His father didn't say he couldn't exercise, and Nitishila believed he needed to keep fit. A man should be as strong and capable as possible. Push ups and dips. Jumping jacks and spider lunges. Shadowboxing with kicks. Those sorts of exercises were very helpful to him.
Also, sex tended to be much more enjoyable when one was fit, and Nitishila was looking forward to testing his new bride out.
Teal colored eyes, cushion-like lips, and a curvy body with needy looking flesh.
Such a bewitching bride!!
He was sweaty and not so sweet to the nose when he finally sat down and took a large flask of water to his lips. Mamun soon approached with a light smile. "Your Highness, three merchants are waiting in the reception room."
"Haaaah ... that's good." Nitishila wiped his forehead with a cloth. "Tell the housekeeper they're to be served food and drink, and have a musician play for them. I can't go to them in this form." He didn't want to let the poor men grow bored.
When Nitishila was clean and freshly dressed, his hair dried out and an thick veil over his mouth, he had his presence announced to the merchants, and the music stopped. The prince made sure to make a few false coughs to keep the impression that he was ill.
He drew lots to decide which man got the first opportunity to show off his luxury goods. The Emperor himself had combed through their merchandise to make sure they were of the highest quality. The visit was overall successful. There were certainly a variety of things to choose from. He bought some of them on the spot, even though it was only a week into his month of "illness."
Three ornamental combs, one of silver, one of gold, and one of ivory. Pots of young plants that bore sweet fruit and hearty vegetables. Eight hefty sets of matching jewelry. Several statues of people, animals, and even mythical creatures. Ten meticulously crafted tea sets. Fifteen bricks of tea, each one a different type. Five inksticks of the highest quality. A great box of writing paper. And, of course, a huge collection of beautiful fabrics.
Nitishila was feeling quite proud of himself.
While the purchases were being stored away, and the merchants were given payment, Nitishila went off to a small room to have a snack of dried fruit with a cup of tea. He sat by a heavily curtained window, but he peeled a little of the curtains away to peer through. He had a nice view of one of the gardens.
His eyebrows rose as he noticed two pale woman walking with two other women. The Empress Consort and Princess Inka! And their attendants, naturally. There was a distance, so Nitishila couldn't make out all the details, but he was able to see and hear his mother laugh at something Princess Inka had said, although the blonde woman's face seemed to be indifferent.
And that blonde woman said something again, and his mother laughed again.
It was so wonderful to see his mother getting along with his bride. Nitishila believed this was a sign of good things to come. Princess Inka looked cold and distant, but she was apparently committed to her new life. If she hadn't been walking with his mother, Nitishila would've focused on more carnal thoughts right there.
Princess Inka's gait was dignified, but her wide hips still rocked as she moved, and her breasts were eye-catching. Under her dainty headdress of copper and crystals, her braided hair swung back and forth. Her hands were tiny and bright.
A letter! That's what he could do!!
Nitishila snapped out of his seat, nearly toppling his tea and fruit, and he went off to his office so he could write a letter. Princess Inka needed to be reminded of how splendid she was, and how impatiently he was waiting for the marriage to be rightfully made whole.
***
Dearest Bride,
There is a terrible pang deep in my heart, where you have every right to rest. We should have completed each other long ago, but circumstances have failed us. I've imagined you as a soft, pining fairy, glowing under the moonlight as you wait for more news of my health. Every night, more and more gloom whispers into my ear.
Oh, how I long to run my fingers across your blushing palm! How I burn at the thought of your hair tumbling down pillows as I dare to take in its cool fragrance! Please, sweet Princess, please endure this feverish injustice the best you can. I plan to come to you with fine gifts and a gentle hand.
With Affection,
Your Husband.
***
Inka laid the gently folded letter aside on her little dining table and sighed. Also on the table, there was a package of sweets. At least she knew her husband wasn't losing interest in her. Dey, her newest maid, appeared with a tray of food. Jorun was at her heels, also holding a tray. Dey served Inka a meal while Jorun sat down and served herself. As Dey left, Jorun said to Inka with a cheery smile, "Life here is very easy so far, Your Highness. The Empress Consort adores you, and your husband has doted very faithfully."
Just before taking a bite of food, Inka said, "He likely does so out of guilt."
"Hm?" Jorun's head tilted a little, her red hair falling over her shoulder. "Dear Mistress, how can you think that way?"
A swallow of food, then a sip of water. "He hasn't fulfilled his duties towards his family and me. He wants to appease me, and in the process appease his family."
Jorun gave a weighty sigh and fiddled with some of her food. "I don't have the right to question you."
Their meal was quiet, but Inka was able to have a light conversation with her attendant. Then, as Dey returned to take their dishes, Inka rose and said, "I'd like to continue my work at the loom."
And so, as a maid played on a lyre, and as Jorun sat nearby at a table to practice writing the Gehnan language, Inka worked at her loom. It had been repaired some time ago, and she was trying to make a new tapestry. Her feet labored at the long pedals. Her fingers were dexterous. Bars were loudly clacked. Threads were tightly arranged. When she thought she had some significant progress, a maid entered to make an announcement. The Emperor himself was asking for a visit with her.
"Oh? What an honor." Inka left her loom and asked for a mirror so she could fix her likely strained appearance. Then she signaled to Jorun that she needed to come with her.
In the reception room, Inka and her attendant greeted the Emperor, who was seated in a haughty posture. Inka soon got up after she knelt, and Jorun politely waited to be told to rise.
"I'm humbled by your august presence, Your Imperial Majesty." Inka gestured reached for a pot of tea and refilled a recently emptied cup. "What actions may I take to express my appreciation?"
His large hand lifting the cup, his rings clicking on the firm material, the Emperor gave Inka a calm, knowing look, his eyes a little bit strict. "I've heard you've tried to visit the Empress Dowager a few times since you've arrived."
Inka lowered her head as she carefully set the teapot down. "I've made attempts, but I confess I haven't had any success."
"That's simply how she is," the Emperor said after taking a sip of his tea. He patted at his now slightly wet beard with a handkerchief from a pocket in his vest. "She might tolerate you if you visited with me."
Inka clapped her hands together, put those hands in her lap, and bowed in her seat, her braid of hair partially sliding over her arm. "I'm humbled to receive your aid, Your Majesty."
His lips twitching with a weak sort of amusement, the Emperor waved his fingers at her. "Ready yourself now. We'll leave as soon as possible."
At the Empress Dowager's apartment, the maid let them inside, although she had an awkward sense of guilt on her face as she did it. They met the Dowager in a reception room. A tray of tea with snacks and a deck of playing cards were waiting to be handled.
After giving a short kneel, the Emperor took his mother's hands and gave her caring words. As Inka remained in her own kneeling position, he soon made a calm gesture towards her, saying, "Our dear little princess has arrived in the hopes of receiving more of your wisdom. Would my great, astute mother please lay her benevolence in the princess' hands?"
Her nose high, turning her head away, the Dowager said to her son, "I suppose she's quiet enough. She has my permission to linger."
Inka spent the next hour watching the Emperor and his mother play a card game while she quietly munched. She thought silence would be very, very prudent. It was better to have a grandmother-in-law just barely tolerate you than hate you. Jorun tried to keep her eyes lowered, but she was able to sneak a few exhausted and irritated looks to Inka.
When the visit was finished, the Emperor walked Inka out of the apartment and patted her shoulder. "You've behaved remarkably well. Would you care to accompany me on a visit with my wife?"
Of course, Inka bowed and agreed.
