Published: January 4, 2026
One afternoon, Byron Allan came to visit.
Byron is under my command, so instead of meeting him in a reception room for guests, I met him in the living room I use daily.
I was sitting on the sofa, and Byron was standing.
Behind Byron, servants were continuously bringing in boxes and stacking them up.
Watching this, I asked Byron,
“What’s going on? What are all those?”
“I just received word from the imperial palace. Ada has been granted Your Majesty’s favor and has officially become a ‘concubine’.”
“I see.”
I nodded in understanding.
Ada is the woman Byron presented to the royal palace as a servant.
She met me six years ago, and I advised Byron to select her.
Now, this woman has been embraced by Your Majesty and promoted to consort.
“This is a small token of gratitude,” Byron said.
“Indeed.”
Still seated, I looked at the boxes behind Byron.
Most of them were open, revealing gold, silver, and treasures inside.
“You really splurged—this must be about thirty thousand Liens.”
“…”
“What’s wrong? Surprised?”
“No. I’m just amazed at Your Majesty’s discernment. To hit the exact amount right on, impressive as always.”
So that was it.
“Well, it’s good news for now. First step is becoming a concubine.”
“Yes.”
“The rank above concubine is consort, then principal consort, and at the very top is the empress.”
“Yes, I hope she can eventually rise to principal consort.”
I nodded in agreement with Byron’s hopes.
The women in Your Majesty’s harem are ranked by status.
At the top, of course, is the Empress.
Below her is the principal consort, which has the meaning of ‘legitimate.’
Below the principal consort is the consort, indicating a secondary status, and at the lowest is the concubine, marked with the character for ‘common.’
Just like officials, the consorts rise in rank through favor and the status of their sons.
The Crown Prince’s mother is the Empress, and the mother of princes is automatically a consort.
Since I became Prince Wise six years ago, my mother was promoted to principal consort then.
Since there can only be one Empress, the principal consort is effectively the highest attainable rank below her.
“From here on, all we can do is pray for Your Majesty’s continued favor.”
“No, from here it’s politics.”
“Huh?”
Byron looked surprised.
He seemed to have never considered what I just said.
“I said politics. Of course, winning Your Majesty’s favor is the fastest way, but beyond that, politics among the consorts is crucial.”
“Is that so?”
“What if you slip a perfume that Your Majesty hates into Ada consort’s things? What do you think would happen?”
“—!”
Byron held his breath, his face turning pale.
“The harem is a male world’s equal—if you isolate the cruelty, it’s a den of intrigue surpassing even men’s circles.”
“Y-Yes!”
“Send money and resources to Ada consort. Now that you understand it’s politics, you know what to do, right?”
“Of course! Thank you!”
Byron said that, bowed hurriedly, gathered his servants, and left.
I thought for a moment, then took out the paper and pen I always keep in the living room and finished writing a letter.
“Is anyone here?”
Just after I called, maid Zoe entered.
She had probably been waiting just outside the door.
“Did you call, Master?”
“Yes. Deliver this letter along with about ten thousand Liens in cash to my mother in the harem.”
“Um… me? Wouldn’t Dylan be better suited for the palace?”
Zoe questioned why I had chosen her.
“The harem is off-limits to men. Not even I, her son, am allowed inside.”
“Really?”
“Royal children are separated from their mothers immediately after birth, and only meet about once a year.”
“Oh, now that you mention it…”
I often end up talking about these things with outsiders as casual conversation.
Zoe has been with me a while, so she must have heard something about it.
“That doesn’t matter now. When you see my mother—the consort—please also pass on this message: I intend to be Ada consort’s guardian.”