Aiko felt her heart thump against her chest, leaving her breathless. "This is..." Words evaded her.

The Emperor grinned. He lowered her down to the priceless floor, silently thankful. Aiko clumsily slipped out of his arms and almost stumbled down on the floor. The Emperor darted forward, ready to steady her, when another headache hit him. Luckily, Aiko gripped the wall and held on to it, becoming steady.

Two guards were positioned on the sides of the doors, their faces somber. They were staring in the void, barely blinking.

As the Emperor got closer to Aiko, the guards bowed down. The Emperor stuck out his arm so she could lean on it. He tried hiding his almost overpowering nausea by painting his face with his usual cold expression. "Aiko, these will be the guards that will stand outside your room during the day. They will change with two others at night."

Aiko didn't like people being so close to her. She wanted her personal space, but in the palace, that was something you couldn't have. The Emperor then turned to the guards, almost retching since he had spun too fast. "I expect maximum care for the Empress." He ordered.

The guards nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty!" They both answered stiffly, standing straight, and clacking their heals together.

Aiko was about to bow down and thank the guards, but the Emperor stopped her.

He lowered his head and started whispering in her ear, his warm lips grazing her skin. "You will not embarrass me and bow down to some lowly guards."

Aiko felt her inside churn: he was too close, and she was feeling humiliated.

"I'm simply thanking them," she hissed back. His grip tightened on her arm; Aiko fell silent.

The Emperor noticed and rejoiced quietly. "Following orders, now? Good girl. Now pretend I have told you something sweet or embarrassing. Blush." He ordered, sternly. His hand moved to grip her waist, using it to steady himself. Faces started becoming blank, mouths and eyes switching places. He closed his eyes for a second.

Aiko wanted to cry. She wanted to go back to her old life. Even walking through the streets, covered in mud, running away from her Uncle, would be better than being here.

She was about to turn around and disobey his orders, but images of the poor, innocent lives that would be lost because of her flashed in her mind.

Aiko forced a blush to seep onto her face. A fake giggle escaped her mouth. The Emperor grinned, cold sweat dotting his forehead.

The guards looked away from the "intimate" moment.

The Emperor leaned his head against hers, feeling faint. Aiko ignored it, thinking he was trying to spite her. She started observing her surroundings, sipping in all the details of the doors in front of her.

The doors were made of solid oak. A beautiful rose painted on the doors. The rose was higher than all the other flowers that were bowing at her feet. Beautiful gems and rubies decorated every flower, reflecting the dim light of the winter day.

The Emperor watched attentively as her soft fingers brushed the gems.

Right as Aiko turned around to say something to the Emperor, a Eunuch came running down the hallway, his sleeves twirling in panic.

The Emperor turned around and stared at the poor man. His knees bent and his hands on his legs. His voice was so broken by pants that his words were incomprehensible. The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "Speak louder, and clearly," He ordered.

The Eunuch got up. Sweat glimmered on his forehead. "His Highness Goro is here!"