It was hard for Apophis Uba to believe he was sitting here at a round table having afternoon tea in Ivan Omach's house, with Sang-chul and Ivan Omach sitting with him.

It was strange to Apophis that he was actually talking to others in the harem that was beside his servant. The day that Ivan and Sang-chul came over to help him when Omari Dalli was punishing him for something so little, Apophis didn't expect it.

He honestly thought the two of me could be setting him up. Concubines looking out for each other for the sake of kindness? Pig's flying was more believable.

But when his servant Angus came over to him to tell him that Ivan had invited him to spend some time at his house for afternoon tea, Apophis could hardly believe it at first. Two actual brothers in the harem. Since he became a concubine, he hardly talked to anyone.

When Apophis first came here, he managed to get the role from his mother being a low-ranked guard for the palace, and she recommended him to try mange to get a lot in the harem.

"You never know. If you get picked, we can finally make enough to provide for ourselves, since it comes with many rewards and being a father to one of the empress's children could bring out family status to great honor," She told him the day that rumors were spreading around that since the late empress Tamela Eze had died, and a new harem was being replaced.

When he auditioned, he never thought he would get a pick, especially coming from a low-ranked family. But it was his looks and sense of style that won him over. His smooth olive skin and brown freckled face was what Rehema called cute when she first met him. He styled his long curly brown hair usually in a ponytail or one solid long braid. His sense of style when I came to cloaks, robes, and agbada's was paid off due to him always looking at the trends of fashion from when he was a teenager to now.

It was the best way to impress an empress when you didn't have a high valued family background. He didn't have a general as a sister, or a rich family. So, he was going to have to focus on his appearance and hope for the best. He still had yet to be selected to serve her one night and he had been in the harem longer than Ivan and Sang-chul.

Ivan sitting across from him cleared his throat, "So, have you too made any moves yet? Come on don't tell me I'm the only one getting some action here?" Ivan said.

"It seems like you're her favorite out all the news ones," Sang-chul said after he sipped his tea. "How about you give us some advice."

Ivan crossed his arms, "Well you too are both too quiet and boring at times. She isn't going to let you serve her when you guys hardly even speak."

Sang-chul cocked his head, "It hard even getting the chance to bump into her. She has been so busy lately with planning the coronation."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Ivan stroking his goatee. "I haven't heard a set date on that yet."

Apophis looked down at his lap, "The emperor and emperor dowager are part of the planning committee for it. Word is going around they haven't been getting along."

"Really?" Ivan asked with an eyebrow arched. "One must be brave to challenge the emperor dowager."

"He is going to struggle holding power I think," Apophis added.

"What makes you say that?" Ivan asked.

"He is her adoptive father, not father by blood. Plus, when the late empress Tamela was empress, he was ranked as a noble consort, so I think Emperor Chike is trying to tread on his toes."

"Interesting, it's unstable how everyone in the harem can be so power-hungry. Everyone always wants a bigger rank, and compete in everything," Ivan sighed out of exhaustion leaning against his seat. "Personally, I don't care how far I end up ranking as a concubine, there is more to my individuality than ranks, popularity, and status. I prefer to be low ranked and happy, then high rank and miserable."

Sang-chul smiled, "Your right on that. There have been horror stories about concubines who craved power, and only pummeled themselves in darkness."

Apophis shifted in his seat, "Still better than being completely ignored," he mumbled.

"Oh please you may think you are ignored but trust me, your style catches everyone's eyes, her majesty can't ignore that," Ivan said waving his hand at "You should take us to your designer or shopping once."

Apophis fiddled with his hands, "Really? People notice?"

Sang-chul nodded, "It's unique, and you might even have an effect of influence on style to the rest of us."

Apophis smiled slightly and stretched his neck, he then reached for his cup of tea to take a sip.

"Trust me you two are going to get your chance to shine when it comes to her majesty. Just wait till things slow down like the coronation. She is still a fairly new established monarch, and all of us are fairly new to this sharing a wife thing."

Sang-chul and Apophis chuckled. Apophis had to admit, he could see why Ivan was the first to gain favoritism in the new group of men. He was charming and positive. Not on edge and not clingy either like how many concubine's can be.

Suddenly Ivan's servant came rushing into the room when the men had switch topics to talk about.

"Sir Ivan, we have a request from her majesty?" He spoke out of breath and quick. Ivan stood up from his seat immediately.

"What for?"

"She requested you to serve her tonight, dinner and bedtime."

Ivan nodded, "I will get ready." Then he dismissed his servant. He then looked at Sang-chul and Apophis who both seemed happy for him, "well duty calls," Ivan said scratching his head.

"We'll let you be, you need time to get ready," Sang-chul said getting up and clearing the table with Apophis. "Night Ivan."

"Yes, night Ivan and have a good time," Apophis said.

Ivan thanked them for coming and headed to his bedroom to change. Sang-chul and Apophis left his house with their servants trailing behind them.

It was a quiet silence between them. Most of the time it was Ivan who did all the talking when it was the three of them hanging out but Sang-chul was starting to get a big liking in Apophis. Apophis reminded him of himself in a way. They both had this awkwardness when it came to socializing, a hard wall they were going to have to break.

When Sang-chul got to his house with Addo he turned and walk towards the entrance gate. "Goodnight Apophis." He told him before Addo could open the gate door.

Apophis nodded, "Goodnight. I had a pleasure being with you and Ivan today. I thank you for your hospitality."

Sang-chul waved him a final goodnight and went into his house with Addo.

Rehema was heading to the study of Ekon's with Esi after her morning meeting. Last night was still on her mind.

Lately, she had been closer to Ivan out of all the new men. Ivan was more authentic she noticed. Always himself and someone fun to be around. He always was a good time, and even better in bed. Late-night was her first time being intimate with Ivan, and he didn't disappoint. She wasn't expecting him to be so romantic and lustful. When she woke up after the night, Ivan was already awake and he was staring at her, laying down propped on his elbow on the bed, and his hand gently rubbing her abdomen.

Now here she was after dismissing Ivan in the morning to get to work after she took a morning bath with him.

Esi was smoking from a smoking pipe as they walked to get to Ekon's study. She blew smoke in the air, Rehema waved it away in annoyance.

"Oh, don't be a baby," Esi sneered, and she went in for another drag.

"Whatever let's just hope this morning they have made some good progress with the coronation. The date for it is approaching quickly."

"I don't know, word is going around that Ekon is getting belittled."

Rehema looked at Esi strangely, "What do you mean?"

Esi shrugged and blew out more smoke, "It's just what I heard."

Rehema bit her bottom lip as she walked, and they got inside the building when Ekon's study was. When they got to his office a guard opened the door for them. Rehema found Ekon, Chike, and two advisors sitting at a round meeting table, looking at documents.

When they noticed Rehema coming into the room they all immediately put down what they were holding and kneeled in her direction. "Greetings and peace to her majesty," they all said in unison.

Rehema smiled and told them to all rise.

"I didn't know you were coming," Chike said getting up and walking towards her. He gently took her hand and stroked it.

"I wanted to see the progress you guys have been making." She told him kissing his cheek.

"We have the invitations for the coronation done, we're looking at them now," Chike pointed his head to the round table where Ekon and the two advisors went back to sit.

"May I see them?" Rehema asked.

Chike nodded, taking her hand and leading the way. He took the paper invitations on the table and put them in her hand.

Rehema searched through them. They were sunset colors, and flowers drawn lightly on the invitation cards. Rehema turned it around and saw the back with lines to write the coronation event and send to the address of whoever was invited.

"This is very pretty," Rehema said with full happiness, admiring the card. "Who designed these."

The advisors shifted in their seats, "his highness, Chike did," the male advisor said.

Chike did a slight smirk at Ekon but turned to smile at Rehema. "I know your taste better than anything else, so I had to follow it."

"Well, these are perfect!" She exclaimed. She turned to Esi let her look at the invitations, and then went back to Chike to give him one more kiss on the cheek.

Chike grinned, "Next thing we're working on is sending them out, and how the coronation ceremony will look like."

"Well, I'm glad it's keeping you busy," Rehema then went over to Ekon and sat down next to him at the table. He seemed annoyed and didn't bother to look at Rehema's eyes. Esi kept her distance by standing near the entrance door of the room.

"We have to talk later," Rehema whispered to him. He only pouted his lip and turned his back from her. Rehema looked over at Chike who was standing near the table. He shrugged when Rehema looked at him.

There was a strange tension in the room as if everyone was being forced to work together. Rehema couldn't take it, and it was clear she needed to talk to Ekon privately.

"Well thank you guys, I appreciate the progress, and I will be checking back soon," She told them.

"Well, your majesty now would be a good time to list us some names to send the invites," the advisor sitting across from her said.

Rehema agreed, and the female advisor handed her a parchment. Rehema took a writing brush and started putting some names down. Esi came over, her smoking pipe no longer smoked. She looked at the list and was surprised, Ekon as well. What an interesting coronation this was going to be.