The Emperor's Rose

Chapter 35//Ripped Kimono and Roses with Thorns

Goro took Akihfumi by the hand. "It seems we are intruding," Akihfumi smiled sadly. Goro's eyes lingered on the future Empress, drinking in her beauty for the first time.  The two walked outside. 

Aiko's soft lips stopped moving, and the Emperor turned around to kiss her on the lips, when someone knocked on the door, interrupting them.

TThe Emperor almost growled. Aiko slowly stood up, dragging herself out of her momentary daze, her memories of the past few hours slowly melting into oblivion. The only reminders were the reds blotches on her skin from the Emperor's lips.

Aiko readjusted her robe and quickly styled her hair, jabbing a few pins in it, acting like nothing had happened. 

Meanwhile, the wind had stolen the rumors of a new Empress brewing in the palace and had spread them over the empire. The words had seeped into a villager's heart, who was returning from the capital. He passed to see the rich merchant, Uncle of three beautiful women. He secretly carried a letter from the Emperor, wanting to meet the family Aiko never spoke about. The villager was received, and the news was carried to him: one of his adopted daughters was going to become the Empress.  

Back at the palace, Aiko had forced the Emperor to pretend he was looking at the flowers in the garden. The two had argued briefly, the Emperor yelling that she couldn't control him. The fight had ended with her glaring at him. The Emperor had sighed, slightly exasperated, before doing what he was told. 

 Aiko then calmly walked to the door. Right as her hand reached for the handle, the memory of what had just happened made her shiver. She had had an intimate moment with the Emperor.

Aiko shook her head and hid her emotions under her heart. "I'll worry about that when I'm alone." She whispered under her breath. After having calmed the waves of her heart, and having painted a smile on her face, she yanked the door open. She smiled coyly as she saw Akihfumi. She urged herself not to hit the concubine on the head. As Akihfumi slipped in, without an invitation, Aiko saw a huge man towering behind her. 

 He was tall and muscular, almost bulging out of his shirt. His hair was pulled in a small top knot and one of his eyes was black. A scar was on his lips ran over his lips. His presence was dark, staining the air around him. He had an armour on.

"Um...Your Majesty?" Aiko stuttered. The Emperor had been talking with Akihfumi, something glinting in his eyes. He looked up when his title was called. He saw Aiko slowly stepping backwards, as the huge man walked inside without waiting for an invitation. Aiko looked at the Emperor, trying to convey that she felt uncomfortable. 

The Emperor smiled, his warm hands slithered away from Akihifumi's waist, to her dismay, and Aiko's pleasure. "Goro!" He yelled, advancing towards the man, who laughed and ran towards him as well. They collided midway in a crashing hug that almost sounded like thunder. 

Aiko relaxed as she remembered the still-unknown Goro. And here he was, hugging the Emperor. Akihfumi slithered, like a sly snake next to Aiko. They both stayed still as statues, fanning themselves aggressively.

After having finished talking and catching up, the Emperor and Goro turned around. Aiko smiled politely. Goro grinned as well. His teeth glimmered. "That lady on the left is Aiko. The future Empress in a week." The Emperor explained. Akihfumi stiffened, clearly still irked. Aiko smiled sweetly at her. 

Goro laughed. "I impatiently wanted to meet your unlucky bride, dear friend. I mean, you were dumb enough to place me at the head of your army; I was curious to see if you had made another stupid mistake in picking a bride." The two men broke out in boisterous laughter. "I mean, do you remember that prostitute in the pleasure quarters? You wouldn't want to get married to that!" The Emperor nodded, tears of laughter in his eyes.