Chief Dresser

Pontius had been hiding away from Andrey in the lake. After a while of not seeing a sign of him, he thought Andrey must have given us on chasing him and left. He went back to his rooms only to find the first prince harassing Derrick and Andrey.

"Leave my rooms at once, your highness. Consider the respect I still have for you" Pontius politely said, although he was fuming with anger

"Pontius, I came to visit you specially and you're chasing me away as soon as I got here?" Zeen said

"Looks to me like you've stayed long enough. Harassing my lover means you no longer wish to keep your limbs" Pontius said.

"Relax there, I'm not after you wife. I like Luke's property better" Zeen looked Andrey up and down

Pontius stood between them. "He's even more off limits"

"You're intruding for him?" Zeen was taken a back

"Lucas will probably have my head if I don't. He left him in my care so I'm responsible for him until Lucas gets back"

"I don't remember such disrespect between the General and the royal family. You can easily acquire this beauty for yourself with the power you hold as a prince" Zeen tries to pollute his mind

"I don't remember asking for your opinion. One beauty is enough for me, unlike some people who can't keep it locked up at the sight of a pretty face" Pontius talked back at him. "Leave my rooms!"

"Very well" Zeen left pontius' rooms

Pontius made sure that he was completely gone from his rooms. "What were you both about to do?!"

"We were going to beat the living shit out of him. He won't dare cross out paths again" Derrick said

"And who left the door open for that bastard?" Andrey said as well

"You fools! If you had insulted him or touched him the slightest bit, your heads will be rolling hanging in the market and neither I nor Luke would be able to do anything about it" Pontius enlightened them

They were both shaken by Pontius words. Andrey held his head with his hands. "You didn't have to say it like that. I'll go look for General Lucas first. I'm going home"

"Make sure to talk to Caesar on your way" Derrick reminded him

"Thanks. I'll do that ".

Andrey left the rooms and went to take his horse in the stable. He found Zeen to be there already, on the other side. Andrey quickly took his horse outside and mounted it. Zeen went after him.

Andrey didn't stop for nothing as he went to the North wing, the emperor's chamber. Andrey got off the horse and went through the hallway. Fortunately, General Lucas and the emperor were having some tea outside. Andrey quickly went over to them.

He was panting as he bowed to greet the emperor. "I pay my respect to the great emperor of Rome"

"Andrey, why are you sweating so much in this chilly weather? Why are you breathing so heavily?" General Lucas asked.

Just then, Zeen came into view as well and greeted the emperor. "Father" he took a small bow

General Lucas seem to understand the situation that Andrey must have been running away from Zeen.

"Lucas, didn't expect to see you here!" Zeen said with an ugly smirk

"Didn't expect that you'd be the one to chase my lover here!" General Lucas smirks as well. "Andrey, come stand beside me"

Andrey went to stand beside him. General Lucas took his hand in his and kissed it, making Andrey feel a sense of comfort and protection. A smile subconsciously formed on his face.

"Andrey, is it?" The emperor finally spoke

"Yes, your majesty" Andrey answered quickly

"I see. You're a fine man. No wonder why my friend here speaks so highly of you. Makes me feel jealous sometimes" The old man said

"Let me take a good look at you" the emperor said.

Andrey went and stood in front of him

"You dress up so well" the emperor complimented

"Why, thank you. I have a bond with fashion" Andrey smiles and said

"I've never seen such fabric. Where did you get it?" The old man asked

"Advanced Rome of course. We have the best fashion and as a business owner, I have enough money to buy as many clothes as I want. What I'm wearing right now is called jeans and a cropped shirt, complemented by this leather jacket because it's cold out" Andrey told him

"Where is this advanced Rome located? I wish to go there and see more of this fashion " the man said

"Advanced Rome is located on the edge of time and space, where death is presumably possible. To go in or out of there takes a lot of life sacrifices. It is not advisable to go there. Only indigenous people can successfully leave there and come back unharmed" Andrey explained

"Why is it so?" General Lucas asked

"Advanced Rome is the land of the gods. I'm talking about Machines and dangerous technology. It's easy to leave, but going back is almost an impossible thing to think about. Because the gods make it hard to go back in" Andrey explained

"Well, since it's impossible to get there, I will enjoy your fashion. You are now the new chief dresser" The emperor announced.

He called the previous palace guards to announce it all over the palace first.

Andrey knelt down before him and bow. "Thank you, your majesty. Truly you're benevolent"

"But father, I already have someone I want to give that position to" Zeen said

"You're not the emperor now, are you? I give positions to whoever I want. I don't care who you have in mind. What's done is done!" The emperor made it clear to him.

"Come, General, I'll see you off" the emperor offered to General Lucas

"Don't let me bother you, your majesty" General Lucas declined

"In that case, I trust you to take care of the chief dresser. And... don't forget our conversation"

"Of course". General Lucas took Andrey away and Zeen went after then.

When they got out of the chamber, Zeen stopped them.

"What did you discuss with my father?" Zeen faced Lucas

"Nothing you need to know" General Lucas nonchalantly said

"I will not tolerate this disrespect from a mere General as yourself. I'm am your future king" Zeen blurted out, trying to show some authority

"Be the king first and then we can have this conversation again" General Lucas told him

"How dare you! Lucas, when that time comes, you'll kneel in front of me, begging because I'll make you miserable" he walks over to Andrey and tries to touch his face, but Andrey dodged. "And I'll fuck your lover too". Zeen went away

Andrey goes after him but General Lucas pulled him back. "That bastard!"

"You can't harm him. He's next in line to the throne" General Lucas told him

"Doesn't have to be" Andrey mounted his horse.

General Lucas mounted his horse as well and they both leave. General Lucas showed Andrey the palace's dressing hall, where he would be working and overseeing the work of the dressers.

Andrey also greets Caesar on the way, although Caesar had a visitor.

"Caesar, come on! It's been three fucking weeks and you're still holding a grudge. I spoke with Pontius earlier and Derrick is already talking to me again. Why are you still being stubborn?" Andrey said

Caesar had an indifferent look on his face. "I told you I'm not mad. I've been too busy to visit you. The royal family are so careless, you see. They keep getting hurt and ending up here. I also have interviews to do as the head doctor. My schedule has been tight"

"Yes you had time to have fun with Aeskyros. I know he's been sneaking out of the manor these days" Andrey pointed out

"He's been helping me run background checks on the interviewees. I can't just employ anyone, you know. What if there's someone with evil intentions? Hm?" Caesar pointed out as well

"I'll take your word for it then. If you need more soldiers, we'll be more than happy to help" Andrey offered

"Aeskyros is enough. I'll visit you in a few days"

"Thanks! Also, don't treat any prince by the name Zeen. He's the first prince. There's a lot to it but for your own good, don't treat him. And if you find yourself in a situation where you can't refuse to treat him, make sure Kyros is with you at all times" Andrey warned

"You sound so serious. What's wrong?" Caesar asked

"That's a story for another day, my friend. Now if you'll excuse me, I need a good fuck with my hubby" Andrey went away

"You didn't have to tell me that, you horny bastard" Caesar went back inside.

Andrey mounted his horse and left the palace with General Lucas.

Aeskyros was sitting at the table, arranging some herbal leaves. "Was that my lord?" He asked Caesar

"Yes. I don't know how he found out, but Andrey knew you were sneaking out" Caesar sat with him and arranged the leaves together

"What were you talking about for so long?" Aeskyros asked

"He said something about not treating a prince called Zeen" Caesar said

Aeskyros slammed his hand on the table, making Caesar flinch "Zeen!"

"Chill! What's the big deal?" Caesar asked

"He's a rapist. He rapes anything that he finds attractive. I don't want to see you anywhere near him" Aeskyros expression was very serious

"I'm not THAT attractive" Caesar packs the herbal leaves away

"Have you seen yourself? He'll fall head over heels for you if he sees you. Just don't go near him. I'll be staying here until your apprentices are all searched through completely. I'll go everywhere with you"

"First Andrey, now you?" Caesar sighs

"It's because you're too beautiful for the eyes to handle" Aeskyros winked

"I've heard you. When going out alone, I'll paint my face in the worst way possible. I'll cover my hair and wear rags too" Caesar said, sarcastically

"That's the spirit" Aeskyros smiles