Chapter Three

Yanelis feels a bit of a tingling along her spine as she sees the flush to his cheeks deepen upon her demand. He hesitates for but a second before he complies while averting his gaze. She takes slow steps back before sitting upon her bed once more, finding amusement as he attempts to reign in his emotions. He stands up straight and waits for her next order, which doesn't come until he hesitantly meets her gaze for a moment. "Turn slowly so I can get a proper look at you." She tells him next, enjoying the show while all the servants keep their eyes wisely elsewhere. "Azita, Raha, what do you think of his physique?" She playfully asks them, which the two come to either side of her and study him as he makes his second turn.

"He's rather toned, I was honestly expecting a more pampered prince." Raha states with a giggle as she places a kiss to Yanelis' shoulder.

"He is a rather attractive male, I believe that your features are complimentary." Azita replies next with a large smile. "And he has large hands." She winks at Yanelis then, causing the trio to laugh.

"Enough spinning Prince, I must agree with my Ladies here. The hour grows late, you may all leave us." she states, winking at the duo that playfully pouts at her. The other servants leave, his looking at him with concern as they do. "Sophia, ready the Moon Palace for our Emperor here." She orders, gaining many happy affirmative replies.

Asteropaios settles his nerves faintly in the reassurance that her readying a palace was a good sign. He kept his eyes averted, even though Empress Yanelis seemed completely comfortable with being fully exposed to his gaze. He found it flustering, much to his annoyance! "Look at me." She breaks through his thoughts after a few minutes of silence, but he reacts immediately.

Yanelis beckons him closer to her, watching each uncertain step as he does so. He stands before her, under her unnerving gaze for a moment before she speaks. "You, my Emperor, need more training to truly become unreadable." She states as though an after thought as she smoothes her hand up his body, smirking at his sharp intake of breath. "My, you seem so pure…" She teases him as she trails her hand back down, staring into his slightly widened eyes as she cups him.

"Yo-your Majesty!" He stammers with color washing over him, much to her enjoyment, as he squirms a bit from her gestures.

"Hush now, don't disappoint me." She tells him coldly, causing him to pause, then avert his gaze.

"Yes, Empress…" He answers as he wills himself to calm as she continues her inspection.

"This, I can work with at least." She states, then suddenly places his member back into his trousers gently. She leans up and wraps her arms around his neck, causing him to meet her gaze again just before she presses her lips to his. She keeps their eye contact as she slides her tongue inside his mouth, feeling him quiver slightly as she shows him what she liked. She pulls away with a satisfied glint in her eyes. "No worries my virgin prince, you'll become a full man on our wedding night." She states, bringing him from his slight daze. "Sophia, please take our new Emperor to his rooms for the night, and send back in my dear Azita and Raha." She commands with ease after clapping her hands.

"At once, Empress!" Sophia enters quickly and bows, then motions for Asteropaios to follow her. "This way, Emperor Asteropaios."

He glances at Yanelis once more, gaining a waze from her and an arched browed look before he leaves the room. He passes the returning ladies, who giggle as the stop to greet him. "Greetings to our Emperor!" They both say, but Raha stops just beside him with a gentle smile. "You've done well, your Grace." Azita grins at him. "Please do keep her Majesty's best interest at heart." They both hurry along before he could reply, not that he had much to say with his mind in such a whirlwind. He exits the palace to see an elegant carriage awaiting them.

"Emperor Asteropaios, please rest easily in the royal carriage as we travel to the Moon Palace." Sophia requests with a bow, only joining him in the carriage after he settles in. He notices the many knights that follow them. "Please find comfort in the knowledge that our knightage will seek your absolute protection."

"That is a rather appreciative service." He states as he pulls himself together fully and watches the lighted paths they cross along the way.

"Yes, it's our Empress' deepest intent to ensure your absolute comfort and protection." Sophia replies with a bow, subtly reminding this was all from Yanelis' grace.

"Can you tell me some information about the Moon Palace?" He decides to question instead of asking more upon that.

"Certainly your Grace!" Sophia gives him a smile now suddenly. "Her Majesty has bestowed upon you the most favored palace besides her own to claim. This means you have pleased her Majesty to receive her honor and favor above all else, your Grace. Rest easy in knowing that you are her first Emperor to receive such an honor." She tells him rather proudly.

"Thank you, but I can't say I did anything too spectacular." He replies without thinking as his tired brain recalls the whole encounter again.

"But you did, your Grace! You pleased, and intrigued, our Majesty." Sophia tells him sternly, leaning forward once his attention was on her. "You did well, your Grace." She then sits back before telling him more about the palace. The Moon Palace was where the most favored stayed, though that wasn't always the Emperor's palace if he lost favor with the Empress. While Empress Yaneli doesn't have a full noble harem yet, he felt she would soon. Royal Consort Prince Jun Tigin also stayed at the palace, to whom he would govern over to a degree. Sophia was sure to stress that Empress Yaneli was the one to truly govern over all, and especially Prince Jun. The palace itself was only second to the Sun Palace in every way, but it was also a show of them being the two pillars of the country.

In total, there were fifteen palaces, though most won't be filled unless she has a royal concubine to govern it, or harem members she deems can do so, elevating them to akin to concubines but of the lowest tier. A harem member can never become a royal concubine though, and thus will never hold any true sway over the Empress. The being said, the other palaces all held flower names with the exception of one. The dark, frigid palace of condemnation, the Pine Palace. This palace held to royals that are punished, a jail of nobility in terms of the royal concubines and imperial family members, along with their servants and some harem members. Needless to say, falling into such a place would mean the Empress has no favor left for you.

"Welcome your Grace, do you have any need of us?" His servants instantly greet him, a few new faces telling him that he was gifted a few already.

"I wish to bathe, then have dinner in my rooms." He states, feeling like he had much work to get to in order to accomplish his main goal.

"Emperor Asteropaios, I will be the leader of your royal guard until you find someone you prefer to take the position. My name is Lord Antiphates Ayyub, I am one of her Majesty's Head of Personal Guards." Lord Antiphates bows with his contingent of guards.

"I thank you for your services in the meantime then." Asteropaios replies before turning to Sophia. "Please give her Majesty, The Empress my thanks for her benevolence."

"Of course, I shall at once your Grace." Sophia bows, then takes her leave after.

"Our Emperor, please follow me to your new rooms. This way your Grace." Giorgia says with a bow, tears pricking her eyes as she does so.

"Due lead the way then Giorgia." He gently tells her, allowing her and Lumturie to lead him to his rooms, each area of the palace opulent and a feast for the senses.

"Your Grace, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but we are glad to see you being treated well despite the unusual greeting." Butler Lumturie states after they enter his rooms.

"No need for forgiveness for that, Lumturie. Her Majesty has certainly shown us much grace this evening." He replies as he starts undressing the rest of the way, then slips into the bath.

"I was so worried about your Grace!" Giorgia finally says, balling her eyes out as she does so.

"Thank you, Giorgia. I appreciate it all." Asteropaios respondes, smiling gently at them as they smile back. Though uncertainty still was evident, they did appear happy for the moment. That helped to ease him as his mind returned to his Empress and their meeting.

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"How do you like him?" Chantal asks her later that evening after her Ladies had left and they were enjoying a cup of tea to themselves.

"His body and looks are pleasing enough." Yanelis replies easily as she stretches.

"Not what I meant, and I hoped you would have greeted him properly instead of being naked." Chantal admonishes with an exasperated look. "The man I'm sure was shaken up, much to your delight no doubt." she bemoans, causing Yanelis to laugh.

"He was…" She waits a moment before speaking seriously to her sister. "I liked his eyes, a fierceness was reflected there before he hid it away."

Chantal stares at her sister for a moment with a blank face before stating with a groan "Oh no." as she puts her face in her hands.