Gulf still keeps staring out through the half opened window of his bedroom. The healers have come and gone but Gulf still keeps looking frail and his appetite does not return.

"Empress... the valet is suspended and she will not be here to harass you anymore."

In what history of the royal palace, was there a valet who had slapped the Empress?

Well, now there is.

Gulf is not surprised.

Everybody in this palace has a position and with no family, Gulf does not have one. He is the lowest of lowest.

The healers and his new valet tries to make Gulf believe that when the Emperor comes back from the provincial tour, the punishment will be satisfactory.

As if they do not know that Mew would have done much worse to see the broken cup in the kitchen.

As if they do not know that it would have been Gulf's bones instead of cheek that would hurt.

Gulf did not break the cup. The thing was already there in the Royal Kitchen; broken and spilled.

"Do you have a request for the day, My Empress?" The new valet waits and waits but finally leaves not receiving a reply.

Gulf is not angry... not at all but he does not see a point in writing a request. Nobody reads; nobody cares.

"Your loyal friend is not allowed inside your private chamber, Your Highness, but this humble servant begs you... please have your breakfast... or lunch. It has been three days, Wise Empress and all you have taken is bitterwood juice. Our Emperor will be worried."

Gulf's lips twitches on the side.

'Worried.'

Yes, very worried about the amount of food he has been inhaling.

It is a palace and the amount of food that goes stale and thrown out in excess in one day will be enough to feed his village people for days.

Yet, his husband is worried about the amount of food Gulf has eaten.

Fat worm, right?

Gulf sighs.

How much food is too much food?

"My Empress, are you hearing my words?" His Royal Guard should learn to leave Gulf alone.

"Let me be, Royal Guard. I am watching the birds." Gulf's voice is faint and thick with exhaustion.

He has been praying for his husband's safe return all these days. Mew is yet to return.

It is his duty as a wife.

He is sworn to pray for his husband all day every day.

There is also another wife waiting for her husband in the Gajukoya tree right outside his bedroom. The mother and its three children has been sitting quietly but impatiently for the man of their nest to come back.

"KaKKawww..." A loud voice announces the arrival of the Majestic Paradise Bird. The males of their species are so colourful and it says the eyes of a Terandrian cannot really see all the colours of the feathers. There is approximately 107 colours in one feather and Terandrian eyes are capable of seeing 39 colours and subsequent shades only.

The females on the other hand are whitest of the white with no other colours ever.

"Kekkooow." A baby bird tries to welcome his dad to the nest and Gulf's lips twitches again.

The whole nest awakens suddenly as the Papa bird comes to nest with its pouch under the beak filled with bird delicacies. Gulf can clearly see that organ is filled to the brim.

The bird's mouth is so big but the way babies fought with each other, it might seem like they will not get enough food ever.

The Papa patiently keeps its mouth open for the young ones to eat while the Mama tries to keep them from killing each other.

Gulf shakes his head when the babies fall asleep in midst and one still has its head inside the Papa's beak. Well, Mama to the rescue, then.

Such a happy family.

In a few days they will leave. Gulf notices the glitter in their nest fading and normally when it turns black, the babies would finish their learning to fly and they will go back to paradise.

Gulf blushes when the Papa starts lovingly feed Mama too.

He is intruding but... he cannot stop staring.

Papa gulps everything down when the Mama is full and Gulf only remembers how cold it is, when the Papa spreads its large wings and tucks his wife and three kids under his chest.

So beautiful.

Animals love their mates than anything.

"My Empress!!! The Emperor is back. His Highness is about have his dinner in an hour." Gulf new valets announces with a hopeful look.

She reads the 'so?' in Gulf's look.

"My Empress has not..." The valet looks to his table and Gulf notices the new dishes on them. "Maybe... My Emperor and My Empress can..."

He was so engrossed in the true family in front of him, Gulf forgets that the dinner time has arrived.

"Was I invited?"

"But... it is tradition." The valet reminds him and Gulf ignores her in favour of staring at the sleeping family.

Gulf stops asking himself why Mew has not asked for him yet as the days passed. Gulf knows and he has stopped lying to his heart. The best gift he can give his Mew for his safe return is his absence.

And a good wife always heeds to his husband's wishes.

Gulf barely hears the loud knocks of his Royal Guard. "The Emperor has asked for an audience, Wise Empress."

"Hm?"

"An audience... with the Emperor."

"Oh! Now?" Gulf gently shakes his legs and prepares to stand up.

"Yes, My Queen."

Gulf forgets his shoes but the polished rock floor is kind on his soft feet. "The valet is also called in, My Empress. She will be punished."

"Hm?"

"Veela. For..." The Royal Guard gently taps his metal helmet face to remind him of the slap.

"Oh."

"This way, Empress." Gulf retraces his path as he takes a wrong turn and follows his friend. "I will stand for your innocence, My Empress."

"Hm?" Gulf focuses on his feet and follows the Royal Guard not really listening to what that man says.

Veela states that she has seen Gulf angrily breaking the cup by smashing it to the floor. She also heard Gulf cursing her beloved Emperor and that is when she accidently brushed her hand a bit too hard on Gulf's cheek to stop him from talking.

No, she did not slap him.

"Is there anything you have to say, Gulf?"

Gulf shakes his head.

The whole court mumbles and keep on talking in murmurs.

Veela gives Gulf a smirk and snarls at him triumph.

"5 slaps with leather strip on the Empress' palms for cursing the Emperor." Mew announces and Gulf nods. "Since, no one has seen Gulf breaking the tea cup except the accused, the case is dissolved."

Gulf sighs in relief.

He was really scared his fingers will be broken.

"Chop off Veela's right hand from the wrist and slash her left cheek. Case closed and decreed. Dispatch the verdict."

"Wh... what? My Liege... I did not lie... MY LIEGE!!! HE BROKE THE CUP AND CURSED AT YOU!!! CURSED AT YOU, MY EMPEROR!" Veela screams as Mew signs the court proceedings.

"You have no right to touch anyone above the rank of Royal Stuart and you have the audacity to touch the Empress' cheek? If the anyone proves you are lying, the knife will be shoved inside your throat."

"NOOO!!! My Empress I am sorry... I am sorry... Please... Empress forgive me... EMPRESS!!! PLEASE!" The guards drag her away and Gulf watches his Royal Guard taking the molten knife from the Royal Golden Flames.

Mew comes down the throne holding a small leather strip dripped in medicinal oils.

"Are you ready?" Gulf nods and extends his palm. "If you are sick we can wait for another day."

Gulf shakes his head again but his eyes fill up for whatever reason.

"It is against rules to publically curse at the Emperor." Mew holds Gulf's middle finger to hold the soft hand in place.

Gulf nods still staring at his feet.

"Look at my eyes as I punish you, alright? It will not hurt." Gulf looks up and sees Mew in a very long time. Mew is handsome even with those eye bags. He looks tired. Looks like Gulf's prayers have not helped his husband.

Gulf is so useless.

"One." It is barely a brush not a slap.

"Two."

"Three."

"Four."

"Five."

Gulf waits for Mew to let his hand go. It tickles where the leather strip has touched his hand. Yet, Gulf does not trust it. There has to be something more. There is no way Gulf will be left alone this way. Gulf does not deserve it and Mew is not one to think of Gulf.

"You can go now." Mew says.

Gulf nods and bows before rushing back to his room. He feels funny and everything goes wrong when Gulf feels funny.

He tries hard to squish down the burst of joy that comes with Mew's comfort.

Don't Gulf. Don't be a fool.

Don't be happy.

Don't be happy.

Oh, Goddess. His ears go flaming red and he knows a doom is impending. Gulf's heart refuses to listen to Gulf's brain and it beats joyfully.

His husband has called him to the court and treated him with respect.

Gulf does not deserve it.

The nervousness eats Gulf inside out for no reason but for something made him truly happy.

'I don't want to be happy. I just don't want to be hurt.' Gulf kneels on the floor and stares at the beautiful picture of his handsome husband. "Please, P'Mew. I do not feel so good. Please help me."

Of course, the man calls him to the dinner table that night and Gulf gets scared again.

"The healers say you have lost appetite."

Gulf swirls his spoon in the thick soup that is too bland to his tongue.

"You have to eat. I cannot have you dead."

He pours another drop of Keina oil to the soup as if he will drink it now.

"Is there anything wrong with the food your valet gives you?"

Gulf shakes his head and takes a cautious sip; his eyes watering to hold in the gag.

"Do you want a pet?"

Gulf frowns and shakes his head again. Another life for him to love and hurt?

"You have to eat. The chef will make you anything you want."

Gulf takes calming deep breaths when the Royal Valet comes in with a scroll and Mew smiles. "Gulf, I want you to eat. I have to leave for a very important meeting at once. I will be back in a few days and you better be healthy by the time. Am I clear?"

Gulf nods.

"Words, Gulf. This is a Royal Order."

"Ye... ss." Gulf's throat is raspy and he stands up as Mew stands up to leave. His eyes blur and his left ear start to hum and breaths do not reach his lungs.

"P'Mmm..." Gulf's eyes rolls to his head and he falls softly but Mew's chest stops from his head from impacting the floor.

"Gulf? Gulf?" Mew touches that sunken cheeks and feels cold seeping into his fingers. "HEALERS!!!"

Dad... ha ha ha... dad... catch me... you can't... I am faster... DAD!!! HAHAHAA...

Don't go, son... Don't go... You are the Empress. Don't go...

I am not an IMPEMPRESS... I am Gulf! Dad! Catch me... catch me... HAHAHAAA.

EMPRESS!

No... Gulf... DAD! DAD!!!

Empress...

DAAD!!! Catch me Dad... Dad... "Dad... dad..."

"He is awake... Empress. Can you hear us?"

"Gulf." He mumbles.

A stingy piece of cloth is shoved to his nose and Gulf wakes up fully with a huge gag. He can see blurry images of people around him but none of the images resemble his dad. He sniffles and turns away with a sob.

He wants to see his dad. Everything was okay when the Late Governor of his state, his beloved dad was alive. Gulf was happy then; he is not happy now.

He wants his dad bad.

He hates this palace where he cannot see the sky anymore. He cannot see his dad's death star anymore.

He has no one and the fact is slowly settling in his mind and he is scared. The images around him starts to form up and Gulf clutches his head before falling backs to the bed with a dizzy head. "Wha..."

"Empress... you have to wake up now..."

Gulf does not want to but he opens his eyes as a healer pours medicated drops in his eyes.

"My Empress!!!" His valet is strumming with happiness and Gulf feels dizzy again. "My Empress you have blesses us with the heir to our throne. His Regal Crown Child is in you My Empress..."

Gulf cannot believe his ears.

One time.

Only one time.

One bloody painful time.

That is all it took? He has never gone to Moon Goddess' Temple. His husband never took him and the time they were a husband and wife; Gulf had bitten his pillow, let the man do his 'job'.

It is his duty to help his husband perform his job on him and the Moon Goddess has blessed him?

"Please... do not be lying."

"No, My Empress... the healers have called in the Royal Healer and he will send the scroll now."

Gulf will not believe it.

No, he will not.

Gulf does not deserve his husband. Gulf does not deserve his husband's child – P'Mew's child. Gulf whimpers and the valet rushes to him.

"Are you not happy, Empress?"

Gulf shakes so badly. "If it is true... but... I... I..."

"Empress it is true... your loyal servant will not..." Gulf jumps and hugs the girl in front of him.

"Oh... My Empress. The Royal Healer has also received a scroll from the Emperor. He has asked us to wait for the celebrations till his return. Everything will change to good for you, My Empress. The Emperor is going to be a father."

Gulf pulls away when his eyes meet the compassionate eyes of his new valet. He does not deserve compassion.

Gulf shakes his head. He is not pregnant and there is no way Gulf will be as lucky as that.

They only mated once.

That will not happen.

Yet, his hands slowly curl around his curved-inwards tummy. If there is truly someone...

No, Gulf. Do not dream; do not hope.

"My Empress..." For once, he can truly see happiness in the eyes of the Royal Valet. The old man's eyes crinkle and love shine in his eyes. "We heard the news... The Royal Healer's Scroll is here, our Beautiful Empress... You have blessed us."

Gulf wails harder and the people leave the new mother-to-be to get hold of his emotions. When the Emperor returns the wails will make way to giggles. It is not polite to stand next to the Empress when Emperor is not in station.

The Royal Staff already starts arranging for the celebration with happy smiles and laughs.

We mortals have no control over Gods' desires. Whether the Emperor approves Gulf as his wife or not, in the eyes of the Sun God and Moon Goddess they are now a mated pair.

They have gifted them with joy and that budding joy is now the Empire's blessing.

"P'Mew... are we really?" Gulf tearfully ask the portrait on the window side. "I promised you I will make you happy. Please, tell me you are happy."

Healers no longer have to make Gulf eat. He gladly takes all the medicinal syrups, all the food delivered and in just two days, everyone could see the brightness Gulf once had in his face.

Gulf cannot wait for P'Mew to come home. He cannot wait to personally tell his beloved husband they have indeed created a miracle.

Life in Terandria is a such a precious incident.

The couples have to mate several times during their healthy oocycle period of their life span to conceive. The probability is even more diminishing considering only a very small population have a womb. The parents wait anxiously for their offspring to transition at their eighth birthday to know the gender. If the baby would have a womb, the whole village rushes to Moon Goddess to thank for Her presence in the baby's body.

When Gulf was announced to bear a womb, his dad and mom had hosted a party that lasted for a whole moon cycle.

Exactly why Moon Goddess should be given a ritual or the chances of not birthing a baby is higher.

Gulf and Mew hadn't gone.

Gulf and Mew had only done it once.

And they were blessed; Gulf cannot believe it till but the Divine Glass Bowl had indeed turned blue when his blood drop fell into it.

He has a miracle in him.

Gulf eyes well up again.

He misses his husband so much. The man does not love him; Gulf knows. Mew has someone else to cherish and protect. But there is no way the man will be sad to know Gulf has indeed accepted the 'request' in his body and decided to nurture it to give Mew an heir.

Yes, he has.

He cannot wait to see the Emperor laughing with joy. Maybe Gulf will not receive any gifts like it says in legends but their child is going to be the ruler of their Empire; Mew will be fainting with happiness.

Gulf cannot wait to prove that finally he has done something right.

There are indeed times in his life when he is sad about the way Mew and he had mated. It was not like that in the books he had read in his teenage days, dreaming of Mew. In the books, the husband will beg his wife for a kiss, will beg for his acceptance to... it does not matter. Those were not Mew and Gulf's story.

But at this moment, he is thankful for whatever that had happened that night though Gulf's contribution was minimal.

Very grateful.

"Daddy will be home soon, My Child." The bump is nowhere to be seen, yet. Gulf's fault; he should have eaten more. "When he comes home..."

He hears the commotion downstairs and a happy smile blooms Gulf's pretty blushing face... only to drop at Mew's snarl.

"YOU!!!"

Gulf gulps seeing the Mew's Royal Sword – Haeseryata glowing with blue light of the Emperor's anguish.

Gulf clutches the edge of his divan seeing Mew's blazing eyes and hate-contoured face.

The hair Mew always ties in a top knot on his head is askew. Even in panic, Gulf notices the hair is so soft and glowing. He has never seen that down.

Gulf's one hand covers his stomach and Mew's whole face turns white, then red in rage.

"You open that mouth and tell me what I heard is wrong. Or be prepared for your head to roll on this floor. I will not promise to make it quick."