Intimacy

15th January 1999- Friday

"Father, watch this, watch this!"

Harry heard happy squeals of childish laughter as he entered the gardens, and stopped still, shocked at the sight before him: One of the Emperor's youngest daughters, Eleventh Princess Aloisa; who was Attendant Lukas' little girl, was trying to do a handstand as her father watched on. The Emperor was dressed finely in his signature black and gold robes, hair slicked back and one sleek, dark eyebrow raised.

"I'm watching," Thomas reassured the girl as she righted herself to check on him, returning to pressing her head against the floor whilst flailing her legs unsuccessfully as the man and an army of personnel watched on. Strangely enough, no other concubines were present despite the gaggle of Royal Children playing in the grass.

As he swept his eyes across the garden, he observed that it was all those under nine, but none of the youngest, namely the ones born whilst Harry had been in the Harem.

Their eyes locked then, green to red. Thomas' lip quirked.

"Would you like to sit with us, My Concubine?" The man called out, drawing the attention of all to where Harry was standing, clutching his hands over his middle.

Under all the eyes, Harry smiled uncertainly. "I wouldn't like to intrude-"

"Uncle Harry, come and play!" One of the girls cutely tilted her head as she stared up at him with big, blue eyes. Ninth Princess Aurelia, he could spot Penny's features mixed elegantly with the Emperor's anywhere. Harry blinked down at her, and she grinned toothily back.

"What do you want to play, Princess?" He asked as he began to lower himself to the ground, not wanting to be accused of 'looking down on a Royal Princess', even though there wasn't much choice but to do so.

The girl hummed, head spinning as she searched for something, her attention captured by a toddling, black-haired boy, who Harry recognised as the Princess' full-blooded brother, Fourth Prince Rastus. The boy was adorably small and reasonably steady on his feet now, a few shy months off of turning three. He was the youngest of the gathering.

Aurelia bounded up to her brother, startling him into stepping backwards and wobbling. Harry could see the way the maids crowding the young Prince gritted their teeth at that; and bristled at their annoyed glances, aimed unfairly at the girl. The disparity between the treatment of the Princes and Princess' in the Court, even by their parents, excluding the Emperor it seemed, was a sore thought for Harry.

If he had a little Princess, would she be sidetracked by the maids and Eunuchs, seen as lesser for no other reason than they assumed a Prince was more desirable to the Emperor? From the way Thomas interacted with his children, sons and daughters alike, he treated one no differently than the other.

Seeing the way the Emperor acted around his children made Harry imagine how he would interact with theirs. Would he gently hold the hand of their son as he jumped over sticks and stones? Would he hold their daughter close as she pointed out the shapes she could see in the clouds? Or would he smile over at them slyly as he watched them pinch another cookie out of the basket?

"What are you thinking about so intently, my Concubine?" The Emperor's question shook him out of his reverie, and Harry's thoughts sobered.

"The future, I hope."

Thomas sent him a smirk that sent butterflies soaring in his belly, and he turned away with a blush on his cheeks. Harry cleared his throat, trying to focus on the children clamouring for the attention of a 'new' adult whilst the Emperor watched on.

It was freeing to not be treated as an outsider by the Emperor's younger children, whom he was seeing more often now that he was an official spouse of the man, and legally a step-parent or 'Uncle' to them. The elder ones, those thirteen and older, were still standoffish around him, although he couldn't blame them. He and Evana, although not friends by any means, had come across each other in Hogwarts a few times. There had also been so many additions to the Court over the past few years that he could understand them not caring about the new faces, kept away from them and only seeing the lower Harem on celebrations.

There was a clear gap between the two sets of children. The younger were all eight or younger, the First Prince as the eldest, having been the first child born after the two-year abstinence of the Emperor after the death of the previous late eighth Princess, Jacinda. The girl had been born from a maid of the Emperor that he had grown fond of, or so rumour stated, as no one knew the true identity of this so-called lover. She had been born in January 1987, healthy and perfect, but was dead in the cradle within three days. To say the Emperor had been enraged was an understatement. He had refused visitations from all his concubines, placing the blame on them, although unknowing of the specific culprit. This lasted for over two years, until finally, in mid-1989, First Class Attendant Angelina conceived her son. This son however did not survive birth, and his mother lasted only a few days longer, overtaken with grief. The next, First Prince Alexus, wasn't born until late 1990.

A hard tap on Harry's hand drew him out of his musings, and he looked up to meet blood-red eyes. He startled momentarily, before chubby cheeks wiped away the Emperor's face and replaced it with one of a young boy. Second Prince Silas, at six, was the spitting image of His Majesty. His black hair was perfectly coiffed, features already showing their aristocratic angles, and most notable were his eyes, the defining feature of the Emperor that all the concubines wished their children to take. The Prince had been the first one to have such colouring, and since then, only two other children, Twelfth Princess Delphina and the latest addition, Fifteenth Princess Fiona, had followed.

"Hello, Your Highness," Harry acknowledged the boy, a bit perturbed when he continued to stare at him blankly. "How can I help you?"

The Prince stared up at him with a sharp glare, and Harry's eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "I don't need help," He spat out as ferociously as a six-year-old could, looking baleful. "Fix this for me. Now." A toy plane was thrust at his chest, and Harry picked it up with a quirked eyebrow. One of the wings was broken, and the magic on it seemed to be fading.

"Ask nicely, and I will, Your Highness." He responded instinctively. The maids behind the boy began to chatter in low, disapproving tones, and the Prince puffed up like an angry kitten.

"No! I'm a Prince, you should do as I say!" Without thinking, Harry handed the toy back to him, which the boy took, blinking at him in confusion. Silas glared further. "I said fix it!"

Harry was resolute. "Say please, and I will."

One of the maids cleared her throat, her nasily tone grating. "The Second Prince has requested for you to fix his toy, Concubine," Her voice was filled with derision. "You will fix it."

"He will not." The Emperor's smooth voice interrupted, and the gathered maids scattered with mumbled greetings, bowing lowly. The Prince visibly brightened, plane discarded on the grass.

"Father! Father, tell him to fix my plane!"

The Emperor looked unimpressed but patted the boy on the head when he clung to his robes. "Did you ask him nicely?"

"I don't need to, I'm a Prince." The boy replied, turning to glare at Harry, who was holding eye contact with Thomas.

The Emperor chuckled, although it was without humour. "And what a fine Prince you'll grow up to be with that attitude. You will ask my Concubine nicely to fix your plane, or it won't be fixed at all. He is not yours to order about, Son."

"But I'm a Prince!"

"Silas," Thomas' silky smooth tone held no room for arguing. "Ask nicely, although I wouldn't be surprised if your Uncle doesn't help even then. You have been impolite."

"-not my Uncle." The boy muttered petulantly, turning away from his father.

"What was that?"

Silas pouted. "He's not my Uncle! Mummy said he's just a concubine, not related to me."

The Emperor scoffed. "I will be having words with your Mother about this. But in the meantime, I am telling you to ask your Uncle nicely. Now."

Harry waved his hands placating, not wanting the argument between father and son to go on any longer. "It's alright, I'll fix it, It's not my place to educate the Prince-"

"Shut up, stop talking!" The Prince turned to him with blazing eyes, magic roiling. Harry's eyes widened as he felt it spark towards him, wand dropping into his hand quickly, ready to cast a shield. The Emperor's magic flared before anything happened, and with a blank expression, he picked up his son and apparated out of the garden.

The garden was silent for a few moments before the screams and wails began.

"Where's Papa?"

"Mumma!"

"Sonia, what's happening?"

Harry sat, staring at the spot the pair were in just moments before, as the shield around him disappeared. Strands of the Emperor's magic brushed against him as it began to dissipate, the last sparks still coiling around him protectively. That had been close. He cringed as he recalled what had led up to it. He should have just accepted and fixed the Prince's plane without saying anything, he didn't even know the boy, but it had been drilled into him from a young age to be polite that it was instinctual to correct.

Harry had to remember that none of these children were his. But, he'd be damned if he let his own grow up using their status like that.

24th January 1999- Sunday

Regulus sauntered slowly down the smooth path towards the Pavilion of Raining Flowers, arms folded across his chest within his sleeves. His maids, the personal ones he'd brought into the Harem, trailed behind him, keeping a respectful distance.

He breathed out a soft sigh as, when he came closer to the shelter, he noticed a head of curly black hair bobbing about where the seating was.

"Bella," He muttered, exasperated, trudging up the steps with more reluctance than before. "Cousin" He called out to announce his presence. His cousin was well known to cast a spell and perhaps ask questions later. "What are you doing here?"

She turned to him, a deranged but perfectly happy smile on her features. "Reggie! Me and Delphie are having a snack, aren't we sweetie?" Bella cooed down at her one-year-old daughter, who was happily munching away at tiny bits of fruit in her mother's lap. The little girl tilted her head back, mush smeared around her lips, some in her hair as well he noted, and smiled.

"Mam!"

"Yes, Delphie's having a nice time with Mummy, isn't she?" She cooed, pressing an exaggerated kiss on her chubby cheek. The girl giggled happily, turning back to her fruits. "What are you here for, Cousin?"

He smiled down at his niece when she looked up again with big, red eyes at her mother's tone and tickled her chin, eliciting more giggles. When her attention was diverted once again, his expression changed.

"I was looking for some space to think, but I suppose it would be better to speak with you. It concerns...His Majesty and me." He cooly bit out, hiding his hesitance in the presence of so many maids.

Bellatrix's expression hardened, but her voice was still sickly sweet as she spoke to her daughter. "Delphie, sweet, go with your nanny to look at the pretty flowers. Mummy needs to speak to Uncle Reggie."

One of Bellatrix's maids swiftly took away the little princess, who whined momentarily but went rather calmly, and Regulus took a seat next to his Cousin. He waved away his maids, and Bella did the same.

"What is it?" She asked him sharply once Delphina was out of earshot, and Regulus internally sighed as he prepared himself.

"I'm thinking of trying for another baby." He admitted to her truthfully, watching her face out of the corner of his eyes.

Unlike his expectations, Bella simply froze, before her shoulders relaxed. "Truly?" She asked him softly, and when he nodded in confirmation, she breathed out a fond sigh. "That's wonderful, Reg. I know you always wanted more than one."

He trapped his lip between his teeth, releasing it quickly with an internal admonishment. "Carina's birth was traumatizing for me. I never want to experience such a thing again, but... technology has improved since then, and so have the capabilities of the healers. Magical innovation has advanced since the legalisation of Dark Magic. I've always wanted another, and now is perhaps my only chance to have that."

"I'm happy for you, have you told Carina?"

"I don't think she'd appreciate me discussing anything of the sort with her." Regulus smiled wryly. "Any mention of anything to do with intimacy and she's out of the room like the house is on fire. But I should, she should know before it happens. There'd be more than a fourteen-year age gap, and that's if it's soon. But... do you think His Majesty will accept me? After I've spurned him all these years."

She was silent for a few, tense moments. "I will not lie to you, Cousin. You do not hold his favour, which seems to be focused towards Penny and our family's heir," She spat out, wrinkling her nose as if smelling something rancid, and Regulus winced. "You are also quickly approaching your forties, and have been taking contraception for fourteen years. It... I hope that it all works out for you." She ended with, and Regulus weakly smiled.

"I hope so as well."

31st January 1999- Sunday

"I'm pregnant."

Thomas spun at the soft admittance from the woman beside him, red eyes narrowing. He moulded his face suitably into a surprised expression when she looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Truly?" He asked.

Jasmine smiled, although it was strained. "Yes, Your Majesty. The healer believes I am-" She stopped, glancing up at him nervously. "Twelve weeks and a couple of days along. Isn't it wonderful, Your Majesty? I'm so happy to be carrying a son of yours once again."

He stopped walking at her words. "Child. A child of mine. We do not know if it is a son or a daughter. But I am pleased." Thomas admitted truthfully. If in the back of his mind, he was quietly sighing at the drama that would unfold soon enough, he couldn't be blamed.

"It is a son." Jasmine insisted, smiling again now, looking up at him expectantly.

His expression hardened, and he breathed in deeply to keep his temper in check. "You found out the gender?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I was so excited!" She tittered on happily. "I will be giving you another son, another potential heir- Your Majesty?" The woman stopped as she spotted his eyes, which had darkened with anger. "Are you not pleased?"

Thomas had closed his eyes as she spoke those incriminating words. "How long have you been a member of my Harem, Jasmine?" He questioned her smoothly, barely opening his eyes to stare down at her blankly.

She went white, fidgeting. "I-I was just so excited, Your-"

"How long have you been here?"

"Sixteen years, Your Majesty." Was her whispered response.

Thomas bared his teeth in anger, looking away from her still. "Then you more than know why I don't allow my concubines to find out the gender of their baby."

Jasmine scoffed and Thomas felt something snap inside him. "I wasn't going to get rid of it, no matter the gender! Prince or Princess, they'll still be royalty, your child!"

He span, eyes glowing. "I have lost so many children, Jasmine, despite those same words! So many little girls! Some I don't even know about, but I know there were more! All because you all want your own little prince, your own shot at being Empress, or Empress Dowager." Thomas hissed, seething, taking one last look at her flat stomach. He met her eyes, the hazel orbs shiny with tears. He sneered. "I am thrilled to have another child, but I am not that you went against my will, Noble Lafington. Good day, and I wish you a healthy pregnancy."

"Your Majesty!"

1st February 1999- Monday

"Brother Harry, his Majesty admits he is disappointed in your recent behaviour, although he has not deigned to specify." Bellatrix smiled at him cruelly, eagerly scanning the scroll. Her smile disappeared. Harry's head, which had dropped, lifted at the annoyance that rolled off her. "But-" She hisses. "Retains the belief that you will rectify this soon."

The Emperor most certainly knew, there was no doubting that now. That was as much of a reprimand as he was going to get before it really started to have consequences. It was surprising even that there were none yet, honestly.

"He also wishes to extend his apologies for the behaviour of the Second Prince, and asks for you to accept the written apology from the boy, and also from the Third Consort, his mother." Harry's eyes widened in surprise. The Prince was being made to apologise? To him? Instinctively, his eyes searched the room. Consort Isla's cheeks were darkened slightly, and she met his gaze with embarrassment. "Ah yes, I heard about this. His Majesty was forced to remove the Prince after he grew too upset at the situation. You shouldn't have riled him up so much, Brother. He is only six, you should have just accepted his demands."

"I simply wished for him to ask me more nicely, a sentiment which the Emperor fully agreed with. But I do agree that I shouldn't have."

Bellatrix harrumphed. "You shouldn't have. Do not deign to treat any of the royal children as if you know them, not when you don't even have your own child. Speaking of children...His Majesty also proudly congratulates Noble Lafington on her pregnancy. He promotes her to the rank of Sixth Concubine. Sister Jasmine," Bellatrix turned her ire full-heartedly on the proud-looking Noble, who was preening happily in her chair. Harry stared at her, at her flat belly- carrying the probably younger sibling to his own- with shock. "I had no idea."

"My apologies, Sister, I found out a bit later than I expected to." The Noble smiled wanly, stroking her stomach with reverence. "I hadn't expected it, but I feel blessed."

Bellatrix cleared her throat, shuffling gleefully in her seat in the way she did when she was about to ruin someone's mood. "However, due to Noble Lafington's delay in informing the Emperor, she is to be confined to her Palace for a week, as the rules pertain. As she only went over the specified time by two days, her stipend shall be halved only for the week she is confined."

Jasmine inclined her head, not seeming troubled by the punishment. "Of course, His Majesty made clear to me that there would be consequences. I feel ashamed that I kept such joyous news from him, but the Emperor has informed me that he is simply thrilled to have another baby on the way, despite this."

Harry numbly reached subtly for his own bump that was steadily growing now, hidden under his loose robes. And another, that none knew about. Jasmine was pregnant as well, and by the sounds of it, weeks behind him.

He bit his lip, and tilted his head back, feeling resigned.

2nd February 1999- Tuesday

"Why are you here today, My Concubine?" The Emperor placed his pen down as Harry stepped hesitantly through the doors, watching as the Head Eunuch closed them tightly behind him. He breathed out shakily. "You look pale. Please, take a seat."

Harry walked closer, placing his hands on the back of the chair. He gripped its backrest, but didn't make a move to sit on it.

"Are you well?" Thomas asked, shuffling his papers and setting them to the side.

He drew in a deep breath, clenching his fists. "I'm pregnant." Harry let out, voice stiff as he forced the words from his throat. He slammed his eyes shut, not wanting to see the disappointment on the Emperor's face. The man definitely knew, and he must also know how far over the grace period Harry had gone.

The sigh the Emperor let out was deafening. Tears filled Harry's eyes as the consequences of his choice crashed down on him. Arms wrapped around him, pulling him close as he felt the first of them trail hotly down his cheeks. "Shush, my Concubine, whatever is the matter?" 

"I'm sorry," He whispered, sniffing wetly. "I should have told you sooner, I should have, I know I should have! But I was so scared, so many have been lost, even I've witnessed a few, and they despise me, Thomas! What else was I to do?" Harry let out quickly, staring into his husband's eyes.

He was shushed once more. "It's alright, you've told me now, that's all that matters." The Emperor tried to push him into the chair, but Harry stood firmly, still staring at his face, anticipating.

"No, it's not fine! I deceived you, I kept the knowledge of our baby from you! I'm over fifteen weeks now!"

The Emperor sighed again. "Harry."

The sound of his name coming out of the Emperor's mouth shocked him into silence. "Thomas?"

The Emperor's voice was firm, but not harsh. "I get to decide what is 'fine' and what is not for myself. And I understand your reasonings. However, you do know that this cannot be resolved without consequences."

"I know. I'm sorry." Harry inhaled shakily, melting further into the man's hold.

"I know you are. Now, you are nearly sixteen weeks along now, correct?"

"Fifteen weeks and five days. I conceived on our wedding night."

The Emperor chuckled softly. "Is that so? Then," His voice hardened. "Your weekly stipend is to be halved for a month, and you are to be confined within your Palace walls until the first of March, where you will be safe until you are nearly twenty weeks along." Harry looked up sharply, met with the Emperor's knowing stare. "Rarely do people hide their pregnancy from their spouse without a reason. I understand your worries, Harry. Thank you for keeping our child safe in the only way you knew how to. I will endeavour to do the same from here on out."