The Emperor's Rose

Chapter 30// Where should we sleep?

Aiko heard those words, but only distantly, as if muffled. "Why...did he kill her?" Aiko mumbled, not knowing if she should believe her. Fumi wouldn't tell her this just to warn her: it was to frighten her. 

"Because the poor girl's heart was moving away from His Majesty's, and into another man's arms. She no longer loved him," Fumi sighed, fanning herself. "The Emperor's love had suffocated her. Too much even for that sweet soul. What was her name again? Ah yes, Noble Lady Riku. She was stunning, and sweet. Her death was painful to everyone."

A long silence stretched in the room after the sentence left her mouth. A response was needed, but Aiko was too busy worrying over Akihfumi's swaying body. It seemed the woman didn't know this story either, probably having entered the palace after Noble Lady Riku's death.  

"Um...Lady Akihfumi?" Aiko asked, watching as her knees buckled and she tumbled to the floor. Fumi turned around and sighed, clearly angry. She snapped her fan shut and slipped it inside her sleeve.

"What a useless woman," Fumi whispered, quickly lifting her up. "It seems our talk has to be cut short: Lady Akihfumi is as pale as a ghost." Fumi bowed down, starting to leave. Before she stepped out, Fumi turned around. "If I, were you, Your Highness, I would run away from my brother. As far away as you can. What stops him from repeating what he did to Noble Lady Riku to Your Highness?"  

Aiko said nothing. The silence was heavy, before Fumi turned around, her hair swishing, before she left.

The silence was loud, almost giving Aiko a headache. She slowly stepped out of the water, her heart hammering in her heart. She was furious at Fumi for trying to scare her away. "It probably isn't true! That lying woman could have told me anything." Aiko paused. "But what if it were true?"

While Aiko thought about this, she heard the soft splatter of water raining down on the floor. Aiko turned around and saw the Emperor standing still, in the middle of the room. His eyes were cast low, filled with sadness. The Emperor glanced at her. His eyes seemed...wet.

Aiko didn't know what to do. She wanted to lash out at him and start screaming, or even pat him on the back. Instead, she slipped closer and glanced at him, her eyes void of emotion. "I want to know the story," She said quietly.

The Emperor shivered, wrapping his arms around his shoulders. Aiko didn't know if he was cold or dark memories were coming back to him. Aiko watched as the Emperor leaned against the wall slid to the floor, his gaze turned to the side, his face pale. A pool of water spread around him. It was clear this memory was traumatic, and the wound was still open.  

Aiko sat down on the floor as well, water droplets sliding down her body and onto the already soaked floor.

The room was silent, only the sound of water droplets filled the void.  

The Emperor was leaning his head against the wall. Aiko had her legs spilled underneath her. She truly expected him to push her away and hit her for asking such personal questions, but she was shocked when he started speaking.  

"A long time ago," his voice was heavy, barely over a whisper. "I loved a girl. We were madly in love. I couldn't go a day without seeing her or reading the poems she wrote for me. I became a different man. I was...better. The best version of myself. I thought it was heaven. But tragedy is sudden and tears the normality of our life..." his voice trembled.

"One day, after a bad fight I left. Without harming her though." The Emperor said, looking at Aiko. His eyes shone with tears. "The next day, I rushed back to apologize. When I entered her room..."he laughed, almost choking on his words. "She was dead. Lying in the pool of her own blood. A dagger piercing her heart."