Everyone is a little surprised when king Yusuf takes Nicolo, a seemingly unremarkable man of modest origins, as his concubine. But they soon chalk it up to the king being lonely and looking to ease the stress of everyday life without the political entanglements of marriage. After all, Nicolo is handsome, charming in his own quiet way and seems to know his place well enough - especially when the king keeps insisting on bringing him along to stare councils and audiences with foreign dignitaries.
Turns out Nicolo has a good head for military strategy/is great with numbers/has uncanny memory and sense of observation/is actually the head of Yusuf’s spy network/etc. The boytoy lounging around in silks sipping expensive wine while the Royal Council debates important state matters is just that - an act.
Only Yusuf’s innermost circle is aware that in private they never so much as touch. Nicolo takes his job very seriously and Yusuf respects him as the talented professional and valuable advisor he is.
That they have a secret raging crush on eachother is also something only Yusuf’s innermost circle is aware of, and they despair at it everyday.
Joe/Nicky royalty AU. My concubine? You mean my top advisor.
Everyone is a little surprised when king Yusuf takes Nicolo, a seemingly unremarkable man of modest origins, as his concubine. But they soon chalk it up to the king being lonely and looking to ease the stress of everyday life without the political entanglements of marriage. After all, Nicolo is handsome, charming in his own quiet way and seems to know his place well enough - especially when the king keeps insisting on bringing him along to stare councils and audiences with foreign dignitaries.
Turns out Nicolo has a good head for military strategy/is great with numbers/has uncanny memory and sense of observation/is actually the head of Yusuf’s spy network/etc. The boytoy lounging around in silks sipping expensive wine while the Royal Council debates important state matters is just that - an act.
Only Yusuf’s innermost circle is aware that in private they never so much as touch. Nicolo takes his job very seriously and Yusuf respects him as the talented professional and valuable advisor he is.
That they have a secret raging crush on eachother is also something only Yusuf’s innermost circle is aware of, and they despair at it everyday.