The next day, Thalia led me to the main hall of the palace's ground floor. Though it felt like an achievement to discover so much, there were still some places that were restricted to non-royals.

The area was a stretched hallway, lined with thick round pillars and potted plants. Geometric designs were made on the roof, with intelligently carved out openings that allowed sunlight to illuminate certain parts beautifully.

"Can you see the throne at the far end?" Thalia pointed to the distance, and I squinted my eyes to see a golden throne in the shadows.

"This place looks better at nights when they light up the fire torches," she waved a hand towards small bowls placed over bronze stands. Walking to one of them, I picked up the burnt-out ash it contained.

She continued, "When His Honour is in the mood, celebrations are organised here."

"Mood?" I chuckled.

"Ahaha, yes. His warriors are always hungry for these evening, sometimes late-night festivities. And the mood, because it's very difficult to convince him. You know, dancings, drinks and gossiping, he's not fond of these," she giggled.

Geez, so he isn't a party man.

I smiled to myself, thinking how he was nowhere to be seen during Alexandria's inauguration, but at the border of the forest, holding those cubs. Also, he had cleverly escaped the Dionysus' festivities with my excuse.

Settling down on the nearby steps that led out of the palace, I quickly wrote about this section in detailed descriptions.

It would've been better if the department had attached some camera in us to record footages. This place was too beautiful to be described in writing.

After the writeup, we stepped onto the cool marble platform where the Dionysus's women had sat. Though it was a desert city, there was remarkable work done to construct the gardens ahead.

The bushes were trimmed up, with towering date palm trees at every corner. A soft breeze blew past us, carrying it with the scent of freshly watered plants. The Sun shone down warmly over the sprawling garden, shimmering the plants with its rays.

I took in a deep breath of this natural wonder. "Who designed these gardens?"

"His Honour and his sister did them. He missed the vast greenery of his hometown, also the sands here irritated him a lot," she laughed, "So, he ordered these gardens to be made without a speck of sand in them."

We stepped down onto the platform, and my bare feet came into contact with the grass. Soft, cool and comforting.

We had decided to take this tour after lunch, so exploring every part of the garden took us till evening. Thalia was explaining nonstop, so much that I had to remind her to breathe at certain moments.

"And these are the special flowers imported from his hometown of Greece. They keep them in more care because of Egypt's weather," she went on. I reached to touch the flower when I spotted a bounded area outside the garden. Partially hidden by the thorny bushes of the flower.

"What's that place?" I asked, trying to remove the bushes out of my sight.

"That's the warrior's training ground," she replied.

"Can we go there?"

"Oh, no! I'm afraid His Honour won't like us going there," she mumbled.

"Um, we won't exactly go in there, but just stand where the garden ends. Please, can we? I'd love to see how warriors practice there," I pouted. She glanced at the area in nervousness, then looked back at me, wringing her hands.

"Alright... But we'll hide behind the bushes." She took my hand and carefully led me to the garden's boundary.

Hiding behind a grapevine, I spotted a few warriors in action, amongst which a particular man seemed to work out the hardest. He struck his sword at a wooden pole relentlessly, with precise actions. The muscles on his back flexed with every move, sweat trickling down even in the cool evening.

A side of his shoulder was bandaged with linen.

"That's His Honour!" Thalia gasped, "Please, let's go back. He'll be furious if he spots us!" she fretted. Her eyes averting to him in anxiousness.

I grabbed the scared woman and pushed her deeper in the bushes, "There, all-clear from his sight," I patted her, "But... was he wounded in the war? He had that cloth wrapped since he came," I asked, glancing back at his toiling self.

"Yes... he was. And it's his rule to practice harder when he's wounded," she murmured.

"But... but isn't it hurting him?" I uttered. When I gave her a pitied look, she continued,

"For instance, he believes if he's able to strike four barrels when wounded, he can tackle double the amount when he's fit." she looked into the distance,

"It's a measure of how much harshness his body could take. Only some can follow this rule, and he's one of them," she continued.

"He didn't have his lunch too. Sometimes he gets so focussed on his practice that it's early evening already. Like right now," she whispered. My gut wrenched again. I didn't know I had stepped forward when she pulled me back. "Where are you going?"

"A warrior of his built needs food. Is it fair, he's neglecting it like that?" Something in me couldn't see him going on like that. Tormenting himself.

Thalia panicked. "Please understand, Althea, he'll be fine. He'd had this routine for years. As of his practice, only his mother can interrupt him,"

She tugged me back from where we'd come,

"It's been long since we're standing here. Come, I'll show you the inner garden," and she dragged me back inside the palace.

At the opposite end of the throne in the hallway, there was an open way which led inside the ground floor of the palace. Some birds sitting on the stone path flew away as we walked in.

Beside us was a rectangular area. It was the same garden I'd seen yesterday, which appeared to be a hanging place for women.

Thalia quickened her steps when she spotted a group of women chatting with each other. They wafted themselves with the fur fans they held.

Oh no, they have... fur fans?! That means...

Thalia warbled, "I- I will explain this part t- tomorrow... Let's go to our rooms now-"

"Aye, Thalia! Where have you been all this time, girl?!" I discreetly looked at them but averted my gaze in a fraction.

This had to happen one day or the other.

The concubine gang's lethal gaze was focused on us.

"Aren't you aware I want my kohl changed every two days? Why is the old one still lying in my room?!" another concubine demanded, standing from her position. When her eyes landed on me, she exchanged a silent glance with her friends, then chose to ignore me.

A shiver ran down my spine. "Hey, Thalia," I whispered, "Didn't you tell you were my helper now?"

"I- I forgot t- to tell them..." She stood frozen on her spot, looking ready to burst into tears.

"Well... can't you tell them now?" She gave me an expression as if I'd told her to go on a suicide mission. "P- Please help me, A- Althea," she hiccuped.

There wasn't a need to fear this much. She was being scared for no reason; I thought and looked again at the concubines.

The fact that they looked like trained assassins made my previous statement evaporate in thin air.

"Thalia! If your mistress has asked something, is this how you show your respect?!" Thalia led out a cry at the booming voice. Sniffling, she walked into the little garden.

Poor girl had never asked anything from me except now, to help her. I'd be guilty as charged if I run away.

'C'mon, woman up Althea'. I gripped my book and walked behind her.

"Yes, what's with you, Thalia? Are you crushing on a warrior or something that you are out of our sight now?"

"M- Mistress, I-"

"Our girl is growing up. We should teach her some skills to court men, no?" the bronze-haired woman stated, making the others cackle around her.

"It's not that..." Thalia barely whispered, tears clouding her vision. She was one sensitive young woman, and now I understood why she feared them.

Julian's concubines weren't any gang. They were the fourth-century bullies.

It wouldn't be a doubt if they were the ancestors of mean girls back in high school.

"Care to explain your presence here, woman?" One of them hissed at me. I slowly held up my book in front of her face.

She scrunched her brows, confusion spiralling her mind. Before she could come with a retort, I sat on the grass and flipped open my book.

"I want to write about all of you!" I beamed, trying hard not to slip from my overexcited look.

Breathe Althea, breathe. Bullies like it this way when they are flattered. And today I'm going to flatter the bully out of them.

After a moment of silence, they were still perplexed.

"Huh?" One of them exclaimed, "What rubbish."

I gulped down my throat, convincing myself that I just needed to explain them better. Thankfully, poor Thalia had got a breather.

"I have the responsibility of writing about kingdoms and its people. And I thought it would be great if people know about His Honour's beautiful concubines through my work." I dared to look at each of them in the eye, with a bright innocent smile on my face.

One of the brown-eyed women with thick hair of the same colour plopped beside me and began going through the book.

"You wrote about Queen Cleopatra?" she asked surprised, moving her fingers on the royal mark of the queen, stamped on my book. "I've heard countless stories about her supporting women."

"Yes," I smiled, "I used to work at her palace, but after His Honour captured the city, I am transferred here."

Everyone's eyes shot to me and a look of what I could decipher as relief came over their faces.

"So, you aren't Julian's latest war prize?" One asked, scooting closer to me.

"No, how could that be?" I giggled, "War prizes are beautiful women and I'm nowhere near your beauty," I shrugged, giving them a soft smile.

Their rigid stance melted a little. "Well, well, we are praised for our beauty all the time," the bronze-haired one waved her hand. "As for yourself, you are cute. The last thing men look for," she laughed. The others snickered beside her.

She really is a bully.

Swallowing my pride, I kept up with my smile. "The last thing I would want is to grab a man's attention. I intend to preserve my chastity for my husband." I gave them a sound reason, just so they don't assume me to be a barrier between them and their beloved master.

"Relax, Phoebe," the brown-haired woman chuckled, "He always goes for experienced women."

And it takes time to make a woman scream,

Don't you think so?

"Why would a ruler like him waste his time cooing someone to bed when he has plenty?"

Coming to the time, we'll have plenty of it, Mila.

A shudder ran down my spine. Seeing my flustered state, Phoebe rose a brow. I stretched my lips into a trembling smile, "Y- Yes, yes, you are right!"

"Ladies, what's going on?" A woman came to sit with us, who was previously talking with a group of three women who sat away from the rest.

She appeared older than most concubines, probably of Julian's age. "Did I hear you want to write about us?" She asked cheerfully, glancing at my book with interest.

"Nice to meet you gracious lady," I greeted. "Yes, it would be an honour to write about all of you because you are an important part of His Honour's life. I think it would be great if people know about you."

Phoebe and the brown-haired women, Zurin, suddenly squealed like schoolgirls. "You mean more people would know about us?!"

What was I blabbering till now, loser?

"I can assure people as far as the twenty-first century would know about you," I winked.

They held each other and screamed again, "What should we tell?! Oh my God, the first thing you should know is we are Julian's favourite combination! You know, sometimes he is very-"

"Ladies, behave!" The older woman yelled, instantly silencing the two, who pouted in return.

"If I'm not wrong, I heard her explaining she's a chaste woman. Is it decent to share your fantasies with her?" She turned to face me. "Unless you want to write about it?"

My face was hot. "No, unless you want people to know about your..." I waved a hand, "secret a- activities?"

"Oh no, we were just telling you. You don't have to write that," they giggled, flipping their hair. The gold bands on their forehead gleamed in the setting sun.

"Alright, I will tell about myself," the pleasant woman started, "I am Dimitra, and I have the responsibility of managing these wild women of His Honour," she ushered to the four women sitting with me. They snickered in embarrassment.

"So, you aren't his concubine?" I asked.

"No, I am the head of the concubines, but not one. Actually, I was his first war prize," I wrote it all, intrigued by her story.

She continued, "When his troops had captured my city in Greece, I was heavily pregnant, barely able to move from my spot. Everyone had rushed out in panic. I remember being frozen on my bed, tears streaming from my face without a stop." She looked down at her hands. A solemn look came upon her face.

"I was so scared when he had entered my cottage. With his cold expression and his warriors who were constantly telling him to abandon me. I would've died... along with my baby," she whispered, tears clouding her vision.

She quickly wiped them with the edge of her cloth and smiled. "Despite his warriors' protest, he took me in as his war prize so I could live in his palace and deliver my child safely.

"Amidst an ongoing war, no ruler would bother with a helpless woman, but he did. And up till today, he has never asked me a favour that I should fulfil as his war prize. Because he knew I was a married woman and respected my chastity, even though my husband had died in the war." She exhaled shakily, looking up at the sky. "He may appear daunting, but he is the most generous man I've seen in my life."

My heart warmed at the story. Thinking back to the time when I was captured in his camps, although he had threatened me big time and could've done whatever he wanted, but never violated me.

Listening to the other concubines' stories, I figured one thing was that none of them were forced to do this job. Everyone was content, more so honoured to be his concubine.

My gaze shifted to the group of three women who sat away from us, talking to each other. "Who are they?" I asked.

A particular woman caught my attention. She had silky straight black hair and grey eyes, who were too busy to even glance in our direction. An air of superiority exuded her self.

"Oh, don't bother them," Zurin snorted. "They prefer to be the outcast they are."

Dimitra smacked her shoulder lightly, "Hush, you don't say like that," Turning to me with an apologetic expression, she said, "They are Persian concubines. Brought in after the first battle with King Darius."

"What's her name?" I asked, still watching the exotic woman.

"Bitch," Phoebe replied.

This time, I couldn't stop the muffled laugh as Dimitra looked at the concubine in horror. Phoebe just turned her head towards my book and began flipping through it.

Dimitra shook her head. "You see, the grey-eyed one? She is Caspara. These girls are just jealous of her because she is Julian's favourite." My breath hitched.

There wasn't a doubt she was the most beautiful amongst them all. I wouldn't even compare myself to her. She was so gorgeous. With a hand over her knee, she sat with her long legs stretched over each other, talking animatedly with the two women.

"Just because she's the favourite one, she thinks we are too low to talk with? She's too egoistic to even come here." Zurin twisted her lips in disgust.

"Gracious ladies, do you know where can I find Althea Rosemary?" A guardsman called out from the stone path, without stepping inside.

"Yes, we have her here," Dimitra replied.

"His Honour has demanded her presence in his room."

My hour-long struggle to manage the concubines went down the hole.

What a timing, Julian.

I turned around to face their questioning glares. Rubbing my clammy hands on my lap, I spoke, "I- It's a rule for me to recite everything I write the... entire day. He checks it, to make sure I write nothing against him." I tucked my hair, trying to sound genuine.

A smile twitched on their lips. "Sure," they mumbled.

"A- And he has appointed me as her h- helper," Thalia finally spoke, "He would have someone else... for you m- mistress."

Dimitra assured her it was alright. I took my leave after giving them a smile, who thankfully smiled in return.

But what surprised and scared me was Caspara's emotionless stare as I left.

"How did you handle them so easily, Althea?" Thalia looked at me dreamily. "Your words flew like a river. I could never do that!"

"You just need a little confidence dear, and you are good to go," I winked.

We were about to reach Julian's room when a maiden came huffing and puffing behind us. "Are you Althea?" she asked, catching her breath.

"Uh, yes, it's me," I gulped.

"You are called by mistress Armonia in her room." I grew pale at the woman's name.

"W- Why?" I asked, terrified of the cause. What did I do wrong now?

"I don't know, but please hurry. She doesn't like to be waited upon," she said urgently.

I fixed my dress, weaved my hair, and ran a hand down my arms.

Oh shit.

Oh

Shit.

"I- I'm coming. Just in a little while, I have to tell her something." I grabbed Thalia and took her away from the maiden.

"Here, keep my book in my room and," I hurriedly took off the amulets from her arm, "give these to me."

It was difficult to write with these amulets, stressing my arm down that I'd removed them for the time being. Oh Lord, did she see me without them?!

I tucked my dress in a way that the amulets were visible. Reaching her door, I took the deepest breath and stepped inside. My heartbeat ringing in my ears. The maiden bowed and left, leaving me alone with the dangerous woman.

"Greetings m- mistress," I bowed, too scared to look anywhere above her feet.

She had on a cream-coloured linen and sat elegantly in her chair. A tall, intricate jar stood beside her on the floor.

"Althea," she acknowledged me, and I bowed deeper (As if that could make me disappear).

Cheryl was Olympias' slave now. Did she want me to make one too?

"You told me you were a war prize," she tapped her feet. The action alone rose goosebumps down my arms.

"Y- Yes, m- mistress," I uttered. Thousands of thoughts flooded my mind, but I pushed them away. No, the concubines couldn't be this quick to inform her who I am.

Why is this palace full of bullies?!

Raising from her seat, she walked forward, stopping right in front of my trembling frame. At this point, I knew I was worse off than Thalia.

She tilted my chin up, her gaze blazing with the kohl swiped around her eyes, "Since when are war prizes allowed to roam the palace all day long?"