Jale liked Teal. He liked that Teal was invested. The next day, during their second session on palace life, Jale focused on the people who resided in the palace, those of the Emperor’s court, and guests that Teal would most likely encounter when Emperor Rathner entertained. He also lectured on the arts of how to behave depending on the situation and the people present. The entire time that he was talking, Jale could tell that Teal's attention did not waver. Teal asked a continuous stream of questions that showed a curious and potentially studious mind.

Jale also liked Teal's hair, not styled or trimmed like those in the capital. Instead, it was unkempt wild hair that Jale had ordered the eunuch not to touch. It did not matter that it hung past the nape of Teal's neck and large locks of silver hung over his eyes, it always remained silky and vibrant. Jale had to admit he had also been pleased to see that the silver shiny hair and black streaks could not only be found on top of Teal's head as well. A delightful surprise indeed.

But what Jale liked the most, was the times when Teal didn't think anyone was watching him. Jale had followed him from a distance and had seen when Teal's body was relaxed from his nervous state. His body moved with fluidity and grace as if there was a hidden power underneath his skin just waiting to reveal itself and pounce. It reminded Jale of something, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was.

He shrugged. He was sure it would come to him later.

Jale blinked. He didn't know how long his thoughts had wandered. They had paused in their conversation to have a drink of water. The day was a warm one.

Jale continued with his lesson, placing his cup on the table beside him.

“Just remember, if you are ever in the presence of the Grand Council, military leaders, the Emperor's law makers, or the Emperor's official criticizers, you are to adhere to the strictest of protocols and rules. Your focus is the Emperor at all times and in public settings, being the lowest in rank, you are to follow all of the other consorts' leads. You should only speak when spoken to by the Emperor, and you should keep your opinions to yourself at all times."

They were disturbed by a knock on the door. It opened and a eunuch silently entered, clothes in his hands.

"Aah, right on time," Jale said. "Here is another set of clothes for you to wear today."

"Really? But I just had new ones yesterday!" Teal remarked.

"Yes, and these new ones you can wear today when you dine with the Emperor alone."

"When I...?!"

Jale chuckled. "Yes, you're to eat with the Emperor by yourself today. Get dressed."

Teal quickly obeyed, and Jale caught the slight shake in Teal's hands.

"How will I know if the Emperor wishes to see me when we're back at the palace?"

This was another reason why Jale liked Teal. Even though he was worried about his first solo attendance with the Emperor, he was not afraid to keep asking questions.

"Tradition states that once you have passed your monthly health checks, you will swear your loyalty which will be followed by the first obligatory bedding."

"What about after I swear my loyalty?" Teal asked, buttoning up the dark blue vest he had put on.

Jale rose to his feet and helped straighten the material over the top of Teal's shoulders, waving off the eunuch who had also attempted to do so.

"In the usual swing of things at the palace, the Emperor informs me of who he wishes in his bed chamber when he breaks his fast. Once I know who the Emperor wishes for, I will then go to the consort desired and inform them personally."

Jale stood back to admire Teal’s new ensemble.

"It always depends on what his schedule is.” Jale paused. It was going to be obvious he was prying. "You confirmed you and your friend were lovers. Were there any other male lovers?"

Teal laughed. "No, Cokrin was the only lover I ever had."

"Well, never fear. The Emperor is not one to be too fussed on a person's past sexual proclivities, and he certainly isn't concerned about your ancestry. And inexperience is not to be worried about either. The Emperor, no doubt, will enjoy finding out what you enjoy."

Panic started to flood Teal's voice. "What if...today?"

Jale cut him off abruptly. "Calm down," he said firmly. "The Emperor insists on the one month waiting period until Nala gives you the all clear. And anyway, the Emperor does not expect a fisherman's son who is really the descendant of a warrior cannibalistic race, who until yesterday people were still not sure if they existed or not, to be educated and trained in the ways of his court. He is attracted to what you showed him at Cleaven Estate, which is you. Just be respectful and polite, and you'll be fine."

>>

Half an hour later, Teal made his way to the Emperor's cabin. He cursed the sky which was bright blue, decorated with only a smattering of small, puffy clouds lazily gliding by. It was such a stark contrast to how he was feeling. They should have been dark and rumbling like the nerves in his stomach.

The guards standing outside of the Emperor's door didn't talk to him, just like the ones at his back. Teal cursed them as well for not showing him any sympathy. It was only his second day on the ship.

Jale's earlier conversation had unsettled him. He had always thought he and Cokrin had gone about resolving their needs in a very satisfactory manner. He didn't know how he could be inexperienced in the ways of attending to a lover. Cokrin certainly never complained, but the fact that he might be making an absolute fool of himself in just a small amount of time, did not sit well.

In truth, when he was back in Hulena and around his family and friends, he was easy-going and light-hearted, not one to stress, and he had never been one to hesitate in the throes of passion. He and Cokrin had never been shy in their explorations of each other's bodies.

But it was the Emperor.

He radiated authority. He had a presence, a stature, and a look that could silence a room, and he had the power to sentence people to death. Under his presence, Teal believed making the Emperor unhappy would be the highest crime a person could commit.

The guard on his right coughed, and Teal startled back to the present. With one last shaky breath, he raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Enter," the Emperor's deep voice intoned, and one of his servant's opened his door.

Just like the day before, the Emperor was seated at his desk. Today however, he was in the middle of signing a piece of parchment which he lay beside him when he was done. He went straight onto the next one without acknowledging Teal's presence.

For several minutes, Teal stood and waited. He didn't mind. It was giving him time to steady himself, to regain his wits, and it wasn't long before Teal's curiosity got the better of him.

It was an opportunity to learn more about the Emperor in his privacy, to break through some of the enigma of who he was. His eyes wandered around the small cabin until they fell on the shelf full of books beside his head. He turned slightly and started to examine the titles.

"You can read?" the Emperor suddenly asked, standing at Teal's back.

Teal jumped.

"Yes!" He coughed, and then continued more calmly, "My father taught me."

The Emperor appeared impressed. "What about writing? Can you write?"

"Yes, although my father always said it's messy and sloppy."

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, but Teal couldn't read his expression.

"Let's go outside and eat," the Emperor announced. He waved to his servant who had been standing quietly in the corner, and turned towards the door that led towards his private deck.

Teal licked his lips and followed, and it was only when the fresh air hit him that he remembered he hadn't performed his required kowtow in greeting. He fretted while the Emperor settled on the same cushions they had sat on the night before.

"Join me," the Emperor motioned with his hand to the space beside him.

Teal stepped before the Emperor and lowered himself to the ground, placing his forehead firmly to the floor. "Forgive me, I forgot to kowtow," he said, raising to his knees and keeping his eyes downcast.

"An honest mistake and an honest apology," the Emperor stated, seeming pleased with Teal's actions. He patted the cushion directly beside him.

Unsure of how to answer, Teal rose and joined the Emperor. He sat stiffly, awkward and out of place, sure that the guards and servants on the deck would be mocking him later with the clear belief he didn't belong.

A servant placed several dishes of cold meat and vegetables on the table. Nervous, he watched the Emperor take several mouthfuls of water before he placed the cup down on the table.

And then, Teal remembered his duty, of what Jale had taught him. "Can I serve you?" he asked quickly.

"No," the Emperor answered and lowered his hand to Teal's thigh. Teal jolted, and the Emperor gazed down to where his hand now rested.

Teal's hands gripped the table. "I'm sorry, you just startled me."

There was a heavy silence, the Emperor leaving his hand exactly where he had placed it.

"Do you want me to do something for you?" Teal asked, his voice shaking, his heart pounding in his chest for he knew that there were ways to pleasure without the risk of disease.

His eyes flicked over towards the two guards and wished he hadn't just made that offer. He had never performed a sexual favor in front of an audience before.

The Emperor didn't respond for the longest time, his hand still resting on Teal's thigh, so long that Teal started to worry he had offended the Emperor.

Finally, the Emperor spoke. "Is that really something you want to do right now?" he asked.

The slightest hint of a frown flickered over Teal's face. "Yes, I want to make you happy."

"Hmm," the Emperor responded. "Your intentions are in the right place, Teal, but right at this moment, you don't desire me."

Teal frowned, a frown of confusion this time. "I'm willing to do anything that you desire," Teal whispered, his worry continuing to grow as every second passed.

"I'm sensing some nerves on your behalf," the Emperor stated. He waved to the servant on attendance to refill his cup. "Wine," he instructed.

"I'm fine," Teal lied.

"Teal," the Emperor stated calmly. "As Emperor, I could do whatever I please with you. I could take you to my bed by force if I wanted to but that's not my style, so I won't." He squeezed Teal's leg gently. "What's the point in that? Where's the fun in that? I know some men do, but I don't see that as pleasure."

The servant refilled the Emperor's cup with wine, the Emperor pausing while he did so. Once the servant had returned to his post, he continued, "I take pleasure in seeing and feeling your pleasure." The Emperor lifted his hand from Teal's thigh. "Stand up," the Emperor ordered pointing to a space beside the low table.

The sudden instruction made Teal jump to his feet at once. He feared that he was going to be sent away right then and there. The Emperor stood up as well.

"The day before when I questioned your honor, when you were a prisoner on that chair, there was power in your eyes; pride, strength and intelligence as well. Where is that same man now?" the Emperor asked, walking around Teal as he spoke. He stopped at Teal's back. "Stand up tall," he instructed. Teal did so immediately. "Square your shoulders. Show me that pride you showed me when Jale and Ladet questioned your honor."

Teal's jaw set, and his eyes burned at the memory of those questions. His resolve stumbled when the Emperor's gentle hand pressed firmly in between his shoulder blades, and he froze, rigid.

"I said square your shoulders," the Emperor's voice was soft but firm in his ear. When Teal pushed his chest out further and lifted his chin, the Emperor walked to face him. "Look at me," he demanded. "Look me in the eyes."

It took a moment. Teal breathed in deeply and dared to raise his gaze. The Emperor was standing directly in front of him and their line of sight collided. There was nowhere else for Teal's eyes to go.

"When you can do that without me asking you to, when you look at me with want in your eyes instead of fear," Emperor Rathner stepped closer and lowered his voice. "When you look at me the way you look at Jale, then I'll take you to my bed."

Teal nodded. He hadn't realized he had been that obvious. "I'm sorry if I have offended you," Teal said.

"Why would I be offended? Jale is a handsome man." The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "I won't lie. In the past, there have been one or two men who have not worked out for me. I doubt that will happen to you though, and I'm sure you're worth the wait."

The Emperor returned to his spot on the cushion and pointed for Teal to join him. Once Teal was seated, the Emperor replaced his hand back on Teal's thigh. This time, Teal didn't shy away.

"I think the one-month health wait will be good for you," the Emperor continued. "Let you get over your nerves and allow you to return to your true confident self." He offered Teal a generous smile, and Teal returned it weakly. "While we are travelling back to the capital, you're going to join me for my midday meal and read to me. When we return to the capital, you will read The Lost Lands Sagas as I am told they may have some vital information regarding The Lombock. For now, go back into my cabin, chose any book you like, and then return to enjoy your food before you read."

Shaking, Teal went to the Emperor's cabin. He chose a book at random, his thoughts still jumping and returned to the deck. They enjoyed the food, and the Emperor continued asking him questions regarding his life back in Hulena. He spoke of his parents, his education and his friends. When they were done, Teal opened the book and read several pages aware the whole time that the Emperor was watching him. After a short period of time, the Emperor cut him off.

"Thank you, Teal," he spoke. "We will have to end here as I have more work to complete. Tomorrow, you will join me for my midday meal again and every day after until we reach the capital. I might get you to join Jale and myself some evenings as well. You can learn a lot from Jale."

Teal nodded and rose to his feet. He walked away with an easier gait, but Teal was also exhausted. Having his senses on such high alert all the time, ensuring he said the right thing, was interesting and that he didn't say something stupid, had left him ready for an afternoon sleep.

It was only when Teal left the Emperor's cabin he remembered he had failed to follow protocol and hadn't kowtowed to show his respect again. It had been the first thing Jale had discussed with him that morning. It was going to take a while to remember everything.