Rated T for like one sentence with suggestive content...so yeah...warning?

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“For the next six months, all your learning and activities will be lead and supported by our wonderful tutor, Tetsuya Sensei” the Emperor said, trying to give a reassuring smile to Ashley as he indicated the middle aged man in a deep blue kimono. The man met her eyes without hesitation and Ashley couldn't help but let her gaze waver downwards. His eyes were deep and filled with undeniable wisdom that she couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated...it was as if he knew everything about her in that single moment. She heard a quiet sigh coming out from the middle aged man as he turned to the Emperor. His response was in Japanese but she could probably guess what he was saying...that she wasn't fit to carry around the title of their princess...and he was probably right. Tetsuya sensei turned back to her, bowed, then spoke in English. “It will take an estimate of about six months to complete your princess training, is that okay with you Your Highness?” he asked, his hands folded neatly in front of him, partially concealed by his lightly embroidered sleeves. Ashley nodded and tried to sound as less hopeless as she felt, “Of course!” (as if she actually had a choice). The man nodded, giving her a look as if he approved of her answer. “Alright then, I will give you a schedule this evening and training starts tomorrow.” He said, with a final bow to the three of them then walked away quickly towards a large arch way. Ashley blinked as she looked after her new teacher, ‘Wow, I'm really doing this, huh?’ she thought. She heard a small giggle to her side as the Empress approached her, “Tetsuya Sensei has always been one to not waste any time” she said, reading Ashley's face. She smiled sheepishly back to her new mother-in-law (again wow at how things are coming along). The Emperor walked next to his wife and gave Ashley a small pat on the shoulder, “You can go explore the palace if you like; you didn't get to yet”. “Okay.” Ashley replied, slightly nervous about how other people within the palace would react to her. She couldn't help but feel like she stuck out far too much with her appearance. Her jeans looked out of place with the silk kimonos and polished floors. But even worse was something she couldn't change; her wide eyes and wavy hair that looked alien in the sea of almond eyes and straight hair of everyone else in the palace. Again, as if the Empress could read her mind, reached out and brought Ashley close. Giving her a gentle smile, she said, “Don't worry about how you look, it's your heart and mind that matters the most”.

The Empress then turned towards an attendant behind her, “Bring her to the Harem first so she can explore”. The attendant bowed and indicated Ashley out into the open air. ‘A harem?!’ Ashley thought alarmed, ‘Wait, isn't that a place where concubines are kept?! I didn't know there were concubines here! But...does that mean the Prince can also have them?’. Turning towards the attendant that walked behind her and assuming she spoke english because of her exchange with the Empress, she asked in a rush “What is the Harem?”. The attendant, again caught off guard by her voice, replied, “It is in the eastern wing of the palace where His Royal Majesty and Her Royal Highness has refurbished for you”. Ashley narrowed her eyes, ‘Okay so is that a no or yes on concubines…’. But for some reason, she felt like asking directly seemed a bit weird and rude. Besides, she was going to find out in a few minutes anyways...and had only a few minutes to contemplate on the idea of possibly being in a polygamy relationship. She was also nervous about how much renovation took place just because of her (of course thinking about the money the could have been spent was making her head throb). If she was lucky, they would have just moved around some furniture, but of course this past week was full of anything but luck.

Walking ahead of the attendant, even though she didn't know where she was going, was challenging because apparently attendants weren't allowed to walk ahead of her. So Ashley tried her hardest to resist looking back every minute to make sure she wasn't leading them in circles and instead looked around. She had always been able to notice small things around her, from her friends habits (which often times, they didn't recognize it themselves until after she would tell them) to non symmetrical shapes (like the slight difference in shape of her eyebrows- hence why she considers her observational skills a curse more than a gift). Which is how when they turned a corner and walked into another hallway, that Ashley noticed the subtle yet present change in decoration surrounding them. The red on the walls were not the same as the hallways from before, blending instead into a lighter shade. And as they continued to walk forward, the difference in decoration only grew greater and greater until they turned another corner and Ashley almost swore they were in a completely different place altogether. Reds mixed in between oranges and yellows, giving the impression of an everlasting sunset. Gold and red chiffon drapes hung from above, fluttering against the soft breeze from outside. Hanging scrolls of lush mountains and fog were replaced with cloth embroiderys of women wrapped in color carrying large brown water jugs. Wall embellishments of dragons and tigers were exchanged for elephants and peacocks.

It was as if they had stepped directly into a palace from India and Ashley couldn't help the fluttering in her heart. She was a bit shocked at how she felt herself relax from just the change in decoration. She clung on to the warm feeling, just now realizing how long she had been away from it all. It wasn't that the traditional Japanese style of the rest of the palace was unpleasant (because it was definitely breathtakingly beautiful) and it wasn't like her home that she grew up in looked like this at all… but it was just a bit more familiar to her than everything else.

And that was what she needed right now...a bit of home.

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“T-this is…”, she stuttered, feeling her head spin as a sudden wave of disbelief crashed over her, “...all for me?!” The Harem, Ashley had found out, was not a place where she would stay with concubines but instead a reclusive place built just for her where only select female attendants (and the Royal family) were allowed in. When asking the attendant why such preparations were made, she was told that the Emperor figured she would be uncomfortable with the thought of random people coming in and out of her living space and if a more private place was arranged, it would be much easier for her to feel more at home. Not to mention, the attendant said smiling, that the Empress also insisted that the Harem would be decorated according to her culture. Ashley felt warmth filling her chest and smiled as she looked around her, scanning each piece of furniture and color arrangement. ‘How much effort and time was put into all of this...just for me?’ she thought. As if knowing her thoughts, the attendant said, “Her Royal Highness spent many weeks trying to make everything perfect. She even watched several historical Indian dramas and read books just to get the right look”. Feeling her heart warm up, Ashley, quickly turned and decided to explore lest she start crying in front of the attendant (which would cause the latter to panic). The first section, she found out, was a place for her to sit and chat with her guests. Right past the archway was a medium sized, man-made pond. Beautiful water lilies of white with light pink tips scattered the surface of the water, bobbing slightly when she put a hand in. Walking around the pond, she saw several cushions (ranging from plain to intricately embroidered) laid out on a thick carpeted floor. A few cushioned seats, too low to be considered chairs, were also arranged carefully between cushions. At the head of the space was a large jhoola*, made up of dark wood, that hung from the ceiling. A thin futon* bedding was placed within and several cushions of greens, blues and gold littered each side. Ashley stared longingly at it, tempted to just collapse on to it and sleep the afternoon away. The attendant behind her followed her gaze and said, “That is where Your Highness shall sit”. Ashley almost squealed and jumped up in excitement like usual, but refrained herself from doing so. She was pretty sure princess didn't jump...or squeal (this was going to be A LOT harder than she thought). Walking further in, she stepped into a courtyard surrounded by a magnificent garden. Flowers of every color and shape littered the well kept grass, their subtle scent hanging in their air. Ashley had the sudden urge to just throw herself onto the the grass and roll around (but again, restraint!) There was even a real pond at the edge, and upon closer inspection, there were large koi fishes swirling around each other in a flurry of colored scales. The attendant called out to Ashley who was currently trying to stick her finger in the pond. “We will see Your Highnesses personal chambers now.” she said, as Ashley speed walked (she didn't think princesses ran either) across the grass. Stepping through an archway with draping chiffon curtains and colored glass beads, she was greeted with a room bigger than her entire apartment. Ashley couldn't stop herself from becoming slack jawed from the sight of it all. ‘This...this is my room?” she thought, a strange feeling she couldn't identify settling heavy in her stomach. This was the place where she had spent the first week in the palace, crying and unsure of what was to happen. At that time, she didn't really pay attention what was around her, too buried in her own grief to notice the intricate designs and splendid colors. But now, she was seeing everything through a new lense, not as a prison but maybe as...home? It would take some time, she knew, to confidently think of everything as mine and not theirs. She ran her fingers through the white chiffon curtains that hung from the ceiling to her large queen sized bed, jasmine garlands wrapped around them.‘This is going to be my bed, where I’ll sleep every night…’ she thought, unsure of what she should be feeling about it. Then opening her walk in room- er closet, she swept through the various fabrics and colors of traditional and modernized lenghas*, anarkalis*, and half saris*. Matching sets of jewelry, from bangles to nose rings were presented next to each set of clothing along with shoes. Ashley prayed that the gold and various gemstones weren’t real because she didn't think she would ever feel comfortable with wearing something that cost her entire rent. Not to mention the guilt she would feel when she would lose one of them (and lose at least one of them she will, no matter how hard she would try not to). She was also surprised that they were able to get traditional Indian outfits; she had thought she would be wearing kimonos like everyone else. Not that the kimonos didn't fascinate her (she was determined to at least try it on once) but the intricate obis tied around them scared her a bit. ‘Not to mention…’ she thought, glancing over at the bottom of the attendants kimono, ‘...it doesn't have much leg room’. The notion of not being able to walk freely made her feel uneasy (so thank goodness she didn't find any full saris in her closet). “Wait...will I have to wear these everyday?” She asked the attendant, her eyes widening at the thought. “Well Your Highness, it isn't really my place to say this but yes, you will wear these most of the time. A princess is a title and just like any other title, for example like a president or a priest, there is a certain image to be maintained.” the attendant said, giving her a patient smile. Ashley nodded her head, it made sense. No one would take her seriously if she lounged around in sweatpants (even though she really REALLY wanted to). “But Tetsuya Sensei will go into more details when you begin your training.” the attendant continued. Ashley swallowed the lump forming in her throat, ‘That's right, my lessons start today”. She felt her anxiety skyrocket, imagining what she would have to learn. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, after all, if it was, then every girl could call herself a princess. She just hoped it wouldn't be anything ridiculous like those ancient princess lessons that taught how to position herself for consummation. Ashley shuddered at the thought.

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Glossary:

*Jhoola: A type of furniture commonly seen in India. Basically a large plank that hangs from the ceiling (like a giant swing you can sleep on- and can be kept indoors). 

*Futon: A Japanese quilted mattress (thin) that is commonly rolled out on the floor to sleep on.  

*Lenghas/*Anarkalis: two types of traditional Indian wear for girls. I'm not going to tell you how they look because I want you to see it for your self. Just google search and you wont regret it :)

*Half Saris: Unlike typical saris, the cloth wrapped around is much shorter and wore more frequently by younger women than full saris. Again, highly recommend to search and see for yourself. 

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                                 ~I CAN NOW ACCEPT TIPPING COINS~

May you be blessed with helping out this broke college girl who is juggling medical terms and writing silly love stories. 

Don't worry though, I will keep most of my chapters free (because I know its hard for some people to get coins).

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Thank you so much for being patient with me! Part two is coming soon~