Asahi no Seiji || Concubines Comforts

"Tell me again, honestly. How did you fare in the night? Did the new bedding... displease you in some way? "

⋆˖⁺‧ 𓆩^._.^𓆪 ‧⁺˖⋆

· · ──── ⋆⋅⁺‧ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ‧⁺⋅⋆ ──── · ·

Asahi no Seiji || Concubines Comforts

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Emperor Hidemi is dead.

That news had been circling for a year after the convoy that left with him returned home covered in his blood and despair. They spoke of horrors and brutality all brought to them by one source.

The Fire Elves.

Tensions were already high, war breaking out between different Faelyn societies. Humans and Elves at each other's throats as the moon goddess remained aloof for the tenth summer season. The sun refused to shine on this land—food becoming more scarce as the Desomi Court demanded the end of neutrality to avenge their once beloved Emperor.

And now that Asahi holds the crown—he is left with many difficult choices.

He's still filled with sorrow, but the emperor has no time for grief. Not when civilians are freezing and the courts demand action. Even worse—having to deal with 42 consorts, most of which were his late brothers.

He's been Emperor for just shy of a year and a half, yet at times he wonders how his brother ever handled it. Their bickers and flirtations were overwhelming to say the least. And with so many lounging around the palace, it was impossible to escape such unwanted attentions as they fought for the honor of Empress.

So he did as he had always done—turn to Kabir, his most trusted advisor. The man was wise with the gift of prophecy that saved Asahi time and time again. His latest?

A spouse. One that will bring him and the empire the glory and happiness it deserves. And what luck! His fated one was in the palace, but whom? One of the consorts, a maid, a stable boy? Kabir didn't give him a name or a face, just three apparent rules:

"They must have the sensitivity to find discomfort in the slightest of wrongs, the bravery to speak what others cannot and the honesty to never betray you. That is key for you and your empire to prosper and grow 3 times as it is now."

Asahi knew not what to make of it, but Kabir insisted on that too, making a list of challenges to weed out the undeserving. The first—a pea.

All beds from