Shaugn made his way back to his room to wait for the physician. He had to ascertain how far along he was and the condition of the fetus. Thinking ahead, he needed to figure out all the different ways he'd be affected by the pregnancy and plan for it.

There was a knock on the door and the physician entered. He was a portly man with a bald head and black and gray in his beard. His eyes were bright and shiny and he was all smiles. Shaugn recognized him as a physician that often came to the clinic to see dujshua and younger patients.

Shaugn stood and greeted him with a smile. "That was quick."

Shifob saluted and bowed his head. "I came as soon as I heard, your majesty."

"Thank you for coming."

"No thanks, no thanks." He motioned to the bed. "Please sit."

Shaugn sat and handed Shifob his arm. Warm stubby fingers checked his pulse. Shifob's smile vanished and his brows pinched together as he concentrated on diagnosing the pulse. He turned Shaugn's hand over and pulled it closer to his face observing the veins on the back before putting it on the bed. "May I touch, your body majesty?"

The sound of a sword unsheathing was loud in the space. Shifob paled under his tan. Shaugn rolled his eyes.

"Radagar," his tone was laced with warning.

Shifob turned and faced Radagar. "Dujshuas' bodies are different from women's bodies. I have to check the stomach and hips."

Shaugn shook his head and sighed. "Ignore him. My guards are rather overprotective. They're worse than the emperor." Akechi helped him undo his clothing so his stomach was exposed.

Shifob waved his hand in embarrassment. "That is good. The empress should be heavily guarded at all times." He rubbed his hands together to warm them up before placing them on Shaugn's belly. His eyes closed and his hands moved from one spot to the other. He pressed down gently making Shaugn grunt. Then he slid his hands to Shaugn's hip bones and gave a small squeeze. When he finished, he stood and wiped his hands on a wet cloth Kazim handed to him. Akechi helped Shaugn fix his clothing and sit up on the bed.

"What's the news?"

Shifob sat in a chair by the bed provided by Kazim. "Well, your majesty. You are almost four months along. The fetus is healthy and strong despite your fall."

Shaugn nearly fell back with relief. Something sparked in his brain. "Four months?"

The physician nodded. "Unless I measured wrong. You were about two months when you fell and it's been two months since then."

A complicated look appeared on Shaugn's face. Did OG not know how far along he was?

"It's really a miracle you didn't lose it in your accident."

With a nod, Shaugn pulled out his fan. "Indeed."

"The empress is blessed by the heavens."

Shaugn stopped himself from rolling his eyes. "This time."

"I don't see any issues with this pregnancy as long as you eat properly and don't overdo it." He took a paper out of his sleeve and scribbled something down. "Take this tonic once a day to help strengthen your body."

Shaugn stood and adjusted his clothing. "Thank you."

Shifob stood and gave a bow. "My pleasure."

"Oh, except for the people in this room, no one else is to know."

Didn't he need to report his findings to the emperor and the palace physician? With a questioning look, Shifob looked around. Kazim and Akechi were looking at him with solemn expressions. Radagar put his hand on the hilt of his sword. The threat was clear. He nodded to Shaugn. "I understand, your majesty."

"Good." Shaugn reached into his sleeve and pulled out a silk coin purse. He stuffed the purse into Shifob's hands and patted his shoulder.

Feeling the weight of the purse, the honest physician's face turned pink. "Your majesty, thi-this is too much."

"Take it. As my thanks."

Shifob dropped to his knees and knocked his head on the floor. Shaugn rolled his eyes. This was too much.

"Get up."

"Thank you, your majesty."

Shaugn watched Kazim escort him out and tidied up his hair. He still had to have lunch with the consorts. His eyes looked over the ingredients in the prescription and smirked. This was just a recipe for a soup as common as water in his own time. With a shrug, he handed it to Akechi. "Give this to Garnet. Tell him to make this for me before bed every night."

"What is it, your majesty?"

"Just a simple soup to promote relaxation and healing."

"I see." Without further delay, she hurried out fo the room leaving Shaugn alone with Radagar.

Shaugn walked over to the desk and pulled out several sheets of paper. "Come out." A black shadow appeared out of thin air and knelt beside the desk.

"What is it the empress commands?"

Folding one of the papers into an origami crane, Shaugn handed it to Rou. "Take this to the temple. Give it to priest Faizan."

"Yes, majesty."

Shaugn tapped his finger on the list in front of him. "Radagar."

"Your majesty?"

"Double the guards in the harem and around the nursery."

Radagar's dark brows raised. "Are we under attack?"

"With the emperor away the rats will crawl out of their holes and try to make trouble. I want to catch them when they try."

"Yes, your majesty." He turned and opened the door to speak to the guard outside. Shaugn crossed off several things written on one of the sheets of paper and looked at the rest of the items on it. Today he started with the harem. Tomorrow he'd start on the court. He needed to make sure he had both under control. Kazim returned not long after with Akechi.

"Your majesty, lunch is almost ready," Akechi announced.

He nodded and put the sheets of paper back in the desk. "Time to show out."

Kazim raised a brow. "What is your goal, majesty?"

"Now that the emperor is gone the consorts will definitely show their true faces."

"All of them?"

"Some of them will stay hidden for now testing things out." He gave a dark smile. "Eventually they will reveal themselves."

****

The consorts were gathered in the sitting room partaking in appetizers and light wine. The air was completely different from the previous gathering when Xoan was present. In one corner Shilian, Sieh, Goren, and Colora – the 4th consort stood close, whispering to each other. From time to time their eyes looked around the room at the other consorts. Iksa, the twins, Maryam, and Afiyah sat on the sofas laughing lightly and enjoying cheese and fruits. By the window, Jazzai was listening to Dane and Malek-the 15th consort. The three were dressed in dark clothing and carried the air of military in their bones. The other consorts were not worthy of mention. Save for one.

The 10th consort-Torba. She sat on a bench near the wall with her legs crossed neatly. She was immersed in a book with ginkgo leaves painted on the front as if everything going on had nothing to do with her. She was poised and elegant with an aura of refinement.

Shaugn hid his smile behind his fan. He could tell with one look who was using who. He instantly crossed Iksa and the twins off his enemy list. Iksa had a lot of arrogance due to being spoiled by her family but it wasn't something Shaugn couldn't handle. The twins were no threat at all. They put off the air of wanting to just survive living in the harem.

"His majesty the empress arrived."

Everyone turned to him as he stepped in and the room became silent. Some gave their greetings and saluted. A few did not, directly challenging Shaugn's rule. They looked at him with smirks and mocking smiles waiting to see what he was going to do about them. Jazzaia's group glanced coldly at those who didn't. The group sitting at the sofas looked back and forth between the empress and the ones who did not show respect. Torba looked at them with a raised brow.

Shaugn strode forward as if unbothered, a light smile on his face. "Let us eat before the meal is cold. I have things to discuss with you."