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27th July 2001 – Friday
“… and so far this is the end of the official report from Concubine’s Palace.” Head of Staff ended smoothly, depositing the scroll on Elson’s table who was busy reading other scroll on separate matter concerning Concubine’s children.
Elson lifted his head, rubbing his eyebrows tiredly.
“And how many maids would that make?” He asked, dreading the answer already.
“Five since the demotion, Head Eunuch. One was hospitalized with severe injuries after Concubine threw a tea pot at her.”
Elson sighed.
“Cut the cost of treatment from Concubine’s allowance.” He ordered instead, checking the rooster for Concubine’s Palace. Honestly, he was running out of maids to serve there, especially with how Concubine seemed to take her isolation from Harem rather extremely.
But what annoyed him and His Majesty the most was that Concubine never mentioned her children or ever missing them at all. This, most of all, was what led to Concubine not leaving her isolation early. Both of her children were under the care of Children’s Palace maids and since Concubine Haywood couldn’t even breastfed little Prince as was her responsibility, she didn’t even have this contact with her children.
“Also, Head Eunuch.” Head of Staff started anew after noting down Head Eunuch orders. “Concubine’s dress for Her Highness’ birthday party seems to be that of the peacock.”
Elson stared at his Head of Staff incredulously.
“Are you sure of this?”
“Maids seemed to be.” They said instead, as they looked at each other for hot second.
“Was she always this lacking in intelligence?” Elson thought, inclining back in his chair. “Or is she just so desperate she doesn’t think even for a second?”
Elson still remembered some of the actual clever schemes that Concubine Haywood pulled at the beginning of her time in the Harem but ever since His Highness joined the Harem and swiftly ascended to the height of it, Concubine seemed to catch Black Insanity and just pulled one poorly thought out move after the other. Gone was the woman who unseated Bellatrix and outmaneuvered the whole faction of the Harem.
Elson even felt sad at this downfall, truth be told. While he never liked Concubine (and the most of the Harem) he did hold respect for some of them. Concubine Haywood was one of those. Well, before the last two years.
But this… Elson sighed again, rubbing his forehead.
Desperation made powerful enemies. And the less they had to lose, the more reckless and dangerous they’ll be. Concubine Haywood, with her loss of her position of power and her children, was nearing that point – she was near it as Consort Bellatrix was but at least Consort Black had her daughter near her and, unlike Haywood, she would never try to jeopardize Her Highness in that way.
Unlike Concubine Haywood, Consort Bellatrix loved her daughter.
“I would submit Concubines’ dresses to His Majesty later in the day.” Elson finally said, placing his hands on the desk. “While we have no business on telling what to do and not to do to the concubines…” He stared right at his Head of Staff. “Do ensure that no one dissuades Concubine Haywood on wearing the dress.”
His Head of Staff smiled briefly before dipping their head in shallow bow.
“As you wish, Head Eunuch.”
Elson gritted his teeth briefly, observing the double doors of His Majesty’s office. The bell, placed outside for this exact reason, was shining with dim red light indicating that His Majesty wasn’t in. Where was he? He told Elson to be here by this exact time and now he just wasn’t there? The pedant and perfectionist that His Majesty was – and he wasn’t in his office during his work hours?
“Where did His Majesty go?” He asked the guard knights at the door.
“His Highness’ Palace.” Senior Knight answered promptly and Elson nodded, before turning on his heel and going in the direction of main doors. After all His Majesty knew about the report so he probably expect Elson to find him no matter where he is – and truth be told, Elson should’ve guessed where he was – after all His Majesty only ever skipped working if there was that man involved. Or His children.
He strode out of His Majesty’s Palace swiftly, enjoying the warm summer day – for once, there was no cloud in sight and it wasn’t that hot considering that hot wave still was a few days out. And gardeners always upheld the grounds of the Court in pristine way – so all the sculptures made from exotic trees and bushes were flourishing, making the otherwise sterile Court pop with colors. Of course, Palaces were an entirely different matter – even Palaces of the Nobles were made with luxury in mind and the higher the rank – the grander the Palace. His Highness’ Palace where he was going to, was one of the most luxurious and the Gardens of the Palace were remade before His Highness moved in per His Majesty’s orders.
Now said Gardens were among the most expensive to upkeep among the Court (besides His Majesty’s Palace and Emperor Consort’s Palace) but Elson was proud of his work – and it was one of the rare instances where the whole department did the work at night to not be caught by other Concubines’ spies (which Elson didn’t miss at all).
He nodded to the Knights at the gates, before striding in His Highness’s territory, immediately feeling the eyes on him. He didn’t even look in the direction of stares knowing that one of the maids already ran for Head Maid to warn her about him. He smiled inwardly, feeling rather proud of this tightly knitted place His Highness built for himself and His Children.
And as much as he did wonder where the cunning of Concubine Haywood went, he knew it was replaced by something way greater.
He entered through the double doors to the main hall and was greeted as usual by Head Maid Anna, who bowed before him.
“This one greets you, Head Eunuch.”
“If you’ll lead me to His Majesty, Head Maid.”
“Of course, Head Eunuch.” The girl turned on her heel and went to one of the sitting rooms if Elson’s guess was correct. He held back surprise at not being led to the Garden but the change of scenery should be good for once. He followed closely, as Head Maid weaved through the corridors and mildly observing the increasing amount of maids as they neared the room His Majesty and His Highness was supposed to be in. In majority of cases, maids made an appearance of doing anything, the rest was just calmly standing by the walls, awaiting orders.
Truly, some people were born to lead.
He hummed under his breath as they neared another set of doors and Head Maid knocked on them briefly before opening one of the doors.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness – the Head Eunuch.” Maid said, bowing, and Elson, entering after her, bowed too, not daring to lift his head until he was given permission.
“You may rise.” His Majesty said and only then they both lifted their heads and straightened. Elson spent half a minute observing his surroundings (they were in blue room, it seems, with the velvet royal blue upholstery and silver lining, His Majesty and His Highness were sitting on the opposite couches with table between them and His Majesty was holding one of their youngest Children in his arms, as His Highness held the other and Her Highness Alsephina was on the floor, trying to build something with toy blocks. She barely lifted her head to look at him but quickly lost interest, going back to her toys.
Head Maid bowed again and left the room, closing the doors behind herself.
“So, Head Eunuch?” His Majesty asked looking ridiculously put together as usual (especially since Elson knew exactly how much His Majesty slept this night – exactly two. The other one who slept two hours this night was busy drinking his tea and observing his children).
“I brought the report you requested, Your Majesty.” Elson affirmed placing the scroll on the table and watching it immediately unwind in the air and being placed right in front of His Majesty with nary a gesture. His Majesty read the contents quickly, as the smirk on his lips grew ever wider. Which was surprising considering he almost never allowed other Concubines to see his emotions so clearly but well, it wasn't in the presence of ordinary Concubine, was it?
“Yes, this is indeed very entertaining.” He finally said, looking rather content, rolling the scroll back up. “Do be a dear and cut off some, would you, Head Eunuch?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Elson nodded, penalizing the points in his head.
“What’s this about?” His Highness finally asked, placing the child in his arms in basinet near the couch. Despite the twins being almost one he supposed he caught them in their sleepy time period considering that His Majesty rose to place the child near the other one.
“Oh, nothing, just Elson bringing some costume details for the Harem.”
His Highness went on full alert, turning his green eyes on Elson, who just stood passively.
“You know what they’ll come as?” His Highness said, before glancing back at His Majesty. “Would you tell me?”
His Majesty smiled, sharply.
“And ruin the surprise? I thought you liked surprises, my Consort?”
His Highness’ face abruptly went carefully neutral and Elson snorted inwardly at this change of expression.
“You are free to go, Head Eunuch,” His Highness ordered instead and Elson, like the intelligent person he is, bowed and turned to leave immediately and as he closed the doors behind himself he heard something that nearly made him lose composure right then and there.
“Do you want to sleep on the couch, Thomas?”