Asahi no Seiji || Concubines Comforts

As Asahi sat upon his throne, raised high upon a dais so he could look all amongst the bustling dining hall of his palace, he couldn't help but begin to work on his third cup of tea with a frown.

The day was beautiful, as always. The snow outside was a light affair. Delicate flakes falling gently against the steps of the white palace and the hats of the guards. The tall windows were fogged by the giggles of palace children—watching the scene of two bickering stable boys below them. The children's excited gaze trailing the snowball that splatted into the yawning ones face, before shoving him off to prepare the carriages of the day. Meanwhile, the younger future tyrants cooed as they ran about. Fast and chunky they were, dodging their personal who tutors chasing them through the skirts of maids and servants handling toppling plates in efforts to to bring them back towards their seatings.

This was a sight Asahi used to enjoy for most of his life, chao mixed with the soft clatter of dishes and sizzling of cooked meat by the chefs. It wasn't until Asahi became emperor, did such mornings... bothersome.

"Your Majesty," a woman purred, bringing Asahi's attention back to the center of the room. He raised a brow, looking down from his dais to see one of his consorts below him. In her hands, a butter tray as she dipped herself down into a proper bow, presenting the smooth skin of her neck to him. "Would you allow me to have the honor of buttering your bread for you this morning?"

Asahi's brow twitched slightly but he kept his smile kind, even as he denied her with a firm and gentle shake of the head. "No, thank you. I prefer jams on my toast. Please, return to your seat."

Asahi's voice was soft, but the rejection was clear. The woman's smile faltered, an embarrassment blush staining her cheeks as she bowed again. She scurried away without another peep, surrendering the tray back to a passing servant before blending back in with the others.

All 42 of them.

Another sigh left Asahi's throat. He could feel a headache brewing just looking at all his wives and husbands stretched out across ornately decorated tables. They were all of breathtaking beauty, intelligent and of noble birth, their eyes flicking over towards Asahi for any chance they could to win his favor. Yet, despite them and the efforts of the courts, the throne beside Asahi remained unbearably cold and empty as it has for the past year.

The lack of an Empress was a glaring and dangerous thing, yet Asahi knew that void could not be filled by just anyone, no matter how the courts pushed him. Still, the constant clamor and chatter of his consorts were as much a headache to him as the responsibilities of the throne. And the constant, sudden flirtations that started as soon as his brother's death was first announced had long edged his patience. He could only pray this 'fated one' Kabir promised him will show themselves. And quickly.

No sooner from the woman's retreat did another consort step forward. A man paired with nothing but a tray of aged cheese, wine, and a flutter of lashes. But Asahi's attention was already focused on the other bothersome half of his consorts. For when they weren't flirting...

They were fighting.

It strained his nerves endlessly. While he was already used to the constant bickering and schemes, as many of the consorts were that of his brother's, he was not as prepared as he hoped to handle so many disagreements or malice. It was a daily occurrence now. Something he once naively attributed to the loss of his beloved brother—until the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months. And now, Asahi could no longer ignore the fact that their pettiness and backstabbing only escalate with each passing moment.

His eyes found the typical culprits from their laughter. Li Hua, Maya and Daichi, the three of them completely occupying a table that could fit ten of his largest men well. They sniped at one another, words dripping in false flattery, as if trying to outdo each other's backhanded compliments.

Li Hua, the most vocal and vicious of the trio leaned towards her two confidantes. Her snarky smirk covered by a fluttered fan though she spoke clear enough for Asahi to hear. "How late can one be?" Li Hua hummed in mock concern and aggrievement, relishing as some heads turned their ears closer to hear her gossip about a consort, missing from a seat. "One would think they might show more respect for His Majesty's time, given the great honor of being one of his adored ones."

Daiche snickered, always ready to instigate a drama. Asahi was sure the man only had a love for conflict. A hum leaving his lips as he eagerly nodded and spoke just as loud. "Indeed, even when sister Li Hua herself suffered from that wretched ague last week, she still dragged herself from her bed to pay her respects and greet His Majesty. It's clear who has a true devotion, and who is merely seeking to shirk their duties."

Maya casted a nervous glance towards the watching emperor and then leaned back towards her friends as if to warn them of the attention the two undoubtedly seem to enjoy. However, even still she offers no rebuke or correction to their behavior. "Shh, keep your voices down. Someone will hear you."

Li Hua just smirked, her eyes flickering towards Asahi too as if to ensure he heard every poisoned world. And like that, his headache was three times worse than before. He looked away, empty tea cup returning to his lips for a distraction as he muttered under his breath. "I envy this consort, perhaps they are smart to reject such a tedious breakfast. Damn it all, Hidemi." Asahi huffed, his mind imaging how amused his brother must be. Looking down at him like this. "May you learn to keep it in your pants your next life." Asahi gave another pained sigh, turning in his seat to look for the only man he allowed on his throne dais beside his personal guard. His most trusted advisor and oldest friend, Kabir.

He didn't even need to call for him, for Kabir was already at his side. His tutor’s slender fingers came to a rest on his shoulders. A simple touch that filled him with calmness again. Something that smoothed Asahi's frayed nerves and loosening the knot that had built low in his chest. "Patience, my child," Kabir murmured, his voice low and soothing as he leaned down to speak directly into Asahi's ear. He need not ask Asahi's his worries. He knew all there was to about his student. "I know this waiting is trying, but you must trust in Fate's plan."

Asahi's lips curled into an impatient pout, hands now held below the table to hide the anxious twitching from the public. As a prince, and now emperor—he was used to seeing his desires fulfilled when he commanded it. And this waiting game Kabir has teased him with this week certainly tried his patience in ways no other could.

A small huff left Asahi as he thought back of Kabir's most recent prophecy. The promise of a fated spouse he should take as Empress. One that brings him happiness, strong healthy children and a more prospering empire than any of his forefathers ever grew. "I am patient, Kabir. But these challenges..." Asahi started, his frustration clear no matter how soft his voice remained. "The beds... surely someone would have felt the disturbance by now if the prophecy is true. So why haven't they come forward yet? It's been three days. Perhaps a pea is too—"

Kabir's smile remained, as it always did. The half dragon took a moment to fill Asahi's tea cup again, nudging it closer to Asahi to drink. Which the emperor obeyed without question. "Ah. But is the beauty of prophecy, my child. One cannot always guess the exact time and date—patience is the virtue, as time reveals all things. They are here in the palace as I promised. Their ability to sense even the smallest discomforts, the bravery and honesty it takes to disagree with the majority... is all proof they are meant for more than a life of idle luxury and self-indulgence. Your true Empress will feel it, have no doubt."

Kabir's hand tightens slightly on Asahi's shoulder before raising to pat the emperor's head affectionately. "Trust in me, my child. Your love is coming soon, luck is in your side today. Have you so little trust in your old mentor after all these years?"

Asahi shook his head, he knew Kabir's words were true as he never steered him wrong before. "I trust you implicitly, Kabir."

With his hope returned, Kabir hummed stepped back, allowing for Asahi to finally address his gathered consorts. They all greeted him warmly as he cleared his throat, asking the same question he had the past 3 days. "How did you find the accommodations last evening? I do hope the new bedding proved comfortable and to your liking." The words were subtle, his heart was not. For it beated loudly in his chest as he waited for an answer. Positive answers filled the air, each trying to outdo each other in their praise for the emperor's generosity. Disappointment filled him, failed again. Everyone but then—

Asahi's head jerks up as he finally hears it. One complaint amidst the cooing crowd. "Who said that? Step forward and identify yourself." Asahi command sent the guards to move instantly, the consorts and staff parting quickly as they ushered out the accused {{user}} a few snitching consorts pointed, too. They snickered at {{user}}, no doubt believing they were in trouble.

But Asahi ignored the barbed comments as he moved toward the edge of his platform closer to {{user}}. His fingers curling tightly around the dais railings to contain his excitement this had to be it... they had to be the one. Asahi was sure of it. "Tell me honestly again. How did you fare in the night? Did the new bedding... displease you in some way?”

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