Episode 7

As the two maidens had told him, for the coming days, he mustn't venture out—an unfair prospect given he was just beginning to bring some order to this viper's nest of a harem. He supposed he'd have to wait. Yet, being cooped up was intensely dull, especially with no television and his sole view being the forest seen through his window. He returned to the bed and sat cross-legged in the lotus position.

“Well... It is said that I descend from wizards... but I never learned... I suppose I should. It could be useful, right?"

Saying this to himself, he needed something to occupy his mind. He searched the shelves for useful books and, just then, heard the maidens telling someone they couldn't enter. He braced himself with a hardcover book, but when the doors swung open, it was the king who entered and ordered them shut again. The king detected a sweet fragrance emanating from Livia—it was unmistakably the scent of her approaching heat cycle.

"What are you doing here? If, if you try anything, I won't hesitate to hit you."

"I won’t do anything. I just wanted to see how you are. I heard that you punished the concubines."

"Oh, that? I suppose that Rita ran off to tattle, did she? Are you here to complain because I disciplined your favorite concubine?"

"What are you talking about? I don't have a favorite… except for my queen."

Livia made a face of disgust; it was obvious to her that the king was lying.

"Ah! As if I'm going to believe that, right? Bat my eyelashes and throw myself into your arms?"

"You have quite the disrespectful mouth."

"I won't keep bowing my head and letting you do as you please with me."

"So if I try anything, you'll hit me with the book."

"Yes, if John Wick can kill people with a pencil, I can manage with a book."

He found the name curious—John Wick was unfamiliar to him.

"You've really turned fierce. That blow must have been hard. But I haven't come for what you think."

"Then why?"

He lowered his book, drawing the king's attention, as it was a book on magic—a subject Livia had never shown interest in before.

"Are you planning to learn magic?"

"Uh? Yes... I think it might be useful, particularly considering you keep a den of vipers that you like to call concubines."

"Don't you like that I have concubines?"

"What wife would? Tolerating it is one thing, but no one is happy sharing her husband with others."

The king went to sit on the bed, struggling to remain composed due to the sweet smell that filled the room.

"If I got rid of them, would you be happy?"

"I doubt your majesty would do such a thing. Why would you? They're the ones who know how to satisfy you."

He'd never done that for Livia, but perhaps, in the future, he might for his true love. Livia clasped her hand to her chest, where a sharp, piercing ache remained. The feelings of the body's rightful owner lingered; despite it all, the poor kid loved the king—what a pity he wasn’t loved in return.

"You didn't answer my question. Would you be happy?"

"I wouldn’t be happy because then I'd have to satisfy you, and I don't want to keep going through that horrible experience..."

She shuddered at the memory of those months: it was always with the lights dimmed, lying in bed turned away from the king while he did his business—completely humiliating for that poor boy. Livia couldn’t say anything; his family had raised him to be obedient to the king and to remain silent, even if he disliked what was happening.

"I—I'm sorry for that. It wasn't my intention to make you feel bad. But you know that you..."

He chose not to continue; it wouldn't make any difference. Sitting near the boy, he simply patted him on the head and then withdrew.

"Your apology is unnecessary. Just keep your word not to touch me unless I give you permission."

All the while he was plotting his escape. The king might be attractive, but passivity was not in Livia's nature, so he didn't want to spend those nights with him. If the roles were reversed? Maybe he would consider it. But, in the end, the king would have his great love by his side and be happy.

"I will honor that. If you want to learn magic, I'll send you a tutor—after your cycle is over."

With that, the king took his leave. Staying longer might cause him to lose control, and he didn't want Livia to resent him even more.

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