9 Little Kitten

"I dare say I've never seen my brother with a woman before without blood gushing out of her body." Chuckled another Prince nearby.

"Yes I'd have to agree to that Retz. It seems she has lasted through the day so far." Came a response from a man who looked like a slightly younger version of the emperor.

Eventually other men had different women on their laps or standing behind them. Some received foot massages by having their concubines crawl under the table. It was utterly humiliating, but Mia relaxed a bit realizing she wasn't the only one in such an uncomfortable position.

Titus continued to look at Mia while she glanced around seeing what others were doing. Feeling annoyance that she wasn't paying him attention, the prince squeezed her thigh causing a gasp to escape Mia's lips.

For a moment Mia forgot her place because she turned and glared into Titus' eyes. But after the prince raised his brow, she lowered her gaze and head to show him respect. She wondered if he was upset with her looking at the other men in the area.

"You'll feed me tonight Amelia. Turn and grab the plate on the table and begin using your hands."

Mia felt like her face was going to stay red for the rest of the night. She was able to hold the plate of fruits in her hands while sitting on the prince facing him.

Although she was utterly embarrassed, she lifted her hand to his mouth and watched him catch each individual fruit. Unlike Mia who avoided eye contact, Titus' eyes stayed glued to her.

"So what do you think about the proposal Titus? You could accept the daughter of Rammon and keep her in some manor far away."

The emperor looked at his favorite son who seemed completely unaware that others were still discussing politics. However, not to anyone's surprised, Titus was fully developed in the conversation. He just wouldn't take his eyes off the blonde.

"No."

The room fell silent and Mia felt a chill surround her. Titus had disagreed with something and tensions were rising.

"I understand you don't wish to marry son, but marrying the Kings daughter of Narensa gives them hope that we will abide by the peace treaty. They are offering to pay taxes to our empire as well."

"They only think the marriage will protect me from slaughtering them which is precisely why it was offered. Using his daughter is a way for the king to be sly and I don't enjoy working with men like that. Even the thought of him trying to manipulate the peace treaty makes me want to invade."

Titus continued to only look at Mia, but the political marriage to the kings daughter was not going to stop him from making sure the Kingdom of Narensa was under control. He had spent years training and would not allow himself to be manipulated.

"Well then, perhaps we should invade." Came the Emperors suggestion.

It didn't surprise Mia since she knew the Emperor wanted to expand the empire. He was far too greedy. She would have thought he would like a political alliance, but he seemed more interested in gaining ultimate power.

Amelia listened trying to avoid looking at the prince. She continued to feed him gracefully, but when he started tracing his hands up her thigh, she couldn't help but flinch.

The contact he was giving her was inappropriate and made her extremely uncomfortable. However, she was stuck in the situation with no way out.

"Your Majesty," a noble began speaking, "don't you think we should try to make peace with other nations? The men have been at war for a long time milord. We should let them also enjoy the fruits of their service. This will only cause the citizens more taxes in order to fund the war."

The emperor glared at his subject looking at him with distaste.

"And the problem is what exactly? My people can pay for the war. Our nation is prospering! Making treaties with these other nations give them the advantage to attack us first later on! I will not lose my empire!" The emperor started speaking louder by each word until he was yelling toward the end.

The nobleman shrank in his chair nodding to what the emperor said.

"I don't believe we should have an invasion at this time. I need to calculate my next moves with the army. The decision to start a war is not wise." Titus spoke breaking the glare the emperor shot at the noble.

"You have conquered bigger kingdoms. What is the issue?"

Titus finally looked away from his woman glancing toward his father.

"There had to have been a day of rest for the gods. Don't you think father? So the natural man would need rest as well if you want to think logically."

The emperor smirked at his sons comment. Perhaps the sarcasm and challenge Titus brought was a reason for him being a great son and asset.

"You speak defiantly to the Emperor! You are a disrespectful bastard!" Titus saw Lerrin shaking with rage, but quickly gazed back to the emperor.

"Father, I believe Lerrin should perhaps join me on the battlefield since he doubts my judgment. My poor bother doesn't know a thing about how the empire is handled. He also has a bad sense of hearing. He seems to think I am arguing with the great emperor of this nation."

"You think Lerrin is incorrect saying you disrespect me?" The emperor question toward Titus.

"How can a soldier be disrespectful to his Commander? I am the person I am because of you father. I am your prodigy. A person some consider your successor in all ways. You have trained me to be this way so I can't possibly be disrespectful. I am the perfect version of you. I dare say you enjoy my presence."

A smack was heard across the table! Lerrin stood with his hands shaking over two plates that seemed to have broken by his force.

"You think so highly of yourself Titus. But you can not expect yourself to be the next in line with challenging our ruler. You always suggest different opinions when you should align to his. I, of course will always follow him. Even if it is blindly. And I will challenge you to the end, even if it's to the death, before you become the next ruler of this nation!"

"Sit down!" The Emperor commanded.

Lerrin lifted his gaze to his father and slowly retreated. But his face remained edge with anger.

The emperor began chuckling darkly picking up his goblet.

"This is much for enjoyable than the sacrifices."

The emperor then began speaking to his concubine causing everyone to let out the air they were holding.

Mia felt a bit tense knowing that the brothers were not on good terms. Lara had mentioned how concubines were completion, but in reality, the brothers have been competing their whole lives. This situation was awful and she wished to disappear.

"We're you worried for me my rose?"

Mia met the princes eyes and blushed with his endearing comment.

Unsure of what to think of it, Mia knew he was extremely manipulative and that she needed to tread lightly.

"Umm.. of course your highness."

The prince scoffed at her remarked.

"I don't like liars Mia." He sneered glaring intently at her.

Gulping, Mia started to become nervous.

"Your highness, I was worried for everyone. Which also includes you. I don't enjoy things like this where people fight among once another. I enjoy peace."

The prince eventually smirked looking away from the girl. He knew she didn't have any feelings attached to him. But he also knew she naturally cared for other humans. So what she said was true.

But it didn't help for he was annoyed that she wasn't more intently invested. He knew that it wasn't her that broke the vase, but she willingly would have accepted a punishment for whichever incompetent servant did it. She was naive and it made her quite an easy prey.

"Are you enjoying the night?"

Mia didn't look at him directly anymore. She felt sweat running down the back of her neck. This man was utterly terrifying.

"I feel as though I would enjoy it more if I could sit next to you instead of on top of you." She mumbled.

The prince watched this little kitten on his lap try to act like a lion. She had too much courage to know when to stop. But she luckily wasn't stupid.

"No. You'll stay here Amelia. It seems you forgot what your purpose is right now."

Mia curiously looked at him before understanding what he meant!

She quickly grabbed another plate and started to lift fruits into the princes mouth. He of course made in almost unbearable watching her with hunger.