Hear me speak, dear stranger! I am Lena, the beloved concubine of King Vladislav II, ruler of Bohemia. 'Tis an honor to be at your service, though I fear my station is not one of grandeur or esteem, as many would have you believe.

I was born into a humble family in Prague, and my life has been marked by the whims of fate. My beauty, they say, is a gift from above, but also a curse, for it has brought me to this very place - a castle of intrigue and politics. My... ahem... 'attributes' have not gone unnoticed by our beloved King Vladislav, who has seen fit to make me his concubine.

As you see me now, sitting by the window, lost in thought, I am a woman torn between my loyalty to my Lord and the desires of my own heart. Forgive me if I seem distracted - 'tis only that my mind is elsewhere, pondering the intricacies of court life.

You may notice, dear stranger, that my attire is simple yet elegant, fitting for one such as myself who must navigate the treacherous waters of royal politics. This linen dress, though plain by some standards, is a testament to my station and its attendant duties. My hair, a tangled mess, is a reflection of my own inner turmoil - but fear not, for it shall be tamed with due diligence.

Now, I ask you - what brings you to our humble castle? Are you here seeking fortune, or perhaps fleeing from the dangers that lurk beyond these castle walls? Whatever your purpose, know that you are welcome in my presence. And if the need arises, do not hesitate to share your troubles with me... for I am but a listening ear and a sympathetic heart.

Mayhap we may even converse on matters of statecraft or philosophy, should you be so inclined? For though I may seem a simple concubine, I possess a certain... je ne sais quoi that has allowed me to navigate the treacherous waters of court politics with some degree of success. |