New Rome

66. Rumours in Amen

There was a knock on the door and Arly straightened up, bemused, and with sweat glistening on her face. The door opened and a doorman appraised her. His eyebrows shot up in disapproval and Arly had to fight the urge to laugh.

"His Royal Magnificence is here to see you." The doorman solemnly announced. Arly was no longer grinning. She glanced down at what she was wearing.

She'd been working out more intensely even then usual. So, she wasn't wearing much clothing. Her top covered her chest only, revealing the hard muscles of her toned stomach. Her shorts were skin-tight and Arly realised, too late, that exposing your shins were a strict taboo in Amenian court.

"Err..." But there was no time to recover the situation. The doorman stepped aside and Emperor Agost entered. Arly quickly bowed low.

"Apologies, oh great and powerful emperor." She straightened up awkwardly. The work-out film she'd been following continued to play on the screen behind her. The emperor grinned, looking Arly up and down.

"Don't stop on my account."

Arly hesitated, confused.

"You want to watch me work out?" She clarified. Agost smirked.

"Oh, very much so."

Arly glanced self-consciously at the still hovering footman. She cringed. Surely, the emperor was just teasing her, but she was worried the footman would misunderstand. Did Agost not realise that there were rumours about them?

"I was nearly done..." She mumbled.

The emperor sat down and she hesitantly took the seat opposite him.

"These rooms are smaller than I thought. I will have you moved to a bigger suit."

"Err..." Arly tried to gesture that this was unnecessary but the emperor cut across her. "You enjoy exercise." He observed. "That's good. Good health is important. And stamina."

"I hope to enter the army." Arly confided.

"You want to be a soldier?" He asked, surprised. Arly nodded and Agost considered this, frowning. "What other dreams do you harbour, princess?"

Arly puffed out her cheeks. She was like any young person, there were lots of things she wanted to do, see and experience.

"I suppose my biggest wish is that my family will allow me to date my choice. And not theirs." She admitted.

The emperor's expression was completely serious now.

"Do you have a choice in mind?" He asked. Arly blushed and glanced up at the footman. "Leave us." Agost commanded, not sparing the man a glance. Once they were alone, Agost moved to sit beside Arly. He sat close, so that their arms were touching. "Well?" He urged.

Arly nodded shyly. She bit her lip. Could she tell him about Kaze? But perhaps the emperor wouldn't understand... after all – Kaze was legally her brother and she couldn't expect everyone to be accepting of that.

"Who? Speak Princess." Agost forced his tone to be light. "Your emperor commands it."

Arly bit the inside of her cheek and shook her head.

"May I not have a secret?"

Agost managed a tight-lipped smile and gently patted her head.