The Emperor's Rose

Chapter 56// For The Sake Of Old Times

"Whom were you writing to?" Aiko mumbled, her words slowly starting to become clearer. Her face tentatively snuggled in the Emperor's chest.

"The family member that will dress you in your kimono before the wedding." The Emperor said. His eyes watching the sun slowly rise.

Aiko had slept through the night, so had he but less than her and had awoken frantic at the thought of what had happened the day before.

"I hope they're nice." Aiko mumbled. The Emperor nodded.

"They are."

A knock resonated on the doors, breaking the bubble they had created. "Your Majesty, the court physician and the herbalist are here to visit Her Highness." The voice said.

"Wait outside while the Empress makes herself presentable," the Emperor said grumpily. He had been enjoying the quiet moment between them. It had been calm, and peaceful, and now it was over.

Aiko slowly rose to her feet. Her brain swirled. She wobbled forwards before the Emperor grasped her and slowly led her to the bed. His hand on her waist.
"Ah, Your Majesty, the messenger has returned, and is waiting outside. I would also advise to start preparing for the wedding." The royal advisor, Heichi said.

"Yes, Yes." The Emperor said distractedly as Aiko laid on the bed. He observed her, checking she was presentable. Her hair was messy but that was alright.
He was actually grateful the wedding preparations had to be done only by the male as the tradition dictated. Even though they weren't really following tradition, he would gladly follow this one so Aiko could relax and regain strength in that way.

The Emperor slowly walked to his studio and took the book which had fallen from his grasp. "Come in!" He barked. The doors slowly creaked open.
The two doctors quickly rushed to Aiko. Their movements frantic. Like two flies swarming over a piece of fruit. Checking and asking her questions.

While the advisor, Heichi, dressed in blue robes and a fan in hand moved closer to the Emperor. A servant following him with books and samples of fabric appeared in the room. It was sudden and usually the preparations took more time, but the Emperor had pushed them back till last, and now with the chaos happening in the castle, the preparations would be quick.

The Emperor grimaced, rubbing his eyes. Heichi spread everything on the table in front of the Emperor. The Emperor passed a hand through his hair.

"Please Your Majesty, the cook requests a list of foods to prepare for the banquet as well."

And so the frenzy of the moment started.

Three days passed in a flash, between medical visits and preparations for the upcoming wedding as well as the preparations for the arrival of the guests.

All of this took so much time, the Emperor and Aiko didn't see each other. Maybe a glance in the corridors and that was it. After the glance had been exchanged they would be both escorted to their next destination. Busy with a thousand things but an image of each other stuck in their mind permanently. Like an ink stain on a kimono.

At night, both were so exhausted they just collapsed on their beds. Not even an ounce of strength to get up and crawl to each other's room. They also didn't want to admit to themselves that they wanted to sleep next to each other, and felt restless without the other. Instead, they imagined the other was there, holding onto them. They thought of each other before closing their eyes, the bed empty and cold.
•
•
•
The sunset was illuminating the sky. Aiko was in her room. Finally left alone from all the doctors, since she felt better. Aiko had regained color and felt stronger.

Aiko walked to her screen doors and pushed them open. She leaned on them observing the view. Spring was coming; flowers were starting to bloom.

As she was standing there, she remembered when the Emperor had come in her rooms after the wedding announcement. That seemed all so far away. Just a memory. But the wedding was approaching, and she hadn't seen the Emperor in three days.

She didn't want to admit it, but she felt something stir in her heart as the image of the Emperor popped in her mind. Aiko missed his snarky remarks. The bickering, his perfume. She denied her own thoughts, thinking it was probably the medicines talking, but her heart seemed to disagree.

A sharp knock resonated on the doors. Aiko was about to answer when the doors were pushed open and the Emperor strolled inside.

Aiko huffed, "You could have waited for me to come in. I could have been naked for all you knew," Aiko said, her arms crossing.

"I already gave you the warning of the knock. And I'm the Emperor, and you're going to be my Empress soon so I will see you naked anyways." He said simply.

Aiko sighed and threw her arms up in despair. "I give up with you. What do you want?" She asked slowly sitting on her bed, holding her head straight so it wouldn't lean to the side and made her dizzy.

The Emperor's gaze quickly moved to the open screen doors, avoiding her eyes. "Just...I came to see how your recovery was going," the Emperor said nervously, knowing pretty well that that wasn't the only reason he came. He yearned for her. He missed her.

"Well, I'm fine. Now you can leave." Aiko said, secretly hoping he would stay.

"I don't feel like leaving." He moved his hand to his forehead and scratched it.

Aiko huffed, more out of habit, and fell back on her bed. Her long hair spilling around her head, glowing in the sunlight. Her eyes glinting. Her kimono had slipped from her shoulder. The Emperor smiled, feeling he could breathe their normality for a second. He had missed bickering with her, talking at sunset together, alone, and in their own world. The Emperor reluctantly admitted to himself that he had missed her so much. Everything about her made him feel at home. He slowly walked to the side of bed and plopped on it. "I'm sleeping here tonight." He said, his tone leaving no possibility for a debate.

Aiko shot up, her eyes widening. Before she caught sight of the Emperor's relaxed face and a strangely smiled, clearing the throat.

"Fine. For the sake of old times." Aiko grumbled, as she fell on the bed next to the Emperor.

Aiko's hand started to reach for his waist, but then she pulled it back, too embarrassed. Even if the Emperor's eyes were shut, he grabbed her retreating hand yanked it closer to him, bringing her close to him. He placed her hand on his waist, before he wrapped his arms around hers and tangled his legs with hers. None of them said nothing, and none of them resisted. They just pressed against each other, and fell asleep.