"Prince Asteropaios, we'll be putting the wedding on hold until after it's determined if you are better suited for me than Prince Ericus Hyldetan. If Prince Ericus is found more suitable, he'll become my Emperor instead. Are you willing to accept this?" Yanelis asks him as she looks down at him from her raised dias.
"Yes, I will prove my worth as your Emperor." Asteropaios replies with a bow.
"Very well then. Over the next month, you both will be graded upon every single thing you do. You will both be given mock reports on issues that you will need to find the best response for, and give the reason for it. I shall not share my bed nor nights with either of you, but both will be required to spend dinner with me alternating between you two." She intones, then waves her hand. "Now, go tend to your studies, this is going to be a taxing time."
"Of course, thank you, your Majesty." He gives her another bow before taking his leave. This is the day after their interrupted tea, and he wasn't at ease with this new development. As frustrating as it is though, his main objective hasn't changed. No, there's simply a new obstacle that he hadn't foreseen. He truly needed to make more allies in this empire.
"Emp-, I mean Prince Asteropaios, many greetings to you." Sophia greets him just before he leaves the Sun Palace.
"Thank you Lady Sophia." He replies with a humble smile.
Sophia studies him, then moves a bit closer to whisper lowly. "Your Grace, Consort Jun is attending a gathering for the nobles. I mentioned that your Grace may be interested in joining him, which seemed to make him happy. Please accompany him to this outing, I've alerted your attendants about this already." She then nods to him and takes her leave.
"Thank you for your prudence with this." Asteropaios replies, then goes to his carriage. As soon as he arrives at the Moon Palace, he's ushered to his changing rooms where many finery and clothing was awaiting him.
"Your Grace, this will be your first official appearance, so we must make it one not missed!" Arila enthuses, being one of his two maids that accompanied him.
"We have your bath drawn and scented for you, your Grace!" Cirilla adds, both bowing after undressing him. They move to just outside the door and wait for incase he has need of them.
"I shall prepare one of your new attires for you, your Grace." Giorgia states with her own humble bow, misty eyed with joy.
"Lumturie, give me the necessary details about this gathering please." Asteropaios asks as he relaxes into the water.
"Certainly your Grace. This is a luncheon for Duchess Bertila Alofi, she was honored with the title after she fought for the Empress with the warring thrones incident. After Empress Yanelis was crowned empress, she gave all her allies titles. Duchess Bertila is retired now, but is revered as one of the best halbert fighters of the kingdom, she now trains an elite force of halbert fighters for the Empress. This luncheon is to celebrate her recovery from a recent bout of illness, thus we included health and wellness charms in her gifts. We expect many nobles to attend this luncheon, so you'll have ample opportunity to make connections." Lunturie hesitates, then clears his throat as he continues. "Consort Jun is beloved by her Majesty, but many nobles are upset that she keeps him as a consort and hasn't accepted any of them. This means that Consort Jun is often alienated at these gatherings, though not treated hostilely or unjustly."
"I will bear that in mind. Anyone else of interest?" Asteropaios questions as he considers what he's told.
"There will be lords and ladies from the coastal regions, many are vying to get closer to the Empress and no doubt will be quick to attain allies. The counts, barons and marquesses will be attending, as well as counts and dukes. None are keen to miss it and risks slighting the Duchess, she has a rather nasty reputation of being petty and gaining her revenge in unconventional ways. I will be aiding you, as well as Viscountess Ariel Kilnjin, well be able to assist you throughout the night your Grace. As far as ones beneficial to make connections with, Count Gyda Brecc is one that has gained favor via her daughter as of late. She's a warrior and her daughter, Zalaka, has inherited her abilities mixed with her father's tactical nature. I believe her daughter just became an overseer of Consort Jun's previous homelands. Viscount Haraldus Lévêque is climbing ranks with his abilities, though not many are paying him much mind at the moment. He hasn't garnered her Majesty's favor yet, but it appears she has some interest in him. He's completely reformed his lands and has made them stronger and more prosperous since taking over for his father at the age of fourteen. He's merely sixteen now, but still has much promise. Marquess Zenobia mac Arailt would also serve you well to be on good terms with as she's of close relations to her Majesty, but it's not well known. She's been raised alongside the Empress, and was betrothed to one of the Empress' brothers. Lastly of the more prominent allyable figures if none other than Count Jebuk Aznárez, her Majesty's cousin. He's very clever, stoic and straightforward with the Empress' wellbeing at heart, as well as the country. If one were to get on his good side, the benefits within this empire would be insurmountable." Lumturie lists off for him, before finishing with a bow and a towel. "We have placed information about each on your desk for your perusal."
Asteropaios steps out of the bath, accepting the towel and allowing the maids to dress him in a robe. "See that we have a gift for Consort Jun as well, give him a pin that shows our connection and have a set of clothing that compliments what he'll be wearing." He then walks into his rooms as they rush to do as he asks.
"Your Grace, we've selected the outfits to compliment Consort Jun's. He will be wearing a pale turquoise, so we've chosen two green ones and two blue ones." Giorgia announces as he reads through the papers on the nobles.
"Let me see." He states as he goes to his dressing room, finding a lighter and darker for both colors. After a moment, he chooses a darker green, smiling to himself as he does so. "And the pin?" He requests as they dress him efficiently.
"Your Grace." Lumturie motions to a servant that kneels with a delicate wooden box.
"Very nice, thank you. Bring it with us to the carriages to gift Consort Jun with." He states after seeing the golden pin that had an owl sitting on a branch with a shimmering opal in it's beak. After a small wait, they head off to the awaiting carriages. "Consort Jun, it's a pleasure to see you again. I hope you rested well last evening?"
"Y-yes, thank you." Jun replies, quickly looking away and twiddling his fingers.
"I hope you're able to enjoy yourself tonight, perhaps you can play for the Duchess this evening?" Asteropaios inquires as he takes the box from the servant.
"I don't think they'll like that though." Consort Jun hesitates, glancing his way for a moment.
"I'll ask her for you then, but I'm sure she'll enjoy it. I hope you'll accept this gift from me, it's in appreciation of our friendship." He tells him while holding out the present.
Jun's cheeks flush before he carefully takes the box from him. "Thank you, Emperor Candidate." Jun replies as he opens the box, becoming teary eyed as he lifts the pin up.
"Consort Jun, are you ok?" Asteropaios asks with worry evident in his voice and expression. The servants quickly look away to not see Jun's tears, but news would certainly spread. "If it offends you, I'll quickly make one more to your liking."
"No!" Jun shouts, causing everyone to jump as he flushes more and tries to regain his composure as his teachers showed him. "Sorry for yelling, but I am happy with this, so please let me keep it." He quietly says as he clutches the pin firmly.
"It'd be my honor and pleasure to have you keep and wear it. No worries Consort Jun, it's yours." Asteropaios replies, patting Jun on the shoulder as he smiles gently at him.
"Thank you very much then, Emperor Candidate." Jun replies with a big smile. A moment later after a servant helped him with the pin, they're off in their carriages to the luncheon.
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"Your Grace, I shall take my leave now." Prince Ericus states with a bow before leaving to his carriage. His green hair and orange eyes were both very prominent against his black attire.
"He is a troublemaker, is he not?" Antiphates remarks with a wide grin.
"One cannot say he's harmless, but this is a more fun arrangement than prior." Yanelis states with a smirk as she eyes a map before her.
"We too shall take our leave to congratulate Duchess Bertila Alofi on her good health." Chantal announces as she leaves with Antiphates escorting her.
"Have fun!" Yanelis calls after them.