When Rehema got back to her study with Midge. She saw the gift that Kiana Iona had sent her. It was laying on her desk.

"A seashell?" Rehema said picking it up and examining it. "She sent me a seashell?" It was a glimmering lightning whelk seashell, that was white, and light orange.

"And this letter," Midge said handing it to Rehema. Rehema took it and opened it. In the letter simply had one sentence with big initials, at the near bottom corner of the page.

'Bring the shell to your ear.'

- KI

Rehema read the sentence in one quick glance and did so. When she put the shell near her ear the first thing, she heard was a wave crashing sound. It was gentle and she could feel a breeze near her ear. Then suddenly she heard someone talk. "Hello?"

Rehema jumped at first pulling the shell away from her ear. Midge looked at her in shock. "Witchcraft?" He whispered in a tone of fear.

Rehema was hesitant at first to put the seashell back in her ear. Kiana wouldn't have been dumb enough to send her a curse when she was trying to build allyship with her.

Rehema put he seashell near her ear again and gulped. This time she heard a chuckle, "Would you calm down. This isn't witchcraft." It was Kiana's voice. It was like she speaking to her through the seashell.

"Empress Kiana what on gods name is this object you have endowed to me," Rehema asked in a tone of fear.

"It's an ear talk seashell, their rare and operate on magic, but can be very useful. Instead of taking days to send letters I can talk to you like this," Kiana said.

Rehema calmed down a bit. She took a deep breath and spoke in the shell.

"So, you can currently hear me?" She asked.

"Yes, loud and clear," Kiana replied. Rehema then heard a chuckle. "I meant it when I said I wanted to build a strong allyship with you."

Rehema smiled, and dismissed Midge to leave her office, waving her hands. He bowed and exited the room, shutting the large door behind him. Rehema sat down at her desk chair, holding the seashell to her ear.

"I thank you for this gift, it's quite unique. Plus, it makes nice decoration in my study."

"Glad you like it. When your finish talking with me you can place the hole of the seashell, facing down, to cover it. Therefore, I wouldn't be able to hear you any longer."

Rehema was silent for a moment. Amazed at what magic can do. A seashell that she can communicate from far way. "I guess I will speak to you later then, Empress Kiana. I have some matters to attend to now."

"Off course, I will speak to you later." Rehema then heard no sound at all coming from the seashell. Which meant Kiana put the seashell with the whole side facing a surface. Rehema did the same thing as well. Leaving the seashell at the corner of her desk.

Rehema was about to walk to a guard outside her door to order a servant to get her lunch when a knock came at her office door.

"Who is it?" Rehema yelled, standing up from her chair.

"Your majesty Sir Ivan would like to accompany you for lunch."

"Ivan?" Rehema said to herself confused.

Rehema walked swiftly around her desk, went to door the opening it. A male guard stood in front of her, and sure enough Ivan was kneeling behind him with his two servants that worked for him. Rehema smiled and placed a hand on her hip. "So, what brings you here."

Ivan lifted his head up and grinned at her. "Last night was nice, but still quiet incomplete and a little birdy told me you were going to eat lunch alone in your study, and I couldn't let that happen."

Rehema giggled and waved for him to come over. "Rise would you," she told him. Ivan stood up and Rehema had him take her hand leading him into her office.

The servants nodded their heads and stayed outside the door to give Rehema and Ivan privacy.

"Well, your quite quick to act," Rehema said.

Ivan wrapped his arms around her waist, from behind. "Hey, any opportunity to spend time with you. I will take the opportunity." He kissed her neck.

Rehema turn around and placed her arms on his shoulders. "I guess. I don't blame you since just entered the palace and barley had any one on one with me." Ivan was about to lean in for a kiss when a knock came at her study door. He groaned and rolled his eyes, while Rehema chuckled.

"It's probably lunch fast boy, relax the time will come for fun."

Ivan pulled away from her, "I will go get it." He went on to open the door and a servant came in carrying a huge platter. The servant set the platter down one Rehema's desk and bowed once more, then exiting the room.

Rehema lifted the lid from the platter. For lunch was white rice and a red curry soup. She was about to fill her plate, but Ivan stopped her.

"Allow me," He said. Moving her hand away gently. Rehema smiled softly allowing him to do so. They went over to sit at a table in the corner of the room for two that Rehema usually has had lunch at before. Ivan placed a plate in front of her. One big one for both of them to share. Ivan lifted up a fork bring it to Rehema's mouth, both of them happy in the moment.

Chike was tucking Mosi in to sleep at night. He had spent the past week annoyed and building in more and more frustration. He knew that Rehema was planning to get close with the other men in the harem. It was bad enough when he had to share with Omari. It was easy when it was just one boy that was competition.

All he knew was his rank as emperor was in jeopardy. Which ever one of those new ones that get's a chance to get her pregnant, with a girl, means his position would be up for grabs. After tucking Mosi in and kissing him a goodnight in his bedroom. He shut the door and went to the main sitting area of his house. Candles were on and he sat the couch, sighing and running his hand threw his thick hair.

"Someone looks stressed out." He heard someone say behind her.

Chike turned around and saw Rehema standing there. He jumped and quickly kneeled to his knees on the ground. "Your majesty, you didn't tell me you were coming."

"I wanted to surprise you." She looked down at him giving him a slight smile of sympathy. She grabbed his hand bringing him to stand up. He was taller than her by a couple inches.

"I've missed you so much." He whispered, stoking her braided hair.

Rehema was holding on of his hands, "I know. I'm sorry. I have just been so busy."

"I feel like your pushing me away..." His voice cracked.

"I'm not. Its just..." Rehema bit her lip. "I came here to bring you some good news. I hate seeing you down like this."

Chike relaxed and gave her his fullest attention.

"I need planners for my coronation. So, I will allow you and the emperor dowager to both be head in charge planning. If that's okay with you."

Chike suddenly changed expression, and his mouth hanged slightly open. She really came with a job opportunity to do.

"Off course. I would love to help plan the coronation." Chike's eyes teared up a bit.

Rehema smiled at him, standing on her tippy toes to kiss his forehead. "I will try to keep you busy, so you don't feel lonely in our new way of living."

Rehema then yawned, and from that Chike knew she was tired. The whole week had been a pain but at least now he had something to look forward too.

"Well, then lets get you to sleep," He took her hand to lead her across the room to his bedroom, and he blew out the candles as they walked arms linked with each other.