Belia- Consorts

Belia has spent the past few days in her room, resting. Not that there was anything restful about it. Most of the time, Belia spent thinking and worrying. Thinking and worrying about the wedding, wondering how the Emperor and Empress were doing, how Timur was fairing, if her brother would be able to make it, if her parents were going to make it. Kya made Belia some calming tea, but even that was beginning to lose its effectiveness. Timur's been good about keeping her up to date, but she gets the feeling he's holding something back.

"What are you doing in here!" Belia hears Timur say on his side of their shared living area. "You're not supposed to be in here."

"Dammit, you caught me," Belia hears an unfamiliar voice comment. "I just wanted to see the blushing bride-to-be. You two are getting married tomorrow and besides that press conference no one has seen her."

"I already told you to drop it."

"You know I can't do that." Belia is tempted to reach her mind out to the other man in Timur's room and find out who he is, but she's afraid she'll trigger another episode by using her powers in the slightest. Instead, Belia makes herself look presentable and goes to the door separating her side of the room from Timur's.

"Timur is everything alright?" Belia asks as she opens the doors.

"By the gods!" the other man says and elbows Timur. "Your description didn't do her justice." Belia feels a little self-conscious at the man's comment. She looks the man over as the two bicker back and forth. He's almost an exact copy of Timur, however, the man has green eyes instead of Timur's deep umbra color. If Belia didn't know better, she could mistake the man for Timur's twin.

"Where are Timur's manners?" the man says, interrupting Belia's thoughts. "You don't know who I am. I'm Stepan, Timur's-"

"Brother," Belia interrupts. "The resemblance is uncanny."

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Stepan says with a mischievous smile. He takes Belia's hand and gives it a kiss. "You must be my brother's bride-to-be. You are even more beautiful than the media portrays you as, Princess."

"You can call me Belia," Belia tells Stepan as he releases her hand. Belia can feel Timur's anger and embarrassment mix together and roll off of him. She looks over at Timur and gives him a gentle smile and he seems to calm some.

"I'm sorry we disturbed you. I know you're supposed to be resting," Timur says mostly toward his brother.

"Resting? Are you not feeling well?" Stepan asks.

"I am feeling fine, but tomorrow is going to be a busy day and I want to make sure I'm well-rested."

"I see," Stepan says with an odd tone, "in more ways than one." Stepan winks at Timur and Timur's face becomes as red as his shirt. Belia doesn't quite follow their conversation. "Unless you two have done it already-"

"Stepan!" Timur interrupts. Belia's face begins to feel like it's burning as she realizes what Stepan is implying.

"Alright, alright, I'm moving on. What do you think of Voyna so far?"

"I have not seen enough of your planet to make an opinion. However, the palace is very nice and your father is not the tyrant he's reported as." Stepan smiles and Belia feels Timur's anxiety fade into sadness.

"He's not too bad, he can be a bit harsh, but he's fair."

"Don't think Grigory and Maksim feel the same way," Timur comments.

"Those two arses just haven't figured out how much fun we siblings are," Stepan says with a wink at Belia. Belia lets out a chuckle. "Speaking of the others, is anyone else coming?"

"With it being last minute, Mother said the others weren't going to make it." Stepan rolls his eyes.

"I know Rolan could have come, but Mom didn't want to be alone. It's not like we half-siblings have much in the way of official duties to prevent us from coming."

"How many siblings do you have?" Belia asks Timur.

"Including me, six," Stepan answers. "But I'm the only one that matters," Stepan says with a flirtatious tone.

"Stop trying to woo my bride."

"You need to loosen up, gods. I swear, if you can make him relax a little you'll be hailed as a miracle worker," Stepan says to Belia. "Well, my curiosity has been piqued so I'll leave you two love birds." Stepan leaves and Belia feels Timur relax.

"I'm sorry about him," Timur says.

"I can see why you think he's a handful. You and he are nothing alike."

"I know. He's only five months younger than I am, but sometimes I feel like he'll never grow up."

"People used to say the same thing about me." Belia watches as Timur's cheeks turn red. "Now look at me. I'm saving my planet and getting married…" Timur's face falls and he goes over to Belia.

"Belia, I know our relationship is a little, unclear at the moment, but I'll make sure you're taken care of. You are going to be my first wife after all." Timur gives Belia a smile. Belia takes a step back and a thought creeps in that Belia never really paid attention to. The Emperor is allowed to have consorts. Belia most likely will not be the only woman in Timur's life. Belia feels pain in her chest. "Belia? Are you okay?" Timur is concerned for her which is good, but Belia's thoughts wander to what will happen to her if that changes. Negative thoughts begin to creep in. Belia feels a light pressure on her hand and an immediate calming presence. Belia pulls her hand away from Timur.

"What will happen to me when you get your consorts?" Belia practically whispers, not sure she wants to hear the answer. Timur looks confused.

"What do you mean?"

"You will have consorts and when you do, what will I be to you?" Belia couldn't wrap her head around how a man could love more than one woman.

"You will be my wife, besides, who said I was going to have consorts?"

"It's tradition, isn't it?"

"Just because it's tradition doesn't mean we have to follow it." Timur takes Belia's hand again and gives it a reassuring squeeze. Belia goes back into her side of the room, deep in thought. Timur follows her. "If this is going to bother you I'll tell you right now, that you won't have to worry about it. Belia, you are the only woman I care about." Hearing Timur say that makes Belia's heart stop. She begins to feel a little funny. Before she wasn't sure of her feelings for Timur, but after hearing Timur say she is the only woman he cares about makes Belia's mind go blank.