Aiko's world stopped momentarily. Her vision was hazy, her surroundings melting into one large blob. All the air had been sucked out of her, as if someone had punched her in the stomach. The Emperor noticed her wide eyes, and motionless body: his smile grew. Just to spite her, he grabbed her kimono and pulled her closer, their noses touching. The Emperor's smile was cold, but his breath was warm.

"It will be hell; I assure you." He whispered in her ear. His lips grazed her lobe, nipping it lightly.

Aiko trembled, her control crumbling. She tried pushing him away with her arms, but he held both still, a grin shimmering on his face as he noticed her failed attempt. Aiko snarled and pushed him away from her with her leg, jumping back after. Her chest was heaving. Aiko stayed still, realizing she had just kicked him. Her brain was telling her to kneel and beg for forgiveness, but her pride did not allow that. Even if there was a certain amount of fear in her heart right now, pleasure in bringing him pain sparkled in it as well.

The Emperor's gaze hardened, his lips tightly pulled together. His grey eyes darkened. His cold expression melted, and his eyes blazed with fury. He raised his hand and slapped her on the cheek with all the strength he had. Aiko felt the hot pain burn her cheek. Her head was turned to the side, her neck aching. Her cheek burned horribly, and unshed tears threatened to spill down her red cheeks: she felt humiliated, and the pain was increasing.

There was a moment of silence before the Emperor smiled darkly, his canines glimmering. "That pain was only a decimal of what I could really do, be careful." He warned, his words dripping out of him like poison. Aiko turned her head to face him, her neck ached. She yelped loudly and passed a hand over her cheek and then her neck, cursing the Emperor under her breath. Her pale skin now had a red handprint blossoming on her cheek.

The Emperor waited for Aiko to throw herself at his feet, humiliated. He waited for her to beg him to spare her, but Aiko didn't do any of that. She took a deep breath and smiled tightly, her eyes glinting. "I am honoured to be made your personal maid." She said. Aiko had understood he wanted to see her suffer, and she wouldn't show him, what he wanted, no matter the cost.

The Emperor's smile slipped off his face, a confused frown replacing it. Where was the begging? "From now on, your room will be situated next to mine." He said, leering.

Aiko almost spat at his feet, but she didn't want to get another slap. The Emperor smiled. "You know what a personal maid does, right?" He asked smugly. The Emperor's beautiful eyes were exposed to a drastic change by the dark and evil who nestled in them. It seemed like the demon that hid inside woke and covered their light colour. His eyes looked coal black, even though a few seconds ago they were cold, grey, as clear water. Aiko stayed still, trying to keep calm. "It means you have to follow me around and obey my every order." He mused, stressing the words he knew would hit her pride.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Her tone was mocking. The Emperor glared at her, his hand twitching like he wanted to hit her again.

"Come now, I have to go and take a bath." He turned around, flicking his head to show her she had to follow him.

Aiko took a deep breath to not hit him again.

"Come on, move your legs!" He roared as Aiko quickened her pace.