Chapter Text
- Turquoise is gonna be suprised during our next writting lesson – Ukyo said with a smile, looking at Gen’s progress.
- Thanks but I wouldn’t get so much today without your help – Gen was happy hearing praise.
- Are we done for today? Remember resting is also important – blonde started callecting all materials from the ground.
- Yeah – bicoloured man stretched his tired hands.
- We have some time before dinner. Any more plans for today? – Ukyo asked and stood up.
- I guess I will go buy some new clothes because I’m already walking in same outfit for two days – man touched his lavender material – Moving around in same thing as slave was normal but here I see people changing clothes everyday.
- I would really want to join you but I’m not good in picking clothes for myself, not to mention advising someone – Ukyo spotted familiar blonde – Nikki are you free now? Do you want to help Gen pick few clothes?
- Clothes? – woman walked to them excited – Sure! Let’s go Gen! – she grabbed man around his elbow and dragged his out of room.
- Yeah, sure I will deal with this by myself – Ukyo sighed looking at materials and finished collecting everything to leave it in Gen’s personal things.
Gen and Nikki ended up again in room with many clothes. Man didn’t plan to spend half of money on clothes but he wanted to have at least few options to not force servants to wash everyday. With little help he picked three tunics up to knees and six rectangular materials which could be tied around his hips or torso in multiple ways. He also got convinced for two more feminine dresses which were reaching to the ground. Gen picked for himself one pair of short sandals just in case even if he was used to walking barefoot. Man didn’t need more shiny things beside golden belt, earrings and bracelets he already had. His attention got only simple gold ring without gems, to play around. Nikki also picked for him make up items that would suit him and brush to help in taking care of his hair. Gen had fun posing in new clothes in front of Nikki. She also showed him multiple ways to wear rectangular material.
- I think that’s enough. It’s still more than I expected – Gen looked at folded clothes and bag with rest of little things – How do I pay for this?
- You leave money in this box with list of things you took. I already wrote the list – Nikki showed piece of filled papyrus.
- Thanks – Gen reached to his bag of money and started counting coins – How they could know nobody is stealing anything?
- Everyday few servants check if anything is missing. If something is missing then it’s pretty easy to look through stuff of people living here and if thief is found then stolen things are taken back and that person doesn’t get their next monthly paymant which is worth more than stolen item. So stealing isn’t really worth it – Nikki explained.
Gen felt cold sweat on his back. He remembered little knife he stole during party but nodoby was going through their things after that. He thought maybe in big kitchen, cooking for dozens or even more people, stuff are getting lost all the time or fall behind furnitures so nobody is looking for missing knife. For now Gen thought stealing anything else would be too risky. He went back to counting coins to not build any suspicion in Nikki. When he finished and put money in box, he noticed woman is fidgeting clearly trying to say something but hold herself up.
- Is something wrong? – Gen asked to encourage her.
- Oh nothing! – woman slightly blushed and looked away – I was just wondering if you want to also look for some kind of more sensual set of clothes if… - she paused - if Pharaoh will call for you one evening.
- Wh-What?! - he stammered with eyes wide open.
- I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! That was stupid question… - she covered her face embarrassed.
- Do all people get called? – Gen asked trying to not act scared.
- Of course not – Nikki said in more confident way now – Only those who get his attention. You saw who during party – Gen remembered people sitting with Pharaoh and now understood what being step closer meant – But no one who was called ever refused so it’s probably not bad.
- Or Pharaoh doesn’t take ,,no” as an answer – Gen suggested.
- I don’t really know – she sighed – So you want to pick something?
- I think I will pass for now. He probably won’t even pick me. I was horrible to him when he bought me from slave market. I didn’t know who he was but still. He didn’t really focused on me during party and probably said to Lillian that I look nice only to make her happy after she worked hard on me. No extra clothes are needed – he closed little box and stood up.
- Whatever you say – Nikki also stood up to join him and they walked from room with bought items.
- I will bring this to my room – said Gen and started walking through hallway.
- See you at dinner – Nikki waved and went other way.
Everyone from harem walked into room for supper. This time Gen could sit with Nikki and few other people. He was kinda sad about not being able to sit with Ukyo but two out of three meals were still fine. This time Pharaoh will join them so harem split into two groups again. Pharaoh Senku finally walked into room with Lillian and everyone stood up and bowed to them. They sat behind the table and everyone followed. Lillian this time sat with her son since beginning. Senku gestured that everyone could eat now. Gen this time get no gaze from ruler so he relaxed a bit and started eating.
- So how was Gen’s first day? – Senku looked at Lillian and Ukyo.
- It’s visible that he wasn’t educated much but he is really trying his best. Turquoise said he is a bit slow but careful in what he is doing. He was drawing instead of writting during History lesson with Jasper but he was able to recognize few little drawing about things he talked about. Rest is probably understable only for Gen but it shows he is listening and try to find ways to not fall behind, even if he can’t write yet – Lillian explained what she talked about with other teachers – On my lesson about manners he learned about relations between people in palace. I also gave him money.
- That’s good to hear. At least he doesn’t ignore teachers like Mozu and actually understand stuff compared to Taiju who was always falling behind – Senku chuckled and looked at Ukyo – Anything interesting after lessons?
- Gen actually wanted to practice writting in our free time so I helped him a bit. I can’t wait for Turquoise’s reaction when she will see sudden progress in him – Ukyo said with proud voice.
- Really? – Pharaoh smiled and looked over towards Gen. He sensed gaze on him and looked up. He noticed ruler looking at him with a smile. Bicoloured man opened his eyes wider, out of confusion and then quickly turned them towards table again – Anything else? – Pharaoh turned his eyes back to people which he was talking to.
- Nikki helped him pick few clothes and items for himself – Ukyo added.
- Great, maybe he will feel more like part of harem and not a stranger anymore – said more relaxed Senku.
Pharaoh walked out of room without anyone from harem. Gen felt relief when he realized that ruler calling for someone isn’t everyday thing. Lillian waited until everyone left the room before she walked to her personal bedroom. This time Gen was more relaxed going to sleep in bed that was next to Ukyo’s bed. Blue eyed man fall asleep fast from all the work he did that day.
Next day lessons were more practical and creative. Mathematics with Jasper wasn’t easy but Gen knew fundamentals about numbers and counting so he didn’t feel completly new to this. Compared to writting lesson with Turquoise, drawing was relaxing. They had to draw happy memory. Gen drew flowers which he was seeing when he was outside during his life as a slave. He remembered Pharaoh mentioning garden but he didn’t have courage to ask if he can go there yet. During lesson with Kaseki they were making clay pots. It was first thing bicoloured man could do for himself so he made vase for flowers. Old teacher even complimented his work. Gen thought Kaseki might be his favorite teacher.
This time Gen wanted to relax a bit during free time. Right after dinner Ryusui wanted Ukyo’s help with instrument so both of them disappeared from common room to not disturb anyone. Gen was thinking how others are probably taking advantage of Ukyo’s hepful side, when he noticed two women dancing without music. He believed their names were Kohaku and Amaryllis. All of a sudden Ruri sat next to blue eyed man when he got comfortable on pillows, while observing dancing women.
- They are good right? – Ruri started talk in innocent way.
- I’m not an expert but I like it – Gen nodded – Are they practicing for next party? Moves doesn’t look the same.
- It’s not for group show but individual dance – blonde corrected – Tomorow we have dancing lesson with Lillian so they are preparing for that to probably show her.
- Are they… competing against each other? – Gen questioned out loud when he noticed Kohaku and Amaryllis sometimes glaring at each other and sometimes smirking seeing other trip.
- Good deduction – Ruri smiled – Compete but in pretty friendly way. They motivate each other to be better and they can also spend time like normal friends. Just their same goal created rivalry – Gen looked at her confused – Both of them want to give sons to Pharaoh. They have chance because they already were with Paraoh compared to other women in harem – she started whispering – I’m kinda biased so I root for my sister. Don’t tell Amaryllis even if she probably knows.
- Ohh – Gen looked at the ground – And what about you? You also sit with Pharaoh during meals.
- I don’t have romantic relationship with Pharaoh. For personal reasons I can’t explain it – Ruri turned towards dancing women and Gen followed.
Kohaku and Amaryllis really tried to get on top of life in harem. Gen only wondered if they were doing it out of love for Pharaoh or out of desire to rule over others. If just to be main woman around, Gen already felt bad for potential kids which probably wouldn’t get love they deserve and be just trophies showing who is on top. Others would have to take care of them. Eventual daughters would probably be even more neglected just for not being boys. Gen didn’t expect Pharaoh to even lift a finger to take care of kids.
Bicoloured man really wanted to imagine version where Kohaku and Amaryllis are doing this for love reason and would love their kids, no matter what gender they would be and Pharaoh would give them attention. Sadly he experienced too many negative things in life to be positive in deeper, more complicated thoughts.
- Hey there, Gen right? – two women walked to them and Kohaku started talking – We saw you were actually watching us so say which one was better?
- Isn’t it better to ask Ruri? – Gen felt drop of sweat falling down his temple.
- She is my sister. Of course she will say that I was better – Kohaku rolled her eyes and stared at Gen.
- So which one? – Amaryllis asked really interested.
- I think both dances were equally good - Gen looked at focused on him women.
- Then it’s a draw – Amaryllis looked at Kohaku.
- So we will add few new moves and tomorrow rematch when Lillian will see us – Kohaku thought out loud.
- Sounds good – both of them walked again towards open space in room to practice.
- Good choice – Ruri pat Gen’s shoulder.
- I assumed they would argue longer if I would pick any of them – Gen explained – I really can’t see much difference in dance but it’s still better to pick a choice which won’t make you a target in eyes of one of sides.
- That was clever manipulation to motivate them instead of becoming enemies of one of them – blonde noticed.
- I just avoided potential conflict with words – Gen chuckled with Ruri.