Chapter Ten

The Valeyard walked down the corridor towards his bedchamber, carrying a small stack of papers with him. His staff was getting everything in order for his departure as well as keeping an eye on Clara while her brainwashing was finishing. He was going to take Rose with him, both to educate her on how to be his consort and also to test her to see if she would remain loyal to him. Some of his staff asked if he was going to put Rose under and brainwash her and he told them it was a wait and see situation. He didn't want to do that and he felt that unlike Clara, Rose hadn't been around long enough to have her mind made up about things. He felt that perhaps he could persuade her to come around to his way of thinking and mold her into the queen he desired to her to be.

When he entered his room, he noticed the Rose was fast asleep in his bed. When he left her, he gave her two sets of clothes, day and night wear in case she did feel sleepy and wanted to take a nap. The day clothes were on a nightstand near the bed, still neatly folded, while she was wearing the same sort of silk pajamas that Clara was wearing. The Valeyard neared the bed silently; gazing down at her while she slept peacefully. Gently he walked around to the other side of the bed and sat down, shifting his body so he could look at her. It still amazed him how much the sight of her could move him so, filling his hearts with love when nothing else could. That was why he was giving her the chance to join him of her own free will. The last thing he wanted was to see her obediently following him around everywhere with a blank look on her face.

He finally lay down beside her and began kissing her cheeks and forehead gently. He watched as she slowly woke up, her eyelids fluttering before she focused on his smiling face above hers.

"Hello, hope you had a good nap," he said to her.

"I'm sorry if I wasn't supposed to go to sleep."

The Valeyard chuckled.

"If I didn't want you to sleep, I wouldn't have put the jimjams in with the clothes," he said to her. "But I do need you to get dressed. We have to go take the inspection tour and I want you to accompany me."

"Um…okay," Rose said as she sat up.

The Valeyard sat up with her and handed her the paperwork.

"Homework already?" Rose joked when she took them from her.

The Valeyard smiled at that.

"General information on the culture and what to expect. This isn't a walk in the park. They're reptilians which means they're very savage and bloodthirsty. I oversee this planet but only just. The leader, Kraag, is also just under my control. And they are into bloodsports and Kraag has invited me to a gladiatorial type of contest as part of my inspection."

"And you can't stop…"

Rose shut up but the Valeyard guessed the rest of it.

"No, A'Le'Mohar, I can't stop it even if I wanted to. Did you and the other Doctor visit Rome before, back when I became a statue?"

"Yeah."

"Well, this particular planet we're going to has a culture similar to that. And I did try to impose my will on them but they rebelled and I learned a valuable lesson after that and took a leaf from the Roman book of rules. That is to say, I allow the planets to keep their own culture and traditions and use a native as the governor, just as Romans did when they ruled long ago. I realize that the combat might turn your stomach and I apologize but reptilians are more heartless than I am and it's wise to just go along with what they want and act like you enjoy it."

Rose nodded and glanced down at the paperwork.

"Mabok," she said.

"Yes. About 10,000 light years from here. It's the furthest reaches of my kingdom at the moment. Kraag likes to be fawned over and have his little ego stroked from time to time so I do it because it keeps him quiet and what can I say, I like a homo reptilia that reminds me of me. I do have some more formal clothes for you though. I'm having a servant bring them in and I have to change out of this obviously.

"Really? Because the suit looks good on you," Rose said, running her finger down the sleeve of his blue jacket.

"Well, I thought you might like to see me out of robes but I'm afraid Kraag is also big on formalities and appearances which is why you will be wearing formal attire as well."

"You mean a robe?" Rose said, making a face.

"No. A nice black dress with matching jacket and shoes. And if you don't mind, I'd like my servant to put your hair up in a bun to give you a more formal appearance and I have some jewelry for you to wear but I'll give those to you personally since they're very old and valuable. But…you get dressed and look over the paperwork and my servant will bring you to my office when you're ready."

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Jasmine came back inside the room and helped Rose get dressed. The dress was made of silk that shimmered in the light. It came up to her breasts with spaghetti straps and the jacket was also of stiffer silk and shimmered just as much. The shoes were low pumps that looked brand new and shined in the light. Rose sat on the end of the bed and let Jasmine do her hair up into a tight bun. She also brought her some makeup and a handheld mirror in a little basket and Rose quickly did her makeup while Jasmine finished the hair. After she finished, Rose thanked Jasmine as she handed back the basket to her.

"I wish I had some money so I could pay you for this," Rose said to her. "But I really, really do appreciate all you do for me."

"I am glad to serve you…Rose," Jasmine said, still getting used to calling her by her first name. "Is there anything else you need?"

"I don't think so, Jasmine, I think I have everything now."

"Then I will escort you to the master's office if you are ready."

Rose bristled at that but she held her tongue and nodded before she put on the jacket. Jasmine helped her adjust it and when she was ready, she stood up and followed her out the door.