Question The Second Time Around

Alessandro looked at 20's flushed face and took pity on her. With a playful wink at her, he turned away and walked to his seat, aware of all the eyes tracking his every move, even with their heads bowed down. When he finally sat down, he gestured for the musicians to continue playing as he scanned the room. 'Where are they?' he thought irritably when he couldn't see any of his higher ranked concubines.

For the royals and nobilities, especially the women, there was such a thing as being fashionably late in social gatherings. That's why almost no one arrived on time. And usually he would simply overlook it, pegging it as no big deal since that was the norm throughout the empire, anyway.

But tonight was different. He wanted to get his announcement over with as soon as possible, so he could finally earn the right to be by 20's side in clear terms – without holding back on his emotions, without hiding behind hints of affection and vague words, without being too cautious like he had to tiptoe on eggshells lest he upset her.

And perhaps more importantly, he wanted to know how she felt about him. He was so eager to hear her out and at the same time so anxious about what she would say that it was driving him crazy. What if she rejected him? Or worse, what if she chose Caio? He looked about the room and saw that she was indeed with the archduke, and his mood plummeted. They were having dinner together, and in between bites 20 would jot something down on her writing slate and Caio would reply. 'If she chose me,' Alessandro thought petulantly, 'she could easily talk while eating.' No need to inconvenience herself with a writing slate. Wait – is that a strong enough reason for her to favor him over Caio?

"Her Royal Highness Princess Lucrezia Gabriela Fernandez de Garcia of Minedore Kingdom," the usher announced loudly, and Alessandro looked up to see his highest ranked concubine walk into the room, the other guests automatically making way for her. At last. One was here – only nine left to go.

*****

The ball was already in full swing when Alessandro held up his hand again. The music immediately stopped, and all eyes turned on him. "As all of you already know, this gathering is for me to officially make an announcement," he began, his voice clear and confident. "Starting next week, my 10 highest ranked concubines will assume their respective roles in the imperial palace's different offices."

He paused briefly, sweeping his gaze around the room and making sure he had everyone's attention. And then he continued. "This is to express in no uncertain terms that while Luxentfort maintains its political ties with the kingdoms and territories under it, I'm no longer pursuing any relations with the aforementioned concubines, and that has been the case for a while now." The crowd murmured among themselves and Alessandro could practically see the wheels of gossip churning at an alarming speed.  Well, whatever. That was a small consequence to pay in exchange for what he wanted to achieve.

"Princess Lucrezia," the emperor addressed her.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Lucrezia stepped forward, walking as though she was about to receive an award instead of an administrative role.

"Present yourself," Alessandro ordered, and when Lucrezia bowed to the audience, he made his official announcement. "Concubine Number 1, who will join the fashion and arts office." On and on it went. Alessandro asking each of his concubines to present themselves, and announcing their official titles moving forward. When he had finished with the last one, and the music had resumed, he felt like he had closed a chapter of his life. And he was more than ready to start a new one.

*****

"Do you intend to get drunk on orange juice?" 19 chided as she forked a mouthful of strawberry shortcake.

'I can't believe it,' I told her after I gulped down my third glass. My hands were slightly trembling and I tightened my hold a little in order to steady myself. I couldn't believe 1 really made his announcement official – and at a grand evening ball, no less. Now there was no room for doubt that the news would spread like wildfire throughout the empire. When I had half-jokingly made him the dare to lose all his other women, I didn't actually expect him to uphold his end of the deal. After all, what sane emperor would give up princesses and noble ladies for a scullery maid? Which made me boil things down to one conclusion. 'Maybe he's just crazy.'

"Yes," I heard 1's whisper dangerously close to my ear as 19 choked on her cake. "I'm crazy for you."

Alessandro held out his hand just like he did that afternoon when they were alone at the ballroom hall. "May I have this dance, my lady?"

I felt 19 took the glass from me and gently pushed me towards 1. 'Go,' she stage whispered. I took his hand and he led me to the center of the dance floor. I was hardly aware that the other couples cleared a generous space for us to have some semblance of privacy – and for them to have a good view – because 1 was staring at me, more intensely than I had ever seen him do. It was as though he only had eyes for me, that I was the only one he could see.

"20," Alessandro said softly as he looked down at her. "Now, can I kiss you?"