"Where the hell is the doctor?" Omari grumbled irritated as he flipped through the book he was reading.

Tano remained silent, trying to catch a glimpse out of the window. Omari had asked the doctor. The doctor was supposed to come back till next month. It's only been two weeks, but Omari was too impatient and ordered Tano for him to be sent here tonight.

Tano quickly went to the kitchen to take a breather. There was no way his testosterone level was going to change to a higher level today. It's only been two weeks, and Omari barely did anything besides just taking the doctor's prescription.

"Don't look so anxious," the housemaid, Anima said standing behind him and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Our heads will be rolled on the floor if he does not have his way," Tano exhaled. "So, it's kind of hard not to worry."

Anima gave him a look of sympathy and tried to offer him some fruit, but Tano refused kindly rejecting her. "Stay in the kitchen if anything happens tonight, I don't want you to get hurt." Anima thanked him and told him not to worry about her. They had grown up in the same village together and were both hired to work in the royal palace around the same time. Tano always tried his best to keep her away from trouble dealing with Omari.

Tano left the kitchen before Omari could grow suspicious.

Tano anxiously was waiting, practically bouncing on the tip of his feet. The last thing he wanted was Omari to take his anger out on him for the doctor being late.

Ever since the last time, Omari had his testosterone checked everyone that worked in the Red End house, and for Omari has been on edge. They knew if they didn't get his testosterone up, they would have a stronger taste of Omari's wrath.

There was finally a knock at the entrance gate of House Red End. Tano's heart did a flip of relief. "Check who it is," Tano told the guard that was standing by the door. He nodded, leaving, and going to check who it was.

The guard came back and behind him stood Doctor Swail, the same doctor from two weeks ago who checked Omari's testosterone.

"I was told a month from now to come back for a test?" The doctor said as he was kneeling in front of Omari.

"Stand. I just want to see my progress so far. To see if my dietary changes and your prescription have done anything," Omari said in a sly tone.

"Very well," the doctor said. Everyone in the room watched the doctor lay his leather suitcase on the table and draw out items from it. He started to set up the items needed for the testosterone check.

Everyone in the room held onto their breath tight.

Tano's heart skipped a beat when he saw doctor Swail pull out the quartz needle. Its liquid crystals glimmered in the room, waiting to be filled with blood for a test result.

The doctor did a simple whip of Omari's fingertips and brought the needle onto his finger to gently pierce.

Tano wanted to look away scared to even think of the results. There was just no way something good was going to come out of this. Why didn't he just find a way to make up an excuse for the doctor not to show up. The room was tense as everyone waited for the needle to give a color into which it slowly started to form.

Omari leaned in his seat making sure he got a full view, and then the color changed.

The result was good, almost too good. How the hell did his testosterone level get this high so quickly. From deep dark red to soft green in under two weeks? You would have to undergo serious and strict excise and diet, which Omari never really does.

But Omari didn't question the results, he simply clapped in enthusiasm. "It's green!" He got up from his seat excited. "Green, I might have a chance."

How the hell could that be, Tano thought. Maybe I should just celebrate no need to question?

"Are you pleased, your highness?" asked Swail in a bored expression, starting to put the needle and his items away.

Omari, "Ah yes, yes. I shall keep taking your prescriptions, doctor. Thank you. You are dismissed."

That was when Tano noticed something, the needle the doctor was putting away shifted to color red for a brief second when the light reflection of the crystals stopped bouncing off the mirror. No one saw except Tano it was so quick. Everyone else was just relieved they have another day left to live

Tano also noticed this needle had more of a glimmer than it should have.

The doctor fully put everything away, kneeling once more to Omari was too busy gushing in his mirror about his test results, before leaving the house.

Tano cleared his throat and told Omari he was going to escort the doctor which Omari allowed. Tano walked behind the doctor as they exited the house and started to walk down the pathway to the exit gate. It was only the two of them and the full moon was out. Only the silent sound of grasshoppers, and the night atmosphere was what could be heard.

"I saw what you did," Tano started breaking the silence and continuing to follow the doctor behind him. "You faked the result. The needle turned red when you got the reflection off the light from my master's mirror."

Swail shrugged and turned to face him, "Yeah, I did. So, what. Are you going to tell your master?" Swail remained calm. Unfazed.

There was a brief silence as the two locked eyes. Tano shook his head, "No. I wanted to thank you for that because I know why you did."

"You don't have to thank me. I will be fine, you however, I worry for you. That scrouge that you serve for, every day must be torment," The doctor then turned away from him continuing to walk down the pathway.

Tano continued following him till they reached the gate, where a royal female guard stood. When they reached the gate, Tano open it for him. Doctor Swail wished him a good night walking down the harem pathway in the glowing night.

Tano watched him, remembering the words Swail told him.

I worry for you.

That scrouge that you serve for.

Every day must be torment.

Tano broke out of his thoughts when he noticed a carriage coming down the Harem pathway. "Who could be visiting his highness at this hour?" He asked the guard, to which she replied with shrug. That's when Tano noticed it was her majesty, the official royal carriage.

Tano gasped quickly bending to his knees, so did the guard at the gate. Tano saw the carriage come to a halt and Rehema stepped out with the help of a butler. She was dressed in a beautiful west African print gown, and stunning neck jewelry, with leather hand-woven scandals.

Tano had to admit she was breathless and had striking beauty to take him. Her dark brown skin was also glowing in the night.

"Greeting and glory to you your majesty, we were not expecting you," he said politely.

"I just wanted to surprise Omari, is he in his house?" She asked, walking side, and allowing Tano to stand. Two male guards stood behind her to keep watch.

Tano nodded, "Shall I guide you to his chambers tonight."

Rehema smiled, "I would love that." She held out her arm for Tano to take and link with his.

Tano was taken back at first. Her majesty had never once physically touched him. He doubted she barely knew he even existed.

"I..." Tano said sheepishly.

Rehema smirked at him, "Aren't you going to lead me to where Omari is, or do you not like me?" Rehema teased.

"No! Tano said quickly, He linked his arm with Rehema. "I would gladly do so your majesty."

They walked silently together with now the three guards behind him, up the path and mini hill to Omari's house. Tano felt heating rising in his face. He was really linking arms with the Empress right now.

When they were almost at the house, Rehema asked Tano, what was his name. "I always see you serving Omari but have yet to get your name."

Tano's heart fluttered knowing the empress had noticed him before.

"Tano your majesty, Tano Kye, I'm originally from the North African parts."

"Really? Well, Tano thank you for your service in this palace," Rehema gave him a sunny smile, making Tano blush. That was the first and only time someone has ever thanked him for the work he had done in the palace as a servant.

"You're welcome your majesty, I take pride in working for you," He said, as they reached the outskirts of Omari's house. The double doors were opened immediately by a guard, and Rehema and Tano then stepped inside the foyer of Omari's colorful house

"Your highness, her majesty Rehema Eze, is here," A guard announced by the door.

Omari got up from his seat rushing to enter the foyer, with enthusiasm.

"Your majesty," he yelled out enthusiast.

Rehema beamed at him with a smile, "How is my mischievous little angel."

Angel? Ha! Tano thought to himself.

Omari blushed and pouted, "I almost thought you forgot about me..."

"How could I ever forget about my darling prince," Rehema chuckled.

Tano noticed Omari's eyes glistened at Rehema's and Tano's arms being linked together when they entered the house together. Tano noticed Omari's fistball up until Rehema released herself from Tano and walked over to Omari, giving him a soft kiss on the lips. Omari's left fist relaxed and placed itself gently on Rehema's back and waist.

"Have you been busy?" Omari asked.

"I've been practicing wearing my crown all week, lots of coronation practice," Rehema groaned, snuggling up to Omari.

"Well let's get you some rest," Omari purred in her ear, as he held her, he started to walk with her to his master bedroom.

Once everyone heard the master bedroom door shot, everyone relaxed. Today was a rare, good day. A perfect testosterone test result, and a visit from the empress. Tano felt almost too lucky, and he feared what was going to happen if Omari ever found out that the doctor faked his testosterone test result.

"Ugh, whom the hell is waking me up at this hour?" Esi asked rubbing her eyes annoyed. It was past midnight and Esi was in her master bedroom, in the palace of Sekhe. She had been woken up from nonstop banging on her bedroom door.

Esi yawned and faltered over to the door of her room.

"What the hell do you want—" Esi paused, expecting it to be her elder sister bothering her with something but instead was met with a familiar light caramel skin face.

"Bello?" Esi said hesitatingly at first taken back.

"Your Grace," Bello said bowing his head and kneeling. "It's good to see you again."

"Oh my goodness, get up and come inside," She ushered him in suddenly feeling more energized than ever. Esi noticed his hair was shaven in a nice clean low fade, and he had a neat trimmed thin goatee.

Esi smiled hugging him. "How was your work at the border?"

It felt good to be in her room again. It felt good to be back in the palace again, Bello thought, hugging Esi back.

"My work was fine; it had some conflicts but nothing we couldn't overcome," Bello said calmy at that moment he wanted to hold Esi's face but he restrained himself.

"I wished I could have gone, but my mother never assigned my missions to that area or go," Esi replied, going to her bed. She lit a few candles in her room to get some more light. "It's good to have you back," Esi said giving Bello a bright smile, one of his favorites.

"Just happy to be back to serve you and your sister, hopefully, my replacement was not too comfortable," he lumbered over to Esi and sat down on the floor facing her bed, where she sat. He had been carrying a sword holder on his waist, and a leather hand weaved pouch over his shoulder. He had come dressed in a long-sleeve brown smock and pants that matched it was, lamb fur boots.

"How was the news like there when people heard of my mother's death," Esi asked, looking down at him.

"Shock. I was worried for you, but I see the transition of power has been going smoothly," Bello kept his eyes on the ground.

"Well so far yeah," Esi whistled. "Well see how long that will last."

"You sense troubles?" Bello looked up at her worried.

Esi shrugged, "depending on the attitude of the other empresses, and now she apparently wants to bring Jatau and Monifa back."

Bello tensed, Monifa, Jatau, and their father was always trouble.

"Have you heard any news about Ajani? The Croom clan?" Esi asked.

Of course, she would bring up Ajani. He was the one that truly held her heart, ever since they were children. Bello remembered when he was just seven years old and was told by his mother, that he was going to be a servant to a princess.

"She's pretty," Bello said to her mother when he first had glimpsed at her, she was almost two years younger than him.

Her mother smiled down at him, "She's the empress's daughter. You will be her closet servant, and maybe even friend."

"No, I haven't," Bello replied, answering her question on Ajani.

"What about Master Cagrown? Safari?" Esi asked.

Bello shook his head defeated; he was always jealous to not be a part of their trio. Cagrown Champions was something deep for Esi, and he remembered when he was young watching them train, play, and laugh together while he stood on the sidelines watching and absorbing as Esi's servant.

Esi sighed, disappointed. "Ugh, I guess I'll have to wait and see if any of them show up to Rehema's coronation."

Bello doubted Ajani would show, out of the four of them, Ajani and his clan had deep-rooted problems with the late empress but was Rehema going to be a breaking point, after all the death of his mother was caused by Esi's mother. Bello never understood what was so special about Ajani to others. He was one of the most popular boys in the academy for his looks, but his personality was always stubborn, arrogant, anti-social, and indifferent. Plus being a member of the Croom clan was a big deal. Bello remembered hearing about other girls fawn over him, and other boys loathing him.

"Your sister's coronation, when is—"

"Two weeks away and have yet to hear from any of the other Champions, not even a damn letter," Esi voiced annoyed.

"But never mind them. I'm surprised you don't have a wife yet Bello, your almost everything a woman could ask for. I thought you would marry and move on after the border service, I didn't expect you to come back. Is there a specific type of wife you're looking for?"

It would be you, Bello wanted to tell her. Bello shook his head instead, "My loyalties are to this palace and your family."

"Come on there is no way you want to just spend the rest of your life as my main servant and working in the palace," Esi said.

I would spend the rest of a century in this palace as look as it meant being with you, Bello thought.

"I enjoy my work here," he replied. "This is my only true home, and this palace and duty as a servant is my wife."

"Ugh, I don't deserve you," Esi gushed getting up from her bed, and walking over to gently hold his face in her hands.

"Would you like anything else tonight? I feel bad enough I woke you up from your sleep," Bello queried.

"I'm fine Bello, thank you. Go get some rest in your room," Esi said. As Bello nodded getting up to go to his room, Esi gushed out one more thing. "It's really good to have you back Bello."