Ekon was writing in his journal when his closest servant Nuri had came in the room. "Greeting his highness," He said quickly kneeling and getting up.

Ekon lifted his head from his paper. "Are we heading to the Harem meeting hall?"

"Yes," Nuri nodded, and he went over to help Ekon out of his seat and link arms with him. "Are you ready or is there anything else you will need?"

"Everything I need is here let us go," he said and the walked out his bedroom, out of his palace area and towards the Harem hall in the court. They were now going to the Emperor's Dowager Harem Meeting room. The official meeting room for the emperor dowager only when it came to having meeting with the other in the harem. This was going to be his first-time meeting with so far what would be six of men that Rehema has in her Harem.

Nuri and Ekon entered the official meeting emperor dowager meeting room. Inside in the rectangle shaped room, up ahead sat a main wooden chair painted in gold, and little detailed areas in silver and blue. It was an Egyptian designed seat with two gold candles stand on both sides of it that were decorated as snakes.

On the floor laid a brown squared patterned decorated carpet. The rest of the room on the sides had simple brown seats for the rest of the men of the harem had to sit. Ekon was the first one there being he was couple minutes early. He went to sit on the main throne in the room, with Nuri standing by his side.

Soon the men of Rehema's harem started to arrive. Ekon took notice of Emperor Chike, two noble consort's Jafari and Emad, the two noble men Darbir and Jahi, and the second-class male attendant Apophis all coming in. The each greeted him with a bow and took their seats, the Emperor sitting closest by the Emperor Dowager and the second-class attendant sitting farther in the room. They wore their best fabrics and necklaces, and rings. Each of the men's main servants stood by their side.

One more guy was missing, the imperial noble consort. It was seen as disrespect when someone would come to a higher up's meetings late. Ekon did not appreciate being walk over during the first meeting of the men in the harem but he had to begin and let it go. He didn't want Rehema having to deal with drama so early in the harem.

"Welcome gentlemen," He said clearing his throat. "It seems the Imperial Noble Consort is running late but that is okay, we will get started anyhow."

"So far the harem is small but soon when Empress Rehema comes back auditions will be held, and the harem might expand up 15 or 20 of you." The room was quiet. This was the first time everyone meeting each other, and they felt awkward. Mostly because they didn't like each other and were all competing to be the father of Rehema's first daughter.

"We most strictly follow the rules of the harem to maintain order. No jealousy, only serving the empress, and absolutely no scheming. Chike it is your duty as emperor to lead the harem and we must all respect our roles that the empress has given us."

Suddenly Imperial Noble Consort, Omari came in with his main servant Tano by his side. He seemed to have a slight smirk on his face and did a quick kneel to great Ekon and went to his seat.

"Its nice to see you Imperial Noble Consort Omari, you are a bit late. I hope everything is ok," Ekon said calmy.

Omari glanced at Ekon, he saw across from Chike. "I was just finishing up getting ready, I do apologize for my lateness, hopefully I didn't miss anything."

"We were just going over the main rules and expectations of being in the harem. I shall repeat it over," Ekon said, and he repeated the stuff he had said in the beginning. "I have strictly told Rehema not to show favoritism so we shall all get attention equally or their will be no need for scheming, and we must respect the hierarchy."

Ekon glanced around the room looking at the numb, blank faces of the six men. It reminded him of the first time he was introduced to the harem when Tamela was in power. The numb, blank, and jealous faces. No one ever liked when new people entered the harem, it meant more competition.

"That will be all today, and we shall meet again soon," Ekon concluded.

"Well, you use to be a concubine for the late empress Tamela, so what advice do you give to us," Omari quickly asked before everyone could get up to leave.

Ekon put a finger to his chin, "My main advice would be natural with the empress, be yourself. If you are yourself its must easier to win someone over than pretending to be someone else."

"Did that work out for you?" Omari asked.

Ekon smiled, "Well, I am emperor dowager aren't I?" He than excused the rest of the men out the room allowing them to leave.

Rehema and the African Lands crew had to rest after a whole day of travel. Everywhere around them on the hills people were setting up tents to sleep, eat, and rest for the day.

"Your majesty, your tent is ready," A servant came over to say. Rehema was sitting by a bonfire with her sister Esi, as they are getting ready for bed.

Rehema thanked the servant and stood up. "Goodnight Esi I'm heading to bed," She said starting to remove her cape.

Esi pointed at something, "Seems like your little friend might be lonely tonight."

Rehema looked at what Esi was pointing at to see what was Sang-chul standing near a tree confused and awkward. Rehema gave a look at Esi who was giggling, "Stop. I guess it won't hurt for him to sleep with me tonight."

"And get yourself pregnant again this early?"

"No, you fool. Just sleep." Rehema left her sisters and went over to Sang-chul his face was slightly relieved when he saw her coming.

"Greetings your majesty," he said kneeling.

Rehema smiled and told him to stand, "What brings you out here alone and not in a tent."

"I don't have a tent to sleep in your majesty," He said nervously looking down at his shoes.

"Well, you do now," She grabbed his hand walking him over to her big tent. Inside the tent candles were lit around and stuffed bedding area large enough for two people. Rehema sat on the edge of the bed and Sang-chul wasn't sure where to sit yet so he sat on the floor facing Rehema.

"You're not hungry?" Rehema added. "If you want not dinner-"

"I'm fine your majesty," He said still looking around the tent.

Rehema leaned back and held her arms out behind her to support her posture. "I guess now is the time where I can understand more about you, like how you grew up and how you were picked by Empress Fan Du in the first place."

Sang-chul shifted, "I grew up in the Korean county of the East Asian lands, a low ranked family. Farmers." Rehema listened closely as he continued. "I went to the auditions to be part of Empresses Fan Du harem because previously my older brother was accepted in the harem and lots of money gets sent over to the family of members in the harem. My family wanted to see if I could get in too and I did.

"Wait so your brother is also part of Fan Du's harem as well?" Rehema asked.

"Was." Sang chul stated. Rehema gave Sang-chul an confused expression.

"He's not in her harem anymore, when I learned I was accepted to be part of Empress Fan Du harem...I found out my brother was given off to a different empress. Just like me now."

This was now interesting news to Rehema. So, it seems like Fan Du oftently gives off boys to others when she has no use for them. Can't blame her with the huge harem size that she has.

"And what empress does your brother serve now?" Rehema asked.

"Empress Adelaide Kasperek," he said. "Empress Fan Du given him to her as gift during the time Adelaide had become empress."

Rehema looked at him seriously now, "Really?"

Sang-chul nodded, "My older brother serves her now in the European lands. When I got into Empresses Fan Du harem, I thought it was a great experience, but her harem is simply too big. Many of us were ignored and lonely. I never got to sleep with her one night or even serve her. Which left me with nothing for almost three years."

Sang-chul lifted up his head at Rehema and looked in her eyes, "I was scared at first when I heard that I was part of the men being thrown out since I serve not use. But being picked by you Empress Rehema has given me hope.I promise you to serve you only you, and give you all of my loyalty."

Rehema smiled down at him, "Well, I'm happy to hear that and I can't wait to see what the future holds." She held out her hand and he lightly took it standing up from the floor. She pulled him closer to her, "And I promise to not leave you in the dust." She then got up to blow out the candles in the room and got ready for bed.

Sang-chul remained quiet and stood on the sidelines. "I will sleep on the floor your majesty," He said when he noticed Rehema was about to get in bed, but Rehema grabbed his wrists stopping him.

"Don't' be silly, this bed is big enough for both of us." She directed him to the bed and she laid next to him getting ready to sleep with her eyes close facing him.

Sang-chul couldn't help but smile, as he laid next to empress in her bed facing her on his side. This was the most attention he has ever gotten from a woman during his three years of being a concubine.