The next morning, Sang-chul was having breakfast in his sitting area when Addo came in the room announcing that Sir Ivan wanted to see him. Sang-chul placed down his piece of toast, "Off course let him in."

Sang-chul heard that last night Ivan got the chance to serve Rehema, and he was dying to find out what happened. When Addo announced Ivan's entrance, Sang-chul saw him come through the door with a big cheeky smile.

"Greetings and good morning," He announced stepping into the room, with his own servant was standing behind him.

Sang-chul smiled and went over to greet him with a hug and pat on the back. He then motioned Ivan to the sitting area so they could talk. They both sat next to each other on the soft, velvet red sofa against the wall.

"So how was it?" Sang-chul asked with enthusiasm.

Ivan crossed his arms behind his head and laid back against the sofa. "Let's just say we had a wonderful night of sleep and woke up well-rested."

"Come on! Details!" Sang-chul whined.

Ivan chuckled, "Fine." He said giving in and put his hands on his thighs, "We didn't make love because she was mostly tired. But it was heartwarming. We mostly ate and talk. She was interested in me. She asked me about my family and background and listened. Almost felt butterflies in my stomach just lying next to her when it's time to go to bed."

Sang-chul smiled happily to see his closest friend having a good experience so far.

"We had our first kiss this morning. I mean I kissed her before she left my house after she promised she would visit me again soon. I think she was taken back by it, but she went in for another and then gave me a loving look." Ivan looked giddy and Sang-chul couldn't help but laugh. He was used to Ivan acting cool-headed, composed, stress-free, and but now here he was acting like a young boy spying on someone he fancies at school.

"Trust me you have nothing to be worried about the night you served her; she is quite gentle. And since you're a softy she will be nothing but good for you," Ivan joked squishing his friend's cheek with one hand.

Sang-chul playfully pushed Ivan's hand away. "I'm blissful you're this happy. So are your feelings true?"

Ivan scratched his neck, "They are growing every day, it's almost scary. I didn't think I like her this much. I only signed up for auditions in the beginning because the servants, power, pay, and life in a royal palace sounds neat. My family status would be higher up due to their son is one of many married to an empress, but love was the last thing on my mind."

Sang-chul bit his lip, if Ivan was this head over heels in lust already, imagine how the rest of the harem is feeling. It's definitely not going to be a pretty breeze of competition.

"But honesty the next time she visits I hope we do more than talk. My thirst for intimacy is getting the best of me," Ivan complained. Sang-chul rolled his eyes, but still had a smile on his face.

"We have a meeting this afternoon with the Emperor correct, for daily greetings and blessings? All the concubines?" Sang-chul asked.

"Yep," Ivan reassured. "I ought to go back to my house and get in better clothing. You want to walk together to the Emperor's house for the meeting?"

"Sure, we'll meet outside a quarter-hour before the meeting," Sang-chul said he got up and started to go to his bedroom. Kukua set his morning bath for him ready to go.

"Good," Ivan agreed, standing up and preparing to leave. His servant had stood by the door of Sang-chul house the entire time. Ivan yelled goodbye and Sang-chul did so back.

Rehema was doing spear practice with Esi the following afternoon. They just had lunch together and Rehema was now doing her training for the day, her sister tagging along. They were practicing with sharp, wooden spears, and focusing on their aim, and coordination.

"You're getting better," Esi said when she noticed. Rehema makes a good throw that almost hit the red dot on the throwing board that was pinned to a jumbo tree they were practicing on.

Rehema rolled her shoulders and arm, picking up another spear from a pile of sharpening spears a few feet behind her. "I've barely had time to train since becoming empress, I need to fix my scheduling with my advisors. I don't want to be the weakest empress out of all Pangaea when it comes to strength."

"Trying to reach Empress Fan Du's level I see," Esi grinned. It was true, Empress Fan Du was known as the strongest empress by strength in categories of, speed, intelligence, weapon specialty, and enhanced power out of all Pangaea. It wasn't surprising that the East Asian Lands had some of the best empresses in the past and the best trainers. Second, it was still disputed whether Empress Catherine Garbajosa of the South American Lands or Oishi Bhatt of the South Asian Lands, came in second when it came down to strength. But those three women were considered the strongest of the empresses as individuals.

"I don't think anyone can touch Fan Du's level but working to be in the three would give some intimidation on my name."

"That would mean having to pass Catherina and Oishi,"

"I think I can reach that," Rehema picked up another spear.

"Mother couldn't," Esi replied.

"Well, I'm not mother am I." She threw the spear. Bullseyes.

It was only a few years ago before her mom passed away that Rehema started to train. She didn't want to be the type of empress that only relied on an army to get the job done. The African people deserved an empress that was willing to fight for them.

Rehema had no idea where she was ranked but she at least wanted to be in the top three. She didn't want to be seen as weak and wanted the people of the African Lands to know they could rely on her to protect them.

One thing about the African lands though was they did have the strongest in armies, warriors, and soldiers when it came down to numbers, size, combat, and strategy, out of all of Pangaea. It was how they have been able to protect themselves in the past and won wars and battles. Then the second rank came in European lands and third North American lands.

"So how is the official planning for the coronation going?" Esi asked, changing the subject.

Rehema shrugged and reached for another spear in the pile, "I don't know. I must set up a committee to get it down. Too many things going on right now, that I don't have the to plan it, but I can't delay it any longer."

Rhema smiled at her sister after throwing the spear. This time it was a bad throw. "Unless you would like—"

"Hell no," Esi said immediately putting her hands on her waist and backing up. "You know I hate royal duties, get one of your hundred husbands to do it."

Rehema rolled her eyes, "You're the closest to me." But Rehema knew Esi wasn't going to give in. Esi was lazy when it came to royal duties and just work in general.

"What about Ekon and Chike, I bet they're dying for work," Esi suggested. She then picked up a spear and threw it, landing a bullseye. Sweat was trickling down all of their foreheads. Their clothes were drenched with sweat.

"Yeah, I should just leave it to them. They're the most suitable for it, and it would make Chike happy." Rehema had noticed how tense Chike acts now. It was bad enough when she first met Omari before she was empress but she could see the hurt in his eyes that they don't spend as much time together anymore and that he had to compete with others.

"Peace and blessing your majesty." Rehema heard a voice behind her. She dropped the spear she was holding.

Rehema turned around, bringing her arm down slowly. One of her advisor's Midge was kneeling on the ground with a letter in his hand.

"What is it, Midge?" She asked.

"Empress Kiana Iona, She sent a gift to you."

Rehema turned around and looked at Esi. Esi shot back at her with a look of confusion.

"Thank you, Midge, but where is it?"

"We delivered it to your bedroom, your majesty. If you want to come with me to have a look." Midge then stood up and offered his hand.

"I hope it's not another husband, I already have enough of them," Rehema said with a nervous giggle. She then turned to her sister empathic, "Sorry I know I said I would spend the afternoon with—"

Esi raised her hand, and waved it in the air, "It's alright, go on. I will be fine we can train more again later."

Rehema nodded, happy that her sister understood. She then took Midge's hand and he led her back to the palace grounds.

Chike was at staring at his water clock across the room. He was in the blessing room of the emperor's sitting on the main chair and platform in the room. In front of him against the wall of the rectangle-shaped room was seated where the other concubines were sitting with at least two servants standing behind them.

The hour struck moments ago, and it was past the time for the meeting to start.

All the concubines have arrived on time except one they were all waiting for.

One of the men coughed, which broke the unpleasant silence.

"Ugh you know he's always late can't we just get started without him," Jafari, a noble consort complained.

"His sister is general Adanna Dalli. It's an easy ride for a concubine when your family wins battles for the land," Emad the other noble consort, said.

"That explains why he gets away with his disrespectful behaviors," Jafari said.

"Enough!" Chike yelled. The room fell into silence. "All of you are still ranked below Omari, he is still imperial noble consort. Only I can have the power to criticize and critique him when necessary." Jafari and Emad apologize softy doing a quick bow to Chike.

It was a moment late that Omari had finally arrived. He entered the blessing room walking through the middle area with two male servants behind him. He was dressed in a long black and gold kaftan that trailed on the ground. Chike recognized the one the servant with a bruise on his cheek that he had seen outside with Omari before. This time the bruise looked even harsher.

Omari has a smirk on his face, he bowed with his knees greeting Chike. "Peace and blessing to your majesty," He said and then he went to take his seat not bothering to let Chike tell him to rise.

"About time you came, we're patiently waiting for you," Chike's voice remained calm and neutral.

"Sorry I had to change outfits, one of my idiot servants, poured water on the one I was already wearing so I had to change."

Chike noticed the servant with a bruise on his face, lower his head after Omari's comment. Chike then cleared his throat to address all the men. "I hope you all have been having a blessed good week. I have heard our newest brother have been settling in and getting to know her majesty."

The men sitting in the middle area and back area nodded and said yes in unison. Most of them held smiles and seemed happy and pleased. Chike couldn't help but laugh in the back of his head. Give it a month before they realized what they truly signed up for.