Lady Katherine Harrington of Johanne

3 December, Year 1 of Sebastian VI, Emperor of the Longbournian Nations' reign

Longbourne Military Academy for Women, Amöneburg

The Longbournian Nations

"Not like that, Your Imperial Majesty!"

I watched in amusement, as did the rest of my remedial students gathered around me, as Cadet Amelie Hartmann's countenance grew redder and redder with each passing moment.

As part of their test today, she and her peers were required to teach an inexperienced student how to shoot. I wanted to assess how well they were able to teach, so that I could gauge how much they have learnt under my training these few weeks.

The Emperor had very kindly volunteered to be the student for the day. Cadet Hartmann was the last to do this exercise, and as a result, she had gathered a rather huge audience that her peers did not have when they had attempted this exercise earlier.

She was now trying to give him some basic tips on how to shoot, and corrected his stance and his grip on the bow whenever necessary. However, the Emperor, true to form, was pretending to be intellectually slow - and it was starting to infuriate Cadet Hartmann, who did not know that he was only pretending.

"Oh, oh, how about this, Cadet?" the Emperor piped up, as he fitted an arrow onto his bow and raised it above his head, pulling the bowstring back.

"By God, nay!" Cadet Hartmann howled, "how many times do I have to tell you, Sire? Your target is directly in front of you, and therefore, you will keep your bow at eye-level!" She reached for the limb of his bow, and forcefully lowered it for him.

His contralateral shoulder rose up further in response. A growl left Cadet Hartmann's throat just then, and I heard the others behind me trying to suppress their laughter.

"Silence, Cadets," I hushed them.

"Nay!" Cadet Hartmann's temper flared at once, "you need to keep your shooting arm parallel to the ground! By God, which idiot taught you to shoot in your childhood? You are absolutely terrible - "

"Cadet Hartmann," I cleared my throat, "I think you are forgetting whom you are teaching."

She fell silent, and kicked the ground in her frustration. At that, the Emperor fought back a smile, as he met my gaze.

"Must I teach him? He cannot even follow simple instructions!" Cadet Hartmann burst out eventually, "Ma'am, you mentioned we had to teach an inexperienced student. Judging by the intellect he has displayed this past fifteen minutes, he would have been chucked out of the Academy on the very first day!"

Suppressing my laughter, I glanced at my timepiece. It was ten minutes to the end of evening training, and I decided to put an end to this fiasco.

"Your Imperial Majesty," an impish smile tugged at my lips, "please show Cadet Hartmann what you are truly capable of."

He snickered, and looked around for a good target, before turning to Cadet Hartmann. "Cadet, do you see that lone brown leaf on the second to the top branch of that tree?" he pointed to the oak tree yonder.

She followed his gaze, and nodded curtly. "Aye, Sire. What about it?"

The Emperor adjusted his stance, and fitted an arrow onto the bow with a precision he had not exhibited earlier. He then raised it, and used the corner of his mouth as a guide to pull back the drawstring. When he was certain of his aim, he released the arrow.

It struck the brown leaf stalk precisely at its attachment to the branch, causing it to float down to the ground.

Cadet Hartmann's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. She was stunned into silence, as her mouth hung wide open.

My class burst into applause, as I broke into a small smile. The Emperor turned around to bow to us all in acknowledgement, before gently snapping his fingers in front of Cadet Hartmann's countenance, amused.

She gazed up at him. "Clearly, you know how to shoot, Your Imperial Majesty," she accused him, "why would you then waste the last fifteen minutes of my life?"

"So that you can check if you have learnt well from Mistress Harrington, Cadet," he chuckled, "you are proficient in shooting, of course, but I think you can still afford to learn a thing or two about patience." He patted her shoulder.

She grew red in the face again, this time out of embarrassment.

"You will repeat this test tomorrow, Cadet," I informed her dryly, "although that was not the point of this assessment, patience is essential in any officer and I need you to learn how to keep a hold on your temper. You lose it far too easily."

"Aye, Ma'am," she muttered, sighing.

I then turned to those gathered behind me. "The rest of you did very well today," I smiled faintly, "if you pass your theory exams this week, I will send you all back to your original squads."

The happiness in their eyes was unmistakable.

"All of you may be dismissed," I commanded, "have a good dinner."

They gave me a proper, synchronised salute, before they sprinted down the slopes towards the Academy, each trying to outrun the other in a race to the bathing chambers. The faster they bathed, the earlier they could have their dinner, after all.

Once the slopes were completely empty, the Emperor turned to face me, a small smile lighting up his countenance.

Finally. Without hesitation, I strode straight into his arms and stood up on my toes to press my lips against his.

A bout of laughter rumbled within his chest, as he steadied me by the waist and leaned down to save me the trouble of tiptoeing. He returned my kiss with a fierce intensity, almost as if he was making up for these past few days that we had not even seen each other.

"I have been waiting to do that all day," I murmured when we parted.

"Is that so?" he smiled faintly, as he wrapped his arms tighter around my waist, "by the way, thank you for asking me to volunteer today. It was a wonderful respite from the Palace." He released a tired breath through his lips.

I was sympathetic. "Because of the Queen?"

"And my Lady Mother. Together, they make a surprisingly irritating pair," the exasperation was evident in his voice, "verdammt, Katherine, it has only been four days and I have grown absolutely weary of their endless speeches on why Prince Richard is the best match for Natalya - and of the cherry juice they love to drink together all day and every day."

I leaned against him, as I gazed out at the archery slopes ahead of us. "How unfortunate," I suppressed a smile, "if you are in such a dire state, I wonder how poor Richard must be faring?"

"The Lord knows," he answered me darkly, "he is good at disappearing whenever he wants to, and appearing only when he needs to. By the Lord, I wish he will teach me how to do that."

In the meanwhile, I had noticed something in the landscapes, making me stand upright.

"There is no need," I chuckled, "it would appear that Richard has also decided to hide away in the Academy, just like you." I pointed to the gardens near the Academy.

The Emperor followed my gaze. We both watched, as the Princess leisurely strolled along the perimeters of the Academy with Richard, her hand tucked snugly in the crook of his elbow. The pair seemed to be engaged in a serious conversation, but there was a certain peace in his countenance that put me at ease.

"This is interesting," the Emperor observed, glancing at his timepiece.

"Well, I think it is very nice of him," I admitted, "Mistress Hohenstaufen can use the support."

Indeed, the Princess was still feeling terrible about the whole affair with Queen Eleanor. Although Richard had assured her repeatedly that Queen Eleanor would have eventually found out about him staying in Amöneburg, one way or another, she was wrought with guilt for causing so much trouble to everyone around her.

I did not know what happened between them, truth be told. However, instead of being angry with her, as he was entitled to in this situation, Richard treated her much better than he used to before. Whenever he could, he willingly stopped by the Academy to talk to her for a few moments like this.

The poor woman was a bundle of nerves these days, and I truly appreciated that he took the time to check on her, and ensure that she was all right.

"It is not that, Katherine," the Emperor's deep voice interrupted my thoughts, "I am well aware that their friendship is platonic. What is interesting, is that Prince Richard has yet to leave."

I turned to him, confused. "Why?"

"I know he spends most of the day helping at the Academy, or running errands for Captain Keitel. The army officers stationed here have confirmed that," he explained, "but come 19 00 hours, Prince Richard leaves the Academy, and does not return to Amöneburg Palace until dawn."

This was news to me. "Oh," I blinked, before, "mayhap he is avoiding his mother?" I suggested.

"Nay, he has been doing this since the day we brought him to the Palace," his voice was dry, "I do not have him followed, because I do not wish to interfere in his personal business. But I admit, I have always been curious about where he disappears off to at night."

At that moment, Richard and the Princess came to a stop in front of the back entrance of the Academy. He bowed low over her hand, pressing a kiss at the back of it, and said something to her. The Princess gave him a smile at that, and nodded, before she went back into the Academy.

He waited for her to leave, before he proceeded towards the walls of the Academy.

The Emperor and I watched in surprise, as Richard darted carefully along the shadows to avoid being spotted by the guards at the entrance. He then deftly climbed up the high perimeter walls and leapt over it, disappearing over the edge without a sound.

My eyes narrowed in suspicion. There was no need for him to scale the walls, when he could have easily walked out of the front gates. He was hiding something.

"Unfortunately, I have no such scruples. Richard's business has been my business from the day we became friends twelve years ago," I took the Emperor's hand, "let us follow him."

***

3 December, Year 1 of Sebastian VI, Emperor of the Longbournian Nations' reign

Entrance of Ambrose's Pleasure House, Amöneburg

The Longbournian Nations

When we neared the end of the path, the Emperor and I dismounted a few trees away, and tied our stallions to it. I saw Richard do the same with his stallion right in front of the bright, noisy bungalow.

High-pitched laughter rang through the air, as happy, lively music permeated the atmosphere around the bungalow. A group of scantily clad women were giggling and chattering near the entrance, sipping on their whiskey.

Every once in a while, they covertly tossed a few glances at the men who were riding hard and fast towards them. These men, in turn, made sure to greet them with a saucy wink or a tap on their bottoms, before they swaggered past them into the bungalow.

However, Richard made no eye contact with any of them, as he strode confidently through the doors by himself with an unmistakable familiarity.

I almost choked on my own spit. By God.

In the meanwhile, the Emperor had raised an eyebrow. "This is a pleasure house."

"I am aware," I sighed heavily, "what the hell would Richard be doing in a place like this?"

He tossed me an amused glance. "Well, we both know what goes on in pleasure houses - "

"I meant to say that it is unlike Richard to frequent such places," I punched his forearm, "but then again, we will never know for certain why he comes here every night, if we do not go in ourselves."

He was trying hard to suppress a smile. "Go in? You know, he could be - "

I rolled my eyes at his immaturity. "Come here," I pulled him behind the tree, and then bent down to gather some dirt from the ground in my hands.

He took a step back from me when I advanced towards him, his gaze questioning.

"You look too wealthy, Sebastian," I explained, "it will not take long for the people in there to guess who you are. Then the rumours will start spreading, and come dawn, your mother will have my head for bringing you here."

He relented and stepped forward, scrunching up his face like a child.

Laughing softly, I placed either of my hands on his cheeks. I rubbed the dirt all over his countenance, and ruffled his hair, making a few locks fall over his eyes. I swiftly untied his cravat and tossed it to the ground, pushed off his overcoat from his shoulders, and unlaced the top few knots of his white shirt.

"Not that I mind where this is going," laughter rumbled within his chest, "but I can think of better places we can continue."

"You think far too much," I muttered.

Presently, I pulled away from him to observe my handiwork. I debated for a few moments, before I added a little more dirt to his white shirt, and rolled up his sleeves to his forearms.

"There," I was satisfied, "now you look like any other man who is visiting the pleasure house after a long day of menial work."

He gazed down at himself, and up at me, raising an eyebrow.

"I know," I nodded, "I am an amazing woman."

"I wonder where I have heard that before," he raised his eyes to the heavens above in exasperation, before, "but what are you going to do?"

"I am an army officer," I gestured to my military uniform, "it is not uncommon for my peers to visit the pleasure house."

"Your male peers, yes, but - "

"Sebastian, people do not go to pleasure houses just to sleep with the women there," I snickered, "some also go there to drink to oblivion, or gamble their wealth away."

"I will take your word for it," he held up his hands in a gesture of surrender, "I have never been to one."

"Nor have I," I shrugged, "but I have heard countless stories from my colleagues in Monrique and Amöneburg. Now, shall we go in and find out what Richard is up to?"

***

"This is not as bad as I thought it would be."

The Emperor chugged down yet another mug of whiskey, leaning against the cool windowpane in a secluded corner of the pleasure house. He was yet to be intoxicated, but I could tell he was nearing there.

"Mayhap I should call back those nice ladies from earlier, and make this an even better night," I remarked snidely, "they provided such lovely company, nay?"

When we had first entered the pleasure house, the Emperor had been swiftly swarmed by a crowd of women, trailing their hands over his body, each wanting to serve him some food and beer, or bring him to their rooms.

Only when he lied that I was his wife, did they leave us alone.

He sat upright now, horrified. "By God, do not even jest about it," he shuddered, "I am truly, truly hoping I will forget that memory tomorrow morning."

"Continue drinking thus, and I am certain you will," I muttered, before I continued to watch Richard beyond his shoulder.

Currently, Richard was busy gambling with a group of drunk, red-faced men - a motley of the young and the middle-aged. Each of his companions had a barely-dressed woman or two wrapped around them, kissing them, touching them, even while they played.

Ever since I had stepped foot here, Richard had yet to lose a round. Mayhap it was because he had not even touched a drop of his mug of foaming whiskey, or mayhap it was because he did not have any woman clinging to him to distract him from the game.

"There are many other places to gamble," I murmured, "why does he come here, of all places?"

"Well, no one would expect a man of his stature to come here," the Emperor mused, "mayhap he likes the anonymity."

"Mayhap," I was still not entirely convinced, as I swirled the beer in my own mug, "by God, I did not know he even liked to gamble - or that he was any good at card games. Clearly, I do not know him as well as I thought I did."

I was beginning to feel slightly disturbed now, truth be told.

"Ah, Dela!"

Suddenly, deafening cheers and whistles rose in the room.

The Emperor turned around, and I glanced up just in time to see a buxom young woman - whom I presumed was Dela - glide gracefully through the curtains yonder that separated the bedchambers from the entrance hall where we were currently sitting.

An elderly woman, whose face was also caked with powder and rouge, accompanied her. She held her hands on her shoulders, almost possessively, as she guided her towards the game table with an air of pride.

She released Dela when she neared the table, and chose to linger by the side of the room, her hawk-like gaze trained on her back.

Dela continued to move forward into the light. Her thick, auburn hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves, framing a stunningly beautiful countenance. She was wearing a floor-length cream-coloured gown that hugged her voluptuous body tightly in all the right places. It had been slit up to her thighs, with a deep, plunging neckline that left little to the imagination.

My eyes went wide. By God.

"Whoa," the Emperor mused.

"You can say that again," I murmured, leaning my chin on my palms, "hell, I am a woman and even I find her attractive."

He cast me a surprised glance at that.

I shrugged. It is the truth.

In the meanwhile, Dela's round blue eyes, heavily lined with kohl, searched the games table, clearly heedless to the noise around her. They eventually landed on Richard, and her rouge-tinted lips pulled up in a sultry smile.

Feeling her gaze on him, Richard looked up from his cards with a precise flick of his smouldering grey eyes.

He did not look away from her once, even as she neared him, even as she slipped a finger beneath his white shirt, hooked it around the strings that tied it together, and pulled him to his feet.

He threw down his cards, and swiftly leaned down to capture her lips in a passionate kiss.

The hoots around them only grew louder, with a few suggestive whistles. That elderly woman who had accompanied Dela earlier was applauding with the rest of the men, her countenance twisted in a satisfied smirk.

Dela broke away first. She backed away from him, with a mysterious smile on her lips, beckoning him with one finger to come hither. Richard raised an eyebrow, and slowly advanced towards her with every step she took back. They continued thus, all the way until the both of them disappeared behind the curtains.

I turned to look at the Emperor. The astonishment on his countenance was an exact reflection of mine.

***