The Emperor's Rose

Chapter 52// Past Life

Aiko didn't feel the warmth that was surrounding her before. Now she felt the cold sheets. She stirred. Her eye-lids were heavy, her heart ached. She willed her eyes lids to fly open. Aiko tried moving the heavy stones that blocked the light from passing. She slowly succeed. One inch at a time.

She almost got blinded my the soft light, although it felt like harsh and strong to her tired eyes. Aiko felt the tension in the room. It was palpable. Her body moved of its own accord. She stood straight up. Her head swivelled like a drunken man.

Aiko felt her eyes widen as much as ponds. The Emperor was lunging straight for Goro.
His fist connected with Goro's jaw. A sickening crunch echoed darkly in the room. Aiko almost threw herself off the bed to go help the Emperor, but her tired limbs stopped her from doing that.

The Emperor's fury emanated from around him. The air around him seemed to crackle, alive. His eyes were the darkest shade a human could ever think off. Something horribly blood-curdling hissing and churning in them. His strong muscles flexed as he repeatedly hit Goro. Goro tried to resist, but failed. The anger the Emperor felt was nothing compared to the disgustingly simple emotions of desire Goro felt.
Aiko new that this fight would end with someone's blood spilling.

Sure enough, a trickle of red liquid oozed out of Goro's nose. It lazily trailed down his jaw, splattering on the tatami mats.

That's when Aiko knew she had to pull the Emperor off, or Goro would end up killed by the Emperor's bare hands.

Wearily, she threw herself off the bed, keeping the Emperor's jacket securely on.

Aiko limped quickly to the two men. Every step draining her empty reserve of energy even more.
Aiko grabbed the Emperor's arm, before it could strike once more. She hugged it, pulling it to her chest. Enveloping it with her own body.

The Emperor turned around. Shocked. "Aiko, you're awake?" He mumbled softly. His left hand let Goro fall, like a sack of rice on the floor. The disgusting viper saw white has he hit the floor. His body aching all over.

"Stop hitting him." She commanded wearily.

The Emperor felt anger surge through his body. Boiling under his skin. "Why should I listen?! He mistreated you so badl-"

Aiko's long and slender finger was placed gently on the Emperor's lips. "Don't waste your energy on someone like him." She said, her voice becoming quieter towards the end.

Aiko saw white for a second. Her knees buckled. She almost fell, but the Emperor caught her. The Emperor knew she was right, but he had let pure anger control him like he always did. He clasped Aiko in his arms.

"Don't worry, you won't see him again any time soon." He whispered in her ear calmly, as Goro withered in pain on the floor.

Aiko realized something. The idea pushing through her medically drugged mind. "But we need a male and a female close to the male side of the family for the wedding." Aiko said worriedly. Her eyes lids threatening to close, blocking her view and cutting her from the conversation. The idea was sudden, and out of place, but made sense in Aiko's languid mind.

She leaned on the Emperor, mumbling about that, her thoughts as jumbled up as her words. "Don't worry Aiko. I have some other people who are better." The Emperor said. "In fact, I need to go to my room and send them a letter now. And I'm taking you with me: you need to rest." He said, a weird layer of genuine concern cooating his voice.

"I'll come with you, but let me do something first."
The Emperor nodded, confused as Aiko stumbled out of his grasp. He tried catching her, but she pushed him away.

Aiko limped towards Goro. Who was curled in a circle on the floor. His body blossoming with bruises. Aiko went to stand over him.

"You are a vile human being with the slyest personality anyone can have. The Gods cursed you from the moment your soul was created. You must have done a great sin in your past life, and you are paying for it now. And, I am enjoying it. I wish dearly for hell to open up and swallow you, but, you...you might be too much even for that." Aiko spat in his face. Pure hatred oozing from her words. Goro whimpered. The mighty soldier reduced to nothing.

Aiko smiled, before spitting in his face. Goro yelped and jumped. Disgust and humiliation mixed on his face. He wiped the spit away, passing his hand on his richly embroidered clothes.

"I will make you pay!" He hissed. Rage blinking madly in his eyes.

The Emperor laughed. "I want to see you try."