Villiem wouldn't admit this out loud, but in the noble society of the Capital, he had no friends or acquaintances.
The reason was because of his character. Villiem prided himself in being morally upright and righteous. Of course, he wouldn't get along with fellow nobles.
He couldn't stand wrong things. He couldn't witness anything bad happening around him and keep quiet. That was why no one sane noble wanted to be his friend.
"I would really appreciate that, Lady Catarina." Villiem flashed a grateful smile, accepting the offer.
"The first thing you should have in mind is that the Emperor is the most sovereign entity here. His words are law. His actions are justice. His being is true." Catarina's tone was clear, depicting that she undoubtedly believed the words she was saying.
Villiem bit his bottom lip.
Those words were the most untrue things he had heard in a long while. Though he shouldn't be thinking such a thing, everyone in the entire world knew that the Emperor was not only a tyrant, he was a reckless and irresponsible person.
"I understand." Villiem swallowed the judging words that hung in his throat.
"Good. The next thing to know is–"
"Lady Catarina, you should have mentioned the Harem System in the Royal Palace first." Blair interrupted Catarina.
A wry smile broke on Catarina's lips. She cleared her throat and said to Villiem, "Pardon me. I just made a mistake."
Villiem's brows furrowed. "I don't understand. What is the Harem System?"
It sounded so foreign to Villiem. He'd never heard of such a thing before.
"It is an order that His Majesty the Emperor came up with years ago. Only people living in the Royal Palace know of it." Bella explained.
Villiem shifted forward on his seat.
"You see, there are so many concubines in His Majesty's harem. Every other day, a concubine makes an entrance into the Royal Palace. The Harem System is a way of controlling the concubines in the harem.
"Since you made an arrival only yesterday, Your Highness should be said to have a 100 points now."
A jealous light flashed in Catarina's blue eyes. Villiem was now even more confused. But he held his peace in order not to disrupt the explanation.
"Every new concubine starts with a 100 points. Take it a grade. A full score for being worthy enough to make it into His Majesty's harem. These points determine your stay here, the closer you are to moving to the Wind or Sky Palace reserved for ordinary and favored concubines respectively.
"The amount of points needed to move into the Wind Palace is 500. As for the Sky Palace, it is 1000 points. I am currently at 435 points." Catarina's shoulders went up in pride.
"I'm at 370."
"385."
Bella and Blair said simultaneously. Villiem nodded his head in understanding.
"The way to acquire points is to please His Majesty. When he is in a good mood, you can make up to 200 points at a go. When he is in a bad one… just pray you don't get your points deducted." Catarina continued speaking.
Now, Villiem's curiosity was peaked.
"It is possible to have points deducted?" he questioned.
"Of course." Catarina said sharply. "Displeasing His Majesty is a high crime. After having points deducted, one can either get whipped or punished in a way that will result in pain. And once a concubine's points have been deducted to zero, what awaits them is execution."
"Wow…" was all Villiem could say.
This Harem System was exceptionally unique. Villiem was sure that it was only the Emperor of Decreste that adopted it in his Royal Palace.
"Thank you for informing me about all of this." Villiem politely said to the three ladies.
"We haven't even given you up to one-tenth of the information needed to be a proper concubine." Blair spoke up.
"We can't explain it all to you, because most would be better understood with experience." Catarina faced Villiem with a stroke of pity in her expression.
Villiem didn't know what to make of such a look.
"Anyway, as a concubine, you should learn to pay very close attention to your dressing. His Majesty is someone that appreciates flesh." Bella said to Villiem.
For the first time since he sat with the ladies, Villiem addressed their outfits. Even while seated, Villiem could tell that they were dressed extravagantly. Gemstones here and there, striking linen draped, and skin for reveal.
Lots and lots of skin.
Villiem turned his eyes away from the women as his cheeks heated. The one thing Villiem always forgot to take into account was a person's appearance.
This behavior brought him trouble sometimes.
"I see…" Villiem's gaze was fixed on his lap.
He saw nothing, though.
He couldn't understand why the Emperor would be such a lascivious person.
"Well then, let's continue with the lecture." Catarina took a sip of tea after speaking.
Lunch arrived and passed while the lecture took place. Villiem acquired a lot of… knowledge by the end of the interaction with the women.
Being a concubine was not child's play, Villiem noted down.
He had already turned into his room and was currently reading a book. A knock came to his door.
He granted the outsider permission and the door opened to a servant wheeling a food cart.
"Ah, you arrived a bit late. I've already eaten." Villiem politely turned down the food.
This servant was different from the others that had come to deliver him food. But the expression on their faces was the same as the rest.
"When?" The servant questioned him boldly.
"A few moments ago. You can have the food in my stead. I don't mind." Villiem smiled.
The servant said nothing and nodded. Then left the room with the cart. Villiem let out a sigh.
Very soon, he would not be able to make use of the excuse of having already eaten when food was served to him.
He would have to speak up about his condition very soon.