Intimacy

6th September 1999- Monday

After the long Monday morning meeting, Harry gratefully retreated to his new Palace, the Palace of Great Favour. He had moved in a little later than usual as the nursery had also needed to be moved over, the unexpected but delightedly received promotion making the time he had spent on the room for nothing.

Now, at just over a month old, Harry was beginning to see his daughter as more than an attachment to himself and instead as a baby with her own unique personality. She was finally staying awake for more than a few minutes at a time, nearly a whole hour as of a few days ago. It allowed them more time to bond, despite Harry's love for their sleepy cuddles on the sofa whilst she was napping.

"Alsie," He cooed, catching his daughter's attention. Her eyes were unfocused for a few moments, but she blinked up at him as if understanding he wanted her attention. Of course, Harry knew it was far too early for that, but it made his heart warm when she would stare up at him so trustingly. "You're going to meet your Auntie Luna today. She's my friend, and I bet she's going to love you dearly."

Alsephina blinked, head turning to the side as a flash of movement caught her eye. Harry huffed as she began to wail, hefting her up onto his shoulder, and cradling her head close as he did so.

"Hush now, sweetheart. It's okay, it's only Anya."

"My apologies, Your Highness. I didn't mean to startled the Princess."

"I know," Harry sighed. "She's been a bit sensitive the past few days. I think my recent actions have unsettled her."

His daughter had a small sniffle that started a few days back, and Harry had overreacted to the extreme. It had begun the night of Princess Freyja's birth, and Harry had ordered every Healer available to his Palace. It had turned out to be a very mild cold, mixed with agitation that her Dad hadn't been available for a few hours. The jostling she had gone through in that hour had startled her, and she was still unsettled even days later.

Thinking on the Seventeenth Princess-

Patricia's baby hadn't been removed entirely from her care, but the Emperor was keeping the Concubine on a tight leash. Maids were to care for the little Princess for the most part, despite the baby living within the Concubine's Palace, and the woman was only allowed supervised visits. Harry was surprised she was even allowed that, but he thought it was the best solution overall. The Princess was reliant on her mother, after all, and it would be cruel to refuse her the time she needed with her.

There had been calls for the Princess to be adopted out, most vocally from members such as Penny and Bellatrix, who cited that they had young children that would be beneficial for the Princess to develop around, but old enough not to be overlooked in favour of a younger and more needy baby.

The same discussions had come up when Evangeline's three children had been orphaned, but the creation of the Children's Court, Evana's own vocal derision for being adopted- aged ten at the time- and the Emperor's knowledge that many would use them for personal gain quietened them eventually. There had been little conversation when Eighth Princess Amelia had been orphaned at birth, having been born to a Second-Class Attendant, and therefore, not as useful in the harem's eyes.

The Emperor had given the discussion on the Princess' proposed adoption much thought, individually speaking with his Consorts and Concubines, Harry included.

When Harry had been asked if he would put an argument forward to claim the Princess as his adopted daughter, he had hesitated. It would be lovely, however, the backlash he would receive would have been horrendous and barely tolerable.

With such a young child depending on him already, Harry had denied the opportunity to fight for a claim.

The Emperor eventually decided that the Princess was to remain in her mother's Palace but under strict supervision, Knights and wards surrounding Freyja's rooms- a section cut off from the rest of the Palace.

What had influenced his decision was perhaps the greedy expressions others had taken at the thought of gaining control over Patricia's only child. Another, that had surprised them all, was the flip Patricia had seemed to make once settled.

There were no more reports of violent outbursts, usual from the woman, nor any screaming rants heard from outside the Palace. In fact, it was said that Patricia had taken to practically creeping around her own Palace, watching the door to her daughter's nursery forlornly.

However, it had only been a matter of days since the Princess' birth, so they were all still walking on eggshells, hoping the woman wouldn't attempt anything rash or snap out of the calm state she had descended into.

"Is the Princess hungry, Your Highness?" Anya spoke, breaking Harry out of his thoughts.

Looking down at her little face, and seeing that her eyes were beginning to droop, he shook his head gently.

"No, let's leave that until she wakes up on her own. I don't want to distress her any more than I have."

Sasha brushed over his legs then, and he reached down to stroke the cat gently, smiling at the purrs she elicited. Alsie seemed to enjoy them, as she smiled sleepily, head lolling on his arm. Harry smiled at seeing his daughter so relaxed, continuing to pet Sasha as she leaned herself against him.

9th September 1999- Thursday

"You have so many kids now, it must be incredibly confusing."

Harry and the Emperor were once again in the Pavilion of Stars, soaking up the last warmth of the year together. In Harry's arms, his daughter tiredly murmured but didn't wake, snuggling sleepily into her blanket. He had brought her with him when Thomas had suggested they meet at the Pavilion, wanting Alsephina to spend as much time in fresh air before she was bundled inside for the upcoming winter.

The man chuckled, his deep tenor sending a shiver down Harry's spine. "I do have many children, yes. I'm surprised I have managed to name all of them in unique ways. And with the three new additions, our daughter included, I now have twenty-two children to divide my time with."

"How do you do it? Spend time with all of them?"

"I'm sure you've noticed how infrequent my visits to my other concubines are by now. That is because I choose to spend my free time mostly within the Children's Court, where they cannot bother me. Perhaps I run into some of them within there, but most, like me, enjoy spending time with their children. It is only the most... zealous, that disturb me."

Thomas sighed, leaning back on his hands. It made him look younger than he truly was- a man of many years behind his facade of youth. His black hair was askew, falling out of the perfect style he'd had when he'd arrived. Harry fought the temptation to fix it.

"Then... why continue having more?" He continued to distract himself.

The man's expression hardened. "I will never allow my family name to die out again." He spoke resolutely. "My daughters may take other names if they choose when they marry, but they will always be Slytherins. My sons will hopefully grow and continue my dynasty, although that is still a long way off. That is, if they don't grow to dislike me, and throw away the name I have given them."

"Why would they dislike you? You've always given them all they could need."

It showed clearly in the way the children spoke about their Father, rambling about his visits, twirling in the new dresses and jackets he'd had sent to them. Even the oldest weren't afraid to show their appreciation for him, trailing after the man with incessant questions and boundless enthusiasm.

It was one of the reasons even Harry sometimes struggled to meet with the man. He would love to meet with him daily if he could, but more often than not, one of the Princesses was with him, and Harry was loathe to disturb the man's time with his children.

The Emperor huffed out a breath, amused. "I am a conqueror, Harry." He stated, as if that was all the explanation needed.

Harry supposed it was. He'd ruined the world, terrorised each country until they submitted to his control, and then moulded its remains to his liking. Ruthlessly, quickly, and without care of inhabitants.

He blinked, clearing his throat. "But, much of what you did was necessary, wasn't it? To stamp out the Order, and bring control to the world."

The Order had been a group of Light terrorists, hellbent on keeping Britain under the rule of Albus Dumbledore, and therefore forced into stagnation as a society. They had preached openness and tolerance, but the Emperor's takeover had revealed the depths of their discrimination towards many forms of vital magic and the creature populations in general.

The Emperor's methods had been harsh, and Harry was sure he didn't know even half of what had truly occurred, but the Order, and Dumbledore, had needed to be eradicated to see Britain finally progress.

Thomas smiled bitterly, an expression which sent coldness through his veins. "Was it?"

In Harry's arms, Alsephina gurgled, and he shushed her gently, apologising for the way his arms had tightened minutely.

"May I hold her?" The Emperor's tone switched suddenly, and Harry brightened.

"Of course!" Eagerly, he passed her gently into the arms of her Father, and despite her wiggles of dissatisfaction, blessedly she didn't wail. Thomas stared down at her as he gently cradled their daughter, and Harry watched as the pair stared into each other's eyes, the shade identical.

Then, the Emperor began to hiss, and Harry's eyes widened at witnessing the coveted ability of the Slytherin line. Parseltounge.

If Harry had thought red eyes were a rarity among the Emperor's children, held first by Second Prince Silas, and followed by Twelfth Princess Delphina, Fifteenth Princess Fiona, and his own daughter Alsephina, then the ability to truly use Parseltounge was less seen now. Evana, the First Princess, was one of those who could, and she had been followed many years later by Prince Alexus and most likely Princess Delphina, if Bellatrix's crowing was to be believed.

Harry leant in, mesmerised by the tone changes he could hear as the man hissed, and he watched as Thomas began to smile. Alsie was cooing up at him, also intruiged.

He stopped after a little while, making eye contact with Harry. "Perhaps I am being hasty. Evana didn't show an aptitude for Parseltounge until she was seven, and Alexus was three when he first hissed at me." The man looked fond as he recalled that interaction. "I am still waiting to see if any of my younger children show the ability. It is only Delphina who has surprised me so far and spoken so soon, although I don't know if I'd count baby mumbles as-"

A little hiss sounded from the blanket, and it was almost comical how both he and Thomas rounded on their daughter, who was staring up at her Father intensely. Her mouth puckered, and she frowned, another hiss slipping out, followed by a hiccup.

"I- what did she say?" Was the first thing out of Harry's mouth.

"As I was saying," Thomas continued smoothly, a hand coming up to stroke through their daughter's red locks. "I wouldn't count the babbling she is doing as speaking. It's the snake equivalent of hatchling hisses."

Harry leaned closer, watching his daughter with awe as she blinked lazily up at their faces. Her eyes fixed on Harry's, and a happy expression brightened her features, Alsephina burbling cheerfully. He couldn't help but laugh, almost tearfully.

It was relieving, as well as incredibly wonderful, to know that his daughter held an ability so important to the Emperor. She would always be significant to him, with this rare and coveted ability, other than being his daughter. A daughter who had his red eyes, and spoke his family's ancient ability.

15th September 1999- Wednesday

One evening, surprising Harry and his maids with its unexpectedness, the Emperor invited him to spend the night within his Palace, the summons sent by the Head Eunuch himself.

It was obvious to them what the invitation expected of him.

Harry had entered the dining hall nervously, relaxing as a dinner awaited him, finely plated dishes that lasted for many courses. He and Thomas had chatted until the sky turned dark and all the plates had been whisked away by inconspicuous maids, absorbed in one another's presence. It wasn't until the man led him into his bedroom that Harry stopped dead, blushing, reminded of why he had been requested.

The man smirked, collapsing lazily back on the sofa. The man was staring up at him, amusement dancing in his eyes. He didn't seem submissive, despite Harry staring down at him, his posture relaxed and confident.

Harry fiddled with the sleeves of his robe, looking up at the man through his eyelashes. That smirk was still present, but it had taken on a more sultry lilt. He attempted to fight back the blush he felt creeping up his neck, but the widening smile he received revealed his failure.

"I hadn't thought you so eager, Harry." He practically purred, and Harry gulped down the words that wished to escape on impulse.

Of course, I'm eager. You're enchanting.

It would be too embarrassing to say such a thing out loud.

"I- you know that I desire you, Your Majesty."

The man blinked, beckoning him forward, which he did so tentatively. As soon as he was within reach, Thomas reached forward and encircled his waist with his hands, pulling Harry onto his lap, who let out a surprised yelp.

He blushed deeper, avoiding the Emperor's amused gaze as their faces hovered inches away from each other.

"You desire me, do you?"

Harry couldn't have stopped the scoff if he'd tried. "Of course, I do. Is the existence of our daughter not enough proof?"

"The numerous other children I call mine tell me that many others find me desirable. Except, with you, it is different. You desire  me . They desire the me they perceive me as."

"Don't you hide your true self from me, as well, Your Majesty?" Harry bitterly muttered. After their last conversation, Harry had been thinking a lot about the matter. There was no way the man who presented himself to Harry was the same Emperor who had conquered the world with an iron fist. Thomas was obviously altering his personality in some way to appeal to Harry more.

The man let out a chuckle, sounding a little deranged. "Of course." He bluntly agreed, surprisingly brazenly open about such an exposing topic. "I wouldn't deny it. However, you do see more of me than I allow others to. More temperate sides, may I say."

"You don't let me see your harsher ones, though."

He got a kiss on his brow for that. "No, I do not. I like how our relationship is now. It would surely change if I allowed you to see another side of me. Are you not content with the me you see now?"

Harry sighed. "I-," He hesitated. "I am content. I wish, however, in the future, that you may trust me enough to reveal your true self." He looked up at the man through his eyelashes, blushing at Thomas' intense stare, his eyes darkened.

"Oh, Darling," The man purred, tightening his hold on his waist. "It's not that I don't trust you. I don't trust myself."

23rd September 1999- Thursday

"My Consort, I was hoping to see you today. It is lucky that we bumped into one another so fatefully."

"Your Majesty." Harry bowed in greeting, hearing the rustle of cloth behind him denoting that his maids had bowed also respectfully.

Harry was on his way back from an awkward lunch with Jasmine and Erin, who had invited him after the morning meeting that morning. Nothing of note had occurred, for which he was thankful, but it had still been uncomfortable to spend time with the pair. There was still obvious tension surrounding them, and the jealous stares that Erin had sent Jasmine when Prince Atticus had gurgled had been downright discomfiting to witness.

He hadn't brought along Alsephina, but since they had retreated to Jasmine's Palace- The Palace of Peaceful Beauty-, Prince Atticus was obviously present, and so was Princess Serina, whom Erin had fetched from the Children's Palace for the day.

Erin had clung to her daughter, the girl squirming in her arms, as they had eaten lunch, despite comments from Jasmine that the Princess might like to explore the garden. Harry had departed after that, seeing the other woman's expression darken.

Presently, the Emperor held out his hand to him, and Harry placed his own in the others. It was warm, and the other had a tight, comforting grip that reassured him in the face of the man's serious expression.

"I wish for you to spend Mabon with me."

"Mabon?" Harry questioned, a faint sense of familiarity sparking at the name.

"The Autumn Equinox."

Was this perhaps an event for the Consorts only? Harry voiced his thoughts. "Who else will be in attendance? I haven't heard of such a celebration yet."

"No one. I have made many attempts to turn this practice into a Court-wide celebration alike All Hallows Eve, however many were not interested in partaking, and those who were held different traditions to heart. I had hoped you would know of it, but perhaps it is more suitable that you are unaware of the traditions. It will allow you to avoid preconceptions like the others."

"I would be delighted." Harry smiled, taking the man's arm.

'Spending Mabon' with the man turned out to be building a fire within a firepit in his private garden, and waiting for dusk to fall before they could begin. According to the Emperor, Mabon was a time to celebrate the harvest and the coming of darkness, therefore, they needed the liminality of dusk to begin. Surrounding the firepit were bowls of food- apples, grapes, wheat, corn and more. Harry wondered what role they were going to play.

"I will throw them in the fire when the time is right," Thomas explained when he noticed Harry's stare. "After we take a bite out of them."

"Even the wheat?"

The man huffed, amused. "No, not the wheat. But the bread made from the wheat, yes."

Something must have caught the man's attention, because he suddenly began to chant, sitting up straighter. Harry watched Thomas' lips move, understanding little of what he was saying. Then, lines of magic began to appear in the air surrounding him, and Harry gasped in amazement.

The magic within the room pulsed, growing and growing as the man chanted, reaching forward to pluck an apple out of the bowl. It reached a peak, before something  snapped , and the magic coalesced in the fire.

Harry was enchanted, watching as the man's face relaxed, his shoulders slumping, leaving himself as defenceless as Harry had ever witnessed. He let out a deep breath, the sigh grateful, as if a giant weight had been released.

The man's red eyes blinked open a few moments later, and his lips twitched into a lazy smirk that caused havoc in Harry's mind. "Your turn, my Consort." He took a bite out of the apple in his hand. "You don't have to say anything, just express your thanks for the harvest, and eat whatever you wish. Apples represent immortality and fertility. Grapes also represent fertility, alongside wealth and a myriad of other aspects. Pick whatever you want."

Hesitantly, the air still heavy with magic, Harry grabbed a handful of grapes from the bowl closest to him, being the easiest thing to eat. He could feel the magic growing as he ate one after one, sparks tingling up his arms and focusing in his fingertips.

The reaction wasn't as great as Thomas' had been, but when the energy snapped, he slumped sideways, caught by the man. The Emperor huffed, settling Harry's head more comfortably on his shoulder. 

After a few minutes of silence, the man spoke. "Thank you for humouring me, Harry."

He grinned sleepily in response. "S'alright. I enjoyed it. What other celebrations have you been hiding from me? I want in."

24th September 1999- Friday

As they exited the meeting hall, pouring out, laughing and chatting, a group of maids came hurrying up the path, focusing specifically on Patricia.

The woman, in the middle of conversing with Alecto, turned reluctantly, clicking her tongue in annoyance. "Susan? You're supposed to be looking after Freyja! Can I not leave you for-"

The woman, Susan, along with the other maids, collapsed to their knees, pressing their heads harshly into the gravel. Panting, she spoke, cutting her mistress off. "Your Highness! Your Highness, I'm so sorry, I'm so-"

"What is it, woman? Is something wrong with my daughter?" Patricia snarled, touring over the maids, who seemed moments away from fainting.

"Your Highness, the Princess! The Princess has taken ill!" Susan wailed, reaching forward to grab at the woman's robe. "She just got so warm all of a sudden, we called for a healer and she-"

Patricia stopped listening to the maids rambling after that, as did they all, descending into devastated silence. Harry watched, feeling cold creeping up his spine, as Patricia lunged, cutting and cursing the sobbing heaps on the floor, her screams of pure rage and agony rattling in his brain.

It only quietened when the Emperor appeared, pulling her swiftly off of the floor and into his arms. She fought, kicking and clawing, but he kept a sturdy grip on her shoulders.

It is reflective of his state of mind that Harry barely noticed the Emperor's arrival, watching Patricia collapse into herself as she heaved hysterically.

The Emperor led her away quickly, Knights swarming them, leaving behind the heap of maids still writhing in pain on the floor- one with a bloody face, another curled into herself, the third simply weeping into her hands.

Knights likewise steered each of them back to their palaces, each going willingly as the shock refused to abate.

Later, news would reach his ears that the young Princess had caught a fever, which, with aid from the best Healers available, and access to the Emperor's limitless reserves, she had pulled through in the end.

He held Alsephina tighter that night, spending long hours weaving protection over protection around her nursery.

1st October 1999- Friday

The morning meeting that day was a tense one. After the shocks of the month, centring around Concubine Patricia, they were all awaiting what damage her actions had caused to her standing in the harem.

Penny cleared her throat. "His Majesty would like to express his joy at the birth of his nineteenth daughter, the Seventeenth Princess Freyja. The Emperor is relieved to announce that Concubine Rakepick has sought a mind-healer in the aftermath of their daughter's birth. His Majesty reiterates his standpoint that the Princess shall remain with her mother with the understanding that nothing shall befall his daughter in Concubine Rakepick's care.

However, His Majesty decrees that, despite his joy in welcoming a healthy baby, he does not believe Concubine Rakepick displays the correct attitude for a promotion, nor does the Emperor wish to reward our Sister for her reaction towards Princess Freyja. Therefore, she is to remain Fourth Concubine."

Patricia's expression was stony but unsurprised. She raised her chin pompously as the stares and whispers began.

"Do you have anything to say to that, Concubine Patricia?" Penny questioned her, raising a sleek eyebrow. Her expression was hard, focus unyielding. "I'm sure that we're all curious about your remorses to your unsightly outburst last month? Do you accept His Majesty's rightful punishment?"

Patricia sneered. "I believe His Majesty took the correct actions. I will endeavour to prove to him that my reaction was a mistake, a moment of grief to mourn the son I believed existed."

"And you will celebrate the Seventeenth Princess' arrival, I hope?"

Her expression remained cold. "I am glad that a child of mine was born healthy, that I gave His Majesty yet another heir to the throne, as I am overjoyed to declare with the recent reveal of the Succession laws. I will raise her to be a strong and worthy contender for the title of Heir. His Majesty has nothing to worry about, I would never harm an Heir to the throne."

Penny's smile was brief and uneasy. "Quite. It was something we all were surprised but delighted to discover. It gives our daughters a chance to inherit His Majesty's esteemed title when he believes them worthy of such a venerable position. I for one am incredibly curious to discover which of our children shall become the next ruler, although I suppose we may have to wait a while." She let out a laugh, and the rest of the harem joined in, many faking enthusiasm.

5th October 1999- Tuesday

Harry waited with bated breath as his Healer scanned the results of the test, feeling his heart beat wildly.

He had been feeling relatively queasy the past few days, and on discovery of his ailment, had hailed for a Healer as soon as possible.

If he was pregnant yet again, he wished to know sooner than later.

The Healer shook her head, and Harry's heart sank as his hopes were dashed. "I apologise, Your Highness, but I cannot detect a pregnancy."

Harry collapsed back onto the sofa, dejected. "Are you sure this isn't like last time? Perhaps it's too early to notice?"

"It has been long enough since you last slept with the Emperor to detect, Your Highness. I apologise, but I am almost wholly certain. I must say, however, that I personally believe that this is for the best." She began, and his head whipped up to glare at her.

"Excuse me?"

"You may feel that your body has healed enough, but it has only been a matter of two months since the birth of Her Highness, Princess Alsephina. Please give yourself a little more time, even if that is only a few more weeks. Your daughter needs your sole attention at such a young age, if you had a pregnancy to worry about, it would only cause strain on both yourself and the Princess."

Harry-

Hadn't thought of it like that. He was horrified to realise, in his quest for another child, that he hadn't been thinking that this would mean he'd have to split his attention between his daughter and the pregnancy.

If he had become pregnant, as he wished, they would have been under a year apart in age, eleven months if he carried to full term. That would be incredibly draining, and Harry could see now how it would detrimentally affect his budding relationship with Alsie.

"I- Thank you." Harry blurted, interrupting her packing. "For reminding me of that. And for everything else, actually. You have been a steady presence and confidant, all throughout my pregnancy with Alsephina and before that."

The woman smiled softly. "I am just doing what I love, Your Highness. My job."

11th October 1999- Monday

"Royal Uncle," A calm voice spoke from behind him, and Harry span, coming face to face with Princess Evana. The woman looked formal in her light blue robes, far more decorated than any Noble could get their hands on despite the similarity in colour. She was smiling widely at him, but Harry could see the steel in her gaze as she stared into his eyes.

Harry didn't quite know how to respond. "First Princess." He settled on.

Evana's grin widened, and she stepped forward. "I was hoping to speak with you, if you will. We haven't had the chance to speak properly since you joined, it is a grave oversight of mine."

Nodding, Evana took that as permission to link arms with him, which caused Harry to shift in discomfort.

"Let us talk in the Pavilion of Light. I heard you have not yet visited it. I believe it to be the most spectacular Pavilion of them all-"

The Princess leaned forward, arms folded on the table. Placing his tea down, Harry steeled himself for the apparently serious conversation she wished to have with him.

"I know I have not spent much time around you these past couple of years, but as we were once acquaintances at Hogwarts, I wished to rectify that, and ensure our relationship is deeper from here on out. Support my claim to the throne as His Majesty's rightful heir, his firstborn child." She stopped there, watching him intently with a slight smile, confident in herself.

Harry blinked, picking his tea up again to take a long drag from it as he thought. Support her claim?

Evana continued seeing he made no move to respond. "I had thought that Father would choose from his male heirs, but as he has announced there to be no preference, I wish for him to realise that, other than me being his eldest child and therefore temporary heir, I am also the one he should choose as his successor. I believe you will be most helpful in convincing His Majesty of this."

"And how would this benefit me?"

"Excuse me?"

Harry folded his hands, staring into her bewildered, blue eyes. She seemed shocked at his rejection. "Why would I support your claim to the throne?"

"I-" She huffed. "Look, Potter-" He raised an eyebrow, and she mentally backtracked. "Royal Uncle. I am the only adult child of the Emperor. The eldest. It is my right to be the Heir."

"Why so?" She went to interrupt, but Harry continued. "His Majesty made clear the throne isn't being vacated anytime soon. Your siblings will have plenty of time to reach adulthood before then. And once that is so, the heir will be chosen by His Majesty's will, not by birth order."

She scoffed. "I had my suspicions, but I didn't believe you were like the rest of them. You just want my rightful throne for your own child."

"Yes," Harry answered honestly, seeing nothing wrong with stating it out loud. Everyone would be thinking the same, after all. "If Alsephina finds herself to be worthy of it, and there is still a chance for her to assume the title of heir, then I will support my daughter's claim to the fullest. Why would I not?"

Evana huffed, sneering. "If I hadn't proved myself over the years, I doubt my sisters would even be considered for the succession! I have proved my worth as greater than my brothers for years, that is why Father has decided to scrap male primogeniture!"

"Then why has he not formally declared you as heir? If you're so confident, Princess, then you will surely become heir by your own merit, without my help. Good day, First Princess."