54.1. No Rest for the Emperor - Part 1

I wake up sore. Gotrid and Erik are squeezing me between them, I'm partially lying on Erik's chest and Gotrid's wings are covering me. I sit up and rub my stiff neck. Then I slowly pull my wing from under Erik's arm.

We didn't have sex in the end, it didn't come to that. But I think I was successful in bringing them closer. I'm not that naïve to think that Erik and Gotrid will suddenly be lovey-dovey with each other, I still expect a lot of teasing between them, but at least Erik doesn't hate Gotrid anymore and Gotrid doesn't think of him as a rival he has to compete with in every situation.

Erik normally always wakes up before me but I guess he's tired from both jet lag and a demanding telepathic connection. Gotrid is sleeping like a log, also exhausted from his very first telepathic link. I look lovingly at them, smile and kiss them on their foreheads.

I still can't believe it; I have two partners now! My love for Erik grew deeper—if it's even possible—and my heart is warm with new love developing for Gotrid. I feel a dopamine rush as my telepathic brain is probably rewarding me for finally giving it what it wanted from the beginning.

I was a tiny bit worried that my Celestial nature would start preferring a Celestial partner but nothing of that sort happened. Sure, Gotrid's gorgeous wings arouse me but so does Erik's muscular human body. Besides, I'm much more attracted to their minds than their bodies anyway.

Except for mild soreness, I actually feel energised. And surprisingly hungry. I carefully get up, not wanting to wake them up because they deserve to rest. I put on my night gown so that I'm not naked in front of the maids and guards and silently leave the bedroom.

"Oh, Your Majesty, up so early?"

I catch Ayala cleaning the apartment because my guards would never let in human personnel. She's partially using magic to do that—handy water spells and telekinesis. It certainly makes chores much quicker but not necessarily energy-saving because mana equals calories for us. Still, it's impressive to look at and Ayala seems to enjoy it.

"We went to sleep early," I say, "but let those two sleep some more, okay?"

"Of course," she giggles. "I take it everything went excellent last night?"

I roll my eyes. Why are my subjects so interested in my love life? But I resignedly gave up privacy weeks ago. The Celestial Emperor doesn't get to have privacy, I had to accept the fact. At least I get to choose my partners.

"Could I have an early breakfast, please?" I look at the clock and it's only quarter past six. "Just a sandwich and coffee are fine."

"Of course," Ayala bows and runs off.

"Good morning," I greet the guards who are standing by the door. I made an effort to remember all their names but they hardly ever talk to me when on duty. They take their job deadly serious and won't be distracted.

I sit on the sofa and realise that I actually don't have anything to do. My laptop is still in my luggage which is in the bedroom so I can't reach it without risking waking up my partners. So I really have nothing to do? I think I haven't had a lazy morning since... forever!

"Is there any possibility I could go for a flight?" I ask the guards. They have to answer a direct question, obviously.

"I'm afraid not, Your Majesty," they have to disappoint me.

I sigh but I expected it. Lazy morning it is then. I find a blanket in a basket next to the sofa, wrap myself in it and look for a remote. I'm sure there's a holographic projector built-in somewhere. And, of course, there is—the latest model! As expected of a five-star hotel and a presidential suite.

I ignore the news channels and look for interesting subscriptions. Naturally, such an expensive hotel has a whole bunch of them. While I did watch a few movies with Erik, I didn't have any time to catch up on my favourite shows. I really need at least one day a week off, however much my Emperor's nature might protest against it.

"Is this okay, Your Majesty?" Ayala brings me a freshly-made egg sandwich and a latté because she knows that I can't stand coffee without milk and sugar. "I'd bring you more but you're expected to eat in the restaurant and socialise so it'd be appropriate if you still had some space in your stomach left considering how little you eat."

"Thanks, perfect," I appreciate and decide not to go into an argument with her about my dietary needs.

I decide to watch an episode of a sci-fi show I really liked before my transformation and being wrapped into the blanket and slowly munching on a sandwich, it does feel like a lazy morning. I almost feel normal. Anyway, as normal as the Emperor can feel. I finish one episode and continue with another. What a pleasant morning indeed.

"Ryuu, how could you...!" Erik suddenly storms in, red with anger. "I woke up hugging that guy's wing instead of yours!!!"

"I didn't break your stupid rule, you groped me first," Gotrid runs after him. "My Emperor, why didn't you wake us up?"

"You needed to rest," I sip my latté, unperturbed by their wild entrée.

"What are you watching?" Erik lands next to me and takes my right wing for cuddling to heal his apparent trauma.

"The Unknown Universe!" Gotrid instantly recognises the show.

"You like it?" I smile and enjoy how natural it feels when Gotrid sits next to me as well.

"I'm a huge fan, I read the books," he boasts. "I can lend them to you if you want."

"Nerd," Erik purses his lips at him.

I perceive that he feels insecure all of a sudden—afraid that I might bond with Gotrid over geeky stuff. It's a nice plus in a partner, I'm not denying it, but as if I'd really care. I love Erik for him, not for his hobbies.

"Your Majesty, Royal Consorts, it's almost half past eight and you need to get ready," Ayala reminds us. She's eyeing Gotrid with a grin, openly approving. While all my subjects respect Erik, Gotrid is what they consider proper for the Celestial Emperor.

"What the...!" Erik laments when checking his phone. "Couldn't they wait after the conference?"

"Is something wrong?" I peek.

"They didn't wait a day and officially announced that you've taken the second Consort," Erik says, irritated.

"We wanted to give Celestials some good light-hearted news," Ayala quickly explains, well aware that they promoted it without my consent. "The media is full of politics which is mostly depressing. Our people desperately need to hear something positive."

"We didn't plan to hide it anyway, right?" Gotrid comments and, unlike Erik, he's happy that it's out. "Besides, I want to boast that I'm dating my Emperor."

I sigh. But Gotrid's right, everybody will see that we're all lovey-dovey anyway and I don't want to hide things that aren't necessary to hide. Too many secrets are difficult to keep. Still, it seems I'll need to have a serious conversation with the people who manage my image on the social media because it's not only Ingri anymore. They just can't share things about my personal life like that.

Ayala gets really impatient at this point and nudges us to dress up. Gotrid makes a teary scene when he has to return to his room to change clothes but Erik is relieved when he's gone at least for a little while.

I kiss him and I connect to him momentarily to check on how he's doing. I'm proud of him and worried at the same time. Erik isn't exactly a fan of polyamory, can he manage? Isn't he forcing himself too much? Am I not being selfish after all? Maybe I'm horribly greedy, wanting two partners.

"You know," I say slowly. "It's not exactly polyamory if each partner doesn't pursue their own interests. With a consent of all parties, of course."

"What do you want to say, Ryuu?" Erik raises his eyebrow.

"Just that... ehm... that if you ever want to date a human because you miss your kind... I mean... I wouldn't stand in your way," I mumble. "We could make it work somehow."

"You would really be okay with it?" he gets quite pissed off.

"I-it would only be e-equal," I stutter, confused that he doesn't know what's polyamory about since he agreed to it. But there's something else as well. I suddenly don't feel good about it. What's wrong with me?

"That's not an answer," he frowns and catches my chin. "Would you really be okay with it? Be honest with me."

"No," I let out, astonishing myself. Am I the possessive one in the end? I want Erik just for myself. I'm greedy. Greedy, greedy, greedy. I should feel ashamed. Yet, my Celestial Emperor's nature doesn't let me feel that way.

"Good, that's what I wanted to hear," his expression brightens.

"You did?!" I blink.

"I'm glad that you're not willing to share me," he grins. "I don't care about the rules of polyamory, I'm not taking another partner beside you. And Gotrid is the same, by the way, we talked about it. We're Royal Consorts, totally devoted to you."

"That's sweet and all but His Majesty has to dress up," Ayala interrupts us. "And you as well, Royal Consort."

He goes to shave so I have some time to ponder while Ayala is putting all the layers on me. Erik is still very jealous, he just consciously decided to switch his jealousy the other way. Now he's happy with me being possessive. I guess it makes sense... kind of. Still, didn't we just turn the issue other way instead of solving it? Or is it something I simply can't avoid because of who and what I am?

I'd allow Erik to take a human partner if it made him happy because I want to see him happy and that's what genuine love is about. But, at the same time, I have a dark suspicion that it'd torment both my telepathic brain and my Emperor's nature. I have a feeling that dating the Celestial Emperor should be considered to be a very demanding job not everyone is cut for.

"I asked them to move my stuff here," Gotrid is waiting for us in the lobby with his luggage. "As for the rest of my most prized possessions, Liana allowed me to send two Dragonkin to visit my apartment and pack everything for me."

"Great, he's moving in," Erik rolls his eyes.

"Obviously, Royal Consort, it makes sense I'll live in His Majesty's private quarters when we return to Europe," Gotrid sings.

"Let's hope there'll be space for you, Royal Consort," Erik retorts. "But I guess you can take the sofa."

"Seriously, guys?" I sigh and gently slap both of them.

Because we're ready to go, Erik quickly grabs my right hand. Gotrid follows and grabs my left one.

"That's... actually embarrassing," I shake them both.

"I thought you're used to polyamoric relationships, Your Majesty?" Gotrid tilts his head.

"Not at the same time!" I set the record straight.

"Are you coming or are you having your first relationship drama?" Liana meets us in the hall. "Try to behave in front of everyone, okay? The press is always present and when it comes to race rulers, even the most prestigious channels are after a tabloid story."

"Did you announce it right after our dinner last night?" I suspect her.

"Better to hear it from the official source than give space to rumours and speculations," she shrugs, not questioning her decision in the slightest. "Let's go, love doves, time to work."