Teal's last health check saw Jale accompanying him down to Nala and her associates' medical rooms. Jale walked down a hallway that joined onto a flight of stairs in a completely different part of the palace. The rooms were still clean and tidy, but the elaborate decorations had certainly been left for the floors above. Jale stopped in front of one door and motioned for Teal to enter.

Books of different sizes, old and new, lined one wall while the opposite wall was filled with shelves holding a large array of small potted plants able to thrive in the indoor setting. Apothecary jars held roots and herbs; some Teal recognized while others he could only stare in wonder.

He didn’t have time to question what was on display for Lolena was all business, ready to get his health check completed as quickly as possible. With Nala away, it meant a double workload for Lolena. No one mentioned to Teal however, where Nala had gone.

Used to the process by now, the last check-up finished rather quickly with Lolena proceeding to give Jale a nod of approval. "He's all good. Completely clear."

Pleased, Jale set down his writing stick. "I will inform the Emperor at once. I'm sure he'll be wanting you to swear your loyalty as soon as possible."

"How long after I swear my loyalty will the Emperor ask for me?" Teal asked trying to sound casual. They were back on the pathway heading towards the Purple Jade Palace for their evening meal.

"That will be up to him," Jale told him simply. "But usually, the Emperor likes to take someone on the very same night that they swear their loyalty. That is what he did with Ralen and Delba." Jale glanced at Teal as they walked. "Are you feeling more comfortable around him now?"

"Yes, of course," Teal said quickly. It was a half-truth. He wasn't as afraid as when he had first met the Emperor, but the man could still turn his stomach into knots.

Teal looked over his shoulder to the large palace behind him and the towering balconies over his head. He gulped loudly and hated how the nervousness hit his stomach again.

"Aahh," Teal heard Jale sigh. He followed Jale’s line of sight to where several palace workers were moving a long chaise lounge. "Preparations for Prince Yernal from the Keglar Kingdom. I will talk with you later, Teal. I better ensure they set up his quarters appropriately.” He took one step and stopped. “I am attending the Emperor tonight so I will pass on the good news."

Before Teal could respond, Jale turned and left, leaving him to make his own way back to the Purple Jade Palace. Teal shook his head, trying to clear it, his thoughts so caught up on the Emperor.

"So, you're still here," Ralen said as Teal joined him at the table on the veranda.

Teal gave him a large gracious smile. "Still here."

"Glad to see it," Ralen said, and he took another large bite into the meat pierced on the fork he was holding.

They ate in silence for several moments, comfortable enough in each other's company.

"Jale mentioned that Prince Yernal from the Keglar Kingdom is coming to visit," Teal casually mentioned after he had eaten a good portion, Jale's words finally sinking in.

He had only heard of the Keglar Kingdom as the kingdom next to their empire. A kingdom that they were on friendly terms with, their land separated by the wide river of Trenia. Teal was also vaguely aware that Jale had mentioned some of the heads of the Keglar Royal Family during his lessons.

"Prince Yernal is coming to meet with the Emperor to revise elements of one of the current trading agreements. Apparently," Ralen stated with an air of sarcasm, "there are aspects that need fine tweaking. Meaning Prince Yernal wants to be a pain in the ass again."

Teal looked at Ralen in surprise.

"The Prince is known to be quite full of himself," Ralen explained. "The Emperor does not really like him and to make matters worse, he's going to be here for a while. He'll be here until the end of the Midsummer Festival."

>>

The Prince arrived with pomp and fair but was not received with enough pomp and fair to match. Ralen informed Teal that the Emperor wanted to ensure his displeasure in the called meeting was truly noted and what better way to do that, than by the lacking of a full court attendance or an elaborate welcoming ceremony.

Teal didn't see any sign of the Emperor or the Prince over the next couple of days. Whatever part of the trading agreement the Prince had to discuss, it kept them busy. Teal continued with his usual daily routine, his training with Satner, and visiting the Empress. He wasn't asked to visit the Emperor to read or to swear his loyalty.

Finally, several days into the Prince's visit, Jale informed the harem that agreements had been reached and now, a more relaxed atmosphere was to continue. The Emperor asked for Lana, Jale and Teal to join him for a celebratory dinner with Prince Yernal.

"It might get a little hectic tonight," Jale told Teal as he approved of their appearances in the Purple Jade Palace, Teal's and Lana's eunuchs and maids fixing and attending to any issues that Jale found. "Prince Yernal is known for getting quite rowdy when he drinks our ale and there's been additional entertainment called in to keep him occupied."

Teal looked at him questioningly.

"His kingdom does not practice the use of consorts or concubines," Jale supplied. "So, he is more than jealous of the Emperor's harem. In the past when he's been in town, the Emperor always obliges and brings in women from one of the city's upscale brothels who have large experience in serving palace officials and dignitaries.”

Jale paused and leaned in closer to Teal. “Remember what I have taught you," he stated. "Follow my lead tonight. This is going to be your first time attending the Emperor at a semi-formal occasion. The atmosphere will be celebratory, but you're also going to be in the presence of other members of the Emperor's court tonight. The Emperor’s brothers, Prince Vox and Prince Salren are going to be attending along with some of their partners. Everyone is keen to get a look at you so be on your best behavior."

Jale's lessons had covered the other princes. Prince Vox was second in line to the throne. He was a kind man, but a man who did not have the ability to lead and held little inclination to lead due to a lack of intuition and a tendency to cripple under pressure. His permanent residence was at Gloxvie City, a medium sized city that held no relevant trading routes.

Prince Salren, on the other hand, was third in line to the throne. He was hot headed, quick minded and intelligent, but with his own thoughts on how the empire should be led. He was also in control of the second most influential city of the empire, something that apparently the Emperor was not too pleased about.

"Keep all your attention on the Emperor as Lana will be busy," Jale told him. "Your entire focus is on him tonight."

As if she could tell that Teal had looked in her direction, Lana explained, "My ears pick up a lot more than yours. Our ties with the Keglar Kingdom are thin at best and, well," she paused for a second, "it's always interesting for the Emperor to know what's going on in the background."

Jale lowered his voice conspiratorially. "The Emperor often has Lana attend meetings or such events as tonight to listen in to the conversations going on around her. So, even though you might think you're being rude, don't talk to her." Jale turned to Lana. "Would you like my assistance when we reach the balcony?"

Lana lifted her hand, and Jale bent his arm to allow her to slip her hand into the crook of his elbow. "That'd be lovely," she answered.

As soon as they rounded the corner of the balcony, Teal could see why Lana would need assistance on this occasion. The balcony, which was more like a large open room with a shaded roof perched high in the air, was full of people and negotiating it would have been difficult.

The Emperor was striking, drawing a person's attention as soon as they walked onto the balcony. Dressed in formal attire, back straight with two guards at his back, a high collared vibrant red and orange jacket framed his face that only added more emphasis to the sharp shape of his jawline. It was also sleeveless, and he wore nothing underneath but for a dark colored pair of loose trousers.

Jale walked purposely towards where the Emperor was sitting at the head of a low table with the Emperor's visitors sitting on large cushions surrounding it. Only those with enough status were granted permission to sit at the main table, everyone else at the celebration had to stand. Those mingling parted as Jale, Lana and Teal walked, obviously aware of their position to the Emperor. Unfortunately, their status didn't stop their murmurings of surprise when they spied Teal.

Ignoring their curious and nervous gazes, they took their places, Teal on the Emperor's immediate left with Lana at Teal's side, while Jale sat on the Emperor's right. Jale and Lana took turns kissing the back of his hand, and before Teal could hesitate as to what he should do, the Emperor's hand appeared before his face again.

The conversation continued once they were settled, and Teal tried to calm his nerves. He sat ridged, uncomfortably aware that while the conversation had begun again, eyes frequently fell in his direction. The balcony was filled with the common language held by the official criticizers, common and clear enough for all those present to converse comfortably.

Teal guessed at who Prince Vox and Prince Salren were, sitting down the table on the Emperor's left hand side. As the Emperor's brothers, they were surrounded by their own mistresses and lovers. Prince Vox nodded in simple acknowledgement when their eyes met, a gesture that Teal appreciated. Prince Salren did not bother to grace Teal with his attention, although Teal was sure he felt the Prince's eyes on him when he wasn't looking.

Prince Yernal of the Keglar Kingdom, stood out from the rest of the crowd from the crown he wore on top of his head, a characteristic not followed by those in the empire. He was seated midway down the table opposite the Princes with, what Teal guessed, was his own men sitting around him, and women laughing and giggling at whatever it was that was being said.

Prince Yernal turned to make a comment to the Emperor and spied Teal. He gasped in genuine shock, recovered and then dropped his cup dramatically onto the table. It was enough to draw the attention of those who had been watching the stage, and Teal suddenly found the eyes of some of the most important people in the empire and the neighboring kingdom upon him.

"What is thisss?" Prince Yernal gasped. From the way he hissed at the end of the question, it was clear he was already quite inebriated.

Teal blinked and unconsciously sat taller. The other guests may have been polite enough not to comment, but the Prince was not.

The Emperor didn't look at Teal, but in acknowledgement, he lifted his arm and placed it around the back of the cushions behind Teal's shoulders.

"This is my new concubine," the Emperor spoke calmly and clearly for everyone to hear.

"Concubine?" The Prince gasped. "But he's, he's a Lombock!" he exclaimed. "The legends are true?!"

Guests jittered nervously and questioned, pushing past each other to get a better look.

"You have someone from a cannibalistic race lying in your bed every night?" Prince Yernal asked in amazement. He leaned forward squinting his drunken eyes to get a better view.

"From what I've heard," Prince Salren suddenly cut in with a mocking tone. "He's yet to lie in our Emperor's bed. The only member of the Purple Jade Palace who has not been able to entice the Emperor's so-called insatiable heart. Having second thoughts?"

There were some in the crowd who chuckled and twittered at Prince Salren's remarks, and Teal squirmed wishing he could disappear.

The Emperor was not bothered, but it was Prince Vox who answered. "More like he's waiting for the flower to bloom."

The Emperor and Prince Vox shared a knowing glance and chuckled. They obviously understood each other.

"We always did have the same taste, brother," the Emperor said in acknowledgement.

Prince Yernal only grimaced, his eyes still on Teal. "Does it talk? Is it intelligent? Make it stand so I can see it better. What terrifying eyes!"

Before Teal could stop himself, his body went rigid at Prince Yernal's remarks and defiance and anger surged through him. His eyes narrowed, and he glared in Prince Yernal's direction. Prince Yernal sat back in shock at the look that flashed over Teal's face. Teal's whole body suddenly looked as if he was poised to attack although he had barely moved at all.

"I can assure you that I am intelligent and as strong as the legends state," Teal spat loud enough for everyone to hear. He blinked slowly daring to stare Prince Yernal down.

The party came to a standstill. Conversations stopped, the music died and the laughter that had been filling their ears, dissipated. Prince Yernal glanced around the full balcony, appearing to be pleased with causing a scene.

Teal's eyes narrowed even further, and his entire body bristled with the inclination of attack. He glared at the Prince whose gloating expression was instantly replaced with fear.