The Emperor’s harem is extensive. Full of both women and men alike. All of which are concubines or whores. So no one really give Remedes a second glance. That is all but the Emperor. Remedes is a favorite. He intrigues the Emperor, even though he avoids the Emperor. Remedes didn’t even want to be in the harem. The amount of money offered to his family was just too great. Remedes didn’t like to be pampered by the servants. All to look good for the emperor. It wasn’t him.

Remedes encounters with the Emperor were never fun, and it didn’t help that the man now knew all of his little “hiding spots”. The secluded fountain by the orchids in the garden, the wooden bench near the waterfall, and now the east facing orchard. The Emperor was insistent, Remedes could not deny it. But he would never let the man touch him. He was a pervert. A terrible man who took advantage of men and women alike, sometimes at once. No way in hell would Remedes allow himself to be treated like that.

The sun sets to the east. Remedes stands on the balcony, watching it in tranquil silence. the silks and sheer fabrics behind him flow softly in the wind. the sounds of the flaps mask the footsteps approaching.