The Emperor's Rose

Chapter 50// Drop Of Blood

The silence was oppressing. No one moved. The air crushed everyone to the ground. The Emperor pulled his arm from Akihfumi's. It disgusted him. She stank too much of perfume.

She whimpered softly, her eyes sad, before she resuming her posture. Although she continued to lean closer to him than what he would have liked.
The continued friction of the silk chord around Fumi's neck had scarred it. One drop of ruby red blood dropped down in the small pond underneath her. The soft sound resonated like thunder. The small stain of blood spreading like the realization that his sister was dead. The blood slowly dispersed. Fading to nothing. Like what Fumi was going to be from now on. Just a horrible memory. Fading into oblivion.

No one moved, awaiting the Emperor's orders.
The Emperor's mind was churning at an incredible speed.

"What's....going on?" A soft voice asked.
The whole room erupted in soft murmuring as the Emperor turned around.

Aiko was leaning against the door. Her white hanfu slightly exposing her cleavage. Her long hair was spilled around her shoulders. Her eyes lidded, tired.The red flecks dark. Her skin extremely pale. She was leaning against the wall, needing something to support her since she couldn't stand on her own.

The Emperor felt an emotion he had never felt for anyone rush in his heart. Fear for Aiko. Not for himself. She wasn't meant to stress and do any physical movement. He rushed to her, clasping her in his arms. Aiko almost pushed him away, but she realised she was in a room full of people. She just leaned heavily on the Emperor's chest. The hanfu opened a little more.

He saw Goro and Prime Minister trying to peek, craning their neck. He felt pure rage surge through him. Hot, blinding. Goro had tried assaulting his Aiko, and Prime Minister Bunta wasn't allowed to look. He was just an old pervert. Aiko was his. His property. "Everyone, in the room, turn around." He snarled. His coal black eyes lingering especially on Goro. Who licked his lips in disdain and turned around, huffing. A few servants hesitated. "NOW!" He barked. Even Akihfumi winced and turned around.

Aiko's vision was cloudy. She didn't register anything. Only a pair of soft hands on her waist. She closed her eyes and inhaled the smell of jasmine the Emperor had. Aiko's head lolled on his chest. The walk to this pavilion had destroyed her. "Why did you come, you foolish girl?" The Emperor whispered in her ear. Subtle anger staining his voice.

"I heard some commotion outside and a few servants whispering about something happening in Fumi's pavilion, so I had to come." Aiko said weakly.

The Emperor sighed. "Relax while I adjust your hanfu." He growled. Aiko didn't say anything. She just hummed. The drugs that had been used on her making her drowsy and didn't make her feel like complaining. If she'd been in her normal state she would have shrieked and slapped him. But she was too weak to do anything.

The Emperor's hand reached her hanfu's sash. It was tied around her waist and the knot was in her left hip. He easily untied it. The sash almost fell but he caught it. Looping it around his wrist. The hanfu started opening up in the middle. Just to be sure, because anyone could be peeking, the Emperor pushed her closer to his chest, blocking her front with his body. He quickly closed the hanfu, cverlapping the two sets of fabric. Maybe peeking slightly. He then tied the sash hurriedly.

"Everyone, you can turn around." The Emperor said. Everyone did as they were told. Goro with disdain painted on his face and Akihfumi drowning in jealousy.

Akihfumi realised something. Aiko's feet and legs were displayed for the whole of the room to see. Feet and legs were usually covered because they were only for the husband's eyes.

She giggled, covering her mouth with the fan and pointing it out to Goro, whispering it in his ear. Goro moved his gaze almost instantly. Drinking in everything he could.

The Emperor bit his lip in fury. He took off the first layer of his kimono and covered Aiko with it.
Aiko, looked at the kimono questioningly, before keeping it on. The drugs continuing making her drunk.

As her unfocused gaze looked up at the dying sun, her eyes caught sight of the swinging body.
Her eyes widened. She pushed herself out of the Emperor's grasp and stumbled towards the opened windows. Aiko's eyes were wide as ponds as she realised what it was. She blinked back tears. Her hands went to cover her mouth before she could throw up bile.

"Everyone out!" The Emperor yelled. All the servants hurriedly rushed outside, tripping over each other to escape the wrath of the Emperor. Aiko felt she couldn't resist anymore. She yanked her hands away and vomited. The Emperor knelt down next to her, feeling useless.

He turned around, seeing there were still two people in the room. Akihfumi and Goro.
"Out!" The Emperor hissed.

Akihfumi did as she was told, stopping at the doorframe to look at the Emperor one last time before going to retire to the concubine quarters. Planning her revenge.

Goro didn't budge.

Aiko stopped vomiting. She stood up. Looking extremely pale, even more than before. The Emperor took her in his arms and made her rest on his chest. She slowly fell asleep, exhausted physically and emotional.

"Hisato we need to talk." Goro said suddenly.

The Emperor felt his jaw twitch. His eyes dark. His teeth grinding against each other. "Yes. We need to talk." The Emperor snarled. His hands clenching on Aiko's trembling shoulders.