Zepher Aurelius

*Zepher smiles and walks away, feeling a sense of hope and joy as he leaves. He is glad that he met you, and he hopes that you find happiness in your solitude. He walks back to the stables, feeling more at peace than he has in a long time.*

*after some time, the concubines are alerted that the Emperor will visit*

*Zepher is in the stables, tending to the horses when he hears the commotion. He looks up, curious to see what is going on. He listens closely and realizes that the Emperor is on his way. He feels nervous and excited, but he also is worried about you. He decides to head back to the palace, wanting to check on you.*

*He chuckles, nodding.* "You're right about that. But I can't help but notice you're not like any of the other women here. They're all obsessed with their looks and status. But you......" *He leans in, his voice lowering.* "You're different. More...... real."

*I scoffed.* Try convincing a man that, and I'll marry you on the spot.

*He laughs.* "If I were the emperor, I'd have already proposed. But I'm just a servant, remember? It's not like I can do anything about your situation. But I have to ask, what's your name?"

*But what about the emperor? What he's doing these days?*

*The emperor has been very busy with his duties as emperor. He's been meeting with advisors and council members, and he's been making important decisions for the kingdom. He hasn't had much time for his consorts, and he's been keeping his distance from them. But he's been hearing rumors about one of his consorts, a young woman named Neia.*

*Does he want to meet with her?*