Ienia felt it was time to get up hours ago but forced himself to continue resting. After yesterday's preparation he was still drained. His Rini, Euïya, had let him sleep longer. Likely to allow him to mentally prepare for the day ahead, but he was no longer sleepy, only tired.

He knew he had to get up and face the day. He let his hand wander across his pillow before bracing himself for the cool air of a spring morning. Slowly the Estate Master of Seukine rose to a sitting position not bothering to open eyes. He could hear his Rini moved from his sitting position.

“You are up earlier than I expected,” Euïya's stride was a little less confident sounding than usual. There was a heaviness to the foot fall that couldn't be hidden behind a chipper voice. The young man had become his special servant and was given the title of Rini eleven years ago. The youngest special servant in all of Seukine history. He started at just eight years old and since then Euïya had remained loyal to him even after he became disabled.

The young man was nearing him as he sensed the Rini's presence become stronger. Euïya's hand touched his shoulder gently to let him know how close he was then he began combing through his hair from the ends to the root. It was a pleasant feeling and sound that years ago he wouldn't have even thought about. Taking a deep breath he relaxed his tense shoulders. He was more anxious than he initially thought.

"Did you sleep comfortably?" Nimble finger pulled his hair from his face. The question was just small talk meant to distract him.

Ienia gave a curt nod. He didn't remember any dream he may have had and that was generally for the best. A few seconds passed and he heard Euïya shift his weight. The Rini was about to start an unfavorable conversation.

“General Lashir's group has already passed the first gate. All first-rank attendants have been gathered at the main gate. His time of arrival should be in the next thirty minutes.” the report was made succinct and to the point.

He let a soft sigh escape him as Euïya stopped combing his hair in favor of brushing it. The thought of meeting Fhain'dea Lashir after so many years was daunting for him. He honestly didn't think the man would be so bold as to show himself before him ever again, but the man never did know restraint. His Rini finished brushing and began to braid his hair and pulled it high up on his head. He then tied it with one of his many hair ties to keep it in place.

As his special attendant did this he listened closely to his birds that were singing in his private garden. He had long ago learned how to tune out the voices of the attendant who worked in his personal residence.

The next thing Euiya did was place the thin chained circlet securely on his head so that the crimson tear-shaped jewel rested on his forehead. The circlet was a beautiful golden that he still had in his memory. The circlet was passed to each Estate Master of Seukine as an indicator of the right to control the estate, but his was different. It not only signified that but made it easier for him to convey his orders and instructions to others since he could not speak. He didn't need the circlet only to touch a person's skin, but the items helped ease the stress on his body when he did use his ability.

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After finishing, Ienia assisted his Rini in moving him to his wheelchair. From there he went to his bathing chamber and was clean by his attendants.

Even though the water was warm and comfortable he hated to bathe. He gripped the edge of the pool with one hand and an attendant's hand with the other as the other servants cleaned his body. It had been years and he still couldn't stop the fear he had of drowning.

Once they were done with him he let go of his attendant's hand and held out his hand for Euïya to take. The Rini grabbed his hand and instantaneously his message was relayed to his servant.

“I understand,” Euïya acknowledged him. He listened as the Rini gave the message to a second-rank servant who would then take the message to its destination. He had ordered the Women of Seukine to remain in their courtyard until further notice was given. He would meet General Lashir with only his trusted attendants and Rini to greet the man. He did not need or want those women to be there.

Once out of the tub, Ienia was ready to get dressed for the day. He had picked an outfit out yesterday with Euïya's help so he knew what it looked like. The Seulnine family colors were red, white, and gold. As such he wore those colors constantly, very rarely ever deviating.

Euïya's helped him put on a white high-collared sleeveless shirt. It was trimmed with a gold hem. On top of that, he wore an elegant deep red cross-collared robe with an asymmetrical strip of golden flowers. The motif was on the left side reaching just below his pectoral muscle. He finished the look with matching deep red wide-leg pants that cinched at the ankle.

After that came the white cloak decorated with red orchid flowers on the inside. Euïya slowly helped Ienia into the black mahogany wheelchair that was sculpted by a skilled artisan. Ienia righted his legs and fixed his specially made cloak that had slits in the sides so that he could fit his arms through. Doing so prevented the cloak from looking odd while sitting and allowed it to flow out over his legs.

Euïya then put his socks on and then he placed on the deep crimson shoes and finished with a thick light brown fox fur throw over his legs, allowing only the red of his shoes to peek out on the black pedals of the wheelchair. Seukine was one of the few families to stay with the former style of dress rather than the newer fashion for nobles.

“Is everything comfortable? Does anything need to be changed or moved?” Euïya asked as he moved around him making sure everything was in order. Ienia shook his head at the question and listened closely to the sound of the young man's footsteps. They were reassuring to him. He could always trust his Rini to take care of his appearance. Euïya was the only person he trusted to understand what he needed and wanted in the current situation.

The meeting with General Lashir was prepared by the Emperor but he thought his former friend would send someone in his place. It was a surprise when he received the message that the general would be coming himself. The issue was over the new soldiers that were being added to the army from the eastern region under the rule of the Empress family. it was not an issue that needed to be discussed between the two of them. In truth, none of it concerned him as he was no longer a part of the military. He was only doing it as a favor to the emperor.

They were to plan how to add the soldiers without issue to the hierarchy of command. The meeting was prepared by the Emperor but pushed by the Empress. He relented and agreed even though he generally didn't do anything outside of caring for his estate anymore.

“Should we go to the South Entrance now?” Euïya asked him and he motioned for him to go ahead.

“Sevi De Dija,” Euïya called out. The second rank servant entered the room hesitantly. Her steps were quick and unsure. She was nervous about something.

“Yes, Rini Eui.”

“Master wants the guests brought to Selenia Garden. Have the kitchen prepare lightly flavored tea and small snacks as our Master has not eaten yet. Be quick about it.” Euiya's was stern with the servant but Ienia knew it was needed. Euiya was still very young to be a Rini and many of his subordinates were much older than him. It was necessary to have a strong appearance.

“Yes Rini, I will be swift in completing Master's orders,” the woman named Dija answered and gave a proper bow to him before the Rini. He could hear her shifting to lower herself but she didn't leave instead she lingered and continued, “But-”

“Is there a problem?”

“No Rini but Nu Ul'a has inquired of Master's order for the women to remain in their courtyard.”

“Has she,” Euïya voice conveyed a response without actually saying it.

“I will reply with the order of the Master again, forgive my mistake.” Euïya dismissed her and Ienia kept an expression of apathy. He took a quiet breath and tried to control the unintended movement of his eyes. He would deal with Ul'a at a later time. He couldn't let his attention be divided.

“We should continue,” Euïya said pushing the wheelchair at a steady pace. "It will be a very long day, so we should start it now."