The Emperor's Rose

Chapter 69// Wedding Night

The inside was wonderful. A huge bed was placed in the middle, the sheets pristine and clean. Roses petals had been gently placed on them. Incense delicately perfumed the area as all the maids opened the screen doors around the pavilion. Opening to the view of the garden and on the peaceful lake. A shoji screen was placed towards the back, carefully engraved with Chinese characters. The light strokes of the brush had written clear words that read love and peace.

One of the maids bowed down in front of her and gestured for her to slip behind the screen.
Aiko realized with dismay it wasn't her personal maids. She nodded, dazed, slowly walking behind it.

The maids quickly followed suit and started preparing her for the night. They kept the outer layer on her and slipped a red robe underneath it, the color that had been resting underneath her kimono. That was her wedding color; the color that would bind most of her clothing for the rest of her life.

They took all the ornaments from her hair, letting it cascade down. One of the maids started spreading some peach scented oil in her hair before they took off her earrings.

The maids slowly moved backwards, their eyes low as they didn't look at the Empress. They filed out, one by one, walking away. They quickly exited the garden and the whole castle became silent.

Aiko took a deep breath, her heart burning. Her stomach slowly felt like it was rising in her throat. A soft gush of wind caressed her cheek, blowing away her fear.

She slowly stepped from behind the screen; her bare feet touched the wooden planks.

The Emperor was leaning against a pillar, his eyes staring at the reflection of the moon. His eyes were lost in thought, a cloud of memories was blocking his view. He had taken off his wedding robe and was wearing a simple kimono. He looked stunning and Aiko felt her heart drop in her lower stomach.
She was about to call his name when the Emperor turned around. He was mumbling to himself and looked up, distractedly. His eyes widened as he saw Aiko. His heart, even though he tried to control it, started beating. His organs twisted and churned. She was so pretty.

His anger for her was momentarily forgotten and he approached her. The silence was oppressing, the young couple staring at each other.

The Emperor felt his hand move by itself. It landed on her chin, bringing her forwards. She complied, not resisting him. The Emperor's eyes were stuck on hers; they moved close to each other, pressing their bodies closer.

She felt something stir in her stomach as the Emperor leaned down to kiss her. Aiko felt like everything went back to the way it was, before he had started hating her so suddenly. Their lips touched and for the first time there wasn't any regret since they weren't breaking any protocol rules.

The kiss soon got heated and they weren't pulling away any time soon. His arms snaked down to her waist to hold her. The Emperor's anger had turned to ash, smoldering and dead. While her love for Hashimoto had drowned at the bottom of the lake.
Right now, it was only the two of them kissing in the pavilion. The unfaithful moon was the only one who was witnessing the passionate kiss, and she was so untrustworthy that she could be trusted to keep the secret: no one would believe it when she whispered it quietly in the darkness of the night.

Aiko felt her heart swell every time his lips moved on hers, she felt she could die happy, even if she was trying to tell herself she wasn't in love with the Emperor. But deep down she knew she was lying to herself.

The Emperor held her close, realizing with horror that his heart was falling for the girl he was trying to hate.Why did he hate her again? He couldn't remember, her lips were drugging him. His mind was forgetting everything.

Then, suddenly, he remembered. Aiko loved someone else. He shivered in disgust and pushed her away. "Now that this is over I'll go spend the night with my concubines." He said, harshly, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

Aiko felt her heart shatter as she flopped on the bed she was meant to share with her husband. He was leaving her to spend the night with concubines?! She wouldn't let him him humiliate her this way.

As the Emperor started heading out of the pavilion, his heart still aflame, Aiko stood up. She ran up to him and grabbed his arm. "Oh no, no, no. You are staying with me tonight!"