I step out into my house. I swallow. Well, this is really a predicament.

　　"There you are,"

　　I look up, quirking my brow.

　　"Your majesty."

　　I sigh. "What?"

　　"You shook your guards your majesty. We were very worried about you."

　　"As you can see, I'm fine."  I sigh. I need a child.

　　No, even more so, I need a harem. But I don't actually want one.

　　"Your majesty, have you thought—"

　　"About the royal harem," I intone. "Don't worry me with that again, what's on my agenda?"

　　"'You have a meeting with the Church of Light's High Priest."

　　That pretentious asshole.

　　"Then you have a meeting with your advisors as well as a trade meeting with the nation of Lamek."

　　"Is that really all?"

　　"Of course there is the matter of paper work and approval of budgets. The famine in the Far East requires your attention as well, and the knighting ceremony is in two days. We haven't gotten you a dress."

　　I sigh again. "Fine fine. I'll change, what time is the high priest going to be here?"

　　"High noon," she stated.

　　"Thank you Lindy. I'll be in my quarters until noon."

　　I need a child. I'm getting older and the empire needs stability. Not to mention stabilizing the Church of Light.

　　They're getting too powerful. They rival me in power, and that is simply unacceptable. If he weren't so unbearable, I'd marry the High Priest.

　　However, making him my first husband would just give him too much power. I'd need him to be a consort.

　　I sighs I need a first husband who's easy to control. Someone without any power, who's in debt to me. Someone who won't go against me, or try to use the power being the First Husband will afford him.

　　"Your Majesty, the High Priest is here," Lindy says from behind the door.

　　My maids dress me. I set out into the drawing room. He stands bowing to me.

　　"Greetings, to the sun of the Empire,"

　　"You May rise, Lind."

　　His long white hair flows behind him. High Priest is forbidden to cut his hair, and the color is a mark of gods blessing.

　　No one else in land has his Snow White hair.

　　"Your majesty, thank you for meeting me," his eyes focus on mine. His eyes are bright red. Another sign of god's blessing.

　　"Of course. How is the church?"

　　"Blessed by god, or course," he smiles.

　　Right. "What did you need from me? High priest?"

　　He is handsome. A beautiful man. I wouldn't mind having him in my harem. He is gorgeous.

　　"Your majesty...about your harem?"

　　I sigh. "What harem, High Priest? I don't have one as of yet."

　　"I'd like to offer myself. As your consort." He states.

　　I snort. "I see. I was just thinking about having you as my consort, High Priest."

　　"Then, your majesty, will you take me as your consort?"

　　Even if I do just marry him as a consort without taking him as my Emperor, seniority within the harem is something I can't afford.

　　I set my cup of tea down. "High Priest, are you sure you can keep your vow to God as my consort? Your chastity will be taken."

　　He smiles. "Your majesty, God has spoken to me. This is the path, I am to take."

　　God spoke to him? More like greed.

　　"I see. I'm feeling somewhat tired. I'll rest now. We'll speak again soon, High Priest."

　　"Your majesty?" He calls. I look back.

　　"Please do not think I am only doing this for the church. God has spoken to me, but not before your beauty and grace."

　　Heh. How cheesy.

　　"I see. Thank you for the reassurance High Priest. Rest your body. Between God and the Empress, you may be overwhelmed."

　　He bows, as I leave.

　　I leave him, heading to my chambers. He's practically proposed. I could ignore him but...

　　I sigh again, dismissing my maids. I get dressed in commoners clothing, and open my window.

　　"Your majesty?" My guard calls.

　　I close my eyes.

　　"Ryuk," I sigh.

　　"That isn't safe your majesty. As the hope and ruler of the empire please place your well-being at greater importance. The people would lost without you. You are the empire's light—"

　　Ah. He's such a nag.

　　"Yes yes, Ryuk. I don't require your lessons. If I am the light of the empire you, are my lampshade."

　　He cocks his head with a smile. "Sometimes too much light is blinding. I'm only here to help your majesty."

　　"If you want to help," I stand on the balcony. "You should try to catch me before I hit the ground."

　　"Your majesty please don't—"

　　I wave and jump off the balcony. I am the Empress, . descendant of the Gods. This won't hurt. But it'll make Ryuk upset and that's always a plus!

　　"Your majesty I beg of you please do not put yourself in such jeopardy! You are the light of the empire all souls seek you for guidance please—"

　　I smirk, taking off. He quickly catches up, following behind me.

　　He pants. "Your majesty, pardon me for saying so, but this is extremely risky. Might you reconsider—"

　　I ignore him. I'm going into the capital. Ryuk follows behind me. I look around. This is how I check on my subjects. I walk through the towns as a commoner. I check on business and the people.

　　"Live auction! Come and see the goods we have today people!"

　　An auction? I stop by.

　　"We have high quality gems, horses and a special item!"

　　I watch the items fly by. The economy of the nobles seems to be doing well—

　　"Our last item is a creature who's worth is unsurpassed."

　　They unveil a large cage. It's...it's a human. How dare they.

　　Ryuk steps forward. I put the hand up. Several people leave. Slavery is banned. How dare these insignificant—

　　"He may look human but true creature is far from it. A barbarian from the east, his hair is red as the devils flames! Well start the bidding at 6 million Jen."

　　He's quiet. His eyes stay on the floor, his body covered in scars. The remaining few nobles bid on him, but his face is blank.

　　"10 million Jen," I state. He finally looks up.

　　His eyes meet mine. They're deep green. He holds my stare.

　　"10 million Jen going once, going twice—sold! Miss come up and claim your item."

　　I step up in front of the cage. The mans eyes stay on mine.

　　I smile. "Do you wish to leave this place?"

　　He nods.

　　"If I take you home with me, will you serve me?"

　　"Yes, Master."

　　I clench my teeth. I don't like this. But for now. For the stability of the my empire...

　　"What is your name?" I ask.

　　"I don't have one, Master."

　　"Your name is now Amias. It means loved. Do you accept this name?"

　　I extend my hand. He looks at it. The noble opens the cage, but he stays there, looking at my hand.

　　"Will you come with me?"

　　He looks up at me. "Yes Master. Thank you for giving me a name. I am in debt to you."

　　He takes my hand. I smile.

　　"Ryuk," I whisper. "Execute everyone who bid on this man and the organizers of this auction. Find out who's trafficking humans,"

　　"Come now, Amias. Let's go home."