After having conversed with her maids for a short while, Aiko clapped her hands. "It was extremely pleasant getting to know you, but His Majesty asked me to dress myself elegantly for someone important." Aiko wanted her tone to be light and full of jokes, but instead it was heavy and strangled.

The maids nodded and bowed. Eriko started leading the maids towards the bathroom Aiko had explored before.

Aiko followed them. As soon as she walked through the doors, the maids led her behind the paper screen.

As soon as she was behind, Hishi and Hibi helped her undress, untying her obi. They then took out all her hair ornaments, letting her dark hair spill on her shoulders.

"Thank you." Aiko said. The maids bowed down and led her to the bathtub.

The water was milky, filled with essential oils that filled the room with a strong perfume. Flower petals floated around the surface, giving it the impression of a mystical oracle. Aiko felt the sudden urge to try and peek into her future, wanting to know where this new life would lead her. She slowly grazed the water with her fingertips. Instead of showing her future, ripples shattered the peaceful surface. After all, it was still a bath. Her future would remain a mystery until it became her present.

Aiko sighed, rubbed her hand on the side of the tub, and then slipped inside. Her maids helped her.

The warm water relaxed her tensed muscles. All the stress of the day slipped away. It left Aiko by herself, sitting alone with her thoughts. She laid her head on the side of the bathtub. As she felt her eyes close, Eriko started rubbing her hair with sweet, scented oils. It made her drowsy, her eyes fluttering shut.

Eriko then washed the oil away with warm water. Rin and Hibi lifted her arms out of the water and started rubbing oil on her arms, scraping off the excess oils after a few minutes with a blunt knife made of wood.

"Thank you." She mumbled distractedly, her voice a mere mumble.

The maids smiled, and bowed. "It is simply our job, Your Highness."

The maids pulled back after having washed her. Their gaze swept the floor: maids were not allowed to see the Empress' body. Eriko stepped forward, her back bent, her arm out so Aiko could use it to slip out.

Aiko placed her hands on her arm, stepping over the edge. A small pool of water formed around her feet. Eriko retracted her arm and grabbed a linen towel Rin offered her. She dried Aiko before they helped her dress in a small, red hanfu.

They led her to the wardrobe.

"What would Her Highness like to wear?" Eriko asked.

Aiko's hand grazed the fabrics. She smiled, thinking of her sisters and how they would despise her if they knew how she was living now. She grinned when she thought of their burning jealousy when they received the news of her royal marriage. Her mind glided over to her future marriage. It made her eyes turn dark.

Aiko then tried to distract herself with all the kimonos. So many colours mixed into one room; it looked like the garden.

Aiko started looking at each one. She discarded red and black ones. White and green. Until her gaze stopped on a turquoise one. It had flowers stitched on the bottom that slowly disappeared as they rose. The silk looked like cascading water, and Aiko knew it would feel light on her skin.

Aiko felt her eyes widen. She was afraid to dirty it, and simply pointed at it. "I...would like to wear this one." She said quietly, afraid her voice would damage the delicate dress as well.

As the maids took it out of the wardrobe and laid it on bed, a knock resonated in the room.

Eriko shot a glance at the future Empress. She was clothed in a simple hanfu meant to be hidden under various layers of clothing. Her eyes were gleaming. Her cheeks rose colored. Her lips were plump and red. The knot at her waist was untying. Her slim legs were peeking out. Her thighs were showing. Eriko sighed. The future empress was barely clothed and had her hair down. This was a beautiful sight only the Emperor could behold. If it wasn't him at the door, the mother of the nation would have to be hidden. "Your Highness, please stay behind the bed curtains."

Aiko felt confused as the other maids ushered her onto the bed. Rin managed to pull the kimono away just in time before Aiko sat on it. She sighed in relief, clutching it to her chest.

As soon as she was sitting in the center of the bed, they pulled the curtains shut around her, making sure no part of her was visible.

"I wonder who it is." Aiko thought. An image flashed in her head: the Emperor. Aiko shivered. She hoped with all her heart it wasn't him.

Rin, Hishi and Hibi went to stand near the bed, their silhouettes visible through the closed curtains.

Eriko then went to open the door. Herbalist Eiichi stood in all his terrified glory in the door-way. Eriko nodded her head as a greeting. "Herbalist Eiichi. How could we be of assistance?" She asked.

As soon as Aiko heard the name, 'Herbalist Eiichi', she relaxed. The menace of the Emperor was not here to torment her. Yet. She added. Her hands balled up into fists.

"His Majesty, the Emperor, says that the meeting with His Highness Goro has been cancelled. He has asked me to relay the message to Her Highness." He said.

Eriko bowed. "Thank you, Herbalist." With that she closed the door in his face and walked to the bed. Aiko angrily pushed back the curtains. Her eyes ablaze. Anger was painted her features.

"How could he?! I was doing what he ordered, and then he changes his mind? He made you work for nothing!" She cried. Her vision was red.

Eriko rushed to her side. It wouldn't be good if the other maids heard her curse the Emperor. Rumors would spread quickly and then she would suffer the consequences of words tainted with anger. "Please, Your Highness, it is not good to yell. Your beautiful voice will be ruined."

Aiko exhaled, shutting her mouth. She tried hiding her anger. Her poor maids had nothing to do with this. She threw her anger in a box under her heart, prepared to take it out again and throw it at the Emperor.

Rin inched closer, a sleeping gown in her hands. Eriko took it from her hands and presented it to Aiko. "Your sleeping robes, Your Highness."

Aiko closed her eyes to calm down. "Thank you, Eriko." She untied her red hanfu and made it fall to the floor. She then slipped her night gown on. Delicate, pink flowers decorated it. It felt as soft as a dream. Hibi then brought a light, pink night vest to shield Aiko from the chill of the night.

Aiko pushed her hair away from her shoulders. "Thank you. I want you to rest, so I will dismiss you for today." She said, waving her hand.

The maids bowed down and left. Eriko was the last one to remain in the room. She shot one last glance at Aiko before leaving. "What a sweet lady." She thought, as she closed the doors.

•

•

•

The Emperor was sitting in his room. His vision hazy. His head throbbed. He slipped off the bed and wobbled to the doors. He had to go and see her.

He passed the guards at the entrance, using the wall as support for his unsteady legs. One of them had a fly flying around his head. The Emperor snickered and then turned disappeared round the corner. The guards shot questioning glances at each other, chalking it up to the Emperor being drunk.

In her room, Aiko had settled in her bed and was quietly reading a book. A candle was on her bedside table, flickering and drawing long shadows on the page.

As she finished a chapter, a knock disturbed the silence. The flame trembled, as if in fear. Aiko lifted her gaze from her book and looked at the door."I wonder who it is at this time of night." She thought, as she slipped off the bed. Her night gown and night vest rustled. Aiko grabbed the candle and advanced towards the door. She threw it open, ready to throw the candle if necessary, forgetting her guards were there.

Her eyes widened when he saw who it was.

The flickering light was illuminating the Emperor's beautiful face.

CREDITS TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNER OF THE PICTURE