Aiko opened her wet eyes. She stood up, untying her sash, letting it drop down on the futon. She neatly folded her worn kimono and slipped on the crisp, new black one. It was simple, but it was one of the most expensive things Aiko had ever worn in her life. Aiko took her old kimono and placed it next to her pillow, glancing at it one last time.

Aiko rolled her shoulders and clicked her neck, straightening her back. "I have to get out. I need fresh air." Aiko thought to herself. Another silent idea slipped inside her head. A small voice whispered, why don't you run away? Aiko tried to drown it, suffocating it, but it seemed resistant, becoming stronger. Running away didn't seem like such a bad idea. Aiko knew she was being ungrateful to the kind woman who had helped her, and her life would surely be harder than if she stayed in the palace. After a second of hesitation, she made up her mind.

Aiko quietly opened the rice doors, pushing them to the side. She slid out, her hands rummaging behind her back to close the doors silently.

The corridor was plain. The floor was made of simple floorboards and the walls were painted white, not even a small vase to decorate them, but it was the servants' quarters. It was empty, completely deserted.

Lights glimmered behind the closed doors. Shadows moved behind them. The long silhouettes of women and the lean and muscular ones of men: the other servants. Aiko wondered how'd they end up here. Fate? Destiny? Or choice? She shook her head, waving her thoughts away.

Aiko looked to the left and then to the right. Both corridors were identical, curbing abruptly, and heading into the unknown. The woman hesitantly took a step to the left. But something pulled her to the right. Aiko turned around, deciding to go right.

She started to move faster, worried she'd get caught. Aiko knew that if someone asked her where she was going, she would answer saying that she needed a breath of air, but she wasn't sure if that was allowed either. Better not meet anyone altogether.

Aiko's eyes danced around, trying to find any open window or screen door to slip out of.

Aiko started to get lost as she wandered in this maze-like castle. Slowly and subtly, the corridors became decorated more lavishly. The corridors were larger now, with paintings and scrolls hanging on the once bare walls.

As she continued her search, laughter, music, and delicious scents wafted to her nose, flirting with her empty stomach. Aiko scurried towards the origin of all this, drool almost dripping out of her mouth.

The noises came from down the corridor. Aiko approached it, her eyes widening in awe. She was standing in front of two screen doors, painted with exquisite phoenixes. The woman, unable to control her curiosity, peeked inside.

The room was filled with people dressed in rich kimonos, heavy makeup and too much jewelry. Nobles, clearly. Aiko's eyes wandered towards the beautifully lacquered black table decorated with golden swirls as well flowers situated in the center of it. A multitude of plates were on it, some containing dishes Aiko had never seen before. Meat, fish, dripping with glittering sauces, as well as desserts so perfectly decorated, they looked like artworks.

As she felt herself drool, a strong, assertive voice called out to her, "Maid, give me more sake." It was a loud voice. Clear and accustomed to commanding and ordering people around. It didn't leave any place for disobedience. Even if it imposed obedience, it was also exceptionally smooth, like velvet. His voice, even if pleasing to the ears, irritated her, and she decided not to answer. She would leave this place soon. The noble wouldn't be able to do anything to her. Aiko didn't move, and the voice repeated the order, but more harshly. "I. Want. More. Sake. Now." The person followed the sentence with a harsh slap on the table.

Aiko gripped the side of the door, trying not to turn around and spit in the person's face. She couldn't do it, biting her lip and digging her fingers inside her palm to obey the rules Eriko had told her. Yes, she was leaving soon, but that didn't mean she couldn't get a beating before, she reasoned to herself. She might as well try and behave calmly for a short while.

Aiko stepped inside and glanced in the direction of the voice. She saw the man sitting on a purple pillow, even the smallest idea of rebelling drowning out of her head. She stumbled to her knees. Purple was the color of His Majesty. Only the Emperor and the Empress could have them. She tried to stomp out her fear bowed down. "Yes, Your Majesty?" Aiko asked in the gentlest voice she could muster, as she realised she was in front of the Emperor. He could end her life with a flick of his wrist. Acting like a real maid was the only solution now.

The same rich voice sneered, "I told you the maids were becoming imbeciles." Aiko gritted her teeth and curled her hands. It was insulting to her and to all the other maids who worked hard, but she shut her mouth, cursing him in her head. "I WANT MORE SAKE!" He roared suddenly, making the woman draped on him flinch in surprise.

Aiko felt a deja vu creep up her skin. She was being bossed around like at her Uncle's home. She felt pure rage surge through her. White and blinding. She could hardly control it, breathing raggedly. A small reasonable voice in her head tried to calm her down, but Aiko had always been hot tempered. No matter how much she told herself to calm down, she would only succeed for a minute and then burst like an angry volcano.

She stood up and grabbed a sake bottle. The condensation droplets cool against her skin. Aiko dragged a porcelain cup close to her and poured the alcoholic drink in it, trying not to spill it out. She bowed down and set it down on the table.

After having done so, she was about to leave, when she realized they hadn't dismissed her.

Aiko sadly walked to the corner of the room. Her back straight, although her gaze was lowered. Her palms were littered with small semi circles made by her nails.

Aiko dared to look at the table in front of her. Not directly at the Emperor, or she would get killed, but at the people surrounding him.

A multitude of girls, of different ages, and different faces, but all stunningly gorgeous. They all had long, well- kept hair. There was one who woman who particularly stood out. She had a wonderful orange kimono. The color was unusual, and clearly worn to make her different from the other concubines. Her hair was styled in the most complicated way: half of it was down, in a loose braid, while the other half was pinned to the top of her head in the shape of a half moon, decorated with many tinkling jewels. Her eyes were long and thin as a cat's. Her figure was slender. Her lips perfect. She was leaning extremely close to the Emperor, her hand on his thigh.

The Emperor whispered something in the lady's ear. The lady seemed to disagree, shaking her delicate head, the ornaments on her head singing, but the Emperor didn't like this. He quickly grabbed her arm tightly, his eyes flashing before he whispered something else in her ear. The woman seemed to bow her head a little lower. The Emperor let go of her, lifting his head. "Akihfumi would like to dance for us. She will perform Takeda's Lullaby." The Emperor said, his voice gruff. The surrounding nobles clapped and cheered, placing their chopsticks down on the table.

Akihfumi got in position to dance, but worry flashed in her eyes. "I don't wish to anger Your Majesty, but this dance is performed by a pair usually." She uttered.

Aiko sneered; happy it wasn't going smoothly for the Emperor. All the girls in the room revealed, with their cheeks red with shame, that they didn't know the dance. Aiko did, but she wouldn't jump up for the opportunity.

Aiko was looking at her nails, as she felt a cold shiver run down her spine. The Emperor was looking at her. "You, maid, what's your name?" He hissed.

Aiko bowed. "Aiko, Your Majesty."

There was silence in the room.

"Dance with Akihfumi." He ordered sternly, not even bothering to ask if she knew the dance. Aiko hesitated. The Emperor's hand moved nervously. "Now!" He commanded.

Aiko hurried up to Akihfumi's side, not wanting to lose her neck. The lady clearly felt pure disgust standing next to a maid.

Akihfumi gracefully leaned towards her and whispered in her ear, "You embarrass me in front of the Emperor and you are dead." She said. Her earrings tingling, as her lips curved into a sick smile.

Aiko bit her lip, and curled her fingers.

"I'll show her." She thought in her mind, not wanting to be considered inferior.

Aiko slipped into the starting pose. The music started playing. Aiko started moving. She started singing.