hold of his wife’s hand in passing. Jason met him and his wife when he visited the Greenland continent. Duke Russel also seemed to be the youngest duke on the council. Clarissa followed Jason’s example when he bowed to the ducal couple.
“Duke Russel, duchess, may I introduce my concubine, Lady Clarissa,” Jason said. “I met the duke and duchess of Greenland when Lisa introduced me to her parents a few days ago” Jason explained to Clarissa.
“We need to talk, girl-talk,” Duchess Acosta said as she hooked in with Lisa and Clarissa. She gave Carmen, Shelly and Gwen Revere friendly and inviting smiles as she led all the females away to the refreshment table.
“What an exquisite beauty, your concubine,” Duke Russel muttered as Duke Cullum also joined them. “A man can never have too many concubines,” he added with a wink and a grin. “I was trying to find an appropriate way to grab Lady Lisa as my sixth concubine but then she decided to join the marines. I doubt if her parents would have approved anyway.”
“I’m quite satisfied with my four, thank you,” Duke Cullum said. He waved at another older lady who came closer. The duke introduced her as his wife, after which she decided to join the noisy group surrounding Clarissa.
“You really surprised the council with you having a wand,” Duke Russel commented.
“With you having a wand, which will lead to an interesting dilemma when it comes time for you to assume the place of your sire,” Duke Cullum replied as Duke James and two other dukes also joined them. “There has never been a case of anybody having two wands”
“Shall we go discuss this matter in the conference room?” Duke James suggest as he looked Jason in the eyes. For the first time since he met the duke, Jason got a mildly friendly look from the duke. The other dukes all made their way into the conference room when they saw Duke James and his group heading there.
There were twelve seats surrounding a large round table in the conference room. The twelve seats were arranged towards the back of the table so there was an open section with only one chair nearest the door.
Duke James guided Jason to the singe seat before taking the chairman’s place across from where Jason was sitting as the other dukes took their seats.
“I took it upon myself to investigate young Jason’s background a bit,” Duke Russel started before the chairman could say anything. Duke James didn’t seem bothered by the informal start of the meeting. “He not only managed to enter the Grendel Marine Corps officers’ training program, he did it without any help from Grendel or Grendel’s heir at the time. He used the name Jason Cosgrove, which was how the emperor got wind of his existence. We all know about the very high quality of the Grendel Marine Corps officers training requirements, which explains why they are usually in high demand in the Imperial Marine Corps.”
“Are we allowed to discuss the Mynos incident, before the court has heard the matter?” One of the dukes asked.
“I’m sure we can ask Taurus to explain his actions and motivations, as long as we do not try to influence him in any way,” Duke James said.
Over the next half hour Jason explained his actions concerning selecting the new duke of Mynos as well as his decisions at Bova. He answered all questions directed at him without giving away more than what was asked. The council briefly mentioned the pending case against Ranul Scorpius but didn’t ask Jason anything about his involvement in that matter. None of them asked about his wand.
“We have spent enough time in here,” Duke Russel decided. “I suggest we approve Taurus’s appointment as Special Imperial Envoy. I just don’t like the idea of having a thirteenth member of a twelve-member council. We have been a twelve-seat council for nearly a thousand years.”
“We have a vacancy,” another duke said. “One that cannot be filled in the traditional way. Can we use that to solve both problems?”
“Taurus, we have a bit of an issue here,” Duke James said as he addressed Jason. “The vacant seat on the imperial council means a dukedom without a duke or heir. The Saturn system is the second oldest solar system in the cluster. We either have to add you, as the new Special imperial Envoy, and the thirteenth member of the council, and find another duke for Saturn somewhere, or we can elevate the office of the duke of Saturn to that of the hereditary Special Imperial Envoy, with you assuming responsibility for the Saturn system as well. If we do that, a new title will not be needed.”
“I suggest we put it to a vote,” Duke Cullum said.
“Before the council is the resolution to accept Jason Taurus as the natural heir of emperor Jason Pleiades,” Duke James announced. “Also before the council is the resolution to approve the new office of Special Imperial Envoy, to be filled by Jason Taurus, and to grant him a permanent seat on the Imperial Council. In conjunction with that resolution, is the proposal to link the vacant seat of the Saturn system with the new office of Imperial Envoy. This will make the new office an hereditary position. Any seconds?”
“I second that,” Two of the dukes announced at the same time.
“Anybody opposing?” Duke James asked.
“What if the next Earl Taurus is less suitable to be an envoy?” One of the dukes asked.
“If he is not suitable to be a special envoy for the emperor, then he should not become emperor either,” Duke Cullum said.
“True, it will be an excellent opportunity to both train and determine the suitability of future emperors,” Duke Russel added.
“One opposing. Let’s see if this is a consensus decision. Show a hand for yes on all the resolutions,” Duke James said. All eleven dukes raised their hands.
“Not only a consensus, but unanimous,”Duke James decided. “Jason Taurus, you are hereby appointed as Special Imperial Envoy, reporting to both the emperor and this council. You will also assume the title of Duke of Saturn once the emperor approves your appointment to that of Duke of Saturn. Do anybody know where the Saturn medallion is?”
“Possibly in the Saturn system since he died there,” Duke Cullum replied. “We might need a new medallion to reflect the new status of that office anyway.”
Let’s go join our ladies,” Duke Russel said after the dukes looked around the table.
As Jason stepped out of the conference room, Gwen hooked arms in with him and subtly started tugging him towards where he could see Lisa and Carmen talking to Clarissa and a couple of other ladies.
“Clarissa seemed to have made a new friend,” Gwen commented. “The two were introduced and suddenly started chatting like old friends. They even had a long private chat, after which they seemed even closer to each other.”
“Jason, meet my new friend, Erin,” Clarissa announced as she grabbed Jason’s arm and pulled him into the group of ladies.
As she turned to face him, Jason found him face to face with the gorgeous auburn-haired mystery girl from the beach. She looked up into his eyes with a sudden shocked look on her face.
“You!!” she gasped. “I should have guessed!” she suddenly looked half panic-stricken as she curtsied and turned away, nearly running away from the group.
“Erin, wait!” Clarissa called in confusion.
“What have you done to her?” Lisa asked in surprise as Clarissa turned back to glare at Jason.
“Nothing,” Jason said defensively. “We barely met.”
“What do you mean you barely met?” Clarissa asked. She had the same type of look on her face when Rick were being nasty to her when they were children. Jason had never seen that look aimed at him.
“Okay, I accidentally bumped into her on the beach,” Jason said. “I was looking elsewhere and suddenly she was right in front of me. I think we gave her a bit of a scare. Ask Megan, she was there,” Jason added with a shrug.
With all the females glaring at him, he felt like the same lost and outcast twelve-year-old when he arrived back at the duke’s castle and did or say something the others didn’t like. He turned around and left.
Back in his suite he changed into casual civilian clothes and went exploring the park and the section of the beach surrounding the palace. He was not really trying to avoid his BPs so when he walked down a pedestrian mall, he touched his ever-present wand and then relaxed as he walked on.
At the edge of the park, where the city and the imperial gardens met, above the rocky beach, he came across a lookout overlooking the beach and the bay. He sat on a bench and tried to analyze what he was feeling. He realized feeling isolated just because Clarissa and Lisa were upset at him did not fit in with his new status. He was about to become a duke. He was going to be the second most powerful person in the cluster, and he felt lost because a pretty girl glared at him.
“You should go back,” Sam said softly next to him. “It’s nearly time to get ready for the ball.” He turned his head and found her sitting next to him. He looked around and found Elena and Ron nearby. Then Steve appeared as well from where he was leaning against a stone wall. The sun was already down. “You didn’t think we would actually let you wander off on your own, did you?” Sam said with a smirk. “Somehow Clarissa seems to have made you upset,” Jason shrugged and stood.
Back in his suite Jason found Rina humming a tune as she inspected his formal uniform, the one with the blood line piping. His saber was still in its case on the bed. Rina smiled a bright and totally happy smile when she saw him.
“Lady Clarissa was looking for you,” Rina said.
“Whatever for,” Jason muttered as he started stripping out of his clothes. “I’m going to shower.” He was pleased and not at all surprised when both Rina and Sam joined him under the shower. The girls washed his upper body and legs but both of them stayed away from dangerous areas, which for once didn’t react.
Jason was dressed, except for his jacket and sword, when Lisa and Carmen came into his room. They started inspecting him as he stood in front of the mirror. Both the girls avoided looking him in the eyes. They were dressed in long evening wear uniform skirts and white uniform blouses and looked quite sexy and formal at the same time.
“We need to go,” Carmen said softly. “You need to escort Lotus and Andrea into the ball room.” As Jason pulled on his uniform jacket, Megan, Roxy, and Chloe came hurrying into the suite. They were all dressed in long pastel-colored evening dresses. Roxy and Chloe grabbed Jason by his arms as they looked up into his eyes with concerned looks.
“Please, don’t be mad with Clarissa,” Roxy pleaded.
“She was not really mad at you; she was just worried about Lady Erin’s reaction towards you,” Chloe said in a pleading tone.
“If you are mad at her you will stay mad forever, and then the two of you will never get close to each other,” Roxy added.
“Maybe that is what she wants,” Jason muttered as he accepted his sword from Rina.
“I doubt that,” Lisa muttered softly. Jason gave her a shy look. “There is more to all of that story than what meets the eye. Anyway, Lotus decided that you should dance the first dance with Clarissa.”
The attendees of the imperial ball were all noblemen and their wives and concubines. Jason was told that there would be no announcing of names and titles. When he, with Lotus on one arm and Andrea on the other arm and the rest of his harem following behind them, arrived at the entrance there were a bunch of barons and their ladies streaming into the grand ballroom. The ball room was on the same level and across from the council chambers.
Multiple Marine NCOs in full dress uniform acting as serving staff and ushers. As soon as Jason and his group entered, he was approached by two marine sergeants who bowed and then led his group to a half-moon alcove where there were a lot of chairs and a few small tables. Jason noticed that the entire inside wall of the ballroom consisted of such alcoves. In the alcove next to theirs was the emperor and his five concubines. In the next alcove was Duke James and his wife and two concubines.
It seemed that the alcoves were for the upper nobility while the multitude of barons used the tables and chairs around the dance floor. The reason for this became evident when Jason’s four BPs and the emperor’s six BPs formed a casual guard line on the outside of the alcoves.
When they entered the hall the orchestra was playing soft background music while everybody got to their seats and also started to mingle and greet each other. Then the orchestra stopped as the master of ceremonies walked onto the dance floor with a microphone in his hand. The lights dimmed and a spotlight illuminated the MC and the center of the dance floor.
Someone touched Jason’s shoulder so he turned and he looked into his father’s face.
“Stay close,” the emperor said. “I’m going to welcome everybody and then introduce your mother. Stay just outside the light circle so when I call you forward you step right up to join us in the light. I will introduce you and then the party can start. You don’t need to say anything.” When the emperor turned away. Jason followed him and the empress onto the floor.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” the emperor said as the Master of Ceremonies handed him the microphone. “The main purpose of this ball is to formally introduce all of you to my core family, my new core family. Like most young men I have a history of chasing pretty girls. Eighteen years ago, during the annual Harvest festival on the planet Grendel, I encountered the most beautiful girl in the world. I was arrogant enough to pursue her, but made the mistake of hiding my real identity, I was not yet emperor at that time. Two things happened; I fell in love and I left behind a pregnant girl, the daughter of the duke of Grendel. It took me untill about six months ago to meet up again with this wonderful lady” With that the emperor held out his hand as Empress Olivia let go of Jason’s hand and stepped into the light. She took the emperor’s hand as she turned to face the people. Jason was not surprised to hear a number of sighs and soft gasps. “I give you my wife, Empress Olivia.” Everybody started applauding at that point.
“I did mention I left behind a pregnant girl,” the emperor continued after the applause ended. “On my way to Grendel to go claim the love of my live, eighteen years late, I was presented with a stack of new commissioning certificates, Grendel Marine officer candidates who had been invited to join the Imperial Marine Corps. One name in particular caught my attention. I told this lovely creature what my birth name is. That was the name she told her son was his real father, and that was the name I saw on one of those commissioning certificates.” Then the emperor held out his hand again so Jason stepped forward to stand next to the emperor. “My son, Jason Taurus.” This time the response was much louder and then the applause started. It took a long time before the noise died down. “The ladies wants to dance, let’s dance,” the emperor said as the lights dimmed as the BPs closed in on them to escort them back to their alcoves.
When Jason got back to his group, the servers were busy filling all the small tables with platters of finger foods. Another group of servers started taking drink orders. Jason’s girls were mixing and chatting. Donya had even slipped over and was chatting with Andrea, Gwendolyn, and Lotus.
“Taurus, we have a task for you,” Duke Cullum said next to Jason. The duke had a grin on his face. Jason was so busy admiring the ladies, he didn’t notice being surrounded by the emperor and two dukes.
“Yes, now that you are officially a member of the Imperial Council, we need to get you a suitable wife,” Duke Cullum said with a smirk.
“What an opportunity we have,” Duke Russel exclaimed gleefully as he slapped Jason on the back. “Just remember, if you want a loving and attentive woman, grab yourself the ideal concubine. Wives are not supposed to be the loving kind.” Then Duke James also joined them.
“He means that a wife is supposed to join two houses or businesses,” Duke Cullum said as he glared at Duke Russel. “One is not supposed to be too picky about perfect compatibilities and love when entering into a marriage agreement with another house.”
“As long as the lady in question is comely enough to at least make it sort of pleasurable to make an heir,” Duke Russel insisted as he ogled the many cute young ladies and slightly older attractive ladies around them.
“Get your mind out of the gutter, Acosta,” Duke James muttered. The mild reprimand didn’t even seem to register with the horny duke.
“We were talking about finding young Taurus a well-placed wife,” Duke Cullum said to Duke James.
“Yes, personal likes and dislikes usually play no role in the process,” Duke James said as he gave Jason a calculating look.
“I’m going to grab my bride; the dancing is about to start,” the emperor said. “At least in my case I actually like her enough to be in love with her, and she with me.” The emperor had a huge grin on his face as he turned and headed to where Empress Olivia was still deep in some discussion with Sylvia and two other ladies.
As the emperor took the empress by her arm and turned her towards him, Jason could see the two ladies were Clarissa and Lady Erin, both with serious looks on their faces. Jason would have grabbed Clarissa for the first dance, as he was told to do, but the look he got earlier from Clarissa turned him cold.
The music suddenly changed and all the females looked towards the dance floor. Jason walked past Clarissa and Lady Erin and headed for Gwendolyn. When Jason held his hand out to her she bounced out of her chair and gave him a big grin.
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