Aiko's hand flew to her mouth. The Emperor glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. He cleared his throat, pressing his lips together.

"It's beautiful," She whispered. The Emperor nodded, tiny sparks of pride flying around in his chest.

Fumi had been watching them from the corner of her eye, her maids fanning her. "There is something wrong...my brother is not one to love. And after....her...he can't ever again give his heart to someone else," She thought, glaring at the maid when she accidentally hit her with the fan. The maid immediately apologized.

Aiko observed the pavilion. It was situated in the middle of the lake, standing proud yet lonely. The day's bright, cold light bounced on the water around it, shimmering. Koi fishes whipped their tails back and forwards under the calm surface of the water. A small wooden bridge led towards the pavilion. The pavilion itself had roses painted on its black roof and on the walls. A few veins of roses grew around the pillars of the pavilion, flower-less in the frigid winter.

"Roses do seem to follow me everywhere I go," Aiko thought, a pang of nostalgia hitting her chest. The Emperor noticed Aiko's eyes, clouded with thoughts. He felt interest peck his heart. He wanted to know what she was thinking about.

Fumi smiled and pointed to the pavilion. "Well, why don't we go and have tea?" She proposed, turning around. Aiko nodded, snapping open her fan and covering her tightly pressed lips, only her wonderful eyes peeking out.

Fumi started walking on the bridge, her maids scuttling behind her. She was being supported by one of her maids, who was walking almost in a crouch to let her mistress place her hand on her shoulder.

Aiko followed behind her, eyeing the poor maid. Her hand distractedly grazed on the side of the bridge. She moved her eyes to the koi fish. She couldn't take her eyes away from them. They looked like bursts of fire still alive and burning even though underwater.

Being lost in her thoughts, Aiko didn't notice the bridge started to splinter, the wood slowly deteriorating in winter. Aiko suddenly felt a flash of pain in her hand. She lifted it to her eyes and saw a splinter in her palm. She huffed and started to suck around it, trying to use suction to pull it out. Unladylike of her, but it was what she was used to do.

A hand on her shoulder stopped her gruff movements. The Emperor shook his head with disdain. He harshly grabbed her slender wrist; he accidentally pulled her closer in doing so. Aiko felt her back press against the Emperor's chest.

He squeezed the skin around the splinter. It slowly started to come out. It then fell to the floor with a soft tink.

The Emperor abruptly let go of Aiko's wrist as if it burned. Her limp arm fell to her side.

Red bloomed on her wrist due to his tight hold. Aiko rubbed her wrist, cursing the Emperor mentally, recalling all the insults she had heard in the fish market.

Meanwhile, Fumi had been observing the scene with clear amusement. A sickening smile spread on her face. "Something is going on here. And I'll find out what it is."

Aiko reached the pavilion; the Emperor was already seated. He smiled, and patted the red velvet cushion next to him. Aiko plastered a smile on her face and sat down next to him. The Emperor's left hand rested on the table, while the other slipped on Aiko's leg. She roughly pushed it off, disgusted. Fumi settled down as well, her long kimono rustling.

The Emperor clapped his hands together. "Maid," He called, directing his question to a small figure in the shadows. The maid looked up. Aiko exhaled heavily as she realized that that had been her only a few days ago. Images of the previous days flashed in her mind, pounding against her forehead. Aiko's hand flew to her forehead, massaging it. It wasn't the moment.

The Emperor looked at her, an eyebrow raised. Aiko waved her hand to dismiss it. He turned back to the maid. "Bring three cups of raspberry tea." The maid nodded and left.

Before she could leave, Fumi grabbed the maid by her collar and whispered something in her ear. Her lips moved delicately.

Aiko rested her hand on the table. She pretended to look at the Koi fish as Fumi let go of the maid and sat down.

"I'm not drinking the tea after that," She thought.

Fumi leaned closer to Aiko. "So,". Aiko smiled sweetly, even though she wanted to run away. "How did you two meet? My dear brother never told me a maiden so fair had stolen his heart! And then suddenly, he tells me he is engaged! I want to know every single detail!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

Aiko looked at the Emperor. She saw, in his eyes, a burning question. "What do we say?"