Sayana sat reading a book in the garden. It was a beautiful spring day and as she had nothing else to do with her time, she was enjoying the warm sunshine and a good book. She’d made her way through the library of the courtesans and was working her way through some of the books she’d read as a child a second time. With a better understanding of what she was reading they were far easier to get through.

She’d been a courtesan for two weeks already and no one had reached out to contract her for a position. Kallam had gotten a job within the first week of being a courtesan. Then again, Sayana thought. Male courtesans are still rare enough that they get snapped up faster than we do. Many of the males from her class were already gone as well. Only two of the females were gone, and they were among the most beautiful women Sayana had ever seen. It was only natural that they would be snatched up right away. She hoped they were being treated well. She hoped Kallam was being treated well. There was no contact with him other than his six month check-ins, and she wasn’t privy to those conversations.

Adjira and Eon were both progressing in their studies. Eon hoped to travel and study at other academies when he got older. Adjira wanted to teach to earn her living. Her instructors were more than happy to encourage that goal because they always needed new teachers. Eon was told it took an exceptional scholar to be given the grants to study at the other academies, and he was proving himself worthy day after day by how well he excelled at his studies. Sayana was pleased for both of them.

Sayana was more than a little lonely. She hadn’t made any friends among the other students her age. While the others were spending time playing games or gossiping together, Sayana sat alone. Kallam and Marianis, an older girl she’d gotten to know during mealtimes, had been the two she was closest to, and both were out on assignment and wouldn’t be back for some time. The others were friendly with her, but none were friends with her.

It would have been nice to have someone to discuss the books she was reading with, but none of the other young courtesans were interested in reading. They were more interested in fashion and how to best appeal to a patron. Sayana was of the mind that they would appeal to a patron more if they showed some intelligence behind the good looks. The courtesan library was not extensive, but it did provide a solid education on several topics.

As Sayana read, a Matron came into the garden. “All young ladies without veils on need to put them on immediately. We have a guest who is prospecting for a client of his and it is imperative we show no sign of immodesty. Hurry now. He’ll be out here any minute.”

Sayana shook her head as several young women squealed and ran inside. That was something Kyndra had told them was a requirement once they became courtesans – always wear a veil in the public areas – because a courtesan not under contract must always present the illusion of modesty even if she was dressed in a provocative manner.

Sayana returned to her reading, ignoring the giggles and the muttered comments that came from the other courtesans in the garden. The other young women returned with veils firmly attached and resumed their conversations with their friends. Most of the gossip now centered around this mysterious stranger and who he could be prospecting for.

They didn’t have to wait long. A man who looked to be in his early to mid-thirties came out into the garden. He approached the first group of young women and spoke with them. He listened to their answers and moved on to the next group. Then moved on to the next. Sayana saw he was focusing on the larger groups so felt she was reasonably safe from disturbance and resumed reading, keeping one eye on the stranger in their midst.

It was perhaps thirty minutes later when he approached her as one of the last women in the garden. “Excuse me, I noticed you have been reading the entire time I have been here. What do you find so interesting, if I may ask?” he asked in a warm, friendly voice.

Sayana smiled. “I was just reading one of the philosophical writings of Huilo Brenwith. Perhaps not the most exciting of tales, but it is fascinating to me.”

“Brenwith? I did not know the academy encouraged such studies.” He seemed surprised by her choice of reading material.

“This book is in our library. We are given leave to read whatever we please in our free time. Limited though it is, I have read every book in our library at least once in the past nine years. Some of them I read at too young an age to fully understand them, so I am reading them again now that I have a greater understanding of what is in them.” She supposed this man wasn’t used to courtesans who enjoyed studying like she did. Was she really such an oddity?

“You enjoy reading then?” He seemed genuinely interested in her answer.

“I do. It’s my main hobby, though I am of course well versed in all the same arts and graces as every other courtesan here.” She didn’t want him to think she lacked a courtesan’s skills just because she favored study over poetry and tales.

“Could you hold a conversation on what you have read?” he asked.

Now that was an interesting question. Sayana thought for a moment. “I’ve never done so before, but I believe I could hold a reasonable discourse on what I’ve read. No one else is as interested in books and studying as I am so I don’t get much practice in discussing these topics.”

“What topic interests you the most?” He seemed genuinely curious, and she didn’t mind answering his questions.

“I don’t have one particular topic that interests me more than the others.” Sayana smiled. “I love philosophy, science, history, literature, technology. I’ve read a little bit in each topic, for as I said we are limited in our choices, and I’ve loved all of them.”

“I see.” The man looked thoughtful. “If given the opportunity by, say, a patron who enjoys a good conversation about many topics, you would study on your own?”

“Oh yes.” Sayana’s eyes lit up. “I would read everything my patron gave me access to, and I would very much enjoy intelligent conversation with someone who is interested in what I’ve been reading and studying.”

“That is very good to hear.” The man smiled at her. “What is your name?”

“It’s Sayana.”

“Well, Sayana, I will definitely keep you in mind.” He bowed slightly and headed off.

Sayana returned her attention to her book. She thought nothing more of the visitor until that evening, after dinner, when the Head Matron called her to her office.

“Sayana, I’m so sorry to do this to you.” There was a sorrowful look on her face.

“Do what?” Sayana was puzzled.

“You know that Emperor Vespasian died two years ago, and that Emperor Karis hasn’t openly been looking for courtesans,” the Head Matron began.

“That’s well known by everyone. It’s said that the emperor isn’t interested in women so hasn’t felt the need to fill his courtesan wing.” Sayana privately thought the young man was probably just too busy to look for courtesans. It couldn’t be easy learning to rule a galaxy spanning empire when you were his age.

“Well, His Imperial Majesty is interested in women, and he’s sent his representative out prospecting recently. He was here today, in fact. That’s who came and spoke to all of you young ladies earlier.” The Head Matron looked at her, again with that sorrowful look.

“You can’t mean he chose me.” Sayana was horrified.

“I’m sorry, Sayana.” Hannelore stood near the Head Matron and had a similar sorrowful look on her face. “But that’s exactly what we mean. You are the only one he felt was worth anything. The emperor is something of an intellectual and isn’t happy with the first courtesan that was found for him. She’s beautiful but not very intelligent. The emperor sent his agent to find him courtesans who were beautiful and intelligent. Your love of reading set you apart and your interest in several topics that also appeal to the young emperor sealed your fate.”

“I’m to become an Imperial courtesan.” Bitterness dripped from every word she spoke. “Even after all my struggles to avoid that position, it seems I have no choice.”

“You can’t tell the emperor, or in this case his duly appointed representative, no, Sayana.” The Head Matron sighed. “He’ll be back in two weeks to collect you. You need to speak with the dressmakers and have a whole new wardrobe made. I have the very latest in court styles, as they have changed again recently. You need to design your clothing to match the current style. I’ll tell Dhula that she is to prioritize your clothing.”

“Here is a copy of the latest fashions.” Hannelore handed her a data cube. “Study them well and then design your dresses. Be quick about it. Remember, Dhula has to make them for you.”

“It shouldn’t take long. The styles aren’t overly flamboyant this time.” The Head Matron smiled. “And with your rather simplistic tastes, you should be able to put something beautiful and elegant together in very little time.”

“I’ll get started on it now.” Sayana took the holo cube and returned to her room.

She looked over the new fashions and quickly designed a day dress and a formal gown. She annotated her designs with a dozen variations for each, detailing color, fabric, and the ornamentation on the gowns. She was up past lights out but that only counted if you were still a student. Courtesans could keep their own hours. She set her designs to the side and went to bed, her heart lying heavy in her chest.

The next morning Sayana went to Dhula. The dressmaker looked up, noticing her standing there. “Good morning.”

“The Head Matron told me you were told to prioritize my wardrobe?” Sayana asked hesitantly.

Dhula nodded. “You’re going to the emperor, girl. We can’t have you looking like last season’s hand me downs. Do you have some designs for me?”

Sayana handed her a data cube. “All twenty-four of my dresses and gowns are on here. Including shoes and veils.”

“Twenty-four? You really went above and beyond what you normally do.” Dhula slotted the data cube into her pad and looked over what Sayana had done. “Very well. I should have these done in a week.”

“Thank you, Dhula.” The woman nodded and Sayana escaped the dressmaker’s workshop.

Sayana looked out the window. It was raining, so it was not a day to read in the garden. Perhaps she ought to take stock of her cosmetics and perfumes and see if she needed to order more of anything. Better to get it now than to get to the Throne World and run out. She went to her room and began going through everything she had.

“I was coming to tell you to do this, but I should have known you’d figure it out on your own.” Hannelore smiled from the doorway. “Is there anything you need?”

“I use so little everything is almost as full as it was the day I got it new.” Sayana looked over at the other woman. “The only thing I could probably use is more perfume. I only have two bottles. I’m sure the other courtesans will have far more than I do.”

“Well, that’s both a good thing and a bad thing,” Hannelore walked into the room. “A broad variety is good, but if what you want is consistency, then only two will be beneficial. Do those fragrances flatter you?”

“They do, and they’re the only ones I’ve found that I felt flattered me and didn’t make me smell like I’d been bathing in garbage.” Sayana wrinkled her nose. “Which is why I only have two perfumes instead of a whole collection of them.”

“Then stick with the two that work best with your chemistry and if he wants you to try a new fragrance, then you get something.” Hannelore looked at her jewelry box. “How is your jewelry collection?”

“I keep everything so simple I don’t have much. If I’m going to court, I will need more, especially with the gowns.” Sayana gave her a worried look.

“Let’s take a look at what you have, see what you need, and do what we can to expand your collection before you leave.” Hannelore gave her a reassuring smile.

The two women went through the jewelry box and made a list of things that Sayana wanted. Hannelore would run it by the Head Matron, who would give the final approval on what to buy. The jewelry would be delivered to Sayana before she left.

A week passed and her day dresses and formal gowns were finished. A few days later, her jewelry arrived. Sayana went to the barber and had the ends of her hair trimmed, though she still refused to cut it. She checked to make sure her travel suits were neat and ready for use on the voyage and made sure that all her veils were close at hand because she would not be able to take them off once she left the academy.

Hannelore came to see her on the night before her departure. “Sayana, we secured a special call to your brother and sister for you tonight. We thought you’d want to say goodbye to them since you won’t see them again. We can even spare you more than fifteen minutes if you should go a little over that time.”

“Thank you, Matron.” Sayana set aside the book she was trying to read and followed Hannelore into the Head Matron’s office.

Adjira and Eon looked confused as Sayana sat down in front of the comm unit. “Saya? You’re calling early. They say this is a special occasion, so it’s allowed. What’s going on?”

“I’m leaving for my first assignment tomorrow and – and it’s not likely we’ll ever see each other again.” Sayana’s voice cracked.

“What? Why? I thought your assignments were only three years long.” Adjira saw the expression on her sister’s face and her own expression grew very worried.

“Normal assignments are only three years long. But this isn’t a normal assignment.” She took a deep breath. “Addie, I’ve been selected to serve as an Imperial courtesan.”

“I’ve read about them.” A look of dawning horror spread across Adjira’s face. “Saya, do you have to go?”

“I can’t say no to the emperor, Addie. That would be treason, and they kill traitors by the most horrible methods possible. I don’t want to go. I never wanted this position. However, I was chosen so I have to take it.” Sayana swallowed back the tears.

Eon looked solemn. “I haven’t read much about it, not like Addie has. But what she’s told me about it makes me think this isn’t going to be pleasant for you, Saya.”

“It’s not, Eon. It’s a prison that I can’t escape, and I can’t call out of. I’ll be there until the day I die, whether from old age, assassination, or being forced to take my own life when the current emperor dies. It’ll be comfortable, but it’s still a prison. I’ll miss both of you and Kallam. I’ll ask the Matrons here to make sure he calls you when he gets back so you at least have his calls to look forward to.” She started shaking though she hoped it didn’t show in the feed.

“We’ll make sure he keeps up the tradition of calling the two of you on the sixth day when he’s here,” Hannelore reassured them. “So you can keep in touch with one of your siblings.”

“Thank you. I’d feel better if you weren’t sending Sayana into that horrible place though.” Adjira looked to where Hannelore was standing behind Sayana.

“We don’t get a choice in this any more than she does. What the emperor wants, he gets.” Hannelore sighed.

“I’ll manage, Addie. I just need to remember all my lessons and keep my head down at court. I don’t want to attract attention and have the emperor think I’m trying to play games.” Sayana tried to smile.

“Definitely not. I wish they’d let you call out. You’ve got family that worries about you.” Adjira looked distressed.

“I wish they’d let me call out too, Addie. The rule is no outside contact, not even with my academy, so the Head Matron’s six month rule doesn’t even apply to me once I set foot on the Throne World.” Sayana shivered at that thought.

“Are you scared, Saya?” Eon watched her closely.

“Yes, very much so. I’m also angry that I was chosen for this when I made it clear from the start that I didn’t want this position. I can’t let either of those emotions stand in the way of me doing my job, though. I am still a courtesan, and the emperor is my patron. I will do my best to please him, no matter how unpleasant I find my situation.” Sayana took some small measure of strength in knowing she could do her job no matter how stressful she found it. She still didn’t want to go.

“Will you be able to keep reading while you’re one of his courtesans?” Adjira looked worried. “I know that’s really important to you.”

“Something the recruiter said makes me think I will.” Sayana thought back to when he’d spoken to her. “He asked me if I was given permission to read and study if I’d continue to do so, and I said yes. I will, too. If I’m given access to more books to read, I will study whatever I can. It will be a point of pleasure for me in a situation where I find myself unhappy and hemmed in by potential enemies.”

“Then I hope you get to read all the books I do.” Adjira put her hand out towards the comm. “And that you get to study as much as I am. That should make it bearable for you.”

“Addie, if I can get a chance to study even half as much as you do, it’ll be bearable,” Sayana finally managed a real smile and reached out towards the comm as well. “I was also asked if I could converse about what I’ve read. I said I could try, but as I’ve never had anyone to talk to about what I’ve read I might not be good at it at first.”

“You’ll be fine.” Adjira grinned. “You used to tell me all about what you read when we were little. Just pretend you’re telling me about a new book and see if that helps.”

“I’ll try that. Because if anyone I know would love to know what I’m reading it would be you.” Sayana thought how much she’d miss telling her sister about what she was reading, and the smile almost left her face.

They fell silent for a moment. “I guess we should go now. You’re probably tired and I imagine you’ll be leaving early in the morning.” Adjira looked reluctant to say goodbye.

“They’re sending a ship to pick me up, and it is arriving at a stars-cursed early hour.” Sayana grimaced. “I should probably go to bed and try to get some sleep.”

“I love you, Saya,” Adjira said. Eon echoed her.

“I love you too, Addie. I love you too, Eon.” Sayana’s voice cracked. “I’ll miss you terribly.”

“We’ll think of you often and send good thoughts your way as often as possible.” Adjira’s voice also cracked a bit.

“Good luck with your studies. I know you’ll make an excellent teacher, Addie. Eon, I hope you enjoy your travels and that you learn amazing things.” They waved to each other, and the call ended.

Sayana dissolved into tears. Hannelore put an arm around her shoulders. “I know it’s not easy letting them go.”

“I’ll never see Addie become a teacher or Eon set off on his travels.” Sayana couldn’t stop the tears. “They’ll never be able to tell me about their adventures.”

“It’s okay if you need to cry about it now,” the Head Matron told her gently. “But you must put it behind you when you walk out of my office. You can’t let any of your emotions show tomorrow when you leave. You have to be as calm and placid as a still lake when you board that ship in the morning.”

Sayana nodded and continued crying. Hannelore kept her arm around her shoulders as she let out her emotions. When she’d cried herself out, she dried her eyes on her sleeve and made her way slowly back to her room. She changed into her sleep suit and curled up in her bed. She didn’t know if she’d be able to sleep, but her crying fit had worn her out more than she’d expected. She dozed off only a short while later.

Her dreams were disjointed and dark, keeping her sleep fitful and sending her into wakefulness an hour before she needed to be up. She got up, showered, dressed, and braided her hair. She tied it up in a knot and went down to the dining hall. The cooks knew she was leaving that morning, so they served her breakfast before anyone else was up.

Sayana went back to her room and made sure everything was ready. When Hannelore appeared with two strange men, Sayana was waiting. “Sayana, these two men are porters from the shuttle sent to take you to the Throne World. They’ll take your luggage to your quarters on the ship.” Hannelore seemed as sad as Sayana was at this parting.

“Very well.” Sayana kept her expression neutral and showed nothing of the pain this was causing her.

The two men looked at what she was taking and made two trips for everything. “We wish you well, Sayana. Though you never truly wished to be a courtesan, you embraced the training and learned well how to please a patron. The Head Matron and I are sure you’ll do well as an Imperial courtesan, even if it is not a position you wished to take.” Hannelore embraced the younger woman and then led her out of her room and out to the landing pads.